A/N: Have fun reading )

Disclaimer: Shaman King isn't mine. The only SK related thing I have is this fanfic.

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Chapter 3: Broken Pieces

"Look, I have PROOF I don't like him. Is that enough for you guys?"

"Pfft, how can you have proof for these things? It's either you like him, or not."

"Then I definitely don't like him. If I did, why would I go on a date with someone else?"

"A date? Ohh, with who?"

"You know that transfer student? Tamako? He asked me in the morning."

"That doesn't prove you don't like Ren though, you might just be using Tamako to make Ren jealous."

"You think I'd do that? Am I really the kind of person who'd use someone like that?"

"Well...sorry. So does that mean we're free to crush on Ren?"

"Umm, Ren said—"

"Oh, I have to perfect dress to make Ren notice me! Wanna come over Sheila? Pirika?"

"No it's ok. You two go ahead."

"Ok then, see ya!"

( o )

"Pirika, Boro Boro is looking for you." Ren said as he walked passed her. He walked a few more steps before he stopped in his tracks. "What are you doing?"

"Ren please, PLEASE don't tell onii-chan. He'll ruin my love life!" Pirika begged.

"I see, so that's why you're putting on makeup..." As an afterthought, "you look nice."

"Really?" Pirika grinned, "Hopefully Tamako will think I look nice too."

"If he really likes you he wouldn't care how you look." Ren commented. With that said, he walked away.

"Please don't tell onii-chan Ren-kun!" Pirika called out after him.

On the way home, Ren thought back on what happened. Hmm, she does look nice with makeup on. Ren blushed. Horo Horo's going to have a fit when he finds out. He's already suspecting something's up because she's starting to come home late. Well, that's none of my business. He's old enough to solve his own problems.

( o )

"Ren, tell Pirika to come home early. "Horo Horo demanded as he followed Ren down the hall. It was the third time that week Horo Horo asked him, and Ren was less than happy to agree.

"Do it yourself, you lazy bum. " Ren huffed, "Don't you know where your own sister is?"

"Well...she's been avoiding me." Horo Horo sadly shook his head, "I think something's up...something like a boyfriend. At the last word, he violently cracked his knuckles. "If Pirika is doing something behind my back with another guy, I'll make sure he'll never have another girlfriend."

"No wonder Pirika is so afraid of him finding out." Ren muttered under his breath. Then, loudly, "I'm not going to waste my precious time listening to you whine. Goodbye."

( o )

"Hey Ren, what do you think of project we have to do?" Pirika asked as she caught up with Ren. "I don't really get it," She added as Lily and Sheila came running up to her, "my friends don't really get it too. Can you explain it to us?"

Ren looked at Pirika and her friends and made a mental note to leave school early next time. "I thought you weren't going to ask for any more favors." He raised his eyebrow leeringly, "If you need help, then you should ask the teacher or someone else. I have better things to do with my time than to explain stuff to you guys."

He's so mean. I know I told him I'll never ask for favors again, but saying that just now, it just makes me want to slap him. Pirika glared angrily at Ren's retreating back. He probably did that on purpose too. Thank gosh not all guys are like him. Speaking of guys... "Guys, I have to go now. I have a date with—"

"No, no you don't need to tell us." Lily interjected.

"Yeah, it's not like this is the first time. You've been totally ditching us to go to him for the past week." Sheila added with a giggle at Pirika's saddened expression, "Don't worry we're not mad. In fact, we're cheering you on! But remember," She said with a shake of her finger, "don't starting changing on us."

Pirika smiled dreamily. "Of course not. Now I really have to go. See ya!"

( o )

Two weeks passed by quickly. Horo Horo growing suspicion of Pirika doing things behind his back nagged at him more and more. He was getting tired of this cat and mouse chase, so today; he decided would be the day to catch them in the act. Little did Pirika know what her dear onii-chan was planning whilst she hummed as she walked down the hallway. Ren, being the stubborn, cold Ren all the girls adored, was finally getting tired of the attention he was getting. He managed to hide well enough from the girls, and only talked to Pirika. Their short conversations about school became more and more frequent, as Ren started warming up towards the hyperactive Pirika.

"Ren, can you please help me with math?" Pirika pleaded, "I did the questions, but I just don't get two of them."

Ren rolled his eyes, and was tempted to say no, but he knew that he wouldn't be left alone until he agreed to help. He took the worksheet from Pirika and scanned over the questions. "These two questions are so easy! How can you not get them? Are you sure you're not dumb?" With that said he sat down on the floor, took out a pencil, and started solving the question.

Pirika thankful that Ren agreed to help also sat down beside him and leaned over to see what he was writing. Pirika's confused expression was all he needed to see to know she didn't get a thing he was writing down. He heaved a big sigh, and racked his knuckles against Pirika's forehead. "Ok, let me explain this from the beginning..."

Anyone looking at them would've thought the scene cute and romantic. What other way to spend time with your crush than to flirt while studying homework? However, for Ren and Pirika, it was more of a close friendship than a relationship. Even though they often ignored each other during school time, it was these after school homework tutoring was what made them respect each other more. Pirika no longer felt Ren was a jerk, and Ren know learned to appreciate the bothersome Pirika, because that was who she was.

"Ohh, I see now!" Pirika's face lit up as she finally understood what was going on. "That's so cool! Thanks so much for helping me." She exclaimed as she slowly got up from her sitting position.

"Well, it's not like I can refuse to help you." Ren muttered, "You'll never leave me alone." Then, after a glance at Pirika about to make a comment on his comment, he said, "Don't you have a date now? You're going to be late." The last few words said as he walked away.

"I'm thanking you anyway!" Pirika yelled after him, determined to show him how grateful she was to him.

( o )

I wonder where Tamako is. He promised me he'll take me to watch a movie today. Pirika looked around at the darkening sky. Well, even if he does come, it's too late now. I guess I'll go home and get mad at him tomorrow. With that decided, Pirika happily skipped home; ready to feed her grumbling stomach and have a good night's sleep.

Pirika shuffled her feet faster and faster as the cold air threatened to freeze her warm hands and feet. As she neared an alleyway, she walked even faster. I think I've been watching too many scary movies. I hate walking in the dark alone. Especially when I get near an alley! You never know what's going on in there...

"Stay away from my sister!" An threatening voice yelled, followed by a sound of something hitting the floor. Funny, that kinda sounded like onii-chan. Haha, I bet it's because he's so protective of me that he comes up in my mind every time I hear someone being defensive. "Dude, what's your problem! I've got two words for you. Anger management." Thats...weird. That sounded like Tamako... Pirika lightly slapped herself a few times to clear her muddled head. Ok, I must be really tired to hallucinate about these things. "Don't you dare hurt her you hear?!" This is scaring me...

As Pirika passed the alleyway, she couldn't contain her curiosity. It took a while for her eyes to get adjusted to the darkness in the alley, but when it did, she immediately wished she'd never looked. The scene that lay before her angered her so much that she didn't think twice before striding up to Horo Horo and giving him a hard slap.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Stop ruining my life!"

"Are you dumb? I'm doing you a favor."

"HOW? By scaring off any boy that dares go near me? You sure have a weird way of doing me a favor."

"But I've heard that he's cheating on you! I'm just trying to protect you—"

"I don't want to hear it! This is probably another one of your lies to make me become an old maid! Well you know what? You've succeeded! When I die old and alone, YOU CAN FEEL FREE TO BLAME YOURSELF!"

"Pirika! Just listen to me! I know I might be too protective but I just really want to protect you from a broken hea—"

"NO! I don't want to hear it. Just get away from my life and LEAVE ME ALONE!"

She ran all the way home with tears streaming down her face and muttering frustratedly, "You never know what's going on in there." She never once looked back. If she had, she would've seen Horo Horo chasing worriedly behind her, trying to explain.

( o )

Thank gosh today is Saturday. At least I'll have a few days to prepare myself before everyone knows what a wack job onii-chan is. Pirika trudged up the hill with a bag of groceries. She spied Tamako walking around in the park and decided to take a detour and ask him herself if he was mad at her. For some reason, instead of going up to him, her body led her to hide behind a bush. From behind there, was where her first heart break took place.

"Hey Tamako!" A girl walked up to him.

"How's it going honey face? Tamako replied with nod of his head. He then reached over to hook his arm around her waist and pull her nearer.

"Aren't you worried that girl will see?" She laughed and turned herself around to face him.

"Her? Nah, remember I told you, she's just another play thing. Nothing can ever replace you."

"Ohh, judging from your tone someone is going to be dumped soon."

"Hell ya. After what her brother did to me, she's lucky I'm not going to get anyone to jump him."

"Aww, here let me kiss your boo boos."

Pirika stifled her wailing as best as she could. Her tears blurred her vision as she played over what just took place. The ache in her chest pierced her body until she felt like she was getting suffocating in her pain. Subconsciously, she raised herself up from her crouching position, and stumbled to where Tamako and the girl were. Their look of surprise was greeted by her look of despair as she reached over, and gave Tamako the slap he deserved. Then, still blinded by her tears, she ran.

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A/N: Yeah, yeah, I know. This fanfic is starting to suck big time. I admit...it is kinda getting corny...and...not exactly that "interesting". BUT (yes, a very big but) I'm going to try my best to make my plot MORE interesting. Even if it sucks big time, please stick around and keep reading. Ok, now I'm going to stop critiquing about my writing D. Sorry for not updating for so long. No, I'm not dead...but my grades are going to be. For some reason all the teachers like to pick November as the month when ALL projects are due. I WAS going to finish up my presentation/project that was going to be due tomorrow, but since the teacher suddenly gave an extension, I decided to finish this chapter. Yes, I know, I'm so dedicated right? Hehe

One last thing, please review. This is embarrassing to admit, but like everyone else, I DO like reviews blushes.