frozenmagicfireThank you! X3 I'll have to check out your fics later...
Bloody Cross: Thanks!
haolover9312: Yep, this chapter will be fluffy!
Chibi Atariel Tsukai: Yeah. ;.; Poor Yoh and Hao...
strife-lover: Yay! I really like writing HoroRen and HaoYoh...
AzaleeXD It is, isn't it? No, you didn't review the last chapter, but... thank you for reviewing this one! I'll do those things... more fluff between Hao and Yoh and Horo and Ren!
SPUW Comander, Ruler of the eastern hemisphere, whatever!'s brother: Thank you! XD What a long username...
Seito:dies laughing: XD Glad you liked the chapter! I'll try to make it... less depressing. o.o
tati1: It's alright:D Here's an update!
sashaThank you!

-

Chapter 4

Yoh didn't understand why or how someone like his brother could come to control a beast such as Spirit of Fire, or, why he would want to control a spirit like that. He could have taken any spirit, any at all-and he had chosen such a scary looking one.

The thought that terrified him the most was that Hao was capable of committing such acts as he did. To murder another human being. Sure-anyone would be surprised that a child like Yoh could understand the meaning of death; especially when he had no idea of what had happened to his parents at the moment. It was a day that one of their dear loved pets died that he understood what it was to be murdered and to die.

But... he had yet to see another human being die. At least-not until today.

Right now; he was silent as he and Hao both walked home-hand in hand. Hao had tried to explain many times to Yoh that there was no choice in the matter; that, if he hadn't done anything, something worse would have happened to the both of them.

The thought only terrified Yoh further.

Hao starred at Yoh sadly; feeling guiltier than he had ever felt before. If only Yoh could understand what the situation was. If it wasn't the thought of him taking a life himself; it was the thought that he had let the only person still close to him; the only person still keeping him sane down.

"Yoh..." He began, not looking at him. "Sorry." That was it-those three words that cost him his dignity, but, he didn't want to see his brother like this.

Yoh looked up at him with sad eyes; squeezing Hao's hand in a comforting sort of way. "It's alright, Onii-chan." He whispered, tears filling his eyes once more. "But..."

"But...?" Hao raised an eyebrow.

Yoh sent him a glare. "Don't hurt anymore people, Onii-chan." He said in a stern voice, but, this sounded odd for a child that was so young. "You're just as bad as other people that hurt others when you do that."

His older brother paused at that before chuckling lightly; getting on his knees to face Yoh finally and patting him on the head in an affectionate manner. "I won't hurt anyone unless I have to, Otouto." He said calmly.

His glare only hardened. "Just because you have to, doesn't mean you should!" He pouted.

Hao paused at that before laughing once more. "No, I won't hurt anyone." At least not in front of Yoh... I can't let hum see anymore deaths.

Yoh paused. Hao wasn't known for being a liar, but, that didn't change the fact that Yoh was still uncertain about this. He'd definitely be even more upset with Hao if he saw anymore deaths from him. He... had to prevent that happening at all costs. "...Are you sure? Do you promise?"

Hao blinked. Promise...? When he lived in the estate, he couldn't keep a promise. What made him so sure that he would be able to keep a promise now...?

Well, maybe it wouldn't hurt to try...

He nodded and stood again. "Aah. Promise, Yoh." He smiled slightly at his brother. "Come on; we have a while to walk before we can rest again."

Yoh sighed. "...Where are we going now?"

Hao frowned at that. "Somewhere new. It'll be nicer from where we last were."

The long-haired brunet knew very well that to be safe-they would need to move once more. Who knew when their would be more ambushes made...?

The area they were moving to this time, however, was a peaceful part of Funbari, Tokyo-the old abandoned Enn Inn would perhaps give them the quiet they had deserved. The place, of course, had been rumored to be haunted... explaining why it was abandoned.

This, of course-would not bother Hao or Yoh. They were used to seeing spirits, of course.

Maybe... this would be the chance for them to acquire new spirits; to improve on their Shamanic powers.

Hao would have to keep Spirit of Fire beside him, no doubt-feeding him the souls he needed to keep the spirit alive and thriving until Hao could finally find a place where Yoh and Hao could... just live without any fear.

Wherever this place might be.

-

Tao Ren walked along the quiet streets of Funbari, Bason floating behind him loyally.

It was his favorite time of the day-night time. This being because it was the time of the day when he felt most at peace. It was the time of the day when he felt most relaxed.

It was the only time would he could watch the stars-understanding and appreciating nature as a Shaman.

Tonight, though-he couldn't think clearly.

He was still thinking about HoroHoro. For some reason-the thought of the Ainu would not leave his mind. He had to admit... the way he had been to him in his time of need made him feel slightly guilty.

Bason clasped his hands together, his eyes sparkling. "Bocchama's still thinking about that boy, isn't he? How cute-"

The purple-haired boy twitched, pointing his glaive at the spirit. "Keep your mouth shut, Bason. You're supposed to be a warlord, not a fangirl."

The spirit cried waterfall tears. "Of course, Bocchama..." He tried his best to keep silent, but, he continued to smile slightly to himself. The thought of his master caring about anyone other than him or his sister made him happy.

He cursed under his breath. He'll get over it. If I can get over the death of my sister, he can get over the death of him.

He paused. But... maybe it wouldn't hurt to just help him get back on his feet. Just until then. I can very easily get rid of his then.

Ren nodded to himself.

That was it.

He wouldn't have to have the Ainu stay with him any longer than that.

As Ren the almost-empty street (with the exception of two other boys); finally coming to a resolve.

Tonight, before it got too late-he would talk to HoroHoro, and, hopefully he would be able to make a better impression on him.

Sure, Ren could be cold hearted-sometimes.

Wait, no, scratch that. Ren was cold-hearted most of the time. It was just his nature, he supposed.

...But, he could be kind, too.

...Sometimes.

-

Hao and Yoh were currently walking together-yes, they were still walking together to find their new home.

Hao, however, stiffened when the long-haired boy had walked passed him. If it was anyone else-any other stranger at all-he would have brushed his off as if it was nothing.

...The boy wasn't alone.

On the contrary-he had... a spirit traveling with him. A Chinese warlord, to be exact.

His eyes were widened slightly in shock. There are... more Shamans in Tokyo besides me and Yoh?

This surprised him, but, at the same time-it made him feel very relieved.

He turned to talk to him, and, perhaps greet him-that is, until Yoh tugged on his hand.

"Onii-chan." He yawned. "I'm tired. Can't we rest for a bit...?"

The pyromaniac slowly turned and nodded; smiling slightly. The idea wasn't too bad, actually. The graveyard was nearby; it would be a perfect place for them to just... rest for a while.

"Sure." He began walking once more, taking Yoh along with him. "We can rest in a bit, Otouto."

He then turned his glance once more where Ren had been standing-a smirk slowly forming on his face.

...Ah well. We'll meet again... soon.

-

Usui HoroHoro sighed as he sat on his bed, still in much shock from the news that was brought to him earlier. He had never lost... anyone close to him before.

He was supposed to move from Hokkaido to Tokyo for hopes of a better life; not to lose something.

And yet, that was precisely what had happened to him.

HoroHoro was the type to get so depressed... and yet, he was.

He sighed deeply-cupping his cheeks as he thought about the earlier encounter he had with the purple-haired boy.

That was... strange, to say the least. He still didn't know what the heck he was doing here-or who the stranger was, but... he was still willing to let him stay there.

Hmm...

He grinned slightly.

...At least he could freeload in the house without being yelled at for once..

The blue-haired Ainu paused, however; when the door to his room opened, twitching slightly. The door had been closed for a reason, and-

Wait a minute.

"You again?" HoroHoro twitched. He didn't exactly want to see anyone at the moment, much less someone like Ren.

...Even though he was offering shelter.

Ren frowned at that. "I came in here to help you, and, that's all you have to say for yourself?" An eyebrow rose.

HoroHoro looked at him in the same fashion. Really, what was he expecting...? "You want to help me?" He snorted. "Last time I remembered; you wanted me to leave as soon as I found a place to stay at." He crossed his arms.

The Chinese twitched once more-approaching HoroHoro and sitting next to him on the bed. "I'll help you." He said simply. "It's not like I haven't lost a love one before." He frowned. Except-I was alone then. He's lucky that I'm doing this. "I'll... help you until you can get back on your feet." He looked down; refusing to look at HoroHoro's shocked face. "After that... you're on your own." He shrugged before smirking. "I doubt you'd be able to protect yourself so easily with a mere Koropokkuru."

HoroHoro held himself back from yelling at him. After all, Ren was trying to help... He shrugged. "I won't stop you if you want to help me." His mouth twitched slightly. "And of course she's powerful enough to defend me!" He crossed his arms. "You're a Shaman too, aren't you!" He stood up and grabbed his snowboard. "Then I can prove to you she's powerful! More power than that damn excuse for a ghost you have!" He smirked at that.

The other boy's mouth twitched into a slight smile. A Shaman fight, huh...? "That doesn't sound bad." Ren nodded and began to walk out. "Fight me outside, then." He smirked widely.

...This would definitely prove to be interesting.

-

The stars twinkled brightly that night as Asakura Hao-for the first time in a while; looked at them in peace.

He then starred down below him; sighing before smiling. Yoh... had fallen asleep on his lap; currently, Hao was sitting cross-legged, and, Yoh? He was sleeping on his back; his face directing straight at the stars.. He... really was tired.

Hao sighed., continuing to contemplate. However, this time, he wasn't merely just contemplating on his future; this matter was far too greater than that.

...Was this so wrong...? To want to be near your brother so badly? To want to be more than just a mere brother to him?

At the innocent age of 10-he sure felt that way. It was an odd feeling; but, he said that it deepened on age, or the person-to determine whom and when you fell in love...?

Nothing.

If truly didn't have any boundaries, than, this was the proof.

Was it wrong to love your only brother...? The one younger, more innocent than you?

He leaned down; his hand lightly brushing through Yoh's hair as he slowly smiled once more, laying down; observing the stars once more.

Love you, Yoh...

His eyes closed slowly; leaving all thoughts of the world behind him. His mind was only on one person.

...As it always was.

To be continued

Seito, you don't mind if I throw MarcoxLyserg in here, do you? I can see it working out pretty well in this...

And, I will angst Hao later... muahahah. :3 Possibility of making them older soon.