Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King

CHAPTER NINE – Land of Stars

"Pilika!" Tamao yelled as they caught sight of the blue-haired Ainu girl.

"Anna! Tamao! Yoh!" Pilika bounced up to the group.

"So, about the curse..." Tamao started.

"Yes, Onii-chan and Ren are both turned to stone!" Pilika said.

"Hey, Pilika! Let's save your brother, then! You and I are going to have to go alone, though. I've never tried to bring anyone else to the Land of Stars before, so I'm not sure if the Great Spirit is okay with a lot of people." Yoh explained. Pilika nodded. They set off to the entrance to the Land of Stars.

"Ne, Pilika?" Yoh started.

"Hai?" she answered.

"How did this happen?" Yoh asked.

"...It's all my fault. I thought I was protecting him, but everything I do just hurts him and now I may have lost him forever." Pilika said quietly, tears springing to her eyes.

"Pilika... Everything will turn out alright in the end!" Yoh said reassuringly. They walked through to the Land of Stars. When they ended up in the barren wasteland of the Great Spirit's realm, she looked around.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Land of Stars. You expected something else?" Yoh asked.

"Well... I kind of expected it to be a bit more sparkly, or something. Where do you think the cure is?" she asked.

"Hmm... I don't know. Let's ask the Great Spirit." he suggested and they headed for the source of the light. When they reached the Great Spirit, Yoh spoke.

"Great Spirit? Do you know how to cure two that have been cursed by Rahu into stone?" he asked.

"It's that simple? You just ask?" Pilika's jaw dropped.

"When you want to know something, don't you ask?" Yoh asked her.

"I guess. I guess I just keep expecting something more surprising." Pilika answered.

"Shh... it speaks..." Yoh whispered, closing his eyes as though allowing waves to wash over him. After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and turned to her.

"Pilika. Great Spirit will merge with me to cure them of their stone, but there is a problem. You must choose one of them to forget everything." he said.

"Forget... Everything?" she asked.

"Hai... Rahu is quite the powerful being, and the curse cannot fully be broken. One must forget everything. Perhaps a test of their love?" Yoh suggested.

"How did you know?" she asked in shock.

"It was obvious ever since the accident. If Horo were truly only his friend, why would he continue to hold faith when he was told I did not?" Yoh asked.

"What do you mean?" she asked, bewildered.

"I mean I saw the spark of something greater than friendship, and I tested it. I knew Ren would be fine and wake up, but I told you I gave up to test my theory of his love out. Now choose." Yoh said.

"You choose. I can't! Which would you choose?" she asked, torn.

"Pilika. You want them cured, you decide. This is your test of strength. It is your choice, and yours alone. I cannot make it for you. If you can make this choice and walk this path alone, you will prove to yourself that you don't need your brother there to live your life." he told her.

Her choice. But, which one could she choose? If her brother forgot everything, he would not know her and Ren would be angry. If Ren forgot everything, Horo would be angry. But, then Ren would not have to remember the pain of his past.

"I have decided. I choose Ren to forget, and Horo to remember. Now cure them." she said. Yoh nodded.

"As you wish." he said, merging in a flash of light with Great Spirit and curing the two, then sending Great Spirit back. He stood there as the mist cleared, breathing heavily and leaning on a stick.

"It is done. Go to your brother." he ordered her.

"But, Yoh, you-!" she began, but he cut her off.

"Go!" he urged, and she took off running.