Authoress' Notes: This chapter is now revamped! Hurrah!

A Maiden's Tears! Ragoh Appears!

Does It Mean Goodbye?!

After much squirming and protests from Manta, HoroHoro was finally convinced that the smaller boy was not the "Kororo" person he had mistaken him for. The wanderer then told the tale of how he came to be a starving mess on the side of the road. His explanation was brief and cryptic; he merely told them that he traveled all the way to Tokyo from the north for the sake of the Ainu tribe. He was sure to say that he was here on an important mission, but did not specify what it was. No one pressured him for specifics, however.

Instead, they listened to how his only way to pay his way through his journey was to sell folk crafts. But once he arrived in Tokyo, his belongings were stolen and he ended up with no money or means to eat or find shelter. By the end of the story, the four residents of the Asakura residence were taken with HoroHoro. Ryu was sniffling and fighting back tears. Kagome's face was contorted with deep concern and sympathy. Manta shared Kagome's look of pity. And waterfall tears streamed from Yoh's eyes and soaked the carpet.

"HoroHoro-kun, that's quite the story," Kagome whispered as she reached across the table and placed a hand on top of his. The action made the blunette blush. "I admire how strong you are for lasting this long on your own."

"Y-yeah," Yoh sobbed while fruitlessly wiping away at his crocodile tears. "You've lived a hard life, BoroBoro!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah, that's true..." HoroHoro nodded solemnly, but then paused. "Who the hell is BoroBoro?!" He chucked a teacup at Yoh's forehead and easily hit the mark, knocking the Asakura flat on his back.

"Yoh-kun," Manta sweatdropped as his voice deadpanned. "That joke is so old."

Yoh quickly recovered. He sprung back into an upright position as he offered HoroHoro a friendly grin, "Anyway, you can stay here until you get your belongings back."

HoroHoro was instantly elated. His eyes sparkled as his hands cupped together, "Really?!"

"Yeah," Yoh confirmed with a nod. "This place used to be a bathhouse and inn so there's plenty of spare rooms to use. Feel free to treat it as your home for as long as you need to." He accented his warm voice with a smile so brilliant that Kagome, Manta, HoroHoro, and Ryu had to shield their eyes.

"Y-Yoh-kun—is he some sort of saint in disguise?!" Kagome wondered while squinting.

This time it was Ryu who was saturating the carpet with his eyes that spewed tears like an open fire hydrant. "Master Yoh is such a great man!" He exclaimed with balled-up fists. "Such strength and kindness at an early age—! Unreal!"

Manta, who was still trying to recover from the shining aura Yoh released, grumbled, "I wonder if opening your home to a stranger is noble, or foolish?"

"T-Thank you so much!" HoroHoro cried out gratefully with a respectful bow of his head.

Suddenly, the door slid open and in stomped Anna. The blonde's hair was slightly disarrayed with bedhead as she glared at the scene before her, "No!"

"Anna-san," Kagome's hands raised in a defensive position as she attempted to soothe the itako's mounting anger. "HoroHoro-kun is helpless right now. He has no money and nowhere to go," she delicately explained.

"Y-yeah," You concurred, his voice half pleading, half skittishly. "He went from BoroBoro to HoboHobo."

The Ainu's brow twitched at the remark. His fist shook silently as he grumbled, "It's HoroHoro."

Ryu, who was seated next to Manta, leaned towards the blond boy. He raised a hand and whispered behind it, "What's a hobo anyway?"

Manta reached behind him and pulled out a thick textbook. He spread the tome across his lap and pointed at the text, "It seems that the simplest definition of hobo is a penniless vagrant."

A lightbulb clicked inside of Ryu's head as he realized, "Master Yoh truly is onto something. HoroHoro's name is almost the same as Hōrō-sha, a vagrant!"

Manta sweatdropped and smiled meekly, "W-Well, I guess that's true…"

Meanwhile, HoroHoro was groveling to Anna as Yoh and Kagome tried convincing her that their acquaintance was in dire need of their help.

"Fine," Anna relented, albeit sharply. Her eyes narrowed as her voice began stern, "But if you want to stay here, you have to do everything I say."

HoroHoro shot up as his fists balled up, "You've got it! Can do and will do!"

"Good." The itako crossed her arms over her chest. "Work starts before you go to bed. First, you'll be washing these dishes and cleaning the kitchen." HoroHoro stiffened as Kagome inwardly cheered that cleanup would not be left up to her. "Later, you'll sweep, scrub, and wax the floors. And the bath should be ready by—" Anna continued listing HoroHoro's chores for the upcoming day.

Kagome watched the exchange between the strict Anna and quaking HoroHoro. She casually remarked as the blunette nodded to the itako obediently, "Looks like Anna-san has acquired another vassal."

"Un," Yoh nodded before whispering apologetically, "Forgive me, BoroBoro."

"On the bright side, we've all been promoted on the social pyramid now," Manta pointed out.

Kagome and Yoh then looked focused as they began counting on their fingers and inside their heads. Within seconds, the priestess completed her calculations and cheered, "Yeeees! I've finally advanced to middle-class!"

"Lower middle-class," Yoh chimed almost too cheerfully.

"Thanks for that..." Kagome deadpanned in response. She then looked at the blond boy and exclaimed, "And Manta-kun, you're now the upper lower-class!"

Manta sweatdropped at his friends, "You guys act like this hierarchy truly defines our character."

HoroHoro was suddenly sitting on his instep next to Yoh. He leaned close to the Asakura and whispered, "By the way, your sister seems pretty strict…"

Yoh chuckled at the assumption and replied, "Oh, Anna's actually—."

"I'm not his sister. I'm his fiancée," Anna swiftly corrected before stepping out of the room and aggressively sliding the door behind her.

HoroHoro turned in stone...then cracked.

The declaration made his entire world come crashing down around him.

The world around him was drowned with darkness as HoroHoro dramatically collapsed to his hands and knees. The weight of reality forced him to look at the cold ground, "These guys are... my age... and engaged… And I... And I don't even have a girlfriend yet!" HoroHoro exclaimed. His mind was suddenly bombarded by images of Yoh and Anna doing romantic activities, from riding on a single bicycle to kissing under a golden sunset. He was feeling utterly defeated—until a thought struck him. "Ah!" The blunette suddenly popped up again.

"If Anna is your fiancée," HoroHoro barked before pointing an accusatory finger at Kagome. "Then what is she?!" His eyes moved from the priestess to the shaman in question.

Kagome chuckled and tried to explain, "Oh, I'm just—"

"My second wife," Yoh answered cheerfully with a big grin on his face. His arm wrapped around Kagome's shoulder and pulled her closer.

Burning blood rushed to Kagome's face as steam blew out of her ears. Meanwhile, Manta was flushed as he threw his hands over his mouth as Ryu's shot looks between the red-faced Kagome and cheeky Yoh.

"Se-Se-Second wife?!" HoroHoro bellowed in shock before his jaw dropped to the floor. "Bigamy?!" Once again, the blunette's mind immediately went to work as Yoh continued cheesing. 'Yoh doesn't seem like the type to—wait!' HoroHoro suddenly envisioned Yoh sleeping in on a futon with Kagome cuddling him from his left side and Anna on his right.

"Yoh-kun~" imaginary Kagome cooed sweetly as imaginary Anna whispered tenderly, "Yoh…" The girls simultaneously pressed themselves further into Yoh's sides. Kagome's hand caressed Yoh's cheek as Anna's ran up his stomach. "We love you~" they chorused in unison.

Once again, the world around HoroHoro went pitch black as his body was illuminated by a single spotlight. He was on all fours as he banged a fist into the floor. "He has TWO wives, and I don't even have a GIRLFRIEND?!" An arctic wind blew across the room as he muttered, defeated, "Asakura Yoh, you truly are a formidable foe."

Manta patted HoroHoro's shoulder soothingly while explaining, "HoroHoro, Yoh-kun was only pulling your leg about Kagome-chan. She's just living here while she's away from home for school." His explanation fell on deaf ears as the Ainu continued banging his fist against the floor and cursing his unluckiness in love. Manta then raised his head and bristled when he spotted Ryu. The older teen squatted in a corner, a glum aura about him as his head hung low. "R-Ryu, don't tell me you took that seriously too...?"

Meanwhile, Kagome had pulled away from Yoh. "Yoh-kun!" The flustered priestess glared at the shaman as she shook him by his loose collar. "Why would you tell him something like that?!"

Yoh grinned shamelessly as he explained, "BoroBoro's reactions are so funny, I couldn't help myself." He continued laughing, despite the red-faced Kagome's embarrassed chastising and shakes.

S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.

It was just before noon when HoroHoro found himself sweeping the Asakura grounds. With a wild swing, he swept some dirt away from the front entrance and towards the side yard. Not a moment later, he returned to normal broom motions as Anna slid the front door open. She stepped outside. Her usual sleeveless, black dress and sandal outfit was completed with a purse slung over her shoulder. Without a word of acknowledgment to HoroHoro, she walked past him and turned around the sun-reaching stone gate.

The blunette grinned widely when her form disappeared around the corner. He dropped the broom to the ground and jogged over to the gate. He poked his head around the corner, only to find himself staring directly into a pair of stony, brown eyes. "Eh—A-Anna…" His grin became uncomfortable.

An angry vein bulged on Anna's forehead as she accosted HoroHoro by his face, "NO-GOOD FREELOADERS SHOULDN'T SLACK OFF ON THEIR WORK!" The petite girl threw the newcomer into the stone gate, successfully cracking the enclosure. The itako gave the heaping pile of HoroHoro a challenging glare before continuing on her way.

Minutes later, HoroHoro miraculously recovered and, once again, found himself sweeping the yard. "What a violent girl..." he grumbled angrily. "I'll be damned if I choose a girl like that for a girlfriend…!" He sighed while deflating, his shoulders slumping in depression. "Not that there are any nice girls around…" his words slowed before he trailed off.

HoroHoro's eyes widened as a thought occurred to him.

"THAT'S IT!" HoroHoro exclaimed as he had an epiphany. He hastily tossed his broom to the ground before swiftly turning on heel. His eyes scanned and searched the area. He took off into the interior property and dashed down the stretching hallways. He rounded three corners and finally spotted her! Walking towards the men's bath area with Ryu and carrying a sponge-headed mop was—. "Ka-Go-Me-chaaaaaaaaawwwwwnnn~!" HoroHoro cried as he barreled towards the unsuspecting girl.

Kagome blinked at the call of her name. She turned and instantly screamed. The latest addition to the Asakura household was charging toward her with gleaming, passionate eyes. "HoroHoro-kun...?!" She froze on the spot and was helpless as HoroHoro wrapped his arms around her waist, and tackled her to the floor.

[ BAM! ]

"Oowww," Kagome moaned as she peeked one eye open, "My butt..." She landed on her back with HoroHoro on top of her, his arms still snaked around her waist. "What's this about, HoroHoro-kun?" She demanded, miffed but not steaming.

"Kagome-chan," his tone was gravely serious as pushed himself up onto his instep. Kagome followed suit and mimicked his formal sitting position. "You're the one," he declared in a low voice.

The priestess's chuckle was timid as she inquired, "The one for what…?"

"Kagome-chan," HoroHoro repeated her name with the same severity. "You're not Yoh's wife, right?" He scooped her smaller hands within his while catching her eye.

The girl's cheeks flushed a soft pink. For a moment, a brief flash of uncomfortable reluctance appeared on her face but she still answered, "No, we already cleared that up last night."

"Then you're perfect for being my girlfriend!" The blunette concluded with a wide grin.

"WWhhhhaaaattt?!" Kagome and the spectating Ryu shrieked in unison.

Yoh suddenly slid an upstairs window open and poked his head out. "Yo! What's up with you three?!" He called down to them with his eyes shimmering with curiosity.

HoroHoro did not miss a beat as he jumped to his feet. He threw up a victory sign with one hand as his other met his hip, "Kagome-chan and I are now boyfriend and girlfriend!"

Yoh's jaw fell open for a moment. "Ehhhhhh?" He looked down at Kagome, "Really?!"

The priestess was instantly on her feet. Her hands waved in denial as her cheeks burned, "What?! Of course n—!"

"Yeah! It suddenly hit me that she was the one for me, and well—here we are!" HoroHoro explained while youthful vigor. "I finally got my first girlfriend! And she's super cute!"

Manta suddenly slid open the window next to Yoh's and remarked nonchalantly, "Kagome-chan, I didn't know that you were on the market."

The priestess's hands balled into fists in front of her as she squeaked, "I'm not!"

The blond boy recognized her plight and smirked cattishly behind his hand as he snickered, "Well, of course not anymore~"

"Anyway," Yoh smiled down at his friends. "Are you guys ready to go look for HoroHoro's stuff?"

"Oh, that's right!" HoroHoro's hands squeezed into pumped fists. "I'm all for it!"

Kagome sighed and sobbed inwardly when HoroHoro suddenly took her hand. She allowed him to lead her inside to change out of their cleaning attire, 'Kami-sama, why do weird things like this keep happening to me?'

S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.

Ryu, who was content with taking care of the house, stayed behind to continue chores while the four younger teens set out on their mission. Manta initially suggested retracing HoroHoro's steps, so they scoured through parks, roads, shops, and other locations. But their search left them with barren results or clues. Kagome even resorted to asking random strangers in hopes of receiving tips, but she still ended up with no leads. The quartet ended up resting on a bench after combing the area for hours.

"I'm sorry, BoroBoro," Yoh whined as he leaned his head back. He was slouched against the bench, feeling exhausted and hopeless. "Looks like we failed epically."

"Who the hell is BoroBoro?" HoroHoro finished the skit with a deadpan. He then sighed before sinking into the bench more. "It's alright. I guess we'll just have to continue our search tomorrow."

Kagome looked at her cellphone and remarked, "It's only three o clock. There's still plenty of time to search a bit more today."

"But I'm beat!" Yoh protested. He then blanched when Kagome sent him a pointed stare.

"I'm starting to side with Anna-san, Yoh-kun..." Kagome's voice was stony.

The boys stiffened at the statement. They jumped to their feet, scrambled around, and then hid behind a nearby lamppost. Their heads poked from behind the pole as they shot her suspicious looks.

Manta was the first to speak, "If that's the case, Kagome-chan…"

"We can't hang out anymore," Yoh chimed.

"And we can't be together!" HoroHoro piped.

The priestess almost rolled her eyes at their theatrics, "That was obviously a joke."

S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.

The search continued after a half-hour of rest and banter. But eventually, they ran out of energy and willpower. Somehow, the group ended up at the top of the hill in Crow Cemetery: the fateful place where the trio met. The setting sun cast a citrus-colored glow on the atmosphere. Amongst the chattering spirits and with her friends nearby, Kagome smiled softly at the scene playing around her. Despite being a burial ground, this place was alive with friendly folk and grinning faces.

"Hey, guys…" Kagome's voice was soft as she absently asked, "The sunset is so pretty, isn't it?" Yoh and Manta looked at each other before nodding and grunting their agreement in unison.

HoroHoro grinned as he shot to his feet. He was as energetic as usual as his fist subtly trembled, "Of course it is! Nature is always amazing and beautiful! But..." He suddenly sighed and his attitude depressed. "Thanks to humans, we can't truly enjoy nature's bounty. Not even the Koro Pokkuru are safe anymore... Thanks to humans and all of their industrialization..."

Kagome hummed softly. With her knees hugged to her chest, she closed her eyes and noted inwardly, 'I know that HoroHoro-kun isn't a bad person or anything. But what he said just now reminded me of the first time I met Tao Ren…'

[ "If you think such a sky is acceptable, then you are a fool." ]

'He sort of has views similar to Tao Ren...' Kagome thought to herself. 'He has an abnormal amount of spiritual power, that much I can tell.' She looked up at HoroHoro's back as her friends continued to chat. 'I think it's safe to assume that HoroHoro-kun is a shaman too.'

"So your dream is to start an anti-industrialization movement," Manta deduced with a raised finger.

"Or become a comedian~" Yoh grinned from ear to ear.

HoroHoro anime fell but jumped back to his feet, "What the hell?! I didn't come all this way for either of those things, especially for being a comedian!"

"But I think you'd make a great comedian," Yoh responded genuinely.

Kagome nodded and added, "Mmhm. I agree." She then looked to Manta, "Right?" The blond teen nodded as well.

"You guys aren't taking me seriously!" HoroHoro bellowed. He then thumped his chest proudly before placing his hands on his hips, "My dream is much, much bigger!"

"Okay, so what is it anyway?" Kagome inquired.

"I'm glad you asked, my dear lady," HoroHoro chuckled while brushing his finger beneath his nose. His grin widened as he declared, "My dream is to create a land of coltsfoot!"

...the cemetery became as silent as a grave.

The trio shrank away as Manta whispered behind a cupped hand, "Tiny... It's tiny after all."

Between their blank stares and Manta's comment, HoroHoro despaired at their reaction. With teary eyes, he sobbed, "It is not! It's for the Koro Pokurru!"

Yoh then placed a hand on HoroHoro's shoulder as waterfall tears dripped from his eyes too, "HoroHoro, you're such a nice guy!"

HoroHoro nodded and commented through sobs, "Y-You...finally got my name right.."

"O-of course!" Yoh exclaimed as snot dripped from his nose. "A man like you deserves the utmost respect!" The two exchanged sympathetic eyes before embracing in front of a sparkling, colorful background.

Kagome's smile twitched at the scene as Manta chuckled, "But HoroHoro, if that's your dream, I don't think Tokyo is the right place for y—."

"No, this is definitely where I need to be," HoroHoro's voice lowered as he released his grip on Yoh. "You probably wouldn't understand if I explained it to you, but trust me. Tokyo is the first step to make my dream come true."

'He must be here for the Shaman Fights in Tokyo,' Kagome concluded. 'I mean, I could be wrong, but I just have this feeling.' She then looked at Yoh's face, only to find that he was already staring at her. He smiled softly and nodded to her silently. 'So Yoh-kun was thinking the same thing and is cool with it. I guess it's alright then.'

S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.

A week had passed since HoroHoro's initial rescue and adoption into the Asakura residence. While Anna borderline hazed each new member to the household with the bulk of chores, Kagome could not help but view each addition as another family member. But she would be lying if she said that she was not a bit grateful to attain a higher status on the social hierarchy. It meant fewer chores on top of her training, which meant just a little more time to kick back and relax with Yoh and Manta.

There was something about the mild weather and warm sun that made Kagome feel so at ease. It was that, or the negative influence of the Asakura who was her inspiration to pursue the shamanist arts. Yoh's calming aura was enough to even tame the bookworm, Manta. There were many days where the studious teen spent little time with his nose in his textbooks. Instead, he was like Kagome, content to bask in the serenity of nature when Anna was not eying them.

But, despite the improvements to Kagome's quality of life, she still felt sympathy for HoroHoro. Anna was especially strict and harsh on him. The priestess was sure it was because the itako also knew that he was another contender in the Shaman Fights in Tokyo.

"Anna-san," Kagome wore a worried expression as HoroHoro zoomed back and forth as he waxed the floors. "Shouldn't Ryu and I help HoroHoro-kun? He's been working to the bone lately."

Anna sipped her tea and rebutted dryly, "You and I know both know very well why I'm not going easy on that guy."

Kagome hummed affirmatively, which made Manta look between the two girls' faces in confusion. 'Since when did Kagome-chan and Anna-san understand so well?' He wondered. "Wait—why?" He blinked curiously.

"Because he's a shaman," was Anna's straightforward answer. "And there are only two reasons why a shaman would be here of all places at this time... To enter the Shaman Fights or to eliminate their adversaries."

Suddenly, the mild concern on Kagome's face burst into full panic. She jumped to her feet and slammed her hands on the tabletop. "Guys! We're in trouble! They're here!" She announced urgently.

"Them again?!" Yoh was quick to grab the wooden sword leaning in the corner. Amidamaru responded by manifesting just as Ryu rushed into the room.

"M-M-Master Yoh!" He barked between light pants. "He's gone! HoroHoro is gone!" Ryu shouted.

"Sesshomaru!" Kagome called, and the demon spirit appeared at her side. She looked up at him, her face stiff with her resolve, "I think HoroHoro-kun is in trouble."

Sesshomaru's gaze at the priestess was fleeting. "It's not a concern," he responded.

Kagome was taken out of her serious mode as she squinted at her spirit. "Is there anything that concerns you?" She questioned in a flat tone.

Yoh went for the front door and slipped on his sandals in the foyer. He and Amidamaru looked at the priestess from over their shoulders and called to her, "Let's go, Kagome-chan!"

"Right!" she resounded back before huffing at her apathetic partner and running towards the entrance. While slipping on her running shoes, the rest of her friends caught and began preparing for departure.

And with that, the group set off.

S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.

They found HoroHoro in a vacant lot, surrounded on all sides by a crowd of kyonshi.

"Those kyonshi belong to the Tao's!" Manta pointed out as he recognized the crest of their uniform clothing. "Why are they here with HoroHoro-kun?!"

Anna's eyes narrowed at the observation. "He was deceiving us after all, a spy for the enemy."

That was when the corpses bared their knuckles, displaying the glint of their steel-claw weapons. They rushed HoroHoro in perfect unison, the steel claws positioned for mauling their prey. In that instant, HoroHoro looked towards his new friends and warned, "You guys get back! It's me that they're after!"

Kagome and Yoh paid his warning no mind as they sprung into action. Yoh merged with Amidamaru as Kagome summoned the Crescent bow into her hands. HoroHoro's body tensed as he braced himself to counterattack. But the battle was over within a literal blink of an eye. A slash of red energy from Yoh's sword and a blue arrow from Kagome cleared the crowd of kyonshi before HoroHoro could react.

The blunette's eyes were blinking saucers as he beheld the steaming ashes that surrounded him. "Yoh, you're a shaman too?" HoroHoro looked genuinely shocked at the discovery.

"Yeah," the brunette nodded as he approached HoroHoro. "Kagome-chan is to—" Yoh paused to briefly glance back at the priestess-demon duo. As Kagome dismissed the Crescent, Sesshomaru observed her from nearby, "Well, sort of."

"What do you mean 'sort of'?!" Kagome questioned with a huff. One hand met her hip as she used the other to point at Sesshomaru, "It's not my fault that my supposed guardian spirit thinks he's too good to join me!" The spirit in question did not look bothered by the accusation.

Suddenly, a minuscule spirit, roughly the size of a crayon, manifested. Her tiny attire was similar in cultural design to HoroHoro's and her black hair was shoulder-length. The sprite-like spirit appeared peering behind HoroHoro's leg.

"A relative of yours, Manta?" Anna asked with a raised eyebrow.

Manta's eye twitched as his jaw dropped, "How rude!"

Ryu and Kagome simultaneously were glowing. They cupped their hands together, instantly taken with the spirit's sweet appearance. "She's so CUTE!" Kagome squealed as Ryu wondered aloud, "I wonder if she's single~!"

Kagome shot him a sharp glare, "Sometimes I wonder about you."

"To each their own," Yoh cheesed at Kagome's incredulous look before casually pointing at a new platoon of kyonshi that was charging at them. "By the way, they're coming."

HoroHoro sent Kagome a confident smirk, the attention flushed her cheeks. "Kagome-chan, get a load of what your man can do!" Everyone watched the display as Kororo merged with HoroHoro's snowboard. Her aura bathed the board with an icy blue light. HoroHoro boarded the instrument and soared into the air. He shot a barrage of icicles at the kyonshi. Each corpse warrior went limp after being impaled through their chests.

Kagome winced at the gruesome sight as Manta paled on the spot. Meanwhile, the remaining shamans appeared unfazed by the spectacle. In fact, Ryu was breathless as HoroHoro left him in awe, "I see that other shamans have amazing powers too..."

Kagome nodded numbly, 'Maybe this is why Anna-san was so suspicious of him. Maybe she sensed how powerful he truly is.' "HoroHoro-kun really is something…" she whispered as watched HoroHoro and Yoh laugh and chat.

Manta suddenly appeared next to her, elbowing her leg teasingly, "Falling in love~?" His cheeky grin dissolved into an unnerved smile under Kagome's dark glare. He held up his hands in surrender, a nervous chuckle on his lips. Within a flash, he was ducking behind Anna for protection.

"What's with you?" Anna placed her hands on her hips as she lifted a brow. "I was wondering that same thing."

Kagome had to double-take. 'Did Anna-san…' She blinked as she wondered to herself, 'Did she just... make a joke?' The itako still wore her default stoic expression, but the priestess knew that she hadn't just imagined that tinge of a teasing tone in her voice. Kagome then smiled widely and countered, "And here I thought you broke your funny bone a long time, Anna-chan!"

Everyone froze.

...the boys' jaws dropped to the ground as they watched the interaction between the itako and miko.

It was Anna's turn to double-take. Kagome's words quickly sunk in and sprung a bulging vein from Anna's forehead. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her fist shook as she seethed, "Don' . -CHAN!"

Kagome seemed to enjoy getting under Anna's skin. The priestess wore a suspiciously innocent face as she raised her pointer and remarked, "But Anna-chan sounds so much cuter than Anna-san, Anna-chan~"

Manta trembled as he commented, "K-Kagome-chan is playing a dangerous game."

Yoh nodded as he looked panicked, "Not even Sesshomaru can save her from Anna…!"

Another prominent vein pulsed on Anna's forehead as her shoulders quaked. "Hi-gu-ra-shi," the blonde seethed out Kagome's family name as her face reddened.

"Hmmm~?" The priestess half-smiled while tilting her head. "Higurashi? You called me Kagome in the last chapter~"

"She did?!" The spectators inquired in unison.

"She did~" Kagome turned her back to the itako and shrugged with a sigh. "Jeez, she's so hard to understand~"

"That's enough out of you!" The flushed medium growled as she stormed towards Manta. He tried to recoil away but was too slow to avoid her iron grip. Anna grabbed him by his head and threw him towards Kagome. Hearing Manta's screams, Kagome turned to face the human project. She squeaked but dropped to her knees to dodge him.

Manta's body spun and rotated like a boomerang. His trajectory defied logic as he turned and crashed into his other friends one by one: first Yoh, then HoroHoro, and finally Ryu. All of the boys were reduced to unconscious heaps on the ground.

Kagome took in the aftermath of Anna's wrath with an uneasy feeling. "Yikes, one second later and that would have been me…" She quivered at the thought.

Manta was the first to recover as he shook his fist at Anna, "Why the hell did you take it out on me?!"

"I've found that you're most useful as a projectile weapon," Anna replied bluntly.

Manta was hopping angry as he rebutted, "You don't treat humans that way!"

HoroHoro and Yoh were next to recuperate as they got up to their feet. Yoh whined while poking a bump on his forehead. Meanwhile, HoroHoro scratched the back of his head while cheesing awkwardly, "Uh, by the way, I apologize for getting you guys involved with my problems."

The statement caught everyone's attention, but Kagome was the one who asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, those guys are probably the ones who stole my possessions," HoroHoro explained, gesturing to the skewered kyonshi behind them. "I came here to Tokyo to participate in the Shaman Fights, but my enemies stole my stuff to prevent me from moving along," he concluded. The Ainu's eyes reflected true regret as he continued, "So... I'm sorry for involving you in my fights." Suddenly HoroHoro held Kagome's hands within his. "Especially you, Kagome-chan," he added.

Kagome smiled politely, but could not help sweat dropping. "Erm… You don't really have to apologize for that, HoroHoro-kun." Her eyes then looked to Yoh's.

The Asakura smiled and nodded in understanding. He then grinned at HoroHoro, "Well, those guys are actually my adversaries who come after me quite frequently~"

HoroHoro's jaw dropped at the information.

"To be frank, you're the one who was dragged into it," Anna clarified.

'Defeated by Asakura Yoh again! He truly is a worthy opponent!' HoroHoro dropped to his knees dramatically, "B-But, if it wasn't these guys—! Then who stole my stuff?!"

The medium crossed her arms and replied matter-of-factly, "It's quite simple."

S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.

HoroHoro was overjoyed as he snuggled and cuddled the sack of possessions in his arms. The group of teens was just leaving the police station that held the bag in their lost-and-found. Anna placed a hand on her hip and stated, "The day that you left your belongings to use the bathroom, you actually left them in the middle of traffic, which caused a traffic jam. So the police came and confiscated them to unclog the congestion."

Kagome stole a glance at Anna from her spot on the other side of Yoh. She couldn't stop herself from smiling as she realized, 'So when Anna-chan went out the other day, she was helping HoroHoro-kun find his stuff too~.'

"So I guess this is goodbye, huh, HoroHoro?" Manta inquired casually as the group of teenagers came to halt just before a crosswalk.

HoroHoro smiled and nodded, "But don't worry, I'm sure we'll all meet again in the Shaman Fights." With that said, he turned to the right and began crossing the adjacent street.

"HoroHoro-kun, good luck!" Kagome called after him, waving goodbye at his back. "Work hard to make your dream come true!" She smiled.

That was when HoroHoro abruptly paused mid-stride. His head snapped over his shoulder.

"Eh!" Kagome was frozen by the sudden intense stare.

"I almost forgot!" HoroHoro exclaimed before dropping his sack and jogging over to the priestess. The blunette was swift and sly as he leaned down to peck Kagome's cheek. The girl's face burned bright red as Manta, too, blushed intensely while throwing his hands over his mouth as if he witnessed a scandal. Yoh and Ryu were openly gaping at HoroHoro's boldness.

The Ainu then began jogging away again. He stooped over to pick up his belongings before he waved over his shoulder, "I don't feel too comfortable feeling you behind, Kagome-chan! But I'll definitely come back for you and make you my Shaman Queen, okay?!" A sparkly background appeared behind him with his final grin.

"HoroHoro-kun…" Kagome whispered with pink cheeks as her own colorful background twinkled.

Yoh watched the exchange and scratched his head, "Huh, that's weird…" He noted to himself.

Manta blinked as he looked up at Yoh, "What is…?

The Asakura chuckled and waved his hand dismissively, "Don't mind, don't mind~"

Before Manta could press any further, Anna's eye twitched as she grabbed Manta by the head and threw him at HoroHoro. The human weapon soared across the way till his skull crashed into the back of HoroHoro's head. With a dramatic "ACK!", the blunette planted face-first into the street. "The only one who'll be Shaman Queen is me!"

Yoh wore an uneasy smile as he patted Anna on the shoulder to soothe her, "Anna, don't mind HoroHoro. He'd say anything to impr—" He then shrunk away when Anna turned her glare to him.

"Your training will become twice as hard from now on," the itako huffed indignantly.

The Asakura's shoulders slouched, as if he was suddenly carrying the weight of the world. "This is a case of the punishment not matching the crime…" he muttered with whimpers.

Ryu placed a hand on top of Kagome's head as she held her warm cheek, "Ryu-san, that was the first time...that a boy kissed me, even if it wasn't on the lips."

"Hah? A pretty girl like you?" Ryu's hand dropped from her head. He leaned down, rubbing his chin and squinting at Kagome. The girl inched away when the older teen's eyeballs were replaced with hearts. "Kagome-sama, it would be an honor if you'd allow me to be your first kiss!"

Kagome smiled politely while raising her hands, "Ryu-san, isn't a bit soon to be hitting on another girl? Didn't you just get rejected by Kororo last night?"

The inquiry shot an arrow through Ryu's heart as he was forced to remember the pain and humiliation of another rejection. The teen dropped to his hands and knees and sobbed dramatically, earning sympathetic shoulder pats from Yoh and Manta.

"There, there, Ryu~" Yoh whispered soothingly. "There's someone out there for everyone~"

Manta smiled skittishly, "I'm not sure how much that'll mean coming from someone who's already engaged…"

After the eccentric bunch finally collected themselves, Kagome offered to use her allowance to treat everyone to cold-soba. Even Anna could not pass up the opportunity for a free meal and outing so convincing her was as easy as Kagome whisper-singing, "Freeee~" Thus, the group chatted and ate at a small noodle shop until the moon began to rise. They arrived back at the Asakura residence with full bellies and feelings of content.

They replaced their outdoor shoes with house shoes and bare feet at the entrance then headed for the living room for some unwinding. But the serenity was instantly thrust into a whirlwind of shock and chaos when they slid the door open.

Sitting at the living room table was none other than HoroHoro. The watermelon slice in his hand made a soft spewing sound as he sunk his teeth into the delicate, red flesh. He looked incredibly comfortable in his sleeping yukata. "H-HoroHoro-kun?!" Kagome gasped.

Anna pushed past the priestess and glowered down at him. "What are you doing here?" She hissed. While placing her hands on her hips, "Entering a home without permission is called trespassing around here."

Either HoroHoro was banking on the previous kindness shown to him, or he did not catch the note of death in Anna's voice. "Well," he messily chomped on his fruit again. "I realized I didn't have a place to go so I've decided to stay here for a while longer."

Kagome and Yoh winced when Anna grabbed Manta by the head.

The short boy grimaced, "Not again!"

S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.

Days had passed. Being the newest resident to the Asakura house, HoroHoro still received the brunt of the menial and laborious chores alike. It was another warm night when Kagome, Manta, and Yoh were sent another late-night snack run by Anna. As they sauntered down a dimly lit path, Kagome sighed softly. But it was just audible enough for her companions to hear it. Manta stopped mid-step to turn towards the girl, his concern plain as day on his face. "That's the second time you've sighed within the past thirty seconds, Kagome-chan," he noted.

Kagome and Yoh, prompted by Manta's actions, also stopped walking and turned to face each other. The Asakura took the opportunity to add, "Yeah, you seemed kind of down all day actually."

The priestess stretched the edges of her lips upward and waved a hand, "Oh no. It's nothing important so don't worry about me." Despite not wanting to raise an unnecessary fuss, part of Kagome felt low for pulling this act. Right now, she was wearing the winning smile that assured others that all was well in her world, even when it wasn't. 'I promised myself that once I made friends in Tokyo, I wouldn't lie or hide my feelings from them anymore.' Lying to Yoh and Manta reminded her of when she lied to an old friend about how she truly felt, about how she was okay back when she was far from it.

"Kagome-chan…?" Manta's worry-laden voice brought her back to reality.

The hand that was last waving her friends' worry away was now curled against her chest. Kagome gasped when she realized that her smile had fallen. "Eh heh," she chuckled while scratching her cheek. "Sorry about that. I guess I spaced out."

"Kagome-chan," Yoh began in his usual relaxed tone. "You know, you can talk to us about anything. We're your friends so you don't have to bear any burdens alone." When the girl still looked reluctant, the brunette's smile widened before he enticed her, "If you spill, I'll let you have my dessert for another week~"

For a moment, Kagome's aura brightened, but suddenly, realization flickered in her eyes and she deflated again. But to Yoh and Manta's relief, her gloom was actually visible. "Well...it's about...Ryu-san…" Manta looked surprised about her confession, but Yoh's expression remained neutral as he listened. "He looked pretty down a few days ago and left the night that HoroHoro-kun came back."

Her eyes dropped to the ground as she lowered her head. Her fingers dug into her pleated pink skirt as she continued, "He hasn't come back since then… And I don't know if he ever will. I noticed that he was looking pretty blue, but I didn't say anything about it." Her voice lowered into a whisper, "And now I regret it."

Suddenly, Yoh took a step forward. His hands took hold of hers, prompting the girl to lift her to face. "Don't worry, Kagome-chan," He comforted with a soft, reassuring smile. "Ryu is one of us. When he's ready, he'll come home, for sure."

Manta nodded in agreement before chiming in cheerfully, "There's no way that Ryu would pass up on living with you, Anna, and Kororo~"

Kagome's heart immediately felt lighter. "You guys are right. I'm probably worrying too much," She smiled brilliantly. "Ryu-san really is one of us—we're like a family, right~?" Yoh and Manta exchanged looks before nodding to the girl. "Alright, let's hurry up and get Anna-chan's snacks before she has our heads~"

"Hold on a sec," Manta suddenly urged as he looked in the direction of an old bowling alley. "Isn't that place supposed to be closed down? Why are there lights coming from the inside?"

Kagome blinked at the question before suggesting, "Probably just trespassers."

"Let's go check it out," Yoh grinned before stuffing his hands into his pockets and slinking towards the abandoned building.

"I don't know," Kagome scowled a bit. "Cases like this one aren't really our thing, right? Trespassers could spell trouble."

"That's more reason to hurry up," Yoh responded with an easy-going smile.

Manta shook his head and shrugged, "I don't know why you even try to reason with this guy."

S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.

Kagome was not surprised to find that the front door was not only locked, but iron chains were wrapped around the handles for added security. Manta rubbed his arms as the eerie aura of the building gave him the chills. "W-well, looks like it's locked so we should just mind our own business, and—" his shaky suggestion was interrupted by Yoh.

The brunette pointed towards the western side of the building and stated, "The lights are coming from over there. There might be another entry point that way."

Kagome stifled a chuckle at the scrunched-up Manta face gave her. This time it was her turn to shrug her shoulders and state, "Yoh-kun is surprisingly obstinate for a lax guy so nothing we can do but follow him~"

"Sometimes I think you enjoy the thrill of danger," The blond deadpanned as he trailed behind his friends, dragging his feet as he grumbled to himself. Not two minutes later, the trio discovered a pair of sizable twin windows, just as Yoh had predicted. While one window was intact, its twin was almost completely shattered. Only a few jagged shards of glass aligned the otherwise empty frame.

"Just a sec," Kagome urged as she fished around her waist pouch for her phone. Upon turning on the flashlight feature, the girl raised her phone and illuminated the area. "Yup," she said as she glanced down at the ground below the window. "There's no glass on the outside here so someone definitely broke in."

Regardless, Yoh wasn't daunted by the prospect of encountering mischievous or troublemaking humans. "I'll go first," he announced before carefully lifting his leg and climbing through the gape. He then extended his hand to Kagome and assisted the girl inside. As soon as she safely cleared the entrance, she quickly pulled Manta behind her.

Immediately, the sound of chatter and laughter resounded from nearby. The three used the sounds as a guide and Kagome's phone as a light in the darkness. Soon, they rounded a corner that brought them to the surprisingly well-lit entertainment area of the alley. It was there that they spotted Ryu's Gang lounging around and overall making themselves at home.

"Oh, so it was you guys fooling around in here," Yoh chuckled as he casually approached them.

Muscle Punch, Ryu's right-hand man and advisor, grinned from ear to ear upon seeing the trio. He stood up from his spot on a cushioned bench and greeted, "Oh! It's Yoh-san, Manta-san, and Kagome-san! Good to see ya!"

Kagome responded just as cordially, "Yeah~ I'm glad we ran into you guys and no one else. So this is your new hangout, huh~?" She looked around, scanning the crowd of older teens, and before asking, "Eh? Ryu-san isn't with you?"

"Ryu-san?" Muscle Punch blinked at the inquiry. He half-turned to point at his leader, "Oh, he's right he—! Eh?!" The teen looked left and right, then did a panicked three-sixty. "He was just here a minute ago! Where could he have gone?!"

Yoh smiled and stated, "Well, we just came to check things out so we better get going now. When you find Ryu, tell him not to stick around for too long. It isn't safe for humans."

Manta's eyes bulged at the admission and he immediately tugged at his hair, "I knew it! Yoh-kun acted blasé but he actually dragged us into another dangerous situation!"

Kagome was unfazed by the information as she said nonchalantly, "Well, I already sensed something was off about this place, so I'm not surprised."

The brunette smiled sheepishly and scratched his head, "W-well, I did bring you, but I'd never let anything bad happen to you two…"

"I-I heard from my grandmother that this area is cursed or something!" a gang member chimed in, a tinge of fear audible in his voice.

Yoh nodded and confirmed, "Yeah, that's pretty much the idea. Be careful, okay?" With that said, the three of them made their way towards the hallway.

Before rounding the corner, Kagome looked over her shoulder a final time and called, "Oh! And also, tell Ryu-san that he's welcome to come home anytime! We miss him!"

"Will do!" Ball Boy saluted the girl and grinned, "I'm sure hearing that would make Ryu-san happy!"

Kagome easily caught up to her friends as the two boys waited for her before continuing ahead. She lifted her shining phone and instantly felt wary of the teasing grins on Yoh's and Manta's faces. "Okay, what is it this time?" She asked flatly.

Manta was the first to answer, "Nothing~ It's just cute how you're acting like the lady of the house~" He snickered as the girl's cheeks burned at the comment.

Yoh's teasing only made Kagome blush harder. "He's welcome to come home anytime, huh?" He elbowed the girl's ribs while grinning like a fool, "Are you actually trying to be my second wife~?"

For a moment, Kagome was left impersonating the expanding and contracting "o"s of a fish's mouth. But the sounds of Yoh's and Manta's collective laughter at her expense brought her back to reality. The priestess huffed indignantly and inwardly decided that she would not allow them to have the last laugh. She placed her hands on her hips and faked a perfect haughty, confident face. "Hmph~" The squeaky puff of air caught the boys' attention. She closed her eyes and stuck her nose up. "And what if I am~?" She countered.

The ever-bashful Manta took on the embarrassed posture of a blushing maiden. "K-Kagome-chan, how scandalous!" He threw his hands over his eyes, as if to shield his innocent eyes.

Meanwhile, Yoh still look collected. He rubbed his chin with a thoughtful look on his face, "I don't think even my ancestors practiced bigamy back then…"

Kagome slapped her forehead at the reaction, "Yoh-kun, you could at least pretend to react."

S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.

This void.

'I...I can't see anything…'

This empty darkness was so familiar.

Kagome could feel it.

'Where am I…?'

She had been here before.

She had lived in this darkness for a very long time.

And yet, here she was, still feeling fearful of the unknown lying within.

'Who am I…?'

Or was she afraid of the lack of anything but herself here?

'I'm scared. Don't leave me here in the dark.'

Kagome was sure that she was reaching—but for what…?

'Don't leave me here. I don't want to be alone…!'

Yes. She was reaching for…

'I don't want to be alone!'

...for someone…?

Suddenly, a familiar face struck her mind like lightning. The warmth of his sun-kissed skin was only rivaled by his amiable smile. His hand was extended and welcoming her own. Behind him was a party of more faces. The brown eyes that beseeched her to accept him softened as his lips moved.

But Kagome was unable to hear his words.

'H-huh…? What are you saying…?'

She looked at his hand. She had the urge to take it. She trusted him, that's all that she knew. Her fingers twitched as she willed her stiff body to move. But just as her arm began to respond, the darkness that previously engulfed her returned. The inky backdrop bled onto the brilliant scene in front of her. Darkness slid down the sky and consumed those faces like a jar of pitch-black molasses.

Kagome felt sick to her stomach. She turned on her heel and looked around. "Manta-kun!" Kagome cupped her hands around her mouth and called out. "Are you here?!" She was greeted by an echo of her own voice bouncing off invisible walls around her.

'Where am I...? We went home right? Yeah... We did... We ate dinner too and went to bed so... Where am I?' Her mind was racing as she continued wandering through the darkness. "Yoh-kun! Anna-chan! Ryu-san! Amidamaru-sama! Sesshomaru! ANYONE?!"

Her own voice echoing back was her only response. It was so loud, as if there were walls that boxed her in from all sides. "This makes no sense…" Kagome whispered as she placed her hand on an invisible barrier in front of her. She ran her palm along the surface and noted, "It feels like...stone…"

Suddenly, a dreadful sound cut through the darkness and silence.

[ Sssssss... ]

It was a hissing sound.

[ Sssss... ]

Kagome promptly turned and spotted the form of a white snake slithering towards her with conviction. She felt even sicker when it slithered past her and straight through the wall that caged her. 'What the—?!' The priestess turned back to the void of a wall and watched in shock as the snake continued slithering beyond the boundary that held her.

Just ahead, they appeared...the images of Manta and Ryu.

And the snake was closing in.

Kagome screamed.

And then awoke to the sound of Yoh's worried voice, "Kagome-chan…?"

Kagome gasped as she shot up and found herself in her bed. Yoh, who was beside her bed, removed his hand from her shoulder and straightened himself up.

"Kagome-chan, are you okay?" Yoh was not wearing his usual collected expression. He appeared somewhat distressed. "What did you see?" He asked.

The priestess shook her head and brought her hand to her chest, "I can't remember everything. But I feel like Manta-kun and Ryu-san might be in danger!"

Anna nodded from her spot in the doorway and confirmed calmly, "Seems like your intuition is pretty precise. We have to get going. Yoh has received a challenge."

Yoh took a step back and gave Kagome space to swing her legs over the edge of the bed. "I don't understand," the priestess furrowed her eyebrows. "It isn't the Tao's messing with you again, is it?"

"Not this time," Anna replied. "I did some research on the area where that bowling alley was built. Seems that it's haunted by the spirit of a thief that lived six hundred years ago, a thief named Tokageroh."

"So it's Tokageroh that's behind this," Kagome surmised. "We've got to hurry, and—!"

Ryu's voice suddenly boomed from outside, "No, no! There's no rush! I've already come for Asakura Yoh and Amidamaru! Just step outside and see!"

The teens wasted no time in questioning what was happening. They rushed down the hall and stairs until they were at the front entrance. Their front yard was teeming with life. Ryu stood in front of his gang and their parked bikes. A tied and gagged Manta was tucked beneath one arm while the other gripped a sword that was curiously wrapped in cloth. The remainder of the gang members were carrying lit torches.

"What's the meaning of this, Ryu?" Yoh questioned with clear agitation. "And why did you capture Manta?!"

"This one here?" Ryu asked, gesturing to the petite teen who was struggling and squirming in his grasp. Manta's screams were muffled and mottled by the duct tape that sealed his mouth. "He's a naughty boy who decided to spy on me rather than go home as good kids should. So I decided to give him the role of hostage."

Kagome looked at the faces of gang members that stood behind Ryu. They looked nothing like the rowdy bunch who beat up Manta when they first met. Those previously frightening faces now reflected uncertainty and guilt. 'The guys...they don't want to hurt Manta or anyone...'

Yoh growled as Anna handed him his wooden sword. "Yoh-kun, that isn't Ryu-san," Kagome whispered as she stared Manta's abrupter down. He certainly had Ryu's body and voice, but—. "I can sense it. The aura coming from his body is dark and twisted, nothing like the Ryu-san that we know."

"You can sense my true self, huh?" Ryu's brow rose curiously. He didn't dwell on the priestess, however. Instead, he smirked and returned his gaze to Yoh, "I'll let you in on a little secret: this sword I have right here is not made of wood. It's actually the great and precious Harusame."

Amidamaru then appeared behind his Lord. His voice trembled from the shell shock, "Y-You stole Harusame?!"

"Once a thief, always a thief, eh, Tokageroh?" Anna's voice was sharp and critical. "We all know that you're not Ryu so stop playing games and show that ugly face of yours."

Without delay, a green spirit peeled away from Ryu's back and glowered at Anna. "I'd watch my mouth if I were you, Missy," he hissed.

"Humph," The itako closed her eyes and crossed her arms. "You had six hundred years to become less of a sleazeball and you're still a complete failure. People like you don't scare me."

"Who the hell do you think you are?! You have the guts to speak ill of me when I have your little friend here as a hostage?!" Tokageroh roared. The possessed Ryu then dropped Manta and stomped on him, pressing the heel of his foot into Manta's back. He ignored the death-glare from Yoh and Kagome's cries of her friend's name. He unwrapped Harusame as he spoke. "Now listen up, Amidamaru. I'm here to take revenge."

Ryu pointed Harusame at Amidamaru, "I'll kill you for killing me six hundred years ago."

Amidamaru's distressed expression melted in a more solemn one. The samurai spirit slowly closed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest...as if contemplating his opponent's words. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and asked, "And who are you?"

Tokageroh screamed out in agitation. "How can you not remember the infamous bandit that you had slain?!" He questioned as Ryu gritted his teeth.

"I killed countless fiends back then," Amidamaru answered, "I can't remember all of them."

"Tch, it doesn't matter!" Tokageroh barked back. "I'm going to kill you with Harusame! To kill a samurai with his own blade—!" He cackled maniacally, "It's such a delicious thought!"

"K-Kill me…?" Amidamaru blinked, as if he just registered Tokageroh's plan. "But how?"

Anna sighed impatiently before speaking up again, "The way I see it, you only have three options. One: You can let Manta die. Two: You can let him kill you through Yoh. Or three: you can break Harusame." Her eyes then landed on the gleaming blade, "But Harusame is a remarkable sword that can cut through stone. The only way to break it is to go all out and attack."

"But…" Kagome whispered just loud enough for her friends to hear. "Is Amidamaru-sama capable of breaking Harusame? It means so much to him…"

"The little ladies have the right idea," Tokageroh smirked. "So what will you do, Amidamaru? I'll give you on the count of three..."

Yoh gritted his teeth and immediately merged with Amidamaru.

"One..." Ryu counted as his eyes became darker and more deranged.

"Amidamaru, we can't let Manta die!" Yoh shouted as they charged at Ryu.

"...Two..." Ryu continued while using both hands to lift the sword above his head.

'I know!' Amidamaru called back to his partner from within. 'I'd never abandon Manta-dono!'

"...Three..." Ryu hissed out like a satisfied, smiling snake.

"Damn, we won't make it in time!" Yoh and Amidamaru's eyes narrowed.

"Too late!" Ryu grinned devilishly. His grip on the hilt tightened. But Tokageroh was brought down from his murderous high from searing pain in his chest. It had been many centuries since he felt pain. So he felt nothing short of shock when a blue energy that he had never seen before pierced through his chest and set his spiritual body on fire.

"Tokageroh," Kagome's eyes narrowed as she gripped her Crescent. "You've already lost this fight. If you leave right now, I'll let you off easy."

Tokageroh was seething through clenched teeth like a living person trying to breathe through immense pain. "Y-you must be a priestess," the spirit deduced. "How lucky for you, Amidamaru."

Yoh looked back at Kagome, who hadn't moved from her spot near the front door. "Kagome-chan, thanks for the assist but don't interfere any further." The shaman looked back at Ryu. "We've already made our decision," he and Amidamaru announced.

"Un," Kagome nodded and dismissed her bow. "Alright. I trust you."

Ryu lifted an eyebrow at Yoh and questioned, "Finally made your decision, huh? So what is it?"

"Hmph," Yoh lifted his wooden sword into a fighting stance. Amidamaru answered through his partner, "Harusame is a precious possession that was made by Mosuke exclusively for me... To break it is like breaking the bond that ties us together between the two worlds..." Yoh then glared at Tokageroh and declared, "but also, Harusame is a sword forged for me to protect my friends and that's what's most important to me!"

"Don't tell me—!" Tokageroh's eyes widened at the hardened resolve on Yoh's face. He was banking on the advantage of having Amidamaru's most precious treasure, and yet—. "Damn it, it doesn't matter! I'll kill this kid before you can reach me or before the priestess can shoot me again! JUST WATCH ME!"

"I don't have to move from this spot," Yoh asserted before swinging his sword and launching a slash of red energy at Ryu, "Shinkuu Butagiri!" Before anyone could blink, the energy sliced through Harusame. The blade cracked, then fell to the ground in pieces.

"That can't be..." Tokageroh whispered as his brain struggled to register what was happening. His plan should have been fool-proof! He had not only one, but two hostages! "How could he just forsake the sentimental gift from his best friend for a shrimp like this kid?!"

"That's what friendship is all about," Kagome responded firmly. "Friendship is not bound by material possessions but by trust, faith, and love." 'That's right…' She looked at the faces around her. From Anna to Yoh to Manta, to Ryu and his followers, she'd give up anything for them.

"That doesn't make any sense!" Ryu's possessed body retorted. "If friendship is so great, then why did it cost him something so precious?! I bet that fool Amidamaru is torn up inside!" He was delighted at the idea of his opponent being in emotional distress. After all of the ordeals that Tokageroh had to endure during his miserable life, and even his afterlife, it was only fair for someone else to hurt and struggle the way he did. "Sacrifice and self-inflicted pain. That's what friendship is?" He spat like the notion gave him a sour taste in his mouth.

To Tokageroh's surprise, the priestess nodded affirmatively.

Yoh took a step forward and concurred with the girl, "Kagome-chan is right. A part of friendship is pain and sacrifice, that's what you do for friends…"

This was exactly how he felt back during that fire.

[ "Amidamaru-sama would be torn if you got hurt!" ]

[ "Funny. Because that's how I'd feel if you got hurt." ]

The brunette couldn't help but smile at the memory. He remembered the look in Kagome's eyes when she stared up at him. She was genuinely stunned, and moved. At that moment, Yoh knew that his words and actions meant the world to her. It was as if he showed her a love that she hadn't received in a long time. "Because you care about them so much that you don't care for your own well-being," Yoh concluded.

Amidamaru released from his unity with Yoh and stated, "A being such as Tokageroh, who lived all of his life being selfish and without friends and love, would not understand."

It was then that Yoh caught Tokageroh's eyes, "That's such a shame. I want you, Tokageroh, to understand the power of friendship." He gave the spirit a gentle smile and extended his hand towards him. "Do you want to be my friend? Here. Merge with me."

Tokageroh scoffed at the gesture, "You would risk your own life to be my friend? We all know the moment I enter your body, I'd take advantage and kill you for sure."

"Since we're friends, I'm willing to take that chance and trust you," Yoh easily responded.

Kagome's eyes widened as Anna shouted in a rare alarmed voice, "Yoh! Don't you dare throw your life away being foolish! You better not—!"

Yoh looked over his shoulder at the panicked Anna and smiled reassuringly, "It'll be fine... Trust me, Anna." The itako was not convinced. It was not that she did not trust Yoh: she loved him because he was so pure and gentle. In a wretched world, he was the only one strong enough to stay by her side.

It was the wicked spirit that he was offering up his body to that Anna did not trust.

"Hmph," Yoh chuckled and grinned, his hand still offered, "So, how 'bout it?"

"Fine!" The bandit spirit grinned like a Cheshire. "If you're so eager to merge with me, then SO BE IT!"

"Yoh-dono!" "Yooooooooooooooooooh!" "Yoh-kun!" "Mmmmrrph!"

Tokageroh abandoned Ryu's body in favor of Yoh's. The older teen immediately fell unconscious to the ground as the spirit entered ghost-ball mode. The green orb zoomed past Yoh's offered hand and smacked him straight into the chest.

The brunette staggered backward from the force. His limbs became scarily limp. Yoh stumbled then hunched forward, his arms dangling like loose fruit and his knees slightly bent. Manta wiggled on the ground frantically as the other spectators watched Yoh with bated breath.

"Yoh-kun…?" Kagome was the first to break the silence. From her spot near the entrance, she whispered, "I can't… I can't feel him in there."

Anna felt her heart drop. She silently sank to her knees. The world was suddenly so heavy. It weighed on her shoulders and chest. "Yoh…" she whispered as the reality of Kagome's words sunk in. "You fool…" 'Back then, out of everyone who I met...you're the only one...the only one who chose to stay with me. You vowed to never leave me, to make me Shaman Queen, and give me a good life. How could you…?'

Anna looked down at her trembling hands and realized that her vision was distorted. "Y-Yoh…" She couldn't bear his name without tears pouring out.

Kagome's heart was pounding. She had never seen Anna in such a state of defeat and despair before. 'No! This can't be…!' The priestess moved quickly. She rushed away from the front door and across the yard. "Yoh-kun!" She crashed into Yoh's back and wrapped her arms around him. "Yoh-kun, I know you're in there! There's no way that you can't be!" Kagome asserted.

For a moment, Yoh was silent. It was unnerving, but Kagome did not yield. She stayed there, holding her friend. Her eyes remained shut tight. 'Yoh-kun, you're not gone. That isn't possible.' Her eyes opened moments later when she heard dark chuckles erupting from Yoh's chest. She gasped when the light chuckles erupted into deranged laughter. "Yoh...kun...?"

"Yoh-kun is not here anymore," Was the response before Yoh turned and shoved Kagome to the ground.

For a moment, Kagome sat there. She looked between the triumphant smirking Yoh and Anna. The itako was still on the ground, crying out Yoh's name hysterically. 'This isn't real…' Kagome's inner voice denied over and over again. 'It can't be… Yoh-kun can't be gone. Yoh-kun can't lose. A lax guy who's only useful in a pinch…that's who Yoh is...' Breathing was becoming more laborious.

"Yoh-kun…" Kagome whispered, her jaw clenched. 'You're an idiot, but…' She glared up at Yoh and screamed, "Yoh-kun! I know you're in there! Come back!" 'You're an idiot, but you're still the person who I admire the most!'

"Ehhhhh?" Yoh wore a disturbingly devious smirk. "You still think he's here? It's all me."

Kagome shakily got to her feet. For a moment, the priestess turned her head to check on Anna. The girl, whose default emotions were calm and anger, was tugging at her hair and sobbing uncontrollably. "Anna-chan..." She then turned to glare at Yoh. Her hands formed fists at her sides. "...'m back…" she whispered.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh?" Yoh asked. "What was that, girly?"

"I said," her voice was low until she erupted, "GIVE HIM BACK!" The priestess rushed Yoh and returned his earlier shove ten-fold. The brunette fell flat on his back with Kagome landing over him. "You're always supposed to come home, Yoh-kun! Look at us, Yoh-kun! Neither Anna-chan nor I want to live in world without you! Anna-chan and I—we both trusted you!"

During her emotional outburst, Kagome did not notice Yoh's eyes widening and melting like butter. Before she could continue her tirade, she was cut off by a familiar, friendly voice. "And you're not wrong for trusting in me~" Yoh told her with a wide grin that only grew when Kagome looked shocked. "See? I told you it would be okay~"

"Y-you...mean…?" Kagome was dumbfounded and she slowly pushed herself off of Yoh to her feet. The brunette followed suit as Tokageroh appeared next to the pair.

The bandit smiled awkwardly, "truthfully... The moment I merged with Yoh... I felt... at peace."

"That's because that's what friendship is... A place of peace and refuge," Yoh replied gently.

The moment that she realized Yoh was alright, Anna bounded towards him. The brunette flinched at the frightening speed that the itako was approaching in. Her eyes were scarily shielded by her blond bangs. "You planned this all along…" She hissed.

Before Kagome could react, Anna took everyone by surprise. The itako pushed past the priestess and threw herself into Yoh's chest. Yoh smiled and responded by rubbing her back. "Honestly, I feel so touched that you guys care so much~" He confessed with pink cheeks. "...thank you..." he whispered.

Manta nodded as he ran up to them, having been recently freed from his restraints by Ryu's gang. "Yeah! All of the waterworks and screaming ended up making me cry too!" He sniffed. Indeed, his eyes were as puffy and red as Anna's.

Ryu's gang collectively applauded the scene with claps, cheers, and thumbs-up.

"Everyone was watching that..." Kagome whispered. Her cheeks became warmer and warmer as that thought sunk in. "That's so embarrassing…!" She slapped her hands over her face.

Anna was not so accepting of the humiliation—the embarrassment of being caught in such a sentimental and emotional state. She lowered her head to hide a secret blush of her own... "You guys... You all treated that like it was entertainment..." She seethed beneath her breath.

"It was pretty much expected from Kagome-chan," Yoh was completely oblivious to the mounding danger he was in. "But coming from Anna, it was really sweet and cute~"

Anna's blush and anger deepened, "YOU'RE A MORON!" She grabbed Manta by the head and used him as a human boomerang again. Her aim held true as she took down Yoh and every member of Ryu's gang with Mantarang. With a huff, the itako stormed back into the house.

"Owww..." Yoh moaned from the ground. He sat up while rubbing his head, "Manta sure has a hard head… I bet he could break Harusame as easily as the Shinku Buttagiri..."

Manta, who landed face-first on the ground, groaned out, "That's just rude, Yoh-kun..."

"K-Kagome-chan…" Yoh extended a dramatically shaking arm towards the priestess. "Help me…! Anna cruelly—Eh!" He paled and knew he was in deep trouble when he looked up and realized that Kagome was standing with her hands on her hips.

"Hmph!" The priestess huffed in response. "Serves you for toying with a maiden's heart!"

It was then that HoroHoro returned from a snack run for Anna. He looked between the displeased Kagome, fallen gang, bruised Manta, and exhausted Yoh. "Eh—. What did I miss?" the blunette blinked rapidly.

S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.

Kagome smiled softly as she propped her arm against her window sill. She looked towards the night sky and released a content sigh. She was pleased with the events of these past few days. Everything had been resolved now.

After Ryu had finally awakened, Anna summoned Mosuke to repair Harusame. Everyone got to witness the long-awaited meeting between Amidamaru and Mosuke. The raw emotion in their eyes was touching, but they greeted each other with senseless shouting and punches to each other's cheeks. Despite being centuries-old spirits, the duo was like two boys that could not express their thoughts or feelings in words. They opted to communicate with their fists, but Kagome still found it sweet in its own way.

And the icing on the cake was that Yoh was blessed with a brand new weapon. The broken, bladeless Harusame had been infused with Mosuke's will and transformed into a spiritual sword. Both Kagome and Manta were stoked and impressed to witness such a miracle.

"It's so peaceful now, huh, Sesshomaru?" the priestess asked the spirit as he appeared next to her.

"Now is not the time to become lax, Priestess," the demon lord countered. "Don't you feel it?"

Kagome nodded wordlessly and looked to the sky. A large, ghostly blue star swept across the night sky. Its massive tail outshone the lights of its smaller brethren.

"That star is known as Ragoh, a star that represents destruction," Sesshomaru explained.

"So that's Ragoh…" Kagome whispered without taking her eyes off the star. Its brilliance was truly entrancing. "I heard it from Yoh-kun, that's the signal to all shamans worldwide that the time has come for a new savior to be chosen. The savior whose responsibility is to change the Earth's fate of destruction to revival…" 'The Shaman King...'

The priestess even dug up some old scrolls about the legends of the Shaman King on one of her trips to her family's shrine. It was a star that foretold of a future of bloodshed and death until one shaman was crowned worthy of the Great Spirit. Many lives would be lost. It was a star that split the heavens, and divided countless shamans, turning them into enemies.

But at the same time...

It was the star that bound all shamans together and brought them all together.

"Priestess," Sesshomaru's voice seemed more grim than normal. "The time has come...for the Shaman Fights in Tokyo."

It was then that something clicked inside of Kagome's head. She finally looked away from the sky to glare at her spirit, "How can I even dream of being ready when we've never even merged?! How can I even call myself a shaman right now?!" She grabbed at her hair and rustled it in the thought. "Will I even qualify at this rate?!"

"Don't test me, Priestess," Sesshomaru dismissed her doubt. "You'll be ready. I don't waste my time with the impossible." The ranting shaman suddenly paused on her screaming, panicky rampage and blinked at her partner. She gave him a questioning expression to make sure that she had heard him correctly.

Her doe-like gaze was met with a stony one.

"So…" Kagome began slowly. "You...don't think I'm a lost cause…?" Sesshomaru, being one of few words, allowed the ever-talkative girl to continue speaking. She smiled warmly and nodded gratefully to her spirit, "I feel that I'm a bit behind everyone else but... I trust your decisions, Sesshomaru." She admitted as she locked gazes with the demon. "So from now on, I won't question you anymore."

"How fortuitous," Sesshomaru responded. "We depart tomorrow.

The smile on Kagome's face was wiped off like ink off of a dry-erase board. "What?" The priestess's emotions erupted. "What do you mean—I won't be living here anymore?!" Kagome retorted, suddenly a spitfire again. "First you had me move out of my house and now you want me to move out of here?! Are you crazy?!"

"Your faith and obedience, girl."

The priestess glowered, "Kagome."

"Priestess," Sesshomaru countered. "I've been observing your progress as you trained alongside Asakura Yoh," he explained briefly. "You've become stronger." Kagome's mouth opened to question her spirit, so he was quick to intercept her. "However, your potential growth is stunted by this atmosphere and these children."

"That's ridiculous!" Kagome rebutted with disbelief. She placed her hand to her chest as she spoke, "It's my friends that give me the strength, courage, and determination to become stronger! Don't you remember what happened between us and Tokageroh?! Friendship is what people need to survive!"

The demon seemed uninterested in the girl's ideals. Instead, he opted to pierce her with his sharpened orbs. "Such foolish human values…"

"In what way are they foolish?" Kagome's eyes narrowed. "They always work for— ." She pursed her lips when Sesshomaru's eyes flashed. His golden orbs waited for her to finish his statement, almost encouraging it. It was then that Kagome realized that she set herself up for what was to come.

She didn't verbally complete that thought. But she didn't need to. They both knew what she was thinking and how she felt. 'Those ideals and that motivation always work for Asakura Yoh.'

Asakura Yoh: he meant so much to her.

And she just realized that now.

At first, Kagome only thought that Yoh was her inspiration to continue shamanistic training.

But he was so much more than that.

Yoh was a symbol of hope.

He was a shaman who befriended and was accepted by a human: Oyamada Manta.

And to her, Manta was proof that even people like her could happily coexist with humans.

Kagome had been content with her current life. The training was rigorous but she was happy just being able to spend time with her friends. She couldn't imagine what problem Sesshomaru had with that. Her stormy eyes found Sesshomaru's again and reflected doubt and bemusement.

"Priestess," The demon lord's voice never strayed from his usual placidity. "Your growth is stagnated by complacency. You idolize the Asakura boy to the point of not aspiring to be more than his shadow."

Kagome felt like she was hit with a ton of bricks. Her inner mind wondered how that could be true when she followed Sesshomaru's instructions and trained under Anna? Was this not enough? Was she supposed to be doing more?

The priestess's head lowered just a bit. She knew the severity of the situation because Sesshomaru was not usually one of many words. And yet, his voice kept coming, "The reason for your participation in the Shaman Fights, the reason that you train…" The demon looked down at the girl. His critical gaze cutting her just as deep as his words, "It has to transcend Asakura Yoh. If you choose to stand behind him, you'll surely lose your life."

'All of this time...I thought that Sesshomaru wasn't trying to help me…' Kagome thought as her fingers curled into fists. 'But that's because I didn't understand him. All of this time, he was watching me and getting to know me.' Her head lowered a bit more. 'And now, he reads me better than I can read myself, so that means…'

"...raise your head, and fight for yourself," Sesshomaru commanded. His voice, which was usually like chilly water, firmed into stone: absolute and strong.

Kagome lifted her chin so that she was looking up at her partner again. If someone asked her how she was feeling right now, she would be lying if she said that she felt great. There was nothing more humiliating than realizing that your motivations are feeble. She had strong aspirations, but it wasn't until now that she realized that she was the one holding herself back from reaching her full potential. "I will," she answered, her own voice steady.

'I always pitied myself and complained about Sesshomaru not merging with me,' The priestess thought. 'And sometimes, I questioned why he was even my partner because it looked like he wasn't trying to work with me. But in reality…'

Sesshomaru appeared satisfied with her answer. "We depart at dawn," was his final words before he disappeared, leaving the priestess with her thoughts.

'Even if we did merge, our Hyoigattai would have been weak because I didn't completely trust him,' Kagome clenched her fist. 'Sesshomaru, I can't say that I understand you completely… But, I'm going to truly put my faith into you from now on.'

Her thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on her door. "Come in~" Kagome called as she moved to sit on her bed. Not a moment later, Yoh poked his head in and grinned. "Oh, Yoh-kun~"

"Yo!" Yoh greeted before stepping inside and closing the door behind him.

"Yo yourself," The priestess chuckled. "What's up~?"

"Just checkin' on ya cause I heard you yelling a while ago," He answered. "You fighting with Sesshomaru again?" He wondered.

Kagome shook her head and smiled, "Oh no. We're doing just fine. Thanks for asking though." 'Yoh-kun...thanks for looking out for me.'

"Oh," Yoh, of course, looked surprised by that answer, considering the muffled shouts he heard from his room a few minutes ago. "Well, that's good," he cheesed. "You two ought to get along as partners~"

"Yoh-kun," Kagome's voice suddenly lowered from its normal upbeat tone. Yoh stiffened and wondered if he had done something to upset her today. "Tell me…" Her smile became wistful as she asked, "What would you think of someone who couldn't cry? Of someone who couldn't shed tears no matter how sad they were?"

Yoh's mouth opened, but nothing but garbled, surprised sound escaped his lips. He paused with that dumbfounded face: enlarged eyes and an ajar mouth. "Eh—I…" finally, he found his words and scratched the back of his head as he admitted with an unnerved chuckle, "I wasn't expecting that one." He then rubbed the back of his neck, "And I'm not sure how to answer that."

"A person who can not shed tears... Is that person still human? And despite that, can you... Would you still be able to love someone like that?" Kagome continued her questions without giving many answers.

Yoh laughed and scratched his cheek, a habit he picked up from Kagome herself, and replied honestly, "Well... I don't think something like that is possible. And even if such a person did exist…" He smiled and answered, "Despite that, it wouldn't make them any less human, or a bad person."

"Yoh-kun..." The girl was unaware of how much she enjoyed saying his name. "Back when we thought that Tokageroh consumed you completely… I was devastated." The confession made Yoh's smile fade. "Not to guilt-trip you or anything, but I truly was afraid. I thought that I lost someone dear to me… For a moment I thought to myself, 'I don't want to live in a world without you and I left like I had to give on this world'..."

Kagome's eyes fell to her hands in her lap, "It's strange… I felt like the world was going to end, and yet, I couldn't shed a single tear for your sake. By contrast, Anna-chan was obviously crushed. The invincible, stone-wall Kyoyama Anna-chan broke down completely because she thought that she lost you… For me, that was confirmation that she does actually love you."

Yoh blushed and nodded silently.

"You were there, watching all of it… And I didn't have a single tear to offer you," Kagome closed her eyes and chuckled bitterly. "I want to prove that I care about you too. I want to give you my tears, but I can't…"

The Asakura was perplexed by the priestess' words, and they only became even stranger.

"Because, I gave them away," Kagome stated simply, as if it were ordinary as the sky being blue. "Well, actually—they were taken. My tears were stolen from me."

Authoress Notes:

For anyone wondering what Manta and Ryu were chatting about early on in this chapter, the Japanese word "Hōrō-sha'' means vagrant. So it was another silly poke at HoroHoro's name and predicament. Lots of changes were made to this chapter but I hope you all enjoy it nonetheless!