~Her Existence~

CHAPTER 12

It was a dream.

He couldn't actually bring himself to believe that everything is happening all at once in an instant. His life had been a serious scheme, a long product of planning and operating so that every little detail had to fall in the right place at the right time. How he develop his power, how he met Yoh, the shaman fight, even his followers. Everything was planned. She was the only one who appeared in his life that was unannounced.

Her life was pure, innocent and peaceful. He had wondered thousands of times if she could have been better off without meeting him. If she would have been just as happy? If she would still be among the living right now?

Would she still be smiling, laughing loudly, playing by the water, planting trees, lie on the grass or even breathe deeply in the sunset without him by her side?

She died. She was gone. It was simple, yet it was the most infuriating thing that had ever happen in his thousand years of living. The universe decided to give him a taste of the most precious fruit, only to take it away after the sinful first bite. Now he would try his damn hardest to forget the taste, but it was a torturous thing to do. And no matter how long he resisted or no matter how hard he tried searching for it, it was just gone.

So how come she's here? He asked himself.

He couldn't move, right now from where he's standing, in the middle of the crowd, his eyes were only fixated on her.

She didn't see him right away, she was scanning the faces in the crowd, searching for anything familiar. Her face was still and calm, bringing a familiar aura that is uniquely hers. Seeing her now ignited that lone emotion that he kept since that dreadful day he lost her. Never had he felt so alone, yet now she is here, finally to this place where no one and nothing can hurt her.

He took a step forward, eyes wide in astonishment. And when he did, their eyes met. And it was like she was never gone. It was still that same innocence, the same purity that reflected in her exotic, beautiful eyes.

She smiled. She always smiles. Hao thought.

And then she was running towards him. It was too much to take, Hao couldn't breathe, his mouth felt dry. He took slow steps towards her, just as eager to meet her halfway but was too overwhelmed by happiness, something he couldn't deny anymore. Everyone could see it in his eyes, they can see it at the way he was staring at her. She closed the distance between them, delightfully saying his name before crashing into him in a tight embrace.

"Hao." She said breathless. It took a while for Hao to register that he was finally touching her, slowly he encircled his hands over her small waist and smelled her familiar scent. It was her.

"Nagi . . " He sighed her name like a prayer.

Hao closed his eyes and forgot everything that surrounds him but the one girl in his arms. She loosened her grip and took a step back to look at him. Her cobalt blue eyes filled with moisture, she beamed brightly at him, taking his breath away.

"Did you miss me?" She asked breathless.

He lifted his hand to caress her cheek, her expression soft and teary as she savor his touch. How could he tell her how much he missed her? There was no word that would described how he felt. His hand cupped her face then he moved his fingers to press her hair before grazing her skin from her temple to the hollow of her neck.

"Where were you?" It was a silent plea.

"I never left." Shaking her head as she smiled softly. "I was there Hao. Each passing day, I waited. We had a promise." She told him with a smile. He remembered his promise. He would come back and take her with him. He heard her promise, that she will be right there when he came back after the shaman fight. The thought of her waiting by the lake entered his mind.

Nagi playing in the water, lying on the grass under the warm sun, watching the fireflies at night, waiting for him, just waiting there . . . . . . On the spirit world.

"I'm sorry I took so long." He said in realization. As he grieved and hated in Earth, Nagi was waiting patiently for him in the same place. She was probably there with him when he cried that rainy afternoon by the lake, they just couldn't see each other.

"It's alright." She beamed while softly shaking her head. "I just wanted to see you again, you left without hearing me say my feelings for you." Her laugh was contagious, he joined in.

"Tell me now." He demanded softly, eyes sparked with interest.

She grinned widely, before cupping his face and crashing her lips into his. The kiss was sensational. It brought life to the one stone organ within his chest. The sensation surge through his body to the tip of his toes. His eyes closed as he felt their mouths fight for dominance.

She was clearly the dominant one this time, her mouth moved in grace and passion as he accept in defeat and allowed her to lead. She felt warm, as warm as she had been the first time she had tasted him. Nothing has changed.

Nagi giggled in delight as she tug on his lips before ending their kiss. He opened his eyes in clarity, suddenly they were on a different place. The crowd was gone, they were alone now. The sound of the water was the first thing his mind could comprehend. The sun light on his skin followed by the chirping of birds caught his senses. The trees bristling as the wind came in a warm breeze. The leaning tree in the back where they sat on that evening of complex truths. The place where they met, beautiful and a hundred times lovelier than the first time he saw it.

He was home.

She pulled him towards the clearing and ran gracefully, heading for the field of flowers. Calling out his name cheerfully and laughing. His eyes never left her face while a smile was slowly spreading on his. He sat on the leaning tree to watch her wander in the field, surrounded with flowers. He was sure it was heaven they were in, she fitted here perfectly, and she belonged.

She's so lovely that the scenery would be incomplete without her. All he could do was watch her.

"You're back?" Hao slowly look on his left to see a very familiar creature that he had once known. The nekomata stared at him in wonder, awaiting a response from the long haired, fire shaman that he had wanted to see for a long time. Matamune sat on a rock a few feet away from where Hao was sitting, giving the shaman an apprehensive look. The cat's tails wagging in synchronization.

"Yes." Hao whispered in astonishment. He gave his old friend a welcoming smile.

"She brought you back. I knew she would." Matamune gave a soft snort in relief while turning to look at the girl in question. Hao always keeping her in his peripheral vision, never leaving her out of sight.

"Never underestimate a human girl." Hao whispered, amused.

"I never did." Matamune announced knowingly and Hao felt that he had known from a long time now.

"Have you met her yet?" Hao asked, suddenly curious if they ever talked. The cat smirked, narrowing his eyes at the Shaman King.

"You think I'd miss the chance to meet the soul that would pull you out of the darkness?" The Cat spirit revealed.

"You knew?" Hao had to raise a brow. He knew Matamune was wise and cunning, this probably shouldn't surprise him but it still did. Hao brought his eyes back to Nagi, who was collecting flowers at the moment.

"Tsk Tsk. And you didn't." Matamune stated. "Even on earth, she had already begun pulling you towards the light." The cat spirit leaped from the rock and landed on the ground gracefully, pacing slowly in front of him to face him properly. "Remember those times you had trouble reading her thoughts? How everything was jumbled unless she focuses on one thing, then it becomes clear?"

"Floopy" Hao remembered. From the first moment he saw her, it bothered him how he couldn't read her mind easily. There were a lot of times when he had to wait patiently for her thoughts to calm down, because if she was too nervous, scared or agitated her mind was floopy. No coherent thoughts could be heard.

"Yes well, you were already losing your mind reading skill, little by little." Matamune told him, looking straight in his eyes. "She loved you enough that you were being lifted from your curse slowly. If she continued to live, I wager she could have changed you completely."

Hao knew Matamune would win that wager. If Nagi were still alive, he would have come back to her and she would have been his. She will save him, lead him into the light, where she was and where she would want him to be. There's no doubt about it.

"It was her all along." Hao sighed. She was the answer, the cure after a thousand years of madness, she would be the one to heal him completely.

"It was her from the start." Matamune concluded, proving to Hao that her existence was part of the plan, and not an accident like he first thought. "You don't choose the person you love, they just happen. And when they do, its every bit as magical as the stars."

Hao smiled at his old friend, after a long time he finally felt light and free. Matamune smiled back, happy for his master, his King. The cat spirit always thought it would be him that would save Hao, it was when he met Yoh Asakura that he realized that love would be the one to cure him. It had worked for Yoh and Anna, and for millions of other people out there.

Hao reached out to give the cat a soft pat on the head as a silent thank you, the creature purred and wagged its tail.

Hao saw Nagi finished the flower crown she was making and stared to walk towards them. Matamune gave a pondering look in her direction before pacing gracefully towards the forest. Hao watched him as he disappear in the trees, knowing he would stay nearby to guard them. Nagi arrived just as the cat spirit disappeared.

"Was he nice to you?" Nagi asked, her expression soft and caring. Her hair softly brushing her shoulders, swaying with the wind. Hao reached for her hand instantly, just to touch her.

"Of course." He said with a smile. It was amazing, this was the longest he had ever smiled. He knew he won't be able to stop smiling now, with her around.

"He was a nice cat." She revealed. "He accompanied me here as I waited for you." She said as she place the floral crown on his hair, smiling as she did so.

He has a lot more to thank Matamune it seemed, he'll remind himself to do that later. He reached for her hips and brought her forward to him, burying his face on her stomach and circling his arms around her waist, holding her. Keeping her there between his legs, he felt her patting his hair, caressing it.

He hugged her tighter, not wanting to let go. Face on her torso, eyes closed, he inhaled her scent. She was his, all his. Remembering her limp body on the grass that horrible night, the haunting vision entered his mind.

She's in my arms now. I won't let anything harm her ever again. Never. He vowed.

Suddenly he moved back, surprising her. He grabbed both her wrists and placed it on her side before opening the zipper of her hoodie and lifting her shirt up. Nagi yelp in surprise but Hao held her there within his legs.

"Haaaoo. . . wha- hmmm." She murmured softly unable to stop him as he was focused on what he's doing, she turned a deeper shade of red. She stood still as Hao stare at her exposed skin, looking determined. His eyes scanned her torso, Nagi remained silent, blushing all the while.

"It's gone." He whispered, blinking in amazement. She had no scar, from the wound that caused her death. Her skin was smooth and unmarked, untainted. Not one reminder of the tragedy.

Nagi realized what he meant and nodded stiffly, still self-conscious. "It doesn't hurt." She said sheepishly, another blush blending after the next.

Hao looked up to her and noticed her pink cheeks, the blush still prominent on her face. He smiled naughtily as he pulled her shirt back down to cover her exposed skin and pulled her down to him. Placing her on his lap as he circle his arms around her waist. She was still refusing to look at him directly, the side of her face was all he could see and it was still pink. He smiled as he close his eyes while planting soft kisses on her cheek down to the spot below her ear.

"Don't be embarrassed, you are beautiful through and through." He whispered to her. Her eyes moved from side to side as she crossed her feet, fully aware that she was on his lap. He removed the flower crown from his head to place it on her, it matched the color of her cheeks.

"I wasn't embarrassed." She stubbornly said. Hao tucked her hair behind her ear to have more access on her neck, if she had a pulse, it would have quickened.

"Then why are you blushing Nagi?" He teased, he missed teasing her like this. His hand grazing her thigh as he hid his amused smile on her neck.

"I- ahhh- I dunno." She fidgeted in her seat, unable to stay still under his ministrations causing her to squirm lightly.

"Don't do that." He whispered in her ear and she froze. She felt his body tensed, she turned her head slowly to take a peek at him. He was staring intently on her, a familiar hunger in his eyes.

Slowly, he leaned in and took her lips. It was a long lingering kiss, slow and hard. His hands remained frozen, only hers was exploring, caressing his cheek, gripping his hair. Hao remained stoic as Nagi took confidence, forgetting her embarrassment moments ago. He let her take control, the passion igniting them both as the longing from their long separation finally kicked in. No words were said after that.

Her face was soft as she examined the flower, twisting and twirling it around on her delicate fingers. It was a part of her flower crown, or what was left of it. The rest of the flower crown laid scattered on the grass around her. Her hair a bit wild and disarray, cascading on her shoulder towards her knees as she sat there beside him. She was silent, a small smile lingering on her face as she hummed a light tune. He was lying on his side, hand supporting his head, just looking at her.

He was perplexed. He wasn't sure how it happened, heck he wasn't even sure it was possible at their current state. But what they just shared, was achingly sweet and pleasurable, every minute of it. He was restraining himself at first, knowing it was beyond his control if he let his instincts kick in. And she was not gentle as he thought she would be, he was impressed.

She caught his chuckle and gave him a smile. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing." He said, a bit smug. His hair smooth and flowing beside his all too perfect face. His body, still exposed as he didn't bother covering himself, lay comfortably beside her.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" She mused, a hint of teasing in her voice. He smiled on the ground as he absentmindedly reached for her knee that was covered by his poncho and caressed it.

"I'm wretchedly in love with you." He sighed softly, softer than usual before giving her a look of fondness. "Did you know that?"

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't." She said lightly as she smiled softly, just as soft as his. "Of course you know how I feel, I'm equally wretched as you when it came to love."

"Is that so?" He challenged, a coy smile visible on his features.

"Yes, and I will never leave your side from now on." She vowed. Her eyes sure and determined. She reached for his cheek as she sighed his name, eyes closed. ". . . My love. . . . . My king."

She was right, he thought. She was here with him, and no amount of power or time would change that now. They continue sharing their blissful moment, in their own heaven where the sun would never set just as he wished back on earth many nights ago. Heart, body and soul reunited as one. It was more than she could ask, it was far more than he could ever dreamed.

"Yoh!" Horo horo yelled.

Yoh Asakura smiled fondly at his friend as they cheered happily and celebrated the short and abrupt moment of victory. It is with a strong heart that Yoh accepted defeat knowing fully well that it was Hao who had become Shaman King. His brother, mad with power and consumed by pain and hatred, could have killed them all in one fell swoop. But it registered within Yoh that Hao simply didn't, despite the fact that he could easily have done so.

It was then that he saw through Hao, a small part of humanity still running deep in his conscience. It was the only way Yoh could pull him out of that dark void that consumed him. He muttered Niichan and Hao gave him a glare but Yoh's smile didn't falter.

Anna was way ahead of him though, fetching the spirits that she knew would be the only salvation for them all. She was right, as usual.

Coming off of the carriage, Asanoha scolded his son, and hugged him after a legendary slap. Making him feel loved after a long time of deprivation. It was when everybody cheered, knowing full well that everything would be better now. Hao was changed, he was back to his old self as Oyachiyo said. But it was when the carriage door opened for the second time that Yoh saw Hao truly happy. Anna smiling softly, a bit smug that she had been right about the girl, watched as the said girl ran up to Hao in a crushing embrace. It was the last thing they saw as they both disappeared slowly, like a dream.

Without the presence of time in the world of light and diamonds, Yoh has no idea how long they stood there right after Hao and the girl disappeared. It could only have been a few minutes or it could have been days. He wasn't sure.

He turned swiftly from Anna's serene face towards Horo-horo who after all, just hollered his name. Horo-horo caught his stare, only to tell him to look at the direction he was pointing. Yoh snapped his head in that direction, blinking as he did so.

Slowly Hao materialized before them. Floating in midair, the Shaman King looked upon him with a mysterious glint in his eyes. The first thing Yoh saw was his content expression and something else. . . joy? Yoh guessed. Hao was shirtless, standing before them with only his baggy pants and boots. The red star gleaming on his ears, as well as the red straps on his pants. His one arm was beside him, missing the dark gloves he usually wore, and his other arm was behind him like he was holding something behind his back. Before Yoh could think any of it, a pair of blue irises rose behind Hao's right shoulder to peek.

It was the girl. What was her name? Nagi, Yoh thought as he recalled Anna's story a few moments ago. She took a step forward, wearing Hao's poncho and clutching his arm. Nagi smiled cheerfully at everyone.

Yoh's eyes were wide in astonishment and his mouth agape. Hao has a girlfriend!

Looking at Yoh's face Hao didn't need his mind reading skill to determine what he was thinking, it was written all over his face. His eyebrows furrowed in slight irritation, seeing Yoh too happy is annoying.

"I'm happy for you Niichan!" He said loudly with a chuckle. Everyone caught up with the idea and started smiling as well.

"Ni- ?" Hao started to say but ended up shaking his head in disbelief. Yoh is such an Idiot. Nagi squeezed his arm in a silent way of comforting him, she was smiling wildly at his brother's antics. Hao relaxed a little and regained his composure, clearing his throat before speaking.

"Don't get carried away." He begun to say. "You guys are too naive. If you stay here with us inside the great spirit, you would never again feel that pain living on earth entails."

"But Niichan, then-" Yoh tried to say only to be cut off by Hao's glare.

"Don't misunderstand me." He muttered darkly. "I haven't changed my mind. I would still like to kill every human on earth." He threatened, but it had no effect, not with Nagi smiling softly beside him as he said those terrible words.

Yoh had to smile.

"But for the time being, I will only watched attentively as you all try to fix everything before the time runs out." Hao smiled darkly at Yoh, knowing full well what he meant. The patch members surrounding Hao, always on guard and watching them. "And just one more thing, I'm the fucking Shaman King. Don't be so pertinent Yoh." He concluded before turning towards the smiling Nagi to cover her with his arm as she smiled cheerfully at Yoh.

Yoh felt himself disappear slowly, being transported back from the land of light and diamonds to Earth.

Okay . . . No Problem Niichan. It was his last thought as he saw the corner of the Shaman king's lips curve up into a soft smile to his Queen. Everything disappeared in a soft blur.

As Yoh and his friend settled back on earth, he can't help but feel a bit sad, he will miss his other half. Anna gave him a reassuring look that everything will be alright. He took in her serene expression and he knew she was glowing. Her brow rose curiously as Yoh grin widely. He promised his brother that he will work hard to change the world, and that's what he'll do. He was sure it would be challenging. .

But everything will work out in the End.

~The End~

I'm sure you have lots of questions. It took years for everything to fall into place. I apologize for the long wait my friends. In return, if you have some questions about the plot, the characters, deleted scenes and others, I would happily answer them. Just post it on the review and if it turns out interesting, i might even post it as a separate chapter.

Thank you for the love and support. Finally our protagonists are together and happy, just as it should be.

Let me know what you think. Much Love,

Kate :]

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