Sorry, sorry, it's late. I've been busy so it's been neglected and then I remembered it needed updating and wouldn't let me upload anything. It's finally here though. Sorry for the wait - hopefully it was worth it.

Unsurprisingly Yoh had ended up training longer than he had intended, though only by half an hour, which was an impressive new record for him. It definitely felt like he was getting closer to his goal, though whether that was just down to a change in mindset he wasn't really sure, not that he supposed it mattered.

I hope Hao hasn't been waiting for me, or if he has that he isn't mad. I do want to see him; things just got a little messed up tonight. It isn't as though he told me when he'd be back though, so it isn't as if I've stood him up or something. It will be fine I'm sure; Hao can be a perfectly reasonable individual when he wants to be and he wants us to get along too, so he'll be understanding.

It was night again, which was unusual, the sun was normally shining while he was there, so he wondered if that meant Hao had visited again. Yoh made his way to the lake, only half disappointed when he didn't see anyone there. Shaking his head slightly Yoh turned his attention to the changed that had occurred in his absence, only to jump when a pair of arms wrapped around him.

Hao laughed softly and let Yoh go, allowing the other to face him. "Sorry but I couldn't resist the opportunity, I have been waiting a while after all."

Yoh grinned, thrilled to see a more playful side of his twin. "Yeah, sorry about that, world war three meant I was a little behind schedule."

Hao quirked an eyebrow. "World war three?"

"Just another argument, normal stuff."

"What about this time?"

"Horo-Horo came up with an awful idea for a party and oddly enough Anna agreed to it. Ren told them he and I wouldn't be attending because we had more important things to do, and I'm sure you can imagine the rest."

"I'll pass, but yes, it wouldn't be difficult to figure out given what I saw of them. Tell me Yoh, are you happy?"

Yoh paused, contemplating his response. "I know I'm hiding a lot from them and I know it's going to cause a lot of problems, but they're my friends and I do enjoy spending time with them. Yes, I'm happy, though maybe not as much as I could be."

Hao nodded before taking hold of Yoh's hand and leading him down to sit by the lake. Yoh leaned against Hao's shoulder, feeling safe and content. He knew what Hao was asking and why, which was the reason he didn't want to answer without thinking it through first. He needed to be honest but without being negative in either aspect; it was the fairest way of handling things.

"You've grown up a lot, I'm proud of you." Hao stated gently.

Yoh smiled in response, the simple words making him feel elated. "Thank you Hao, I'm glad. It's nice to be able to have this after everything that happened. You've taken away so much that was holding me back and I'm grateful for that."

Hao smiled, petting the top of Yoh's hair. "Daijobu desu ototo."

Yoh pouted slightly at Hao's condescending act but knew he was only playing, which in itself was a good thing. Hao definitely seemed to have lightened up and it was nice to see a good-humoured approach to things. He seemed to have more life in him and seemed to have found a way to live rather than the unhappy existence he'd had for so long. Now all they had to do was make sure things stayed that way.

"Did you find anything out?" Yoh asked suddenly, his thoughts having drifted to his wish to live here permanently.

Hao shook his head. "Not really, though I think the gate here will be closed until the design is complete. Until that point, we won't be able to find out how to come here in person. I did find out more about how this was opened but I don't think you're really interested in that."

"No, providing everything is okay, it doesn't matter. It's moving forward, not looking backwards that I want to do."

Hao nodded. "I know, I'm trying to be more like that, to let go of everything but it isn't as easy for me as it is for you. As long as things are fine between us, that's really all that matters. I don't want to hurt anymore, so the same goes for you."

Yoh grinned and nodded. Even if it wasn't phrased as one, that was a promise. He wouldn't take actions he knew Yoh would disapprove of because that meant they would fight again. As long as Hao was willing to follow Yoh's lead (in not being socially genocidal), then they could work things out.

It seems almost silly that I can feel so happy and content just by sitting here with him. I know my family will think I've lost my mind or something but I can't help how I feel. I've always been an optimist, I've always looked for the best in someone and my grandfather taught me that only good people can see spirits. Hao must have been a good person for that to be the case, so then why couldn't he learn to be one again?

I appreciate the risks involved but I truly believe that this is the honest truth, I may not be able to read other's thoughts and feelings but I hold no doubt of his sincerity, he isn't playing me. I'm not just going to believe everything he tells me as gospel, I'll follow my heart as I always have, but I'm not going to push him aside and ruin any chances of a peaceful resolution.

I can only hope that after everything that's happened, they will have some faith in me and my judgement. It would be wonderful if they trusted me and accepted this but I'm certainly not going to hold my breath. A new world without the old ties and binds would make things easier for us all; a fresh start is definitely what some of us need. All I can do is hope for the best, even if I may expect the worst, either way, things will work out the way they're meant to.

"Niisan, what are you doing right now, where are you?" Yoh asked softly.

Hao kept his gaze on the stars, evidently expecting the question. "I'm far away from those who would cause me to stray. The girls are with me but that is all. As for what I'm doing, I'm waiting for you, to finish this place or to remove the problem my reishi causes."

"I'll do both Hao, I'll fulfil our dreams, I promise."

"I know you will Yoh, that's why I came to you. Don't ever doubt yourself, you're walking a path only you can and it will lead to our salvation. For anything we may share, we are two very different people, I know that now; while we belong together, we are meant to be separate as well, two entities, not one."

Yoh smiled, Hao was doing a very good job at telling him what he needed to hear and while he supposed it was unlikely that Hao didn't know that, it didn't matter because he was telling the truth. Even if no one else might believe that, he knew the other wasn't trying to manipulate him. Was it really so unreasonable to believe that they could see each other's souls when their souls had joined as one?

"So Hanagumi are okay?"

"Yes, they're fine. I think they would like to see you, though they haven't said as much. They have never been the type to make comments of something they know isn't feasible however."

"They're good girls, I know a lot of people wouldn't necessarily believe that but I can see that they are. Its difficult being a shaman, people can be very cruel to those who are different and so people have to build up walls to protect themselves. There's nothing wrong with wanting a world that isn't like that but it's too easy to get lost along the way because of all those comments and feelings."

"You've given all of this a lot of thought, haven't you? Don't worry Yoh, it doesn't need to consume you so much anymore, everything is okay now, no matter what happens from here on out."

I don't think I agree with that, I know what he means, that the issues between us are resolved, and even without us really talking to each other, that is the case, but that everything is fine no matter what, that probably isn't true. While we may understand each other much better than we did, it wouldn't really be that difficult to imagine that things could go back to the way they were before.

If our family finds out about this before I find a way to block the reishi and everyone gangs up on Hao again, he would retaliate. If he went back to how he was before and he hurt them, even though it would be because of them, then he I and would go back to fighting again. Regardless of whose fault it is, Hao is far more dangerous than they are and he has taken far too many lives already. It isn't hard to imagine that all this would be lost.

Of course it's feasible enough that even with our new world and the reishi blocked things still won't be alright. I don't want to consider that side of things but I know that I need to be prepared for everything that may occur. They may never accept it and we may never be left in peace, which may lead Hao down that path regardless. I won't believe that something like that is our destiny though, I'll follow the beliefs I've always held, that's worked for me so far.

"I think it may be a while before I can come to you again Yoh and I think you may have a difficult time for a while. I'm sorry I won't be able to offer any support but I think we both know it would only make matters worse if I tried to." Hao stated suddenly, completely seriously.

"I had wondered with Ren questioning me if they could feel something. Still, I think Ren intends to get me out of the way, even though he isn't really sure about this himself. Either way, I'll be okay and yes, you're right, it would make things worse if you were around."

"You're sure this is what you want Yoh?"

"What, being with you? You already know the answer to that. We belong together and if there's any chance that I can stop this cycle of pain and hatred I have to try. I don't agree with them and I can't go against my beliefs just to appease them, as much as I may hate discord."

Hao nodded. "Let's not worry about that for now, there isn't much time before we have to part ways again, let's make the most of our time together until then."

Yoh nodded and cuddled further into Hao, both enjoying the view of the night sky. He was less than thrilled that things had come to light so soon, he had hoped to have attained at least one of his goals by the time they found anything out. It would make things much more difficult especially if, as he suspected, they knew of his dealings with Hao.

I had wondered if Ren had felt Hao's power when he kept insisting that there was something more I hadn't told him. Given his reaction I told myself that it couldn't be the case but maybe I should have given it more due attention. Given the fact that I opted to disappear by myself and the duration that Hao and I have been sat here, it's quite possible that they know he's around, even if they don't know how.

I don't think Ren would tell them anything but he would probably try to get them to leave me alone all the same, though that once again shows pre-knowledge, which will cause problems. Still, even if I had to leave everyone and everything behind, I would. I know how important this is and I'm not going to fail. It may well cost me a lot but I'm willing to pay the price. If I'm lucky it won't come to that and they'll trust me, that's all I can hope for. No matter what, I don't regret this, our reconciliation is too important to me.