Mai: Hey I got yet another chapter out! I'm on a roll! I'm pleased to say I'm feeling a lot happier today!

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King or Canada yet. But I will! But I do own all the Tokyo Mew Mew manga volumes including the new Mew Mew a la Mode ones. I love the Mew Mew girls they're so funny! Anyway on with the show.

Chapter 3: Anger Meets Anger

I sat by the fire sharpening the small knife I always carried around with me. Taki was standing guard her long black braid shining in the firelight that also illuminated the dark purple lines painted on her face like strange birthmarks.

I was thinking about humans again that always made me space out and focus on my rage. It was a good way to get focused before a fight. I usually did it at not just in case I had to fight in the morning.

"Intruder," Taki barked reaching for her sword.

"Relax, jang-si I mean no harm," said a calm male voice. Then he stepped into the firelight. He was odd looking but in a good way. He had long slightly feminine dark brown hair and dark eyes. He wore a beige poncho, slightly baggy pants decorated over decorated with stars, and large earrings with stars on them. I would have though he was a girl if I hadn't heard him speak.

"What do you want?" Taki growled her dark grey blue eyes showing deep distrust of the stranger.

"Just to talk to your friend," he told her politely.

"Not on my watch you ain't!" she said pulling out her sword with a form of agility not usually displayed to the general public.

"Oh come on Taki he just wants to talk and you'll be right there in case he tries anything," I said before Taki could actually hurt the guy. Grudgingly Taki lowered her sword and let the boy pass.

"Thanks," he said sitting down next to me, "I'd hate to have had to hurt her just so I could talk to you."

"As if you could!" Taki shouted at him hotly.

"Calm down Taki," I barked. "Now what did you want to say to me?"

"My name is Hao Asakura and I will be the next Shaman King."

"You'll have to go through me first," I told him with a chuckle.

"We'll see about that. Now I have a proposition to make. I-"

"I'm not interested in helping you in anyway," I told him sharply, "I work for me and my goals, no else's."

"Not even if I could help you destroy humans?" he asked his eyes shining in a way that almost made me feel like he was laughing at me on the inside.

"How did you-" I cut myself off. "Never mind you've got my attention. Now talk, Asakura."