Author's Note: Thanks for checking out this fic! This is my newest RenxHoro creation (see my profile for my others), and I am still currently writing it. Therefore, if you want to submit any suggestions to me about chapters to come, I am definitely open to them.

This chapter is, in its original format, supposed to be two seperate chapters. But because they're so short, I added them together. Hence the break line in the middle! Anyway, I hope you enjoy the fic - please leave a review if you can! It would be very much appreciated.

Dedication: This fic draws heavily from the work of another author, MeeLee. I absolutely adore her work, and she inspires my creations alot! I suggest you go read some of her RenxHoro stuff, if you haven't already! So, this creation goes out to her - thanks so much!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King, or any of the characters.

Lose You Forever

Pirika was the one who brought the news. She had come down to breakfast that morning, quiet and solemn-faced. It took everyone a few moments to hear her over Ren and Horohoro's customary early-morning squabbling.

"And as usual, you kept me awake all night with your incessant snoring!" Ren was yelling, the two Shaman practically nose-to-nose in their conflict.

"Yeah, well, you're putting me off my breakfast with your stupid shouting! Just lay off, Ren!" Horo countered.

"What are you talking about! You're the one who started all of this, you stupid Ainu!"

"Oh, is that right, Mr I Drank All the Milk and Am Going To Blame It On Horo!"

"I have had enough of you!"

Ren was almost jumping over the table to attack Horo when he finally noticed Pirika at the door. Both of the arguing Shaman froze as they caught sight of her sullen face. Everyone else – all listening intently to Ren and Horo's confrontation – turned to look at her too as she began to speak in a small and wavering voice.

"Horo… it's finally time. I heard from them just now…"

Ren looked with confusion at her paling face to look at Horo, who was still in his fighting stance, eyes wide with shock. The silence fell heavy, Ren looking from sibling to sibling. No one else spoke a word, not even to ask what Pirika was talking about. Uneasy glances diverted themselves gradually.

Ren stared at Horo, watching as he slowly nodded in downcast recognition and followed his sister out of the room, head bowed, not looking at any of the others.

Ren was left, glaring after him, fists still raised from their fight.

The others said nothing; the sound of cutlery clinking together was heard as they continued their morning meal.

"You mean it happened today? Sheesh… those elders waste no time, do they?"

"Be serious, Onii-chan! This is important, to our family, and to our elders too."

Ren couldn't help himself. Leaning against a wall outside of Horo's room, he listened to the siblings' hushed conversation going on inside. Though the door was open just a little, Ren dared not look around the frame in case he was spotted. He settled for silently eavesdropping, trying to make sense of their words.

He heard a sigh from Horo. "So… when do they want us there?"

"Considering how far we came to get here, they're saying ten days. They want us back there by then."

"Fine… we'll make the preparations, then we'll leave."

"When are you going to tell the others?"

A short silence fell, followed by a few heavy footsteps on the wooden boards. "Perhaps it's best if we don't tell them at all."

Before Ren could react to move away from his hiding place, Horo's face was at the door. Ren tensed up, more than prepared for another confrontation in retaliation to his eavesdropping. He was met with a sideways glance from sorrowful black eyes, and silence.

Worried as he was, Ren was determined, as ever, not to show it. "Aren't you going to tell me what's going on?" he asked, snidely.

"It doesn't concern you," Horo retaliated in the same cold tone.

Before Ren knew it, Horo had continued down the corridor and out of sight. He just stayed there, listening to the sound of Pirika opening and closing closets in her room.

Author's Note: I'll add up the next chapter very soon - I know this chapter leaves you hanging quite a bit. For now, let me know what you think! Thanks.