Yami's koi: way me! An update for Loving Touches! Dances And I'm getting reviews for my fics on adultfan! You wanna check them out? My first fic is called Stabbing Lust, it's a one shot, it's Jou x Seto, and it was a birthday lemon fic for Seto'swhiterose. My second fic is called Accidents can happen, and it's a Bam Margera x Ville Valo fic… and I don't own them, just to make that clear.

Nefertiri: the chapter… ?

Yami's koi: might suck? Lol, Nah, I'm kinda proud of myself with it really. Well, considering the other fics I've been writing as well, and the homework, and the tiredness… but I'm now on my six weeks off! No more school until September, woot, woot! See ya at the bottom, dudes!

"Here's the boy now!" Yohmei wheezed slightly, smiling at his Grandson. Yoh couldn't recall the last time his Grandfather had looked at him with pride, but he couldn't dwell on that for long. He forced a smile back and took a seat near his Mother, trying not to tremble so much. If he gave everything away so early, then nothing would work out the way he had tried to plan it to…

"Mikihisa! Yoh's here!" Keiko called, summoning her husband, her dark hair swishing back. He appeared in the doorway, leaning against its frame as he regarded his son thoughtfully. Yoh shifted uncomfortably under that intense stare, not remembering the last time that had happened, either. Everything was just so new to him, so it wasn't a surprise how he reacted… or, rather, how he didn't.

"I know you've heard this a lot today, Yoh, but I am very proud of you. Becoming a Shaman King wasn't easy, I know, especially with Hao as your last opponent…" He trailed off.

"But, why have you come to visit? And where's Anna? We shall need to prepare the wedding soon, Yoh, or else we will just forget about it completely before long."

Ah. The subject had been brought up more quickly than what had been anticipated. Amidamaru smiled at Keiko, who returned the kind look. He had done this partially out of nerves, but mainly for politeness and also respect. Keiko really was a genuinely nice person to know, and he could not say a bad word about her (though he could rarely do this about anyone).

"Ah, it seems that your Guardian Ghost is proud of you too, Yoh." Keiko said with a gentle laugh. "But then, who wouldn't? What you've done today was tremendous."

Yoh shook his head. "Not really. It was Amidamaru that helped me in the end. It wasn't my own abilities." He saw, just out of the corner of his eye, the ghost smirk at him slightly.

Mikihisa rolled his eyes. "And you haven't answered my question, Yoh. That's no way to treat your elders."

Yoh scratched the back of his neck, trying to act like his usual carefree self. "Oops, sorry Grandpa, Mom, Dad." He paused. "But there is something really important that I've gotta tell you… and I'm not sure if you're gonna like it."

Silence. Yoh could tell that everyone was startled, yet also curious. And it would be the curiosity that would be the problem.

"Well, tell us!" Keiko said lightly, "And then we can judge whether we like it or not."

Yoh trembled slightly. If there was someone who could make him feel both guilty and happy at the same time, it was his mother. Perhaps it was her kind and gentle nature that covered up her slightly darker side that did it, but Yoh just couldn't place whatever it was. It was an impossible task, he decided idly, falling quite still. He had never been so nervous before in his life, Yoh realised, a fleetingly worried, panic-stricken look passing over his face. Before he knew what he had done, however, his father questioned it.

"Something is obviously troubling you. Yoh, what you did today was right. Hao would have destroyed the world with his ideas had he been able to carry on. You did the right thing, and I am very proud of you." Mikihisa confessed, probably thankful for wearing a mask. It was, most likely, concealing a blush.

Yoh's eyes narrowed slightly in confusion, and then understood what his father was thinking. It seemed like a reasonable guess, however, and for that, Yoh gave his Dad some credit. But, at that moment, things just seemed so fucking obvious that it was truly a wonder they hadn't disowned him already.

"Nah, it isn't Hao… well, he wasn't what I was thinking of, anyway," He added, after seeing his mother's sceptical look. "What I'm thinking about… is Anna. And our engagement, mostly."

"She will make a perfect Shaman Queen, Yoh," Keiko said dismissively, with a bright smile, "Yoh, even though she may not have always been nice to you whilst you were training, she had her reasons. And look where she's gotten you! I can tell that she truly believes in you… and that she likes you."

Yoh couldn't help but laugh. "Really?" He swallowed, hard. He still didn't know how to say this and, before he had much time to think, the words tumbled out from his mouth.

"The thing is, neither of us like each other."

Silence. Then, Yohmei stepped forwards.

"It is for the sake of the Asakura family," He said, in his wise manner, "I am sure that over time, you will grow one each other."

Amidamaru almost laughed. How could they, when both of their preferences were so obvious? Anna had hardly shown much interest in Yoh anyway, even when they were children. He had the suspicion that Anna had only demanded to be Yoh's bride because of his family's reputation, but it didn't feel right to judge. He vaguely wondered if Jun had caught up with Anna yet, but pushed those distracting thoughts aside when he heard his master – his lover – sigh.

"I'm not quiet sure that will work out this time, Grandpa," Yoh explained, as nicely and quietly as he could. He was so afraid of what his parents would think, he was trembling. He gripped the knees of his pants, staring at the floor. Yoh honestly didn't want to see their faces; otherwise he would break down in tears. "But Dad was allowed to choose his bride, anyway. So why can't I decide who I love and marry? Truth is, Anna… isn't exactly my type."

Keiko laughed, but it was both unsure and fake.

"But, Yoh, if she isn't your type, then what is? If it's her bossiness, she'll grow out of it now that you've won the Shaman Fight! And if she hasn't got… what most boys want these days… she's still going through puberty."

Yoh blinked. "Well, that's not what I look for in a partner either, Mom…" The Shaman King sighed. Keiko shot a glance at her husband, worried, before hugging her son from behind.

"No one will be angry at you," She said gently, trying to coax information from him very skilfully, "But what we can't do is change how you feel. If you don't like Anna, then that's fine, but we would like to know why."

Yoh took in a deep breath, shaking in his mother's arms. He prepared himself for what he was about to say and, as he did so, there was one special moment… where his and Amidamaru's eyes met… and he sighed.

"The truth is, Mom… everyone… is that I don't like girls."

"Ah!" Mikihisa said, nodding understandingly. "You're still stuck at that stage, are you? Trust me, Yoh, I was the same. Every gie goes through it."

Amidamaru blinked.

"I hate to interrupt, but, Mikihisa-Dono, what are you talking about?"

Mikihisa smiled at the spirit guardian of his son.

"Come now, Amidamaru. You were a boy once, right? And didn't you find yourself, one day, thinking that girls were the most disgusting thing in everything that's ever existed? Yoh, it's fine if you don't like girls yet, because as your grandfather said, Anna will grow on you."

Yoh chuckled. He actually laughed at how ridiculous his father sounded. Here he was, talking to his thirteen-year-old son, saying that women would grow on him over time. He had gone through and gotten over that phase as soon as he had met Amidamaru… and then, if possible, even more so when Anna moved in with him in Tokyo.

Amidamaru could also see the funny side, but he did not dare to laugh. He felt that, once their relationship was in the open, none of the Asakura family would even want him to do so much as look at Yoh. In all sincerity, the samurai felt slightly afraid. He was sitting in front of Japan's most powerful Shaman family, and he was about to hear his lover tell them he was gay… with his own Guardian Ghost, as opposed to marrying Anna, an Itako, who just so happened to be a lesbian. Yes… things would go down well… In a perfect world. Hell, had the world always been perfect, then Amidamaru would never have been labelled a fiend… or even a samurai. There would have been no need for Mosuke to give up his father's sword to make Harusame, because there would be no need for swords. Amidamaru would never have had to starve during the blistering cold of winter nights, never have to train himself to the point of exhaustion, and never have to dehydrate himself because of a draught during summer…

But then, seeing as the whole concept of being gay would not be perfect, he and Yoh would not even be in this situation. And yet… he wouldn't have things any other way.

"Hey, why are you laughing, boy? Mikihisa is giving you wholesome, truthful advice. It's not polite to laugh at them, especially not when you're Shaman King!" Yohmei pointed out, shaking his head at his Grandson, "I see Anna hasn't taught you how to act. Well, that can be changed."

Then, a brilliant idea came to the mind of Yoh. Yet just as he was about to unravel it, he froze. What was he thinking? He couldn't blame this on Anna or Jun, no matter what. He was a man now, making his own decisions… and he would have to take the consequences of doing such things.

Yoh still smiled, even with Yohmei giving him a long, tiresome lecture. After several more minutes of this, Yoh interrupted.

"You didn't give me a chance to explain why I found it funny, Grandpa. Now where's the manners in that?"

"That's cheek! Pure cheek!" Yohmei retorted, but fell silent after a look from Keiko.

"My son is right, Yohmei. Carry on, Yoh. Why was it amusing?"

Yoh swallowed. "I found it funny… because I got past that stage long ago. In fact, the only girl I ever liked… wasn't Anna. And even now, I don't like Anna… and I'm sorry, but I refuse to marry her. And she feels the same… but she probably wants me to admit to my own things now, since what I said kinda screwed with her head a bit." Yoh adjusted his headphones, hesitant to do so. It seemed to give away a lot… but how could it? A harmless movement say something about your sexuality, when it involved no on else?

Keiko frowned again, her beautiful face not at all suited to such an expression. She looked too gentle for that, as well as being angry. But, as Yoh very well knew… there were other ways of expressing anger.

"I… still don't understand, Yoh."

"Yes, I agree with your mother. You're being very awkward tonight, Yoh… so mysterious. You're not supposed to get like that until you're at least my age!" Mikihisa exclaimed, trying to lighten the mood. He failed, miserably.

Amidamaru sweat dropped, sighing. He made a fake cry, before looking at Yoh directly… something he had avoided for the past five minutes.

"Actions speak better than words."

Yoh blushed. "No… no way. That… dude, I can't!" Yoh stuttered, making the ghost laugh. The Shaman King could be so cute at times.

"Well, then, it's either that… or one of us tells them."

Yoh shrugged, smirking. "Possibly both… whatta ya say, Midi?" Amidamaru nodded.

"Whatever's best."

Mikihisa watched the exchange in silence, but once it was over, he expressed himself.

"What the hell is going on here? Do you know what Yoh's problem is tonight, Amidamaru?" He asked, turning on the samurai.

Amidamaru nodded. "I will not say anything… because it is not my place. Yoh already told me… he wants to say this by himself. I'll just affirm it at the end."

Mikihisa sighed, resting his head against a wall, before banging it against its surface. "Why – are – kids – and - ghosts – such – a – mystery!"

This time, everyone sweat dropped. Keiko rushed over to her husband, and pried him away from the wall, whispering words in Japanese to him… probably promising an entire night of pure lust, and all of those things that Mikihisa craved for at the worst possible times.

It was then that something Amidamaru had not anticipated came to pass. Yoh was singing.

"A friend in need's a friend indeed, a friend with weed is better… A friend with breasts and all the rest, A friend who's dressed in leather…"

The obscene lyrics, quite predictably, had caught everyone's attention again. Yoh stopped, smiling.

"Well, I'm glad I can finally talk again. Dad, I hope I don't ruin the evening Mom's just told you about, but I'm sorry… this must be said." Yoh inhaled deeply, staring at the ground as he gripped his pants tightly.

"But the hidden reason why I found what Dad said so funny… is because now… I'm gay." Yoh whispered, a tear falling down his cheek.

Stillness.

Yoh covered his face with his hands, entire body shaking. He didn't dare to look any one of his parents in the eye, in case he saw something he would never be able to forget – pure hatred, all for being what he was. Yoh didn't want this… he only wanted to be happy, and that involved his parents being happy with him being happy.

Amidamaru resisted the urge to comfort his Shaman, because he had been told not to. His face was slightly scrunched up, however, tears fighting to fall. He did hate to see his Master in such distress… it was something that Yoh should not have to bear.

Keiko had gasped – hell, she hadn't expected that. No wonder Yoh had been so tense… but how could he know for sure that he was gay? As far as she was aware, he hadn't had any sexual encounters that implied he was gay… or even gave him a reason to consider turning that way! Surely her son was just confused, or curious?

But when she saw that pained look in his eyes, just before he shielded his gaze from view, Keiko knew. Her son was being sincere, so sincere that it was killing him inside. It was probably putting him through hell, knowing that people would always shun him, just for being himself… which was, in all actuality, what had happened for all of Yoh's life. It wasn't fair. Yoh deserved so much more…

"You… what?"

"You heard me…" Yoh said quietly, his voice muffled by his arms. "I am so sorry…"

"I don't believe you."

Keiko turned to her husband. Mikihisa was… refusing to believe his son? But why! Why would Yoh cry if he wasn't afraid, or upset? What was wrong with him!

Yoh raised his head, his face tear-stained. "What do you mean, Dad?"

Mikihisa frowned. "How can a boy of thirteen have come to a conclusion like that, without even experiencing anything of the sort? Come on, Yoh, stop lying to us and apologise!"

The tears that fell from Yoh's eyes seemed to fall more frequently after that.

"I've experienced more than you think. Anna, too. She's lesbian, if you hadn't already guessed. And, no, she didn't drive me to it. We can both make our own choices, Dad, and I've made mine. You can either deal with it… or take the cowardly way out and disown me. I've taken into account both, but I still know what path I'm gonna take." Yoh whispered, knowing somehow that Mikihisa's feelings were somewhat shared. His Grandfather hadn't said a word yet, but he felt that he was about to.

"What about the Asakura family, eh, boy?" Yohmei snarled, jumping to his feet before Yoh. He made it so that Yoh had to look at him, just before he bellowed into his face.

"DID YOU EVER GIVE A MOMENT'S THOUGHT AS TO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO US! OUR CLAN WILL DIE, AND IT IS ALL YOUR FAULT! IF YOU TAKE THAT… THAT SINFUL WAY OF LIFE, THEN WE SHALL NOT HAVE ANY HEIRS REPRODUCED! WHY DID YOU NOT THINK!" Yohmei screamed, pouring out his feelings.

Keiko pulled Yohmei away from her son, and embraced the crying boy. She seemed quite tearful herself, and held him so tight that it was almost painful.

"You haven't said what you think yet, Mom," Yoh said quietly, almost not daring to speak. Keiko drew back, arms still around her son's neck, and glanced at Mikihisa and Yohmei. Her eyes seemed so cold, something that was not familiar to her face.

"With what you just said…" She began, voice sharp and seething, "You make me sick."

At that, Yoh snapped his gaze up. What the hell! His Mom… wanted him to be who he was!

"Mom?"

Keiko looked at her son, the Shaman King, and positively beamed at him.

"Yoh, I don't care what you are. If you are happier this way, then who am I to stand in your way? You have the right to live a long and enjoyable life, and if that means you cannot love Girls… then I don't care! I want you to be whoever you want to be, Yoh… I love you, and I can't stop you." She declared, making the two behind her feel VERY guilty. "And, after all, I'm family! I won't abandon you just because of your sexuality!"

Yoh smiled weakly at her. "Arigato." He said huskily, taking her back into his arms, his spirits raised slightly. He looked at Amidamaru over her shoulder. "Thank you so much."

Keiko loved her son more than ever… nothing was better than a good decision to build character, she believed.

"But, Yoh… I am curious… what lucky man has sparked this off? There must be someone."

Yoh shuffled, his tears wiped away by the back of his hand. NOW he was embarrassed.

"Yeah… there is someone."

Keiko raised her eyebrows. "Well, does he have a name?" Even as she said it, she was happy. It was uncomfortable at all. If Mikihisa and Yohmei dared to say any wrong word about her son after this… then she would pack up and leave. There was no doubt about it… if anyone disliked her son because of his sexuality; she would hate them two-fold.

"Of course he has a name." Yoh said slyly, putting his mother into a state of suspense. Keiko rolled her eyes.

"So, TELL! Who is he?"

Yoh smiled as Amidamaru appeared by his side. "You know." He whispered, before leaning up and touching the spirit's lips with his own. Amidamaru stroked their lips together, his eyes falling to a close. He heard Yoh's family gasping, but did not pay much heed to them. Amidamaru slowly licked his tongue across his master's lips, and they parted, immediately giving the samurai access. Yoh slowly wrapped his arms around Amidamaru's neck, bringing him closer. The kiss was slow, teasing. It took a lot of willpower not to moan.

Amidamaru kissed Yoh's lips again before he withdrew, finally daring to look into the eyes of Yoh's family.

Keiko was the only one that wore a smile.

Yami's koi: I am so sorry about the lateness and shortness of this chap, gies, but… omg, I'M SO SORRY! IT SHOULD BE BETTER, I KNOW!

Nefertiri: but… after writer's block, you struck down this chapter with the ferocity of Bailong.

Yami's koi: oh! And during this fic, I got a tattoo. It's on my stomach/hip, and is of the Heartagram (Symbol of the band HIM). I can show it off at last, since it's almost healed. My Mom's also on holiday in Malta with her boyfriend, so I am VERY happy… no parents, woot, woot! Party! (My choice of music, of course… my sister and her fiancée have crap music tastes.) Well anyway, please R&R me! If you wanna send me some fan art, too… then um, yeah. I'd appreciate it a lot. I love you gies…

Nefertiri: have you been drinking THAT again?

Yami's koi: omg, I forgot… there's this drink (won't name it in case I get abuse) that is made from Girahna Berries, which have been used beneficially by Amazonian Indians for generations! It was also a caffeine drink, and I went so mad… Um, anyway, I don't' own the drink! I'm being extra careful since I've already been reported twice! Oopsie. Well, until the next time I write… Luvvies! Peace out.