Seductive Lies
Shadows: Sorry It's been a while, I was enjoying the greater aspects of having a boyfriend... I write too much drivel here...So...much...drivel... :snores as she falls asleep over keyboard:
Kitty: For chapters 11,12,13 and 14: Shadows does not own Shaman King:paws Shadows: Wake up!
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Jen-Tao07: Yes, yes, but we ALL know what Hao's like! He's a bastard! (Just the way us fan girls love him!)
Gift-of-the-elves: Yep, Yoh's lit' betrayals are about to get worse... Anna can be nice under the surface...honest!
Kya-san: No, I wasn't kidding! Nice theory, I do like it... However, you will have to wait and see what I have to come shortly...
Wild Stallion: Horo was spying indeed! Bad Horo! But then...bad Yoh! Aww, glad the RenxHoro fluffiness cheered you up!
DragonStorm85: Shouldn't fight? Even when their best friend is off snogging the enemy? Heh...
BBShadowCat: I don't think Hao's quite decided yet...Quite right, he needs to sort out which he prefers! (which we ALL KNOW anyway..)
MeeLee: I'm late updating anyway...things got in the way...I absolutely loved your review! Yes, I like to throw in humour where necessary.. And on the whole not reviewing twice thing, it's okay...I'm with ya on those rules! Maybe we should submit it to the staff!
Cutie1789: Ren IS pissed for all eternity in this chapter my dear...
Haolover9312: It's okay, I don't mind if peoples miss a few chapters...I sometimes take a while updating them! Glad you love the lemony stuff, I need to give Yoh and Hao some more loving in the next chapter, cuz I've abandoned them a bit... :sniffs:
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Shadows: I'm sorta making Chocolove out to be the bad guy here... (I never did like him...) I intend to wrap this up soon, as I don't want to go over 20 chapters... I'll let you know as we get closer to the end!
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Chapter 14 - Right And Wrong
By the next morning, after a night of chaos, panic, and just plain pandemonium, things had eventually settled down a bit. Breakfast was a quiet affair, and although glances and the occasional death glare was thrown, things were somewhat normal.
Well, about as normal as normal could get in the Asakura household.
"Stop it..."
"What?"
"That look... I'm not THAT stupid Choco..."
"But Horo, I'm not-"
"Shut it you idiot. Before I personally see to it that you are impaled on the nearest sharp object." It was little arguments between Chocolove and Horo that sparked most of the conflict between Choco and Ren. Whereas Choco could tease the ice shaman and usually get away with it, provoking his Chinese partner wasn't a good idea unless you had a serious death wish.
And for the majority of the morning, and coming into early afternoon, Chocolove did just that - tormenting and teasing Ren up to the point of which anyone would get frustrated.
And many, many times, the dark skinned shaman found himself pinned against the nearest withstanding object and threatened with a recently sharpened Kwan Dao. But however many times Ren tried to knock some sense into Chocolove, nothing worked and the torment continued.
By about the thousandth time of threatening the other shaman , the Chinese shaman had had enough. Trying his hardest to withstand his anger, he walked out on the little group. Despite all of the shouts and calls, Ren simply kept walking, not knowing where he was going, not really caring. All he needed to do was get away from the torments and the teasing for a while.
And it was only when Ren reached the park, settling himself on a bench overlooking the lake, that something his father had once said came edging its way back into his mind..
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"Remember Ren, affections are a man's biggest weakness. Compassion? Love? They are nonsense, lies that shadow the man's weakness. Don't ever forget that."
"No father."
The tall figure's gaze lingered on the small boy, seeking out the fear and pain that shimmered only faintly in those golden eyes.
"You remember what happened to your brother, don't you Ren?"
"Yes father. He was a queer. And he suffered for his weaknesses." The child swallowed, struggling to keep his gaze on the man in front of him.
"Well done. You remember your training. And never forget, you WILL be Shaman King."
"When the time comes father, I will be Shaman King."
"Good. Now, get out."
0o0(END FLASHBACK)0o0
Golden eyes closed in anguish as he remembered his older brother's death. Stoned, and then hung for being gay.
The old ways, yes, but who was to know what happened when your family home was in the middle of the Chinese wilderness?
But then, if that had happened to his brother, and if that was the reaction of the others to his and Horo's relationship, then...
Was being gay wrong? Were humans and shaman meant to be heterosexual only?
The Tao was confused now, which wasn't a good thing. He didn't understand, why did something that everyone say was so wrong, feel so right? And if so, why was it wrong? Obviously, gay people couldn't have children, was that it? Because he couldn't give an heir to the Tao family as long as he was with Horo?
By that time, Ren had sunk completely into a world of his own, surrounded by his inner torments. Like a daydream, all he saw was the thoughts and memories that plagued his mind.
And eventually, it was too much and Ren simply broke down, a small tear suddenly running down his cheek.
He was shocked. Tao Ren, crying? That wasn't supposed to happen, he thought long ago that he had forgotten how to cry. But it was all he could do to release how confused and distressed he was feeling, and that was enough.
"Why are you crying? Come now, there's nothing too much to be upset about." Ren looked up at the familiar voice, too lost in his grief to even care if anyone knew he was crying. But Faust seemed to understand, and as he settled beside the distraught shaman, a wave of relief seemed to flow through him.
"I...don't know why I'm crying. All I know is that I'm so confused, and Tao's aren't supposed to be confused."
"What are you confused about? The way Chocolove is acting at the moment?" His voice was kind and forgiving, and somehow Ren knew that there was a degree of trust in the necromancer.
"No..." Ren faltered, unable to form his thoughts into words. "It's just..." He sighed, trying his hardest to find the right words and failing miserably. It was then that he realised the only real way he was going to explain his predicament to Faust would be to spell it out directly. Not his usual approach, but this was a little serious.
" Look...Is, is mine and Horo's relationship wrong? Because everyone tells me it's wrong, and somehow I just, know it's not..." He trailed off, unable to continue, gaze meeting the floor instead of the kindly eyes beside him.
"It's not wrong Ren. Never tell yourself that your sexuality is wrong, because nobody can take how you feel away from you. However, there are those who believe that being gay is wrong, and I believe that is where you feel confused. "
"It still doesn't seem right.. I mean, my father told me it was wrong, Chocolove seems to make it his life's goal to torment me to death, and everyone else, they don't...they don't see me the same way. It's like the whole world's against me."
"People are strange creatures. And we all have different beliefs. There are others out there, others exactly like you, who know inside that what they feel is right, and yet have to live with others telling them that it is wrong. Unfortunately, that is simply what man must call life. Don't let it get you down. If you must, show them that nothing has changed. " Faust was doing everything he could to perk up the younger shaman, and slowly it seemed to be working.
"Well, how do I do that? It's enough having to cope with that baka Chocolove as it is, let alone anyone else." Ren's beautiful eyes stared pitifully up at him, seeking the answers to his many questions.
"Well I for one would find it rather amusing to see everyone's reactions to you two, expressing a little display in public.. No doubt, Chocolove would probably be scared into submission." The necromancer chuckled lightly, his cool breath blowing out lightly into the chilly autumn air.
"Hmm.." Ren pondered to himself, eyes fixing back on the ripples that lightly glided across the depths of the lake.
"Think about it Ren. Follow what your heart and soul tells you to do. It isn't easy; it never is, but try your hardest to follow your heart's desire." Faust got up with these words, dusting down his coat, which was buttoned up for once, and waiting patiently for the Chinese shaman's reply.
"But...but I don't even know if I remember how to listen to myself, let alone others. Then what? I can't even remember if I even still have a heart..."
"You love Horo Horo, don't you?" Faust asked.
"Well...yes..." Came the hesitant reply.
"That alone is enough proof that you have a heart. And it is a good reason to stand up and fight for what you believe in."
"Hn.." Ren slipped back into his thoughts momentarily, mulling the other shaman's words over. It was enough, seemingly, to convince him to get up and follow the necromancer, trailing along behind him with his shoulders slumped and his eyes trained on the hard ground beneath him.
"Are you feeling any better?" Faust asked as they walked along, eyes casting backwards every so often to ensure that the other shaman was still there.
"A little..." A mumbled reply came, despite Ren's still rather slow pace.
Although his fears were slightly settled, the Chinese shaman still felt afraid. Afraid of whatever was coming. He didn't know what, and he didn't know when.
But something, something bad, was coming.
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Silently, looking suspicious left and right, the young shaman crept out of the small house, deep brown eyes hunting out the darkened path before him. It was lightly lit, streetlights overhead casting orange glows over the soft earth. Although a light breeze hung in the air, Yoh didn't feel the cold, he was too focused on the strong sense of energy he could feel. It had only been an hour or two ago, when he had felt a wave of power, accompanied by a very familiar otouto's aura. It was strong, powerful, almost holding a sense of arrogance.
Hao's master plan was underway. And Yoh was needed, he was sure of it. As for the others, he had left a note with Horo, who had been last seen waiting for Ren to come back.
I've gotta hand it to Horo, he does love Ren. Gods know what he'd do if anything happened to that Tao. Eyes darting around him with this thought, it was quickly forgotten, as the Asakura focused back on tracking down that strong essence of shaman energy.
Nearly half an hour later, pushing his way through the branches and brambles, the young shaman was feeling a little lost. He had been round and round in circles, looking left right and centre, but he couldn't seem to find Hao anywhere. Still going forwards, Yoh followed the dark route through the trees, focusing fully on that damned aura, luring him left right, but never where he wanted to go.
Until he stopped, momentarily taking a minute to gather his bearings, mind burning with the pain of keeping his concentration for so long. And suddenly, the winds softly blowing around him, a certain direction seemed to call out to him, that this was the way to go.
Without a second thought, Yoh was off and darting down the narrow woodland path. Only to run directly into the one person whom he was looking for.
"Yoh?" Momentarily dazed, he glanced down at the younger shaman sprawled out on the forest floor beneath him, eyes narrowed in curiosity.
"Hao...Oh Hao, what's going on? I can't sense something in the air for nothing."
"Your friends...they know, don't they?" Hao offered a hand, pulling the other up, and embracing him lightly.
"That's not what I asked, but yes...Horo spilled to the others.."
"Bastard...I'll have his little puppet doll for that..." Hao clenched a fist, the other holding Yoh securely against his chest, who was more that delighted to be back with his otouto.
"Hao no..I've already had my own back on him...I revealed to the others about him and Ren...Now come on, tell me. What the hell are you up to?"
"Uh..." Momentarily, if only for a moment, Hao faltered. He wasn't used to this; having to take questioning from others. Normally, most of his followers would never dream of questioning their master Hao on fear of their lives. But Yoh was different, very different. And besides, he knew that Hao would never hurt him. He needed his younger otouto, needed him for his master plan.
And Yoh took great joy in pushing the boundaries in his relationship with Hao.
"Lets just say, little brother that my master plan is nearing completion. In fact, I just need one last little bit and it'll be...ready for action. And I do believe that you might be able to help me with my last 'little bit'." Hao chuckled in that annoyingly innocent tone of his, eyes wide in an amused expression.
Yoh smiled, trotted along obediently beside his brother. He had no idea what part he was to play in all of this, but he hoped it would sufficiently allow him to at least halt his plans. Stopping Hao altogether might be too good to be true...but for now he wanted to keep the older shaman's trust that he had Yoh wrapped around his little finger.
Not that Yoh minded. Inside, he was practically torn in two. He didn't want to hurt Hao, he didn't. He would rather be with Hao, but the time had come when he was being forced to choose his friend's lives over the sake of his happiness.
And right now, he was going with not only his friend's lives, but the rest of humanity's lives along with it. Although he would prefer dying to choosing this, Yoh was no coward. If his happiness with Hao was the cost of saving humanity, he was willing to do it.
Not because he was some kind of hero, or aspired to be one.
Not because he was the next 'chosen Asakura' to stop Hao.
He was going to do it because after all, Yoh Asakura was Yoh Asakura. Always thinking of others before himself. Always dedicated to doing the right thing.
But was he doing the right thing in forsaking the one thing in which he felt safe, loved, protected? He would never have such things with Anna, although it kinda was his duty as her fiancée to rescue her...
Yoh shook the thoughts from his head as they arrived in the small clearing, Anna watching and waiting for them. Although her eyes widened and a momentary gasp passed her lips, he knew she was not surprised to see him there.
Anna knew just as much as Hao how much Yoh was truly infatuated with his older twin.
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Shadows: Well that was fun...HAOXYOH ACTION COMIN' YOUR WAY IN THE NEXT CHAPTER! MWHAHAHAHAHA!
