Prince Meets Princess

Author's Note: Whoo...getting close to the end here! I say about five to six more chapters and it should be done. But, don't worry there'll be a sequel, called Bitter Sweet, you can start looking for it soon, along with a side story.

Chapter Twenty: Into Yohmei's Hole

Asakura Yoh grinned reassuringly to his friends as the small group of teens stood at the base of a large cave. Today was the day Yoh had to go into Yohmei's hole, where he'd, hopefully, spend the next week finding his true power. "I'll be fine, you guys!" He said, smiling his carefree grin.

Pirika frowned, "But Tamao-chan said no one has ever survived it." She said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Yoh shrugged, "Well, there has to be a first time for everything, right?" He said with a sheepish laugh.

Pirika grinned before slowly nodding, "I suppose you're right." She said, not understanding how Yoh could be so calm through everything. But, then again he was always that way, ever since she first met him.

After all, if anyone could make it out of Yohmei's Hole it was Yoh. If he didn't so much could be lost. He understood this, that's way he made the choice to go into the hole in the first place. Not only did he have to recuse Anna, but he had to defend his future Kingdom. It was his duty as future Shaman King, and it was his duty because he was the only one capable of defeating his twin brother.

Tamao sighed, "Just be careful, if you don't make it out..." She couldn't finish her sentence, but everyone knew what would happen. Not only would Hao get Anna, but he'd get the Shaman Kingdom as well, then the world. There was just so much at stake, so much could be lost if this didn't work out well.

Yoh merely grinned, "Everything will work out on it's own, you'll see." He said, before turning and walking into the cave, disappearing into it's dark depths.

Horo snorted, crossing his arms, "Better him than me." He said.

Pirika blinked, turning to glare at her older brother, "What's that suppose to mean?" She snapped. "Don't you worry, I got a whole new training program for you!" She added, an evil grin on her face.

Horo paled, "I was just playing!" He whined, "Please...no training."

Tamao couldn't help but giggle as she watched Pirika drag her nearly wailing brother, by the ear, back to the palace. She turned to gaze one last time at the cave, she shuddered...something wasn't right...she could feel it.

There was something in the air, something almost evil. It wasn't the first time she felt it, but she had said nothing to the others, it was almost mocking the group. Teasing them to see who could and could not sense it.

She gazed around the surrounding area, it seemed as though something was watching her, something sinister.

An evil laugh filled the surrounding area, making the pink headed girl shiver in fear.

"My dear prophet..." A voice said, but their wasn't a body to go with this voice, but it sounded like Yoh, but it lacked his warmth, his care.

Tamao gulped, trying to gather what little courage she had, "W-who are you!" She squeaked.

There was that evil chuckle again, but this time it was accompanied by a person. A boy, with long dark brown hair and the vilest eyes Tamao had ever seen, the same eyes that Yoh had, only Yoh's were so much more warm. This was the boy of legends, the fabled Asakura Hao. Hao continued smiling, "I can hear your pathetic heart beating in fear." He whispered, "Do I frighten you that much?"He asked, still approaching Tamao, an evil grin on his face.

Tamao simply froze in fear, unable to move as a gloved hand reached out to gently stroke her cheek, "Such power...hidden behind such weakness." He said in an almost mournful tone. "People like you are good for one thing." He added as he pulled something out of his mantle.

Tamao shook in fear as a book was dropped to her feet, "You'll do well to give that to my Otouto after he comes out of Yohmei's hole, my little lamb." He said before simply walking off, but not before throwing one last cheerful grin at the pink headed girl.

Tamao stood, staring in disbelief as her gaze dropped to the dusty old book that was dropped to her feet. She knelt down and picked it up, she ran her hand across the faded cover, and gazed at the ancient Japanese. Suddenly she froze, she knew what this book was!

Clutching the book she ran back to the palace, she was off to find her teacher, Asakura Yohmei. This book was never suppose to exist, but then again, neither was Asakura Hao.