So, fourth chapter. Read, hope you enjoy, and review please.

This chapter is bit longer than usual, and very dialogue heavy. Not completely satisfied but hey, there is always rest of story.

Just a warning: near the end, there is some discussion of sex. Nothing explicit is shown but there are references. At very end, there is twist with that. Won't reveal what.

Narration and Hao's viewpoint refer to Death with capital D, as they recognize as person and her taking that as name. Other character's viewpoints and dialogue will have small d, as they either have trouble seeing her as person or because they see it as role or species of sort ( like how you wouldn't refer cat as cat).

'' Hao-sama...'' Girl began quietly, looking at earth with her wide eyes, quivering like leaf on wind.

'' Yes Opacho?''

'' Opacho has been down there. Patch are evacuating city... Fights are stopped... And they... they are saying...'' Her palms clenched as face contorted.

'' I know what they are saying.'' Hao turned, looking at Opacho's tearing eyes.'' They say that I will be defeated. That I will be killed and dragged off to Hell, never to reincarnate again. You don't truly believe that, do you?'' Of course not. Even fool could see extent of Opacho's faith, pure as only child's can be, but strong as that of greatest fanatic. Opacho had enough belief to match any god fearing nation.

But there was still fear. What would Opacho do without her Hao-sama?

'' No! Of course not! Opacho doesn't believe that nonsense!'' Her voice lowered as she continued, shivering. ''But Hao-sama... Opacho sensed it. It... It was really strong. And cold. Hungry... Like... Like...''

'' Like Spirit of Fire, no?'' He would have to talk with Death. Scaring poor Opacho like that, as if she didn't have smarter things to do.

''Don't worry Opacho. She won't harm me. Patch have just wrongly interpreted her words.'' Which was objective in first place. '' And even if she tried, she couldn't. I have already defeated her twice, you know. She knows that. She is just coming over to stay here for little while and to ask for help with something.''

'' But why did she do this all then?''

'' Because she is tired and bored and needs little drama to make her laugh.'' Fire grumbled and murmured. Come on, it isn't so bad, Hao told him with his mind. Nothing bad will happen.

Gray skies constantly raining. Ground hidden by fog. Cold stone. Dark prison. Proud Thames.

''I thought we agreed not to talk about Shaman Fight in London?''

'' That isn't nice of her.'' Opacho said, huffing, arms crossed.

'' No, it isn't. She isn't very nice. But she isn't very bad either.''

'' Well, if she tries anything, Opacho won't let her.''

'' Of course you won't. Now go join others. And if anybody asks about me, you know what to say.'' It would be fun to see how Death was going to deal with Opacho. She was always fantastic with children, unless they were rude, in which case she was nightmare to behold - which to her was often the same thing. They were her favorites (particularly newborns), along with old people.

Those two were always closest to her of all mankind.

Currently, all shamans were outside hotels, entire compound completely empty, all people outside it's borders, kept in order by the ten priests. All were talking and murmuring, tension practically palpable, covering every single person.

'' What do you mean, death is coming?'' Death was... death! It wasn't person, wasn't alive! Death couldn't decide to visit any more than gravity could start talking or mountain could walk!

But then again... He saw many impossible things in last few months. Maybe death truly existed-after all, all cultures had some sort of figure who guided dead to afterlife. And so far, it seemed that all myths were true. Which left question what death was like. Was it king Enma? Shinigami? Grim Reaper?

'' Exactly what I said, Manta. Death- or better said, Spirit of Death, has expressed wish to pass through area and informed Shaman Council so that we could empty place of inhabitants.'' Silva said.

'' But why?'' Yoh asked, smiling. '' I mean, it isn't as if it's gonna harm anybody, right?''

'' Idiot. It is death, what would it do but kill everybody?'' Ren murmured.

'' Both of you are right somewhat.'' Faced with their confused stares, Silva continued. '' It's very presence has corrosive effect on surroundings. People who come in radius of ten meters become paralyzed, dried husks, almost like corpses. Plants rot and buildings decade, and anything it touches turns to dust. Old legends claim that deserts were created by death's passing. Only strongest shamans can stand to be near it, and none can survive it's touch. Because of that, we were asked to have all shamans removed.'

'' Oh.'' After few moments, smile returned to Yoh's face and he started rubbing his hair. '' Well, that is nice of it.''

'' So, what you want to say,'' Anna's cold voice cut through them " is that reason why Shaman Fight was delayed, reason why I have to continue waiting for Yoh to win and become Shaman King is because death decided to take a walk? That nerve!'' Her fist rose, her narrowed eyes seething with rage and Yoh started distancing himself from her.

'' Poor death. At least Anna can't kill it. I think...''

'' Well, I can guarantee that it is here for good reason.'' At those words, all eyes turned to him, curiosity written on their faces ( even Anna's). '' It is here for Hao.''

For second, there was silence, calm before storm. Silva could swear he heard crickets.

'' What?! You're serious?''

''Really?''

'' So that's what X-Laws meant when they said justice was coming!''

'' Finally!''

'' He's so done!''

'' ..Silva,'' Yoh asked, face awkward and turned downwards. '' Are you sure of that? I mean, did it say so?''

'' It said that it was here because shaman who died centuries ago is alive again, defying it's laws, and that it is planning to stop him. Who else can that be but Hao? Not to mention that only recorded cases of death appearing to shamans are when they performed resurrection, and death appeared with intention of punishing them for that. It is highest level God class spirit, second only to Great Spirits, same as other Grand Elemental Spirits. And even Hao cannot prevent death, as we learnt from previous two Fights.''

Something twisted inside Yoh's gut. He knew that Hao had to be stopped, of course, but there had to be other way than death. After all, everybody could be helped. Besides, something didn't add up. If death really wanted Hao gone, why didn't it appear five hundred years ago, or fifteen years ago? Was it possible that Hao has truly grown too powerful for any shaman to defeated, so death had to take direct action? And what could prevent Hao from reincarnating again?

Hao always claimed that Yoh was part of his soul. Was it true? Did it mean that death would come for him too? Anna wouldn't allow that to happen, he knew that. But something told him that even she couldn't hold off death itself.

And small part of his mind, one that remembered what Mikihisa told him, that remembered what was written in the Cho-Senjiryaketsu, that saw Hao fight, asked Could death truly stop Hao? He is so strong and he has Spirit of Fire with him, and all his followers. What if he took command over it, as he did with SoF?

He was snapped out of his thoughts by horrible chill that came out of nowhere. Hairs all over his body rose, standing like small needles. It wasn't gradual lowering of temperature, or something brought on by sudden wind. People suddenly started shivering, vapor coming out of their mouths as frost spread over surfaces.

World became darker without reason, as if Sun itself has weakened. Shadows grew and all colors lost intensity, becoming pale and washed out as ghosts. Air grew stale and dusty, as if they were in some ancient crypt. Ancient instincts flared up, demanding fight or fleeing. Weaker shamans felt need to sit down, tired and weary, as if their very vitality was sucked out.

Horrible odor filled air, odor of things dead and rotting, turned to mush and dust, accompanied by shrill jingling.

Girl without shadow walked towards entrance, seemingly fifteen years old. She wasn't very high, but she stood tall and straight, her head raised towards heavens, as if she was challenging very sky. Lithe and graceful like supermodel, her long arms uncovered, she slowly strolled, almost dragging herself, relaxed and detached from world around her, adorned in simple dress, white as snow, untold pieces of jewelry that seemed to be made of bone clanking on her.

'' This is it?'' '' Fights have been stopped because of such child?'' '' She's one that will stop Hao?'' People murmured.

Closer she got, and people saw that she wasn't walking but floating, her bare feet at least centimeter above earth that durned dark and muddy with her passing. They saw her skin, smooth as paper and grey as that of corpse, covered by rime. Her long hair, that reached her soles swirled and floated, defying gravity, darker than night, complete absence of color and light. Her lips were only thing warm on her, for they seemed to be painted with fresh blood. And her eyes, too big and wide for human, lacked pupil or iris, empty white of merciless winter. Her cheeks, stained with lines of dried blood.

'' That is death?'' Manta asked. He didn't recognize her as any mythological figure. She didn't even seem to be so scary ( though she was creepy enough). She didn't walk with arrogance, didn't exude malice or sadism. She simply seemed completely detached, like one of his father's workers, tired and bored out of her mind.

'' Silva.. Why didn't you tell us that death is chick? And pretty one at top of that!'' Ryu burst out while everybody got sudden desire to facepalm or strangle him. Or both.

'' She has grey skin and blood all over her face.'' Trust okami to dampen the mood, he thought.

Death floated through streets, and wherever it passed, walls started eroding and doors rotted. Buildings aged, some by decades.

'' And all of this because she-it walked?'' Horo asked.

'' Yes. That is power of Spirit of Death, sixth Elemental Spirit. As you can see,'' Silva smirked '' I doubt that even Hao stands the chance against it.''

'' It seems that we will finally get rid of that bastard, Yoh. '' Ren said and nobody responded.'' Yoh?''

Yoh was currently running towards death, Harusame in hand, Amidamaru trailing besides him.

'' H-hey.. Umph, wait!'' Yoh shouted and Death stopped. Floating in air, it-she, turned to look at him, shadowy hair swimming through air, pale eyes fixated on him, painful as frostbite. He started panting little, and his breath came out as fog.

'' Amidamaru.'' She said, voice flat and tedious .Ghost looked at her in shock while Yoh regained composure.

'' Do we know each other?''

'' Yes. I know everybody who joined me, and everybody who sent others me.'' Seeing his face, still confused, Death huffed and murmured something that might have been no respect for poetry these days '' You died and you murdered so I know who you are as I'm what I am. Which is why I don't recognize your shaman.'' Amidamaru cast eyes downward while Yoh was speaking something encouraging to him. Then finally he addressed Death.

'' Hi. Should've introduced myself first. I'm..'' '' You must be Yoh.''

He blinked. '' You said you don't recognize me.'' Death's hair floated over to her, wrapping around her body like cocoon.

'' And I don't. But I guessed.''

'' Really? How?''

'' I smell that blood of your family flows thick in your veins. I heard song of your soul and in it recognized echo of it's origin. Plus,'' and here, for first time, Death smiled, small, slight smirk'' you are your brother's twin, and given his liberal approach to killing, I see his face every day. You know, my work would be much easier without him.'' Smile was wiped off her face, but something sparked in her cold eyes, her voice higher and faster, almost warm. But definitely annoyed.

That made sense how she would know who he was. Not first two, he had no idea what it meant. But as for third... '' Are you here because of him?''

'' Yes. I have some business to solve with him.'' Her voice slowed down, but that warmth remained. Yoh wasn't sure whether she was glad because she will see him or irritated. He didn't know which one would be worse.

'' And you are here because... you know?''

'' I do not. Omniscience isn't amongst my powers.''

'' Right, yeah. Sorry. I wanted to ask if you will harm him.''

Death tilted her head, her eyes narrowed, ghost of interest passing her blood stained features. '' I do not harm people. I just come for them.''

Damn. He wasn't sure if she was difficult on purpose, or if she truly didn't understand him. Maybe cryptic answers went in package with ancientness, impossible power and connection to nature. Hao too behaved like that sometimes.

'' It is very nice of you to care so much about your brother. Especially as you haven't known him for so long. Though I must admit that I'm confused. He is murderer, but you still care about him.'' And here it went. It really seemed nobody could understand that.

'' I was under impression that living hate murders for some strange reason of theirs. Has that changed? Have you became rational?''

'' What? Why is hating murder irrational? Don't you too hate murders?'' A least that's what he got from her words and tone.

'' That is different. My hatred of murder isn't same as that of human's.''

'' Just how is it different?''

'' I hate murders because they force me to work more than I would have normally. I have even more jobs that I have to multitask. But living hate murders even though they know that I will come for them in the end. I don't understand why it matters how and when I arrive. You all join me in the end, and none of you live beyond two ''centuries'' by your counting of time. ''

'' But if in end you come for us all, why does it matter to you that you have to multitask? In the end you will still have to come for that person.'' It made no sense. Death was just as irrational as living.

'' You sound like him now. He said same thing when he explained his goal to me for first time.''

''Said? For first time? Wait. Did that mean that Hao and death met before? Well, talked before? Why would it then..''

''Yoh!'' Commanding voice called out to him, and he turned, receiving sharp slap that left big red welt on his cheek. ''Don't you ever dare to run off like that again.'' Death stared, both eyebrows raised almost to top of forehead, hair spread on all sides, mouth opened. Anna glared and snapped. '' What are you looking at?" It took Death moment to compose herself.

'' No-nothing. I just confused you for somebody.'' They are same. Only age is different. And eyes, eyes of amber, not gold like coins. And that slap... Like his stories... Oh Great Spirits, what if that child in womb turns out to be a Douji? My mind can't take that much stress... Others joined them and Death spoke, addressing them one by one.

'' Silva Niumbirch and Silver Arms. Tao Ren and Bason. Chocolove McDonnel and Mic. Johann George Faust VIII and Eliza Faust. Tokageroh. Rest are unknown to me.'' Better not reveal koropokkuro's secret. I don't have time, neither for starting nor enjoying fun it would cause.

Moment Death finished her sentence, Ryo jumped on his knees, arms wide and loudly proclaimed.

'' I am Bokuto no Ryo, my lady, and if I can say, you look absolutely stunning! Divine even!''

'' She is god class spirit, Ryo, of course she is divine. And I doubt your attempt at flirting is appreciated.'' Anna said, glaring at him. Death answered, in that flat and tedious voice.

'' Oh, let him. It is compliment after all. And it isn't as if I'm not used to this.''

'' You are?'' Anna asked, her curiosity piqued.

'' Oh yes. I have admirers all over world. It has been so since forever.'' Her lips curled in small smirk as she spoke, sharp and amused. '' You know, suicides are pretty common.'' At her words, everybody tensed and took step backwards. '' But I'm not single.'' Ryo's jaw almost touched floor and waterfall flowed from his eyes.

'' Now, if you will excuse me, I have job to finish. And I haven't even located that arrogant maniac who adores defying me.'' Moment she spoke those words, stone size of her fist flew down on her head. Moment it touched dark hair it dissolved in black ash. Death's eye only slightly twitched.

'' I see that your eyes and ears work rather well Hao. Now please stop sneaking and come out. I don't have time to search for you.'' And in flash of color Hao appeared on building right next to her, sitting on edge of roof, smiling smile reminiscent of Yoh's. Everybody immediately took out weapons and prepared battle stance. Other shamans appeared on rooftops, X-Laws chief amongst them.

'' You should have been a spy Hao.''

'' And you should have been star of melodramas, starved philosopher of glacier. Yet life doesn't always give us what we expect.''

Without noise, gigantic piece s of ice, shaped like crystals, arose, translucent and shining like diamonds. Hao jumped high in air and icy structures, each with six sides and sharp point at top, followed him, growing in matter of seconds, following Hao who was rising into sky. When there were sixteen pillars, each thrice tall as buildings, they stopped, though Hao was above. For second they stood still.

What happened next couldn't be called melting. It was too fast, too sudden. Explosion was more accurate term. Hao's furyoku tore in ice, commanding water's molecules to separate. Colossal twister moved towards Death, attempting to imprison her. For minute it held her, growing smaller and smaller, replaced by black ash that rained from sky.

Smidgen of ashes joined, two great serpents that swirled towards sky. Earth shook and then it erupted in shower of roots and leaves, vibrant and green like emeralds, enmity towards Death in their very nature. They broke serpentine columns and dragged them beneath ground. Remaining plant life struck towards Death, only for rot to overtake them.

Shadows extended from Death's form, hundreds of tentacles that turned day into night. They tore free of her and latched onto Hao, encasing him in orb of pure darkness. It pulsed and hummed, as white veins blossomed over it and was obliterated by silver flames, leaving Hao surrounded with fire and corona that seemed to shine like second Sun.

Arrows of red fire emerged and struck towards Death, hundreds of them. Death's hand moved, and in it a broadsword materialized, white and gnarled, longer than her body. With inhuman speed she slashed it through air, arrows breaking and extinguishing.

Hao descended from air like lighting, fast and confident. Faster and faster, he drew close to Death, and finally, he jumped on her sword, smiling whole time, perched like cat.

He didn't rot. Didn't grow weak. His clothes didn't decay.

'' He-he is unharmed!'' Horo Horo shouted.

'' It seems that he is strong enough to withstand it's presence. But this was stupid of him.'' Silva said. '' Now it just needs to extend hand and...''

Ground grew. There was no other way to explain it, to describe stone and soil that extended from beneath, rising upwards, forming a prison around Death and Hao. Dark pyramid, obscuring fight from their eyes.

'' What the... Are they finished? Who won?'' Horo asked.

'' No.'' Anna said. '' True fight starts only now.''

'' What do you mean, Anna?'' Yoh asked.

'' '' Haven't you been paying any attention? They were holding back. Hao wasn't even using Spirit of Fire. True fight, fight between force of nature and man who commands elements starts now.''

'' Glad to see that you are still strong as ever.'' She said, while broadsword dissolved and Hao jumped down to earth, sitting in lotus position.

'' Of course I am. I only grow stronger. I am future King.'' Death joined him on ground.

'' I have met your brother.'' Hao still smirked, his face not changing a bit as he spoke.

'' So I have seen. What do you think about him?'' Of course he had seen. She wouldn't be surprised if he had been following her whole time.

'' He reminds me of you. When you were young.'' For some time he was silent, then he spoke, and though his face remained same, his words were sharper and quieter, his eyes, dark as coals in these shadows, burned with spark of madness.

'' Yes, he is very young and naive. Foolish. But he can always learn. He won't always be that soft.'' Or I will turn him to ash was left unsaid.

Soft was right word. Yoh was completely soft, in way Hao has never been. That is where resemblance ended.

Soft didn't mean weak. She knew this very well. After all, so many came to her because they were smothered by pillows. Yoh had power, remarkable for his age, and he had potential to grow even more. But he was innocent, filled with mercy and care for others. She knew that, from Hao's tales and her brief conversation with Yoh. There was nothing cold or ruthless about him. He never knew what it meant to sleep on streets, to hide in crown of trees, to walk bare footed across rough paths, to survive half naked during winters. He never slept with one eye open, never had to hunt rats or pick trash or sneak in houses in order to lessen starvation.

he didn't have to defend his life at age of five. He never ate soul, consumed demon, lost friend by his own hand. He never had to listen to thoughts of mankind, to know what it meant to create oni. He was never restrained, by hands and oversoul while his teacher and master '' showed him what love was''. He never killed human shikigami.

Hao was kind and merciful once, so long ago that he no longer knew what those words truly meant. But never like Yoh. Maybe at beginning of his first life, before humans brought fire to his home, before she met him for first time. But not even he knew. He had been kind and merciful, helping weak and poor, having compassion even for stray cat. But that kindness, that softness was work of his own, while trust and hope came naturally to Yoh. There was always streak of ruthlessness, something cold and sharp beneath, something that could tear world apart if left and unchecked.

People tore that softness from him, and he replaced it, an endless cycle. And when he stopped trusting and hoping, stopped trying, that darkness inside of him grew and spread and demanded to be fed. Oni within heart, Matamune called it. Now he was complete reverse of respected omnyoji. Now he was merciless and uncaring as her and her siblings, hidden by thin veil of false kindness.

It was pity. But it was also beautiful. His soul was still strong and shining, and he was still driven and wise. Just directed in other way.

'' I like him. He was worried for you. You could at least try not to send him to me too quickly.''

'' We will see about that. It is his choice. Now, tell me, who do I need to burn to ashes? Given your actions now, I doubt it is something minor as ordinary reviver and divine spirit. Either there many of them, you really hate this person or they meddled with life and you too much.''

'' Or all three.'' Hao looked at her, smile even wider, eyebrows arched, pupils dilated, sincere interest sparkling in his eyes.

'' Oh? You haven't came to me with something like that in centuries. Speak.''

Death sighed. '' This will take some time, so make yourself comfortable. It all started during Shaman Fight, some three thousand years ago...''

Half of hour had passed. Pyramid remained. Sometimes walls would start to crumble, but they would immediately be repaired. Occasionally earth shook and sounds came from it, then silence would reign.

''So are we going to wait entire hour to know if that bastard is dead or no?'' ren snapped.

'' Maybe he already is, but death didn't find it necessary to inform us.'' Faust offered.

Yoh just looked. It would be much safer for everybody if Hao died, but he couldn't help but feel shivers. It didn't seem right, killing wouldn't fix anything. he'd just come back, stronger and angrier, unless death had way to prevent that. But if she had, why would she not do that previous two times.

And maybe it was his imagination, but it seemed to him that she ahd certain... fondness for Hao. They definitely knew each other, and Hao wasn't worried about her ( though he was never worried about fights). he even had called her with some strange nickname...

Creaking started, and earth swallowed walls. Everybody focused their eyes, fear and hope gripping their hearts, preparing to celebrate, or in case of Hao's followers, mourn. Walls finally slid away. And everybody gasped. Some fainted. Even Anna's eyes seemed as if they were going to fall out of her head. Yoh's cheeks and neck were hot and he knew they were red as tomato.

Death and Hao stood, opposite of each other. Death's hair had calmed, stopped floating, while Hao's was messed up. Both of them were relaxed and calm, their faces almost glowing with content. Death was putting on her bracelets, while Hao was buckling his pants. Between them laid his poncho, shoes and gloves.

Ryo was crying. Silva looked like child who was told that Santa didn't exist on Christmas. Horo and Choco apparently fainted. Anna looked like she would either join them or kill somebody. In distance, he could see Marco covering Jeanne's eyes and Lyserg who looked ready to vomit.

No. No no no. Impossible. Silva said that anything that touches her turns to ash. No way that Hao..

'' You dented my bracelets.'' It was that annoyed voice, same one with which she spoke about murders.

'' And you tore my pants and poncho.''

'' If you didn't have such complicated locking system I wouldn't need to tear them.'' And when he looked better, he saw that there were indeed holes in Hao's pants, going from top to almost reaching knees, as if somebody tore at them with claws.

'' There is nothing complicated about belts.''

Scratch that. He did. Yoh was now immensely thankful to his brother for those stone walls.

'' You!'' Furious voice echoed and Goldva emerged, flanked from both sides by two priests. '' What is meaning of this?''

Hao paid chief no attention, instead lowering to take tattered poncho and shoes from the ground. Death turned and not so subtly stared at his bottom ( Great Spirits, Yoh, thought, I will need to clean my brain after this), however she answered, all traces of any emotion save boredom gone.

'' What happened was what I said. I came here with job and finished it..''

'' Job?!'' Goldva screeched. '' Was this a job?!''

'' Yes and no. I came here and asked Hao for favor as I intended. However, it turned out that I have enough time to make discussion... delicious. Since he is immune to my touch and rather skilled in this type of thing.'' Immune? Everybody paled, Goldva most of all.

'' But... Your fight!'' Hao finally got up, completely dressed, and looked at Death with mischievous smile.

'' I told you they would misinterpret it all.''

'' It isn't my fault they are unable to recognize foreplay.'' Yoh didn't know whether to vomit or shit himself. This... this fight, that could have razed city to ground, was foreplay to them. Anna was completely right- they didn't get to see tenth of Hao's true power.

And he was fated to kill him. Joy!

'' But you said that you are here to kill him!'' Death's hair flared to life as frost spread over her skin, her face losing all similarities to human and turning bone white, eyes flaring with cold light, mouth filled with fangs. And when she spoke, she did so with several voices, all deep, growling and echoing. Earth beneath her turned black.

'' I never kill, you arrogant idiot! I am Death, I am what killing results in!'' It seemed as if she woul explode, tear them all to dust and drag them to hell. But slowly, she calmed, turning into humanoid again.

'' Not once did I mention Hao's name during our talk. I just said that shaman who died centuries ago has broken my laws and once again walks Earth. Taizan Fukun no Sai, while often headache, is allowed by my laws. Since I have better things to do than chase uppity shamans around globe, I came to ask Hao. '' She locked gaze with Hao. " So, will you do it for me?''

Hao laughed. '' Of course I will. After all, what would it look like if I didn't help you.''

'' I would look like as if I've chosen myself quite poor husband.''

Yoh's brain was now working at super sonic speeds. They're married? Does that mean that death is an Asakura? is she helping him? Did they have children? Are we descendants of death? Is Silva descendant of death? This is only becoming more and more confusing!

'' Wow Yoh. Is marriage to insane terrors genetic?'' Choco said and paled when he realized what he said. It was too late, as he was sent flying, courtesy of Anna.

'' Death is consorting with demon!'' Marco shouted. All around people were either paralyzed or almost screaming. Even Sati of Gandhara was surprised. Death glanced over panicked people and spoke to Hao.

'' You never tell anybody that you are married. I will start to think that you are ashamed of me.''

'' Why would i tell anybody about it when you always do something like this? Now go. I'm sure you've wasted enough time with these people.''

'' You are right. See you tonight, beloved.'' She came near him and gave him quick kiss on cheek. Nothing happened- he remained strong and healthy as before. Death dissolved into white fog and black ash, but before she disappeared, she looked at Yoh. And waved.

He waved back. It was only right thing to do.

'' Don't wave you idiot! How can you be so calm?''

'' Come on Ren! I'm just being polite! Besides, this makes her my sister-in law, I gotta be nice!''

'' And you have nothing to say about this, Yoh-kun?''

'' Oh right! Thanks for reminding me Manta!'' Yoh put his hands around mouth and shouted with all strength he had.'' Hao!'' His brother, who was already departing, stopped and looked at him, face blank.

'' Congratulations on marriage! Same goes to death!'' His friends fell over, and he already knew that he was going to get hit for this. Hao smiled and spoke, shaking head a little.

'' Thank you Yoh. I appreciate sentiment, but you are some thousand years late. But my wife will be delighted to hear that. She may even visit you sooner than expected.'' And with that he disappeared, surrounded by flames.

Oh. This may not have been best idea. Anna glared at him. I didn't think it would be so soon!

'' You have nothing to worry about. I will deal with them. Though it may take some time. I have tournament to win.''

'' Of course. Just... take care.''

'' With tournament or hunt?''

'' Both.''

'' You have no reason to worry. Nothing will happen to me.'' It would be better for her if it was so. If he was harmed during hunt, well she doubted sibling fire would be so forgiving.

'' Now, do you want to play some game, darling wife?''

'' Of course, beloved husband. What do you think of classic delicious work?'' Hao responded by taking knife and small hammer from pockets. He gave her blade and she positioned it over top of pants.

Spirit of Fire just watched. Image of London appeared in their minds.

''I thought we agreed not to talk about Shaman Fight in London?'' Both told him, annoyed. He didn't care- they owed him this much.

So here is end. Hope you enjoyed and that you will review. Just some explanation- Death isn't fond of resurrections, but if person is aided by god class spirit, she cannot show up and demand price. However, she can get somebody other to make them pay, as seen here.

No, Hao and Death didn't really have sex. They aren't really sure it is possible, nor that there would be no consequences. They ( particualrly Death) like to fool people in thinking they did, both because it is amusing ( Death) and because people are then even more terrified ( Hao).