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)

And we're back! After a bit of a sabbatical to focus on my Full Metal Alchemist story, Full Circle, I'm turning my attention back to the fandom that first inspired my random scribblings. It's sharing time with my FFVII fic, Past Tense; Future Imperfect though, so it may be a bit of a wait for the next chapter, although hopefully not six months! Apologies to all the lovely people who reviewed and requested updates, but I hope it was worth the wait! The Yoh/Hao personality is slightly tricky, but I'm liking the way it's coming out. Oh…and while Yoh/Anna is a given since Yoh/Hao would be logistically complicated in this story (although I'm a fan otherwise), anyone feel particularly strongly about any other pairings? Read Manta's preface to Chapter 6 and you'll know why! Review and let me know! –NF.

Chapter 5 – The Rising

Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight

- The Rising, Bruce Springsteen

Dinner was awkward, to say the least.

Yohmei was squirming under Kino's dark gaze. She might have been blind, but the elderly itako was quite capable of boring right through him with her sightless orbs when she suspected that he was being less than truthful with her. Tamao fluttered distractedly between kitchen and table, wanting to make sure that everything was perfect for Yoh, and flushing bright red every time the youth broke off from his soft conversation with Mikihisa to thank her politely. Mikihisa was pointedly ignoring Yohmei, who was pointedly ignoring him right back, and Keiko looked absolutely bewildered at the odd state of affairs, but had wisely opted to ignore the odd behavior of her parents and husband and focus on her only child.

"You're too thin, Yoh."

"Okaa-san, you always say that," laughed the boy. "It's Anna's fault, anyway, she's the one who has me running fifty miles a day!"

Keiko sighed, and cast a reproachful look at her mother. "That girl will be the death of you." She was reasonably fond of her son's intended, but blood had to come first, after all, and Anna seemed unduly harsh on Yoh at times.

"More like Yoh will be the death of everyone," muttered Yohmei grumpily.

"That's not a nice thing to say about Brother Yoh," Tamao whispered, cringing as the patriach of the Asakuras shot her a glare.

"Do not presume to interfere in things that do not concern you, child."

"Now, grandfather," Yoh said softly. "She doesn't mean anything by it." And Kino watched through sightless eyes behind dark glasses as Asakura Yohmei eyed his grandson with annoyance – and what appeared to be a touch of…fear? She frowned. Why would Yohmei fear Yoh? The boy was strong, yes – the aura of power radiating off him since the Shaman Fight was hard to miss - but he was still as lazy and thoughtless as ever. Comes to visit and doesn't even bring a present from Tokyo, she snorted to herself. Anna would have been more considerate.

"Hmmph." Yohmei stood up stiffly. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."

"Wait a minute," Kino's voice cracked out as she got to her feet with surprising litheness, barely leaning on her cane. "Have you sealed Hao's study?"

Yohmei paled slightly and shuffled his feet awkwardly, looking eerily like his grandson for a moment. "Er…well…there was a bit of a problem." The three men had reached an unspoken agreement that the details of Hao's survival - or resurrection, or whatever you wanted to call it – were best kept amongst themselves. Unfortunately, Yohmei realized, they hadn't quite worked out a cover story yet.

"What kind of problem?" snapped Kino. "If you're getting too old for this stuff, get Mikihisa to help you with it. Or Yoh, since you're here, you might as well make yourself useful. Go help your grandfather."

"Eto…I don't think I can do that, grandmother." Yoh's voice was completely respectful, and yet Kino blinked. There was definitely something different about Yoh, and she wasn't entirely certain it was for the better. She reached out with her mind, and for a fleeting moment she nearly had it, but then it seemed to evaporate and she was left shaking her head, confused. Yoh moved closer to her and placed a supportive hand under her arm. "Are you all right, grandmother? Perhaps you should sit down again," and he settled her comfortably back on a cushion. A good boy, Kino thought hazily. Lazy, but such a good boy.

Mikihisa coughed discreetly. "Do not concern yourself, mother. I will…assist father with it tomorrow – Yoh is a growing boy and needs his rest, and he has an early start for Tokyo tomorrow."

"So soon?" Tamao squeaked, sounding dismayed. "But he just got here!"

"Ah…well, you see, I missed your cooking so much that I had to come home to taste it," Yoh smiled lopsidedly, and Mikihisa wondered anew at his son's new facility with the half-truth, not to be confused with an outright lie. Was that another part of Hao coming out? "Anna makes me do all of the cooking back in Tokyo, you know. But I do have to get back for school and…other things that need taking care of."

Kino tilted her head towards her grandson. "What kinds of other things? Are you taking good care of Anna?"

"Believe me, grandmother, she wouldn't let her hear the end of it if I weren't," Yoh pointed out matter-of-factly. "No, it has nothing to do with Anna." He sighed, and for the first time in her life that Kino could remember, her grandson sounded troubled. "Something is coming, and I must rise to meet it, for it is…unfinished business. Something that only I can do."

The old woman stared directly at him, blind eyes narrowing behind her dark glasses. "When did you grow up, Yoh? This sense of responsibility is unlike you."

She could sense that her grandson was smiling wryly. "Oh, ye of little faith, grandmother! Let us just say that near-death experiences have a way of forcing one to realize one's responsibilities. You are a powerful itako, grandmother – you are sensitive to such matters. Can you tell me that I am wrong? Can you not feel it coming?"

And slowly, surely, the air about them began to hum with weighty unseen energies. Keiko gasped and moved closer to Mikihisa, his tall bulk a reassuring warmth at her side. Yoh stood slightly apart from them, his dark eyes staring fixedly at something the rest could not see. For an instant, no one moved, and all that could be heard was the chirping of crickets outside and the breathy sound of Tamao hyperventilating hysterically in the corner as she hugged Conchi and Ponchi to her.

And then a tinny beeping sound made itself known, ringing loudly through the paper-thin walls of the house. Yohmei flinched at the harsh sound, so alien in the traditional surroundings of the Asakura compound.

"What's that?" Keiko gasped.

"It is Yoh's Oracle Bell," replied her husband softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "The Great Spirit has spoken. The Shaman Fight must resume, and a Shaman King must be chosen for the next five hundred years."

"Saa," came the soft assent from the heir of the Asakuras. "And so to Tokyo I must return. I just wanted to see this place one last time before…" he trailed off and shrugged. His eyes glinted oddly although his expression was one of pure innocence as he added archly, "I just don't seem to have a very good…history…with Shaman Fights."

Yohmei spluttered, Mikihisa cleared his throat uncomfortably, and the three women in the room stared in confusion at them. Men!

"Yoh," Keiko murmured softly, stepping forward to wrap him in a comforting hug. "You don't have to fight if you don't want to." She ignored her father's outraged mutterings in the background as she moved backwards slightly so that she could look into her son's eyes, so much like hers. They were large, and dark, and seemed far too old for the young man who bore them, and her motherly instincts rebelled against her indoctrination as a member of the Asakuras. All she wanted at that moment was for her son to be happy, and the Great Spirit could go jump in a lake if that was what it took. "You fought to stop Hao before, but now…you don't have to do this, Yoh. Not if you don't want to."

"But I do want to, okaa-san," he replied equally softly. "It's my dream. It's what I need to do. And I will win, you'll see. Nantoka naru! Besides," and his look was now one of chagrined earnestness, "Anna will not forgive me if I don't!"

"As long as you're sure then," she hugged him again. Her son was growing up, she thought, as she fought back tears of mingled pride and sorrow. "Do you believe in Destiny?"

He laughed in surprise, remembering the words she would say to comfort him whenever he would come to her crying after some particularly derisive words on Yohmei's part, words only the two of them shared.

"Do you believe in Destiny?" She chucked him gently under the chin.

The little boy rubbed at his tear-stained cheek as he quoted obediently, "I live with faith in my destiny."

The woman hugged him close. "That's right. It is your destiny to be Shaman King, if you so desire. Your grandfather does not mean to hurt you, only to make you strong enough to live your dreams. He doesn't understand just how powerful a destiny you have on your side."

A lip quivered. "How do you know, okaa-san?"

And she smiled serenely at him. "I am a Miko, Yoh. I am god-spoken. My father is wise, yes, but not always as much as he thinks he is!" And she rubbed her nose against her son's, delighting in the giggle that the affectionate gesture inspired.

"Well?" Asakura Keiko prodded. "Don't tell me you've forgotten the words of the god-spoken?"

And a look of focused determination settled upon Asakura Yoh's features as an unseen breeze ruffled his long hair.

"This is Funbari Onsen Inn and Health Spa. We regret that we are not yet open for business, but would be happy to take an advance booking! Please leave a message after the beep and we will be delighted to return your call as soon as possible. Thank you!"

Beep.

Hey Yoh, are you there? Pick up dude, pick up! Anna? Faust? ANYONE? Aw, crap, where is everyone? It's Horohoro! My Oracle Bell just went off! Pirika and I are on our way to Tokyo, we'll see you in a couple of days…um, I mean, it's okay with Anna if we crash with you, right? I don't wanna have to camp in the woods agai–

Beep.

Yoh. This is Ren. My Oracle Bell just went off. You know what this means, Asakura. I'll see you in two days, and you had better be ready for me. What? Oh…Bason says hello and sends his regards to Amidamaru. I swear, those two…now what? Fine! Jun says that she and Pailong are coming too, and that we can easily stay in a hotel if it is inconvenient for us to stay with you, we do own thirty-thre-

Beep.

Master Yoh! And Mistress Anna! It is I, Ryu of the Wooden Sword! Do not worry, I shall return to fight by your side for your destiny as Shaman King, because I truly believe that it is you who will lead us to…'The Best Place'! Have you heard from our friends yet? Do you think that my beloved Lyzerg will join us or have the X-laws turned him from us foreve-

Beep.

Hi Yoh, it's Lyzerg. My Oracle Bell just went off, and it says that a jet is being chartered from Tokyo to Patch Village for those of us who participated in the Shaman Fight the last time. I could get there myself from England, but I'd much rather travel with you, if that's all right? Call me back and let me know as soon as possible? Morphine says hel-

Beep.

Hey, hey, hey! Yoh! It's the one and only Chocolove here. My Oracle Bell just rang, so I guess I'll be seeing you guys here in the U.S. of A. in a few days, huh? And I know Ren's going to bring his private jet – told you I was good at collecting information - could you guys pick me up in New York? What good are friends with money if you don't make use of-

Beep.

Anna-san, it is Faust and Eliza. I am sure you already know that the Shaman Fight is being reinstated. We have managed to tie up our affairs in Germany, so we will be on the next flight to Tokyo. Will Ren be bringing his private jet, do you know? While we could certainly take the Patch jet, given Yoh's growing powers, it might be best if we kept that a secre-

Beep.

From her seat on the floor in front of the flickering television set, Anna stared blankly at the blinking answering machine, an odd sense of dread in the pit of her stomach.

The lanky teenager with the orange headphones stepped off the train and into the bustling of Tokyo Station, where he would have to change lines to get home to Funbari. The cavernous station was bustling with people despite it being a Sunday, as commuters from other parts of Japan came into the city for the start of the work-week on Monday, and he was being roughly jostled from all angles as he fought his way towards his platform. In the past, this wouldn't have bothered him one iota; nothing could be done about it, and what was the point of hurrying about anyway? Better to just let it all wash over you and enjoy the scenery along the way.

Right now, however, a new part of him was getting increasingly pissed off and demanding that he shove someone back. Hard. Preferably into the path of an oncoming train. Or at least roast a couple of the pathetic little…no, he really shouldn't think like that. Oh dear. Since his trip to Izumo, that other part of him had definitely become a little stronger – and a little crankier. He had to admit that the throbbing headache being caused by the need to screen out all the myriad babbling mental voices assailing his brain probably wasn't helping any. Shouldering his satchel determinedly as he reinforced his mental shields, he headed towards the appropriate escalators, ducking and weaving to avoid crashing into the other commuters.

"Eh…sumimasen…"

"Sumimasen…gomen nasai…"

"Sumimasen…arrigato…sumimasen…"

"Sumimasen…sumimasen…"

If one more person apologized perfunctorily while shoving past him, he was going to snap. Oh yes, he was. I mean, there was Mr. Nice Guy, and then there was being a doormat. And no Asakura had ever been a doormat. Right? Right. The resolution made him feel a little better, and he trotted along in a slightly better sort of mood. If he hurried he would be in home in time to make dinner for Anna, and thus avoid any lectures about not calling her the moment his Oracle Bell had gone off.

And then someone prodded him in the small of his back, sending him staggering forward. Worse still, there was no apology or even an "excuse me."

All right, that was it.

The youth spun around, an uncharacteristic scowl on his fine-boned features, his dark eyes aflame with irritation, long hair flying out behind him as he brought up his hand, palm up in a gesture reminiscent of a summons…

"Sumimasen…." The high, sweet voice of a child. And then a startled gasp. "Hao-sama!"

"Kuso," a little voice mumbled in the teen's mind. Too much time spent around Horohoro, he noted absently, even as he pulled back, frantically trying to think of a way out. Too soon, too soon, not ready….

"Ah…Opacho, isn't it?" he laughed sheepishly, his hand reaching up to scratch the back of his head instead, hoping it had seemed like a seamless transition. "Eto…I'm Yoh, not Hao. Hao's brother, remember? Wow…I haven't seen you since the Shaman Fight. You must have heard about it being reinstated, is that why you're here in Tokyo? Is anyone else with you?"

"Opacho is alone," the little girl said earnestly. "Hao-sama's other followers thought he was dead. But Opacho knew better. Opacho knew that Hao-sama would be where Asakura Yoh was." Her eyes flickered over his dark hair, now well past his shoulders, and she gave him a watery smile. "It was very, very hard for Opacho to come to Tokyo without Hao-sama, but she managed because she wanted to see him. Even though Hao-sama shouted at her and made her leave…."

He knelt down and looked into those large, liquid eyes that looked at him with hope and fear. He couldn't blame her for the latter, given what had happened at the last Shaman Fight. "Opacho…my name is Yoh. Do you understand?"

She nodded dolefully. "Opacho does, but Opacho doesn't like it when Hao-sama keeps things from her. Opacho is…sad. Hao-sama used to trust Opacho. Why has that changed?"

Damn. No wriggling out of this easily. Opacho always was unusually discerning.

"I do trust Opacho. But things are too complicated to explain right now. Do you trust me?"

A sniff. She stared miserably at her dusty bare feet, scuffing one of them against the other. He sighed and reached out carefully for the little girl. Although she was trying her best to be brave and to hold herself aloof, the kind gesture proved to be too much for her, and with a little hop she was in his arms, crying silently into his shoulder. He picked her up carefully and carried her over to a bench, sitting down and arranging her carefully in his lap as he rocked her gently. What was he going to do with her? "Opacho…I'm sorry about yelling at you…I just wanted you away and safe in case something bad happened."

"Nothing bad could have happened to Opacho if she was with Hao-sama!" A childish sniffle, the cry of a child betrayed. "Opacho would have stayed! Opacho wouldn't have cared what Hao-sama did as long as he let her stay. She wouldn't have cared if Hao-sama wanted to go with his otooto and be weak!"

"Saa. I was wrong to send Opacho away," he murmured, knowing the child needed to hear it. "Forgive me?"

The trembling slowly stopped. He continued to rock her comfortingly, and was finally rewarded with a very small hiccup. "Opacho will forgive Hao-sama."

He smiled into her frizzy hair. "Arrigato. Now tell me something. How did you know where I was? How did you know…"

"…Opacho can always feel Hao-sama's Furyoku. Hao-sama is strong, and pure, and brave. Although…" and her eyes narrowed watchfully, "Opacho can feel that something has changed…."

He frowned. "Something in me?"

A nod. "Hao-sama seems…less angry. Is it because his otooto is with him?"

The teen shook his head in amusement, a familiar smirk playing about his lips. It really was quite pointless trying to keep things from her. "In a manner of speaking. Or I am with him. We're still trying to figure it out."

"Opacho understands. Hao-sama is now Yoh-sama. Can Opacho stay with Yoh-sama? Opacho promises not to say anything about Hao-sama being part of Yoh-sama!"

Yoh sighed heavily. "Not yet, Opacho. I would like very much for Opacho to stay, but others will not understand yet, and they would ask questions to which there would be no easy answers. You shouldn't be alone though." He turned his head slightly. "Otoo-san?"

"Hai," Mikihisa said softly, having appeared out of nowhere. "You knew I was following, as usual."

"Of course," his son shrugged. "Grandfather would have insisted."

"Can a father not simply come along to watch his son and ensure he is safe?"

Opacho stared, wide-eyed at the two men as they smiled awkwardly at each other. She bit her lip. "Yoh-sama wants Opacho to stay with his otoo-san?"

"Yes. But only if Opacho is all right with that. We can think of something else if not."

The little girl looked apprehensively at Mikihisa, who knelt down so that he was on a level with her as she sat in Yoh's lap. "Hello, little one."

"Hao-sama said that Mikihisa was weak."

The man smiled, not taking offense. "Then it is a good thing that I will have Opacho to watch out for me while Yoh is busy with the Shaman Fight, ne?"

Opacho thought about that for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Opacho will look after Mikihisa for Yoh-sama." She held out her arms to him, and he swung her up and onto his shoulders, where she clung like a limpet and giggled. "Mikihisa is funny."

Yoh smiled at the picture the two made, his long hair whipping about his face. "Yes, he is." Then his face fell. "What time is it?"

Mikihisa glanced up at the station clock. "Ten to eight now."

"Crap. Anna is so going to kill me for missing dinner."

Oyamada Manta says:

And so the friends meet up after many months – are their dreams still the same? Will Opacho be the only one to realize Yoh's secret? New challenges for the title of Shaman King will rise to challenge Yoh and his friends. And on top of all that, teenage hormones are running amuck and hearts fluttering, which will be an even greater challenge to overcome! Watch this space for Shaman King: Do You Believe In Destiny: Chapter 6: Crazy Little Thing Called Love