Yami's koi: I am so sorry that this got kicked off, but it was my fault… and I am so sorry that you reviewers are the real victims here.
Neutral Man: what the hell has gotten into you!
Yami's koi: ignore that fool. Thanks for showing an interest in this fic… I really appreciate it, ya know?
Neutral Man: how do you know what it's like to be drunk, anyway?
Yami's koi: let's just say it's not so fun when you're throwing up at four am… but very fun when you miss school! XD See ya at the bottom someplace…
Manta trembled, astonished as the full impact of what Yoh had just said to him took its force. Yoh Asakura… loved his guardian ghost? That would just complicate things even more so!
For one, Amidamaru was very obviously dead. He was also quite older than Yoh, so even if the man was alive, he was be twenty-four, and plus, he was a man… yet Horo and Ren seemed to have no affect on him when they were a couple… so…
"Is there something bothering you, Lord Manta?" A gentle, deep voice asked calmly. Immediately the ghost took a seat beside the diminutive boy, and looked at him with slight concern. The warrior's dark, yet alluring eyes shone with happiness, Amidamaru's usual cheerful look, and also slight interest in Manta's silence.
"You seem to be very quiet tonight, Manta. Can you not find the joy within you to help Lords' Ren and Horohoro celebrate their wedding tomorrow?"
Amidamaru. Always the formal one… so odd that Yoh would find Amidamaru appealing in that way, being as the samurai was a traditionalist.
"I feel happy for them, but…" Manta paused. He could NEVER tell Amidamaru what Yoh had just said. There was absolutely no… way. The Shaman would probably never forgive him, and send him to the graveyard, allowing the dead ones to have no mercy upon him, and –
"Whose is this?" Amidamaru asked, gesturing to a nearby glass. The colour of it was a horribly murky brown colour, and Manta identified it automatically.
"Yoh's."
The Samurai sighed. "I know I can't stop him from drinking, since he's a man now, but it does worry me when I see him vomiting in the early hours."
'You have no idea,' Manta thought desperately, as the spirit slowly wandered away, his concern seemingly vanished… or just temporarily forgotten. It was then that both of their troubled minds' were distracted: for Horohoro and Ren had stood on the long dining table, Ren seemingly the more sober of the two. Still, he did have a slightly glazed look to his eyes, and in his hand was a glass full of a brightly coloured liquid.
"PEOPLE!" Horohoro cried out, opening his arms to the small audience. Jun stared up at her future brother-in-law with a slight grin on her face: she was possibly one of the only ones who had drunk little alcohol. On the other hand, Bason and a very pissed Kororo appeared beside their Shamans, both managing a smile at their master's happiness.
"I jus' wanna say that I hope y'all have a real happy marriage… when ya find the right gie!" Horohoro continued, grinning madly, giggling insanely. It seems that spirit ally and shamans often have the same addiction for alcohol.
"Kanpai!" Yoh said merrily, downing the rest of his drink in almost one swallow, slamming his now empty glass onto the nearby counter. Ren glared at him – how dare HE be drunk and he not? It wasn't Yoh's stag night… and so Ren decided to interrupt Yoh's slightly clouded thoughts.
"I haven't said my part, Asakura." The Chinese boy (who oddly has a British accent) stated. Yoh fell silent, but still bore a smile on his face. Several Shamans that stood nearby sniggered, but quickly fell silent at Ren's face.
"Now then. I would like to say that I do hope that you all enjoy yourselves. Of course, the numbers will be larger tomorrow… nevertheless; I do expect at least some of you to find your true soul partners quite soon, just as I have."
"Aww…" Jun said with a sigh, announcing a toast for everyone's happiness. "I hope so too, Ren. Thank you, and Kanpai!"
Yoh stole another glance at the time as everyone drank to the toast. Twelve o clock…
"Hey, you two… you're getting married today." The Shaman with dark hair pointed out, before turning and bidding his fellow shaman friends goodnight. Many informed him that he was being boring… but he couldn't care less. He was very tired, and the only thing he could think about was Amidamaru.
Definitely not a good combination for the male.
The Shaman King finally arrived, staggering into his bedroom, where he slowly peeled off his clothes. First his unbuttoned shirt came off, revealing even more of his muscular chest, tanned slightly in the Asian sun… and then his pants, along with his boxers came off, uncovering –
"YOH-DONO!"
Yoh smiled, fully aware of what was underway: so, they wanted to play a little bit of drunken dares, did they? Well… Bailong would not get away with this one… Hurriedly yanking some loose pants on, the strong but subtle Shaman King silently jumped from his room, landing quietly on the soft grass below, just as the guardian ghost of Jun entered his room, drunkenly searching for the Shaman King. Yoh could hear a confused sound emitting from the spirit's mouth, and it pleased the Shaman beyond belief. He grinned and proceeded back upstairs, racing up as stealthily as possible, until he eventually was behind Bailong. Horo smirked at his friend and, surprisingly, managed not to give too much away.
Yoh resisted the urge to chuckle, and, jumped on the spirit's back. The spirit jumped, whirling around in confusion. Roars of laughter exploded from almost nowhere, as Bailong turned around in a full circle, unable to conceive that he had the Shaman King on his back, in his drunken, sluggish state.
"SSIIIIYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Yoh screamed, roaring the ancient battle cry that nearly every guardian ghost present was familiar with. Amidamaru twitched slightly at the sound, and raced upstairs, floating through minor obstacles (such as walls), but slowly relaxed when he saw his master on… Bailong's back! That wasn't… supposed to make him mad, right?
So why, in the name of kami-sama, did the sight of Yoh being on another's back make the warrior want to cry, attack Bailong, and be downright annoyed? For a moment, Amidamaru was dumbstruck with the tumult of emotions that washed over him, yet then everyone, even Yoh and Bailong, were distracted.
"SORRY I'M LATE!" A slightly ruffled, panting Shaman Fight Officiant declared, punching the air with his fist. Silva grinned, cheering as he flicked his long hair over his shoulders, "BUT NOW THE PARTY ANIMAL IS HE--"
Silva's eyes widened as his brain fully absorbed the sight before him. Yoh and Bailong were sweat dropping, Amidamaru looked simply quite dazed, and…well, Kororo was staggering near Horo, which was quite an amusing sight at the best of times. Immediately, the Native American thought of several separate innuendoes for this kind of a scenario… and settled with the most original of them all.
"Is there something you're not telling me, Yoh?" Silva asked idly, pulling at the King of Shaman's bangs slightly – a motion that had the drunk male off the spirit's back and almost onto the floor… had Amidamaru not caught him. For one moment, the one from the Patch Tribe could have sworn that he had seen something much deeper than comradeship in Amidamaru's eyes, but when he blinked, the suspicion was gone.
"Thanks, 'Maru." Yoh mumbled. Yoh stretched, a sight that made even Silva's dark eyes stare for a moment… how could he be so strong, and yet so… lithe? Surely, after many hours of strenuous training, he would have gained at least some form of muscle on his body? And why, in the realms of the Great Spirit, did the boy never seem to gain weight, when clearly he ate way more than any average male of his age ever could?
The ex Shaman Fight Officiant shook his head. He had come here to get drunk… maybe have a few laughs whilst at it. Grinning widely, he clapped Yoh's shoulder forcefully.
"So… aren't you gonna show me how a Shaman King gets himself drunk? Surely there is a sacred, holy way of doing this when in such a high position?"
Ren snorted. "I do believe that Yoh has already achieved being drunk, without your help, Silva."
The longhaired Shaman decided to ignore the husband-to-be, and looked down slightly at Yoh. Yes, his eyes did seem a little bloodshot… but still, one could still enjoy alcohol after his limit, right (Or, at least, Silva could!)?
Of course. As a result… Silva had gotten the youthful Shaman drunk many times, especially during his stay at Dobie Village for the Shaman Tournament.
Yoh shrugged beneath Silva's hands. "Might as well, Silva." He said cheerfully, returning into the Dining Room swiftly. He set aside several different alcoholic beverages for his elder friend, and grinned lazily.
"Ever wondered what an Irish Cream drink and a vodka shot taste like when mixed and set on fire for a minute?"
Silva grinned.
After Drinking, 3:40am
"URGH!" Came the distant shout from along the corridor. Yoh sighed, shaking his head in a very drunken, sexy manner. His shirt had fallen off a while ago, and he had forgotten where he had set down his signature necklace of bear claws. Somehow he had managed to redress himself, before Silva dragged the Shaman away long enough to get him absolutely blind drunk.
"Gotta stop now… everyone's 'sleep…" Yoh slurred slightly to himself, gazing around the darkened corridor before stumbling into his room, three doors away. He fumbled around in the darkness for his night robe, and he eventually found it and shed himself of clothes. Once dressed for sleeping, Yoh fell onto his bed, and felt something warm.
"Huh?" Yoh mumbled, sitting up slightly when he felt someone else's hair gently fall against his face as the figure in his bed moved drowsily. The ghostly form turned around, smiling sleepily.
"Y' gave Silva my room… remember?" Amidamaru asked lazily, slightly drunk himself. Ah, it had been a good drinking competition… and Silva had been the first to succumb to the challenge… and also the first to black out, straight after vomiting.
"Aw, yeah… s' okay, 'Midi." Yoh managed, giving his beloved some more sheets. Even if Amidamaru was a spirit, he could still feel things, even if slightly, and the sweet, almost innocent gesture made the samurai smile.
"Arigato Yoh-dono." Amidamaru mumbled with a sigh, savouring the feel of the sheets, and that of his warm, happy master beside him. He got quite a shock, all the same, when he felt Yoh press gently against his chest, snuggling down into the warmth of his startled guardian ghost, incoherently mumbling something in his sleep.
After the initial shock, however, Amidamaru simply smiled and held the boy close to him, hoping beyond hope that the loving moment would never end. Wishing… that he and Yoh would always be like this. So gentle and loving towards each other, with little consideration for the world around them. For when two are in love, they do tend to stray away from their social groups for a while, just so that they can be together. And, Amidamaru contemplated this. He could really get himself spoiled to this kind of treatment.
The warrior exhaled a sigh, his hands slowly stroking through Yoh's dark, chestnut hair. He truly wished that they could be lovers, together.
Forever.
Horo and Ren
Ren stared blankly at his own sharp features, gripping the side of the basin in a pincer-like grip… should he feel nervous about wedding the precious Shaman snowboarder? No. He was the great Tao Ren: nothing could faze him.
Yet this ideal had changed… ever since he had been with Horo.
Flashback
"Cocky, Ren? You always are. That's why I'm gonna beat you and tear you down once and for all!"
"I bet you can't!" Ren retorted, a smirk upon his lips. Oh, how he loved getting such a frustrated, pissed off reaction from Horo. How he enjoyed just getting a sudden surge of anger coursing through him, before it was overwhelmed by the satisfaction that his own comeback had defeated the snowboarder completely.
Horo, however, did not retaliate in the way Ren wanted him to. He folded his arms smugly. "And if I do, Ren… what does that make you? A liar, a loser, a fake?"
Ren blinked: he hadn't been expecting that.
"Then I will accept whatever punishment you throw my way."
Horo's eyes flashed with some mysterious, foreign emotion to Ren, before the moment vanished. Horo had the most perfect of all punishment's in mind for his Chinese friend… and whether Ren enjoyed it or not, Horo couldn't care less. All he wanted was the Tao to be in his arms, so in love.
The game? To knock down all seven targets in less time than the other does. Everyone gathered around, intent upon seeing what forms of punishment the other would suffer.
"And… To begin the Dobie Village Horo and Ren face-off, each will state what torture the other must endure if they lose. Horo's idea for Ren to be hurt if he wins is…?" Manta cried out, sounding like quite the commentator.
Horo blushed a deep red colour, which clashed easily with his startling blue hair. He laughed nervously, glancing around, and whispered something in Manta's ear. When Horohoro drew back… Manta's eyes were wide; his hair slightly messed up… and then he finally regained some of his composure.
"Okay… Ren! What do you have in store for the challenger, Horohoro, if he loses to you?"
Ren smiled egotistically. "I plan to teach him some manners… in my own twisted little way."
"Yeah! Go kinks!" Yoh cried out, having no idea whatsoever of what that was supposed to mean. Still, it fitted in nicely. Several, however, did turn around and stare at him until their eyes watered. When everyone's attention was turned back to Horo and Ren's forms, Amidamaru chuckled lightly.
"You can be odd at times, Yoh-dono." The spirit said fondly, smiling down at his master. Yoh shrugged and feigned interest in Ren and Horo's little match.
"And… to go first, is Horohoro, the Ainu Shamanic Snowboarder!"
"More like Sha-maniac…" Yoh muttered, grinning slightly as he realised that Horo had heard him. The Ainu, however, chose to ignore Yoh's comment, and concentrated his energy for a moment, before collecting a large rock in his hand. He judged the distance between him and the first target, grinning, as Manta announced that he could strike.
In one fluid movement, so swift that no on else could see it – all of the seven targets were down, reduced to mere strands of wood. Manta paused, stunned, before beaming as he announced that Horo… had won. Many blinked at the dwarf-like boy, before glancing over and staring, wide-eyed, at Ren Tao. Ren's arms were held up in defeat… and his eyes were downcast. Great. Now he would have to be punished… by no other than the one who he found very attractive.
The Shaman who had surrendered rose his head when he heard footsteps approach him. Sure enough, it was Horohoro. Doubtless he was about to receive punishment now… Ren sighed heavily. He couldn't escape it… bit still, it tired him that he would have to endure some kind of humiliation.
"Ren… this is my punishment for you!" Horo announced, suddenly, before leaning down to press a light, small kiss on the Tao's lips. Shy, the snowboarder jumped back, fearing rejection… before he ran off, tears gathering in his usually warm, bright eyes.
End Flashback
Remembering just how happy Horo was when Ren followed him, saying that he liked Horo… made the Chinese boy smile. As a traditional rule that he had oddly decided to follow, he and Horo were not sharing beds in the same room, yet he was content with having at least someone beside him whilst he slept. Ren thought that he wouldn't be able to sleep if he didn't have the comforting, occasionally startling feel of a body next to him.
He just hoped that Jun would not wake up to find that their sheets were wet.
Yami's koi: man, I really need to get a grip. I can have such a perverted mind… I'm almost as bad as Kakashi from Naruto!
Yoh: aw, don't be so harsh on yourself. Heh. I got pissed… and Silva too. That sounds interesting, right?
Yami's koi: it would certainly be an experience. Faust fans, rejoice! I've decided to include him, and maybe Eliza, in the next chapter for the HoroRen wedding. Should be fun. NN Still, I think I could have done better with this chapter, my eyes are sore, and I've just done my GCSE History homework… TT Unfair. Please R&R… my apologies again for having this fic kicked off! Ja ne!