Here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King and all of the characters in it. Though the things that happened here are just figments of my imagination I want to stay true to the characters and make them stay the way that they are in the series.

Chapter 3:

Pirika was left on their apartment all alone and oniichan-less. She knew that her oniichan will think of her as a third-wheel but she doesn't want to be alone. She was torn between the supporting-little-sister role and the selfish-little-sister role.

"But I'm not that alone… anyway." She reminded herself as she stared in the mirror.

"According to my oniichan he asked Ren to take care of me. But every time I'm with Ren all my suitors are afraid to get closer to me. Even my crush is afraid to look at me because of him… I did get rid of oniichan but now… here comes Ren." Pirika said in all frustration as she continued to brush her hair.

She was so frustrated that she absent-mindedly made her comb to be covered in ice. She then noticed the poor comb. It made her snap out of her reverie.

"Oh no!" she uttered.

"I promised my oniichan to not to use my furyoku ever again." Pirika said worryingly as she runs around her room.

"Why not? You're also a shaman, am I right?" a familiar voice said, coming from the window.

Pirika then looked at him, without even being surprised. She was already used to that voice suddenly appearing out of nowhere.

His long hair danced in the wind. His face was calm. He was smiling sweetly. At some point he is handsome but then again…

It was Hao Asakura.

"Shouldn't you be in Izumo?" She asked ridiculously.

"Why would I? That place bores me besides my brother is too busy with his wife, leaving me lonely." Hao said acting sad.

"And so you decide to hang around here and annoy me?" She said raising an eyebrow and putting her hand on her waist.

"Now, why would I annoy you? I just came here because I want to see my most favorite Ainu in the whole wide world."

"My bother's not here." Pirika said as the ice in her comb started to melt.

"I'm not talking about your brother," Hao said, smiling as he went towards her, "I'm talking about you."

"What could you possibly want from me?" Pirika asked, now feeling a little bit nervous from the way Hao stares at her face.

Pirika could see her reflection in his eyes. She was somehow frightened at how intense his stare was and at that moment she just wanted to get out of his stare.

Hao then chuckled as he stepped back. Pirika on the other hand, sighed in relief.

"Nothing really… like I said I just want to see you nothing more, nothing less. I see your furyoku is increasing its strength. If you want to you can freeze me in no time without having a chance in fighting back. You know what happened to me after the Shaman Fight… so please do not hesitate to do so." Hao said almost convincing the young Ainu.

"Don't worry I'll not do that. What do you want here anyway?" Pirika asked. Her eyes followed every step Hao made.

"I just want to chat with you. How's your love life? I see Mr. Pointy hair is tormenting you." Hao said knowing exactly what has been bugging the girl.

Pirika started to think that Hao has been spying on her. He was right on target.

"Yeah, you're right." She still managed to answer.

"I think he just likes you." Hao said. He then moved towards her bed and sat there comfortably.

"What do you know about affection and love?" Pirika said being annoyed now.

"Oh my girl… I know a lot of things. I know how those pitiful humans play with that emotion and how it motivates Shamans. I know how that useless emotion defeated me… and so on." He said rolling his eyes.

"You sure are wise. But it can't be learned just like that. You have to feel it."

"Girls are like that. Okay, how about if I tell you that I'm in love with you now." Hao said smirking.

The Ainu blushed furiously. Hao can't help but smile.

Pirika saw Hao's smile for a moment… he looked quite gorgeous sitting on her bed like that. Even if it was Hao who said that her heart started to beat faster than normal. It may just be Hao but he was still a guy nonetheless. It is more than enough to send her maiden heart flying in her chest.

Hao then laughed as how Pirika reacted to the simple comment.

"You know I'm just joking… I don't like little girls." Hao said laughing. Pirika grimaced.

'What was I expecting!' She scolded herself in her head.

She then went towards the bed and motioned for him to leave her bed. Hao obliged and stood up. He then started to walk away from the angry girl.

"Go to hell!" Pirika shouted as Hao continued laughing.

"Actually, I've already been there… little Pirika. I'm just joking, okay." Hao said.

He then walked closer to the girl. Pirika just stood there with annoyance on her face. Hao smiled tenderly. He then lifted up his right hand and patted the girl on the head. Pirika seemed to expect something else and so when she felt contact her eyes suddenly closed but it opened again shocked to realize what Hao did. For a moment her irritation to the guy vanished because of the warm gesture.

Hao smile never vanished even as Pirika stared at his eyes blushing in the process.

O.O

"One move Hao Asakura and I'm sure you'll be decapitated… or even worse than that." A voice from the door said threatening Hao.

Pirika was still looking at his eyes and there she saw the reflection of the Chinese Shaman at the door. He was pointing his sword towards Hao as if ready to attack without warning.

Upon contemplating at the situation Hao then retrieved the hand in the head of Pirika and slowly stepped back while still wearing that mocking smile on his face. Pirika knew what that smile meant and it was because of the presence of the Chinese Shaman.

The moment Hao was at some distance Ren hurriedly went towards the girl without her noticing.

"Are you hurt?" Ren suddenly whispered checking Pirika from head to toe.

The girl snapped it was only then that she learned that Ren was beside her.

"No." She answered as Hao finally reaches the boundaries of the room.

"There… I didn't hurt her. Satisfied?" Hao said.

"What did you do Hao Asakura?" Ren asked as he went in front of Pirika. He was in between the girl and Hao now without putting his sword down.

"He didn't do anything, Ren. Leave him be." Pirika finally spoke up.

Ren shot a look at Pirika. He was somehow annoyed by what Pirika said. She suddenly took Hao's side all of a sudden. Ren wanted to let his anger take a hold of him however that would only make things worse. So he decided to just contain himself while the girl was with him.

"Okay," he said to the girl, "but for you Hao Asakura, you have ten seconds to get your ass out of here!"

"Ren!" Pirika scolded. She didn't like the way Ren talked. Even if he was angry there must be some other way to put it into words.

"That's alright Piri. I know I'm not welcome. It was nice talking to you again… little lady." He said with a wink at the girl.

Pirika smiled.

Hao then turned back and jumped out of the window. Ren followed and when he looked down Hao was nowhere to be found.

"Bye." Pirika finally uttered keeping her voice as low as possible that it was impossible for Ren to hear.

Hao finally vanished. Pirika was relieved. Ren was still annoyed.

Ren then turned to Pirika. He must have a word with her.

"What was that?" Ren shouted.

"Nothing." Pirika answered, as she took a glance at her comb that was now ice-free. She was even more relieved that Ren didn't saw that.

"What do you mean NOTHING? I'm not dumb Pirika nor am I blind to see how you flirt with that devil."

"I'm not flirting! How dare you say that to me?" Pirika shouted back.

"Your brother left you under my supervision. You are now my responsibility."

"Well… I didn't ask you to be my guardian!" Pirika shouted, as their faces were almost inches from each other.

"That's it!" Ren suddenly shouted. He then walked towards a huge bag that was lying around the room.

"What are you doing?" Pirika asked as the Chinese Shaman started to get Pirika's dress and pack it in the huge bag.

"I'm taking you with me. We're going to China." Ren answered strongly.

"What! Why?" Pirika said as she runs towards the boy.

She then grabbed his arms as if stopping him from packing anything.

"I came here to say goodbye but when I saw Hao near you," he then paused as Pirika looked seriously at him, "You must come with me! That bastard might hurt you." He shouted again.

"Ren…" Pirika murmured under her breath.

Her grip loosened and just let him do whatever he wants.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The sky was clear. The clouds were gliding in the sky. The blue waters reflected the beautiful sky. Everything was sparkling with the water. The breeze was cool as it passed by their ship.

Pirika was enjoying herself on the surroundings and the crystal blue waters while they were aboard the Tao family's private ship.

Ren on the other hand was enjoying his view of the girl. Pirika's blue hair was more beautiful than any ocean in the world as it waved against the cool breeze. Her eyes are even clearer than the summer sky as it looked at the vast ocean.

"Here."

Ren then snapped his daydream. He then saw Pirika handing him an ice cream cone. She also has one.

"Where did you get that?" The Tao asked.

"The chef gave that to me. He was so nice." She said cheerfully.

Ren almost blushed instantly hiding his face. He then took the ice cream and muttered a simple "Thanks" under his breath.

Pirika can't help to giggle after that. Ren looked adorable.

"Why? Is there something funny?" Ren asked, as his tongue licked the ice cream.

"Nothing really…" Pirika answered, as she sat on the deck.

Ren followed. He started sitting down. Although he was trying to stop his face from looking at her he still ended up looking at the girl beside her. He smiled at Pirika started licking her ice cream absentmindedly.

"Do you like it?" Pirika suddenly asked turning her head towards Ren.

Ren harshly turned his gaze away and stared directly ahead.

"What kind of question is that?" Ren barked to save himself from blushing.

"Gomen. I didn't mean to." Pirika apologized at once as she went back to her ice cream.

The girl can't seem to understand this guy… she was just asking and then he shouted at her! She knows how short his temper is but she wasn't doing anything bad!

The two the started to take short glances at each other while feeling the cool ocean breeze. Everything was quiet. The waves were almost a whisper and the ship was just humming. No one dared to interrupt the two.

Ren: If she only knew… what? (Shakes his head) what am I thinking now? This girl is really something! She's not that scared at Hao Asakura then she was giggling because of an ice cream… though… that giggle give me the chills back there… what was it?

Pirika: Ren looks really cute especially if he's angry. Could he be jealous at Hao? I mean… really now, I'm flirting with Hao –THEE Hao Asakura! The most feared Shaman during the Shaman Fight. The boy who lived for many generations! You gotta be kidding me! Though I hope he is really getting jealous…

Both were drowned in each other's thoughts but that didn't stop them from looking at the person beside them. Even though they hadn't realized it they were starting looking at each other… their gazes locking…their breathing faster… their heart almost stopping.

Am I… am I… in love?

The though crashed down to both of them.