Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King, nor do I own any of the characters from the original manga. Hiroyuki Takei owns Shaman King. I own myself and all of my characters, that including Sofia and Hana Horutari. I own the rights to this fanfic. I do now own the song 'You And I Collide' Howie Day owns that song. I just like it.

Author: Over lots of contemplation, and long hours on the mp3 player, Collide is offically the theme I want to give Sofia and Ren. When you read this chapter, please listen to the song while doing so.

Horohoro stretched out his arms with a yawn, pulling over the ghost costume once more. Now that his belly was full, he could hide under the white sheet.
"Man, I gotta come here more often." He regarded to Ryu. The old gangster sighed softly, having only eaten a few portions of his meal.

"Jun must not be coming... how unfortunate. I would have loved to dance the dance of love with her." Horohoro rolled his eyes wordlessly in reply. At that time the musical ghosts started up a new song. Causing the sound of guitar to play in the background

"Dude, enough about Jun. Sure she's pretty but she's Ren's sister. That's gotta say SOMETHING about her." Ryu was about to shoot back a remark but was distracted by something else. Soon violins started up, including the lead singer

'The dawn is breaking... A light shining through.'

"Speaking of Ren... is that him with Sofia?" Horohoro sat up straight to see properly.

The vampire and lolita goth were indeed together, walking out to the dance floor to the rest of the crowd. Horohoro's eyes widened. "Hey that is them... I didn't think Ren was into dancing."

'And I'm tangled up in you.' The drum started up a beat and the following 'Doo, doo doo' from the backup singers.

"Hmm, maybe he isn't." Yoh said, coming up with Manta behind the two. Ryu and Horohoro looked up at him.

"What do you mean master Yoh?" The pretend samurai grinned with a laugh.

"I'd tell you, but I think Ren would go vampire on me if I did."

Ren himself was doing the best he could to stay calm. He didn't dance, but he was about to. He didn't like girls, but liked Sofia. He didn't dance WITH girls (that including ones he liked), but he was about to do that too.

'I worry that I won't see your face... light up again.'

He could feel stares upon him, even light whispered conversations. His face was beet red under neath the pale powder make up. Luckily, it wasn't as noticeable as him and Sofia together. Oh who was he kidding? Him and ANYONE together was still surprising to people. His hands shook.

Was this the right thing to do?

By admitting his... affections, he'd basically torn down his reputation to shreds. He was no longer Tao Ren the monster. He was Tao Ren the sensitive. Someone, the latter title just didn't appeal as much.

'Even the best fall down sometime... even the wrong words seem to rhyme.'

Ren began to regret this entire night. He had not only admitted his weakness (though without much choice), he'd also let it get the better of him. Sofia had managed to get Tao Ren the monster to actually DANCE. How had he gone so soft in such a short time?

"Ren?" The dark-haired teen looked up with a scowl. She was the source of his trouble! The source of his weakness and sensitivity. And here she was, just casually calling his name? How did she have such nerve?

Sofia smiled gently. "Just so you know, I'm about as clueless as you are."

Ren's glare faltered. Oh right, that was how.

She was about to place her arms on his shoulders, but was changed to a different position. The only way Ren knew how to dance. He grasped her right hand and held her back. Sofia adjusted and held her arm on his bicep, covered by the smooth material of his tuxedo

'I somehow find... you can I collide.' The 'doo doo doo' started up again.

"You dance like they do in fairy tales, Ren." She said with a smile. Ren remained silent, thinking that she was making fun of him for it. Sofia's hand tightened around his and she edged a little closer as they began to sway to the music. "I like it."

Ren looked up and saw her with her ever present smile. He wanted to say something, just so he wouldn't look like a fool. He didn't want to be some gawking idiot to her.

'I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind...! Even the best fall down sometimes...'

"What I said," Sofia raised an eyebrow, obviously listening."... about your costume. It wasn't true... you look good tonight." It was slow but at least he'd said something.

The blonde nodded, biting her lowerlip to stiffle a giggle. "I know. I'm sure you look handsome yourself." Ren chewed on the inside of his cheek to say something else. He needed to control himself.

'Out of the back you fall in time... I somehow find... you and I collide.' The drums and back drop voices faded.

"However, these sunglasses." He took the hand that was holding her hand away and raised it to her face. "Do ruin the effect slightly."

"Hunh?" Before she knew it, Ren had taken away your sunglasses. Her eyes' irises were a pale, glassy blue, without pupils. Now the black makeup could be seen poperly, done just beneath her eyelid.

'I lost my place... I'm close behind.' The beat grew again with the lead singer's voice.

Sofia blinked a couple times, caught off guard. "What are you doing with my sunglasses?" Ren just smirked, pocketing them.

"Oh you'll get them later, don't worry. I don't see why you wear them all the time though. Your eyes look perfectly fine." Sofia gave a sheepish grin.

'Even the best fall down sometime. Even the wrong words seem to rhyme.'

"Except of course for the fact I can't see out of them." Ren rolled his eyes, still smiling with sly intentions.

"Well don't whine about it, honestly." She laughed and shook her head.

"Sorry, silly of me." Ren slid his hand down to her hip and found Sofia leaning her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. The pretend vampire let out a deep breath, relaxing his muscles a little. He let his chin fall on her shoulder, still moving with the slow beat of the music.

'You finally find... you and I collide.'

"How long can you stay?" He asked after a little while. Sofia sighed turning her head to face him.

"Not long. In fact, I should be going really soon." She pouted, opening her eyes to him. "You know I don't want to, right?" He nodded, nudging her shoulder as he did so. A grunt in reply.

'You finally find... you and I collide.'

The song ended, though Ren cursed aloud for it doing so. Sofia lifted her head, signalling he should do the same from her shoulder.

"Goodnight Ren. Happy Halloween." She held his head and kissed both cheeks on his face, leaving a bit of a black lip mark, though he didn't care much.

"Goodnight." He led her back to the table, where everyone fell silent. Ren glared, daring any one of them to say something smart or rude while he was around. But of course, no one did.

"You leaving already Sofia?" Yoh asked, noticing she was gathering up her coat. She nodded.

"Ja, I could only stay an hour. I'll talk to you another time." She waved lightly and Ren guided her out, keeping his arm around her hip. "Where's your phone?"

"Closest one is in the lobby." He replied, then looked up. "What do you need it for?"

"To call a cab." She said. But Ren stopped and put her in a different direction, the door.

"Nonsense, I'll have one of my drivers take you back to the hotel." Sofia raised her eyebrows.

"It's okay Ren, you don't have to."

"I thought you were supposed to shut up after the dance." She laughed. Ren smiled. The others cat-called and whistled.