~Her Existence~

CHAPTER 8

It was almost five in the afternoon and Nagi had a feeling that Hao was waiting for her at the lake. Last night was one of the greatest nights, if not the greatest night of her life. She had found out so many things about him that night, things that she could never imagine him doing or being. He was a shaman, a human being with great spiritual powers – or so what she found out after researching it this morning. She had seen his spirit, the Spirit of Fire. Truly, it was big and menacing. Even someone as gleeful like Nagi still felt fear after seeing the spirit. She believed that yes, that creature could cause harm to any town its humongous body and towering flames. But she also thought that it's a spirit, a spirit of nature. Surely it would not harm nature nor man, unless if its owner said so. So Nagi over came the fear and she was happy about that. She was happy that she was not afraid, he did not want her to be afraid and she was not afraid! To tell the truth, she was actually thankful for him for finally opening up to her.

But what made last night incredible was because he kissed her, and she kissed him back. The way she felt his arms around her, the smell of mint as she inhaled his scent, the slight crunch of his hair as she grope them and the sensation his lips was giving her. That memory will last a life time. After Hao run back towards her house, he once again jumped to her window to set her down in her room. He gave one caress on her cheek before jumping back down. Nagi watched as he smile before disappearing into the forest. She plopped down on her bed with a huge grin on her face and she spent the rest of the morning reliving the entire evening.

Now she could not wait to see him again, she ran towards the forest after she finished her chores. Hoping she would not trip or tumble over anything, she ran like a child about to go to an amusement park. When she saw the clearing of the lake she ran faster, wanting to come out of the shadow of the trees and into the sun. By the time she was at the clearing she was gasping for air, but it did not matter. She was also sweating hard, but it did not matter. Sighing deeply, she gave a tired–happy smile to the world, because she found who she was looking for.

Hao

As usual, he was lying on the ground, eyes closed, with his hands behind his head leaving his poncho open and also to serve as a blanket underneath him against the ground. His chest, lean but muscular, was clearly in sight giving way to his toned stomach and waist. He was wearing his usual faded blue jean and star belt. Nagi slowly walked towards him and sat in front of his feet. He was still lying there, pretending not to notice her – she thought. So Nagi just stared at him, watching him breathe.

"Why so tired?" he asked after a few minutes of silence. He probably heard her catching her breath, she was a bit loud.

"I ran." She announced with a smile, she sounded breathless. With that, Hao finally opened his eyes searching for hers right away. The smile she was giving him said all she felt. He didn't need his mind skills to know she was so happy to see him. Her eyes sparkled in that strange blue colour he had always admired. Her hair was in complete disarray and she was breathing heavy because of her run and yet. . . in his eyes, she was still the most beautiful thing ever.

Seeing her smiling at him, his lips started to curve up until his smile was mirroring hers. Both of them started chuckling at the sheer stupidity that they were both so eager to see each another.

Hao sat forward setting his hand against the ground, giving Nagi a full view of his upper torso. Now that they are facing each other it was hard for Nagi not to blush at the memory of their kiss, little did she know that Hao was thinking about the same thing and was reading her thoughts. Last night Hao decided which ability to tell her, that he was a shaman or that he was a mind reader. He did not want to freak her out so he chose the less abnormal one. . . the one he thinks is less abnormal.

"So. . . what did you do this morning?" Nagi asked curiously. She held her hair in a braid today, a messy braid because of the falling layers. He liked it.

"You really wanna know?" He challenged, but it was said with a smile. His mood was seemingly bright after all he did this morning.

"Sure. Why not?" She shrugged. Hao crossed his legs and place his chin in his hand while eyeing her carefully. She already knew about him being a shaman and all so why not tell her the truth?

"Actually, I destroyed dozens of battle ships that was about to land on the western banks at the other side of that mountain." He used his head to show which mountain. "Then I let my brother and his friends finish the others off." He stated.

"Really?" Hao nodded at her question. Her eyes sparked with curiosity and wonder. "Oh, well I'm no shaman so I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing to do but, I'm sure you know what you were doing." Hao had to laugh at her answer.

"What a diplomatic answer." He said with a chuckle. "Don't worry it's all taken care of."

"Were they bad guys?" Nagi asked.

"They're humans." He stated. He reached out to capture the end of her braid, playing with it. "Of course they're bad people. But if you were wondering if they are worse? Then yes. Some are terrorist, they claim." He told her.

"Do you not like humans?" Nagi tilted her head out of curiosity. Hao looked her in the eye searching for any reason for her not to hear this answer.

"Naturally." He told her while looking at the ground.

"I'm human." She chirped. "You like me, right?" her question was heartfelt. It had too many meanings. Her thoughts towards this topic was light, because she didn't know all the things Hao had been through. She had no idea about the pain and suffering he had to go through because of humans. Yet when she asked him that way, how could he say no? He hated humans, yet she is a human being. It's twisted! But for her other question, it's a completely different topic. The way he feels about her cannot be put to words but in plain tongue, yes, he does like her. Again, it's twisted!

"Do I have a choice?" he playfully teased as he pinched her cheek. Nagi groaned in protest and rubbed her cheek with a scowl on her pretty face. Hao just grinned.

No, he would not burden her with this haunted past of his. It's better to see her smiling than to see her sad about something. The idea baffled him, he couldn't comprehend the thought of protecting someone.

"Hey, wanna lie down and do nothing?" Nagi offered when Hao didn't continue to speak. She saw him in deep thought about something, and decided to change the subject.

"Already done that."

"Yeah, but I'll join you this time." She grinned. Hao watched as Nagi crawled to his side and lay down on the grass beside him. Hao followed a minute after. They watched the sky dance with colors as the sun begins to set. No words was spoken. Nagi felt completely comfortable lying there under the sky hearing nothing but the birds, the wind and hao's breathing. Hao on the other hand was hearing a never ending stream of words from the girl beside her. She was thinking of him, in this moment with her and it hummed him into a dreamy like state. She was describing the colors in the sky in her head, and he found it fascinating to listen to her thoughts. Times like this, when she's not focusing on something, is one of the few times he can actually hear her think clearly. Most of the time her thoughts were floopy and scattered.

"Hao?" He opened his eyes to stare at the sky that she just described.

"Hmm?" he murmured.

"Is there something you're afraid of in this world?" She asked.

"Nothing."

"Nothing." She said nonchalantly. "I used to be afraid of wolves."

"Wolves?" he questioned.

"A woman was killed eight years ago in these woods, she was mauled by wolves. I knew her when I was young. Her death gave me my one fear in this world. If I was attacked by a wolf, like her." She said without looking at him. Hao knew what who she was talking about.

"But I overcame that fear when I stumble on a pup last year, a baby wolf. He was injured and badly needed some medicine. I didn't know why, but when he looked at me with those gray eyes. I wasn't afraid, i'd lost my fear and all that was left was affection." She said with a smile. "And from that day on, I knew I couldn't blame those animals anymore about the woman's death."

"I'm sure your mother would want you to feel that way." Hao said sofly, comforting her. Nagi turned her head towards him in wonder.

"How did you know?" She asked, mystified.

"You're too easy to read." He simply said. Nagi sighed at how incredibly nice this all was. Being with him is like waking up on a Sunday morning with the bed all cool and comfy. The only thing that can add up to this wonderful afternoon would be some lovely tunes. Hao suddenly chuckled.

"You like music." He whispered.

"Like breathing." She sighed.

Sooner that later, the sun was setting again. Hao wished that the sun would stop moving for once, but he'd have to be the Shaman King for him to do that. He want this afternoon to last, for it would be long before he would see her again. Inevitably, the sun still set and it was dark again.

The moonlight was enough to give the right lighting to him. Hao stood up to walk over to the lake. Nagi, sat as she stare at his back and long luscious hair.

"I'm heading off tonight." He finally said. He was waiting for the right time to tell her, but time's running out.

"You're leaving?" She asked in a surprised tone, standing up at the same time. Hao turned to give her a smile. Nagi tried to walk gracefully towards him but was unsuccessful. It may have been because of this news he just told her. "Were are you going?" She asked in a weak voice.

"To an island. . . . under the sea." He told her looking straight into her eyes. She sighed and smiled slightly. She had no idea where that was or if it even existed. She believed him though, she knew he wouldn't lie to her.

"Will you come back?" She asked, sounding a little demanding. Noticing her dismay, it made him feel good that she feels half-hearted to let him go. Hao knew her feelings, had already thought it through, but he just wanted to hear it from her.

"Do you want me too?" He asked, huskily.

"Yes." She said, a little too fast. Hao smirked, tilted his head to the side as he looked at her closely.

"Why?" He breathed.

"Don't you know?" She gave him a sad expression. He does know but he couldn't say it yet. Instead he pulled her towards him to stare into her eyes and whisper to her the final words he would like her to remember him by.

"I'll come back for you." He said while tracing her jawline. "When I'm the Shaman King, I'll come back and take you with me." He whispered before he tilt her chin to stare into her beautiful eyes and kiss her ravenously.

All she could do was surrender and hold on to him as he keenly kiss her mouth, a kiss that was meant to curl her toes. And it did just that and more. Just when the kiss was getting stronger he broke away and walked passed her. She was left there panting and flushed. When she turned around he was already gone.

"I'll be here." She whispered under the moonlight.

It took all of Hao's concentration to break that kiss. He knew he had to stop or else he might actually take her right now. But he couldn't do that just yet, not when everything is over with the shaman fight. But God, she tastes so delicious, it was a sin.

Hao continued walking towards the south clearing, that's when he noticed a brand new presence. An X-law member, wrong the X-law member, the great annoying Marco himself. He stood on the other side of the clearing with his eye glasses gleaming in the dark.

"What? planning to take me on on your own?" He asked.

"No, for my mistress now has other plans for you and your devilry" He said while adjusting his eye glasses. "But I'm here to specifically warn you to stay away from that human girl."

Hao frowned at that. He didn't like that Marco had discovered Nagi. He secretly enjoyed the fact that no one knew her, that she was his and only his. There's no other way, I have to kill him now.

"What, you're trying to protect her from me?" Hao smirked.

"What is your objective Hao?! She's just an innocent girl, what do you intend to do with her?!" Marco's face was filled with rage. The thoughts passing through his head were nowhere near holy. He in head, Nagi is no different from his mistress, and what Hao was doing to her wouldn't be any different to what he could do to Lady Jeane. And that is what infuriates Marco.

Pathetic. Hao thought. Nagi is nothing like your lady Jeane.

"You have a pretty dirty mind for a Priest." Hao scoffed. And to that the enrage Marco directly pointed his gun at him.

"SHUT UP YOU! The likes of you should have never been born to this world!" He shouted before pulling the trigger. "Micheal!" Hao smiled darkly, happily accepting the invitation.

"Spirit of Fire." He muttered and the red spirit appeared right before the angel could touch him. It clutched the angel in its hand as Hao watched Marco's armour breaking with every crunch his angel receives.

"Your actions are futile Marco." Hao told him. "You know my powers are far more greater than yours and yet you foolishly attack me." Another crunch was heard and Marco was on his knees.

"Leave the girl alone you devil!" Marco screamed out of pain.

"No. You don't get to worry about her and you will never speak of her again." He said menacingly, blood lust running through his head. Hao ordered to kill with his mind and the spirit of fire obliged.

Suddenly, a gun shot was heard.

Eyes wide, Hao snapped his head towards the north-east side of the forest where the sound came from. His hair was slowly standing, a grotesque feeling settling in his gut.

Kate =]

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