Her Existence

Chapter 2

The shaman tournament continued with the first round being almost over. Their team 'Hoshi-gumi' practically won every single match. And it only took one of them to finish it, and frankly Hao usually finishes it, Literally. Killing their enemies and burning their souls then feeding it to his spirit of fire as Opacho and Luchist stand in the background. That's how it's always done.

Hao being pleased that his other followers also won their respective matches and allowed them to relax and to spend the day off. They were all happy to oblige and disappear right after the moment he said it, leaving Opacho and Luchist with him.

"Hao-sama what reaction do you have about Yoh-sama's growing power?" The incredibly tall pastor shaman asked him. Hao gave him a cheerful smile before replying, while also noticing Opacho doing hopscotch from the corner of his eye.

"It's very impressive, indeed. Yoh has put a lot of effort lately." He smirked. "I have to personally thank Anna for that." He stared at the open sky before him and couldn't help noticing how dry this place is. There's still beauty he admitted, but because of the long months without rain, the place seemed drier than usual. He remembered the afternoon he spent the other day on Angus forest.

And chuckled as he subconsciously remember how he had known the name of that forest.

"hmmm?" Opacho wondered aloud with her head tilted. Hao gave her a smile.

The scenery there was truly astounding. And the feel of the grass beneath him….was surreal. He knew at that moment that he would go back there and feel the grass and the wind ones more. He had to.

He jumped from the rock that he was sitting on and gazed at the sky.

"What time of the day is it?" he asked, expecting Luchist to answer him.

"It's an hour past noon Hao-sama." He replied in a charming tone, Hao turned to him with a smile.

"I'm going for a walk. Luchist I would like you to take Opacho for something to eat. Lunch has totally slip off my mind." He gesture for Opacho to go with Luchist.

"But Hao-sama when will you eat?" the small girl asked.

"I'm not hungry yet Opacho, but I would very much like to spend sometime alone and relax." He told the girl as she stared at him wide eyed. She gave him a reassuring smile and moved her tiny feet to Luchist's side before they disappeared into thin air.

Alone he mused. He called forth the spirit of fire and donned him. They flew in the air until he found himself right on top of the lake, over looking the forest. With his will, the spirit of fire vanished leaving him alone with nature.

A comforting thought.

He slowly made his way towards the leaning tree he lay on the last time he was here. And just like before, it felt comfortable sitting at that spot like waking up on your bed on a cold September morning.

With both hands at the back of his head, he closed his eyes and tried to think of good and pleasant things. Yoh has been truly improving and amusing too. Nothing but good intentions pass through his other half's mind. Good intentions, including his thoughts about Hao. Which surprised the powerful shaman more about his younger brother. Yoh has a good heart, a strong heart.

Too bad he couldn't understand his perspective about the world. Which probably will be the reason of their fight in the Future. The reason why I have to kill him. He knows it, they both know it. But since it lay far for the present to handle, they just don't bother about it for now.

Then there's his followers who would surely die when he becomes the Shaman King. Their hearts tainted with envy and their loyalties tied with fear. They will surely destroy one another or themselves when the situations get thick. Only the strong would be able to handle it, the strong will be able to survive. And the weak, lets just say their powers wont be wasted. The spirit of fire always needs more.

Hao continued to ponder about things as minutes passed. An Hour and a half later he sensed something.

The sound of water running and the sound of water being poured. A weak muffled train of thought that was fixated on the water alone and the clanking of empty bins. He opened his eyes and focus on the direction where the sound and thoughts are coming from. And boy, he was dead right.

What the hell? She's here again?

His eye brow shot up at the sight of her getting water from the lake a few meters a way from him. With her side facing him, he assumed that she wouldn't notice his presence. Does she do this everyday? At the same hour? He mentally ask himself as he stare at the girl with complete amusement. Shortly after filling the two bins, she stood up and walked into the trees with thoughts about not spilling any of the water she's holding.

Hao watching her lean walking form from the corner of his eye. He knew he should ignore the pesky human, but curiosity over ruled his mind. And to avoid damaging his pride he decided to just sit on one of the braches of the trees to wait.

He had a feeling that she'd be back in a few minutes. What ever it is she's hauling water for, she must come back. The bins she's carrying wasn't that big so to speak, she would have take a few more trips to get more. He smirked at how he analyzed the girl's situation while closing his eyes.

He waited quietly and patiently until he heard the those familiar foot steps. He opened his eyes and searched for the girl and smiled hugely when he saw her holding those two empty bins. He was right. He kept his eyes on her as she passed by underneath the tree he was laying on, a tune being hummed by her. She went straight for the water.

Hao continue to eyed her as she rose to her feet, struggling to hold the bins this time because both of them are too full. She took a few steps but failed to notice a slant rock on her way which caused her to tumble backwards together with the bins, and drenched herself completely with water.

She blinked and yelled a loud irritated "Aww!"

Hao being able to watch it all at front seat laughed loudly in the air, that gave away his hiding spot. The girl, sitting on the muddy ground, stared at him wide eyed before turning her expression into a pouty glare. The shaman's laugher turned to muffled ones then finally tuned down, with a smile on his face he brought his attention to the pouting girl beneath him.

"I'm sorry, but that was just too funny not to laugh at." He said, Not being sorry at all. She continue to stare at him, scrutinizing him. Hao, knowing everything she's thinking, cant help but smile at the way she decides if she should excuse his remark or throw stones at him. Apparently his smile affected her decisions, she's gonna throw stones at him.

"I bet it is." She muttered silently before ripping her gaze on him and standing up. She brushed her posterior for mud and soil which made Hao laughed more. She turn to give him an irritated look and threw her hands in the air as his laughter goes on.

"Are you seriously not gonna stop laughing!" She demanded. Hao's laughter slowly dying, forming into one of his normal smiles.

"If you stop being Funny." He responded with a satisfied smirk. This time her mind centered only on him, actually it centered on how irritated she was on him. But still, he liked the Idea that he was the focus. "But I don't think that'll happen." And he laugh some more.

The girl turned and picked up her bins to fill with water again.

"What are you? The boy of many emotions? Last time I saw you, you were crying, now you're laughing. What's next, a complaining lost boy?" She snapped as she stood up and went walking again, this time stepping carefully over the slant rock. Nicely done she thought to herself.

Ah… so what she meant by throwing stones was… throwing snappy come backs at me. Funny.

"For the last time, I wasn't crying." He told her seriously but amusement was still clear on his features. "And to answer your question, I don't do complaining as good as I do laughing. So I'm pretty sure that's a long shot." He mentioned as she tried to pass underneath him with dignity. Which was hard considering her wet clothes, wet hair and muddy posterior.

"What's your name?" He shouted at her. Though she refused to answer back, Hao read her thoughts and was able to get the answer.

Another laugh escaped Hao's lips, a soft one. But it was still within the hearing range of the girl. Hao listened to her thoughts: embarrassment, irritation, physical pain and more irritation. He stoop up from the branch, his palm resting on the bark of the tree, his lips turning up into a smile and his eyes still fixated at the girl's back as she walk deeper into the forest.

Should I follow her?

Without a second thought the shaman was already moving on his feet, jumping from one branch to the next.

Excited to know her name? ^^ why don't you keep reading then?

Kate =)

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