Seductive Lies

Shadows:Yawn: I'm tired, but what the hell, lets write chapter 6... This little chapter is inspired by a video I downloaded off the internet, and a picture I saw on a website called ItsumoIt won't however, let me put the damn link in here, so check out my profileforit.Cute or what?

Kitty: We do not own Shaman King...Blah, blah, blah... Is that video buffered yet?

Shadows: No, it's still working on it...We have 66 buffered, isn't it incredible! Now, on with the review replies, and lets get this show on the road!

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Hao'sGirl93: Come now, who talks like that? The one, the only...Oh what the hell, just read the start of this chapter, it tells you, ok?

Black Hikari: You're on to me, aren't you? Oh I have plans for Yoh and Hao- but this chapter should reveal who's on which side...And I have damn ratings too, which could limit any lemons I do...

Inulover4eva: If you enjoyed that chapter- you should enjoy this one. No lemons I'm afraid, but we get to see what Hao is up to... Dun, dun, dun! Whodunit? I'll leave you to figure that one out...

DragonStorm85: Ah, Ryu and Lyserg...A little, bit on the side I'm working on? Would you mind if I secretly put them together? And Ren probably won't have time to go snog Horo in this chappie, he's too busy saving his ass...

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Shadows: What's up with who said what? I've repeated the last few lines from the pervious chapter to add to the 'dramatic' effect. This will probably be a short chapter as well... Depends on how much I feel like typing...And how OOC I feel like making my characters... Anyway- on with the ficcie!

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Chapter 6 - Our Only Hope

"Missing someone?" A familiar, yet distinguishable voice echoed from behind.

Ren's eyes widened in horror as he realised who was standing on the rooftop above him.

"Hao." Ren muttered through gritted teeth. "Should've known you'd be behind all this. What have you done with Yoh and Anna?"

"Now, now," Hao swung leapt down onto the sweet grass below, turning to face the Chinese shaman sitting under the porch. "No need to get angry when you have no proof I've done anything."

"Oh shut the hell up, you fucking little asshole. It's quite obviously you, if you're coming around asking if I'm missing someone!" Ren stood up with these words, anger flashing in his saffron eyes.

"But Yoh came of his own accord." Hao pouted, playfully if that. " As for Anna, well, we can have everything."

"So you admit, you are responsible for Yoh and Anna's sudden disappearance! You fucking prick..." This last statement was muttered more to himself, but was clearly audible for Hao to hear.

"Well now, I don't have long here, I promised Yoh I'd be back soon.."

"What are you doing, holding him captive and tying him up? Yoh would never come willingly, and you know it!" Ren's anger was only growing, if Hao was going to get anywhere, he was going to have to calm the other shaman down.

"Yoh had no choice. If he didn't, he would of died. And no, I wasn't going to brutally savage him and murder him in cold blood. " Hao added the last titbit after seeing the look on Ren's face.

"So he didn't come willingly. You forced him. "

"No, I didn't." Hao swept a little closer, the two inches away from each other. " Yoh was already under my spell. "

"What do you?..."

"Face it Ren, I've told you too much already. I think it's time for me to dispose of you." Hao licked his lips, a dangerous look overtaking his eyes. He stepped closer, Ren's eyes reflecting absolute terror and fear as he realised what Hao was about to do.

Fear. The last thing you'd expect to see in Ren's eyes.

But it was there, and Ren was afraid.

"I'm sorry about this. But we can't have Yoh's little friends knowing my plan, and then destroying it." Hao's smile grew into a grin, like an evil version of Yoh's trademark grin.

Only one thought came into Ren's head. He had no time, so he was going to have to buy some.

"If you're going to kill me..."

"Which I am. But only because I have no choice. And it would do me good to kill off a few of Yoh's ranks, he has too many followers already."

"So you might as well tell me your plan. I'm curious. And besides, I suppose you don't have anyone to tell your master plans to now your followers think you're dead. " Ren still looked nervous, and he was genuinely still afraid. But he was buying for time, and if he could figure out Hao's plan at the same time, it would be an added bonus.

Then again, being outside in the dead of night, with Hao (A/N: big scary bad guy with a HUGE spirit of fire... :hides:) threatening to murder you would probably frighten anyone.

"Oh very well then...As you're so curious... As you know, I can reincarnate myself every 500 years. Well, when Yoh and the rest of you lot experienced the Tome of the Shaman, you learnt what I learnt. You understood the powers that I harnessed 1000 years ago in my first life. And that means that the responsibility of taking me down every 500 years won't be passed down to the next Asakura. No, Yoh will bear that responsibility forever, as he, and all of you will be reincarnated along with me in 500 years time! I intend to turn Yoh onto my side now, and then when the Shaman Tournament comes along again- I won't have to bother with making my brother understand my ways, and making him see that my way is right. Yoh will already be on my side, and I will become Shaman King!" Hao smiled as Ren took all this in, worry crossing his face.

"What about Anna? What part does she play in this?" Ren asked warily.

"She has a different part altogether. I can't bring onto my side willingly- and she's no use to me once her part is done. I'm blackmailing her into helping me. She's going to help me destroy the lot of you, so that you can't stop my plan. How I'm going to do that though, I'm not telling you. Besides Ren, I've offered before. You know you're different from the rest of Yoh's little lackeys, I can tell. You understand my ways, I know you do. Join me, and I won't kill you. "

"Uh...Can I get back to you on that?" Ren smiled nervously.

"No." Hao whispered dangerously, advancing on the younger shaman.

This was it, Ren realised. This was his only chance of escape, and he wasn't going to waste it. He turned, and rolled to the side, Hao growling in frustration as he summoned his Spirit of Fire. Rushing forwards, Hao aimed dead on target, but Ren ducked, turning left and crouching down to hide in the shadows. Hao however, saw him and ran forwards.

Ren lifted his head, shaking nervously. Then, he did the last thing he could do. He screamed.

It didn't take Hao long to realise that Ren had alerted the household, who were rushing to his aid. Voices, shouts and yells could be heard, footsteps rushing towards them.

"I think you'd be more useful to me alive..." Hao precariously whispered.

"Not so fast Hao. Leave Ren alone."

The shaman turned to see the owner of this new voice. Standing at the gate was Faust, Eliza at the ready beside him. This distraction was enough for everyone else to make their way out, and Hao found himself surrounded by a fearsome group of shamans, spirit control and furiyoku at the ready.

"I think we'll finish this another time Ren. Be warned- if you tell them anything, I WILL kill them." With that, Hao jumped up into the trees, disappearing from sight. Everyone turned at that, to see Ren, who had finally gotten himself to his feet, the pure shock and fear in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" Horo asked, slipping an arm around his shoulder to support him, noting how pale he had gone.

"It looks like shock mainly. He should be fine," Faust came over to examine him, little resistance being put up by Ren. "Are you feeling okay?"

Ren nodded in answer, before speaking. "T...Thanks."

"For what?" Faust gave a kindly look, which earned him a smile.

"For saving my life. Had you not shown up, he would of murdered me in cold blood. Or kidnapped me. Both works for Hao."

"Did he tell you anything?" Choco asked. Ren nodded again.

"I know where Yoh and Anna are. "

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"Well now, that was fun." Hao strode into the clearing with all the arrogance of someone who's evil plan had just gone right for once. And in this case- it had.

"Who did you meet?" Yoh emerged from the darkness, looking a little ill, but generally alright.

"Well, it would appear Renny is missing you. I was going to kill him, but then his friends interfered, so I'll have to finish him off later. " Hao drew his little brother in a hug, kissing him lightly, before moving over to the taller trees that stood near the lake.

"Get your ass out here you lazy whore." Yoh dropped his gaze at his brother's words, whilst Anna gradually made her way out from under the branches. Her eyes were misted over slightly, and her walk was limped.

"Scry. Tell me if Ren has, or does tell his friends anything. If you get anything, come and tell me at once."

"Yes Master." Anna bowed slightly, before turning and disappearing from where she'd come.

"As for you, "Hao turned to his brother, "we're going to have some fun. " Yoh smiled his grin returning as Hao lifted him in his arms, carrying him off in the opposite direction, voices and laughter on the wind.

Back in her own little den, Anna set up a bowl of water, holding the crystal pendulum in front of her. Just because Hao couldn't do this himself, being only a shaman, she was being blackmailed into doing it for him. She began to sway the pendulum, gazing into the bowl, which reflected the full moon. Then, the itako gazed into the waters, asking silently for the sight, waiting and watching as the picture became clearer to her.

She saw them. All of them. And in her heart, Anna wished with everything she had that she could go home.

Obviously, Ren wasn't going to tell them. He was afraid, Anna realised, from a threat that Hao had left hanging over him.

So a new strategy was needed. Anna continued staring, before suddenly, she closed her eyes, psychically connecting with Ren's mind. Yes, she could do this, but it would certainly take it out of her. Hopefully the itako would recover in time- she hoped. Finally, she was able to speak telepathically to Ren, trying not to freak him out. She could only hope that this, their only hope, would be successful...

o0o Ren? Ren...Don't worry, it's me, Anna. I'm speaking to you telepathically. Just think, I can hear your thoughts.

What? But, how...

Don't worry about that right now. Listen, Hao's only connection to knowing what you're doing right now is through me. So you must tell the others what you know. If Hao finds out you told them, it'll be through me, and I won't say anything.

But, I thought you and Yoh were under his control...

Only Yoh. You must save him before it's too late. I'm being blackmailed into helping him. If I refuse, he'll kill me and my sister. Please, you're our only hope. Tell them, and tell them quickly.

Okay, I'll tell them. And Anna?

Yes?

Be careful. I'll do my best to help you.

Thank you. Remember, you're our only hope. o0o

Falling out of her trance, Anna fell to the ground, moaning lightly as her head spun. Thankfully for her, she hadn't taken too long to speak to Ren. Before long, she recovered, and despite her still drumming head, she was able to keep up her scrying, watching Ren tell the others what Hao's plan was, and their reactions. Eventually, she heard a call from the clearing.

"Yes Master?"

"Well? Anything?"

"Nothing Master. I believe he is too afraid to tell them anything."

"Good. I won't need you again tonight. Go."

"Yes Master." Anna bowed, and left, head bowed, breaths coming deep.

Close call. But their only hope was looking promising. She was thankful of that.

"Keep an eye on her..." Hao whispered seductively as he passed Yoh. "I think she's up to something..."

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Shadows:falls asleep over keyboard, drooling:

Kitty: Wake up! They've finished the chapter! And It's another short one! On a little note; we forgot Faust when we were counting up our characters, so he was, on holiday, ok? He came back in this chapter to save Ren's ass, so that covers up a few grey areas...

Shadows: Huh? What? Oh! Well at least we all now know what Hao's evil plan is. Gotta love the seduction Hao is playing on Yoh. And no, I'm NOT telling you what they got up to whilst Anna was scrying! Well, maybe in a flashback, I haven't used one in a while...

Kitty: Tune in next time for a less sleepy Shadows, who'll of had a decent night's sleep...

Shadows: Sleep...Must...s...l...e...e...p... :snores as she falls asleep over keyboard again, drooling over keys: