Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King

CHAPTER THREE – Tension Rising

Ren's skilled fingers flew over the controller of his electric wheelchair. He had told Horo Horo that he would be returning to school and would see him then. He had gone to his old apartment and found his secret stash of money. With it, he had found himself a small flat near the park. He had bought a few supplies and fallen asleep in his chair, it had been a tiring day.

His dreams tormented him, the crash replaying over and over, the fear still fresh in his mind. Then his dreams turned to his harsh words, and he hated himself more and more. He woke in a cold sweat, and took off for the park. It was pretty early, before school, but several people littered the paths.

He stopped at a small pond and watched the sun rising, the sky a priceless pink. Taking out some things he'd bought, he managed to set up his supplies to paint. He brought the brush lightly over the cloth, carefully stroking it with bright colors. The smell of oil filled his nose and he smiled a bit as he painted the sun rising along a distant horizon, the sky filled with shockingly brilliant hues.

When he'd finished, he packed it up and was getting ready to leave to get ready for school, when two feet planted themselves in front of him and he looked up into black eyes.

Horo went through the school halls, searching for his friend. The bell rang and he was forced to go to homeroom. He anxiously made it to lunch, when he ran from the building frantically. He went to Ren's flat and found it empty and forlorn. Noticing the tracks of tires in the mud, he followed them into the park.

He made his way to a small pond, not very deep, just enough to be over his head in the middle, where he found the small wheelchair lying on its side. The scent of blood overwhelmed his senses and he felt slightly nauseous. He looked around and found a ripped painting with black paint spilt over it, hiding its original beauty.

He glanced up and saw a bridge, and on it, a black-haired boy held the Chinese shaman over the water by his neck. His left hand gripped frantically at the arm holding him, trying desperately to free himself. The boy smiled happily at the useless struggle he put up.

"Ren!" Horo burst into action, running to save his friend. The attacker's head snapped over to Horo, then back to his captive. He pulled him close, whispered something in his ear, and dropped him into the water below.

Turning his attention to the ice shaman, he said, "Leave the Tao alone, he's mine." and ran off. Horo dived quickly into the water and grabbed Ren, dragging him to the surface before paddling to the shore and dragging them both out.

"Ren, are you okay!" he asked breathlessly. Ren didn't answer, his eyes opened for a moment, and Horo saw something he'd never seen before, Ren was crying. Two crystalline tears made their way down his cheeks mixing with dirty pond water before his eyes drifted shut and the darkness took him.

Ren woke with a start and shot up quickly, finding himself in a cushiony bed. Horo Horo bustled in a moment later, carrying a tray with an interesting scented soup in it.

"You're awake! How do you feel?" he asked, setting it on the bedside table.

"Fine. Why am I at your house?" he countered.

"I couldn't find a key to get into your house... Who was that guy that attacked you?" he asked.

"...Did you tell any of my family I was no longer comatose?" he evaded the question. Horo frowned.

"Yeah, we told your sister but she and Lee live in France, so she couldn't come, and we told your parents, but they didn't seem to care... Sorry..." he answered.

"...I see... That's how he knew..." Ren's eyes were hollow and void, actually rather scary.

"Who knew what? Who was that guy? You have to tell me so I can protect you." he demanded.

"He is no concern of yours. I don't need protection." he said quickly, eyes snapping up and widening.

"What did he say to you before he dropped you?" the Ainu asked suspiciously.

"Nothing! I, I have to go." Ren said, again a little too fast for comfort.

"No, Ren, I can't let you leave if that guy is after you." Horo Horo said stubbornly.

"Help me into my chair." The younger teen ordered.

"No." he repeated.

"Let him go, brother. Here, I'll help you." Pirika said from the doorway, stalking over and pulling Ren to his wheelchair before unceremoniously dropping him in it, all the while glaring at him angrily. For once, he was glad the younger girl hated him so. He directed himself out as fast as it would go and straight to his home.

Horo turned to his sister darkly. "Pirika, what the hell are you doing! That guy is still out there, waiting! He could be killed!" he snapped.

"So what? It would be better for us all if he did die! Don't you see? You've thrown away your entire life for him, and what thanks do you get? None! He's a spoiled brat; he's incapable of loving anyone! Besides, if that jerk is after him, do you really think these walls will stop him? He would have come anyway, and you would have gotten hurt trying to protect that bastard!" she yelled.

At that point, Horo was so mad; he gave up most of his moral values and slapped the small girl across the cheek. An angry red mark marred her face, and she stared at him with wide, blue eyes filled with shock. Tears bubbled up in her eyes and she took off down the hall and locked herself in the bathroom, expecting him to come after her to apologize. Minutes passed by and he didn't come.

She snuck out and searched the house, but he was long gone, and several of his things and some food and money were missing. Her puffy eyes fell on a small slip of paper on his bed. It read, I'm not going to apologize for what I did, it was justified and I don't regret it. I regret having spoiled you enough to act the way you did, and expect me to say I'm sorry. I'm staying at a hotel for a while, and maybe I'll find my own place. It's about time I moved out, anyhow. Oh, and Pil, I'm sorry I failed you as a brother. Love always, Horo Horo.