Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King.
To MeeLee: Lolx, lil old me able to get you jealous? Wow! Thank you so much for thinking so highly of me, though I probably didn't deserve that praise as ideas only pop randomly into my head.
To LadyGirl: Why do you hate your nickname? It doesn't sound that bad. And I'm sure all of us do feel insecure at times of change, right?
To EternalSkies: Thanks! I really need lots of good luck for my maths. Just finished yet another Maths paper today. I have four… O.o and do update your story soon…
To freefaller: You're just gonna be so amazed that I still found time to write despite Biology prac tomorrow XD Oh wells, good luck to you too…
To Elemental-Zero: They're not pointless drabbles! They allow me to catch a glimpse of another's life. I'm sure you must be elated, listening to the music. Glad that everything will be all right from now on. Hurray! And if you hadn't updated your XS fict, which luckily you have, I'd have screamed in this message… lolx…
The Beauty of Silence — Chapter 14
Phrase two is on! Chocolove could have let out a whoop of sheer joy. He felt hyped up, who wouldn't? He knew he wasn't a born thinker, didn't score well in his exams anyway, and that chances of his ideas working out perfectly were slim. He wanted the whole world to know that he thought one of the keys in their perfect battle plan out. The next part, in fact. Waiting for their opponents' next move impatiently, he glanced once again in the way of the Ainu next to him. Horohoro still hadn't returned to his usual happy self, not even when the first part of the plan had achieved a brilliant success. I wonder if Ren knows what's going on in his mind right now. He may not know that I've noticed, but even I am not dense enough to think that our 'great' leader treats Horohoro just like yet another teammate. I'm sure that their understanding of each other runs deeper than what they are willing to show…
Kororo let out a small chirruping noise, though it was unheard by her master, as the phoenix atop the challenger's blade blinked. The metal object's eyes had certainly lighted up, and were glowing an eerie red. Without warning, a large oversoul taking the shape of the legendary bird of fire charged towards them. The sheer heat issuing from the shamanic powers would have overpowered any novice, but they had been up against Hao, the master of fire himself, and knew that this was nothing compared to the pyromaniac. Kororo could feel the emotions toiling within her master, and though she understood his fears and unhappiness, she could do nothing to help at the moment, for she didn't want him to think that it was merely more pity.
With Kororo's aid, Horohoro created a single trail of ice and went backwards, luring the phoenix to come after him first. As he slid along the frost, he couldn't help but wonder if he was being overly sensitive. Where was the Ainu that was once so trusting? He knew, yes, he knew quite well that his teammates would never look down on him for any reasons, knew that he himself wouldn't despise his own friends just because of a physical defect, but didn't like the feeling of being 'over-protected'. Does the problem lie with me? Is it normal for people in my situation to feel the way I did? As the phoenix dived lower to have a better aim at him, Horohoro feinted left before doing a doing a ninety degrees turn clockwise, causing the phoenix to miss him completely and having to pull up in panic to avoid hitting the ground. However, the ice shaman was not prepared for a second blazing Oversoul that was aimed his way.
Ren's amber eyes widened slightly as the uncalled for oversoul headed towards Horohoro at breakneck speed. He was too far away to be of any help, and though he badly wanted to take the attack for the Ainu, just like he had done in the battle against Hao's lackeys, he couldn't. Even as he wanted to help, he was confused. Why do I feel like I'm responsible for his safety? It's not like he's a girl or needs protection… Cursing in Chinese, he tried his best to speed towards the oversoul and intercept the attack, but something else beat him to it. A blur of vermilion and gold streaked past him, followed by a loud explosion. The whole area was momentarily covered in smoke, and he couldn't tell what had happened. Ren disliked the feeling of helplessness, even for a fragment of a second, of not knowing what had befallen his teammates. In the background, he could hear the others — Tamao's gasp of surprise, Pirika's shriek of fear, Ryu making some outburst, as well as the indifference in Anna's voice as she snapped at Yoh to move the umbrella closer. As usual, Yoh didn't seem worried, for he had complete faith in his friends as always.
The smoke stung his eyes, and as he stained them to peer through the haze, he could feel his temper rising. He didn't know whom he was angrier with, himself for letting his guard down, or the opponents who attacked. The smoke took its own sweet time in clearing, testing his limited patience while the attackers themselves also watch on in surprise. A momentary truce had taken place and both sides were anxious to see who was hurt. Horohoro knew it wasn't himself, and found it strange how he was hoping that it was Ren who came to his aid, and at the same time, wished that the Chinese shaman wasn't the one who got hurt. Chocolove? Thanks to Jaguar Mic and its specialty in speed, the Afro had managed to maneuver around the attack, and escaped relatively unharmed. The reason behind the haze was the oversoul crashing into the ground, and Horohoro let out a sigh of relief as his worries proved to be unfounded.
"I couldn't let you get knocked out, after all, my plan's up next," giving a thumbs-up sign to the dumbfounded Ainu, Chocolove grinned. There's definitely something going on with the 'tough' leader and Horohoro all right. He felt the concern both of them had for each other, and though he was a little miffed by the lack of attention they have for him, he was glad. At least he had something to make fun of in future.
After the harrowing experience, the three shamans — Ren, Horohoro and Chocolove found themselves of one heart. The spirit of unity, friendship and teamwork blazed on in them as they put down all differences and doubts they had of one another, and of themselves at the moment, united in their similar goals to win. Horohoro realized that the first person he'd had to defeat was himself, whereas Ren was forced to admit, at least to himself, just how much he cared for the ice shaman though he did not show it at all. In any sense, it was a period of time where mutual understanding was present, where things need not be said or heard to be understood.
Night found the victorious team and their friends celebrating in the kitchen, after repeated promises to Anna that the area will remain spotless after the feast. Tamao's cooking was spectacular as always, and Pirika was happy as she found her brother smiling a genuine smile as he stuffed himself silly with all the food. Ren was his usual surly self, isolating himself as allowed his thoughts to wander. I'm glad that the Ainu-baka's finally back…
Author's Note: Argh! Don't be too harsh on me for this less then satisfactory chapter and the way I concluded the fight. I just wanted to shift the characters back as much possible into their nature so they wouldn't seem too OOC. Well, the exams are still waiting, so this was kind of short. And I've changed the summary in case the magazine comapany ever comes after me for copyright issues. I've got the idea for a second fanfict, which I'd probably post the prologue of after my prelims, and in the meantime, REVIEW… XD