Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King or its characters.
"Pirika-chan! Pirika-chan, there you are!" Tamao shouted as she saw the lonely individual sitting on a bench, staring off in space. Pirika heard her name being called out and slowly turned her attention to the approaching pink-haired girl. Tamao came up to her, gasping for air, trying to explain to her.
"Ren-kun's…leaving…for…China…" Tamao said as she heaved for oxygen. Pirika felt a sudden panic go through her entire body. She felt herself freeze up and stop breathing. She had no clue why she felt this way, but she did. She immediately got up and ran back to the Asakura residence. She ran through the house, not caring that she bumped into stuff. She made it to the front of the house, but only to see the limo disappear at the end of the hill. She sunk to the ground.
'I'm too late. I'm too late.' Pirika thought sadly. Tamao saw her friend on the ground and rushed over to her, not caring for the aching pain at her side.
"It's alright Pirika-chan. He's going to be back at the wedding reception. He gave us his word." Tamao said reassuringly to her friend. Pirika stared at the ground with empty eyes. Horo Horo rushed to the front to see his sister on the ground with his girlfriend next to her, comforting her. He went to them.
"Hey, Pirika, are you okay?" He asked in his normal concerned brother's voice.
"She's going to be alright." Tamao said optimistically, and whispered to Pirika to go inside and rest up. Pirika nodded softly and slowly walked into the house. Horo Horo and Tamao looked after her with great concern.
"What's wrong with her?" Horo Horo asked Tamao.
"Some people aren't as lucky us, Horo. Sometimes they don't get who they want/" Tamao said sadly. Horo Horo, still confused about the whole situation asked for a better explanation when Yoh and Anna walked out.
"I heard Ren went back to his place." Yoh said, trying to confirm the information.
"Yeah, but he said he'll be back in time for the wedding." Horo Horo said. Anna went over to Tamao.
"Did Pirika-chan fix things with Ren-kun?" she asked. Tamao shook her head sadly. The two had known about Pirika's infatuation with the Chinese shaman years ago. But Pirika's mood on the last day had told them the confession had not gone well. They were hoping the little get together might help refuel Pirika's flame and create one in Ren. From what Anna had noticed, the two were getting along quiet well; at least they were friends. Ren had a softer and gentler side to him that he only revealed to Pirika, but he seemed already too late to retrieve her heart for she was over him. But she supposed when everyone went to their errands, something had happened that caused Ren's abrupt departure along with Pirika's personality change.
"My, we need to get those two back in rightful terms." Anna said quietly.
"What did you say Anna?" Yoh asked his fiancée.
"Remember when we were discussing about Ren-kun the other night? We need to get those two together. It is clearly written that those two have feelings for each other." Anna said softly. Yoh nodded in agreement, but Horo Horo was left in the fog.
"What are we talking about here?" He asked the group. Tamao looked at Anna, wondering if it was alright to tell him.
"I suppose we should tell you. Pirika-chan and Ren-kun." Tamao said softly. At first Horo Horo looked at her with puzzlement, but then e suddenly realized what she was telling him and became enraged.
"What! Him with her! I'll never allow such a thing to happen. Never!" Horo Horo shouted.
"Horo, Pirika's been having this passion since the Shaman tournaments. But the night came when you guys had to leave but her confession didn't go so well. She was left heartbroken and sad. But this little get together that Anna had planned was to get the two back together. However, it appears something went wrong while they were at the park." Tamao explained.
"She doesn't have feelings for that Tao. She never did and never will!" Horo shouted.
"Ridiculous. Perhaps you didn't notice that gleam of sadness while you were at home each day worrying about your own love life, but it is clear to me." Anna said coldly. Tamao went for a softer approach and walked over to him, grasping his hand.
"Horo, you would want to give the kind of happiness that we share together to her, don't you? We've had the chance to share our feelings, yet Pirika didn't. And she has this chance if we give the two a little push. You want that for her, right?" Tamao asked him with a gentle motherly voice. Horo Horo looked at the ground with much conflicting emotions, but in the end, he nodded in agreement.
"So, how are we going to get the two together?" Yoh asked.
"Well, at the wedding, we make sure no one gets into their way of love. But if they shy away, we could always put them into partners." Tamao suggested.
"Perhaps we could make Pirika-chan the maid of honor and Ren as my best man. Well, if you two don't mind." Yoh suggested as he looked at Tamao and Horo. They both shook their head in agreement.
"We'll give anything for their happiness and love." Tamao said.
"Then it is settled. They'll at least have to dance with each other. Then we could perhaps lure them into the gardens. Yoh, you'll call Ren and tell him about the best man stuff. And I will call Jun-chan to ask her what distracts Ren-kun." Anna said with a grin. Everyone nodded and went to do whatever they had in mind.