Ren was even quieter than normal that day. He would have to make a big choice in just a few hours. He had until 10 that evening, but that was not long enough. He didn't want to see anyone or ask for any advise. He didn't need to. He had to choose between love or destiny and he knew who would say what.

Yoh - love.

Anna - destiny - though she would advise him to choose love because "he wouldn't stand a chance against her Yoh".

Horohoro - love.

Ryu - love.

Bason - "follow your heart"

Manta - love.

Jun - "follow your heart"

Yuan (En) - destiny.

Chocolove - love.

Lyserg - love if he was being himself, destiny if he was being an X-Law.

Faust - love.

He could make a list, but it would not change his confusion. His instinct told him destiny - after all, this is what he had been brought up to think and want, but his heart told him love. Two people who he deeply cared for told him to "follow his heart" and so therefore, he was likely to choose love, but then he would think about all the training he had gone through, all the experiences he had had in the tournament last time. He was sure that his purpose in life was to be Shaman King, and if he failed to become the Shaman King, his existence had been for nothing.

He also didn't think he would be able to endure the shame of telling his family that he had failed. And he knew he would find it heard to swallow his pride and allow Yoh the chance to be Shaman King.

8 am - normally he would be up and about by now, but he didn't want to get up.

9am - finally got up. Had a shower and tried to clear his head. But this attempt was futile.

10 am - came down and had a very late breakfast.

"Ren are you ok?" Horohoro asked. Ren looked him. "Ok, that was a dumb question." he admitted. "But you know we are all here for you dude." Ren nodded. It sounded odd coming from the blue haired shaman, as it was often he who was teasing him, but Ren appreciated it all the same.

11 am -

"Yoh, who is my opponent today?" Ren asked in a hollow voice.

"Umm.." Yoh said. "I don't know. I can find out without your oracle bell." Ren looked at him.

"Then how did you know I had a fight today?" He asked.

"Hao told me."

Ren got up and looked for his oracle bell. He was hoping that his opponent would be Faust, Lyserg or Chocolove. If it was any of them, maybe he could postpone his match or something. But no such luck, the name was unfamiliar to him.

12 pm - walked outside for a little while. Trying to clear his head again. Walking outside did the same amount of good as the shower.

1 pm - Ren didn't feel like eating, even though it was Ryu's expert cooking. He sort of played with his food while listening to everyone else's convocations. Kacia was not there. Jessica had told Ren that this was his decision and that if he saw Kacia she might interfere.

2 pm - that was when the idea struck him. It was risky but he was prepared to do it. He talked it over with Yoh. He looked worried.

"You know, that Hao will probably have followers stopping us from helping you in your fight with him, and you will be disqualified from the tournament if we help you in that." he said.

"I know," Ren said. "But it is a chance I have to take."

3 pm - Ren explained his idea to everyone else and the all listened carefully. Some thought it was a good idea, others did not.

Manta did not. He thought it was far too risky.

Yoh did not, but agreed that if this was Ren's only choice he would support him.

Ryu did. He agreed that it was dangerous but thought it was the only thing he could do and be happy.

Horohoro did. He thought it was the right thing to do by sticking up for himself.

Anna didn't care either way. She was convinced Yoh would beat him in the tournament and so advised him just to fight Hao and be done with it.

4 pm - Ren paced out side nervous. What if he failed in his plan. It was, after all, very likely.

5 pm - Still not hungry, but ate his dinner all the same. He was going to need all the strength he could get.

6 pm - He went to see Jun. He talked with her for hours. He never would have admitted it, but right now, all he really wanted was comfort.

9 pm - He now felt sick with nerves. He was now back at Yoh's house with his friends around him telling him he would be fine and that they were there for him.

9-40 pm - Leaving Yoh's house with his friends beside him.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Yoh asked. Ren nodded. He didn't want to speak. His insides were writhing like snakes. Yoh took a hold of his shoulders and looked straight into his face.

"I am going to ask you again. Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

"Yes." Ren said "If I can not choose between love or destiny, I will have to choose both. I will have to fight Hao, while fighting my opponent in the tournament."

(A/N) hello people. Thanks for reading this so far. I had originally planned 10 chapters but I kinda got a bit carried away in the middle and it now looks like I'm going to be doing 12. The next chapter is what happens next and the 12th will tie any loose ends concerning Ren and Kacia and Horohoro and Jessica. Will update soooon! Please Rate.