Chapter 2: Encounter

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King. I only own Aeris, Akeya, Raven, Tiran and Taneya. Andra, Laura, Aurora, Izzy, and Anthony are real people who have said "okay" to putting them into this fanfic. The Cetra are owned by the creators of FF7.

Normal p.o.v.

Len was sitting by the window of the apartment he and his sister June share, looking at the moon and thinking, I wonder if this moon is the same moon that Aeris and I used to watch everynight...back home.

Ironicly Aeris was looking at the moon and wondering the same thing. Except she was crying. She missed him more than anything. In school her grades were dropping, and everyday she grew more and more depressed. Len was her most first and most trusted friend. Her friends, classmates and the teachers knew that things were getting worse for her. The only thing that kept her going was the hope that he would come back...alive.

Ever since Len left she has had dreams about her past and future. The dreams were sent to her by her grandmother, Taneya, the medicine woman of her clan. These dreams show her that Len swore to protect her and that his family and her clan, with the exception of her father and Len's father, are bitter enemies. They show her that the people that had raised her were not her real parents.

Even though she likes the way the dreams seem so familiar, she wishes they would stop coming. She hates them because they tell her that she should be wary of Len and his cousin, her two best friends. She would rather die than have to stay away from Len or have to fight him.

Andra's p.o.v.

Man, I wish Len would get back soon! Seeing Aeris so sad makes me want to cry. Aeris doesn't pay attention in school anymore. Even the teachers are worried about her. I know her sadness was caused when she heard Len anounce that he was entering the Shaman Tournment. It was so strange. Aeris had never mentioned knowing about the Shaman Tournement till then. Len had always said that he might be forced into entering, but never said anything to Aeris.

She was devistated.

Aurora: "Come on 'cuz. You have to eat something!"

Laura: "Amanda please eat something."

Me: "Don't force her, you'll only make her sick. And anyway she can't hear you. She is in her own little world."

Anthony: "How can you know that? I mean, Aurora and I are her cousins, and we can't tell everything she is thinking."

Me: "I don't know everything she is thinking its just that she would have said or moved in a way that would show that she heard you if she wasn't in her own little world. Are you that stupid?"

Izzy: "I think we should just leave her alone and she will come around...I hope..."

I hope so too. I thought to myself.

Len's p.o.v.

Maybe I should write her. Or should I Email her? These thoughts have been bugging me for days! And all my sister has said is "Calm down" or "She'll be fine." Bason agrees with her this time. Damn! I never imagined leaving would have this effect on me. I even prepared for a whole two months, knowing that it would be hard, but not this hard. Whats worse is that I narrowly escaped from a fight between me and another shaman, Yoh Asakura. Its really bad when an opponet reminds you of someone you love and miss. Even worse than that is that I have to act meaner and tougher than I really am. So this guy Yoh thinks I'm a meanie and that I have no respect toward other people. This is wrong. I wonder what Aeris and Andra would say about my behavior, most likely something like..."Whats wrong with you! Are you sick!" or "Len...how could you..." Thinking about stuff like that really isn't healthy for ya.

An hour later

Right now sitting in the park-isn't it funny how memories creep up on ya when you're down?-I'm starting to think of confronting my uncle about Aeris, to put an end to the never ending cycle of hatred between my family and her clan. A very sad memory pops into my mind. The night my father was killed and I promised her, unconscious, that I would always be by her side and be her protecter...

FLASH BACK

I was running as fast as I could to help my friend and my father. Even though my father warned me to stay away. Mom tried to stop me; I didn't listen. For one thing, my father never told me that he was going to take Aeris away to some place safe and there might be a fight between him and my Uncle En. Thats why I thought it was okay to follow.

It was raining "cats and dogs" as they say, it was cold and lonely that night. I was eight at the time. Not realizing what I would have to do. My father told me they were going shopping, so I thought that well maybe I could help. Well when I finally found them Aeris was on the ground bleeding, my father was there fighting to protect her. Then my uncle struck my father and my father was to injured to get back up. Luckily, my uncle was worn out and if he tried to attack Aeris could have unlocked some of her hidden strength and countered, so he left. I ran to Aeris to help her. Some how she had stopped the bleeding herself and the wound had healed. So, I went to my father. As I went to tend to his injuries he whispered to me, "T.take...care..of her. I..if she...dies...all hope will...be...lost...never leave her side. Protect her with every bit of strength you have..." With that he closed his eyes and fell into a never ending slumber. When I realized he had left this world, I knew what he wanted me to do. I went over to Aeris.

Me: "I will not let anyone hurt you. I promise Aeris, that I will always protect you."

END OF FLASH BACK

"You are Tao Len, no?"

Me:"!"

A cloaked figure is coming towards me...

Me:"Who are you and what do you want!

"Me? I am Akeya. I want nothing, but, do you happen to know where mistress Aeris is? I was sent by her father to watch over her while she is in this...how do I put it?...unstable condition. If you know what I mean... As you know she is apt to accidentally use her powers in front of humans."

Me:"Yes, but why? They know I have been watching over her. So she doesn't need you."

Akeya:"Well you may be King Tiran's best friend's son,but, you are also under the influence of you're uncle En. That is why I am here. Now be a gentleman and please tell me where she is."

I wanted to tell her "I'm not going to tell you!.", but she does have a point. Now that I think about it, it probably would be better if I was away from her for good. But my heart wouldn't let me leave. What's that saying? Mind over matter. Love is a powerful thing.

Me:"Sorry. But some special people are protecting her now and I don't want to make them feel bad."

Akeya:"hmm. You love her very much, don't you?"

I blushed and looked down at my feet.

Me:"Yeah, alot..."

Akeya:"I'll watch out for her while you're gone,but it would help if I knew where to find her, hmm?"

So I told her where Aeris lived.

Raven P.O.V. the italics mean thoughts and if someone is speaking in another language.

My daughter...I wonder what has become of her? What? Oh dear earth tell me how my daughter is fairing? Hmm? She is happy and is yet sad? Why?

Thirteen years have passed since I have been imprisoned for trying to escape. I have asked Tiran to send my most trusted servants, Akeya, to look after her. Although I have heard that a Tao is protecting her. Very strange indeed...I have asked the planet if this is a good omen or a bad one, but it said wait, you'll see. My crystal...it is glowing...Mother?

Taneya:"You ask the planet to see if the binding of two peoples are bad? You have become foolish my daughter! Even the planet can not see the future. For one thing, you haven't seen the two of them together...they make a cute couple! She has friends that can be trusted, even the Tao boy, Len. He has sincerly promised to protect her as long as he can."

Raven:"But what if-"

Taneya:"No buts! She is fine. Now stop worrying. She has a strong protector. Len is a kind boy, and a honest one at that! He is a good friend of mine. He has gotten a good whooping for coming out to see me."

My crystal has stopped glowing. Mother, you have only made me worry more.

Aeris P.O.V.

I have decided to go to Len's world as soon as I can. My friends have already tried to change my mind, all except Andra. She hasn't stopped me, and I don't think she will. I bet she'll come with me. (hehehehe)

Strange thinks are happening to me. First I started to predict things. Next, I started to read minds. Now I can understand AND talk to ANIMALS. Brrrrrrrrrr... I wonder what next? Levitating? Len come back!

Me:"Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Aurora:"Whoa! How did you do that!"

Me:"Hmm? How did I do wha-? Oh..."

I looked at the wall. It showed a picture of the beautiful place that I have seen in my dreams.

Aurora: "How ddid you do that?"

Me:"II...I wish I knew Aurora."