Ch. 4 Skeptical

Disclaimer: Minna san do know that brok3nragd0ll does not own Shaman King.

Previously from chapter 3,

Pirika shook her head. With that, Lumiere left the room.

She sat at the window ledge, observing the people walking in and out of the school dormitories she is staying in.

"Home is so far away from here. I wonder how is brother, father….and Ren." Thought Pirika while supporting her head with one hand.

'thinking'

"talking"

Her brain started to whirl into action while she sat by the window ledge, absently watching students, lecturers and visitors entering the school dormitories.

(Pirika's Flashback…)

A girl with waist length sky blue hair was holding the right hand of a dark purple hair boy with a tall spike on top of his head while they were walking along the seashore of a particular beach in Japan in the evening.

Without turning her head to face the boy, " Ren kun, do you really think that I am very suitable for you?" asked the girl with a hint of doubt in her tone.

The above-mentioned boy, Ren replied " Of course, Pirika. What makes you think that I have made a wrong decision by choosing you from all the girls I know? Or is it you who have doubts in me?"

Pirika shook her head vigorously with her long, blue locks dancing left to right to show her point of disagreeing with Tao Ren. " I am the one who is having doubts about myself. I still can't believe that we are together." She laughed nervously after she replied.

Tao Ren noticed that Pirika bowed her head low after her reply as though she was afraid of Tao Ren to know her true thoughts hidden behind her big coral blue eyes. He titled her chin up in slow motion, her big coral blue eyes widen with surprise and fear when her eyes met with his indigo eyes for a brief moment. The lump in her throat started to get bigger every minute; she has bit her lower lip to stop herself from blurting out the truth. She shut her eyes in pain and turned her head in the other direction to avoid his piercing stare. After a while, she turned in the other direction and walked away from Tao Ren. Pirika came upon a washed ashore log and sat on it.

He strolled slowly to her "What's wrong, Pirika? Why are you so afraid of looking at me in the eyes?" He asked questionably.

"It's nothing. I…. " She broke off.

"You what? " He asked patiently.

"It's nothing. Never mind about it." Came her blunt reply.

His eyes burrow together with curiosity or perhaps irritation. "If you have anything to tell me, just say it out. It's not like we can't talk things out, right?"

Pirika knocked away Tao Ren's hand that was tilting her chin up to look at him. " You just simply don't understand what am I thinking exactly! Can't you read my body language? Can't you understand my awkwardness? Do you really know the truth!" She yelled.

Tao Ren's indigo eyes widen with astonishment, he couldn't find the tomboy-ish yet gentle girl he used to know in her coral blue eyes.

Her lips parted in shock, she covered her mouth slightly with her perfectly manicured hands. Pirika could not believe that she just said all these things to her boyfriend and knowing his character, he would yell back.

Without missing a beat, "Firstly, I'm not psychic, unlike Yoh and Anna. Secondly, I'm not a female, for Heaven's sake; of course I don't understand your body language or perhaps your awkwardness. Thirdly, I've said it already; if you do have something to tell me, just say it out. Instead of bottling them up, which will make u feel worst. Fourthly…. " He stopped after he noticed Pirika's tears started to well up.

He started to scratch the back of his neck nervously while he thinks of some comforting words to comfort the girl in front of him on the verge of crying her eyes out. Nothing came up in his mind, so Tao Ren decided to apologize to Pirika. "I'm sorry, Pirika. I shouldn't have said all those nasty words to you." He replied with a much softer tone in vain to sooth her nervous nerves.

Pirika stood up in a hurry, but her knees gave way. She tumbled into his open arms as though he is able to predict that she would lose her balance while standing up. Tao Ren started to draw small circles on her back soothingly in order to stop her crying.

After some time, "I'm feeling better already. Stop drawing circles on my back, it is very ticklish." Came a muffled reply from Tao Ren's chest.

He sweat dropped as he replied " Alright alright. "

Pirika withdrew from his hug and took in a deep breath. She decided to break the news to him, no matter what. "Ren, I'm leaving Japan for Sans Francisco to pursue my dream of becoming of a designer." She looked up at him, no emotions was shown on Ren's face.

(Pirika's P.O.V)

'How can he be so calm when I broke the news to him? Big brother wailed his heart out after I told him about me wanting to go Sans Francisco to study Design. It's so noticeable that Tao Ren is much mature than big brother. Big brother is so useless.'

(End Of Pirika's P.O.V)

(Tao Ren's P.O.V)

''What! Did I hear wrongly? She's leaving to pursue her dream of becoming a designer! Is she aware that Sans Francisco is very far from Japan? She doesn't have friends or relatives to take care of her at Sans Francisco! Doesn't she want to become my bride? What the hell is with her? Her dream is much important than me, her boyfriend! I ought to remain calm, I can't let her know my true feelings.'

(End Of Tao Ren's P.O.V)

Pirika waited for Ren's reply patiently. He gave a smile and said " I'm glad that you chose the right path instead of wasting your life with me in Japan."

She gave him a big smile and replied "Thanks, Ren. I knew you would support my decision of going to Sans Francisco." She paused for a moment before adding on, " I hope you will understand that we have to go on our separate ways from today onwards, I personally do not believe in long-distance relationships. Feelings tend to get bland after some time. I do not want Ren to get hurt in the end. A break up now would do both of us some good instead of both parties getting hurt at the very end. I wish Ren good luck in finding a better girlfriend than me!"

Tao Ren was caught off by Pirika's words. After he heard her initiating a break up with him, inside him all was turmoil. 'It isn't possible. This couldn't be happening! Ren, you have to remain calm. She is waiting for your reply. You must remain aloof, just like you should.' He thought.

Tao Ren gave Pirika a half-hearted smile, and replied with a monotone, " Yes, of course. We shall remain in contact. I will be busy with schoolwork nowadays; will not be sending you off to the airport. Bon Voyage, Pirika. Take care when you are alone in Sans Francisco. " With that, he walked away, leaving Pirika in the wake.

(End of Pirika's flashback)

(Pirika's P.O.V)

My heart aches very badly as I watch Ren walked away from me. As though he is upset with the fact that I'm leaving for Sans Francisco instead of staying in Japan with him. Arrggh, I just don't understand how his mind works. I kind of miss him more than big brother. How weird is that? Blood should be thicker than water. How ironic I can get nowadays. Sheehs… I wondered if he would be surprised if I come back from Sans Francisco during the vacations.

(End of Pirika's P.O.V)

(In Aki's car)

Aki's long fingers started to drum on the steering wheel while she pondered the reason why her father agreed to the engagement while waiting for the red traffic lights change to green. 'This guy, Tao Ren must be a nerd; geek or a loser with no looks. That's why no girls want him. Father pity on him, so he agreed to the engagement! I'm such an unfortunate girl, is my whole life destined to be spent with Tao Ren the loser?' pondered Aki absently. Aki let out a frustrated "arrghh" and swept her long fringe behind.

Kyoshi's topaz pupils were glued to Aki. 'Through her body language, can tell she is frustrated over her too early marriage but at the same time, she is curious about her fiancé's looks. Human girls… So typical.' Kyoshi thought while scratching the back of his neck.

After some time, the duo finally reaches the Tao's home located in some secluded mountains tops because Aki has no sense of direction. As soon as they arrive, two jiang si opened the heavy doors for them to enter. Once they entered the castle, one of them picked up Aki's luggages from Kyoshi's hands. Another jiang si leads the way to the living room where Tao Ren (in Aki's P.O.V, shall be Tao Ren the loser) is waiting. 'May any God bless me.' Thought Aki as she walks into the living room.

(In the living room of the Tao's castle)

Tao Ren started to prance around the living room when he got the news that his teenage bride will be arriving this afternoon. The reason of his prancing around is that he is feeling frustrated because of his father, Tao Yuan arranged a marriage without his consent but at the same time, he is also curious about his fiancée appearance. Ren started to imagine how his bride looks like.

(Tao Ren's P.O.V)

If I'm not wrong, Father's friend, Feng Quan is rich. (Our dear Tao Ren did his research) He and his wife, Hanako only has one daughter, Aki; he should dote on his only daughter, giving in to her demands and so on. All of the conditions, she would grow up to be a spoilt brat or a pampered girl. If so, that's why nobody wants to marry her. Who in the world would want a spoilt brat as his wife? That person is mad, if he wants to marry a spoilt brat. And unfortunately, that person is me. But I'm forced to marry a spoilt brat! Arrghhh…. Father has unknowingly given me problems.

(End of Tao Ren's P.O.V)

Two sets of heavy footsteps and one set of soft footsteps sounded through the empty hallways interrupted Ren's train of thoughts. The jiang si gave 3 soft knocks on the huge, wooden door to let Ren acknowledge that his guests have already arrived. "Come in" said Ren. The jiang si opened the wooden door with ease, it hold the door open for Aki to walk in the living room.

Tao Ren's indigo eyes widen with surprise when he saw Aki walk in the living room. She is a pretty girl with a heart-shaped face and naturally pink lips. Her big, brown eyes were set within long dark lashes and topped by slim, arching brows. She looked like a human sized doll with lush and curling raven hair reaching her mid back and her other features were so delicate, they looked like they might crack at any moment. Her skin is as creamy and as smooth as milk. She is wearing a sleeveless gray dress with a broad denim belt rested low upon her hips. Underneath her gray dress is a pair of black tights. On her right wrist, is a black leather cuff. In her left hand, she is carrying a black leather guitar case, which contains her precious guitar.

Ren openly drooled over her features. ' An attractive spoilt brat…' he thought. He also noticed a brown haired young, good-looking man with eyes of deep brown in black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath the jacket. 'The young man should be Aki's spirit guardian.' Wondered Tao Ren.

Aki's lips parted in surprise when she saw Ren standing in the living room. Ren is not really a loser or geek with no looks. His indigo eyes are bright with attention and his mouth set in a line of stubborn determination. Behind the handsome face is a calm and calculative mind. On top of Ren's dark purple colored hair, is an awkward tall spike. His indigo eyes are brought out by his green Chinese costume with sides' slits until the hips, with long, white pants underneath. He is wearing black kung fu shoes. Aki has never seen such a cute Chinese guy. She has the sudden urge to snicker; she is so silly to think that Tao Ren is a loser with no looks.

Kyoshi stood at one side observing the both of them. Aki and Tao Ren openly drooled over each other's handsome and doll like features. An unusual feeling started to bubble inside Kyoshi, he couldn't exactly pin point which feeling. He kept having urges to punch Tao Ren to a bloody pulp and gorge out his eyes for ogling at his mistress.

(Kyoshi's P.O.V)

'Who is this Chinese male anyway? Who gives him the authority to give approving looks at Aki? How can he openly ogle at Aki when I'm around! It is as if he is peeling the clothing from Aki with his eyes.

(End of Kyoshi's P.O.V)

Authoress Note: Minna san, gomen nasai for the long wait ne! Brok3n Ragd0ll was rather busy with her art examination and schoolwork during the past few weeks; she is drawing like nobody's business. Even though, she has inspiration, she just didn't have the time to type out. She sends her most sincere apologies to her readers! She is also sorry that if she has made Tao Ren too OOC-ed. If kimi tachi wa got the time, please please please leave a review for Brok3n Ragd0ll to read.

Many, many love from broken ragdoll. (: