DarkTaoAngel: Sorry that this chapter is late, I was busy all week! I hope that all of you reading this are still interested; I promise that the next update will be faster! Review please!
A dark figure loomed over a tall tower, not far from the Asakura Inn, watching as Pirika contemplated the situation she was in. He overlooked with a pleasant look etched upon his face, giving off a rather eerie appearance as he watched the girl struggle with her emotions, having absolutely no self-control over her heart, which was as good as locked away forever. Even the most powerful love could not help her now, and the figure smiled as he thought this. The sun arose to revile this man's identity, and he was none other than Hao Asakura, Yoh's only brother.
The reason he was happy was solely because he had been the one who had dispatched this curse upon Pirika. He had hoped that she would stop loving Ren, which would make it easier to kill her, her soul would be beyond repair not too far from now, and then he could be rid the world of her. She could not help but feel what she was feeling, it was a curse with which Hao had bestowed upon her, and it would destroy her from the inside out if she let it; by the looks of it, she already had.
He knew all about her, and he also knew her decision, though either way it would end up working in his favor. Hao cackled maliciously as he watched her suffer, unannounced to him, Ren was alive for the time being, though not for much longer if Pirika made her final decision, and he had no idea, not having been to the location of the last fight in many weeks.
He would have no trouble disposing of Pirika, leaving his dear Asakura brother's soul as good as his. So his effort was not wasted, he precautiously waited for the right moment to leave the place in whence he was perched, and make his way to the Inn. He waited at that very spot for more than a week, chancing every now and again to check up on Yoh and his friends; though he noticed that one of the shamans was missing, it did not affect him in the least, he knew what had happened to him anyway, and for that he was glad. It was just one more person he need not waste his time on finishing off, and he had more time, therefore, to hunt down Yoh and the others.
Hao knew nothing about the sacred Tao necklace that he had saved Ren's soul for a moment, but the way things were going, he would not be that way for much longer, as the necklace's power did not last forever, nothing ever did.
He could not care less for the safety of those below him in his eyes, they were in his way to becoming the Shaman King, and he would remove them at any costs. It would just make his job all the more easy on him if they were already dead, though it would not matter anyway, he was strong enough as he is, and Ren would have died anyway, eventually.
He turned his sharp eyes once again on Pirika. Her condition was getting worse, as she shouted into her pillow, trying to relieve some of her tension, but nothing worked. She wanted to love Ren, but some other half of her told her that pain was the only thing that could and would come of it, and so she was in emotional pain, as well as physical, for some reason that she did not know.
Hao chuckled amusingly, as he watched her desperate attempts at relief. It was all like a comedy show to him, and he was completely careless as to who got hurt in order for him to receive a good laugh. It did not sadden him in the least that she was hurting, and all he wanted was for it to continue at his leisurely amusement.
It was his turn to make a house call to her, and so he jumped down from his perch, only to land softly upon the Spirit of Fire's shoulder. He disappeared, only to reappear just outside of the Asakura Inn. He went through his plans once more before leaving for the large palace-like house. It would all work out in his favor, even if it had to get bloody, he would come out victorious. If he had to slaughter anyone who tried to disturb him, he would, even if it was not someone he would have killed in the end.
He prepared himself, putting on his most unconvincingly kind smile, before entering the Inn uninvited.
Upon entrance he was greeted most solemnly by an aggrieved Pirika, who happened to be the only occupant to the Inn at that very moment. The others had left for either shopping, or training.
Hao looked at her more closely and saw red marks under her eyes. He knew she had been crying, and he made absolutely no effort to comfort her in any way. He cared not for her feelings, but he still tried to act as though he did, by means of a truly fake smile, which, if examined close enough, could be concluded as being a quite nasty smirk.
She knew what he wanted, and she quietly ushered him up the stairs and into her room, where he sat down and readied himself for the one thing Hao never really needed to prepare for. To kill her would only give him more power, and he would eagerly do anything for power, even at others expense, for his sadistic cravings where uncontrollable, almost like her emotions were.
He smiled at the mere thought of it all….
DarkTaoAngel: Creepy, is it not? I wanted to write it quicker, but I had to write it in little time at all, so be satisfied that it was even finished! And, like with any other chapter, I really appreciate your reviews, so keep them coming!