Mai: Hey I'm really sorry that I haven't updated since January but my writers block just got really bad and I couldn't decide exactly where to go with it. Anyway today is the one year anniversary of the day I first posted this fic. So as a birthday present to Mirelle and Terra everyone has to review. Because reviews love and Terra and Mirelle need some of that because they've been neglected for sooooooooo long. And on a different note I'd like to wish all my Jewish fans a Happy Rosh Hashanah. I know mine'll be terrible but while I'm listening to that long boring service I'll either be a) reading the manga that I snuck in or b) thinking about how to make this story better so that I don't go eight months between posts next time.
Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King. If I did there would be a lot of changes. Such as the death of a certain blond X-laws member and the disembowelment of whoever dubbed the American version of Shaman King. But sadly I don't have that power. So I'll just have to settle for wishing and writing fanfiction.
Chapter 11: Phase 1
I was going to kill that bastard. How dare he think that he can seduce me and make an obedient little minion like the rest of his stupid followers! I was going to kick his ass so hard!
No, wait, I thought. That would be too easy. I have to make sure that he learns that I can't be controlled.
I must have been a strange sight just sitting in my tent cackling away as I planned Hao's not so tragic demise. Even Taki was looking at me weird, not to mention the rest of the bastard's followers who just happened to pop in for this reason or that.
I finally found the solution: I would pretend to like Hao and then I'd get him. It was a brilliant plan. I had been working on a way to shield my thoughts from him so it was the perfect opportunity to test that out.
"Hao," I yelled the next morning. (If I had greeted him any other way he might have become suspicious.) "I need to talk to you in private, now."
He nodded slightly afraid of the menacing tone of my voice. We walked over to his tent and he held the tent flap open for me more out of fear then politeness. Then after I had entered the tent he followed me inside.
"So what is it that you need to talk to me about right this instant?" he asked with mild interest and a hint of fear.
"Look I don't do this very often so just shut up and listen before I change my mind and decide to clobber you instead," I threatened. He nodded intimidated but at the same time I could tell his curiosity was flaring up. "I have been thinking about that kiss despite how hard I try to stop."
"Well…um," he said nervously. I didn't even need to read his mind to tell that he had no idea how to handle this situation.
"Look, I just want to know what that kiss meant to you," I said in a normal tone of voice. The time I let my tough act fall for a second.
"I-I don't know," he mumbled. I picked up on his thoughts and found that he was trying to trick me. So I let him think it worked.
"Well do you want to find out?" I asked in a bossy tone that had a slightly soft edge to it. I leaned in and lightly touched my lips to his. He responded, instinctively kissing me back. He pulled me in deepening the kiss.
'Wow,' I thought. This time I let him hear this thought so he'd think his little plan was working. I was slightly scared though. I had genuinely liked that kiss and I was afraid that I might actually start to like him. Then I shook off those dangerous thoughts. There was no way in hell that I'd let him win.
I pushed him away. Acting as though his response had scared and surprised me too much.
"I-I have to go do this-this thing!" I said quickly and nervously. Like a girl afraid of falling in love with the one asshole she couldn't stand. And then I ran out of there.
I didn't stop running until I reached a rock in a secluded part of the woods a quarter mile away from our current campsite. I sensed Hao hiding in a nearby tree trying to decide whether or not to come out. Just like I wanted him to.
"What are you thinking?" I asked myself frustrated. "You can't like him. He's annoying, and self absorbed, and arrogant. He's doesn't have a single attractive personality trait."
I could feel Hao's smirk. He thought his plan was working perfectly. Good, he'd fall right into my trap no problem.
He left and I stayed on that rock for another half an hour before returning to camp acting as if nothing had happened. Hao acted unusually nice to me for the rest of the day. It was clear that he thought his little game was working. I inwardly smirked. Phase 1 was complete.
