Note from the Author:
It delights me so much that I still get reviews and messages from you guys bugging me to update Return of Fire. Thank you so much for your continued support! We're kinda-sorta-maybe getting to the end now. Sort of. And my 'upload gradually' promise is not working out so well. (Mainly because I'm lazy and forgetful) So if you are happy for me to just upload the rest of this (it'll take me about 15 – 20 minutes to cut everything and put everything together) – and just FINISH this journey, please leave a review comment with the code word: "Let's do this."
Thanks guys. I hope you enjoy this next installment for now:
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"Hey! Hey I think he's coming out of it!"
"Hao-sama? Hao-sama?"
"Dude! You're waking up! This is incredible!"
"Hao-sama awake?"
Hao opened his eyes slowly. The first thing he noticed were the two familiar faces leaning over him. He blinked quickly, now focusing on the faces.
"Hey are you all right?"
"Horo…Horo?" muttered Hao, looking at him.
"Awh man! This is awesome! Do you know how long you have been in a coma for?" said HoroHoro.
"A…coma?" repeated Hao, not certain about what was happening.
"Yeah! You've been out of it for almost three days Hao!" exclaimed HoroHoro.
"Opacho so happy Hao-sama okay!" she squealed.
"Opa…Opacho?" stuttered Hao.
"You're still pretty weak Hao. Stay in bed and get some rest. Do you want me to bring you anything? A drink? Some food?" fussed HoroHoro. Hao diverted his look to around the room.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"We're back at Yoh's house now." Nodded HoroHoro.
"How did I get here?" asked Hao.
"I knew you'd ask a lot of questions. Wait here. I'll be right back with some food and then I'll tell you everything. Okay?" said HoroHoro rushing out of the room. Opacho stayed behind.
"Hao-sama really scare Opacho." Sighed Opacho, bouncing on the bed. Hao lifted his hands to her little shoulders, stopping her bouncing.
"Don't bounce please. I don't feel so good." He sighed, closing his eyes and relaxing on his pillow.
"Sorry Hao-sama." Opacho sighed looking at him. "Hao-sama still no remember Opacho?" she asked.
"No." sadly replied Hao opening his eyes to see her face beginning to screw up into unbearable sadness. "I'm sorry Opacho."
"It okay Hao-sama. Opacho understand."
"We're we like, best friends or something?"
"The bestest!" squealed Opacho. "Hao-sama like big brother to Opacho!"
"Big…brother?" repeated Hao.
"Yes! Like when we used to…" Opacho began to go on with her memories of them together. Talking about what they used to do and eat and where they liked to go. Hao on the other hand wasn't listening, concentrating, on a painful memory of him and his younger brother, Yoh.
"I'm back! I've got some ice tea and a tuna sandwich. You like fish don't you?" smiled HoroHoro, placing the tray down beside the bed. Hao sat up, still looking dazed. HoroHoro waited for an answer. "Hello?" he said after a few seconds of staring at him.
"Huh?" blinked Hao looking at him.
"Do you like fish?" asked HoroHoro.
"I don't know. Do I? Opacho? Did I eat fish with you?" he asked.
"Oh yes! All the time!" she smiled.
"Oh…so I suppose I do like fish yes." Nodded Hao. Slowly sipping his drink.
"So… Do you want to know everything that happened?" asked HoroHoro, sitting next to his bed. Hao nodded. "Okay." Started HoroHoro. "First of all, Anna had a feeling that Yoh had gone back to the mansion after waiting for him to return for over five minutes. So she left me with Opacho and returned to the house. She came running back a few moments later, looking very worried and started to force me to get up off the floor and go there with her. We found there, you and Yoh, lay on the balcony in the house. You both had fainted or something. And Anna was horrified to see the amount of blood on Yoh's shoulders…"
"I just read your mind HoroHoro. It was not me who put them in his ears." Hao glared at him.
"Oh no I know that Hao! It was Anna who mentioned that…"
"Well it wasn't okay!" snapped Hao.
"Okay! I believe you!" remarked HoroHoro. "Anyway, we both carried you to the motel again, and I went to go and find Faust and the others. The others refused to return to the motel but Faust followed his duty as a doctor and went back there with me to see to both of you. He said that Yoh's ears would be fine after a clean cleansing and all you both needed was some rest. He said it might take a while for you two to wake up. Something like three to four days."
"How did I get here?" asked Hao.
"Well, we carried you to the airport, and considering a doctor's order the people at the airport allowed us to take an emergency flight home. You, Yoh, Me, Opacho and Anna all went on the emergency flight. While the others chose to go on a normal flight, and meet us here. We got a ride from the airport, and settled you both into bed. Yoh is in his room now, he still hasn't woken up yet. This will be your room from now on Hao. It used to be mine, but I can use the sofa." Finished HoroHoro, smiling.
"No HoroHoro I won't stay here." Said Hao shaking his head.
"What do you mean? You're welcome to my room."
"No I mean I don't want to stay in this house." HoroHoro blinked at him. Opacho began to cry.
"But why Hao-sama?" she wailed.
"Because…" Hao trailed off. "Because I…"
"Please stay here Hao. It's great to have you around." Gently persuaded HoroHoro.
"Yeah!" added Opacho. Hao didn't want to say his real reason. He didn't want to tell him what happened with Yoh. He wouldn't believe him anyway. He quickly thought of another reason.
"But why didn't the others want to come to see me and Yoh?" asked Hao, knowing the answer already. HoroHoro opened his mouth, but closed it again. "And why did they leave for the airport early in the first place?" HoroHoro tilted his head trying to think of an answer. "Why do they refuse to see me?"
"Because…" trailed of HoroHoro, but then he hung his head slightly.
"Exactly." Sighed Hao.
"But I don't hate you Hao." Smiled HoroHoro lifting his head.
"Opacho neither!" added Opacho.
"And Yoh doesn't hate you." Smiled HoroHoro, thinking it would help. But it didn't in the least. Hao sighed sadly, diverting his look to the window and then to the door.
"I can't stay here…" he whispered. "When I feel better. I'll leave."
"But you can't!" eagerly said HoroHoro.
"Please Hao-sama don't go!" wailed Opacho.
"I must! Yoh will have a better life that way!" snapped Hao now glaring at HoroHoro and Opacho. Showing that they couldn't change his mind. HoroHoro blinked at him, and sighed.
"At least stay until Yoh wakes up." Said HoroHoro.
"Very well. But when I am healed, I am gone." He sighed.
"Do you want to see Yoh?" asked HoroHoro, not really knowing what his answer will be. Hao closed his eyes. Yoh's asleep. He can't do much harm to him if he's asleep can he? Hao nodded.
"Yes. I do want to see him." He said quietly, opening his eyes to HoroHoro. HoroHoro smiled.
"Okay cool." He grinned. He got up and walked to the door. Opacho pulled Hao's covers off him, allowing him to get out. Hao slid his legs out of bed and placed his feet down onto the carpet floor. His bare feet were still quiet blood stained and his trousers were still torn. He was wearing exactly the same things as he wore when he passed out. He stood up and staggered slightly. "Woah! Watch it Hao! You haven't walked for three days let your legs get used to the weight." HoroHoro fussed walking to him and helping him to stand. He supported his right side of his body by linking arms with him and leading him to the door. Hao tried to stand properly, succeeding very well.
"Thanks HoroHoro. I think I can walk now." Said Hao, smiling at him.
"Okay good." Smiled HoroHoro. Opacho followed them. Watching them curiously.
"Hao-sama okay?" she asked sweetly. Hao looked down at her.
"I'm fine don't worry." He reassured her. HoroHoro walked to a door in front of them on their left. It was already open slightly. HoroHoro slid it across a bit more, silently stepping inside. Anna was sat next to Yoh's bed. He was on his back, his arms lay on top on the covers either side of him. He was sleeping silently, not showing any distress or emotion on his facial expression. Hao smiled to see him like that. He noticed, that Yoh was wearing a loose black t-shirt, something Anna must have changed him into so he would be more comfortable. He could also see that he had been washed too. No blood or dirt traces were on his face or hands. When he walked closer to them he could see his ear lobes had plasters covering his wounds. Anna looked up at them stood at the doorway.
"What do you want?" she asked them. HoroHoro sighed and smiled.
"Hao wanted to see Yoh. Didn't you?" smiled HoroHoro looking at Hao. Hao nodded.
"So you're awake then?" she said, not seeming pleased or bothered about that fact. Hao nodded again. "Answer me when I speak to you."
"Yes Anna." He answered. The room was quite dark even though it was daylight outside. The curtains had been closed. Yet a slight cool breeze blew through the window, causing the curtain to ripple every now and again. The room was quiet relaxing. Mainly because Yoh seemed so relaxed, it made Hao feel relaxed as well.
"He looks a mess." Sniffed Anna.
"Oh I'll go get – " HoroHoro started.
"No I will get them." Interrupted Anna as she stood up and approached the door. She walked past them and then out the door and disappeared around the corner.
"Get what?" asked Hao, but he didn't sound very interested, still staring at Yoh.
"HoroHoro! Come here!" called Anna. "I can't find them!"
"They are in the bottom drawer!" replied HoroHoro, but still finding no option but to tend to her. "I'll be back in a moment." He said as he walked out the door. Hao hadn't really noticed he had left. Opacho looked up at him.
"Opacho go with Horo-kun." She said, thinking maybe leaving him alone with Yoh was the whole point to this, since the other two left so quickly.
Which it was.
In a way…
Hao slowly walked to Yoh's side, and knelt down next to him. He still was pleased to see him so relaxed. He seemed happy in his silent sleep. Hao made himself more comfortable next to Yoh, he turned and sat down on the floor, stretching his legs out in front of him. He looked up the door, he wanted them to take their time. He liked Yoh being like this. Quiet. Relaxed. Almost like he knew, Hao wished he were always normal.
"Yoh…" he muttered silently, smiling. He slowly lifted his hand to Yoh's, and gently held it. He hooked all his fingers around his hand, holding onto him, finding this sudden feeling that he never wanted to let go. "I'm sorry I broke my promise. But I must leave you soon. I can't stay here. Not now. Not after what happened." Hao released his brother's hand and sighed sadly, closing his eyes. "I'm sorry Yoh." He stood up slowly and approached the door again. Anna appeared round the corner. She was carrying some folded material.
"Here." She muttered, pushing the fabric into his hands. He took them, and blinked at her. "Go and shower, and get changed into them." She said. That's when he realized that they were clean clothes. "They are Yoh's. So they should fit you." She said, not looking at him. Hao looked at his clean new out fit she had given him, and then sighed.
"Anna. I know you don't like me. So I thank you." He sighed. She looked at him.
"The washroom is down the hall on your right." She muttered, stepping aside indicating he was to leave now.
"Thank You." He said again, leaving her with Yoh. He walked down the hall and turned to open the door to the washroom. When he heard HoroHoro call his name. He looked to his left again, to see HoroHoro smiling at him.
"Anna just told me that she wants me to escort her to the store. We're picking up a few things for Yoh. We'll take Opacho with us. Are you okay with Yoh for awhile?" he asked, stood at his bedroom door. Hao thought about it. Yoh was asleep, and probably not waking up for awhile. So, what would be the problem with being at home with him for a bit?
"Sure." Nodded Hao quietly, entering the washroom, and closing the door behind him.
Yoh's face suddenly began to show pain. He groaned, and finally opened his eyes. He sat up, and yawned, stretching. "What's going on…?" He muttered to himself, still not quite awake. "Oh, I'm back in my room … but …" He trailed off, remembering that he was in an old mansion before, with Hao …
Hao! What had happened to him? Was he okay? Yoh wondered as he sat in bed. A few minutes of arguing with himself passed until he finally decided to get out of his bed and ask his friends. But it seemed so quiet … were they even here? It didn't matter really. As long as Hao was there…
Yoh smiled, but then quickly his expression changed to that of a frown. Would Hao feel comfortable enough around him? What with all he did… Hao probably never wanted to see him again. But that also raised the question: Was Hao even here?
Yoh shook his head to try and ward off all the thoughts in his head. He heard an anguished sigh outside his door; someone had apparently just come out of the washroom. He heard footsteps, then a door open and close. He blinked, wondering whom it could be. Eventually he decided to wait for them to come back out and pass by his room again.
Hao smiled to himself. He felt great – refreshed and clean, as he should be. As he began to get dressed, he looked at himself in the mirror. He really did look better with his hair set down normally. More like him. He laughed, not quite sure why he felt so good like that. He was about to put on the white shirt Anna had given him, but hesitated. It reminded him of Yoh. Shrugging, he put it on anyway. It didn't look right … he was sure it just looked like Yoh staring back at him. Hao didn't quite like it that way. He felt as if he needed to have some individuality, so he took the shirt off again quickly. He thought it looked more natural like that as well. "That's a lot better. Now I'm beginning to feel more like myself." He said. Soon he began to rethink his sentence. How could he really feel like that? All he could really remember was his name, brother and just a fraction of his past – the man he killed, his house, town, and daughter – events that he despised. But what could he do about it? What's done is done …
"Ahh, I wish Anna had told me where the kitchen is. I'm thirsty." He said, moving towards the door. Passing Yoh's room, he noticed the door was ajar. Did he leave it like that?
It didn't matter, really. Yoh was asleep in bed.
Yet … somehow he felt something was wrong. But how could that be? Whatever it was, he chose to ignore it. He turned the corner and headed into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water, taking a grateful sip. Hao smiled. It tasted so good after three long days without any water … but as he walked back, he felt once more that something was the matter. And once more he ignored it. Instead of going back into his room, he decided to look out the window. A faint breeze blew from it, and it was very refreshing.
"Hao …" A voice whispered. "So, you're here after all."
Hao quickly turned around to find Yoh standing on the opposite end of the hall, staring at him and smiling, though it hardly seemed like a friendly gesture. No, it seemed somehow… hollow. Like it wasn't a sincere smile. Why was Yoh always like this?
Then he realized Yoh's hair was covering his eyes and casting a shadow over his face. Yoh took a step forward; he apparently wasn't able to walk well. He seemed weak and Hao felt a rush of sympathy come over him, but quickly flattened it. He took a timid step forward and whispered: "Yoh? Are you… okay?" Yoh looked up at his twin, mouth open slightly; once again Yoh was in a trance. His hair was still covering his eyes, but Hao found a slight parting and gasped.
Yoh's eyes were pure white. He had a deep grayish line around his iris, the rest light red and bloodshot. Skin pale, breathing heavy like this, Yoh was not at all well. Was this even really the same person as before, sleeping so peacefully in bed?
Hao helped Yoh up. "Come on Yoh, you need to get back into bed." He said sympathetically, but Yoh took a step forward. He was obviously determined this time, more so than before. By now, Hao had completely been taken over by fear and could not move. His eyes also became white with shock and he quivered in fear. Finally after a long period of silence, Hao managed to choke out in a voice barely more than a whisper, "What are you doing… Yoh…?" He raised his hand weakly and tried to push Yoh off of him, but Yoh grasped his wrist and held it so Hao couldn't try anything. They stared into each other's eyes… and at last Yoh made a move. One simple move that could have changed both of their lives…
He moved Hao's hand down onto his chest. Hao began to shake uncontrollably and cried out in terror. "Yoh! Stop it what do you think you are…!" But Yoh wouldn't listen. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"Hao …" he whispered. "I'm not Yoh … I am Hao … Asakura Hao …"
"Stop saying that…" Hao whispered, still in shock. Yoh shook his head.
"I am you… and you are me…"
Luckily for Hao, he quickly managed to gain control of his other hand and slapped Yoh hard across the face before Yoh could do anything else. Yoh cried out in pain and hit the floor, cringing. Hao got up and ran into his room, wishing that the whole ordeal would just be over.