Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King.
A/N: You must have finished the manga before continuing. May contain spoilers. You've been warned =p
Chapter 2
The front doors opened and Yoh's voice rang around the house, "We're home!"
"Yoh! You left me!" Manta whined as soon as he saw Yoh.
"Ah – that's what I forgot!"
Noooo, Yoh!
"Ooh, Manta, you're here, too." A voice from behind Yoh said.
"You're… Ryu!"
Ryu started to tell his story over lunch. They made introductions and were chatting about Ryu's experience into being a shaman. But Anna was getting impatient, so she snapped at the boys. She ordered them to begin training at once.
"Why me, too?" Manta said as he was pushed outside by the others.
"Manta, just obey her, it's like a tantrum which shall soon pass." Yoh whispered to Manta.
Kong!
"Stop chatting already! Stay like there for two hours!" Anna shouted.
"He-he. Anna's actually getting nervous about these things, too, huh?" Rue commented as she watched the group.
"Ah! We're all nervous about the upcoming second rounds." Tamao responded.
"Yeah – I guess so."
Just then, everybody had a weird feeling. Bason suddenly appeared asking for their help.
Rue ran outside to hear his story.
While Bason was explaining what happened between Ren and his father, Rue was keeping silent.
"All right, we'll go save Ren." Yoh declared.
"Wait!" Anna said.
Everybody turned to look at her.
"You're still training."
"But Anna! Ren needs our help."
"Tsk!" she glared at Yoh.
"Ah – I'm sorry!" he said as he covered his head waiting for an impact which never came.
"When you come back, expect 100 times more harsh training." With that she walked away.
"Thanks." Yoh waved.
"Wha-!" Horohoro started to shout.
"Rue?" but Yoh interrupted.
Rue was looking at Anna disbelievingly; she thought Anna would not have agreed that easily. She was surprised when Yoh called her. "You're asking me?"
"Yeah, so can we go?" he answered as he scratched his head.
Rue took her time to think about it. From what the spirit said, it would be a dangerous task. Not only will it take Yoh's training time, but might endanger his life, too. She looked at the others, "What'll you do if something happens to Yoh?"
"I…" Bason was about to answer, but was cut off by Yoh, "I won't die. I promise." He said as he smiled warmly at Rue.
Rue was surprised at Yoh's answer. She froze at looking Yoh's smiling face. It took her some time before she noticed they were all looking at her expecting her answer. When she realized she was openly gawking at Yoh, she, despite herself, blushed. Her initial reaction was to punch Yoh in the face, when he was down, she answered, "I'll go with you! I'll make sure you keep that promise." She, then, hurriedly, retreated to the inn.
Yoh stood up, nose bleeding, faced everyone, and said, "Let's go save Ren!"
"Thank you everyone." Bason said as he cried.
Manta could not sleep the first night after they've decided to go to Ren in China. He was surprised he was allowed to go, and he was getting excited.
"You don't seem to sleep early." Manta heard Yoh's voice, he was about to ask him what he meant when another voice answered.
"Just thinking."
"Hey, Rue. Where did you go all these years? You didn't even come to celebrate holidays with us."
"Plenty of reasons, Yoh."
"Well, we have a long journey ahead."
"Okay, okay," so persistent, she thought, "I had been around – all over different places and countries."
"Wow! You've done travelling?"
"Heh, it sounds cool, right? But it wasn't for leisure. I told you before that I was going to America to study and to accompany my grandmother who was really old."
"Yeah, I remember you said that before you left."
"That's true. But aside from studying, whenever I can, I go to other countries, too."
"Why?"
"There are so many things you learn from going places – especially going to places you've never been in before. Going to those places, you don't know about, or don't know what culture exists there, are the most thrilling parts of it all. I've expanded my knowledge – and I'd like to think I've furthered my strength, too. But aside from that, I've come to realize so many things."
"Hmm…"
"In my journey, I learned that more and more people choose the evil path. Selfishness has consumed the world, and it is leading other people, who don't have enough courage, to stray from the right path. Most people do not have a pure heart anymore; they'll try to deceive and hurt others for their own gain. That was why I came back, because I needed a break from all those negativity – and my answer was you, Yoh."
"Me?"
"Yeah! I've always admired your pure heart. I've met so many different kinds of people and it only furthered my resolve."
"That is?"
"That I'll surely support you whatever path you might take; I'll make sure you achieve your dreams. In the end I know we both want the same thing. That is why you want to become the shaman king and I vowed to help you all the way."
"Oh, Rue. That is getting me embarrassed."
"Ha-Ha-Ha!"
Yoh patted her head and said, "I'm glad you feel that way." He smiled before continuing, "Why don't you rest for now?"
"Mm-hmm." Rue nodded and left to sleep.
"Yoh," Manta said as he sat up.
"Oh Manta, you couldn't sleep, too?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overhear."
"It's okay."
"You seemed troubled, Yoh."
"You think so?"
"It's obvious. You were bothered with something she said?"
"Yeah – I'm thinking about why she would travel around that frequently. More than that, I think my family has something to do with it."
"Isn't she your family, too? So it would concern her."
"No, it's different. I told you about the deal with the branches in the Asakura family, right?"
"Yeah – the sub-branch is supposed to serve the main family."
"It should be an old tradition already. Besides, she's an orphan, now. But I think it was my family's order for her to go around the world."
"Why would they want that?"
"I'm not so sure. Anyway, I'll ask her some other time. Let's go back to sleep, Manta."
At the Tao Residence
Horohoro and Ryu told Yoh to proceed and find Ren in the dungeons below.
"I'll go with you." Rue says.
"Okay. Let's go!"
When they arrived at the Jouzai, they were blocked by a horde of Jiang-si.
"Ugh. I didn't think that Tao En guy would actually have activated all their puppets for us."
"Hmm. Maybe they won't notice us if we put fake talismans on our heads." Yoh suggested as he put a blank paper on his head.
Rue yanked away the paper and shouted, "Don't be stupid, Yoh!"
"Ah – Rue, you're moodier than usual."
"Of course I am! You just always have to get in all these mess." She turned away and sighed, "Go on ahead, Yoh. I'll take care of them."
"What?! There's too many of them!" Bason interjected.
"Surely, I can handle a few dolls," Rue answered as she took out her daisho. "Irkosu, time to play."
Just then a nine-tailed fox spirit came out jumping everywhere.
"Yoh, go on. Our priority is saving the pointy-head brat."
"Be careful, Rue."
"I'm sorry," Rue said to the Jiang-si in front of her, "but you will not touch Yoh." With that, Irkosu dashed to the daisho. Blue flames started to consume Rue's blades. The blades multiplied to nine flaming swords lining up behind Rue as if forming the nine tails of Irkosu.
She ran forward – all the while twirling as if she was dancing – cutting the corpses nearest her. The cuts started to light into fire until the whole body was burned up. She stopped when she met the end of the room, and continued onto another direction.
"Hah! Hah!" She was panting by then, "I never thought I'd be this weak by this time."
Although the number of the Jiang-si attacking her has been trimmed down by her last move, she wasn't able to escape some daggers swung and thrown at her. The blood from the cut in her left hand has made its way to the floor.
"Not good, if I continue like this, Yoh would surely worry." She said as she struggled to stand up straight.
"Irkosu," she said softly, "help me, buddy."
She swung both her arms forward, her nine flaming swords following her movements until they gathered pointing to the remaining Jiang-si in the room. "Burn."
Fire shot out at the blades' ends. This created a sea of fire enveloping the room. Rue removed her oversoul, finally. She stared at the room – charred and full of ashes.
"May you all finally take rest." She said as she plopped down at the foot of the stairs.
"Urrgh!" She tried to fight the pain from her left arm which suffered a deep cut.
"I can't let Yoh see me like this." She closed her eyes and chanted in an old language. As she finished her chants, her large wound, cuts, and bruises have disappeared. She, however, couldn't stand up anymore.
"As I thought, I still couldn't recover my Yuta powers."
Irkosu whined as he poked his head to his master's arm.
"I'm all right, buddy. I can still handle myself." She said as she caressed her partner's head.
A few minutes later, Yoh and Ren came up from the dungeons.
"Oh! Rue, that's Irkosu, right? I haven't seen him for a long time." Irkosu, hearing Yoh's voice, merrily greets him, which Yoh responded to by petting him.
"Master Yoh, what's that?"
"Ah, Amidamaru, this is Rue's spirit, Irkosu. He's the legendary nine-tailed fox."
"The loud girl is actually a shaman, too." Ren commented.
"Oooh – you look pretty beaten up, pointy head." Rue started to tease.
Ren got pissed with her comment, "My name is Ren, idiot! How about you, just lazing around here, huh?"
"Yeah, whatever." She answered indifferently, "Yoh, did you get injured?" She asked as she glowered at him.
"Ah! He He. No, ma'am!" he answered as he tried to duck behind Ren. "Hey get off of me!"
"Oh, yeah. Rue, you've finished them all, huh?"
"What? You mean the 100 Jiang-si we store here were exterminated by her alone?"
"Heh, was that all your family got?"
"Yoh, is she asking for a fight?!" Ren said at Yoh, annoyed.
Rue smacked Ren on his head. With that, he slumped to the floor with a thud.
"Master Ren!" Bason dramatically shouted.
"Fool! You get all energetic and then fall with just this. You're wasting too much energy. Yoh pin him on the floor."
"Wait! What are you planning to do to me?"
"Hmm, I wonder."
"Ha Ha! Sorry, Ren. Please stay still, Rue will try to heal you."
Rue, then, started to wear rings on her left hand. "Irkosu on my rings."
Irkosu was seemingly swallowed into her hand; and then, her hand lighted into flames.
"Wait! How is that healing?"
"Ren, didn't Yoh tell you to stay still. It would hurt less if you stopped fighting."
"Hurt less?! No way! You both are insane!" Ren fought more forcefully. She actually called me Ren.
"What? If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're afraid of getting hurt." Rue teased.
Ren successfully freed his right arm from Yoh. He grabbed and pulled at Rue's left arm. Rue grimaced, feeling a sharp pain. My arm's not fully healed, after all.
"I can still fight; I don't like to ask for help from someone who's obviously in a weaker state than I am."
Rue's eyes widened, Have I been found out by this brat?
With her right hand, she punched Ren's face, which made him fall back down and Yoh successfully restrain him.
"Who's weak, idiot!" She shouted as she placed her left hand on Ren's chest, careful to not touch his skin.
Ren felt extreme heat surge throughout his body. He first felt pain with the contact on Rue's fire, but was immediately followed by a sense of calm. It felt like his whole body relaxed and his power slowly being regained.
"Sorry, Ren. But you need to be healed completely before facing your father. You were the one who chose this, we're just helping you." - Yoh
"Tch! I just was just doing what Yoh requested of me, don't think too much of it, damn brat!" - Rue
"I'd say thank you, if I didn't think you enjoyed that I was actually hurt by that." - Ren
"Maybe, maybe not." She smiled wickedly at the thought.
Yoh patted Rue's head, "Why don't you stay here? Ren's sister, Jun, is still below. She said she'll follow us upstairs, can you keep her company?"
"I'm not a kid, Yoh!"
"I know."
"I'll wait here, then."
Yoh smiled at her, at which she blushed a little. Yoh continued climbing the stairs, but Ren stayed and stared at Rue.
"What? Don't tell me after I've gone through all that effort to heal you, you're suddenly gonna get nervous at facing your father?"
"Thank you." Ren said softly that Rue almost wonders if he really did say it. He followed Yoh, but not before telling Rue his thoughts. "You really should rest. What I said before, you misunderstood, I didn't mean it to offend you." He said referring to him calling her weak.
Rue was surprised at the concern in his words. She smiled, and allowed herself to lean by the wall to rest.
A few minutes later, Jun ascended the stairs.
"Ah, you must be Jun?" Rue said as she stood up.
"Who are you!?" Bailong demanded.
"Easy there, brother. I'm Rue Asakura, Ren's friend."
"Ah! You're related to Yoh Asakura!" Jun exclaimed.
"Yeah, kinda. He told me to go with you upstairs. Let's go." She was about to climb up when her vision faded.
Rue was awakened by someone shouting her name.
"Rue! Wake up! Are you alright?"
"Ugh – what happened?"
"You fainted. It looks like you've drained your energy. You should really go rest."
"Strange, that's exactly what your brother told me."
"Huh? He did?"
"Gah! My head is still spinning."
"Why don't we rest up a bit?"
"No! I have to protect Yoh, at all cost. Please Jun-san, please don't tell this to Yoh. I don't want him to worry needlessly."
"I won't, but no unnecessary fighting."
Rue had to giggle at this, "Hehe. You sure look like a big sister telling me things like that."
"Ah!" Jun got embarrassed.
"Let's hurry."
Jun and Bailong assisted her up the stairs. She really doesn't like to burden these two but her energy is so low she couldn't even stand on her own. When they got to Genmei, Bailong felt something.
"Jun, this power."
"Let's hurry. Something might have happened to the others."
"Jun, Bailong don't worry about me, go on. Help the others, I'll just take my time and follow you on my own."
"Wait, no. We'll help you, we're almost there."
"I'm okay now, thanks to the both of you. Besides, I can't let Yoh see me like this."
"You are too stubborn Rue, but I respect your wishes. Come on Bailong. Ren needs us."
When Rue arrived in the room, Jun was already climbing the stairs with Bailong. She slumped at the thought, Great, more stairs!
It was late when she noticed Yoh staring at her.
"Rue, this was a bad idea."
"What is?" She pretended to look pissed at Yoh.
Sigh. "Can you stay with Manta? I'm worried about him."
Rue stared long and hard at Yoh before answering, "Fine, okay."
It was good that she somehow has energy left to follow everybody else. However, the rooms they passed through felt heavier as they went up. The negative feelings were not doing any good on her state. She, instead, focused on her breathing.
"This is it." She heard someone say before the large doors were opened.
Tao En appeared from above and he was freakingly huge!
Is this guy for real?! She thought as she stared at Ren's father. When he started attacking, she grabbed Manta and jumped by the wall.
"We must be careful, Manta. This time, one wrong move might cost us our lives."
Manta shuddered at her words. She carefully put him down beside her.
As they watched the fights, Manta couldn't help but comment, "Why does he keep appearing everywhere?!"
Rue couldn't feel her fingers, the last move cost her the remaining of her energy. It was taking her everything just to stay awake.
"Tao En is immortal?!" she heard Manta shout.
"Manta, don't shout like that. We'll attract his attention." She barely whispered, though Manta heard it.
"Uh – sorry. You look pale, Rue."
"Don't mind me. Pay attention, once he attacks us I'm not sure if I can carry you out of danger again, so you need to dodge on your own."
"Okay."
Manta went back to watching the fight. It was then that Yoh joined in.
Yoh, be careful.
Yoh was punched to one of the poles. He shouted in pain as he was sandwiched.
"Yoh!" Rue shouted, but that was about all she could do as she finally slumped to the floor.
"Yoh…" Manta said worriedly. He checked on Rue and helped her sit back up.
"Thanks."
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"Do I look alright? We really have to finish this quickly." She said as she brushed her hand on the top of her hair.
Manta stayed silent for a while.
When the true Tao En was revealed, she muttered to herself, "The brat has changed. Because of that, he'll win for sure."
"What?" Manta questioned not quite hearing all of what she said. When he turned around, Rue was already unconscious on the floor. "Rue! Please wake up."
Manta wanted to shout for help, but he remembered what Rue said about attracting attention. The others were still busy with the dragon that the real Tao En has called out.
Manta was distracted when the older Taos came out. But before, everybody could go to the other room, Manta called for Yoh's attention.
"Yoh…" Manta whined, "there's something wrong with Rue."
Yoh suddenly jumped at the mention of Rue's name. He remembered how she looked like before, he guessed, it wouldn't take long until she fell unconscious.
"Manta! How long was she out?"
"I don't know. 5 or 10 minutes?"
"That's not good."
"What happened?" The others were inquiring.
"She just needs to rest."
At the dining room, everybody was gathered for the meals the older Taos prepared. Rue was sleeping on one of the benches in the corner.
"Yoh, do you think we should wake her? Maybe she needs to eat." Manta said worriedly.
"Yeah, why don't you go and wake her up." Yoh nervously suggested.
"Why me?!"
"I'm kind of uncertain. But, I remember since our childhood, Rue is not a morning person." He shuddered, as memories seem to flash in his mind.
"What are you saying? If she needs energy, she'd need to eat." Horohoro commented. He was already approaching Rue's sleeping form. "Hey, Rue! Wake up already, there's food!" When she did not stir, he tried again, "Hello? Could you be already dead?" He stopped and tried to peek at her face.
"Stop it Horohoro," came Yoh's scared voice.
"What?" Horohoro turned around to ask Yoh, when he felt arms turning him back. "Hey - !"
Rue, when Horohoro turned around, stood up, and with a scary face, turned Horohoro back to face her and –
BAM!
Rue has head-butted Horohoro so hard that he fell on the floor – Kororo blowing cold breath on the bump on the dizzy Horohoro's head. Everyone watched as Rue got back to the bench and fell asleep again.
"Pfft. That was funny – Horohoro beaten by a sleeping woman." Ryu commented from afar.
"Then, why are standing so far away?!" Horohoro demanded, still on the ground.
"Lighten up, Horohoro. It seems Rue didn't want to be bothered after all." Yoh said as he plopped down on his seat.
"Why were you farther away, too?"
"Children," everyone turned to look at the source of the voice, "so then, why don't we talk over dinner now?" Ren's grandfather gestured for everyone awake to sit down.
After listening to his grandfather, Ren, started to get his things and put on his clothes. "I'll be leaving now, grandfather."
Ren walked outside leaving Yoh and the others.
"Ack! What will we do with Rue?" Manta suddenly exclaimed.
Yoh put his hands on Manta's mouth and said softly, "Shh! Manta be quiet, or else we'll wake her."
"I'll carry her on our way."
Outside, Ren has already prepared for leaving with Hakuoh.
"Make sure you get back on time." Ren told Horohoro.
"Ungrateful brat." A voice said from behind Yoh.
"What?!" Ren furiously asked Yoh.
"Ah! It wasn't me. Hehe, I think Rue's dreaming of you."
"Ehh!"
Ren was blushing, surprised by Yoh's comment.
KONG!
Yoh was suddenly hit on his head. "Idiot, who'd wanna dream about that brat?!" Rue said, a bit weakly.
"You're awake!"
"Of course I am! You all were too noisy it was difficult to sleep, even if it were on Yoh's back." This time, she said it more loudly. However, it turned out to be a bad move as her head started to spin, and she couldn't do anything but slump her head on Yoh's shoulder.
Everybody was staring at her trying to figure out if she fell back asleep.
"I also wanted to say something." But she's still awake. Forcing her head to face Ren, she said, "Don't get caught up in any more troubles that Yoh would have to save your sorry ass again!"
"Hey Rue," Yoh started, "it wasn't such a bother."
But he was ignored. "Answer me brat," she said demandingly, pointing her finger at him.
"I won't. Thank you."
Everyone gaped at Ren. He said 'Thanks' to an insult!
Tao Ran was tearing up as she stated, "My boy's all grown up!"
Ren got pissed, but decided to ignore his mother's words.
"Thanks for everything Yoh." With that he left on Hakuoh.
"Uhm – Yoh, we also thank you all for taking care of Ren and even going all the way here to save him." Jun said as Ren disappeared.
"Uh, well he's a friend after all."
"That's good. We're relieved." Tao Ran commented.
"Also, Rue, thank you for healing Ren back then, he told me earlier."
"Ah, Jun, it's not like I'm worried about him or something, I just wouldn't want Yoh to do all the work, so…"
"Even so, thank you."
"Ah, I'm indebted to you, too. Jun, Bailong, thank you for taking care of me." She smiled at them confusing Horohoro and Ryu.
"Ah! Don't mention it. It's for a comrade after all. And, Rue-chan, you can call me Jun-nee if you like," she replied happily.
Yoh and Rue got shocked at Jun's statement.
"Why do you two seem to be close?" Horohoro asked, suspicious.
"Haha! It's a secret between girl friends!" Jun exclaimed.
Rue was too embarrassed to react, so she ducked her head on Yoh's shoulder and whispered, "Jun-nee, thanks."
Yoh noticed this and chuckled, "Well, then, we'll be off. Take care, Ren's family."
Yey! Chap2 is out! I'll just post another chappie with this and then the next would be after a few days. I just wanted to get this out before I come back to work again next week :) Happy Holidays everyone!