Mikau: Okay, so here it is. The part where I start writing this fic. My continuation of what you all love: American! Feel free to flame me, but I must warn you that I will correct the grammar mercilessly of any flamer. Reviewers feel free to have as much bad grammar as you wish; I value your opinion!

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King, and Tippy-chan owns Asuka/Anlita and Liger.

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A New Authoress Takes Center Stage As Our Heroine Washes Dishes

Hao and I returned to the kitchen to help Yoh with the dishes. Yoh, Hao, and I managed to wash the dishes without breaking many.

An awkward silent hung in the air. Yoh glanced over at me and tried to make polite conversation, "Sooo…um, Asuka. Are you getting settled in nicely?"

"Yes." I muttered. My stomach was really hurting me and I was anxious to get upstairs to bandage it. "Thank you for taking me in like this. You didn't have to…"

"Of course we did! You needed some place to go, and after what happened…" Yoh stopped and stole a quick glance at me. I had hung my head in shame, trying to hide my on coming bout of tears. "I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have brought it up. Are you okay?" Yoh asked realizing his mistake at bringing up my sister.

I sadly smiled softly at him and replied, "It's okay. I know you and she were good friends. I really am grateful for the hospitality. I'm going up to my room now. I need some alone time."

I turned and started to leave, but stopped when Yoh said, "Don't beat yourself up about this. It isn't your fault; no matter what everyone else says."

His words startled me, 'He doesn't blame me? But he and Cassidy were really close, yet he still doesn't think it's my fault!' I was too shocked for words, so I just nodded my head and headed up to my room.

Back in the kitchen Hao was looking at Yoh with a 'what just happened?' expression on his face.

Yoh just shook his head and smiled at his brother. "Not now Hao. Asuka will tell you when she's ready."

Meanwhile back up in my room, I was laying on my bed cringing in pain. I had to do something about that nasty bruise. I pulled up my shirt to look at my stomach. Yep, the footprint Father gave me in the dream was still there.

"Liger?" I called for my guardian.

Seconds later he appeared next to me in a little red poof. Liger shrank to spirit-ball mode to fit in the room. He cocked his head at me to see what I wanted.

"Could you get me some bandages? And then maybe carry me to the bathroom?" I asked sheepishly.

Liger rolled his huge goldish crimson eyes at me, but complied with my wishes. When we got to the bathroom (thankfully without anyone noticing us) Liger set me down on the floor. I rid myself of my shirt, and surveyed the damage.

The once shoe-shaped bruise had noticeably worsened, and was now a bleeding wound. Thankfully it wasn't too deep, and I managed to bandage it with the help of Liger before I lost too much blood.

"Oh, Liger, what have I gotten myself into?" I sighed as I hugged my companion's fuzzy face to my body. "Maybe I should tell someone?" I said off handedly. "No. That would never work;" I answered myself after a moment of thought. Then added as an afterthought: "It couldn't ever work. I couldn't do that to any of those nice people. My father is my problem," I winced at the thought of my dad. "And I'll deal with it. He'll hurt anyone who gets involved. They could never understand anyway." I whispered remorsefully as I pulled away from my consoler. "It's just you and me, buddy."

"But why does it have to be that way?" A new voice asked defiantly.

I swung around, and there in the doorway was Hao Asakura.

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Mikau: I know it's a little slow, but I swear it gets better! Let me know what you think about this. I'd like to know how you feel about me taking this over. Scream, cry, and do whatever you want, but please refrain from calling me bad names.

A note to Tippy-chan: Well I think that went well…sort of. Let me know what you think, and as always: Thank you sooooooo much for your support and help with this! I'm glad someone out there has faith in me! Lol!

Mikau: Ja ne, people. I'll be awaiting your angry (or happy, whichever) reviews in the morning!

PLEASE REVIEW!