Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King

Jenn: I know isn't the cutest!

Andrea Nefisto: I know exactly what you mean. Can't say I'd mind havin to stay with him eitha :-) Yeah the Hanagumi's are the best. I hope I got there names right it was really hard to remember because it's been so long since I've actually seen them!

Check out my scribble of Tohru by going on my profile and clicking on the link to my MSN group. From there click on the "My fan fictions" link and it'll take you to my piccie of her.!

Ellena watched as Tohru emerged from the woods and headed towards Opatcho. She knew exactly what Tohru had done, remembering the brief conversation they had had the night before.

Flashback

"Ellena it's up to you whether you want to stay or not but I must do it for mine and my families honour."

"Tohru you already know my answer. I have served your family for generations and I do not intend to stop now. Anyway this Hao person appears to be quite attractive by your standards, eh?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about Ellena. Attractive? No way. This is just an honour thing, OK?"

"Uh huh" said Ellena sarcastically.

"Stop being so immature. It's not like that at all, now be quiet. I have to sleep!"

She made her way to Tohru to ask how it all went.

"It went OK. He gave me some rules for staying in the group. I'm not sure he trusts me yet. Though I'm sure that will change if he gets to know me."

"Well tell me," said Ellena, "Do you not find him in the least bit attractive?"

Tohru chucked the stick she had been about to use to skewer a line of sausages in Ellena's direction and it would have hit if she hadn't disappeared and reappeared sitting beside Tohru.

"I hate it when you do that." Tohru said as she proceeded to skewer the sausages using a newly acquired stick. She looked around to see if there was anyone nearby "I will admit he is somewhat attractive...however I am also aware that I am not in any position to be thinking about him in that way if he knew I thought that he was attractive it would just inflate his ego. I owe him my life and so must serve him until that debt has been repaid and right now everyone needs to eat so I am making them food.

"Tohru we're like heading to the town nearby. It's like twenty miles in that direction. Wanna come?"

"Oh Mari Hi, I'm really sorry but H- I mean Master Hao said I wasn't to leave camp for some reason"

"He said that? Oh well I suppose you can't come then. We'll bring you back something nice OK. Well see you later. Bye"

Mari, Kanna and Matti grabbed some food Tohru had cooked for them before they left then set off in the direction Mari had pointed in earlier.

"Ummm... I've made food if anyone's hungry" Tohru called out to the remaining members of the group.

There was a sudden rush as they all clambered for the food she had been cooking.

"Line up and everyone will get some" Tohru ordered them in her most commanding tone of voice.

She was surprised to see them all obeying and forming a neat line in front of her. She proceeded to serve each of them in turn until everyone was sat near the fire eating. She gave some to Opatcho and put some rice in a bowl for herself then sat down and ate. Everyone was relatively silent which she hoped was a sign they were enjoying their food. Tohru looked around at everyone eating and realised that apart from Kanna, Mari and Matti she was the only girl in the group.

"Opatcho, is everyone in the group a really strong Shaman?"

Opatcho looked up from his food and answered her question in his ever cheerful way.

"Of course. Master Hao doesn't ask just any Shaman to join the group."

"Well why does everyone talk about him being Shaman king. I mean surely everyone here wants to be?"

"Everyone here believes in the reason why he wants to become Shaman King and so they all serve him loyally. Anyway no-one here is any match for him"

The rest of the group began to finish their food.

"Does anyone want any more" asked Tohru. She couldn't help but smile when she saw the looks on their faces.

Everyone was obviously full and none of them looked like they wanted to move. Tohru stood up and went around collecting all their plates and bowls. One of them came up to her. Took her hand and kissed it.

"That was the best meal I have ever had." He said

He was followed by almost everyone there hugging her and telling her how delicious the meal was. She stood there stunned and slightly embarrassed. These people genuinely seem to like me. I think I might have found some good friends here. And if they're loyal to Master Hao then they must be loyal to their friends as well.

"Opatcho I noticed that Master Hao wasn't here during the meal. Do you think I should take him something to eat?"

"Maybe that would be a good idea. Here" Opatcho handed her a bowl filled with rice and meat.

Tohru walked back into the woods. With nothing on her feet she moved noiselessly. A skill her mother had taught her, however Hao knew she was on her way. She reached the cliff edge to find him still sitting silently. He appeared to be watching something in the deep gorge below.

"Master Hao I brought you some food" Tohru whispered fearing that if she spoke any louder she would disturb the peacefulness of the area.

She knelt next to him and placed the bowl in front of him. He picked it up and silently ate it still keeping an eye on what he was watching. Tohru peered carefully over the edge to see what he was looking at. She could see a group of people around her age.

"Master Hao. Who exactly are these people?" Tohru asked, breaking the silence once again.

"Most of them are nobodies but he..." said Hao as he pointed at one of them that appeared to be sleeping, "is an important part of my becoming Shaman King. Entertaining isn't it? Watching them scurry about like ants. It's even better when you get closer. Listening to their arguments and they never know you're there watching them."

He spent all this time watching me as well how odd she thought to herself.

"Is this all you do? Watch people doing nothing" she asked

"Well like I said it is very interesting. Anyway..." Hao said as he stood up, "I'm going closer. Do you want to come?"

He flashed her smile that reminded her of a very cute little puppy dog. She stared at him momentarily wondering why on earth she was reminded of a puppy dog.

"If you come with me you must remain silent unless I tell you otherwise. We don't need them seeing us."

"Umm... OK" Tohru replied as she stood up.

As soon as she was standing he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her tight to his chest then stepped off the cliff. Tohru gasped as she felt herself plummeting through the air and grabbed hold of Hao's wrap. He looked at her clinging to him with her eyes tight shut.

"I'm not going to drop you. If you hadn't noticed we're falling extremely slowly" he said to her.

She opened her eyes and realised he was telling the truth. After the initial drop they had apparently slowed and were now almost floating. She began to actually enjoy the feeling as the wind rushed all around her. They came to a stop on a ledge almost 100 feet from where they had been sitting. Tohru took a deep breath and looked down at the group who were now a lot closer. She then looked back at Hao and realised she was still clinging to him and his hand was still wrapped around her. She quickly let go and turned away from him to hide herself blushing. He loosened his grip to allow her to get away then he sat down on the ledge. Tohru followed his actions and sat down as well.

"You see very entertaining" Hao whispered.

"Yeah it is. Hey that boy you pointed at earlier looks just like you" Tohru whispered in reply her gaze still fixed on the group below.

"That is because we are two halves of a whole. He is my twin. Yoh"

She looked at him wide eyed.

"Your twin!"

"Yes. He is nowhere near as strong as me at the moment but that will change. I need him to be stronger so I keep an eye on his progress."

They continued to watch as the group below argued, fought and talked. It was almost an hour later when they finally began to make their way down the gorge following the dry river bead west until they were out of site.

"Ummm... How exactly do we get back up there?" Tohru asked as she pointed back up the cliff face.

"Easy" Hao replied.

In front of them the Spirit of fire appeared making Tohru jump.

"This is your guardian ghost?"

"Yes. The spirit of fire" Hao replied as he stepped on to his guardian ghosts outstretched hand.

He put out his hand for Tohru to take. She grabbed hold of it and he pulled her up next to him. The next thing she felt was a strange warmth and she found herself standing next to Hao back at the top of the cliff. She picked up the empty bowl.

"Are you coming back to camp Master Hao?" she asked, looking at him.

"Yes"

He turned around and began to walk back through the woods, pausing briefly to allow her to catch up. Tohru followed slightly behind him. They reached camp several minutes later and Tohru was surprised to see Kanna and the others had already arrived back. Hao stood by the fire and clicked his fingers. Tohru watched in wonder as the fire died out almost immediately.

"We're breaking camp. Everyone packed and ready in 10 minutes. We're heading for the West Mountains" He shouted.

There was a sudden bustle of movement as everyone began to pack their things and take down their tents. Opatcho hopped over to Tohru to tell her to pack thing blankets she had been sleeping on and to keep her trench coat and one of her newly acquired shirts ready because the temperature was a extremely different to where they were now and that although they would be safe from the snow with Master Hao they could not escape the cold. Tohru packed up all the blankets and put on a white shirt. She wrapped her chain around her waist and put her trench coat at the top of her new bag. Ellena came over but Tohru was worried about how quiet she was being. Ellena said she would explain later. Mari came over to Tohru.

"Tohru we have like an awesome gift for you, but seeing as we're leaving now and Kanna already packed it away we'll give it to you later."

Once everyone was ready they all grouped together ready to head off. Hao took the lead and everyone followed. Tohru noticed that their pace wasn't rushed and she enjoyed being able to journey with a large group rather than just herself and Ellena.

I hope everyone enjoyed this latest chappie and remember the review monster needs to be fed! Send me your opinions and feed the monster!