Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King.
Elemental-Zero: Congratulations! I know it's kind of belated, but I just gotta say it. Thanks about the info on the vibrations; none of the websites I read told me that, though I know the deaf can 'hear' through vibrations, I didn't know they could differentiate between the different wavelengths. I'm sure it'll prove useful later on in the story…
MeeLee: hehe, actually, making them lose shouldn't be a big deal, right? I mean, losses are part and parcel of life. 'cowers from MeeLee' But don't worry, I just might be kind to my characters for once. And I agree, the rain was a stroke of luck...
Eternal Skies: Oh wow, I'm flattered you think that way, I really am. I'm just an average student, who has absolutely no affinity with numbers and calculations, thus I'm rock bottom in maths and physics. My compo's only passable, in my opinion. But I'm glad someone thinks so highly of me. :)
Lady girl: Don't feel sorry for them! I'll never let Ren's team win so easily. And yeah, I find good books expensive too, too expensive for poor me. But there's always the library, I suppose…
Freefaller: Don't think so much, I'm not a great thinker myself. Rain will fall when the water droplets in the clouds get too heavy, lolx. Actually, I'm not sure if Hao can cause rain, I've never seen him try before.
goone: I'm glad you think so, but in all honesty, this is not the best. But I'll work harder to make it even better… so review more often 'sly grin'
The Beauty of Silence — Chapter 13
Tao Ren paused midway in his attack as he sensed a shift in the mood and gestures in the much larger man. Don't tell me I've underestimated my opponents. The other man definitely had something else up his sleeves, and intuition told Ren that there was a Plan B, made especially in anticipation of weather like this. The Chinese shaman rolled his eyes and gave a small cry of annoyance. To him, back-up plan a not, it would make no difference. They, Team the Ren would ultimately win, and he knew there was another catch to it. Though Horohoro's spirits had lifted significantly over the past fortnight, Ren knew that all it would take for him to sink back into dejection is a loss in this particular match. The Ainu had been reluctant to rejoin the team in a three-on-three match, for fear that he would be the cause of failure, should it come true. But Ren had seen the longing in the ice shaman's eyes, the mixed emotions boiling through him as he attempted to cover them up, and that had been painful to watch. We will not lose this match. That, Horohoro, I promise you.
Ren was not the only one who detected the change in atmosphere. The abrupt building of tension in all three opponents had told Horohoro that they were all waiting for something, a signal or go-ahead sign for them to change tactics. It was only a slight gesture, a small movement in the leader's thumb and fingers, but he had caught it. Almost immediately, the tension had changed, from one of impatience, to that of a chase-and-run situation. It gave him the feeling of being watched, of being chased as a cat would a mouse. The other three were almost definitely hiding their true prowess until now. The unexplained butterflies in his stomach had returned again, and he subconsciously gripped his Ikupasui tighter in his hands. If Ren shouted new orders for them to meet their opponents' new tactics, he would not be able to hear them, and if this should the cause of their failure, well; it would be his entire fault. I can't help it, yet just can't shake off the feeling that I'm the useless one in this team, the one that would be unable to adapt and be flexible when things go wrong. I don't want to let my team down, but most of all, I can't imagine staring into Ren's eyes if disappointment is all I could see in them.
Chocolove edged closer to his other two teammates. He too, had felt the sudden moment of uneasiness in the air. More than anything, he wanted to tell a joke to ease the tension, but knew it was not the time. The three of them were side-by-side now, bunching up together to receive and overcome the pending attack. He was a comedian, and hated to see anyone unhappy, especially if it was one of his best friends that was upset. He cast a sideways glance at Horohoro, and the way he clench his fists and bit his lower lip told him that this match meant everything to the Ainu at the moment. He saw the determination in Ren's eyes, and gave Horohoro a comforting smile, though he didn't notice it. We will surely win; nothing will stand in our way to victory.
I wonder how human emotions really work. They never cease to amaze me. Hao Asakura had never seen himself as a 'lowly-mortal' before, and the thoughts that he read throughout the match had confd feel heat waves literally radiating out of them. He stole a look at his companions, and realized suddenly that they flanked both sides of him, as if they were… protecting me? He didn't know why, when he should be your true personality. In his own team for the Shaman Tournament, Team Hoshi (Star), he felt that he was the only member at times, for no one dared argue back, give their views, or actually volunteer to fight in case they incense him. They did whatever he told them. Though this gave him pleasure at times, they were just some unimportant lackeys in his eyes, and not one of them seemed worthy to be his ally, or friend for that matter, perhaps save for Opacho. It must be nice to have someone whom you can share your troubles with. Hao had realized, from reading Ren's, Horohoro's and Chocolove's innermost thoughts, that this match hold a special meaning to it, and thus had refrained from interfering or adding mischief in anyway. They had wanted to win on their own, without outside help, and he would grant them that wish.
This is strange, if they were so strong, why hadn't we heard of them before? This isn't one of Hao's tricks, is it? The other three shamans were bathed in an eerie scarlet light, and Horohoro could feel heat waves literally radiating out of them. He stole a look at his companions, and realized suddenly that they flanked both sides of him, as if they were… protecting me? He didn't know why, when he should be thankful for their kind gestures, he felt shame instead. Now he was convinced that he was causing trouble just for his mere presence in a fight, the Achilles heel in this team. How can I expect to be contributing if I still need them to look out for me all the time? He waited for Ren's sign for themselves to go into their plan, and when he saw the surreptitious movement, he just did his part automatically. There was neither feelings of joy nor exhilaration that should have come naturally with any fight. He felt strange, almost as if his movements were controlled.
Disengaging his oversoul, Ren leapt onto Chocolove's jaguar Mic (in that big oversoul form) simultaneously just as the first wave of fire attack came. He could hear a hissing sound as the rainwater came into contact with the flames, as well as the red glow surrounding the other shamans. This time, the heat was so intense that the water evaporated before it could actually put out the fire. The steam generated from all these distorted the images of Ren's opponents with a "rippling" effect, as if they were images in a pond disturbed by an object. As planned beforehand, Horohoro formed his ice shield, though Ren was slightly perturbed by the fact that the ice shaman looked, and seemed, agitated. The ice shield came out strong, in a layer thick enough to forestall melting, and bursts of chilly air was emanating from the Ainu. I wonder what's got into him? Jaguar Mic had traveled — in a speed fast enough to rival that of a sports car, and they were mere inches away from the three shamans, who was at the moment, concentrating their efforts on melting away the wall of ice that acted as their decoy.
Horohoro merely watched as the opponents continued melting the ice before him, building on to the ice when necessary. Chocolove and Ren were moving so quickly; they would appear as a blur to any outsider who might happen to peer over the hedge. To his trained eye though, he could tell that Ren was getting ready to attack, engaging his oversoul back into his Horaiken, and leaping into the air, brought his sword down with an immense force, causing his Sea of Swords to protrude out of the ground in an instant. I wonder if they just know it's just phrase two of Ren's tactic. While the three removed their attention away from him, Horohoro shattered his ice wall with ease and launched his Imperial ice formation at two of the shamans, which they had agreed on previously, and looked on. My job for this part is done. As the last shaman form the opposing team turned to look at his companions in surprise, he didn't notice Chocolove lying in wait for him behind his back. Caught unawares, it was no wonder that he was knocked unconscious in a single blow. One down, and two more to go.
Chocolove and Ren moved right back into their positions (beside Hrohoro) right after they completed their parts. The Chinese shaman was confident that their plan would work, for it was worked out meticulously by all three of them. The only thing that puzzled him was the lack of enthusiasm in Horohoro. Even Chocolove was looking smug from their success in getting rid of one of the opponents. The next part might not be so easy anymore. Now that their remaining two opponents, who had sucessfully evaded Horohoro's 'fake' attack, were more wary of them, their next phrase of the wonderful plan might just prove harder to execute. No matter, we'll still win in the end.
Author's note: Finally done! And two days later will be the official start of my exams. English oral… Err… In case anyone didn't get it, Horohoro misinterpreted his teammates' concern as…pity? At any rate, it's something like that. Hmm… I did try to make them more coordinated, making them do things simultaneously, and pardon me if the effect didn't come out right. The fight does seem to be getting a little boring. But you can't hurry the storyline, could you? While I try to figure out what happens next, REVIEW! Lolx…