Heya! Sorry I couldn't update earlier. School started and lots of tests coming! Argh!

Don't think I will be updating anytime soon too.

Ok. And anyway, on to the fic!

Seeking the Truth

Chapter 2: Separation

By nightfall, the weary group of travelers had already reached the fringes of the forest. They decided to set up camp there. Their guardian spirits kept watch as they unpacked their equipment and went hunting for food. Soon, their dinner was cooking merrily on a crackling fire. Horohoro was dribbling saliva just staring at the roasted boar meat.

"Hey, Horohoro, " Yoh, who was gazing up at the starry night sky, commented. "Try not to get your saliva all over our food."

"It looks good… " Horohoro continued with his drooling.

The relaxed atmosphere was broken by a huge sound coming from deep within the forest. Everyone's attention was drawn to a column of grey smoke in the distance. The thing that had caused the sound was headed in their direction, and fast. Before anyone could react, it was already right in front of them.

A familiar face, with a familiar smirk and a familiar red guardian spirit greeted them. A familiar voice spoke, "Yo, Yoh."

"Hao. So you were the one who caused that explosion, " Yoh deduced.

"Yes, my smart little friend. It was me. Even a child could tell. " Hao teased.

Yoh turned red at the snide remark. He automatically took a step back. Hao was not one to be messed around with. Why is he here? Yoh thought.

Hao looked directly at Yoh and spoke. "Wondering why I'm here, my little brother? I am here for you." Grinning at Yoh's look of shock and disbelief, he repeated, "I am here for you."

Ren's mind was reeling. Hao had just said that… that Yoh was Hao's brother? No. It couldn't be true. It couldn't be. However, it would explain why Yoh looked so much like Hao. Ren shook his head, trying to deny it. It had to be a passing remark. Yes. That was it. Just a passing remark. Yoh couldn't have such a horrible sibling. Ren wasn't the only one having trouble absorbing the information. Lyzerg beside him was wide-eyed with shock. He was staring at the two so-called brothers with an incredulous expression.

Ren glanced back at Yoh. Yoh was an expression of disbelief and shock. "B-bro-brother?" he managed to stutter.

"Yes. My little BROTHER." Hao sighed. "You are such slow learners. Ah, well, I shall continue with my task." With that, he called upon his guardian spirit, the Spirit of Fire, and ordered him to attack. The Spirit of Fire made a sweeping gesture. Something invisible caught them up in the stomach and threw all of them high up into the air. They were unconscious when they came crashing down onto the ground.

Hao proceeded to carry Yoh's unconscious body with his hands. Yoh's frame hung limply in his grasp as he called upon his spirit and flew into the dark night sky, disappearing in the distance.

Ren blinked once, then twice. The sun rays were blinding. Sun? He sat bolt upright and observed his surroundings. They were still at the campsite, but their belongings were all strewn around. Around him, Horohoro, Lyzerg and Ryu lay unconscious. He looked around wildly for Yoh, but couldn't find him at all.

Where's Yoh? What happened?

Then he remembered. That night (how many days ago, hi did not know), Hao had came and ordered the Spirit of Fire to attack them, when they were all shocked at the announcement of Yoh having him as a brother. He must have had taken Yoh after knocking them out. Ren cursed. He had been caught by surprise. He would not allow that to happen again.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Horohoro stirring. Ren was jerked out of his thoughts. He got up and hurried to Horohoro's side, helping him to an upright position. Horohoro looked around. After a moment, he asked, "Where's Yoh?"

"I don't know. I think Hao must have taken him away after knocking us out."

"Oh" was all Horohoro said. Then the information sank in. "WHAT! Hao! Took Yoh!" He exploded. "THAT maniac!"

Ren sighed. "Yes. THAT maniac." And just when he thought Horohoro was mature enough to help think of a solution, instead of panicking. He sighed again, and looked up at the clear blue sky, hoping that a brilliant stroke of genius would strike him and let him get out of this situation. He wanted their Leader back badly. And he wanted to straighten out the facts with Hao.

This leader in question was at that moment still unconscious, and in unfamiliar surroundings. To be more precise, in a tent, shielded from the elements outside. Yoh was lying on a thin bed, with a blanket draped across him.

Yoh turned and rolled out of his bed. He blinked and sat up.

Where am I?

Yoh got up and studied his surroundings. Not seeing anyone familiar around, he paused at the opening of the tent. Then, he cautiously opened the tent flap and peered out.

He found himself gazing at an oasis. A large pond was surrounded by dozens of lush green coconut trees, barren with delicious looking coconuts. Nearby, there were a few tents like the one he was in. On the opposite bank of the pond, atop a rock, sat a long-haired boy. Seeing Yoh awake, he got off his sitting spot and strolled over.

"Nice to see you are awake, Yoh." Hao said.

"Where are my friends?" Yoh demanded. "Tell me!"

"Whoa. Getting worked up, are we?" Hao smirked. "Well, to answer your question, I knocked them out and left them lying. They're safe. That's what you want to hear, right?"

Yoh heaved a sigh of relief. His friends were alright.

"Ah… Don't feel relieved just yet. You're still here, without both your spirit guardian and your sword. In other words, you're weaponless. And I can still attack your friends, you know. They are really weak."

Yoh had noticed something was missing when he woke up, but he didn't quite know what it was. Now that Hao had pointed it out, he realized that Amidamaru and Harusame were gone. That familiar, comforting sensation of his spirit guardian was not there. Hao held up a stone tablet and Yoh made a grab for it.

"Not so fast, little brother. You are not getting him back that easily."

"Why do you call me 'little brother'? I mean, you were born 1,000 years ago, and I am your descendant. No way I am your brother… right?" Yoh asked.

Hao sighed and replied, "Ah, well… Fate plays tricks on us. Seeing that you are weaponless and powerless" at this point, Yoh glared at him, "I shall explain."

Hao motioned Yoh to reenter the tent and sit on his makeshift bed. Finally, Yoh thought, somebody who could explain everything.

To be continued…

wahaha. Weird chapter. Haha.Thank you for all those reviews and please keep them coming in!