(A/N- This one's all mine. Got none of the story in hereso read it!)
Chapter 24
Back at our group, we were all quiet and sad over how cruel Iron Maiden Jeanne was and how Lyserg almost killed that guy. The Li's were with us.
"To think I even liked that guy," Milly commented, referring to Lyserg.
"How were we supposed to know he'd turn into a monster." Sherona said.
"He's not a monster. Just…misguided." Milly said thoughtfully.
"You'd have to be a monster to join the X-Laws Milly. You know what they've done." Sally pointed out.
Milly sighed, "I guess you're right on that one."
"Well I for one say we forget about Lyserg and concentrate on more important matters." Yoh said.
"Yeh you're right. We shouldn't get all depressed over Lyserg. After all it's his problem." Trey agreed.
"So how about some burgers and fries?" Yoh suggested and no one argued with that.
It was soon dark and I went outside to get some air. Outside, Hao was directly beside the door.
"Enjoy yourself?" he grinned.
I didn't reply.
"So are we going?" I asked after a while.
"Not just yet," he said then disappeared in a flash of fire.
As soon as he disappeared, Lenny came through the door.
"Come on lets take a walk. We both want some air don't we?" he said.
So we walked down the road in silence.
Len was about to say something when we noticed a little in front of us was Hao.
Len arched back, ready to fight.
"What do you want?" Len said.
"I notice Len," Hao said, "That you're not like your other friends. You're more… assertive. If you want to be on the winning team, you should consider being on mine. Unless you're still hooked on trying to beat Yoh."
"I can beat Yoh! And I can beat you! Come on! Lets go!" Len shouted getting angry. He clutched his Kwan Dao and I had to hold Len's arm to prevent him from starting a fight with Hao.
"You see that's what I like about you," Hao commented coolly, "You're not afraid to show your anger. I could do with someone like you on my team."
"Hao-!" I said, shocked.
"Forget it!" Len shouted.
I pulled on Len's arm harder to keep him back.
"Hey! What's going on?" Trey asked as he approached.
"Do your destiny a favor and consider my offer Len." Hao said disappearing in a ball of fire.
"What did he say to you Len?" Trey asked, just joining us.
"Nothing." Len said irritatingly and stalked off.
Trey looked at me questioningly but I just shrugged.
Later on that night, in the Dobi Village Hotel, Kanna, Mari and Macchi showed up.
"We don't want any trouble," Kanna said calmly when everyone jumped up when they saw them.
"Master Hao wants Kari," Macchi continued, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."
I stood up, "Ok. Let's go."
"Kari," Yoh said as I got near the door, "You don't have to go. We'll fight Hao for you. Well... I'd fight Hao for you."
I blushed. He'd fight for me!
"Yeh dude! So would I!" Trey agreed.
"Same here!" Ryo said.
"Ditto." Len came in.
It was comforting to know they all had my back like this.
"Its ok Yoh. I don't wanna cause trouble." I explained then left.
"I wish there was some way she could stay with us," Trey pondered.
"The only way is for us to defeat Hao once and for all," Yoh said. They all agreed.
I stayed with Hao for the remainder of the second round while Yoh's team learnt new skills with Mikihisa. They developed as a group and individually and learned not to depend on their giant spirit control all the time.
"This is going very well," Hao said once, "Yoh is becoming stronger all the time."
Yoh's team advanced and beat their opponents and so did Hao of course.
It wasn't long till I heard of Hao's long talked about plan for Yoh for the future.
"Hao! No way! How could you do that to Yoh!" I protested.
Hao shrugged, "It is our destiny and that way I will gain ultimate power. He and I are two halves of the same whole and I intend to make those halves one again."
"Hao! You can't!" I went on. Then he slapped me.
"Do not tell me what I can and cannot do because I can and I will and there is nothing you can do about it."
With that he turned and stared at the velvet, starlit sky with a contented expression. Everything was going as he planned and he believed he was destined to succeed.
"And with that new power," he whispered, "Will come a new world. Where you and I Kari, will rule over a world of peace and harmony. Shaman and nature will live side by side. Can you picture it Kari?"
"Its kinda hard to concentrate while my cheek is still stinging from where you hit me." I said sarcastically. Then I realized, 'Maybe I shouldn't have said that. I don't want another slap!'
Hao turned and came up to me. I kept eye contact with him. He wouldn't hit me again. He wouldn't dare.
He ran his fingers across my cheek then through my hair.
If he slaps me, I thought, I'll unite with Callisto and show him who's-!
Then he kissed me. Gently at first. Then he pressed harder, his arms wrapping round me.
"Forget about Yoh," he whispered nuzzling my neck, "its our destiny."
Chapter 25 coming up!