Chapter 5: I´ll give you disembowelment

REN´S POV

It´s been 5 days since we arrived to America and I don't feel we´re getting any close to finding the Pache tribe. I´m getting a bit restless. We are once again in the back of the truck of that weirdo, Billy, that fortunately is still giving us rides. Meanwhile, I´m trying to pretend I can´t listen the senseless chattering of my friends.

"Mariana, you are a girl, right?" Horohoro says to her.

"Well spotted" Mariana grins and I can´t stop a smirk from showing on my face.

"Yeah, no, I didn't mean it like that" Horohoro laughs. What an idiot! "I was just wondering if you could give us some tips, you know. This looser next to me" He points to Ryu, who shouts a hey! in protest "I can understand why he´s still single. Lyserg… erm I have no idea if there´s a lady there?" Lyserg shakes his head with a gentle smile "Then he must be focused on other things right now because he seems like a real winner. And Ren, well, he´s just an antisocial and I´m pretty sure he´s not even interested in the matter" At least I can say he sure knows me "But why is it that I don't get any girls?!" He whines pathetically. God, can this get any more boring?

Mariana laughs out loud hysterically "I´m not sure if I´m the best source to ask, ´cause I´ve never had a boyfriend or been on a date or anything" She says once she can talk again.

"That doesn't matter, I just want a womanly advice" Horohoro insists "Say, what would you like in a guy?"

"Mmm, still not the best to ask" Mariana grins "I have unusual tastes" She glances at me quickly in a weird way. What´s up with her? "But I don't think there´s anything wrong with you. You have a great personality. You´re funny and honest and a good guy. It shouldn't be a problem to you. You´re only 14, it is still a young age. You´ll find love soon enough" She tells him teasingly.

Jesus, I´m about to fall asleep in here! They had to get to the boring subjects when we´re riding on thin thing and I can´t escape! I scowl but remain silent and look at the view. There´s no civilization around, just nature. It´s nice.

"Really? You think so?" I hear Horohoro lightening up. Doesn't he ever shut up? "Thanks! You´ve totally cheered me up"

"That´s what I´m here for" Mariana answers with a smart smile.

"Ok, let me ask you a personal question now" A pause for a minute and then he asks away "Have you ever liked anyone?"

Almost unconsciously, I turn to look at Mariana "Erm…well…er" I can feel she´s avoiding my gaze, choosing to stare at Horohoro´s feet "Yeah, but no big deal" She finishes uncomfortably.

"Oh, no" Horohoro says loudly and I can see Mariana getting even more uncomfortable. It is very weird to see her like this, very uncharacteristic "Come on! How is it no big deal?! Come on, tell us. No secre-"

"Enough!" I growl heatedly at him "I´m tired of this stupid conversation! Can´t you just stay quiet for a minute?"

"Hey! Just because, I don't know, you are gay or impotent or something, that you don't give a shit about chicks, it doesn't mean it´s a stupid subject" He retorts.

"You repeat that and you´re dead meat, I promise" I say menacingly quiet and give him one of my best deadly glares and he immediately falls silent. They all stare at me in silence for a moment, then Horohoro huffs and turns to look at the road, Ryu continues to arrange his hair, Lyserg pretends to suddenly focus on our map and Yoh starts falling asleep. They all act as if nothing happened. Except for Mariana, of course, who gives me a thankful smile.

Feeling my face unexpectedly heating up, I look away quickly.

(Couple of days later)

We are walking today, no back of the truck. It´s snowing and once again I end up lending my coat to Mariana. She´s walking a bit ahead with Horohoro and Lyserg and having an incessant chat, Ryu´s just behind them, staring shamelessly at Lyserg´s ass, totally disgusting, and I´m last with Yoh.

Suddenly, I notice the conversation at the front turns to whisperings and hissings. They are apparently unaware that it still can be listened from here.

"So, Lyserg" I can distinguish Horohoro´s whisper "What´s up with the girls? Or rather the lack of them?"

"Why are we whispering again?" Lyserg laughs.

"Sshhh!!!" Horohoro hisses desperately "Mr no stupid chattering or you´ll suffer disembowelment´ is still back there. He seems to be a tad sensitive about certain subjects"

I scowl and Yoh sweatdrops with a nervous smile "I´m sure he´s just joking" He says soothingly.

"Shut up" I mutter and we continue to eavesdrop.

"-just not focused on that, like you said" Lyserg explains simply "I mean, I like girls all right, but now I find much more important to concentrate on the Tournament" Finally, someone that makes sense around here.

"But have you ever been with anyone?" I hear Mariana question curiously.

"Nah, maybe I´ll get into it when the Shaman Fight is over" He shrugs.

"That sounds good"

"Hey, now to the real matter of this conversation" I can almost hear the grin ih Horohoro´s face "Who would you rather date of all the four of us? If you had to pick one?"

Ok, now I really feel like disembowelling him. How dare he ask her something like that? My anger must be obvious because Yoh practically whines "Calm down, Ren. He´s just playing"

Mariana just chuckles, as usual "Oh, tough one. Who would I pick?"

"C´mon, we all know it´s me without a second thought" Horohoro replies cheekily.

"Oh, yeah, how did I ever doubt it?" She replies teasingly.

"Well, out of all I think I´m the one who´s more like you. Funny, cool and talkative"

"Yeah, well, not always being similar works" Mariana retorts cleverly "Actually, it´s usually the other way round. Haven´t you heard that opposites attract?"

"Bullshit. I think you and I would work just fine. Don't you agree?" He says, his voice suddenly turning suggestive. I can feel a burning in my stomach, accompanied with a desire to strangle the blue head. I´m actually trembling with rage. Yoh´s backing slowly away.

"Mmm, sorry, but I really disagree" Mariana answers apologetically "Like you said, we both are very talkative. Don't you see? We wouldn't be able to stand each other because none would shut up. You would go better with someone a bit less outgoing, even shy. Say, someone like Tamao, or of the sort" She goes on conversationally "Besides, you are so not my type. I already told you I have weird tastes. You are just too normal for me. I need someone more peculiar" Her speech calms me down slightly.

"At least I gave it a shot" I hear disappointment coming from Horohoro´s voice and Lyserg patting his back sympathetically. Haha, the idiot got rejected "Well, if you are looking for the opposites attract´ thing, Ren´s still single back there and probably will be so for the next 50 years" That ass even has the nerve to laugh at his own joke.

I feel my face burning up and can´t take it anymore. "Hey, you fuck, we can hear everything back here, you know!!" I yell and walk hurriedly towards him.

He turns around with a panicked look on his face "Now, Ren, don't be unreasonable"

"Yeah, I´ll give you disembowelment" I hiss and pull out my Kwan Dao.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!" He runs off as fast as his feet can go.

I don't hesitate a second before hurrying fast after him, Kwan Dao and murderous face with me.