Ren got up suddenly. "Anna. There's something I need to do." He turned around and ran into his room, locking the door. Anna went back inside as well. She was so confused. Was it really Hao that was talking to them? Or was it Yoh? Why would Yoh be treating them that way? She stopped and thought for a moment. Maybe Yoh was just acting differently. Anna could not deny it, but she hid it from the others.

I liked it when he refused me.

He was not afraid of me … or tense like he usually is …

Ren, on the other hand, immediately whipped out some paper and a pen. He had taken the letter from Lyserg when nobody was looking, and he read it over and over again. Eventually he wrote a reply.

Lyserg,

I know that this may seem hard to believe, but Manta has not come home. We think that Hao may have gotten to him. It's a long story so please do not ask me to explain. Hao is back. Right now everyone is worried because Yoh came to us with a strange offer. He asked us to go to the Patch village with him. Now, we've agreed to go, but I don't really think this is Yoh talking to us. He doesn't even look the same, and he claims that we are leaving to go and stop Hao from taking the Great Spirits. And we will stop him. You should come too, help us figure this whole situation out. He has said some painful things to me, and even disrespected Anna. Ryu also found Opacho earlier, and now Yoh is fussing over her. I don't trust Yoh. So this is quite serious. I hope to see you in Patch Village soon, we need your help.

- Ren

He read the reply over a few times, and slipped it into an envelope, ready to send. "Bason." He called, his Oversoul appearing behind him. "Yes, Young Master?"

"Take this to Lyserg in England. He needs this as soon as possible."

Bason nodded and took off right away. Ren walked back into the kitchen and took out another bottle of milk and sipped it sparingly. HoroHoro looked at Ren. "What happened? You're all beat up…"

"I was foolish … I tried to fight that one that calls himself Yoh."

"What do you mean…"

"I don't think that's really Yoh.

"How dare you doubt master Yoh!"

"Yeah. Ren, this is nuts. How can Yoh not be Yoh?"

"I don't know. Just … never mind."

"Okay, dude … whatever."

Yoh came back later with Opacho wearing a pair of sandals. Everyone was waiting at the front door for him, each with a backpack on. Yoh stared at them all for about a minute, until HoroHoro finally yelled, "Yoh, we're ready to go!"

"Oh!" Yoh said. "Why didn't you just say so? I'll go and get ready." He ran to his room and quickly packed some stuff and ran back to the front. "Okay I think that that is everything. Lets go now then!" he laughed. Everyone filed out the door.

"Yoh, how might we be getting there?" Ren asked, narrowing his eyes. Yoh grinned. "Well, we could always get onto…" he trailed off. He couldn't say the Spirit of Fire. That would give him away for sure. "a plane?"

"Oh. Right …" Ren said. He was hoping to catch Yoh this time. Yoh laughed. "What did you think I'd say?"

"Never you mind! Well let's get a move on then." He began to walk away, and Yoh looked puzzled. "What's wrong with Ren?"

"No idea, dude."

"Oh, okay." He followed Ren, who wouldn't allow Yoh anywhere near him. "Ren, I told you that I'm sorry about what I said! You're not going to be mad at me forever, are you?"

"This isn't about what you said anymore. Now you've broken my kwan-dao. Do you know how long that thing has been in my family for?"

"No, I'm sorry though…"

"I don't want to hear it. Not from you, now or ever!"

"Ren – "

"No." Ren sped up, trying to get as far away from Yoh as possible. HoroHoro ran up to Ren immediately after. "Ren, you pointy jerk! What is wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me? Look at him!" He shot, pointing at Yoh, who only looked sadly in their direction.

"Yeah. Look at him! You've made him upset! You're acting just like – just like …!"

"Go ahead! Say it! I'm acting like Hao!'

"Okay, I will! You are acting exactly like Hao!"

"Why? Because I don't trust Yoh?"

"Yeah! Yoh is your friend!"

"Shut up! I don't want to talk! To any of you right now!" He knocked HoroHoro down to the ground, and ran ahead, trying hard to conceal the tears forming in his eyes. He whimpered quietly, still running.

"Ren …" Yoh said, evidently upset. This time he wasn't feigning it. He really did feel sorry for Ren. Ryu shook his head. "Just leave him, Master Yoh. He will come around, we all know that."

"Yeah…"

"Yoh-Sama..." sigh Opacho walking next to him and looking up at him worriedly.

"Don't worry Opacho. Because you see..." he lifted his head to look at Ren further ahead. "What is done...is done. And you need to learn to live with that..." Yoh sighed and clutched his hand and he stared at it, memories of all kinds rushing through his mind. "I did..." he added to his previous quote.

"Yoh-Sama sad?"

"Yeah, Yoh-Sama sad..."

"Do not be sad you make Opacho sad." she replied.

"All I can do now is wait and see." said Yoh walking looking ahead of himself as if he was replying to someone else. Opacho looked confused. HoroHoro jumped in changing the subject, also startling Yoh a bit.

"So! Where are we gonna stop to eat?" he said rubbing his stomach.

"Erm? Hello? We're not ever out of sight from the house yet." said Yoh rolling his eyes.

"Well yeah but I mean later duh!" Yoh felt the stress building up inside of him.

Must resist urge to kill...the...idiot...

Yoh managed to force an un-caring, but still not meaningless laugh.

"So what about Chinese do you think that would cheer Ren up?" said HoroHoro, obviously expecting Yoh's approval.

"They do curry bread right?"

"Since when do you like that?"

"It's like all he eats!" cried Opacho, then covering her mouth afterwards, tears appearing again.

"No...that's all Hao eats Opacho. You're getting me mixed up again."

"Dude isn't that a bit awkward for you? He only likes you cause you remind him of his old Master."

"She and Her! Thank You!" yelled Yoh.

"Sorry the little dudette still looks like a boy to me!"

Opacho blinked. "Should Opacho..."

"No!" screamed Yoh picking her up. "No need for proof thanks for trying to help Opacho."

"Okay..." she giggled.

"Yeah Chinese sounds okay." sighed Yoh after that mix up he didn't care if they did his favourite food or not.

"All right!" HoroHoro said. "Food!"

This guy gets stranger every second. Yoh thought.

"Yes, I am hungry too." Ryu said.

Later that afternoon they arrived at a Chinese restaurant. They sat down, Ren still in a mood. "Cheer up Ren," HoroHoro said. "We're eating Chinese food! I thought you liked this stuff!"

"I do. I'm not hungry." He said, but ordered anyway.

HoroHoro smiled. "Good then you won't mind if I take all your food then will you?" he joked, clicking chopsticks together.

"You try that and you will perish." Ren said.

"Hey relax I was only joking dude!"

"Whatever. I don't even see why I'm still here with you guys."

"Don't be like that."

"Opacho wants Ren to be happy. He is making Opacho sad…" Opacho whimpered, and Ren's gaze softened. He didn't say anything, but everyone could tell he was getting used to Opacho and that he had a soft spot for the little girl. Yoh smiled.

"Yeah, Ren. Don't make the girl sad!" HoroHoro chimed in. "Your scaring away all of our happiness, not just hers!"

"Yeah!" Yoh said, though he was kidding, too. HoroHoro had managed to turn it all into a joke. Their food came a few minutes later, and they all ate in good spirits – even Ren.

As they were about to leave Bason came in and handed Ren an envelope. Ren grinned. "Thanks."

"You're most welcome, Young Master." Bason replied, disappearing.

"What's that?" asked Yoh, trying to see who it was from over Ren's shoulder.

"Never you mind. I'll open it later!" He shoved it in his backpack, and walked out the door.

The others held back a minute and laughed. Up ahead, Ren carefully opened the envelope and read Lyserg's new letter.

Ren,

Reading that reply of yours has made me very worried. Not just about Hao, but Manta as well. Was that the last time I was ever going to see him? I feel determined to meet you at the Patch Village. I will be there, I will make my way there first thing in the morning, I would go there now but planes only fly to America at morning hours here in England. Good luck with the troubles you are experiencing with Yoh. I hope it isn't what you fear because I have read between the lines. You think Yoh is Hao if I am correct. It is possible isn't it? That would explain why he is making a fuss over Opacho. See you there.

-Lyserg

Yoh quietly read the first words over Ren's shoulder before Ren noticed he was even there and shoved the paper into his pocket.

"Who did you reply to? And why are they so worried?" he asked.

"It is...my sister Jun. Yeah, we like writing to each other." he muttered eyeing the sky.

"Oh really? But didn't you see her the other day?"

"Yes I did but she left in a rush didn't she?" reminded Ren.

"Ah yes." he laughed. "After she accused me of being Hao she felt very awkward and embarrassed as I recall."

"As I recall..." sniggered Ren closing his eyes and smiling.

"What is wrong with that?" came a little voice. To Ren's astonishment Opacho had been on Yoh's back the entire time. Ren sighed angrily when he noticed.

"What is wrong with it is I have never heard Yoh use such language."

"Are you talking to Opacho or me?"

"You!" said Ren glaring at him. Yoh's eyes changed to an angry glare.

"Then why did you refer to me in the second person. Calling me 'Yoh' not 'you'.?"

"Well...er..."

"C'mon Ren will you just drop this whole 'I am acting like Hao' thing. It's getting old."

"I will not drop it until I have had proof." he sighed, still quite annoyed. Everyone had been listening.

"Opacho got new shoes!" yelled Opacho, unintentionally changing the subject.

"Are we almost at the bus stop?" asked Yoh. Deciding to drop it for now, Ren sighed.

"Up ahead not far from here." he said.