Don't own any of them, wish I did, making no money off this. Enjoy – and remember, reviews always welcome! You may find it of help to understand my take on the Yoh-Hao situation if you read my other story, O Brother, Where Art Thou? (a one-shot)

Whew, I think this chapter is the longest yet! A couple of hellos to some lovely people:

Isa18: hope you enjoy this chapter too!

Sima-chan: Gomen, I thought Hao was going to make an appearance in this chapter, but he's opted to go straight on to the next one where he gets to duke it out with Yohmei. He's in fine form though, so I hope you keep reading!

Yumeorb: as the characters develop (and grow up – most of them are teenagers after all!), they may change a little, but I hope the core of what defines them stays largely true to form – you'll have to let me know what you think!

For anyone reading who hasn't yet reviewed, please do drop me a line! Your reviews and comments keep me going, and sometimes even create plot points – the more of them I get, the faster the updates come, so there's an incentive right there! –NF.

Chapter 3 – Even Heroes Have The Right To Dream

It may sound absurd...but don't be naïve
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed...but won't you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
It's not easy to be me

Up, up and away...away from me
It's all right...you can all sleep sound tonight
I'm not crazy...or anything...

- Superman, Five For Fighting

Letter from Horohoro to Yoh

Hey, Yoh!

Sorry it's taken me so long to write, you know me, I have trouble sitting still! But Pirika is making me write this illegible smudge geez, my sister can be such a pain sometimes. I mean, do you think it's right for her to hit me over the head? She made me drop the pen! But why am I asking you? You let Anna hit you all the time! I think Anna was a bad influence on Pirika, by the way. Don't tell her I told you that.

I'm sending you some pictures of the coltsfoot field we're planting. Ryu took them, you can see his hair in some of the pictures. It was nice of him to visit though, and he's actually a good mechanic. I think the Koropokoro are taking a liking to him. They're very easily influenced. Good thing he left yesterday, said he was going to go see his old friends, those weird people he used to hang out with at some bowling alley. Man, I can't believe it's nearly summer already! Where is the time going?

Eh…you know, it's funny. I thought this was my big dream, you know? A world full of coltsfoot. But now I'm taking tiny steps towards it, and it isn't what I thought it was going to be. I'm happy though, don't get me wrong…it just seems like sometimes it isn't enough. Do you ever feel that way? Pirika realized the other day that I was still wearing the Oracle Bell. I dunno…it just felt right, like it fit on my arm, you know? I guess I just can't believe we're supposed to go back to living our normal lives after all we've seen and done. Do you think we will see another Shaman Fight in our lifetime?

Crap, I can't believe I'm turning into such a sap. This is your fault.

Anyway, I gotta go, got another field to till before it gets too hot. Write me back, dude. And have you heard from that spiky-headed Tao?

Horohoro

-----------------------------

Letter from Ren to Yoh

Yoh:

What are you doing and why have you not replied to my last letter? Didn't anyone ever teach you it's bad manners not to respond immediately! I swear that this is the last time I'm going to waste my time writing you a letter if you don't write back

Hello Yoh, it's Jun. Please forgive Ren, he's been in a bad mood since the last post came and didn't bring a reply from you. He misses all his friends very much (you in particular), and I know he wishes he could see you more often. I am trying to persuade my parents to let him attend school with you in Japan, but he is the Tao heir and as such as many responsibilities here in China. Perhaps you might instead like to visit us sometime? You are always welcome in our house, you know. Please give my regards to Anna and Manta! Pailong also sends his regards.

Yoh:

My sister is standing over me to make sure I don't just throw away what she wrote. This is your fault and I am going to….

Fine! How are you? I am well. The weather in China has been very hot, but then there are thirty-three places in my country where it is so hot that a drop of water evaporates before it hits the ground. Bason requests that I pass along his regards to you to pass to Amidamaru. I think those two have some kind of mutual admiration society going on. Idiots.

My duties as heir to the Tao family fortune keep me very busy. I am learning much about our accounts and holdings. There are thirty-three major plots of land that we own, each with their own set of accounts, serfs, properties, spirits, history, etc. Yes, I know you don't really care about the details. Some of us have responsibilities though.

Are you still in training? I am. I suggest you do the same. Remember, Asakura, we still haven't had our fight yet, and I look forward to beating you and becoming the Shaman King. Because there is no doubt about it, you know – I will win. Don't get all swollen-headed just because you were able to defeat that insane brother of yours. And I'll beat anyone who gets in my way, including that idiot Ainu. Have you heard from him lately? I bet his sister makes him train hard. That girl is weird. Anyone who could find Chocolove's jokes funny has issues.

Tao Ren

-----------------------------

Letter from Manta to Tamao

Hi Tamao,

It was good to hear from you! I was very surprised to receive your letter, but it was a nice surprise. I am fine, thank you for asking, and I hope that you are the same? I can understand that Izumo must seem very quiet after America.

Yoh and Anna-san are doing fine, as far as I can tell. I meet them every morning and we walk to school together. Yoh-kun has been a little quieter, but then after all that he experienced during the Shaman Fight, who can blame him? I'm sure he will visit Izumo when he is ready. On the bright side, you can tell his family that he is doing much better in school than he was! He seems to be taking more of an interest in his studies, especially in science and history. Of course, he still has spirits do his homework for him, but he really does know the answers. You should have seen the teacher's face the day he called on Yoh and Yoh not only finished the chemistry equation on the board but corrected a couple of the diagrams! I was watching him closely, and there was no sign of spirit possession. I myself find it hard to believe, but Yoh says he just realized he wanted to know how the nature he loves so much works. I guess that sort of makes sense. We still watch the stars together, and he seems to have been reading up on them, because he knows most of their names. He sometimes jokes that he is looking for a small star to name after me!

Why don't you come and visit sometime? I am sure Yoh and Anna would be happy to have you around. Faust and Eliza would love the company as well. They are in Germany now finishing up some business, but will be returning to Japan soon. And Ryu often stops by. He said to be sure to mention him to you. Please send my best wishes to Yoh's family, and to Konchi and Ponchi.

Manta

-----------------------------

"Want to hang out tomorrow?"

Yoh looked over at his best friend, smiling faintly. "Eh…I can't, Manta. Not this weekend. I have to go back home to Izumo."

"Oh." Manta looked puzzled. "Is something wrong? Will Anna-san be going too?"

"No, just me and Amidamaru. There's something I need to do up there."

"Ah." The little human nodded wisely. "Shaman stuff."

Said shaman nodded. "Yuppa. I've been putting it off, but it is time. Can't avoid it any longer…my grandfather is forcing my hand." An odd look of mingled amusement and irritation crossed his face. "Not for the first time, either."

Manta shook his head. "I'm sorry, Yoh-kun. I wish I could help."

"You help just by being here," replied the young shaman as he closed his book-bag. "Come on, we can still hang out this afternoon on the hill before you go to cram school – I need Takafushi to do my math homework in advance since I'm going to be busy this weekend. And I'd like to spend some time watching the clouds with you."

"Okay, I've been meaning to ask him about this trigonometry proof anyway," said Manta agreeably, skipping to keep up with Yoh's longer strides. Yoh had always been slight of build, but he had hit a growth spurt right after their return from America, and had added several inches seemingly overnight. On any other teenager, that would have led to an awkward, gangly stage, but Yoh was one of those people who would always be comfortable in his own skin. His chest and shoulders had broadened, his voice was moderating towards a pleasantly low tenor, and he had filled out considerably, as was obvious given his habit of leaving his shirts open to the navel in summer. What amused Manta greatly was the fact that his friend was seemingly oblivious to the effect this had on the girls at their school. Just the fact that he was known to be in the corridors at a certain time between classes was enough to cause minor gridlock as groups of giggling female classmates congregated at their lockers trying to get his attention. Much to their chagrin, however, and Anna's secret satisfaction, Yoh would amble by at his usual unhurried pace without so much as a flicker of acknowledgement in his sleepy-eyed gaze. The memory of one particularly lovelorn classmate who had attempted to drop her books right in front of him and had wound up dropping them on Manta's head instead featured particularly prominently in Manta's mind, for obvious reasons. Although he had to admit, it was rather funny, once the swelling had gone down. Thankfully Faust really was an exceptional doctor.

"What?" asked Yoh, slowing down and smiling sidelong at his small friend through his long bangs. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing," teased Manta.

"Come on," laughed Yoh. "If it's that good, share!" He tossed his hair back as he resettled his headphones comfortably on his head. It had gotten a lot longer in the months since the Shaman Fight and now fell in choppy layers about his shoulders. "Hmm. I think I'm going to have to start tying this back like Amidamaru. I like it this way, but it's a little warm in the summer time!"

Manta shook his head, smiling. "Are you sure Anna-san will be happy about that?"

"Eh…she'll get used to it," replied Yoh blithely.

-----------------------------

Letter from Anna to Jun

Jun:

Thank you for your letter and for the gift of birds' nest, I'll make Yoh brew some for breakfast tomorrow morning. I am sorry your brother is upset that Yoh has not replied to his letters, but you know, Ren does have a problem with his personality and might want to work on that.

Things are well here at Funbari Onsen. Yoh is Yoh, there seem to have been no lasting ill-effects from the Shaman Fight, although he is a little more thoughtful at times, which may actually be an improvement. No, I have not heard anything from Silva about the possibility that the Shaman Fight will resume. It should not matter to your brother, however, since the outcome is not in doubt. Yoh is going to be Shaman King and I will be Shaman Queen, so tell your brother that he is sadly mistaken if he believes otherwise.

So Ren has taken to wearing pants since he returned from America? I think that is a definite improvement on the shorts. The boys have all grown since the Shaman Fight; even Manta seems to be a little taller than he was. Yoh is also growing out his hair for some reason. He had better not be considering adopting Ryu's hairstyle. I'm considering making him get a haircut.

I do not think we will be able to visit China anytime soon. For one thing, I am not going to pay for it. For another, I intend to use this summer to intensify Yoh's training. It would be a pity to let his growing abilities go to waste.

Warmest regards to the Tao family from the Asakura family.

Anna.

-----------------------------

Anna carefully folded up her letter to Tao Jun, slipping it into an envelope and addressing in a clear, precise hand. She would be able to make the last post if she left the house immediately. Of course, it would be easier to send Yoh out to do it, but he had been coming home later and later these days, although always in time to make dinner. A small frown crossed Anna's face. She had been unusually lenient recently, wanting to give her fiancée time to recover from the Shaman Fight given the unusual manner in which it had ended, but it was obvious that his discipline was slipping. It was time to start training again, not least of all because she had a nagging feeling that something very important was about to happen. She wasn't quite clear on the details yet. But she never made uncertain statements, and right now her spiritual sense was tingling ominously.

Picking up her bag and tucking her hair into her red bandana, Anna locked the doors behind her and began walking towards the postbox. It was a beautiful day, not too hot despite the onset of summer, and the trees were in full foliage, a shimmering glossy green against an azure blue sky. Her sandals made a dusty sound as they slapped against the ground in a regular rhythm, and she lapsed into a reverie as she walked down the winding road. After mailing her letter, she cut through the park to prolong what was turning out to be a surprisingly pleasant stroll. As she meandered past a hedge, she suddenly stiffened. There was definitely a powerful Furyoku on the other side of the hedge – one that seemed almost familiar. Her brows drew together in a manner that her fiancé would have recognized right away as being A Very Bad Thing.

Anna Kyouyama, itako, Bride of the Asakuras and future Shaman Queen, did not like having secrets kept from her.

The blonde teenager carefully peeked around the corner of the hedge. At first, she didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but then a flash of movement in the shadows under the trees caught her eye. She drew her breath in sharply as she recognized the figure of her fiancé engaged in what appeared to be shadow swordplay. Yoh's hair was tied back with a length of leather cord, making him look like a warrior of old as he whirled a bokken around him expertly, fending off numerous unseen opponents. He had discarded his headphones, shirt and necklace on the grass, and was wearing a pair of black leather gauntlets. It was obvious from their well-worn condition – and, Anna had to admit, from his well-defined musculature – that this was something of a regular occurrence. She was further stunned to realize that she was not picking up any evidence of spirit possession by Amidamaru, and as if to confirm her suspicions, the samurai spirit materialized off to the side, nodding intently as he watched his master go through the motions. He appeared to be satisfied with what he was seeing, because he clapped his hands sharply and said something that Anna couldn't quite make out from her vantage point. Yoh evidently heard him though, since he nodded and, without breaking stride, reached down and picked up a second, shorter bokken. Shifting his grip smoothly, he proceeded to continue with his routine, only this time with two swords, agilely using one to block and the other to attack. Sweat glistened on his face, but his expression remained serene. There was a fluidity to his movements that could only have come with practice, and his balance was sure and centered. Amidamaru observed him with narrowed eyes, then suddenly darted into the fray as if to catch him off guard. His opponent parried easily, and the samurai laughed. Yoh dropped his weapons and began to join in, only to suddenly stiffen. His back was to Anna, but she knew instantly somehow that he had felt her presence, and deciding that a good offence was the best defense she knew, she stepped forward.

"Anna!" smiled Yoh, a little too brightly. "Eto…what are you doing here?" He raised his hand and scratched the back of his head in a sheepish gesture just like his father's. His chest rose and fell has he breathed heavily after his exertions, and Anna was embarrassed to find her eyes lingering on his broad shoulders and following the lines of his torso down to….

"Yoh. What are you doing?" asked Anna stiffly, willing herself to avert her eyes from her fiancé's very attractive body. Now that the shock was wearing off, Anna was miffed. She did not like the thought that Yoh had been hiding something from her, not to mention that this sudden…obsession…with training was very out of character for the easy-going shaman.

"Ah…exercising?"

"Yoh." Somehow Anna was able to infuse the single syllable of his name with a frigid cold that was definitely a threat. Amidamaru swallowed, hoping that she wouldn't whip off her beads and bind him. It gave him the equivalent of a spirit headache for days. He gratefully disappeared into the memorial tablet Yoh was waving discreetly behind his back.

Yoh sighed defeatedly. "Fine. I was training. I asked Amidamaru to teach me to fight so that we could be a more effective team." He paused, searching for words. "It's not so much about stamina – although it does help – as it is skill…if I can do what needs to be done on my own, then his energies can be focused on the things I cannot do without his help. And..."

"…and?" asked Anna, interested in spite of herself.

"And…I just need to do this. To feel more grounded in this…in my body. And in myself."

Anna considered this in silence. "Why didn't you tell me about it?"

"…it's not that simple, Anna," Yoh said in frustration, running his hands through his hair and starting to unfasten the tie holding his hair back. A breeze began to blow as he shook his hair free, letting the dark locks spill down over his shoulders. "I just want…I don't know…to see if I can. If I'm strong enough. I need to know what I'm capable of if I'm to win the Shaman Fight and become Shaman King. I didn't want to worry you before I was certain."

"The Shaman Fight is suspended, Yoh. There may not be a Shaman King for another five hundred years."

Yoh smiled, a strangely resigned smile. "You and I both know that's not true."

Anna was silent. So Yoh had felt it too. That unsettling feeling of something left undone, something not quite right – something coming. As if reading her mind, Yoh said softly, "I know you think I don't use my abilities as best I should, but I am the heir of the Asakuras." He looked outwards, towards the sun, which was beginning to slip below the horizon. "I know exactly how Ren feels…it's a heavy burden. But he at least chose to face up to his destiny. I've always tried to run away from it, and I know you've been disappointed…."

"No," said Anna softly. "Never. Worried, maybe. Concerned. But never disappointed. Yoh…" she hesitated, then pressed forward. "Is being Shaman King truly your dream?"

He continued to look towards the horizon. "You know what my dream is, Anna."

"To live a free and easy life, unbothered by anyone or anything," she quoted.

"Even the future Shaman King has the right to dream," he said, finally turning towards her with a quiet laugh. "But you know what I realized when I was facing Hao?"

She shook her head carefully. This was the first time he had brought up the events of the last Shaman Fight, as far as she knew, to anyone.

"I realized…that sometimes, in order for your dream to come true…you have to give it up." His face was now in shadow. The last rays of the sun were almost gone. "I wanted nothing more than to live my days in as carefree a manner as possible. To spend time with my friends…and with you. I didn't want to fight Hao. I didn't want to worry about the shame of the Asakuras. But if I hadn't…you would all have suffered instead. And I couldn't let that happen, because...because I care too much. Dattara…I give up my dream to live a free and easy life…because that is the only way that I can obtain my dream." He shrugged helplessly. "I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but…."

"You've grown, Yoh."

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "That's obvious, I'm taller than you now."

"Baka," she said almost affectionately. "You know what I mean."

-----------------------------

Letter from Faust to Anna

Dear Anna-san,

Yes, I shall be returning to Japan soon, it should take me a week more to get my affairs in order over here and then Eliza and I will be back. I look forward to seeing you and Yoh-kun then!

With regards to the increased Furyoku you have been sensing from Yoh-kun, I had expected as much. Do you remember Team Enseioth? They were weakened because they kept transferring their Furyoku to each other, and no one can use more Furyoku than he or she actually possesses. Yet Yoh-kun was able to receive the Furyoku of virtually all the shamans at Patch Village, and use it – and survive! What does that tell us? That he is far stronger than he knows. The Furyokus of all the shamans combined were still less than his innate reserves. I have been researching the subject while here, and I believe that the transfer jump-started his latent abilities. We have no way of knowing how powerful he may ultimately become, but given Hao as a precedent….

Has he spoken to you in detail of what happened yet? I agree that it is not good to press him to talk before he is ready, but it is also not healthy for him to repress his feelings. Does he at least talk to Amidamaru?

Yours in good health,

Faust

-----------------------------

The stars were shining brightly as Yoh swung himself lithely onto the roof of the house. He settled himself comfortably, hands behind his head, as Amidamaru appeared and seated himself next to his master. The two watched the sky in companionable silence for a good while. Finally, the samurai stirred. "Yoh-dono."

"Nani?" asked Yoh lazily.

"We go to Izumo tomorrow."

"Yes."

The spirit hesitated. "Would it not be best for us to tell Anna-san the truth before we go?"

Yoh looked over with a wry expression. "Do you think she would let us go if she did?"

"Your point is well-taken."

The shaman made a small sound of amusement. "Maybe we'll tell her when we get back. If everything goes well. And in the meantime, don't worry…I won't let her get to you. Okay?"

Amidamaru nodded. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched his master's profile. It was fascinating to watch the interplay of thoughts and emotions flit over Yoh's expressive face…the juxtaposition of the child within the man and the man within the child never failed to amaze him. His mind drifted back to the last time they had sat up here together.

It had been the night after their return from America. After making certain that his master was tucked in safely, Amidamaru had opted to watch the night sky. He had learned to appreciate the stars in the six hundred years he had waited for Mosuke, and the sight of them twinkling down, both ever-changing and ever-constant, never failed to bring a measure of peace to his heart. He had nearly finished working his way through the first set of nightly meditations he performed when he had heard a scrabbling sound, and his master had peeked over the edge of the roof. "Is there room?"

The spirit had been startled. "Yoh-dono? Is something wrong?"

A small shake of the head had been the only response as the shaman came over to sit by him. Yoh had stared mutely into space for a few minutes, then sighed heavily and leaned over to rest his head on Amidamaru's shoulder. The samurai carefully lifted up his arm and put it around his master protectively, snuggling him closer, feeling the slight movements of the boy's breathing and taking pleasure in the knowledge that his master was fully present – fully there. Having experienced the alternative, the spirit was quite decided in his preference.

"Amidamaru?"

"Yes?"

"Do you ever feel alone?"

The samurai considered this question seriously. "In the years I waited for Mosuke, yes. It was my anger that kept me there, and anger is a barrier to forming any sort of relationship, even with the other spirits who were there with me. But since I met Yoh-dono and was freed from my rage…no, not really." He hesitated, then added, "It is my privilege to have you as my lord and master…and through our bond, we are one. How could I possibly feel alone?"

Yoh smiled faintly. "I'll take that as a compliment. I'm glad I have you too." He lapsed into silence again, a faint furrow creasing his forehead. Sensing his master was not yet done, Amidamaru waited patiently for him to speak. "Do you think humans often feel alone?"

"I think…that loneliness is a part of being human, yes," replied the spirit. "We are all ultimately alone in the prison of our own minds, unless we are able to free our minds from the boundaries that encircle them, both physical and mental. But while we strive for that enlightened state…we can have friends, who help to make this world…less lonely. And sometimes…they can transcend physical limitations…and understand us even when we cannot understand ourselves."

The boy was silent as he digested this. In his large dark eyes, the spirit could see the heavens reflected in an impossibly miniature, perfect universe. Yoh finally took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak again. "Amidamaru. I need you to understand something as my friend. At least…I'm hoping you will."

"Anything, Yoh-dono. What is it?"

"Eto…I can't really tell you because I'm still trying to understand it. I can show you though." Yoh held out his hand, palm up. Amidamaru stared at it for a moment before comprehending what the shaman meant. Closing his eyes, the spirit allowed himself to be gathered gently into his master's hand. And then the strange euphoria of the Spirit Possession as he felt his consciousness stretch to encompass another. One he knew well though, and loved, and he allowed himself to feel a stirring of warmth as he reached out for it….

Yoh gasped as the wind was knocked out of him by Amidamaru's hurried exit from the Spirit Possession. The spirit landed in front of him on one knee, eyes staring wildly. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times, but no sound was forthcoming.

One corner of Yoh's mouth quirked up drily. "Now you know why I'm having trouble telling people about it."

Oyamada Manta says:

What has Amidamaru discovered? And what awaits Yoh in Izumo – apart from Tamao? If Faust is right, Yoh has barely begun to scratch the surface of his powers. Will he be able to control them – and will he want to? What new trials lies ahead for our shaman friends? Read on in Shaman King: Do You Believe In Destiny: Chapter 4: The Son And The Heir