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 16

Trapped, she thought, when she realized what Ren was doing. She didn't expect that they'd get this far in battle; but it was her fault for instigating it. But her stubbornness refused to admit defeat; I don't think they were right.

"Damn," was all she said before she closed her eyes and waited for the pain to hit.

It's taking too long, her mind argued. She opened her eyes to see Horohoro's back in front of her, and Chocolove just beside her, carrying her. She looked back to where she was standing a few moments ago; they were at least 20 meters from that place. It seems Chocolove had carried her away from the lightning strike all the way behind Horohoro. Ah! So that was what the wind was.

"Ren! Both of you will stop here!" Chocolove demanded; the called man was unresponsive, his face, downcast.

"And you!" she heard Horohoro shout at her as she tried to steady her feet, "why didn't you even block?

"I'm sorry for being careless," she answered. She didn't want them to know why she didn't move; especially when they're already agitated like that.

"You should be!" Chocolove was shouting.

"Hey, Ren, don't you have anything to say?" Horohoro asked, shifting their attention to Ren.

But Ren was still silent – Rue noticed his hands to be shaking, though. What it meant, she couldn't figure out.

"Ren!" Her attention got back to Horohoro, "no matter what happens, we have to deal with our problems without hurting each other. We can always talk to each other – because we're friends. We don't need to get to these lengths!"

Ren stood back and undid his O.S.

"Understand it already – what she's doing. You moron! And apologize, Ren…" Horohoro added.

"Ren… you have to understand! Can't you see, what we did, what you did back there, isn't it any different? We don't need to get to that just so we could understand each other, right?" Rue said after being silent for so long.

"Tell me Rue," Ren started, "did you really think letting them talk would make Hao change his plans?"

Rue's eyes widened in shock, she didn't know it was what he was thinking, "t-that… that came to mind, yes. But…"

"And just forget everything he's done in the past one thousand years?!"

"Ren…" Horohoro tried to catch his attention, but to no avail.

"You can't talk to me about the past one thousand years, because you don't know what happened," Rue finally snapped, the conversation was giving her an uncomfortable feeling, "to him… and to me…" she added silently; but it did not escape Horohoro's – who was closer to her – ears.

"Is that reason enough to risk Yoh's life at Hao's hands? How many times do we need to pit Yoh to the enemy? We're his friends! I won't just stand by and watch him sacrifice himself again."

Again! Rue's mind echoed.

Horohoro raised his voice now, shocking Ren, "Stop it , Ren!" He stepped in between them to push Ren back. They need to get some space to think, first. "Ren, leave first, okay. You two, take time to think!"

"'I'm sorry'," both stopped at hearing her talk, "is that what you want to hear me say?"

"Rue…" Chocolove held her arm and tried to pull her back.

"Okay… I'm sorry I wasn't there when you all were in trouble. I'm sorry I didn't have the powers to save you…"

"W-What're you saying?" Ren asked with a small voice, obviously confused.

"Rue… that time with the Maiden was different…" Horohoro was trying to calm her down, but she went on.

Rue seemed to not have heard them, "I'm sorry that I wasn't strong enough to stop Yoh sacrifice himself for you. I'm sorry that he had to be born into this family. I'm sorry for being a slave to my duty as part of this family. And I'm sorry for being Hao's former wife!"

"Don't say that, Rue…" Chocolove said.

"I'm sorry because until now I don't have the strength to stop Hao by myself. That's why… that's why many more will have to sacrifice… even you."

"I…" he hesitated, not finding any words to respond by.

"Hey, it's not your fault," Horohoro said softly.

"I stand by all of you guys because I'm your friend," she stopped, trying to calm her voice, but she couldn't stop pain lacing her voice as she said the next words, "not because I need you to stop Hao for me."

Ren's eyes widened in shock. Bull's eye.

"That was really it, wasn't it?" She asked. He just refused to believe it.

He turned around, giving in to the guilt he was feeling, but before he could run away, she added, "I did not tell you my past for you to doubt me."

Rue and Horohoro…

They didn't expect this turn of events. The two boys who were left with Rue exchanged glances. Ren must have been that upset to hurt Rue like this – especially when he was most protective of her. With a nod, Chocolove started running after Ren, while Horohoro stayed with Rue.

When Rue was sure Ren was far away, she broke down to tears. Horohoro comforted her until her sobs quieted down. Man, I haven't seen her this upset in a while – who wouldn't? She probably never thought Ren would say all those things to her.. Stupid Ren must really have struck a nerve.

"Are you feeling okay now?" he asked as he tried to peek through her hair. They were sitting down by a tree. The crying Rue hugged her knees as soon as Ren disappeared.

She answered, but not before heaving a sigh, "yeah. Thanks… and I'm sorry."

"Was he right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Was Ren right when he said you're giving him a chance?"

She sighed, for the hundredth time that day. "Horohoro," she adjusted her body so she could face him, "look at the situation this way: we're giving Yoh the chance to have a real normal time with Hao – with his brother. Before… before they go back to killing each other," she finished with a hint of sadness in her voice. She let go of her knees, and sprawled her legs on the grass; at the same time, she let her head fall back to the tree trunk.

"I… never thought it that way. Arrgh!" he ran his hands through his hair in frustration, "I should apologize, damn. I think you're right. He is Yoh after all. Even Ryu and Faust stood by him until the end. He continuously worry over others, not minding himself, that's why... that's typical Yoh. I kind of feel angry at myself for getting mad and calling him naïve. I guess the naïve one was me. You're right, I've been an idiot."

"Sorry for calling you an idiot. I didn't mean it. You really aren't. You have a nice, good heart, Horohoro. I'm glad Yoh got to know you."

Horohoro blushed, "Ah – thanks"

"Horohoro, will you get mad at me if say that I'm a bit glad that Hao would be the Shaman King and not Yoh or anyone of you?"

"Hey! Of course! You seriously doubt us?" He replied, almost standing up from the shock.

"No, of course not. I think anyone of you will be suitable as King. You all have the power to back it up. But I think Hao's the most prepared. Living alone without anyone for 1000 years gave him that. Did you ever wonder what happens after the King receives the Great Spirit?"

"I haven't thought about that, really."

"His soul stays in the Great Spirit, forever. No future. No family. No one."

Horohoro's eyes widened.

"Well you can summon the other spirits if you like, but after all that's said and gone, you'll be alone. For 500 years. Forever just watching your friends, family, loved ones, living their lives, creating new families and friends, dying, and getting reborn for some. Isn't it a lonely job? I don't think anyone of you is prepared for that."

Both of them were quiet for a few minutes.

"I think I understand now where Yoh is coming from. Killing others, much like killing ourselves is an escape. It's our weakness. Because we know we're weak, we dissolve any chances of our enemy going back and getting success. We'll kill, fooling ourselves that it is the only way to protect our future."

Horohoro quietly took in her words.

"But it takes true strength and an incredible amount of courage to say that I won't kill my enemy; instead, I'll make him my friend. I'll save his soul from the darkness. Don't you think that sort of confidence needs a lot of strength and power to achieve and back up?"

"I can't disagree that you have a point there. But Hao... just because he can do it, doesn't mean he should go killing people off."

"I know, I didn't say I particularly agree with him, too. I just…"

"Just?"

"I just believe in Yoh, too much. I could offer my life for him. I would be glad to."

"You love him that much?" he heard Rue chuckle at this.

"No, that was in the past. There's just something in him. It feels like you can just leave it all up to him and he'll surely do it."

"Yeah. I kind of feel that at times, too." "Then, this means, I'm no different than Hao, huh?"

"Horohoro, I don't know what happened to you in the past. But what I know is those like you, and Ren, and Chocolove, who acknowledge the wrong they did in the past are in a much better place than where Hao is. Because it is you who have the capacity to learn and forgive – forgive others and forgive yourself. Then you can become stronger, right?"

Tearfully, he nodded, "you're right!"

Rue just smiled back.

Ren and Chocolove…

"Hey, there you are!" Chocolove waived as he saw Ren sulking by a big rock.

"How did you find me?" He didn't bother raising his head to meet his friend's eyes.

"Mic's got the strongest nose around, remember?" He shrugged his shoulders as he answered. "Anyway, c'mon, let's go."

"I'll stay here."

"Oh man. Ren, c'mon. Let's apologize to Rue. She's probably really angry right now," he tried again.

"Go on your own."

"Ren!" He shouted in irritation, but the other one stuck to his position. Giving up, Chocolove just stood in front of is friend. "Ren, talk to me."

"I don't know what's right anymore," Ren murmured. Thankfully enough, Chocolove's ears were trained to hear sounds this small.

With a sigh, he crouched down to level with his friend's eyes, "Don't you consider Rue as your friend?"

"I do!" He defensively answered, his head whipping forward.

"What about Yoh?"

"Him, too!"

"Isn't Rue special to you?"

"She is!" He was given a smirk from Chocolove as a response, "E-Eh!?" Blood rushed through Ren's face in embarrassment.

He thought he would laugh at Ren's reaction right now, but he became serious instead, "have they really done anything for you to doubt them?"

"Nothing," he whispered; his mind was berating himself for carelessly talking to Rue earlier.

"So there's nothing to get confused about, Ren."

"But Hao…" Ren's face started to darken again, "you've seen for yourself the disaster that is Hao. He doesn't even care for his underlings who blindlessly followed him."

"I know," he answered matter-of-factly.

"But what I don't understand is those two. How could they still think of changing his mind? Why would they still see hope for someone like him?"

"Boy, this is gonna sound bad, Ren," Chocolove forced out a chuckle before continuing, "Like that time with me. If I hadn't met my old man, I would never thought that I could be saved. It's the same for you, too, right? You and Yoh. Those people came in to accept and forgive people like us; that's why we were saved."

Ren's eyes widened hearing this. "I-I don't know what to say…"

Chocolove stared at his friend and was about to talk, when he was slapped painfully by Ren.

"Don't you dare inject a joke in this!"

"Haha. You read me well, Ren," he answered as he nursed his cheek. Even without the joke, the mood seemed to have lightened.

"What if Hao's really beyond saving?"

"That wouldn't stop them from trying, right?"

"Yeah, that's probably why I…" Ren murmured.

"Hm?" Chocolove tilted his head in confusion.

"Nothing…" the other shaman just smiled to himself.

"It's about Rue, is it?" Chocolove whispered before laughing out loud. Ren's red and stunned face had answered his question.

That afternoon…

Ren was walking aimlessly around the forest. Chocolove has gone back to the resting house first, while he couldn't think of what to do when he gets back.

"Ren!" Horohoro shouted from behind him, "hey, you've just been here all along. Rue and I were looking for you." He continued when Ren did not respond.

"Horohoro," he said, stopping the called man in his tracks, "I"ve done it this time."

"That's because you're a moron!" Horohoro cut him.

"Heh – I can't even bring myself to get angry at you."

"Ren…"

"She must hate me a lot know, doesn't she?"

"Not really, she wanted to find you and talk to you. But I hope she beats you, first; you deserve it for being a jerk." Horohoro said pushing Ren lightly by his shoulder.

"I guess I do." Ren answered still staring down.

"Ren stop this!" This time he held Ren's shoulder. "It's too weird seeing you like that. It's Rue! She'll get pissed at you, yes, but she'll never hate you. She's still the Rue we came to know, memories of her past or not."

"You just had to remind me that, don't you?"

"If I were her, I'd really rather hate you." Horohoro was losing patience with this guy.

"What?" He was the one who've been thinking it, but it was still painful hearing it out loud.

"If you won't have the balls to come to her, then don't! She doesn't need weak-willed idiots, anyway." Horohoro stood up, waving him away.

"The hell are you saying?!" Ren got insulted this time.

"Yeah, come to think of it, maybe, I'm all she really needs – not one bit of you, nor Yoh, not even Hao!"

Okay, Ren thought, this is going over my limit.

"Enjoy your stupidity, I'm out."

Ren dashed forward and tackled Horohoro to the ground. "Bastard!"

Ren started punching Horohoro, while the latter defended.

"Hey Rue!" Horohoro shouted, causing Ren to be frozen in spot. Horohoro took his chance to turn them around and render Ren immobile under him.

"Gotcha."

"You idiot!"

Horohoro pinned Ren's hands and head down the ground and looked intently at him, "You are the idiot! Stop acting like one and apologize to her. Aren't you even scared you might lose her forever?"

Ren's eyes widened at the question thrown at him. Both of them stopped; Horohoro was waiting for Ren to understand his question.

"I-I…" Ren started.

"Uhm – am I interrupting?" A soft voice came from behind them.

Both of them saw the blushing Rue trying hard not to look at them. It was then that they realized the awkward position they were in. They clumsily stood up, while Rue waited for them.

Ren was observing Rue, who was alternately looking at him and Horohoro. He noticed the bloodshot eyes, her uncharacteristically timid behavior – all that because of what he did.

His stupidity.

While Ren was thinking to himself, Horohoro waited for Ren to speak. Rue could not handle the tension so she motioned for Horohoro to do something.

Damn it! This got really awkward, Rue thought.

Ren saw this, but refused to tear his eyes away from Rue. In that short span of time, she was already clinging to Horohoro for support. The bastard might not be joking earlier.

Horohoro noticed Rue's 'distress call', so he gave up on waiting, "come on Rue, let's go back, some people just couldn't get over themselves. Those people don't deserve our time." He grabbed Rue's hand and pulled her away.

Rue risked a glance, and looked expectantly at Ren; the latter still unresponsive. When Horohoro dragged her away, she averted her eyes and let herself be pulled, but not before Ren could see disappointment in them.

Ren reached out to pull Rue's other arm, "Wait, you idiot, I was going to talk to her."

Horohoro looked at Rue, but she has already decided. He sighed and let go of Rue's arm, damn, I'm such a good guy, he thought as he walked away.

When they were finally alone, Ren started, "Rue, I… Ow!"

Rue punched him on his right arm, "stop talking about me as if I'm not in front of you!" she said with a pissed off look. Ren kind of calmed down seeing Rue trying her best to act normally.

"I'm sorry."

"Is that all you're gonna say?" she looked at him and his past conversations with Horohoro and Chocolove flashed in his mind.

Unable to bear the guilt he is feeling, he averted his eyes from hers by looking down.

"Oy brat, what's wrong with you now?" She said when his hands started shaking. She put a hand on his shoulders. "Ren?"

Suddenly, he pulled her into a hug and said, "I'm wrong. I'm sorry. Sorry for doubting you. Sorry for hurting you with the things I said."

"T-that's okay," she struggled to get back her composure due to shock. She felt her eyes getting hot. When did I get so emotional, she asked herself, as she felt her tears threatening to spill.

"No! I was the one at fault. I was an idiot, you're right." Ren tightened his hold on her.

"I told you," she answered, but she was feeling something off.

"Rue, please, please forgive me. I'm sorry for making you cry again. I'm sorry for saying such things; I wouldn't ever dream of hurting you."

"Ren, I was never mad at you," she wanted to say more, but she was stopped by an uncomfortable feeling in her gut.

He put his hand on her hair and said, "Please let me protect you." He was about to look at her face when Rue pushed him away.

No way... This must be a dream.

Yaaaay! Finally!

The last two were probably my most edited chapters for this fic. I'm just so happy that I've finished it and finally got to post it.

Thanks everyone for your support and for taking time to read this fic! ^.^

I'm really, really, happy with how it turned out. Honestly, I wasn't expecting this. I just wanted to write this story since it's been stuck on my mind ever since I reread the manga over a year ago. Anyway! This is NOT the last chapter, so I'll probably save the drama for later. :p

Thanks everyone!

Lovelots!

Mimi