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Ashen Phoenix: I do not use the shortened version because it is actually bad writing grammar or something. My spell check always gets me with that

Mrs Asakura Hao: Opacho is a girl! In the manga, Hao refers to Opacho in the feminine form. It was even confirm that Opacho was indeed female. The anime (sub/dub) usually makes Opacho a girl for some unknown reasons. And that is what I have to say to that.


Anna, Ren, HoroHoro, Faust and Chocolove looked at each other than the others bewildered. The young girl slipped in followed by a tall Latino. It was Ryu, his black pompadour not jutting out as usual but sleeked down. He had grown even more muscular, the hair on his arms dark and thick. Tamao rushed toward him, squealing with delight and embraced him in a tight hug. Opacho grinned and took a seat next to Anna, smiling.

"Hello Shaman Queen Anna! You are very pretty even dirty!" Anna raised an eyebrow. Why did this girl seem familiar? She could not place her finger on it.

"Opacho but you are Hao's little confidant,' Ren barked at the girl. Her eyes widened and glistened with hot tears.

"You are mean," she countered, sticking her tongue out before turning to Anna.

"I am Opacho."

"You were the little girl that followed Hao around," It dawned on Anna as she looked into the young girl's brown eyes. She nodded merrily. "You ran away after…wait…no you did not…not in this reality. Why are you on our side?"

"Master Hao did not pay attention to me after he became Shaman King. Master Hao spent a lot of time with Queen Anna!" Anna felt a light blush across her cheeks. She really hoped no one noticed, as she swallowed lightly and stoned her face. It was not a clear reason for betraying him

"That is not a good reason."

"Also Master Hao was not all himself. He got scary when you began to act differently the first time…he was cruel and just…scary! So I ran away. He just does not know how to act around you. He was worried."

"I guess you leaving him was inevitable no matter what universe…wait what?"

"Act…what do you mean act?" Ren tapped his fingers on his elbow.

"Actually," Mikky broke in. "This is really not important right now. Opacho…you said that those were not Hao's followers but yours."

"They were just spirits and shaman. You deserted me so I was looking for you."

"Same here," Ryu butted in but he was looking at Anna with his head cocked and Tamao sitting in his large lap. "We noticed the Hana Gumi had gotten to the cabin when we returned for as a last resort. To see if anyone was waiting for us."

"So it was not all planned," HoroHoro said.

"Do not be stupid, Hao is not an idiot," Ren scolded.

"What is Anna doing here," Ryu asked, looking confused. Everyone sighed and so began another long story to catch everyone up.

The Next Day

Anna woke up the next day to a pile of sleeping bodies all around her. In fact, her head was nestled against Ren's stomach as he silently snored. She jerked up, scowling at herself and fought back the urge to punch him. Everyone was still asleep and in the most comical way. HoroHoro and Chocolove were tightly embracing each other, snoring loudly. Ryu had one arm around Tamao as she slept by him and his leg rest on Lyserg who was curled up into a ball. Keiko and Mikky were curled together with Kino on Keiko's side and Yohmei on Mikky. Faust was using Jeanne's long flowing hair as a pillow and Jeanne's feet were dangerously close to Ren's face while Jun was sprawled over Pilica, who she had now noticed was there. Opacho had taken a great liking to Anna and had curled up like a kitten beside her.

An overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, security and sorrow overcame her as she looked at everyone, at the close knit group that had become her temporary family. She brushed her hot eyes trying to fight back tears. Why was she being so stupid? This was nothing to get sentimental about! But it makes you think of Yoh. Except for Opacho, this is Yoh's family and friends. These are the people he cared for deeply and tried to protect. These are the people that reflect Yoh's touch. You have reason to cry Anna, she rationed with herself.

Smiling with slick eyes, Anna carefully and skillfully wiggled out of Opacho's grasp and made her way through the mountain of bodies. She noticed the spirits: Morphine, Bason and Amidamaru all sleeping together. Anna sighed and crawled through the entrance. Carefully she scanned the forest. Rays of sun streaked through the trees in a shower of gold. Dew glisten on the ground along with a light sheen of frost. Some creatures were waking up as well, searching for breakfast in the cool morning. Anna pushed away the branches and leave the served both a door and a hiding spot. The breeze was cool against her features. With all those people crammed in the earth, she had not realized how nice it could feel.

"It makes you feel like a refugee, doesn't it?" Anna turned, startled for a moment. Kino smiled and emerged from the underground home to stand beside her.

"It is so surreal. At times, I cannot begin to comprehend the reality of this…nightmare."

"Oh I know. It is very hard to believe. We, ourselves, are trying to get over the shock."

"I want to go home."

"I know. In due time, hopefully we will all will go home and this will be nothing but…

"A nightmare…" Anna sighed, folding her arms around herself. Her emotions were conflicting as Opacho's voice rang in her head. Hao was worried about her. Sure had a funny way of showing it. Yet Opacho did say he had trouble. She could relate, her frostiness was just how she dealt with emotion. Yet…he was a murderer; cold-hearted and ruthless…and a good kisser. Oh shut up that is really uncalled for, she argued with herself. The two women stood there for a moment, basking in the wonderful silence of the forest. It was not until they heard HoroHoro and Chocolove shriek when the serenity was broken.

"It is time to start a new day…are you ready?" Anna shook her head and the two women returned to the musty room. Everyone was awake and angry with Chocolove and HoroHoro, who were white face and horrified. Tamao was the first to break the tension by laughing and soon everyone was enjoying the humor of the situation. Anna found a nice spot next to Opacho, who was looking at her dreamily.

"Well now that we have that out of our system," Mikky said, calming down from the giddiness. Everyone else followed suit and turned their faces to him. "It is down to business. We are in deep shit."

"We are holding four fugitives and the Shaman King's wife," Yohmei explained.

"Who is also in deep shit," Chocolove said.

"Right."

"The fact we are all hiding out here like rats does not help our situation."

"And we have no course of action."

"We do," HoroHoro said. Everyone looked at him.

"It is drastic," Chocolove said.

"And insane," HoroHoro said.

"And reckless," Faust continued with the cycle.

"And her idea." Ren pointed toward Anna so that all faces were on her like a wave. Anna rolled her eyes, exhaling harshly.

"What is it, Anna?" Lyserg asked his green eyes wide and thoughtful.

"We piss Hao off," Everyone looked at her, bewildered. "So we are off to a good start."

"That is reckless!"

"That is insane!"

"It is drastic!"

"I think we covered that," Anna said to Jun, Ryu and Amidamaru.

"Okay, then why. How the hell is that going to help us," Pilica asked.

"Simple. Whenever Hao is mad…he loses control and Yoh is able to communicate freely."

"And how do you know this?"

"Each time Hao was mad at me and I was in danger, Yoh would always talk to me…mentally of course. "

"Note the…when you were in danger. Why sacrifice ourselves when it is clearly you that has become the conflict," Ren said, which left Anna aghast

"I cannot believe you just said that! Wasn't Yoh your friend?"

"Well…yeah…"

"Do not start with me. We are all in this together. You are already fugitives and your family and friends are helping you. You are putting them in danger but you pay any mind?" Ren went silent, looking around at the grave faces.

"I am not asking for much, okay. I just need some backup."

"What is your plan then," Jun asked, resting her hand on Ren's shoulder.

"Well I have to admit, Ren is right about one thing. I play a key role in this. So, I need to return and make Hao mad. I think I am already off to a good start."

"That is a very dangerous task, Anna," Keiko said, squeezing her husband's hand. Anna nodded, solemnly.

"Where do we come in?" HoroHoro was sitting next to Jeanne, flashing her brief smiles to the anger of his sister.

"Backup. I do not want to die in the process and if the more of Yoh's friends are in danger, the strong he has to be to save us."

"What if it does not work, Anna," Jeanne asked, softly.

"Then we are all screwed." That created an up roar. No one was pleased with the outcome. It was too risky. It was dangerous. It was reckless. The same arguments flew around in a clamor of opposition. Anna rested her head in her hands. No matter if she got their help or not, she was going to go through with it. It was just reassuring to know people were behind her.

"Everyone…shut up!" The booming voice sliced through the conversations and all head turned to Mikky. "Now I know this seems ludicrous and extremely dangerous but just think. What do we really have to lose? If we do not go through with it…this will be our lives, hiding away underground while Hao rules in Yoh's place. This was not the way is meant to be!"

"What if we fail?"

"What if we win? I have complete trust in Anna that she knows what she is doing. She is actually taking more of the blow than any of us. You did the same for Yoh, you stuck by him but why not Anna?" Everyone turned to Ren. He looked at them then at Anna, who scowled. Oh, great.

"I have nothing to say at this point. We have nothing to lose," he said. Mikky nodded toward him and looked around at everyone.

"Well?" Silence.

"I am in," Ryu said with a burst of energy shattering the awkwardness

"Me too."

"Me too." Soon everyone was agreeing to enter in. There voice rang together as they discussed what could be done. Anna felt a surge of warmth course through her. She never thought she needed people. Yet now, as she looked at everyone, she realized she was glad to have them

"Okay. Here is the plan…" Anna began as everyone leaned in to hear her. I am sure hope this works…


I felt really bad for Opacho….