I didn't think I'd be updating this quick! I guess my own fic got me all hyped up.

Anyhow, sorry for causing a lot of controversy with the last chapter; but frankly, I like making controversies and stirring commotion, so that's perfectly fine. ^_^

I know, I'm positively insane, but that's okay. xD

On with the new chapter!

***

Takeshi blinked. Where am I?

He tried to sit up, but the moment he tried to, he felt sharp, piercing pain stab him in multiple parts of his body. He gasped. Shi— He tried again. Damn it. It did hurt.

He looked around silently. His vision was all sorts of blurred, but it cleared up within seconds.

Takeshi was inside a hospital room. The walls were stark white and the room smelled strongly of alcohol—the good kind, of course, the one used for sterilization.

He knew he was gravely injured. After all, why would he be lying in a hospital bed, in pain, with bandages all over and with innumerable tubes stuck to his body?

But, despite that, he also knew he was going to be fine.

Takeshi winced; his head hurt. A little. What happened last night?

Like the pain he felt just seconds ago, memories from last night's incident came rushing back. Yoh and Anna, the university, Anna's outbursts, those awesome smoothies, him being shot…and that mysterious cloaked man. That mysterious, cloaked man…

Takeshi frowned. Who was that man? But more importantly, why did he want to kill me so badly? As far as he knew, the only person in this world who got on in nerves and vice versa was Hao Asakura. He still remembered their fight seven years ago—he was still a Saiyan back then. Takeshi shook his head. He grimaced. Saiyan, my foot. I must've been a really wild kid all those years ago. Imagine; I made something from my head come true just by believing it is true. Funny.

Hao…did he want Takeshi dead so badly after suffering such a humiliating defeat seven years ago? Takeshi wasn't exactly sure. Did he even know he was back? And even if he did, would he making use of man-made guns to kill him? That was never his style. He'd rather die than be seen or heard using a gun to take an old rival's life.

But, then again, Hao might've changed after all these years.

He heard it from a friend of his back home: in the new manga of Shaman King, Hana, the Asakura's firstborn, had notorious Hao as some sort of guardian. Maybe that means Hao has definitely gone from bad to totally good?

Takeshi shrugged. No, this couldn't have been Hao. This has to be the work of somebody else…but who?

Who else would—ouch! Takeshi bit his tongue in pain. What was that?

It came from somewhere in his arm. His right arm. Something there hurt, and the pain was undeniably different from the pains caused by gunshots last night.

Takeshi squinted, and tried to look at his arm. It was hard, but he finally managed to see what caused that sudden, prickling pain there.

It was a symbol. A kanji symbol that glowed black, the color of darkness. It said, "Oni."

Takeshi felt his stomach lurch. Oni. A demon? When was this symbol branded into him? Takeshi hazarded a guess that it was branded last night, during the ambush. Or maybe after he lost consciousness. Either way, this was, Takeshi was sure, the mark of his assailant.

Why was he branded with this? Did this "Oni" want to be followed? Did this demon even consider the fact that he was still alive and might call the police to hunt him down?

Takeshi shook his head. No. The police would be powerless against this guy, if he was a demon. But if he was a demon, why would he resort to guns to kill him? Doesn't the devil have any class…a sense of style? He could've done a more repulsive job—but then again, maybe Takeshi should be grateful that he didn't. At least he was still in one piece.

Oh yeah. Now that I mention it, how can I still be alive after getting shot multiple times? Takeshi frowned, trying to remember more of what happened last night. It was hard; it all seemed like a dream to him. Or a nightmare.

Then he finally remembered Anna.

When he blacked out, what happened after that? Anna did say she was going to "save the both." Maybe she unleashed Zenki and Kouki on the man and killed him? He wasn't sure.

But he was practically dying last night. How did Anna take care of that?

Takeshi's face fell. CPR…and mouth-to… He didn't want to finish the term. He knew what it is. He just wondered how Anna managed to make herself do such a thing that involved leaning… No. He shook his head. I shouldn't be thinking like that. But after the way the woman professed her love for me, how can I not wonder? He sighed. If only she knew the truth… But would she even want to hear it? Mentally slapping himself, he thought, Well, at least I've got to be thankful that she saved me anyway. She saved my life.

Takeshi suddenly wanted to punch himself in the head for being a total idiot. Why did he have to act so tough at a time like that? He knew he was completely powerless…vulnerable. He knew that something he used to consider as nothing (that being a gunshot) would turn out to be a threat to his life, now that he was nothing but a normal human being and not some insanely powerful warrior.

Maybe he should've let Anna take care of the fight. But then again, she might've gotten hurt if he let her do just that. Anna was Takeshi's good friend; he'd never let anything bad happen to her. That's what friends do, right? Take risks for the other and be around when needed. That's what friends are for.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, meters away from Takeshi's bed.

Takeshi swallowed. "Who's there?"

There was silence at first. Then, finally, a familiar voice said, "It's Anna."

"Oh." Takeshi smiled. Yeah, a familiar face! He had been wanting to see any of his friends for a while now; that would be very comforting! "Come on right in!"

The door slowly creaked open. The long-haired blond itako walked in. But, she didn't close the door just yet.

She held it open long enough for husband Yoh Asakura to come in. And then she closed the door.

Takeshi felt his stomach sink. Yoh?! What's he—oh man. How am I gonna explain this to him?

Yoh and Anna walked towards Takeshi's bed. Takeshi couldn't see Yoh's face; he had his head bowed down. Anna was looking right at him, looking a little uncomfortable. But, nevertheless, her face was steeled—the way she always looked like.

Takeshi didn't know what to say. He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was air. He looked at Yoh hopefully, wishing he didn't know the truth about his powers. Not yet anyway. Takeshi felt another horrible feeling inside. Who am I kidding? If I still had my powers, I wouldn't be in this hospital right now. Of course he knows.

Takeshi looked to Anna in a somewhat pleading manner. Help me, please, he begged silently.

"How are you feeling, Takeshi?" Anna suddenly asked, as if she had just read Takeshi's mind. "Any better?"

Takeshi cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah." He forced a smile. "Just peachy." He gave Anna a sincere grin. "Thanks to you, Anna."

Anna nodded, a small smile evident on her face. It disappeared as quickly as it came.

Takeshi cleared his throat again, but louder this time. He turned to look at Yoh. Maybe I should do something… "Yoh?"

There was no answer. The guy still had his head bowed down, facing the floor. His long black hair was covering his face; Takeshi inwardly smirked. The guy really did look a lot like Hao, especially with that incredibly long hair. It was a good thing he didn't mistake him for his weird brother.

"Yoh, thanks for being here," Takeshi said, grinning. "It—"

"Why didn't you tell me?" came Yoh's anguished voice.

Takeshi felt his throat go dry. "I…"

"You told Anna," he continued, slowly looking up. His face was full of emotional torment. "You waited until I left before you said the truth. Why would you keep such a thing from me?"

Takeshi's eyes widened. He looked at Anna. Did she tell him? Anna just stared back at him stoically, giving Takeshi the mental message, "No. He figured it all out himself."

Takeshi looked back at Yoh. "Yoh, I don't know what you're talking about," Takeshi lied, in a conscious effort to make Yoh think otherwise.

"Don't lie!" Yoh cried, raising his voice furiously. "You already lied to me once, twice—I can't believe you'd try doing it again!" He breathed hard and slow. "I know about what happened to you! I know what happened to your powers!"

Takeshi swallowed. Maybe it was time to let it all come out. "And you know why?"

"Yes," Yoh said, voice trembling. Anger quickly returned to his voice. "And I can't believe I found out about it through Anna, instead of from you…my teacher."

So Anna explained about the whole growing-up-imagining thing to Yoh. Takeshi didn't curse Anna for telling Yoh about it; maybe that should've been what he did when he first saw them both again after all these years. At least, he would still have Yoh's trust right now.

"I'm sorry," Takeshi said mournfully, trying to sound more sincere. "I didn't think you'd want to hear about it so soon."

"Maybe," Yoh shot back angrily. "But if you had told me sooner, then I'd know you trusted me as much as you do with Anna—that I'd understand."

Takeshi fell silent. I mean, come on. What else is there to say? I could say he's overreacting, but the last time I said those words, I had to endure Anna's ridiculous crying sessions and subsequently treat her to smoothies. He swallowed. No, that wouldn't fix things. It would just make it worse than it already is.

"I know why you told Anna first," Yoh began to say. "It's because you knew she'd understand. You didn't tell me because you were afraid I wouldn't. You thought I'd throw a tantrum or something to that sort. I'm not a kid anymore, Takeshi. And I'm your student…your friend. I'd always understand and accept you as you are."

Takeshi felt a huge pang in his chest. Crap. I screwed it up big this time. He looked at Anna, pleading for help. All the itako returned was a stiff, cold stare, befitting of her title as ice queen. She looked to be mentally saying, "Only you can fix this. So man up and take responsibility!" Takeshi bit his lip. And I thought she was gonna help me! Aww, man.

Takeshi miserably looked back at Yoh, eyes hoping for absolution.

"I'm really sorry, Yoh," he said again. "Honest, I am. Is there any way to make up for this?"

Yoh swallowed. He wanted to say, yes, there was, but unfortunately, his emotions took over. He rarely felt betrayed, especially by a friend, and this was one of those rare times.

Yoh held his breath and then shouted in total contempt, "No! There's nothing…nothing you can do to fix this!" With that, he quickly turned a heel and left, slamming the door behind him.

***

There. That's the end of Chapter 4. This one was focused entirely on Yoh and Takeshi's friendship, as you can plainly see. The next chapter will quickly come next. The big one. The one that will serve as the turning point of the story. Wait for it.

And reviews. ;) Don't forget those reviews. They keep this fic going. Thanks.