Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King, nor any of the characters from the original manga. Hiroyuki Takei DOES however. I own myself, my characters including Sofia Faust and Hana Horutari, and the rights and plot to this fanfic. If you're suing, watch out, I'm taking Law class xD. But please, don't sue.

Author's Note: SIGH. Not only am I late, I'm also shorter then usual. But Feline said she liked it this way so I won't go against her judgement. Wow, haven't written a disclaimer in awhile xD. All of them were pre-made over the summer... That sounds really sad. Anyway, there's a POV change right after it describes Bason being ardent(passionate) about tagging along with Sofia and Ren. It should be obvious of who's it is .

"Where are we going, Master?" Bason asked, hovering over to the teen who was slipping on his shirt. Ren sighed, closing his eyes whilst buttoning the shirt up.

"Do I REALLY have to repeat myself, Bason?" The chieftain bowed his head. He remained silent and Ren strapped his oracle pager to his wrist. "Do I?" Bason gulped.

"No, Master Ren. Of course not." Ren 'hmphed!' in approval, brushed off his hips and slipped on his shoes.

"Alright, let's go." Bason snapped to attention and nodded, following behind ever so faithfully. They stepped out into the desert sunlight of the Pache Village. Shamans walked around, fanning themselves gently while awaiting the first match of the tournament.

Ren was taking Sofia out to the shops for the day. They were getting breakfast, shopping for new clothes for her (only because he felt stupid seeing her in almost the same set of clothes everyday), then they would get lunch and explore the village. The ghosts had made sure to tag along. Bason had especially been ardent about coming with the couple.

I never realized it before but... Ren is really growing up.

Though of course, he had been mature his whole life. His surroundings had demanded that kind of attitude from him. He had to be strong, confident, and cruel. He HAD to be mature if we was to handle how he was raised. I know this, because I've been with him his whole life. Since birth, I've seen him grow up to the teenager he is before me.

Yet only now did I see Ren growing up to be a proud adult. Why was that? What was it that was making him change?

Well, he did have friends now. A lot of them too. That was probably the chief cause. His friends we taking the hate away from his heart, slowly helping him forget most of the past terrors of his childhood. They were healing his broken heart, putting it back together piece by piece

Though there were... random variables no one had been counting on. Nor were they wanted.

To be honest, I don't like the German girl. At first, of course, I loved her. She brought a rare happiness to Ren that was more then welcome. I can't say I really understood the connection between them. Nor am I very educated about the term 'empathy'. However, it was enough just to see Ren going red whenever he saw the girl.

I have to say, it was hard to hold in the chuckles. I could tell when Ren was thinking about her, though I'm sure he thought I was clueless. He'd get very quiet, with an angry look on his face. This was before they got together mind you, so then Ren felt ashamed about his feelings. He ended up training just to distract himself.

The night Ren danced with Sofia, I felt like a proud father. I kept thinking to myself 'That's MY Ren there.' I know better then anyone that I have no right to think such a thing. But I swelled with pride that night. Ren had that special someone finally. If Ren had chosen her, I could accept that she was the right person for him.

Though of course there was always the worry. The two of them were still very young. Much too young to have a relationship that would last. They would no doubt break it off and Ren... I could only imagine the kind of effect that would have on Ren. His heart was still very frail and he had tried hard to keep it from anymore kind of rejection that he had faced from his father.

Maybe that's what also helped making Ren grow, the fact that he was taking this kind of risk.

One of my worries were realized on the plane ride. When Sofia had rejected Ren's offer of safety. He had been rejected and he'd suffered for a few days after the incident. He'd go silent for long periods of time, with this distant look. A sad one. Metaphorically, my heart ached. I had been furious with the girl. How DARE she treat a Tao that way? How dare she treat REN that way? The boy who had risked so much for her, and she had pushed him away? I hated her for what she did.

Then came the day where Ren saw her for the first time after the plane ride. I was shocked to see Ren in such a trance at the mere sight of her. Though it goes just to show, just because Ren tried to be in control of his emotions, didn't mean he was successful most of the time.

I thought he might walk away after that. I figured him to be just as furious with her as much as I was. He must've felt betrayed by her. He also hadn't seen her for months. Would he really be willing to take that risk again? I had my answer in only a few seconds. Ren wanted to see her. Wanted to talk to her again. I could tell. That shocked me. Usually Ren was very predictable.

Then again, Ren had surprised me a few times with this girl. With his friends.

I'm not sure if I was happy about the surprises with the girl though... Because no sooner then the next day had that girl rejected him again! She began to ignore him in place of gallivanting around the town with her family. I could understand her attachment to her mother. That was fine with me. But had there really been no room for Ren? Ren suffered once more because of that girl, and I hated her more and more. She had put him through so much pain.

What made me feel worse, was that I could do nothing. I could follow Ren around so he was never really alone, I could put in small quips of 'Yes Master!' to show my eternal obedience for him. But I could never really comfort him. I could only watch and wait.

The night Ren was training and she showed up... I only wished I still had my physical body. I wanted to lash out at her and make her feel the pain Ren had gone through. I wanted her to suffer like Ren had. But now, yet again I could only stand by and pray that Ren did the right thing. I prayed that he would forget that girl and move on.

I was surprised again.

The girl... with only a few words, Ren was ready to be by her side again. I was shocked that he had become so forgiving. But that was literally NOTHING compared to what I saw next. Ren not only forgave her... but showed her a side I had never known to exist. An affectionate side. A loving side.

My Ren was changing. Changing and growing up. For the better, I'm not really sure. But I know that I must trust in my master's every decision. Good or bad, he has to make his own mistakes and successes. I am his tool and I shall do my best to serve as his greatest tool.

"Bason!" The spirit snapped from his thoughts and glanced up. Ren was just approaching the porch to the Funbari Onsen team's hotel. Bason blinked.

"Yes Master?" Ren arched a brow.

"You've been silent since we left the room. Is there something you want to tell me?" Bason drew his head back in confusion. Should he really say something so bold? Something like 'You're making a mistake seeing this girl' or, 'I think you should forget all about Sofia'. The answer was obvious. He had no place saying such a thing. This was something Ren had to learn. It was the only way he would learn.

"No Master, thank you for your concern though."