Chapter 1: And it's all back to square one

Summary: Fate has lots of tricks in store for her dear sister, she reveals the first of a series of tricks in this chapter. Find out what!

Author's note: Many thanks to all the reviwers! Though this is specifically to those who reviewed on my story, and not on my behaviour. Thanks again! (: hope you all enjoy, I certainly do!

The wind blew through the reeds, which in turn produced a pleasant melody. The air was strangely still though, thick with anticipation. The pilant stems, as though in fear, were bent away from a certain someone who was lying amongst their midst. Fanning out in all directions, all away from the unwelcome intruder of their peace. Gently, the wind worked her slender fingers through the long silky hair of a certain individual, carressing his smooth flawless, skin, across his lips, like a lover seeking to please.

The being remained motionless.

Anybody looking could have sworn all they saw was an indolent teen, taking a break from reality. The wind, not dissuaded, merely continued to whisper softly into the person's ear, yet the being was immune to her blandishments, and still was immotile.

'Time to wake up, Asakura Hao…' a canorous voice flowed through his ears and into his brain, and was like the oil needed for a machine to run, Asakura Hao's body immediately jerked to a start, millions of disjointed pictures running through his mind. Eyelids shot up, to reveal dark brown orbs which were like wells, containing years of accumulated wisdom. So very enchanting, and yet at the same time, containing a hint of mystery in them. Staring into his eyes could be equated to staring into the belly of the beast, at your ineluctable fate if you were ever to brave the unknown.

A familiar face…tree…stars…

Images ran past his face, as he tried to process his current circumstances. For a while, the faint scent of oranges could be detected in the air, but was soon washed away as his brain was bombarded by an influx of information supplied by his other 4 senses. Ouch. He gave up trying to sit up, instead, he relaxed on the ground, resting his throbbing head. The wind, ever eager to soothe, continued to assuage his discomfort, running cool fingers down the boy's flushed cheeks.

'Why am I here? What happened?' Thoughts ran through his mind as he tried to recollect his memories.

'You are here because you were defeated during the final showdown, in the Land of the Stars, the fight for the possession of the Great Spirits.' The voice was back again. 'The fight to become the Shaman King.'

"Shaman King…" the boy echoed, eyes staring into blackness. Images that contradicted each other, that complemented each other, that were part of each other flashed across his eyes.

"Yoh." Hao uttered that single syllable, quietly, without a trace of emotion. A fleeting and evanescent image, stopping to rest lightly like a butterfly come to rest on a blade of grass, to disappear as quickly as had come. An image of a pair of loving brown liquid eyes, in a face that was so identical to his, yet differing so vastly. A smile which conveyed ingenuous optimism. Somehow, for reasons unknown, a part of his heart was tugging at him, pulling and reaching out to hold this image forever, but the ribs acted like prison bars, the image, like hope, flew ever so close, but was just beyond reach, fluttered away.

'He tried to kill you.' The voice had voiced this simple one statement, right at that moment. That one crucial moment.

"Yoh." This time, his voice carried visible signs of anger. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists, it was all coming back to him now. The fight, the day he faced his brother, his twin brother, in a final fight before the great spirits. He remembered the look in those similar chocolate brown eyes of his, the look which conveyed determination, confidence and hatred. The images assualted his mind, plauging him with painful memories of how he was defeated. He, the great Asakura Hao, was defeated by his weaker other self. He gritted his teeth in rage and irritation. At his twin for thwarting all his plans, at himself for being bested. Yet, something deep inside his soul was crying out in contradiction, begging him to remember something important. Something……

'That's not important now…you want your revenge don't you, Hao?' the voice suggested.

"Yes! I will get my revenge on Yoh. And I will outdo him this time." The declaration issued hung in the air, and a slightly demented light appeared in his eyes. He clenched his fists tightly, unknowingly drawing blood. As the red liquid of life leaked through his fingers and onto the ground, the tiny thought that had been bothering went away as well.

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"QUOI!" Amor's infuriated cry resounded throughout the skies.

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Asakura Yoh was in the middle of his daily 15 km jog, as ordered by his trainer and finacee Anna, when thunder suddenly rumbled, and clouds obscured the sun, casting dark shadows upon the ground.

'Hmm. I wonder why the weather changed that rapidly. Ah! That means I have to get home faster!' The normally relaxed shaman then quickened his pace, not wanting to be caught out in the middle of a downpour.

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"That was so unfair!" cried Amor, casting accusing eyes at her sister seated directly opposite to her. "You wiped his memories!"

Fate did not once flinch, merely steeping her fingers and glaring at her sister over them. "I did not completely wipe his memories. In fact, he chose not to remember them. And if I remember, that was not against the rules."

Amor gaped at her in amazment, momentarily lost for words. Her sister snapped her fingers, and a slim book fell from thin air. Fate flipped through the pages purposefully, before settling down to examine one particular page.

"Here. You can check it out yourself." Fate tossed the book towards her sister, who caught it deftly and began reading. Amor's face darkened as she absorbed the contents on the page. A flame was then conjured, reducing the book to ashes which were carried away by the wind.

"Fine. You win this time." Amor's eyes narrowed as she noted her sister's unctuous smile. "And wipe that grin off your face."

"On with the game then, my dear sister?" Fate offered politely, basking in the glory of having gained an ace.

Notes: quoi is french for what. As in the shocked what! You get the idea. Please review! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I was happily describing my revered Hao-sama and enjoying it all. (: btw, reviews on the story, not my behaviour. If reviews hit 20(at least) I'll update the next chapter…or make it simpler, those who want me to continue updating, just leave an aye(literally). I'll make a note. Again, ayes should reach at least 20, then I know you guys like to read and there's actually a demand there.

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