Disclaimer: Again I do not own Shaman King just to make it clear to all of you out there. I'm also sorry for the typographical errors. Please enjoy.

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Chapter 2

So Horohoro and Mr. Honda made their deal. First they settled all the necessary information and documents. Now Pirika's surname will not be Usui anymore… after some legal issues she's a true blue Honda.

The first one that Horohoro talked to about this was Tamao. At first the girl was shocked; she knew how much Horohoro loved his sister and how he would exchange even his life for her sake. But after she heard Horo's reason she finally saw that this was the greatest sacrifice any brother could do… dumb? Yes. Noble? True.

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"But why?" Yoh asked when Horohoro finally told Anna and the rest about it.

"Because like what you know I'm a very poor guy. I'm not as rich as the Hondas… I can't give Pirika the things that she wants… the things that she needs." He answered as Tamao was just beside him for support.

"But Pirika don't care about that!" Ryu cried out.

"She's a nice sister and all that she wants is to be with you." Manta added.

"I know… but that's not the only thing that lacks in this big picture." Horo objected again.

"Then what is?" Anna dared ask. Her icy stare directly on Horo's eyes.

"A family…"

With just that answer everyone was struck. Anna didn't have a family except for the Asakura's. Manta always stays with Yoh and the gang. Ryu and his gang were rejects of the society; they never really experienced the warm love of a true family.

Silence took over for a few moments. No one knew the exact word to say or even the right words to say… because of that Horohoro's reason almost seemed logical.

"But what does a family mean?" Yoh suddenly asked, his eyes just relaxed… not too sad, not too happy… just relaxed and at ease.

"It doesn't really necessary mean to have a mother, a father and some siblings… what matters most in a family is love. Right? I think what we have here is not merely a bunch of friends hanging out… although that's what it seems at first… but I think we already have created a family." Yoh explained as Horo's eyes started to shake a little.

"Stop that! You don't know what you're saying! Pirika was still a little baby when our parents died… she never experienced what I've felt. She never experienced a warm touch a mother could give, those words of guidance only a father could say. She never felt going to bed with her mother besides her caressing her to sleep. She didn't even hear my mother's lullaby sung by our mother herself! I know that she may say that I'm enough! But I can see it in her eyes, I can feel it… she longs for that family. A family that she won't find anywhere!" Horohoro cried out as tears started to pour from his eyes.

Ren, who was just listening to everything that was happening inside the room couldn't take it anymore… although he never had the guts to visit Pirika in the hospital these past few days he believes that he's right to think that Horohoro was out of his mind. And so with listening to all this crap he just couldn't take it any longer.

He marched up towards Horo and just let him have it… hard!

Horohoro was knocked off at once due to Ren's fist while everyone was just stunned.

"Why do you…" Tamao tried to ask but was halted when he saw Ren's fuming eyes.

"You're the stupidest person I've met Horohoro!" Ren shouted out.

Horohoro tried to stand up as his hand was rubbing the cheek that Ren just punched.

"You wanted Pirika to be with those folks, whoever they are, because you want her to be safe. You know that she doesn't have any powerful Shamanic powers like you do and because of the accident you finally realized that every time she's with us you're endangering her life. Now am I right?" Ren shouted.

Horohoro's eyes were wide, he was just stunned.

'How the hell did he know about that?' Horo just kept on thinking.

Ren then turned around facing the door and just walked out. Horo looked up at once seeing Ren walking away.

'It can't be… but does he care for my sister too? That's impossible.' He continued to think.

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After leaving the onsen he went to the hospital and faced his fears –to see Pirika in a coma.

He went inside the room closing the door behind him quietly. He just stood there before her for a minute or so… just looking at her. Those cheeks that were once rosy, that mouth that was just lively and cheerful, and those eyes that were blue and sparkling.

"How I would give anything just to see you smile?" Ren muttered under his breath.

He then took a chair and sat beside Pirika, his eyes was still directed only at her as if that's the last time he would see her and tomorrow is the end of the world.

He took Pirika's hand and held it tightly while his eyes seem to almost beg for her to wake up.

"Wherever you go… whatever you do… I promise I'll always protect you. I would always watch you from afar… a stranger maybe but I know that deep inside your heart you know that I'm not a stranger. From now on Pirika… I'm yours until the end of time. That I swear." Ren alleged as he held Pirika's hand near his heart and bending towards the girl to stroke her delicate cheeks.

Ren then let go of her hand and went nearer Pirika's face. He then leaned over as his arm supported his weight. He then closes his eyes and went nearer so that he could give a kiss to Pirika's pale lips. As soon as his lips touched hers he pulled away and took his seat staring at the girl again and holding her hand.

"I think what I'm saying is… Pirika wake up… I need you… I love you." He muttered again.

And just like in fairytales Pirika's hand slowly moved. Ren felt it at once.

"Pirika?" he asked suddenly becoming overjoyed.

Pirika's eyelids also moved a bit and after a few seconds Ren saw those blue orbs looking at him again.

"Pirika!" Ren shouted in exhilaration and amazement.

Pirika then sat up and looked at Ren with questions in her eyes.

"Who are you?" she asked… a question that shocked Ren.

If Ren answers her, Horohoro's plan would backfire and he doesn't want that to happen… but what would he say to her?

Fortunately before Ren could answer the nurse went in the room with Mr. and Mrs. Honda behind her and not only that Horohoro was also there ready to grab Ren out of the scene.

Ren left the room with the Hondas embracing Pirika and telling her how glad they are that she's awake.

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"Are they?" Ren began to ask as Horohoro just nodded.

"I know that they could give the type of family that I want Pirika to have." Horohoro said with sincerity in his words.

"I know…" Ren said calmly but suddenly he looked at Horohoro fiercely as if something came over him all of a sudden, "but still you're the most dim-witted person I've ever met! You're giving away your sister just like that to them! I still don't agree to this… this stupidity! And I would still want to punch you right in the nose." Ren said and with that he walked away again like what he did at Yoh's place.

Horohoro just stared at him again as his friend slowly walks away and disappear when he turned to a corner. Horohoro then gave a deep and heavy sigh. After a final look at the room where Pirika was staying, he walked away going back home.

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After two weeks Horohoro got an invitation from the Honda's house and so he went there with Yoh and Manta. He would rather want Tamao to come with him but she needed to go to Izumo with Anna to visit Master Mikihisa and the rest of Yoh's relatives.

As soon as the three stepped out of the black limo all of them were just stunned to see how big the house was.

"Now I got it." Manta muttered after thinking. It caught the attention of the two.

"What?" Yoh asked.

"The name Honda was very familiar when I first heard it and now I remember why." Manta answered.

"Why?" Horohoro asked getting curious.

"Their family is very well-known. Mr. Honda owns this TV station, and a hotel and a famous restaurant that has branches even in the US."

Yoh can't help to whistle.

"That means… they're very wealthy." Yoh said.

"Wow I think I got lucky to choose the right parents for Pirika." Horohoro just said.

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After a while the three found themselves sitting on beautiful wooden chair outside in a huge and beautiful garden owned by the Honda family.

The maids were entertaining them for a while but now the lady of the house finally met them.

"Where's Pirika?" Horohoro asked at once.

"She's in school of course… my husband would love to see you again but he's in a business trip out of town and so he can't be with you now." The woman started.

She then noticed Horo's worried eyes and that made her smile again.

"Don't worry she's in tip-top shape." Mrs. Honda assured.

"Thank you. That's all I want to know." Horo smiled.

"Why did you call us by the way?" Manta finally asked.

"Well I just want you to know that Pirika was such an angel. She's very brilliant and very beautiful. She's also talented and has a natural charisma."

"Did you tell her about me?" Horo can't help to ask.

The woman then rolled her eyes as her cheerfulness suddenly faded away… hesitating for a while to what to say next.

"I understand. Please take care of her." Horohoro said and with that he stood up, bow and started to leave.

Yoh and Manta did the same too and followed their friend.

"Wait! I want to give you something." The woman said chasing Horohoro.

Horo then stopped and looked at the woman while feeling something was in his hand already.

When Horo looked at it he saw a white envelope. He then looked at the woman who was now smiling sweetly.

"What's this?" he dared ask hoping that it's not what he thinks it is.

"Take that as a token of appreciation." The woman just said.

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So Pirika finally woke up and Ren already told her, though she doesn't know it, what he felt for her… but will this story have 'a happy ending' since the two have parted ways or will destiny find a way to bring these two hearts together… find out soon…

Please continue to support me and read this story… Thank you very much. I also hope you like it. Thank You!