Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King. If I did then poor little Manta would have a girlfriend(sobs) I feel so sorry for the little guy!
The updates are gonna be further between now cuz i'm back at school and GCSE's start in a matter of weeks!
Andrea Nefisto: Yeah I suppose Lactiff was a little out of character but the guys gotta dream about something. Why not peanut butter! I really like strawberry Jello too. I had it for lunch today. Rufus really enjoyed your last review.
Ginnitsune: I'm glad you liked it, it's nice to know my rambling is appreciated! Swimming would be a good idea but last time I gave him a bath, little clumps of fur started coming off 00 I'm not sure they'd appreciate that at a swimming pool!
Mikauzoran: You choked, I'm sooooooo sorry (begins to flail arms wildly about in grief). I understand your pain we shall all miss him being single(if he asks her). strawberry banana flavour Jello sounds like quite a weird combination!
Godoflight: Yay! i updated! I hope you like this.
Asavako: I'm really glad you like it. I love when i get new reviewers.
Hao made his way back to camp. He still had a while to sort out everything with Tohru before they arrived at Dobi village. Until she was completely better he just wanted to stay close too her. He knew perfectly well that she was a stronger Shaman than anyone in his group of followers but how strong she was he didn't know. He also realised that if people such as the X laws caught wind of her then they would do everything in their power to harm her or use her for blackmail. If he asked her then she would be in more danger than ever before. He stepped into the clearing and walked over to his tent. He paused outside briefly then went in. He was greeted by her dazzling smile.
"Master Hao. I was wondering I know someone who lives deep in the forest not far from here. Would it be OK to visit her? She's a prophetic shaman. A fortune teller really and I haven't seen her for a number of years."
Tohru tilted her head to the side as she waited for his answer.
"I'm not so sure. I don't want you going off on your own. You have a strange history of finding yourself in dangerous situations."
"Oh. OK" Tohru dropped her head clearly disappointed.
Hao looked at her and his chest tightened, he felt guilty. Oh no. I made her sad maybe I can....
"I will allow you to go as long as you are accompanied by someone. I will get Lactiff to escort you." Hao said.
Tohru squealed and started bouncing around.
"Why exactly is this so important to you?" he asked her once she had calmed down.
"Well since almost everyone I ever knew is dead she is someone from the past. I don't want to forget that past. There are only a few people left alive that were associated with my family; Tiegan is one on of them. You may meet the other two when we arrive at Dobi Village. I'll introduce you to them Master Hao." Tohru smiled at him. "There's something else I've been meaning to ask as well. You're always saying. Put up the tents, pack away the tents etc. but if I'm not mistaken isn't this a Tepee."
"Of course it is. There a lot more comfortable than a tent but saying tent is a lot easier."
"Oh. OK"
"I think you're looking much healthier Tohru why don't you get outside for a while. We'll be leaving in a couple of hours. I have to take care of a few things on our way."
"How will I know where to find you once I have finished visiting her" Tohru asked him.
"I'll come for you. I know the woman you're talking about. We'll be staying on the mountain again tonight but further up." He replied.
Hao stepped out of the tent and waited for Tohru to gather up all the blankets. He offered her his hand to help her out of the tent and she took hold of it hoisting herself onto the cold ground. Hao remembered she hadn't been wearing anything on her feet when he found her. Tohru hopped from foot to foot trying not to stand still for too long. Before she had realised what was happening Hao had swept her up and was carrying her bridal style over to the fire. She blushed as everyone looked over to see what was going on. Hao set her down the grabbed her shoes and set them down by her feet.
"Thank you" Tohru whispered timidly, realising that everyone was still looking her way.
Hao looked towards Lactiff who was sitting reading by his tent.
"Lactiff" he called over to him, "Come over here"
"Yes Master Hao" He replied putting his book down and walking over.
"You will watch Tohru today. She is visiting the fortune teller Tiegan. I will collect you both when I have dealt with the business I have to attend to."
Lactiff looked at Hao knowingly and nodded in reply.
"Let us be going then" he said to Tohru.
Tohru stood up having put on her boots and was about to reach for her coat when she stopped suddenly.
"Master Hao, I appear to be wearing your wrap. I'm sorry I honestly don't know how that happened" she laughed, feeling even more embarrassed as everyone continued to watch.
Hao looked at her.
"Keep it" he said simply.
"Thank you" Tohru murmured blushing even more deeply.
Kanna, Mari and Matti exchanged knowing glances and Opatcho smirked at Tohru's obvious shyness. Lactiff and Tohru headed off in the direction of Tiegan's mountain house. Once they were gone Hao looked around at everyone.
"We leave in half an hour. I believe my dear brother is due a visit" He said smirking.
Meanwhile...
As Tohru looked arrived at the small mountain lodge that Tiegan owned, she smiled remembering the many times she had chased her father around the compound as a small child. She walked up to the door and knocked. A booming voice replied.
"I'll be there just wait one second"
Tohru smiled remembering the woman's laziness. The door swung open and a plump woman stood peering through glasses at her visitors. She bent down to look at Tohru more closely then her eyes widened in realization.
"Tohru! Little Tohru!" she cried out.
Tohru's breath was forced out of her as Tiegan caught her in a bone crushing hug.
"Come in, come in." she boomed gesturing to the cluttered living room, "And who might you be?" she asked questioningly as she peered through her glasses.
"Lactiff, miss" he replied simply as he followed Tohru into the house.
They sat down and drank the tea that Tiegan poored.
"Tohru, dear. How are you? I heard about what Toma did but I was so worried to hear you had disappeared." She asked peering over her spectacles at Tohru.
"Father told me to get to Dobi village so I'm on my way there. I had a few problems but now I'm travelling with a large group of Shaman that are entered in the tournament. The head of the group even took care of Toma." Tohru smiled.
"Well that's wonderful, excuse me Mr Lacitff but I must drag Tohru away for a moment." Tiegan boomed slapping him on the back.
She grabbed Tohru's hand and dragged her into the next room shutting the door behind them.
Meanwhile...
"Face this way Hao!" Lyserg shouted into the raging blizzard. He launched his dowsing pendulum at Hao.
Hao turned around, smirking and lifted his hand. The crystal dropped to the floor.
Meanwhile...
"Time to read your fortune. I haven't done this in a while"
Tiegan closed her eyes and held Tohru's hands as they sat on the rug. After only a couple of minutes she opened them and smiled.
"Tohru I have something that belonged to your mother that she intended to give to you."
She heaved herself up and took a slightly squashed box off a shelf then returned to sit facing Tohru.
"Tohru, you've fallen in love dear" she stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
Tohru stared at her then spluttered "w-w-what!"
"Tohru I can see it. You've fallen in love. You're mother would be so happy. He's going to ask you to marry him soon and you're going to say yes" she stated, smiling.
"I-if this is going to happen soon then should you really be telling me I mean wouldn't it be better left to a surprise? " she asked.
Tiegan suddenly became more serious "No. It can't be. In a matter of days he is going to tell you things that may drive you away. You need to forgive him child because what you are destined to be together, my visions are never wrong. Remember that love overcomes everything"
She shifted her weight slightly then smiled at Tohru again. "Now let's get this out for you to look at."
She lifted the lid and pulled out the most beautiful wedding dress Tohru had seen. It was made of off white silk and decorated with small pearls.
Tohru threw herself at Tiegan hugging her tightly as she burst into tears. Tiegan patted her on the head understanding how happy Tohru was.
"So this feeling I have in my heart is love, the feeling that I couldn't live with out him. Is it really possible to fall in love so quickly." Tohru said finally as she rubbed her eyes to wipe away the tears.
"Of course, look at your parents, for them it was love at first sight. If you're anything like your anything like your mother then you wouldn't be feeling like that unless it was love, think about it. Anyway, of course I know, it's my job to know.!"
"Getting married would mean I had a proper family again." Tohru said holding the dress to her chest and closing her eyes.
They walked back into the main room and sat down with Lactiff and continued to talk for many hours. Tohru looked at the clock on the wall then outside to see the sun setting.
"We're being picked up soon" she said, "It was great to see you again. I'll visit you again as soon as I can"
Tohru and Lactiff walked outside just as Hao appeared amidst a tower of fire, riding on the palm of his guardian ghost. He jumped off and walked over to them.
"What's that" he asked, pointing at the box tucked under Tohru's arm.
"This, oh well you see, ummm... it's a secret for a while. I may show you some other time" Tohru rambled.
Tiegan chuckled at Tohru's reaction then walked back inside her house. The spirit of fire dropped his hand for Hao to jump on. He wrapped his arm around Tohru's waist again and jumped up with her, Lactiff followed shortly behind them. They disappeared amongst more flames with Hao still holding Tohru in his arms.
They reappeared in a newly made camp halfway up the mountainside. Lactiff jumped down followed by Hao who still had his arms wrapped around Tohru. For the first time since she didn't feel embarrassed anymore. She smiled as he jumped down effortlessly carrying her with him. He loosened his grip to allow her to step away but she continued to stay close to her. Hao smiled at this
"What do you need me to do, Master Hao" she asked.
"Rest." He replied simply as he guided her to his tent, "It is too cold for you to sleep outside so for tonight you will stay here."
He opened the zip and nudged her inside. She sat down on her blankets that had already been laid out and took off her boots.
"Try to sleep. I will be back soon. Everyone is sleeping early tonight. He handed her some food that Kanna had passed to him, "Here"
He left her alone to eat. Once she was finished she rested the box on her lap and snuck another glimpse at it, squealing in joy as she did so. She covered then box with her bag, then lay down on the blankets and drifted quickly off to sleep, exhausted from her days trek.
It was little more than an hour later Hao did the flaps up behind him as he got into the tent. He looked down at Tohru and smiled. Hao pulled the blankets over her then lay down next to her, his eyes drifted closed. Tohru rolled over to face him and opened her eyes to see him asleep. She propped herself up on one on elbow and watched his steady breathing. She smiled sleepily and kissed him lightly on the forehead Then she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes to drift back to sleep again.