Disclaimer: Shaman King is not mine! (I wish it is…)

I've uploaded some new drawings! (yes, FINALLY!) Go to my profile to see them. Drawings of Hao, Yufina, Yoh, and Yufina's brother (baby), etc! (Yes, Yoh, Yufi, and Hao are in their UNIFORMS!)

"The reflection of Light & Darkness"

---Chapter V---

My Other Spirits

What I said couldn't possibly be what I truly think, could it? Maybe it is just the heat of the moment. You know how I get nervous in front of Asakura Hao. Maybe I just say it because I am pissed off. That's it. No reason for me to hate both humans and shamans. I mean I don't like shamans because they think that they can beat us humans easily, but that's no reason for me to hate them, right? Won't there be someone to tell me that I am dreaming? That all I said is nothing by my imagination and will never come true? I still have Katia and Anna… They are my friends because they chose to be. No one forces them to be nice to me. They are my friends and they are not here to betray me. I hate myself for even doubting them. I hate to be so pessimistic. I shouldn't think the bad side of others; I should be smiling and enjoying every moment in life.

Don't beat yourself up. You didn't do anything wrong.

"Hey, the one who claims to be my twin brother, I told you that I don't want to hear from you. So just leave me alone."

I just didn't want you to feel lonely.

"No thanks to you. Why are you dead anyway?"

There are just some things that it's better to leave it as a secret.

"If you don't tell me, I'll go and ask mother or father. They ought to know how you die and why they have never told me about you."

It will be better if you don't know, my little princess.

"But I want to know."

Instead of that, why don't I show you something?

"Show me what?"

My spirit.

A transparent fox-like creature appears; at least I think it is a fox. I can't see it very clearly. It is blurry.

"What is this? And why is this your spirit when you are dead?"

This little thing is Balrog This 'was' my spirit before I die. I guess it wants to stay by my side.

"You mean by MY side. But it has a tough name for such a cute little guy. When are you getting ride of it?"

Can't you even allow one extra spirit to be here, for your older brother?

"Of course yes. Shouldn't you have known that I hate spirit? After all, you claim to be with me ever since birth. Oh! I forgot! What is your name again?"

I don't have one.

"How come? Come on, if you are afraid to tell me because your name is weird, it's ok. Come on, they are our parents, and they give me the name 'Yufina'. They can't be good at naming."

I seriously don't have a name. They never gave it to me.

"Well I don't believe you. I'll ask father or mother when I see them."

I continue arguing with my spirit 'brother' until I reach to a small hill. That small hill has nothing but one tall tree, but somehow, it feels very peaceful and relaxing. It gives me the impression that all my worries and problems will disappear. Without noticing it, I've already falling into deep sleep…

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"Ah, you are finally awake?"

I hear someone asking me. Initially, I thought that it is my annoying 'brother', but when I open my eyes, I see Asakura Yoh.

"What are you doing here?" I scream at him. "And more importantly, why are you sitting next to me?"

I immediately stand up from that comfortable place. Like this place, Yoh gives me a sensation of peace and relaxation. It has been a while since I've felt so safe to be around others.

"It's so peaceful here, isn't it?" he says cheerfully.

"Yes it is."

"I always come here whenever I feel down. This is my secret hiding place."

"But there is nothing to hide you. There are no trees, no walls, absolutely nothing to cover you from what you don't want to see."

"There is a barrier surrounding here. You came in without noticing it?"

"What barrier? I don't see anything."

I continue to search aimlessly for the 'barrier' he claims to have but I don't seem to be able to see it or to feel it. I begin to think that he is just joking with me. Annoyed by his laughter, I decide to walk away.

"Don't go."

Firmly, yet gently, he holds onto a part of my uniform. I look at him, and he gives me the childish smile again. He then let go of my clothes.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to stop you from going." He soon apologizes.

I really did not want to go away from him. With him, I truly feel protected. His smile, though it is kind of silly, erases all my insecurities. Unlike with Hao, I believe that Yoh will never harm me. With Hao, I cannot say the same. He seems to be too dangerous and unpredictable. Without thinking any further, I sit back down, next to him.

"Are you not scared that Anna will come here and drag you away? After all, she is your fiancée."

I don't know why I ask that. Why did I have to destroy the calm by asking him about Anna?

"Ah, you know about Anna? That means that you know that I am…"

"Asakura Yoh." I finish his sentence for him.

"I thought that you didn't know."

"Does it change anything? Whether if you are a noble or not, it doesn't matter to me."

"Because you are a Loxelanne?"

"No, because I am human. I hate my family name. People judge me according to it. I am not even a shaman. I can barely see spirits."

"I think that you would make a great shaman."

"I don't want to be one."

Even though I have no intention of being a shaman, I know that I will become one. It is a world that I cannot avoid. It is here, in my blood and soul, that I will grow to be a shaman.

"How did you know that I am a Loxelanne?" I ask doubtfully.

"Anna was shouting at me for being with you just before, and she mentioned your name. Yufina, right?"

"Yes. Aren't you afraid that Anna will yell at you for being with me again?"

"Everything will be alright."

In some way, I am glad that he says that he doesn't mind staying here.

"So why are you here? You said that you come here whenever you feel down. What happened?"

"My grandpa was yelling me for my grades."

"You did poorly?"

"Yeah, I got a A- in Clan Study."

"And the rest are…"

"All A plus. I've to live up the name of Asakura."

"Or is it because you need to live up to your twin brother?"

"And that too."

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I walk away from the 'sanctuary' shortly after Yoh left. He didn't want to disappear for too long. He told me that he is there everyday, and if I want, I can go find him anytime. Even if I want to see him, I still fear Anna. I can't imagine what she'll do to Yoh or me.

In order to find my father, the one who is my real father, I go to the parent's meeting place where most people are already done with the meeting. They are only talking – bragging about their kids' behaviors and marks. I just stand there, waiting for my father to notice me. I am sure, without any doubt, that he will run to me. He has to hide from all the people here, but I am sure that he will find me and talk to me. Within little time, he snatches me away from that meeting and brings me to a dark alley.

"Yufina! My sweet and adorable weezie-poo! How have you been doing? Isn't Artemicion Academy great? Of course it is! It has my favorite tweenie bear here to light up the school1 Oh! Isn't Asakura Yoh handsome? Although I don't really want to give you away to him, this is a must, I guess. Arg! I can't stand the thought of you getting married! Don't worry; I will not let him marry you this easily! I will make him go through so much pain before!"

"Father, stop talking about nonsense. I didn't come for that."

"Nonsense? Oh no! I've been reduced to nothing more than 'nonsense' in my honeybee's eyes! What have I done wrong!"

"… Just don't talk. I have something to ask you."

"What is it? Anything you want to know, I will tell you! I can't believe that you are actually asking me something! I am so happy that I can cry!"

"Do I have a brother?"

"What kind of garbage are you talking about?"

He turns his joking and immature face to a serious one. From what I know, he never, and I mean never, show a face like this unless it is life or death matter.

"Have I ever had a twin?"

"No, you never had one. Who puts all this rubbish in your head?"

"Why should I tell this to someone who is lying to me?"

"I am not lying to you. Just forget whatever that person said to you. And, no matter who says what, do NOT believe in him. You don't have a brother; you never have and you never will. Is this understood?"

"Yes father."

He goes away in a hurrying speed. My father's words stuck in my brain. If he takes this matter this seriously, it means that there is something important behind this. And I will find it out! I will not live without knowing if I have a brother or not.

Call me by my name!

I hear a piercing scream shouting at my ears. I could not locate the origin of this voice, but it is not my brother's.

Why won't anyone call me by my name!

Then, I finally notice it. It is just standing in front of me. That giant beastlike monster seems to be in pain. I am not even sure if it is a spirit or it is alive. I don't know if anyone hears this. I know that hearing voices that no one can hear means a bad sign in the Shaman world, but I cannot help but to listen to that begging voice. Not only that, I think that I am the only one who can see this. What does this means?

I am waiting for you to call me by my name. I am…

"Belmoth"

I, surprisingly, call out the name that the voice keeps saying to me. As soon as I say this, that monster's actions stop. It walks toward me and takes a bow at me – although I thought he wanted to kill me.

It is you who heard my cry… Such a pitiful kid… You barely have any Furyoku. Why is it only you who can listen to my voice?

"How should I know?"

I can feel people's stare at me. From what they see, I am talking to something that is not even there.

I, Belmoth, hereby pledge my loyalty to you, Yufina Loxelanne. As I once vowed, I shall be loyal to whoever can hear my voice. Master, I await to the day you summon me.

Next Chapter: A Shaman who cannot see spirits

Author's note:

I try to make a contrast between Yufina's feelings for Hao and Yoh. With Hao, it's more like excitement and bad-boy feel while with Yoh, it is all about security and safe. I hope that you guys like it this way.

I've drew some new drawings! I've always wanted to draw Yoh, Hao and Yufi's uniforms, and there they are! Well, they are in my profile. I hope that you guys will like them! Please review!

Just to keep track, Yufina has three spirits now: her brother, Balrog (her brother's but since it always follows her brother's spirit, I can say that it's hers too), and Belmoth, who is not always with her.