DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SHAMAN KING

"Master Hao, what are you thinking?" Opatcho hopped onto the ledge where Hao sat, his head resting on one hand, staring into the deep ravine.

"I'm thinking of Yoh and what a troublesome brother he has become..." he sighed and looked up into the night sky.

"Is...is there something else Master?"

"I was thinking of the girl...it's quite a shame she'll probably die" he looked at Opatcho and smiled, "She's quite a pretty little thing and she would do well when I become Shaman King. She appears to be quite strong."

"It might not kill her though Master Hao" said Opatcho hopefully.

Hao continued to gaze at the stars for a few minutes more before he answered. The crisp midnight breeze sent his hair flickering like the flame of a candle all around him.

"I know there is always the possibility she would survive the exchange...but no-one has before and I doubt there is anything different between her and the others and they all died."

"Well maybe we could find someone else...please Master Hao"

"You seem to really care for her don't you Opatcho"

"Well...err r... I suppose I do. I spend so much time keeping an eye on her that I get worried about her."

Hao turned around to watch Opatcho talk. Hao had come to see Opatcho like a younger brother. He chuckled as Opatcho stopped talking.

"Y-you know ummm... maybe instead of... Well... couldn't you, you know. Keep her or something"

"Opatcho, where exactly would I find someone with enough Celestine Furiyoku to get me into Dobi Village, you know if I'm going to trick the King of Spirits I have to have all the Celestine furiyoku of an individual, willingly given to me, you should also remember that a Shaman who loses all their Celestine furiyoku that quickly will die, their body can't cope. That's what happened the last two times I did it. We have searched for a few years and not found anyone with as much Celestine furiyoku as her." Hao bowed his head.

He wouldn't admit it but at that moment he felt a twinge of sadness of the fate he had set out for her. In all the years he had been trying to become Shaman King he had never had true companionship with anyone and her death would be but another lost chance to get close to someone.

Opatcho, seeing that Hao was once again lost in his own thoughts began to hop back to their main camp, calling out to Hao as he went-

"I will go check on her Master"

When I become Shaman King I can change my life, maybe then I will find someone, he thought as the moon hid behind the gathering storm clouds.

I hope you're liking it so far. I decided to add this small chapter for a little insight into Hao. I must apologise for not writing really long chapters. I'm not very good at that sort of thing, in fact I'm amazed I can keep the story going at all.

Please review!