Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King
Elemental-Zero: lolx, I was trying to act demure in future by showing less like for violence. But I'm sure action will pop out somewhere again.
Strife-lover: haha, I wonder if I'll disappoint you, but I don't suppose this will end as a tragedy (hint hint) And thanks for dropping a review, there isn't need for you to apologize XD
Lady girl: Yup, my new fict (posted weeks ago) is yet another renxhoro story. Do read it when you have the time alright?
MeeLee: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Though I've to apologize first, in case you cringe at the loopholes in this chapter. It's just not one of my better ones.
Freefaller: Patience is a virtue, and I updated before the deadline we agreed on. So I suppose there's no excuse for you to whack me now. XP
EternalSkies: Ah well, the thing about Hao will be revealed soon. All in due course, ya? And update you story before you see my request in bold for the next chapter I upload. XD
The Beauty of Silence — Chapter 15
The innocuous gift box laid on the table quietly as Ren glared hard at it. The Ainu-baka's birthday was coming soon, real soon, and he was obliged to get him a present as always. Ren's amber eyes took in the simple paper cube laced with ribbon, and couldn't help regretting having asked the salesgirl about the gift-wrapping thing altogether. Why must there be a ribbon and bow, of all things. I only asked for a decent looking box to dump the item in. And she even asked if it was for my girlfriend! I've never been so embarrassed in my whole life! Gnashing his teeth, he snapped at the unfortunate Bason, who happened to drift by idly to stop looking so happy even though it wasn't a crime. He didn't want to waste his money, but was reluctant to give it to Horohoro when there was a pink ribbon on it. What am I to do? Perhaps I should just rip the wrapping apart.
27th November 2003
Horohoro did not see anything special about that day. Even though it was supposed to be his seventeenth birthday. As usual, his sister and the rest of the gang got him gifts, all except for Ren, who seemed to have forgotten. Damn, don't tell me he didn't remember my birthday, I was so looking forward to opening whatever he got for me. If it was two years ago, he would have gone and questioned Ren outright, but this few months, each time he spent time alone with Ren, something strange will overtake his every thoughts. An emotion unknown to him, yet it wasn't totally different from the kind of brotherly love he had from Pirika. It couldn't be love,that word was too strong, and he was almost certain he was straight. Almost.
The day went past swiftly, and dinner flew by in a twinkling of an eye. Ren gave no hint or impression that he was going to bother wishing him 'Happy Birthday' at all. Horohoro was slightly angry at the way the younger shaman was avoiding him throughout the day. As far as he could remember, they hadn't had any unresolved fights currently; the latest one ended yesterday. Looking upon the flames atop the candles, he pretended to enjoy the birthday song he assumed they were singing for him at the moment. He missed the sound of a human's voice more than ever, and the silence clashed unnaturally with the gay decorations hung in the small kitchen. He saw all their mouths moving, at different times with almost no sense of coordination, and looking around, he realized with a slight pang that Ren was not among them.
The Chinese shaman in question opened the door to the Ainu's siblings' room, gift box in hand. He had never been in their room often, choosing instead to spend time in the courtyard training or his own personal space. As he had expected, Horohoro's room was mainly in hues of blue and white, with Ainu accessories scattered around the floor. There were two tables in the room, and it was easy to guess which was the ice shaman's — the one strewn with papers and books haphazardly balanced upon one another's. Going across the place, his eyes automatically took in the furnishings, and besides the tables, there was only a set of drawers and the beds in the corner. His snowboard was propped up against the wall, next to a pile of musical CDs, some of which were broken. I didn't know he liked songs from that rock band. He doesn't seem like the musically inclined type. Ren himself had never been interested in songs of any sort, and obviously didn't know that you don't have to know music to enjoy it. To him, music is just too irritating after a while. After all, the lyrics repeat themselves, and there's no point listening to something that's the same for the hundred times that you listen to it, right?
I wish… for many things. I wish for the Koropokkur tribe to be saved, for humans to appreciate Nature, for a miracle to happen so I would regain my hearing. And to be sure of my feelings towards… Ren, whatever they are. Opening his eyes, he took in a deep breath and extinguished the flames on the candles.
Back in his room, Horohoro noticed the box on his study table straightaway even with the huge amount of rubbish on it. Whoever tried to wrap it certainly didn't do a very good job. There was evidence of attempted wrapping, and also hints that the particular someone who prepared it soon gave up the battle with the wrapping paper and tape. What resulted was a rather battered up looking box painted black. Ren? Having known Ren for so long, Horohoro knew that the Tao was somewhat of a perfectionist, and would rather destroy the gift-wrapping if he couldn't do it properly. A grin lit up his face for no apparent reason the moment he thought that Ren had remember his birthday after all. It was just a hope, but perhaps, just maybe, there was a chance that his last wish for the day might be fulfilled, he had to reason things out with Ren, and said shaman had just given him a method to do so.
Tao Ren's cell phone, which he was holding all along in anticipation of a message, vibrated. It was a simple 'Hello', and it got him annoyed. Can't that Ainu-baka get past sending mere templates? I didn't get him a cell phone for a simple 'hello'! Rushing down two steps a time into the Ainu's room for a second time that day to give Horohoro a sound lecture over wasting money sending a five-letter message, he was rifled to know that the birthday boy wasn't in his room. The phone vibrated a second time. Ren didn't like the ring tones because he viewed them as distracting, and he was right into thinking that hearing the beeping sounds too often will irritate him when his phone continued to vibrate consecutively for five times. Each bore the same 'Hello' greeting. A temple twitched at his left eyebrow as he hit the button to reply.
Ainu-baka, it's obvious that you didn't read the instruction manual that I commanded you to do so. And stop sending me rubbish. Can't you get beyond the templates? Horohoro blinked. He thought he had mastered the basic commands of this gadget after a brief flip throughout the beginner's guide. He knew this high-tech items weren't his cup of tea, but neither was it most shaman's. It was a surprise that Ren had actually gotten him a cell phone. Glancing down at the small, handheld silver object in his palm, he couldn't help but wonder why something so small could cost so much. In his opinion, such inventions of mankind was unnecessary, but he supposed the Short Message Service it provided would help in his case, seeing as he can't hear the other party. I don't suppose Ren actually considered this before he bought it? Could he be more thoughtful than he want us to believe he is?
Come to the park. I'm there. Does this few words satisfy you now? It was a good fifteen minutes before the message arrived, and Ren supposed that the stranger to technology finally decided to read the manual seriously. He smiled as he pictured Horohoro pressing the buttons in frustration, yet stubbornly refused to give up and lose to him. Darn, since when would I smile when I think of him? Oh well, I'll humour him just this month, seeing that it's his birthday and all. Giving an excuse of needing to scout out a better training ground for tomorrow to the gang, Ren opened the door and set out into the cool autumn air. As he headed for the park, the first snowflakes for the year began to fall.
Author's Note: Finally updated! The preliminary examinations are over, and I got results that were much better than what I originally expected. (My expectations weren't high in the first place) Well, it's a good motivation for me to start preparations for the real thing. Pardon me for this messed up chapter, I attempted fluff, and realized that I'm seriously lacking in talents in this aspect. Okay, enough of my pointless ramble, and REVIEW…
Oh yes, I forgot to mention that I don't really know when snow falls, besides the fact that there's snow in winter cause it's seasons are almost non-existent where I came from. So forgive me if it isn't supposed to start snowing this late.