Chapter 4: Why are you letting him on the team?

MARIANA´S POV

"You´re still not going to do anything about it?" Celandine asks me. Having obtained information on the Patch tribe from Lilirara, we left her place, did some long walking and now we´re staying at a small guest house for the night.

"What do you mean?" I answer dully "About Ren? How has the situation changed in one day to do anything at all?" I whisper. It´s past midnight, the guys are asleep, but I seem to be unable to join them tonight.

"Oh, come on!" She hisses with a small smile "You saw how he reacted to Ryu´s advances. He wasn't pleased"

"Well, he´s a good friend" I retort.

"So is Horohoro and he didn't threaten him or anything" Now she´s grinning.

"But I´ve been friends with Horohoro for less than a month, while Ren and I have known each for more than half a year. It´s natural that he´s more protective" I say reasonably.

"You just have an answer for everything, don't you?" She huffs.

"That's my superior mind in action to you" I joke "Mmm, I think I´m ready to sleep now. Goodnight"

"´Night"

(Next morning)

"Where are we going first?" I yawn openly.

"We´ll start with the map Lilirara gave us" Yoh replies with an uncharacteristic seriousness "We´ll be heading to Diringo city today"

"Hey, hey, hey" Horohoro scowls at him "Since when are you the leader?"

"It was my idea" Ren tells him indifferently.

"What?!" Horohoro and I both cry out. He chose another one that is not himself to be the leader?! That´s a new one.

"Yes, it´s already decided" He declares.

"Ok, then" I smile brightly "Let's go"

"Hello, can I come with you?" A strange voice comes from behind. I turn around quickly to find a very cute guy standing there. He has a delicate face, almost feminine, green hair and british accent.

"Hey, who are you?" I ask confusedly.

"I´m Lyserg Diethel" He smiles sweetly "I´m a participant in the tournament. This is my spirit, Morphine. My speciality is dowsing. Pleased to meet you"

I look back at the others to raise a puzzled eyebrow. But Yoh is already shaking his hand "Nice to meet you too" Yoh says.

"What? You´re letting him in the group?" Horohoro exclaims "He could be one of Hao´s men. Lets go and just forget about him"

"Hey, I´m really skilled, I can prove it" He insists "Who is the strongest on?"

"Are you joking or something?" Horohoro growls.

"Ok, lets see who´s the strongest one" He smiles once more.

"This guy is annoying me to no end" Horohoro takes an attacking stance "Bring it on"

"Wait! Is this really necessary?" I shout worriedly. They take no notice of me and fight. Lyserg takes Horohoro down with the pendulum he´s using. Ren tries to help him by attacking the wire but it is no use and both of them end up hurt.

"Ren!" I run to him fast to check he´s ok.

"Enough" Yoh seems upset "I´m taking them to the hospital"

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the british guy challenging Yoh, but I´ve lost interest in him. He hurt Ren. "Ren, are you ok?" He´s lying on the floor so I crouch next to him.

He looks at me angrily "Of course I´m ok" He doesn't look that ok though "Who is that idiot anyway?"

"Don't know, don't care" I answer easily, smiling at him, glad that at least he has enough strength to be insulting others "Just an idiot, like you so well put it"

Yoh wins against Lyserg and, being the goody he is, promises to hear Lyserg´s story after we go to the hospital. Why does he care about that stupid guy? He attacked Horohoro and Ren!

(2 hours later)

"Why are you letting him on the team?" I protest loudly.

"You heard his story" Yoh says soothingly "He wont attack the guys again"

At that moment, Ren exits the hospital. Horohoro is still inside. "What do you think about this Ren?" I eye him carefully.

"If the leader says he has to be on the team, then I accept it" He answers simply. I sulk all the way to a coffee where we go to sit to converse the situation. The guys explain to Lyserg that we have business with Hao as well.

"Wow, I didn't know there were other people against Hao" Lyserg comments surprised.

"Yes, we don't like his ways" Ryu says in a poor attempt on elegance "Do not worry Lyserg, just follow us" And he winks at him.

"You are hitting on him, too?" I sweatdrop.

"You are a disgrace to the group" Ren scowls.

"So don't worry" Yoh beams at Lyserg "You can come with us"

I sigh gloomily and stand up while the others order something to eat. As I am about to go out I hear a voice to my side "Where are you going?" Ren questions casually.

"Outside" I say simply and hurry out.

"What´s up?" Celandine asks anxiously as I sit next to a tree nearby.

"I have no idea" I say honestly "I don't like Lyserg and I don't know why"

"I think I know why" She smiles knowingly. I look at her expectantly. "He hurt Ren. It doesn't get simpler than that. But you shouldn't worry so much, he knows how to take care of himself"

"Mmm, maybe you´re right" I say tiredly.

"I am" She assures me "Don't be like that. Lyserg just made a mistake, he wont do it again. He seems to be a nice guy, you should really give him a cha-"

She stops short when we see Ren approaching. "What´s the matter?" He says when he´s at my side "Why did you leave like that? Aren´t you going to eat anything?"

"I´m not hungry" I smile slightly at him. I pause and then ask "Are you really ok with Lyserg being all of a sudden on the team? Cause I´m not, to tell the truth"

"Not completely" He admits "I just don't think the group should get any larger than this, as only one will become Shaman King. It´ll only become harder in the future" He says calmly "But that is just me. What about you? Why don't you like him? You usually like everyone and he doesn't appear to be a bad person"

He looks straight in my eyes and I can´t stand it. I look away. "Erm…nothing. It is stupid" I stand up and walk back to the coffee shop. Ren follows me, expecting elaboration "I´m sure I´ll like him soon enough"

We enter the place with Ren giving me a perplexed stare. But, noticing I don't want to talk about it he lets it go. We go to the table where the guys are already eating. Ren distractedly pulls out a chair and offers it to me. I stare at him for a moment, but he doesn't seem to notice how out of character this is of him, so I just sit down quietly, a small smile on my lips.

He takes the seat next to mine. Behind him, I can see Celandine giving me the thumbs up. I grin back at her. All previous gloomy thoughts forgotten.

SKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSK

of course the part of lyserg´s appearance is almost exactly like the manga but i couldnt just include him without an introduction

thats all there is to mariana´s dislike of him, that he hurt ren, then she´s going to like lyserg, so dont expect moreof that for the next chap