Shaman King

by The Amazing Sakumachan

For Higurashi Kagome, moving to Tokyo was supposed to be a fresh start. But little did she know that she was walking a similar path that was walked before. A fateful encounter. A promise that transcends time and space. A gift that keeps giving. What path lends a Happy Ending? [SPOILER-IFIC]

42. Festival in Shanghai — For You

Authoress' Notes: Yeeeeah...it turns out that there will be one more chapter to this arc after this one! Sorry, everyone! I realized that this chapter would be way too long if I didn't cut it up!

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Festival in Shanghai — For You

Hao's pointer had been tapping the armrest of his throne for the past two minutes. His mouth concaved into a mildly vexed, somewhat impatient scowl as he listened to his twin babble sheepishly about his latest mishap with unsavory humans. Yoh had the decency to blush and look embarrassed and apologetic while Anna's glare was focused on the Shaman King, silently daring him to defy her. "You're as impertinent as ever, huh, Yoh?" He sighed when his twin gave him that goofy grin.

"My bad, Nii-san." Yoh responded, unbothered by how his twin almost sneered at the name. "There's actually something important I wanted to talk to you about, and it's not like I can just call you up on the phone," Yoh admitted before clapping his hands together. "Please hear me out, Nii-san."

It was then that Anna spoke up, crossing her arms and adding, "This is important to Yoh so you better take it seriously. You know what I'll do if you don't cooperate."

Hao then stifled an amused chuckle, opting to smirk at the itako, "Do you really think that you can keep getting your way through blackmail, Anna?"

"Do you really want to be subject to my other methods?" Anna challenged, her eyes narrowing.

Hao smirked, undoubtedly amused by the itako's unchanging brazenness, "The Asakura clan sure knows how to pick 'em." His eyes then returned to Yoh as he informed him, "Fine, I'll hear you out before I return you to Earth." The elder twin's expression was unmoved when his brother's entire face lit up.

"I'm sure you know about Kagome by now…" Yoh began, wearing a calm smile.

Yoh's coolness didn't falter as Hao cut in, "You took a great interest in that priestess of yours last year, and suddenly, you left her high and dry." The Shaman King's face remained unperturbed even as a tinge of curiosity entered his voice. "Surely, you know that she's been waiting for your return. Aren't you supposed to be the "good" twin? Why is it that you refuse to see her?"

Yoh's sigh was soft as his smile widened just a bit, "Because life goes on, and Kagome doesn't need me anymore." The shaman casually placed his hands in pockets and declared, "When the time is right, we'll see each other again." His smile became softer, fonder. "I can feel it. Ow!" Yoh flinched, his hands instinctively went to nurse the bump on his head as he turned to his wife. "A-Anna, what was that for?!"

"You know what," The itako scowled. "Don't go making plans to see another woman."

"But Kagome is our friend!" Yoh cried out as his hands rose in a submissive pose.

Hao was moderately entertained with the show that his younger brother trying to appease his green wife. But that amusement soon ended, prompting the Shaman King to clear his throat to garner their attention. "As fun as it is to watch a hen-pecked husband, this comedy skit can only take you so far."

"Tch," Anna scoffed, "Don't mock me. I was one-hundred percent serious."

"Nii-san," Yoh ignored Hao's warning glare. "Before we go, I wanted to tell you about something that I noticed…"

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

Kagome gaped at the towering structure that reached for the sky. "You live here?!" She was breathless as she stared up at the highrise building that Ren's limo pulled in front of. It was indeed a journey back to Ren's current residence: a penthouse apartment in the middle of bustling Shanghai. The residential skyscraper was about thirteen stories high with intricate architecture: from the fourth story and beyond, its outermost walls were repeated large hexagonal windows. Its frame was stunning, sleek, and sheening silver.

"What did you expect? A shack?" Ren questioned as he strutted past the automated doors and into the spacious front lobby. Adjacent to the entrance were a row of waiting seats for visitors. Parallel to the seats was a security checkpoint compromised of two booths settled on the eastern and western walls. Inside the booth were uniformed security guards, both of who tipped their hats towards the Tao. Nestled between the booths were a set of reinforced glass double doors. Kagome watched as Ren easily fished his gold keycard from his blazer pocket. "Evening, gentlemen," he greeted the pair as he tapped the card against the reader that was mounted just before the doors. The swift action activated the automated gates; they parted and granted Ren and his partner to the latter part of the lobby, the other side reserved only for authorized cardholders. Ren wasted no time and continued ahead towards a short hallway where either side hosted two sets of elevators.

Meanwhile, Kagome was still marveling at the clean, modern aesthetic of her surroundings. Simultaneously, Ren flashed his card to the second reader and pressed the up button. He was soon greeted by a comfortably illuminated, empty elevator. He didn't bother waiting for or calling out to the curious spirit, who was still looking floating the lobby. He merely tapped his keycard against a censor as she aimlessly wandered around, noting the different amenities from the community pool to the fully equipped gym. "Hm?" the priestess only realized that she was being left behind from the distinct sound of the elevator doors closing. "Hey!"

A swift soar through the air and faze through the shut doors caught her up to Ren. But by the time that she was glaring at him, his thumb was already tapping and sliding away at his phone screen. His sharp eyes didn't acknowledge her mildly indignant, "You coulda told me you were leaving."

"..." Was Ren's response as his eyes stayed glued to his phone. He ignored the spirit's inquiry of 'Hey, are you even listening to me?' as he responded to his secretary's frantic e-mails. As if his body was in synch with his surroundings, he repocketed the mobile device just as the elevator 'ding'ed with their arrival. As the doors opened, the Tao reminded the spirit at his side, "I told you I don't have time to be your tour guide."

"I know, but still—" Kagome's rebuttal was cut short once she stepped into the penthouse. Ren's abode was the epitome of a wealthy bachelor pad. The space was as wide as it was tall. It held a clean but smart aesthetic with immaculate, hardwood floors; large windows that previewed a spectacular view of the metropolis; a spacious sectional couch, and a matching coffee table that sat in front of wall-mounted, luxurious television. And the moment that Ren set foot inside, a set of lights motion-activated and dimly lit the area.

"Oh, wow," the priestess whispered as she proceeded to make mental maps of Ren's home.

The spirit floated across the room and was surprised to find a corner that led to even more rooms. Ren paid her no mind as he began making himself comfortable. He spent a large portion of his day off schedule and by the time he returned, the sun was beginning to set. He wouldn't admit to anyone how many meetings he canceled just to fly to Japan and rescue Kagome.

The priestess poked her head from around the corner that led to the kitchen and bathroom and smiled. "Hey, Ren. I think I'm gonna like it here," She teased.

"Tch," Ren closed his eyes as he began removing his tie. "Don't get too comfortable." He placed the accessory on a side table before slinking back onto the couch. "You only have until the end of summer," he told her as his fingers loosened his collar and undid his shirt's top buttons.

"Is that so?" Kagome asked as she made her way to the couch. She hovered in front of the Tao and tilted her head slightly, "What's today's date?"

"June twenty-fifth," Ren replied as he reached for the TV remote. "So you have three months to have your fun." His thumb powered on his television but his eyes didn't stray from Kagome's face. A deceptively sweet smile spread across her face as she ceased her hovering. The spirit settled for kneeling on the floor next to him. Her arms folded over each other and formed a nest where she rested her head as she peered up at him.

"Hmmm?" The priestess hummed. "Only three months? I think you can do better~." Her smile widened a bit.

"Tsk, beggars can't be choosers," Ren quipped. "You're staying here rent-free."

Kagome deadpanned, "Ghosts don't get charged rent last time I checked." She then straightened up to yawn behind her hand. "Besides, if you really didn't want me around, you could have said so hours ago," she pointed out sleepily.

"True," He agreed coolly as his eyes strayed to the TV screen as he channel surfed. "And if you get on my nerves too much, I'll have my guard evict you."

The priestess was bemused, "Those guys at the desk?" She sweatdropped, her smile awkward, "Eh, as strong as they look, I doubt they'd be able to kick me out."

"Not them," Ren reminded Kagome of his abilities when an inhuman spirit who was as tall as the ceiling appeared on the other side of the couch. "Him," he clarified. The massive influx of energy in the atmosphere startled the priestess into squeaking and jumping to her feet.

The behemoth had a humanoid body but was far removed from humanity. Its arms and legs were startlingly disproportionate with gangly upper limbs that ended near where shins would be. Its tiny head sat between wide-set shoulders that resembled spiked pauldrons.

The more that the priestess looked at this creature, the more its form made no sense by earthly standards. She pointed at the spirit, wearing an uneasy smile, "T-this...must be Spirit of Thunder, right?"

"So Yoh really did tell you everything," Ren absently noted. "Since you're up to speed, you should know not to cause any trouble. He'll be the one looking after you."

Kagome twitched before crossing her arms, "Heeeey. I know that you're busy but I don't actually need a babysitter, you know."

"Think of him as your tour guide and personal escort then," Ren replied easily before closing his eyes to unwind. His choice of white noise was a nature documentary on the migration of whales.

The priestess looked from Ren up to the Spirit of Thunder who remained a shadow behind the couch. "Eh… So my companion goes from Ultra Grumpypants to Tall, Dark, and Silent," she mumbled. Suddenly, she stiffened when she heard an inhumane sound inside of her head. It wasn't exactly a voice by human standards, but a voice was the closest word that Kagome could use to describe the sound. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that you could talk," she stated, her voice tinged with wonder.

"Will you two keep it down?" Ren sighed. "It's been a long day, and tomorrow will be even longer."

"Sorry," Kagome whispered before floating up so that she was face-level with the spirit. "Looks like you're stuck with me while I'm staying here. I'll try not to be too much trouble." She listened to the sounds in her head and nodded. "Awww, thank you. That's very sweet." She then yawned again. "Honestly, I'm pretty tired so I'm going to sleep now." She raised her hand to bid the spirit adieu, "Goodnight."

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

Just as she did when she was waiting for Yoh's return, Kagome awoke with the dawn. She manifested in the exact spot where she fell asleep: hovering above Ren's couch. The Spirit of Thunder was no longer standing there, but she could sense traces of his presence. She flew to the window and took in the marvelous view. "It's so pretty," She whispered as beams of gold peeked from behind clusters of skyscrapers. The spectacular reflection off of the Huangpu River gave the entranced priestess a glittering display.

This was her first sunrise outside of Higurashi Shrine in over half a millennium.

It was the start of something new.

Kagome tore herself away from the window and settled for hovering near the couch. The spot that Ren inhabited was empty but his shoes and tie still remained. She could hear the faint sound of a shower running and sighed wistfully, "I want to shower again. Or better yet, a bath." Her eyes then spotted the remote that Ren carelessly left on the cushion next to her. "I wonder what type of package he was." With nothing to do but satisfy her curiosity, the woman reached for the slim, black device.

Only for her brow to twitch when her hand slipped through it.

"Oh yeah," Kagome grumbled. "I don't have a body." Well, that was inconvenient, but nothing that she couldn't handle. She remembered when Manta nerded out to teach her all about being a spirit and her ghostly abilities. He excitedly opened a weathered notebook full of handwritten observations all about spirits. 'You don't have a body to interact with the world around you, but, if you're as strong as Yoh thinks, you should be able to manipulate physical objects by using extra energy!'

The priestess smiled fondly at the memory of Manta's face. He seemed so elated to share his knowledge with her. It was definitely endearing and made Kagome more than happy to listen to whatever he wanted to share with her. "Alright, extra energy," she told herself as she reached for the remote again. "Extra energy." Her fingertips tentatively glided across the surface. Her face was focused as her fingers curled around the object. "Extra—."

"What are you doing?" Ren queried from across the room. His default expression didn't betray his amusement at watching the startled spirit fumble with catching the remote after losing her grip on it.

"Eh!" Kagome finally steadied her grip then smiled sheepishly, "I just wanted to see what channels...you…" Her speech slowed as her brain finally began processing what she was looking at. "...get…" Tao Ren's bare skin, although covered in scars, was practically glowing from his shower. "...here…"

One couldn't tell from beneath the structured lines and layers of his business suit, but this man was incredibly built and sculpted. It was like gazing at a living Greek statue with nothing but rippling muscles for days on end.

Despite seeing her fair share of exquisite male specimens in her day, Kagome still blushed from ear to ear. Many demons from the Feudal Era were definitely bishounen, but she didn't often get a front-row seat to the glory that was a shirtless adonis—not that Kagome would tell Ren that, not yet. She straightened up as he approached, eying her suspiciously along the way.

"Well, if it's broadcasted in China, then I get it," The Tao informed her while grabbing the remote powering on the television. "Feel free to use the streaming services."

"The what?" the priestess blinked, perplexed.

"Right," Ren muttered. "You have no clue what I'm talking about." He lowered the remote to Kagome's eye level and began pointing at buttons, "This one is for Webflix, this one is Hula, this is…" he droned on, explaining what streaming services were and what each one specialized in, unaware that Kagome's inner voice drowned his out minutes ago.

'Hmm, that's a lot. I wonder what type of stuff Ren actually enjoys watching…' For a moment, her eyes glanced around the apartment now that it was flooded with soft, natural light. 'Speaking of which, does he really live here all by himself?'

"...you haven't heard a thing I've said, have you?" The Tao deadpanned after spotting her eyes wandering.

"Eh," Kagome smiled guiltily. "Whoops." The man then rolled his eyes and dropped the remote on the couch next to the spirit. His hand drew her attention as it idly gripped and readjusted the towel around his waist.

"And stop ogling me," Ren chastised with pink cheeks and disapproving scowl. "I'm not a piece of meat."

Kagome stiffened, her subtle blush deepening. "Eh heh…" she averted her eyes with an embarrassed smile. "Sorry, it's uh...been a while."

"Contrary to what those idiots think, I'm not a lolicon," The Tao told her flatly.

'Loli—.' The priestess's face scrunched, as she asked incredulously, "Just how old do you think I am?" She was further confuddled when the man merely grumbled something beneath his breath and headed towards his room. "Hey, wait! You didn't answer my question!" She called after him, but didn't give chase seeing as he was already in a state of semi-indecency. "That guy…" she huffed, "Why does he keep treating me like a kid?" She wondered to herself before plopping down onto the couch.

'Oh, he changed the language to Japanese for me,' She noted with a smile. With remote in hand, she felt a bit like her younger self as she browsed Hula for something entertaining. 'There's so much to watch nowadays. How does anyone choose just one?' the spirit absently wondered as she continued clicking through different program genres. About five minutes later, Ren reemerged from around the corner. This time, he was clad in a fine, purple-themed business suit. His fingers were working on the last buttons on the outer jacket.

Kagome sat up and asked, "Oh wow. That was fast. Are you heading to work soon?"

"Now," Ren simply answered as he headed for the elevator.

"Ehhhh?! But it's so early!" The priestess's jaw dropped. "And you haven't had breakfast!" She protested.

The careerman paused as the doors opened. "I'll live," He told her before disappearing behind two metal doors meeting as one.

"And there he goes…" Kagome whispered before turning back to the television. "I guess his assistant will bring something for him," she told herself to prevent further worrying. She didn't know much about Tao Ren so the last thing that she should do was raise a fuss where it wasn't needed. "Hey, Spirit of Thunder."

As she predicted, the spirit appeared by her side.

"You've been with Ren for years now, right?" She asked rhetorically. "What type of things does he like watching on TV?" The priestess listened to the telepathic answer then stifled a chuckle. "Really? He spends money on all of this stuff but rarely uses it?" She wasn't sure why but the idea tickled her. "Oh well. Let's find something that we like, okay?"

And that was how Kagome spent the majority of her day: lazing around Ren's apartment while binge-watching a Korean drama with the Spirit of Thunder. The user interface of the streaming service told her that today was, in fact, a Tuesday. From what Kagome could remember about Tuesday's, this certainly didn't feel like one. But when she got to spend the entire time laughing, crying, and heart-racing at a riveting love story with a new friend, she certainly wouldn't complain. By the time Ren was walking through the elevator doors again, the production credits were scrolling alongside a montage of the series' highlights.

Kagome, whose mood was elevated from the happy ending she just witnessed, greeted with a sugary voice, "Welcome home, Ren~ How was work?"

Said man's tie was tossed onto the end table as he shrugged off his jacket. "Fine. Just busy," He replied before plopping down next to the priestess. She noticed how his eyes squeezed shut as he rubbed his temples. She was about to ask if he was alright but Ren caught her by surprise when he opened his eyes. He looked at her from his peripheral and asked, "And how was your day?"

Kagome blushed, not expecting the inquiry from someone who looked so stressed. "Oh, uh…" She smiled through her silent fluster. "It was good. Spirit of Thunder is really good company," She told him as she floated up to pat said spirit on the shoulder.

"Is that so?" She heard Ren ask from below.

Kagome nodded before she raised her pointer finger, "Are you okay with watching another drama tomorrow? Or do you want to try something else?" A few seconds later, her smile widened, "Oh, good! I'm glad you liked it so much~ Hey, Ren—oh." The priestess returned to hovering by Ren's side as she tilted her head a bit. "He fell asleep already. Work must have been rough."

Kagome spent a moment studying Ren's face and whispered to his silent guardian, "You know...when he's sleeping, he looks just like an angel." Her smile softened, "Goodnight, Ren."

The next day, Kagome rose with the sun again. The Spirit of Thunder was already standing in position behind the couch. "Morning," She greeted. "I guess you don't need rest like us human spirits, right?" She asked.

A few moments later, the sound of the shower dissipated and Kagome immediately followed up by heading across the room and around the corner. On cue, Ren emerged in nothing but a bath towel and a thin layer of moisture. "Ren, good morning," the priestess raised a hand while the other remained behind her back.

"Morning," He responded, his hand once again gripped at the rim of his towel and Kagome's eyes—. "Stop ogling, pervert," he lightly admonished with another blush and judging glare.

"Eh heh...sorry, it's not intentional," the spirit scratched her cheek. She then clapped her hands together and diverted, "Oh yeah. You never told me how old you think I am. Eh? Wait! Answer the question!" Kagome called after the Tao who promptly turned heel to ascend a set of stairs that led up to his lofted bedroom. She huffed as she placed her hands on her hips, "Jeez, that guy…"

By the time Ren returned fully dressed, Kagome was already lounging on the couch with the Spirit of Thunder acting as her shadow. Her eyes moved from the screen to meet Ren's as he headed for the elevator. "Heading out?"

He nodded with a simple, "Yeah."

"Have a good day, Ren~" The priestess waved 'goodbye' then turned back to the TV. "So, which one should we watch today, Thundy?" She asked of her companion. And the two spirits spent the majority of that day binging another Korean drama. When Ren walked back into his penthouse, Kagome was squealing as the couple she shipped finally locked lips in the final scene.

"The hell are you watching?" Ren questioned, blanching at the various camera angles that the dramatic kiss was shot in.

The priestess' cupped her flushed cheeks as she answered dreamily, "LoveLove Club~" She was squirming as she admitted girlishly, "Ahhh, I want to be romanced like the heroine in that show~!"

The Tao sighed as he settled down next to Kagome, "Don't tell me you tortured my Spirit of Thunder with those ridiculous romance-dramas."

"What?" Kagome huffed before soaring up to the spirit. She promptly wrapped her arms around the slender waist that she envied and rebuttaled, "Thundy here happens to like them as much as I do. Isn't that right, Thundy?"

Ren grimaced with a critical tone, "...Thundy?"

The priestess nodded and beamed at her friend, "That's right. He and I are already best friends~" She cooed while snuggling against the silent spirit.

"What happened to you…?" Ren muttered to the Spirit of Thunder after he confirmed his friendship with the priestess. "Don't go soft because of a pretty face."

Kagome then smiled and returned to Ren, landing in front of him gracefully. "You of all people can't blame him," she teased while peering up at the man through her lashes. "Aren't you already soft for me, Ren?"

The man's cheeks burned intensely as he quickly turned away, "Tch. Don't get full of yourself, brat!" He closed his eyes and silently cursed his weakness. "As I said, I'm only helping you because Yoh would be sad," he reaffirmed before sinking into his usual spot.

Meanwhile, Kagome hovered nearby, her propped arms supporting her face as she openly mused, "Who knew that Ultra Grumpypants would turn out to be so cute?" She snickered when he grumbled for her to shut up.

Thursday. Ren worked all day and came home to Kagome crying into Spirit of Thunder's leg. Curiously enough, a single claw was perched on top of her head. The Tao sighed, "What's wrong this time?" Kagome looked up from the spirit's leg and Ren's expression faltered. Her cheeks were flushed and her lower lip trembled. "O-Oi…!"

"R-Ren…!" The priestess blubbered his name as her eyes squinted and frown deepened. Seconds later, the spirit pressed against the shaman, her fingers gripping his shirt. "D-Don't you think enemies to frenemies to friends to lovers stories are so beautiful?!"

It took him a few seconds to process the question. But when he did, the worry on his face became vexation. "You're a dumbass," remarked before pushing past her to take his usual seat.

Friday morning arrived the way the other days did. Kagome 'hmm'ed as she listened to the distant sound of the shower running. "Thundy, we should do something else today." She tapped her chin and looked up at the ceiling. "Yeeeeeah, I'm not sure what we should do yet. But we've got to change it up or I'll get bored."

It was the last day of the workweek so Ren decided to power through it so that he could enjoy his weekend. "I'm leaving now," He told the pair as he headed the elevators.

"Okay, have a good day!" Kagome called back. After his form disappeared behind the elevator doors, the priestess headed towards the kitchen. It was a clean, compact space with marble countertops, a high-tech oven, a microwave mounted to the wall, and a refrigerator with more technological features than she knew possible. A set of floating cabinets sat above a double-basined sink. "Eh?" the priestess looked over her shoulder and blinked. "Oh, wow. I had clue that you could change your size at will," she told the silent spirit, who now closely resembled the size of a tall human.

The priestess hummed thoughtfully as she inspected every aspect of the room. "The appliances are a bit different but it's still a kitchen," She surmised while gripping her chin. Kagome reached for the refrigerator door handle but paused when she heard the Spirit of Thunder's voice in her head. She smiled and answered, "I haven't seen Ren eat a home-cooked meal all week so I wanted to try making something for him~! Eh?" The smaller of the spirits placed her hands on her hips and boasted, "Stop worrying. I was an excellent cook when I was alive, I'll have you know."

Kagome then gripped the handle and grunted when a suction effect gave her resistance. Her brows furrowed as she focused more energy into the action. "Got it…!" Her celebration was short-lived when she peered inside. The inside of the fridge was as immaculate as the outside. The only items that lined its shelves were a few sparsely used condiments on the side door. She stared for a few moments before silently closing the door.

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

Because of his seemingly hectic work-life, Kagome expected Ren to be the type to sleep-in on weekends. But no, the moment that Kagome opened her eyes and manifested, Ren was dressed in a form-fitting T-shirt and black gym shorts at the crack of dawn. It was quite the sight to see him so underdressed, but Kagome didn't mind it. "Morning. You're up early. What's the occasion?" The spirit queried as she followed him into the elevator.

"Actually, I slept in today," Ren answered. "So I have to work out later than usual."

"Eh?! You mean," Kagome was incredulous as she questioned, "You're up even earlier every day?!"

Without looking away from the shut doors, the Tao responded, "I wouldn't be able to maintain the physique you love so much if I didn't work out every day."

"Oh, that makes sense," the priestess agreed. She then glared up at the Tao, pink-cheeked as she caught sight of a slight upward tilt of his lips, "Hey! Stop making me out to be some sort of creeper!"

"If it's any consolation," Ren's shift in mood didn't go undetected by a curious Kagome. The moment that the elevator began to slow around the fifth floor, his subtle smirk faded into an agitated frown. "I like you more than this one." A moment later, the doors opened and revealed a woman with short-length, wavy auburn hair, gentle magenta eyes, and extremely fair skin. She sported similar attire to Ren's: a simple, white T-shirt and a pair of navy jogging pants.

"Good morning, Lǎo Tao," The woman greeted with a bashful smile.

"Good morning, Xiǎo Wang," Ren returned it nonchalantly and took a step to his right, granting the woman space to step into the car.

Wang shivered and rubbed her bare arms after walking past Kagome. "Little chilly in here, huh?" She asked with a half-smile.

"Just a little," the Tao answered curtly as he stared straight ahead.

Kagome, who was standing behind the pair, looked between Ren and the woman. On one hand, Ren was stiff and seemingly on red alert as he silently agonized through the rest of the descent. On the other, the woman next to him kept stealing obvious glances up at his face. She felt awkward being in the same space as the tense pair. Although he didn't sigh or say anything akin to "Thank goodness" when the doors opened, Kagome saw his posture relax upon being greeted by the light of the lobby.

Ren quickly stepped out of the car with the woman right on his heels. "Eh…" Kagome was unsure how to feel when the woman made a beeline for the gym as Ren continued towards the front door. The woman paused when she realized that she was alone. The priestess watched her eyes soften with disappointment but still flew off after the Tao. She easily caught up to the man who broke out into a light jog down the street. "Hey, Ren… Who was that?" She asked.

"Wang Fen," He replied irritably. "As you can see, she lives on the fifth floor."

Kagome casually added, "You mean, as you can see, she's completely into me." The spirit shrugged lightly while shaking her head, "I should have known there was no way a handsome guy like you had no one interested."

"Tsk," Ren huffed through his teeth. "Yeah, you should have."

"So, it's plain to see that you're not into her," Kagome remarked. "But is there no one who—?" She blushed when Ren shot her an annoyed look from his peripheral. "Right," she clapped her hands together. "Moving along, we should really go grocery shopping soon."

Ren humored her as he jogged, "And why would we do that?"

"Because, you haven't had a homecooked meal all week," Kagome explained. "And when I went into the fridge to find ingredients to make something, it was a barren wasteland!"

"There's no reason to fuss about that. I get enough nutrition from the meals that my assistant orders," The Tao informed her. "My diet is perfectly balanced so my health isn't of concern."

The priestess' face soured, "There's more to homecooked meals than being healthy, Ren." She swerved in her flight as Ren jogged around a corner. "Ordered food doesn't have the same love and intimacy as something made at home."

"And you're fussing because you want to offer some of this love and intimacy to me?" The Tao questioned, deadpanned and unconvinced of her argument.

Kagome blushed and averted her eyes, grumbling, "Well, if you word it like that…" She shook her head, "A-anyway, Thundy is worried about you too. He says all you do is work and you hardly ever relax."

"Did he now?" the jogger asked, half-inclined to believe that the priestess was making it up. But who knows? The Spirit of Thunder was confirmed to enjoy Korean dramas so the same spirit being concerned for his wellbeing wasn't out of the realms of reality.

Kagome nodded before crossing her arms, "Therefore, I propose that we make a few changes to your lifestyle." Her voice became stern when Ren's face soured, "And don't give me that look."

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

Pushing a shopping cart with one bum-wheel was not how Ren expected to be spending the latter part of his Saturday morning. But here he was, following the lead of a long-deceased priestess as she semi-lectured him on his eating habits and semi-perused the contents of the lines of shelves. "Ren," Kagome suddenly paused and half-turned to peer at him. "Do you like Japanese food? I don't know any Chinese dishes by heart."

"I'm not picky as long as it tastes good," He answered half-heartedly. Ren watched the spirit dart left and right and even leap over entire aisles in search of familiar ingredients. He wondered if she truly thought that she'd be able to full off preparing a meal without a physical body.

"It's okay~!" the imaginary Kagome chibi in his head beamed. "Just let me borrow your body and I'll fix you something special~!"

Ren shuddered at the idea.

"Hey, Ren!" the real Kagome, who was two aisles away, flew above the shelves so that he could spot her. She coaxed him over with a hand motion. "I found some stuff that I want you to grab!" The Tao sighed and conceded to the spirit's whims.

Defiant wheel be-damned, Ren pushed his cart forward, dodging other shoppers with no effort. A minute later, he found Kagome in the section that housed a sea of carbs. She pointed at a red and white box and smiled, "I can make a mean cold soba with these."

"Of course, you can," He responded, unmindful of the young woman who was standing not even a meter away from him. Neither he nor Kagome noticed the woman's toddler staring at the priestess with large, doe eyes. After depositing his box of noodles in their cart, Ren paused when he spotted the young woman struggling to reach a jar of premade sauce on the highest shelf. Without a word, the shaman effortlessly grabbed the jar and firmly placed it in the woman's hand. "Here."

The young woman's entire face lit up when she looked up and noticed the tall, handsome man who assisted her. "T-Thank you so much, sir!" Her voice came out high and breathy.

Ren was used to that dreamy-eyed expression from women so he casually assured her that it was no problem. Meanwhile, the woman's toddler waved her arms wildly to get Kagome's attention. "Hi, Pwetty Lady!" The tiny girl giggled.

Kagome blinked at first. She looked left and right then behind her. Down the aisle was an elderly gentleman so the child was definitely referring to her. The spirit pointed at herself nonetheless and asked, "You mean me?"

"Mmhm!" The girl confirmed bubbly. "Is he yer hussbwand?" She asked curiously.

"Eh—." Kagome blushed lightly and hesitated to answer. 'There's no way that I can explain my situation to a little kid.' She opted for nodding, "He sure is. I love him so much."

"Oh, thash gweat!" The girl chirped. "When I guuow up, I whant to be a mommy an' hab a hussbwand too~!" She told her while bouncing in the cart seat.

The priestess' smile softened. 'Me too…' "That's nice," She patted the child on the head and told her, "You can be whatever you want when you grow up, remember that, okay?" She then floated to Ren's side as it finally seemed like he was able to break away from the enamored mother. "Ready to g—?"

"Mommy, mommy!" The toddler suddenly called, grabbing her mother's attention. Within a handful of strides, the young woman was back at her cart. "The pwetty lady is so nice!" The mother then looked left and ride, then behind her.

The mother's smile was bemused as she asked, "Oh? And where is the nice, pretty lady now?" No doubt, the woman thought that her child was speaking about an imaginary friend. But when the girl pointed at the spirit standing next to Ren, she added, "She's wight theyur, with her husbwand!"

Ren's bristle was subtle as he blushed lightly. He glared at Kagome from the corner of his eye, "Your husband, huh?"

She found herself blushing too while smiling bashfully, "F-Funny story…"

The rest of the shopping trip was peaceful overall. Kagome continuously engaged Ren in conversation, much to his chagrin. While he didn't mind the spirit's company and endless chatter, he also had no shortage of disturbed, uneasy, or perplexed stares from people who overheard him responding. And he could tell from the group of frightened, hysterical teenagers that Kagome did not obey his simple "Just watch over the cart. Do nothing else" when he excused himself to the restroom.

The spirit replied with a nonchalant, "Okay, fine." She stood next to the cart for all but two minutes before she spotted the fresh produce. Along the wall of lightly misted produce, she spotted the fresh ginger and scallions that she wanted to add to the soba. The wall was only two meters away. It certainly wasn't far. Kagome looked back towards the bathrooms that were about five meters away in the opposite direction.

She then looked around the store and noted that no one in particular was looking in her direction. To most of these humans, the spot where Ren parked their shopping cart must have looked like an abandoned basket, nothing out of the ordinary or particularly paranormal. While it would be far too obvious and alarming for her to pick up the produce and carry it to their cart. She saw absolutely no harm in her current plan.

Kagome looked around her once more.

She then gave the cart a short, deliberately slow push towards the wall. The spirit allowed the cart to lightly bump against her destination. 'Yeah, that should definitely look like a runaway cart!' Kagome told herself while inwardly applauding her genius. She then reached for the fresh ginger and tossed it into the cart. 'Now to just—.' The spirit half-turned towards the scallions a few sections down but paused when she was met with a group of gaping teenage girls.

"D...Did you guys just see that…?" A girl with bleached blonde hair asked as her hand that was gripping lipstick quivered.

"I-I…" Another girl pushed her thick-rimmed glasses further up her nose. "N-Nope. I saw nothing."

Ren exited the bathroom just in time to find the group of girls dropping their possessions and running away screaming about ghosts. Kagome faced him with an embarrassed, guilty smile. Ren sighed and pinched the bridge of his none. "You had one job…"

"Uh...Whoops?"

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

"Wait—. Are you tired already?" Kagome queried after Ren deposited the bags of goodies on the kitchen counter, then headed for the couch. He heaved a deep sigh and sunk back into the undoubtedly cozy furniture. He lounged as if he just retired from a long shift, complete with his head tilted towards the ceiling. The spirit flew across the room until she was hovering behind the couch. She peered down at Ren's face. The weight of her gaze made him open his eyes to meet hers.

For a moment the pair stared up and down at each other respectively.

"...quite," Ren finally answered, his usually firm tone emphasized the admission with an unusual weakness.

"I think you're overworking yourself," was Kagome's immediate suggestion as she poked Ren's cheek. "You have plenty of money, don't you? Why not go on vacation and take some time to recharge?"

The Tao then fixed his posture. He sat up straight and replied, "If I remain idle, my mind wanders. I prefer having something to focus on." He didn't expect the spirit to make a show of gliding around the arm of the couch to levitate before him. Her legs were bent as if she was kneeling mid-air.

Kagome's arms raised until her hands cupped Ren's cheeks. She gently guided his head until their eyes were level. "You can focus on me," She suggested, her voice lowered from its usual octave. The ghost of a smile crept across her face when his first reaction was to stiffen and blush.

"Tch," His eyes broke contact but his head remained steady. His frown borderline a sulking pout as he countered, "Don't expect me to spoil you like Yoh, brat."

The priestess's hands lowered but she remained facing the shaman. "Oh, so it's back to brat, huh?" She asked without malice or indignance. "That reminds me," her hands met in a soft clap. "You never told me how old you think I am—" She ignored the way Ren bristled at the observation. "Or at least how old I was when I died."

"Why does that even matter?" Ren queried, an obvious attempt to change topics.

Kagome was quick to dodge the diversion, however. "Because you're the one who treats me like a kid, so answer the question already."

He huffed, exasperated and defeated, "...twenty or something like that."

The priestess's hand went to cover her mouth as she backed away with wide eyes. Her cheeks were a peachy pink, "Oh wow. You flatter me. You think I was that young?" But she quickly recovered from her shock and returned to her spot in front of Ren. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I was actually twenty-six when I died!" She beamed with closed eyes.

"Still a child compared to me," Ren seemed unimpressed.

Kagome straightened her body and allowed her feet to brush against the floor. With one hand on her hip, she pointed out, "You know, if I continued living in modern times, I'd be older than you."

"Mm," Golden eyes left Kagome's face and looked out towards the rushing city below. She immediately noticed the shift in attention and opened her mouth. But Ren's own voice filled the brief silence, "Want to go out tonight?"

She initially looked surprised, but then smiled, "Of course. Where to?"

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

As Ren enjoyed his early afternoon nap on the couch, Kagome and the Spirit of Thunder began another romance drama show. The spirits hovered close to the screen because the priestess greatly reduced the volume out of courtesy. The slumbering man awoke around six in the evening. "Oh hey, did you have a nice rest?" Kagome asked after pausing the episode and aiming a smile at Ren as he stood and stretched.

"I did actually," He answered as he headed towards the bathroom. "I'll freshen up then we'll head out."

It was a half-hour later that Kagome discovered that Ren's definition of "freshening up" was showering and changing into a somewhat posh outfit. But after seeing how he looked in a simple T-Shirt, she was convinced that Ren's very presence made everything look ten times more elegant than it actually was. It had to have been him. The timeless vest and tie combo didn't look this good on just anyone, did it?

Ren flicked her forehead, bringing the ghost out of her awestruck haze, "You're drooling."

Kagome was quick to deny it, "Wha—? I am not!" She then blushed a bit, "I just thought that you look nice." Her embarrassment became a deadpanned expression when she spotted a subtle smirk on his lips. "Oh, you're good." The priestess then pointed at the Spirit of Thunder and quipped, "And not another word out of you."

It wasn't her first view of Shanghai after dark, but that didn't stop Kagome from being in awe of the light show. Brilliant orbs and shapes of white, pink, red, and an array of colors blared in blurs as they drove by. Not a half-hour later, the driver pulled in front of another high-rising structure whose architecture was sleek, shining, and angular. Kagome was silent and taking in the fresh aesthetic as she followed Ren inside. He was warmly greeted by a younger man and engaged the attendant in a short chat.

After her eyes took in the attire and mannerisms of the other patrons, Kagome was grateful that she was invisible to most humans. In an establishment where the sparse white-clothed tables were occupied by people who spared their apparel no expense, she felt extremely out of place. By no means was she ashamed of her priestess attire, they were proof of her past journey and growth. But surely if people could see her, she would stick out like a sore thumb. "Oi," Ren grumbled before his eyes told her to follow him.

Kagome expected to be seated at one of the empty tables or cushy-looking booths that aligned the far walls. However, she and Ren were escorted to an attended elevator. The attendant looked towards the greeter and received a silent nod. The middle-aged man then nodded to Ren and tapped his lanyard against a censor. The Tao stepped inside with Kagome close behind him. After a smooth, quiet elevator ride, the doors parted and revealed a view that made Kagome's eyes light up.

The pair stepped out onto the roof of the highrise. The roof was wide and was decorated with simple, elegant decor. To the left, there was a rectangular gazebo whose support beams and edges were adorned by weavings of vines and white lights. Beneath the structure was a long, glass table surrounded by a couch that stretched and curved in a "U"-shape. A party of well-dressed middle-aged women sat there surrounded by tasty entrees and glasses of liquor.

They giggled like schoolgirls, toasted each other, and chattered.

Kagome smiled at the sight. They reminded her of how much she missed Sango's company. But instead of holding onto those feelings, she floated behind Ren as he seated himself at an isolated, round table near the roof's railed-off edge. The table was quaint with just enough room to accommodate two meals. Like the other tables that weren't sheltered by the illuminated gazebo, this table was bathed in the soft yellow glow of a decorative candle. Two menus were placed on opposite sides of the table.

Moments later, a young waitress approached the table with a notebook and lavish fountain pen. The owner and designer of this restaurant truly spared no expense.

"Good evening, sir," The waitress greeted politely. "May I start you off with something to drink?"

"Sure," the Tao glanced down at the menu and answered so quickly that Kagome and the waitress were shocked, "I'll have Suntory Yamazaki, eighteen years old."

Meanwhile, Kagome settled for hovering in a comfortable seated position behind Ren. Obviously, she couldn't join him for drinks or eating so she opted to stick behind him to satisfy her curiosity for what was on the menu.

"Very good, sir," The waitress replied customarily before following up, "Do you need more time to browse the menu, sir?"

As Ren confirmed that he'd need more time, Kagome leaned closer, pressing herself against his back to glance at the menu. She froze on the spot. 'This is one of those places where the menus have no prices!' Before she could dwell on the matter, she and Ren's attention turned towards the growing click-clacking of high-heels approaching.

A stunning woman was walking from the direction of the gazebo party and towards them. She had wavy jet-black hair that delicately fell to her shoulder blades, striking green eyes, and a little black dress that hugged her curves just right. Kagome found herself flushing and noting as the woman cat-walked to their table, 'Wow, she's gorgeous.'

"Excuse me?" The woman's manicured nails rested on the head of the empty chair across from Ren. "You seem a bit lonely. May I join you~?" She accentuated her request with a warm smile.

"Thanks for your offer," Kagome was impressed with Ren's level of politeness. "But I have a date."

"...is that so…?" The woman's smile weakened and became hurt, somewhat humiliated. "Sorry to borrow you then," She quickly turned and headed back to her party.

Kagome felt guilt when she heard the woman's soft sobs and notice her uneven steps. The spirit floated around so that she was facing Ren. "Are you sure that you don't want her to join you, Ren?" Her eyes downcast as she added, "You don't have to restrain yourself because of me…"

"Is that what you think?" Ren asked as he continued scanning the menu. "Before you fill your head with delusions, I rejected her because I'm not keen on picking up random women anywhere." Once he was satisfied with his examination of the laminated paper, he laid it flat on the table. "Besides, it gets tiring—being unable to go out in public without some woman flirting with me."

Kagome's eyes rose from the floor and met Ren's. She nodded, "Okay. That makes sense." She then looked to her right. They had a spectacular view of the Shanghai lights. They were across from downtown Shanghai, across the glowing river. The distinct magenta glow of the Pearl Tower was especially striking against the darkness of night. She then stole a glance at Ren as he ordered a dish whose name she couldn't pronounce. Everything from the elegant venue to the breathtaking view to the handsome man across from her, Kagome realized that beyond lucky to experience it all.

'I'm not really much of a date as I am…' The priestess thought to herself. 'But…' She smiled softly. 'This isn't about me. It's about repaying Ren for saving me that day.'

After consuming a large portion of the whiskey that he ordered, Ren understandably awoke late Sunday morning. He was surprised to find himself in his actual bed and not sprawled out on the couch. The digital clock on his nightstand read "11:02 A.M." and he mentally kicked himself, "Damn it." As much as he wanted to push himself out of bed, his body could only manage a sluggish sit-up.

It was only when he was in his upright position that Ren noticed the napkin with painkillers and a glass of water sitting atop a coaster near the clock. He stifled a chuckle, "I didn't drink that much, dumbass." He went for the glass of water nonetheless. After he emptied the contents into this mouth, it dawned upon him that Kagome went into his room. His eyes went to the framed photograph that sat behind the coaster.

It was slightly askew.

Twenty minutes later, Ren was dressed in semi-casual attire and making a beeline towards the two spirits who stared at the television. He eyed Kagome as she tore from the screen to greet him, "Good morning, Ren. How do you feel?"

"Peachy," He drawled, his suspicious expression only sharpening.

"Eh—" Kagome noticed and her smile faltered into a nervous one, "What's wrong?"

Ren spent a moment staring Kagome down, effectively making her uncomfortable under the silent scrutiny. "...nothing," He finally answered. "I'm hungry. About that cold soba of yours…" The priestess immediately brightened up from his inquiry.

"It would be a lot easier for me if you let me borrow your bo—."

"Access denied," Ren flatly refused.

Kagome chuckled, "I figured you'd say that. So I was going to say I'll be your instructor and partner~"

The spirit approached the quick meal with great enthusiasm and excitement—

only to feel mentally exhausted an hour later.

"Tao Ren, have you never made a single meal for yourself in your entire life?" She questioned as she fixed her bristled hair. Kagome trailed behind the man as he carried his bowl out of the kitchen to the living room. She heard the thoughtful hum of Ren searching his memories for an answer. "...the fact that you have to think about it speaks volumes."

As Ren settled down behind his TV tray, Kagome grabbed the remote, "I get to pick what we watch since I was subjected to your horrid culinary skills."

"You subjected yourself to them," Ren pointed out before slurping some noodles into his mouth. From his peripheral, he spied on how Kagome smiled so naturally at "Thundy" and asked what he wanted to watch. There was something about the priestess's joy that lit up the entire room. And Ren could feel his own lips curling upward—

Until Kagome honed in on the title that the Spirit of Thunder requested.

'True Tears and Kisses'

Ren's brow twitched as he looked at his guardian and slurred through a mouth full of noodles, "Seriously, what happened to you?" He grumbled and huffed but didn't further protest the series that the spirits agreed on. And to his dismay, hours later, he found himself scoffing at the lead male, "How pathetic. It's obvious that he likes Ae-Cha so why is he wasting time with Binna?"

"Right?!" Kagome huffed as her hands formed fists as she sat on the edge of her seat. As the episode drew to a close, she sighed then smiled at the man on her right. "But, I'm glad to see you like it as much as we do."

Ren then bristled upon that realization. He paled and wondered inwardly, 'What's happened to me…?'

The weekend came and went quicker than it had in years.

He'd never admit it but the scene of Kagome lazying around the TV with the Spirit of Thunder tempted him. "I'm off," He announced as he headed towards the elevator. But he wanted nothing more than to change out of his business attire and spend another day in leisure.

But the Tao had a lot at stake. He already missed a number of appointments when he flew to Tokyo the previous week. Kagome would never know of how a prospective partner was just settling into the seat on the opposite side of his desk. Nor would she know of how Ren's eyes happened to glance at his phone and noted the various missed calls and texts from Manta. As the older gentleman introduced himself as a restaurant chain CEO, Ren inconspicuously scrolled through Manta's many mails.

They began as a series of short, frantic-looking texts asking if Ren was free and to contact him as soon as possible. The following texts informed him that it was an emergency and that Manta desperately needed his assistance. 'I'm out in Nepal for business, but I caught wind that Kotobuki Hiroki bought out Higurashi Shrine and wants to turn it into a spa. I know that you don't really get along but please help Kagome.'

Ren shot out of his chair, startling his visitor into spilling the contents of his briefcase. At the time, the Tao convinced himself that he was only jumping at this chance because he couldn't let Kagome leave without getting her back for her impudence, and that he didn't want Yoh to be sad. But as Ren half-heartedly listened to the spiel of the very same man that he walked out on a week ago, he knew that he was kidding himself. Truthfully, HoroHoro hit the nail on the head. As much as he denied it, he was interested in the priestess.

Initially, he was startled by her beauty. But then he saw the way she looked at Yoh and the rollercoaster of emotions when she told them the tales from her life… And he discovered that there were more layers to her than he initially believed. He hoped by now that she realized that there was more to him as well. But this was only the second week of hosting the spirit for her holiday, so there were still many things that he wasn't ready to share with her yet. But that didn't stop Ren from regretting leaving his apartment today. As the man across from him droned on and on about a profitable partnership, Ren sighed inwardly.

"Oh, what the—?" Kagome blinked when she suddenly manifested in Ren's office, directly behind Ren's visitor. "Ren?" Her mouth became ajar. A moment later, the Spirit of Thunder appeared dutifully at her side.

Ren almost face-desked at the spirits' abrupt entrances. His face remained stoic aside from a subtle tick of his right eyebrow. 'What the hell are you two doing here?!' His inner voice growled.

"—Tao, are you feeling alright…?" The older man inquired but his face portrayed more curiosity than genuine concern. The Tao noticed how his visitor's gaze became more focused.

Ren knew how corporate-types worked. Most of them feigned human decency and ethics to get your signature. But they were wolves in worn, hand-me-down sheep's skin. They were quick to sniff out signs of weakness. So he immediately asserted that he was in good health and returned to the topic at hand.

All the while, he had to ignore the spirits who openly chatted with each other. "So this is Ren's office, huh?" Kagome remarked as she turned three-hundred and sixty degrees to take in the entire room. Like his apartment, the office was wide and spacious with plenty of natural light flowing through the large windows. His desk was clean, long, leaving ample space for work. It was completed with a full bookshelf, a fish tank of gorgeous aquatic creatures, and a water dispenser. "It's pretty nice, but I still have no clue how I got here," she told the Spirit of Thunder.

Ren tried drowning out the spirits as they continued chatting as if he weren't in the middle of a meeting. He heard the Spirit of Thunder's voice and stiffened. "Ah?" Kagome blinked again, "Yeah, I did get the feeling that someone was calling out to me before I ended up here." Ren felt heat rush to his face as they continued speaking. "Oh, so you're saying that even earth spirits like me can be summoned instantly if the connection and desire are strong enough."

The priestess then turned to Ren and gushed with a maidenly blush, "Aww, Ren. Did you wish that I was here with you~?" It was then she noticed the Tao's twitching eyebrow, fiery aura, and the older man sitting across from him. "Oh," she smiled sheepishly, giving herself a light bonk on the head. "You're in the middle of something. Oops."

Outside of distracting Ren during his third meeting of the day, Kagome and the Spirit of Thunder were relatively well-behaved by his standards. The only problem that they posed was the defiance when Ren initially told them to go home after the restaurant big-wig left. He wasn't surprised when Kagome didn't comply and countered, "Aw, but why? I'm sure having us around can't be that bad, can it?" Ren didn't feel like arguing, especially since he was the one who summoned her in the first place. So he had the priestess promise not to interfere or distract him when he was with a client or partner.

And Kagome held up her end of the bargain. When the office was empty of humans, she plucked a thick, hardback book from the shelf and settled down on the floor behind Ren's chair, beyond the view that any visitor would have. The priestess easily got lost in the book and the ambiance of Ren's voice and pen scribbles as he conversated and worked. Kagome closed her book when she heard Ren's assistant ask if there was anything else he needed from her and she was promptly thanked for her work and dismissed for the day.

"So, how'd I do?" She asked while clutching the tome to her chest.

Ren plucked the book from her arms and glanced down at the cover as if to confirm its identity. His eye met Kagome's before he queried, "You like this one? It's written in English."

"Uh… Yeah," Kagome nodded. "It's been a long time, but I do know basic English," she smiled and raised a finger, "Just enough to understand these stories. The Grimm brothers had quite the imagination."

"Should have known you're the fairytale type," He remarked, looking amused as he opened a desk drawer and placed the book inside. The man continued cleaning up his work area and packing up to go home for the day. He noted the chipper-mode Kagome was in as they headed for the door and told her, "You're not allowed back in here."

"Uh-huh," The priestess's smile widened, "That's why you didn't put the book back on the shelf." She called his bluff. And from that day on, when Ren least expected it, she and the Spirit of Thunder would appear at random times at his workplace. Sometimes Kagome would lounge behind Ren's desk and continue reading her fairytales. Other times, Ren would find her hanging around in the breakroom, listening to the chatter and gossip of his underlings as they rested and ate. Ren stifled a chuckle when the spirit apologized to a woman who rubbed her bare arms and complained about how cold it was.

There were even quieter days when Ren had nothing to do except read and sign paperwork. And just when the Tao would begin to lose himself in his work, he'd feel Kagome's arms snake around his neck as she peered over his shoulder. She'd smile playfully, "Wha'cha workin on?"

And he'd hope that she couldn't feel the warmth in his face as he responded, "Reading over the suggestions submitted by my employees."

"I see," She'd absently lean closer and then frown, "I can't read all of these characters."

Ren would then point at a sentence and stated, "This one is about you. There are complaints that the air conditioners unevenly distribute cold air and some places are significantly colder than others."

He could feel the frown on her face. "I know that I'm a ghost but am I really that cold?" Kagome asked as she released her grip and stood up straight. She floated around to the front of Ren's desk and pressed, "You can tell me if I make it too cold for you."

The Tao chose to ignore the opportunity. He continued reading over the constructive criticisms. His silence made the spirit across from him huff and his passive face almost faltered. He almost laughed. If there was something that got under Kagome's skin, it was being ignored.

And after three weeks of hosting Kagome's holiday away from Higurashi Shrine, rumors of Tao headquarters being haunted began to spread like wildfire. It began with simple speculations about the random cold spots that would come and go. But the rumors really took off when a few unsavory individuals left Tao Ren's office without their bravado. Smug or smooth-talking corporate or political heads who strutted into the room would often leave silent with disturbed, ashen faces or would hastily scramble out of the room with fright.

No one had the courage or resolve to ask Tao Ren himself about the rumors or incidents. But even if they did, he definitely wouldn't confirm that books would fly off shelves, neck ties would be yanked in an intimidating manner, or toupees would be smacked off bald heads. He most certainly wouldn't admit how much it secretly tickled him to watch the spirit of a holy woman prank and punish anyone who rubbed him the wrong way. The shaman had no clue how Kagome could tell when he didn't fancy someone, but somehow, she always did.

While most people were unable to read him or see past his stoic expression, Kagome seemed to read Ren like a book.

Whenever he overexerted himself, she was there to remind him to take care of himself, "Ren, you've had back-to-back meetings since you arrived, you need a break!" And when he was too obstinate, she wasn't above making threats, "If you don't get a snack, I'll raid the break room in front of everyone." Whenever his thoughts took him to a darker place, she would lift his spirits. The priestess would find tiny fragments of happiness in everything, "Oh, look! That cloud looks like Thundy!" And occasionally, she'd throw him for a loop, "Only a face like yours can make perpetual grumpiness look that good."

And Ren couldn't help but crack a smile.

Four weeks into Kagome's vacation, Manta organized a video-chat on a Friday night. It was late evening when Ren set his TV tray in front of the couch. The priestess watched him curiously as he placed his laptop on the tray and then parked himself behind it. "You're not working, are you?" She queried with a blink.

"No, I'm just going to chat with my—our friends," Ren answered as he loaded up the program and entered the passcode to the meeting room. He was unfazed by the priestess leaning close and peering over his shoulder.

Kagome's eyes lit up when a series of rectangles appeared on the screen one by one, each other containing the faces of their friends and the backgrounds of their homes and lodgings. Manta was the first to speak, "Hi, everybody. Glad that most of us could make it." He then went about updating them on the important events in his life.

"Most? …oh," Kagome's disappointment was palatable, and it didn't suit Ren's tastes. "Yoh's not here." She didn't sigh, but she was silent for a moment. But almost too quickly, her voice regained its bright cadence as she patted Ren's shoulder. "Hey, Ren. Do you think they can see me~?"

"The fact that no one's addressed you yet should be enough indication," was his response.

"Hey, Ren…" there was suddenly an uneasiness in Manta's voice that commanded Ren and Kagome's attention. "I uh...stopped by the shrine and didn't find Kagome there…" His eyes found something off-screen. "Did you...um…" The chatter between the other friends ceased their side conversations as they noticed Manta's shift in mood. "...make it in time?"

"I did," Ren confirmed calmly. "Don't worry. The shrine isn't pretty but Kagome is sa—."

"Woah, dude!" HoroHoro suddenly bellowed while pointing directly at his camera lens. "You've got some weird interference or something!"

"But Ren-san has the best of the best services, he never lags or glitches…" Pirika remarked.

Lyserg nodded and confirmed, "That's correct. I've seen this phenomenon before. It's a spirit."

The Tao peeked at Kagome from his peripheral, "Well, there you go."

Manta blinked before realization flashed across his face. "Oh! Ren, that weird distortion in your video feed—is that Kagome?"

Ren instantly narrowed his eyes, inwardly glaring at his own body's betrayal as his cheeks flushed. He knew that his friends would overreact when Manta scheduled the meeting a week ago, but that didn't change how much it made Ren want to throttle HoroHoro's and Chocolove's smirking faces. Additionally, Pirika's cheeks pinkened as she covered her hand with her mouth, as if she uncovered a scandal.

"Not fair, Ren!" Ryu suddenly interjected. "You always take the beautiful women for yourself!"

Kagome chuckled as the chat erupted into chaos, "What exactly do they think we're doing?"

"Something stupid, no doubt," Ren sighed at their friends. Pirika was quick to jump to Kagome and Ren's defense and to chastise everyone who accused them of misdeeds.

A few hours of banter and chatter later, Manta finally powered his laptop down and shut it. He sighed, feeling both tired and refreshed from the meeting. Despite the video call lasting longer than expected, it still didn't seem like enough time to see his friends' faces. Even though Ren's webcam couldn't properly depict Kagome, even the priestess that he befriended attended. Just knowing that she was safe and sound gave Manta a revitalizing sense of relief.

The only ones missing from the virtual meet were his best friend: Asakura Yoh, and his good friend, Asakura Anna. He knew that they returned to the mission that they dedicated themselves to: traveling the world to spread and promote peace. But knowing what they were doing didn't stop him from missing them greatly. As leaned back into his chair, Manta looked up at his ceilings and he thought about the year that went by in a flash. It didn't feel like it but it was over a year since he first discovered the haunting of Higurashi Shrine. They put some much time and effort into freeing Kagome from her binds to the world, and yet, she was still here—not that Manta minded. But he did wonder what Yoh had on his mind. "I believe in Kagome..." Manta uttered the words that Yoh spoke before he and Anna departed. "Yoh...what is it that you think Kagome can do...?"

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

And so, Kagome's holiday continued peacefully. She alternated between binging dramas, making her mark at Tao Headquarters, and wandering the streets of Shanghai. It was on a Friday evening that Ren came home to an empty apartment, neither Kagome nor the Spirit of Thunder was anywhere in sight. He found it odd but not alarming. He went about his normal unwinding routine: or rather, the one that Kagome eased him into.

It was only after Ren emerged from his relaxing bath that he discovered that the pair of spirits returned. "And what trouble did you two get into today?" He asked while gently patting his tresses with a warm towel.

"No trouble at all," Kagome assured him with a small smile. "We needed a change of scenery so we went to see an evening movie." Her head tilted a bit, "So, how was your day today?"

"Tch, it was work," Ren answered half-heartedly. "More importantly, I have a change of scenery for you Sunday night."

"Oh?" Her smile perked up. "Are we going out again? Back to that nice rooftop restaurant?"

"No, we've been invited to a charity gala in Paris." Ren's eyes narrowed at the priestess when she looked surprised, 'We'?' He tossed his hair-drying towel at the spirit and watched as it phased through her and landed on the couch. "If I'm invited, you're invited by extension."

Kagome looked mildly surprised before she chuckled, "You've already assigned a babysitter for me, Ren so shouldn't you try to find a real date?"

Ren's brow raised at her inquiry, "Are you not a real person?"

"Maybe I've been a part of your imagination all along~" The priestess teased, referencing the plot twist of a movie that they enjoyed a week ago. The ending made Ren roll his eyes.

And he rolled his eyes again at the thought of the film. But he quickly returned to the topic at hand, "So, you're turning me down?"

Kagome then blushed at the wording. She had only been half-serious about calling it a "date". His small crush on her was no secret to anyone but they never talked about it. They just enjoyed each other's company. She pulled some hair behind her ear. "Of course not. But I just think that you'd have a better time with someone who's...you know…" Her eyes couldn't hold Ren's any longer, they went to the floor.

Ren almost sighed at the implication, "This is what happens when you think too hard."

The spirit's reserved act instantly changed into indignance, her accusatory eyes lifted to his face again, "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"

"It means you have the wrong idea," He replied while boring holes into Kagome. For a moment, he paused and hesitated, briefly wondering if he wanted to expound. But with a near-invisible blush, Ren's nervous finger ran through his bangs. "I'm not afraid of...moving on." The flash of recognition in Kagome's eyes confirmed his suspicion that she had indeed seen the photograph on his nightstand. "Nor am I afraid of talking to women. I just hadn't found someone who interested me in a long time."

This time it was Kagome's turn to blush. 'And I do?' She was so tempted to ask the first question that popped into her mind. But she refrained. Instead, she smiled softly, "Hey, Ren…?" At that moment, he acknowledged her with an inquisitive hum. "You seem pretty comfortable in that towel for a guy who doesn't like being ogled."

He stiffened, his blush reading his neck.

Conversation diverted, temporarily.

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

Ren wasn't surprised by the way Kagome's eyes lit up every time she beheld the different characteristics of the gala. While the affluent attendees, including himself, were used to the luxurious amenities and activities, the priestess found wonder in experiencing them for the first time. And the Tao was more than content to allow Kagome to live vicariously through him. He obliged her when she'd point to the trays of intricate hors d'oeuvres that servers carried around and ask him to sample them. She delighted in the live entertainment provided during dinner, "Wow, they're so talented."

And the priestess wasn't above wearing a smile when heiresses, corporate businesswomen, and other wealthy women approached Ren. Some had flushed cheeks, an awkward gait, and bedroom eyes while others were more elegant while expressing their interest. "Ren, she seems so nice. Why not give it a shot?" The spirit asked over his shoulder after he sent a young woman in a flowing gown away. "You know, you don't have to worry about me. I'm having a good time," she told him casually.

Ren looked irritable as the lighting in the hall dimmed, "It's not about you, dumbass."

Kagome nodded, her eyes softened as she confessed, "I know. I'm sorry…" A loose fist raised to her chest. "I just...feel inadequate. I don't have a beautiful dress and make-up. I don't even have a body..."

"You're more than enough as you are," He told her as he watched couples form a circle in the center of the vast room. He was unaware of the way the priestess' eyes watered up.

Kagome quickly blinked away the tears. She then looked towards a lone woman in fine, white dress standing alone in the circle of couples. Immediately, the spirit tugged on Ren's jacket sleeve. "She doesn't have a partner. You should join her." She smiled when the Tao immediately glared down at her. "For me. It's the Viennese waltz, right? I'd like to see you dance."

Ren looked between Kagome's pleading eyes and the desperate, embarrassed woman whose eyes were searching the crowd for someone: a flaking dance partner, no doubt. "...fine." Without another word, the Tao made his way out of the crowd and towards the lone woman. She immediately noticed him. "May I…?" Kagome could make out those lip movements. And of course, the woman was instantly smitten and dazzled by her handsome savior.

Ren's movements were as seasoned and elegant as Kagome expected. His partner's smaller, gloved hand fit so well in his. The black of his tuxedo and the white of her dress complemented each other like yin and yang. 'When I first followed Ren and left the shrine...I decided it was what I wanted to do on a whim…' The men twirled their partners, their skirts followed behind them. 'After he rescued me, I felt like I wanted to return the favor. I wanted to do something for him too.' She knew that it would take time to get to know Ren to figure out what she could do to truly thank him, so that's why she proposed a holiday.

It was a guise, an excuse, to wiggle her way into his life.

But as Kagome watched the circle of couples strike identical poses with the ladies holding the ends of their skirts in one hand and their partner's hand in the other, something moved within her. She wasn't unfamiliar with this emotion, but it was the last one that she wanted to feel. It wasn't just the food that she couldn't experience for herself. It wasn't just the ivory pillars. It wasn't just the beautiful dresses or the bubbling, alcoholic drinks.

It was the person she wanted to return kindness to.

'Maybe...this is just a part of unliving…'

Kagome's heart clenched as Ren's eyes found hers as he danced. She met his gaze with a smile that she hoped was convincing. She hoped her face didn't betray her covetous nature. She hoped that she looked glad to be there. She hoped that Ren couldn't sense what she felt as she watched him: longing.

A week later, her holiday with Ren returned to normal. He continued working on weekdays, leaving Kagome to decide if she wanted to laze about the apartment, follow him to the office, or visit her friends in the shopping district. These friends happened to be a group of young children who often played around the cozy strip of shops before and after school. They either had no clue that the woman who watched them play games and taught them about wildflowers was a ghost, or they simply weren't afraid. Regardless if they knew that she was alive or not, Kagome was grateful that there were people with who she could interact, even if they weren't fellow adults who could hear her out.

Not long after Ren departed, the once bright blue sky became obscured amongst a mass of heavy, dark clouds. Kagome tried not to ruminate as the prospect of a morning shower became more and more real. But it was difficult. It was on a day like that she died centuries ago...and it was beneath pelting rain that her friends held a party at the shrine. The spirit stood at the window and looked to the sky. 'I wonder if… Yoh's been back to the shrine…?'

It felt like it had been ages since she had seen his smile.

For the longest time, Kagome was floored by the words that Yoh left with her. She was befuddled by the conflicted storm behind his gentle eyes. His warm hand rubbed her head and told her that he would be leaving, and that he didn't want to see her at the shrine when he returned. It had been an ordinary day so she was startled. Her mind couldn't wrap itself around those words.

So she blocked them out as she waited.

She didn't grasp the implications of him telling her that she would be alright.

But now, she knew what he meant.

Yoh had placed his faith in her. He had to leave, and even though he wouldn't be there to look after her, he believed that she would overcome herself. It took a small push from Ren, but she did rise above what she was. 'But...I have to do more. Once I repay Ren for saving me, I have to make something of myself while I'm still Higurashi Kagome.' How many breaths had Yoh wasted on her back then? How many times did he reach for her hand? How many times did his smile pull her back before she fell into the void? Undoubtedly, Yoh invested more time in her than any normal person would, shaman or not.

That was why Kagome had to make some good of the hope he gave her before she moved on and was reincarnated.

Before the spirit could dive further into the ocean of her thoughts, she felt the familiar soft whirl and light bump of the elevator car reaching the penthouse. "Eh?" Kagome blinked, wondering if time had escaped her once again and Ren was home before she realized it. The priestess turned around, away from the window, and faced the elevator as the doors parted. "Eh—" For the first time in the month and a half that Kagome spent at Ren's apartment, in stepped a woman who was gorgeous beyond belief. "Ehhhhhhh?!"

Kagome's eyes bulged and her jaw dropped at the sudden appearance. 'A-All of this time! He—!' Nothing added up. Ren seemed completely uninterested in dating. He rejected and ignored numerous beautiful women before. And after all of their conversation and chatter, he never brought up a woman that he was seeing.

But here she was: a woman so close to Ren that she owned a copy of his penthouse keycard. The woman had a lithe waistline accompanied by flattering curves. Her hair and eyes were striking shades of green. She was dressed in a fine black qipao embroidered with a golden dragon detail.

And to further Kagome's shock, the woman met her eyes and appeared equally surprised by her presence. It seemed that the likelihood that Ren would date someone who was spiritually aware enough to see ghosts was higher than Kagome anticipated. "Ah," the woman stifled a chuckle and smiled warmly. "So you must be the Higurashi Kagome that I've heard so much about."

"Huh…?" Kagome blinked as she broke into a bemused smile. "Err...I am… And you are…?"

The woman slipped into a pair of green houseshoes that Kagome never paid much mind to. She then smiled as she approached the spirit. Her hand went to her chest as she explained, "Forgive my rudeness. This is the first time that we've met but it feels like I know you already." She seemed amused at the spirit's confusion and added, "My name is Tao Jun, and I'm Ren's older sister."

Kagome's mouth shrank from a large circle to a smaller one as she murmured a confirming, "Ohhhhhh." Ren had definitely mentioned his older sister before, but she hadn't seen any photographs of her. The priestess then straightened up and bowed, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Higurashi Kagome. Ren's been taking very good care of me."

The priestess blinked when Jun giggled at her introduction. "F-forgive me…" Jun apologized from behind her hand. "I just didn't expect such a formal greeting from the way my Renny described you."

'Ren, just what have you been telling your sister about me?!' Kagome's inner voice wondered. But she ignored the comment and honed in on a specific word. "Renny…?"

Jun chuckled then clarified, "It's just a nickname from childhood. He was always such a cute boy." Her eyes closed as she gave Kagome a smile so dazzling that it made the spirit blush. "Would you like to see some pictures~?"

Kagome was glowing at the prospect, "Of Ren as a child?! Of course, I do!"

The elder Tao sibling then settled on the couch before reaching into her leather clutch and pulling out a small, black cellphone. "I recently scanned and made digital copies of Father's photo albums," she explained as she pressed her finger to her screen, allowing the device to scan her prints. Kagome was hovering about the couch next to Jun in a comfortable seated position as she watched the Tao perform a series of pokes on her phone screen. A minute later, Kagome saw a series of small thumbnails of photos.

When Jun tapped the first one, Kagome instantly melted at the image: it was of tiny Jun holding an infant Ren. "That's you?!" She looked between the four-year-old and her present-self's face in amazement. "Wow. And time has been truly kind to you."

Jun blushed daintily and smiled appreciatively, "Why thank you. You're quite the charmer. I can see why Renny likes you so much." The Tao was inwardly amused at how bashful the spirit suddenly became.

"A-Anyway," Kagome said breathily. "Let's see the next one~" She urged. To her relief, Jun didn't press or question her obvious fluster and obliged her by swiping the screen. The next photo was of a toddler Ren in a teddy-bear suit. Kagome was literally glowing as she cooed, "Oh my god! Little Ren is the cutest thing I've ever seen!"

"Right? I've been blessed to have such an adorable little brother," Jun readily agreed as she continued swiping through family photos. "This is our mother with our grandfather." Kagome stared at the screen with great interest as Jun continued briefing her on the pictures. The priestess didn't question it, but she noticed that as Ren and Jun aged, their smiles and innocence lessened. Eventually, Jun happened upon a candid photo of Ren in his early teens. He was seated at a table surrounded by other teens.

Kagome's inhale was sharp. She recognized those faces anywhere. "These are my friends!" She declared while inching a bit closer. The photograph depicted Yoh, Manta, HoroHoro, Ryu, and Ren enjoying traditional Chinese food. "They're so young and adorable."

"When I see them as adults, I'm amazed at how much they've grown," Jun mused, her eyes narrowing softly as she imagined their younger faces. "They used to be so much smaller than me. And look at them now, so big and strong." She then looked at Kagome, "I imagine you feel similarly, it must be shocking to see them so small and young when you met them as adults."

Kagome nodded before she replied, "It is pretty amazing to see how much they've changed. Who knew that they all were such cuties back then?"

"My Renny," for a split second, Jun's smile twitched and resembled a teasing smirk, "He's still pretty cute right now, isn't he?" The inquiry reduced the spirit into a demure stance and soft utterances. Jun chuckled and piped up, "Don't fret. I was just teasing."

"R-Right…" Kagome tried to join in the laughter, but only managed an embarrassed chuckle.

Jun's relaxed posture straightened up. "Honestly, I came here because I wanted to meet you," She confessed. The quizzical expression on Kagome's face read 'Me?' "I'm not sure how much Ren has told you or how much you figured out on your own, but his wife passed away years ago."

"I, um…" Kagome's eyes were heavy as she admitted, "We haven't spoken about it, but I figured that was the case…"

The elder Tao sibling nodded and allowed her phone screen to darken as she placed it on her lap. "Back then...Ren was shattered. He tried being strong for the sake of their son, so...he didn't have a healthy way to cope." Jun's eyes closed, "No matter how much I tried helping him, he denied that he needed it. But we all knew better, he was so broken that he abolished the conglomerate that we established together. He said he wanted to focus on raising their son, but I didn't buy it."

"Where—" Kagome paused for a moment. But she shook her head and pressed further, "Where's his son now? Are they…on good terms?"

"You have nothing to worry about, Kagome," Jun gave her a small smile. "Their relationship is strong. Men is just studying overseas. He takes after his father: so ambitious." She sighed with soft relief, "I'm sorry. I probably startled you by springing this on you. I heard a lot about you from mutual friends so I just wanted to make sure that…'' Her smile became guilt-ridden. "That Ren didn't just stumble upon a Jeanne-look alike." Kagome nodded, giving the Tao a soft, confirming hum. "But now that I've met you, I can see that you're nothing like her, and that's a relief."

"Honestly…" Kagome pulled her knees to chest and rested her chin on them. "Ren hasn't mentioned anything about her before…" her lips curved downward as she ruminated over her time with Ren up until that point. "I wouldn't have even known her name if she didn't write it in a book of fairytales that I found in his office."

Jun then placed a hand on Kagome's shoulder. Her smile was comforting as she spoke, "Ren has a kind heart. He's more considerate and thoughtful than he looks." Her voice stayed soft but firm as she speculated, "I'm sure that he's not trying to hide her from you. He probably thinks that talking about her would create distance between you."

"It wouldn't though!" Kagome rebuked, as if she was trying to convince Ren himself. She then deflated and hugged her knees tighter. "I mean, at this point...I'm not sure what to do. Ren truly saved me, and I want to repay him. But I don't really know how...or what he needs…"

In the midst of her vocalized thoughts, Kagome didn't notice how Jun melted at her confession. "I think…" the Tao closed her eyes as she envisioned her young brother glaring at documents at his Shanghai desk. "After years of denying himself, what he could really use right now...is a little encouragement, a nudge."

"Can do~" Kagome chimed. She finally lifted her head and pointed out, "You know, Ren is ridiculously popular with the ladies, but he turns every single one down."

"That's my brother alright~" Jun beamed with pride. Her eyes narrowed as her smile became somewhat cattish. "Women are crazy about him. But enough about the randoms, tell me about you." Kagome immediately blushed when Jun's gaze became sharper. "How do you feel about him?"

The spirit's head immediately turned and looked in the opposite direction. "W-well, I can see why he's so popular. Ren has a lot of good points." Jun wanted to tease the spirit, whose blush reached her ears. "Honestly, even I'm not immune to his charm...anyone who had his attention would be the luckiest woman live…" Her voice lowered. "But, in regards to my feelings...I won't impose. And more importantly..." she smiled softly, "What Ren and I have...can't be placed in a box."

Jun watched Kagome's face as the priestess spoke, "...I feel like...our relationship isn't as simple as calling it friendship or romance."

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

Needless to say, the last sight Ren expected to return to was Kagome and Jun giggling like schoolgirls. He wasn't expecting his sister but she was long overdue for a visit and still had the sole spare keycard to his apartment. "I'm home," He greeted them calmly as he approached the couch where his sister sat and his guest floated.

"Oh, Renny," Jun smiled warmly. "Welcome home. I was just telling Kagome about how tiny you used to be." Ren froze, his bangs suddenly shielded his eyes. "But don't worry. She saw the pictures for herself and thinks you were adorable~."

Kagome nodded and confirmed, "You grew up so well, Ren. You're so big and strong now. Congratulations." She then clapped as if he overcame a mountain. Ren's aura darkened when Jun joined in the light applause.

Before she knew it, the calendar in Ren's office told her that it was the seventh day of August. Kagome hummed, tapping her chin as she examined many book spines that lined the wall-high bookcase. "Hey, Ren?" She called the man who was reviewing some paperwork at his desk.

"Hm?" He queried, acknowledging that he heard the spirit's call.

The priestess half-turned and inquired, "Do you have any recommendations on what I should read next?"

"The Journey to the West should keep you entertained," He answered without breaking his concentration. His eyes remained focused on the stack of papers in front of him.

"Thanks," Kagome lightly chirped as she began scanning the spines for the title. As her eyes moved, she spoke the first thought that popped into her head, "You know what I want to do? It's been ages since I've been to a Japanese festival." Her laugh was fluttery with nostalgia as she whispered, "I wish I could wear a yukata again."

"Mmm? Which do you want to go to?" Ren asked as he swapped paper on top of the stack and placed it at the bottom.

The priestess chuckled before turning completely. She waved her hand dismissively and told him, "Don't take that seriously. I was just thinking out loud. Being here is plenty fun enough."

And she meant it. The desire to attend a festival was a whim born from the fleeting waves of nostalgia that hit her at times. Ren said nothing else on the matter, and that was that.

Three days later, Kagome found herself scrambling around to assist Ren, who was uncharacteristically running behind schedule. The previous night he joined a group of newly established partners for dinner and drinks and returned much later than usual. The combination of sleep deprivation and late-night drinking understandably interfered with his normal routine. As the Tao was finishing the final touches of his suit, Kagome flew upstairs to fetch a tie to match today's color scheme.

It was then that she spotted the tale-tell signs.

The calendar on his wall had one date circled with a red marker: August the thirteenth.

An unusual body of plastic peeked from between the line of suits hanging in the closet.

Kagome blinked and swiftly moved to investigate the anomaly. She parted the suits and was greeted by an article of clothing. It was unmistakable, even with the way it was hung over the rail. It was made of traditional cotton and dyed a pale blue and decorated with sakurasou patterns. Thinking back to everything that she learned about herbs and flowers from Kaede, the priestess couldn't help how her heart warmed. "Sakurasou...the Japanese primrose…" she whispered. "Do you actually know what it symbolizes, dummy…?"

Despite the budding excitement in her chest, Kagome said nothing on the matter. She just waited with bated breath. But alas, Ren's phone rang more and more and his office had visitors coming and going like clockwork. Thus, the thirteenth came and went without a word spoken about the festival that they missed. The spirit didn't have the heart to feel disappointed. She witnessed how swamped Ren was and how tired he became. He came home late on the night of the twelfth, so tired that he collapsed on the couch without removing a single article of clothing.

The morning of the thirteenth was as clear and beautiful as most summer mornings. Ren awoke when the sun caressed his eyelids. His golden eyes were heavy and opened like molasses. His vision was hazy but he immediately recognized the face of the priestess smiling down at him. "Good morning, Ren."

"Kagome…" He whispered through his fog. "...I'm sorry."

The priestess shook her head and whispered back, "Don't worry about it, silly." His eyes fluttered, signaling his struggle to maintain consciousness. Not a moment later, she stifled a chuckle when his eyes closed again as he drifted back to sleep. "You've done more than enough," her voice fell on deaf ears. "Every day here has been like a festival in Shanghai." As gentle as a butterfly resting its wing, her lips planted on his cheek.

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

How the human mind perceived time truly was a mystery. Waiting and wishing felt like an unreachable fate, akin to walk down an endless road indefinitely. By contrast, times of bliss and relaxation seemed as fleeting as a snowflake on your fingertip. Before you had the chance to truly admire its beauty, it would lose its magnificent form and melt away. This phenomenon held true, even for those no longer of the living. From Yoh's visits to the gatherings held at Higurashi Shrine to her holiday in Shanghai, they all came to an end far too soon.

It was the night of September twenty-fourth when Kagome uttered those words, "Well, this is it. The end of my holiday." She had spent some time doing nothing but standing at the window and gazing up at the night sky. She could hear the way Ren's breath hitched. She saw the way his reflection became rigid.

His arm moved as he grabbed the TV remote. "You sure you don't want to watch another drama before you go?" Ren's voice was uncharacteristically unsteady, almost vulnerable.

Kagome struggled. She pursed her lips that threatened to spill her secrets. "..." She sighed and forcibly stretched the corners of her mouth apart. She twirled around and smiled, "I'm pretty sure you and Thundy have had your fill of drama for a lifetime."

His eyes said it all. 'But I haven't had my fill of you.'

And Kagome was grateful that his mouth wasn't as honest as his eyes. If he spoke those words to her, she would have shattered. Instead, she floated to where the Tao was sitting. "Thanks for everything. I had a wonderful time." His hands were folded tight on his lap. With a small smile, her hands landed on top of his. "Feel free to visit me anytime." The priestess' eyes closed as she chuckled then departed.

Within the blink of Ren's eyes, Kagome was gone.

And when Kagome reopened her eyes, she was in a darkness that was as familiar as a parent's embrace. She still wasn't fond of the dark, but she knew this one. And if she closed her eyes and let go, she would dream of the life that she wanted.

The priestess awoke sometime later. She was roused from her slumber by a familiar voice calling out to her. She rubbed her eyes then soared from the pit of the well and out through the double doors. Initially, Kagome froze on the spot. It was a shock similar to discovering her home in shambles. She experienced the same chock when the shrine was patched up by her friends. This time, the grounds and structures were professionally remodeled. Thinking back to the destruction that befell Higurashi shrine before Ren arrived, Kagome didn't doubt that the shrine was entirely rebuilt.

There were no signs of the spotty patchwork that gave the shrine character. In the stead of the loving spot treatments and paint jobs, pristine and fresh mortar structures stood. Manta was slowly approaching the well-house, his arms gently clutching a bouquet of sakurasou. The man was wearing a warm, somewhat relieved smile. "Kagome!" He called. "So you're here after all."

Kagome nodded as she met him halfway. "Of course, I am. I told you that I was only on vacation," She answered. Her eyes then shifted from her friend's face and down to the bundle of lilac-hued flowers. "I'm guessing you're the messenger."

Manta's cheeks subtly flushed as one arm rose to scratch the back of his head. "Ah, well…" He fumbled as he shuffled. "He only asked me to leave these here for you," the blond then added hastily, "like an offering!"

Kagome's chuckle was amused and betrayed her doubt. "Last time I checked, you don't offer primroses to the departed, Manta," Her arms crossed as her face displayed playful smugness.

It was then that his face burned as he exclaimed, "I'm only the messenger anyway!"

"I know, I know~" The priestess laughed again, not knowing how relieved Manta was to hear that sound. "Well, it's not like anyone knows where my grave or ashes are anyway so you can leave them right under the Goshinboku and send Ren a picture of them."

Manta nodded in agreement and went about the minute chore. A few minutes later, he sent the picture of his delicate bouquet placement to his friend. He then looked up at Kagome and offered, "By the way, I took a bunch of pictures of Second for you. Wanna see them?"

Kagome's entire being lit up as she cupped her hands, "Yes, please! I've missed Second so much!" The priestess was reminded of how she fawned over Tao childhood pictures with Jun not long ago.

She couldn't determine if it was days or weeks later after her holiday ended.

But as sure as sunrise, with gentleness, he came.

His usual timbre was like fine, dark chocolate: smooth, rich, and deep.

But that pitch was offset by a mild tenderness that accompanied his call of her name as he knocked on the doors of the well-house.

With no delay, the priestess parted the doors and allowed the silvery noon rays to slice through the dank darkness.

Ren was a sight for sore eyes as he stood there, adjusting his necktie. The cool-colored business attire that initially puzzled Kagome was now warm and familiar. If she didn't know him any better, he would have appeared as a cold man with a strong agenda. His towering stature and proper posture could definitely come off as intimidating to those who didn't know him intimately. But the priestess spent enough time with him to detect the delicate flicker in those normally intense eyes.

There was something fragile in them: a glass jar filled with an anxious concoction of uncertainty and hope was carried by the golden waves in his eyes.

The Tao Ren who left a trail of pounding hearts and quivering knees stood before the spirit as a mortal man, searching for answers. He was a man who came to his last resort, his last-ditch effort.

"Ren…" Kagome breathed his name shakily. She clumsily fought the smile that threatened to spread from just saying his name alone. "What are you doing here?"

"Focusing on you," Was his honest albeit somewhat flustered reply.

Kagome blushed deeply, speechless for a moment, before she pulled some hair behind her ear. "That was for if we went on vacation together," she countered. For someone who had no skills in hiding his embarrassment, Ren had an uncanny aptitude for smooth-talking. "Um, thanks for sending the flowers, by the way," her cheeks flushed subtly as her fingers interlocked in front of her. "They're lovely."

As if he wasn't expecting the gratitude, Ren's cheeks darkened as his eyes widened for a moment. "You're welcome," he muttered as his eyes strayed from Kagome's face. They couldn't find a single spot to focus on as he rubbed the back of his neck. "And Kagome, you know…" His voice lowered more as he spoke, "...you didn't have to leave."

Her eyebrow furrowed as she confirmed, "I know…" Her fingers fumbled with each other as she added hesitantly, "I just…" The way he hung onto her words was as daunting as it was flattering. "...had to." Through her curtain of lowered bangs, Kagome missed the flash of guilt as his face strained from digesting her answer.

Ren was quick to ask, "Did I make you angry?"

"No," Kagome's answer was just as swift and direct.

"Uncomfortable?" He further questioned.

"No…!" She exclaimed softly as her head snapped up to find his eyes. Kagome felt instant regret from the look on his face. "It's nothing like that!"

For a moment, Ren was silent as he searched Kagome's eyes for answers to his confusion. His fingers curled at his side. "Then…" His hands formed loose fists. His next inquiry made Kagome feel like her heart skipped a beat. "Did you realize that you could never love someone like me…?"

"Don't say that!" Kagome lunged from the doorway and into Ren's chest. "I'm sorry, Ren!" Her arms wrapped around his form as her voice vibrated against his skin, "I just—I just realized that I had to go! For your sake!" When she raised her head and looked up at him, he appeared bewildered. "Ren, please listen…" The priestess' grip on his shirt tightened. "You're an amazing person. You gave me the push that I needed when I was going to give up. You made me want to prove you wrong…" She sighed. "...prove myself wrong."

Ren felt the grasps on his shirt weaken. "You made me feel alive and made me wish that I could try new things," Kagome confessed with a wistful, reserved smile. "I realized that if we continued on like that, that I would become attached to you." Her fingers finally relinquished their grip before they could drop to her side, Ren's hand raised and enveloped them. His hold was strong but not alarming. "Ren…" her volume was hushed. "If that happened...neither one of us would be free anymore. I'd want to stay with you, always."

Kagome remembered how much she wanted Yoh coming to see her. Feelings haunted the dead the way that the dead haunted the living. "I'd be a burden…" She whispered conclusively.

"Stop being difficult," He scowled as his grip curtly tightened to emphasize, "I want you to rely on me. I won't go anywhere and leave you alone."

The priestess' felt herself swelling with a building happiness. Ren was laying the foundation for something that she wanted so badly, but knew that she couldn't have. He was promising her the faithfulness and companionship that she longed for when she saw couples walking hand in hand in the supermarket.

Kagome sighed bitterly, her smile small and weak. "That's...so sweet…" She forced a cliche response as she slipped her hand away. It was tempting to leave it all behind. She wanted nothing more than to return to that apartment, the palace where they lived and loved. But she knew what the right thing to do was. The spirit shook the alluring images in her head away before she captured Ren's gaze. "Remember how you pushed me to move on, because I deserved better than to waste away waiting for the impossible…?" She queried rhetorically.

Ren's hand clenched then released, "Of course, I do."

"Well," Kagome smiled before taking a step backwards. "Now is my time to return the favor. Ren, you deserve to be happy. You deserve someone who can truly fulfill you." She raised her arm and allowed her sleeve to slide down. The rays of the sun passed through the palm that reached for the sky. "You deserve to touch and be touched. Ren, I can't do those things for you, or with you."

It was an apparent truth, an obvious obstacle in the way of any possible progress. No matter how much they cared for each other, they would always be separated by an invisible barrier. There were limitations that even shamanism could not overcome.

Ren looked torn between throwing a rebuttal or breaking into tears. His brows furrowed as his mouth warred between trembling and glowering inwardly.

[ "After years of denying himself, what he could really use right now...is a little encouragement, a nudge." ]

"Hey, now…" Kagome whispered as her fingers cupped either side of his face. She smiled, "This isn't the limit that you set for yourself, is it?"

His lips parted but released no words, just a struggled breath. Ren took in Kagome's face and devoured the emotions in her eyes. She was just as combated as he was. Knowing that she shared the sentiments that he did was as bittersweet and comforting as chocolate. The Tao finally sighed then returned Kagome's smile. "You really are an insolent brat," his hands took hold of hers. Gently, he moved those hands from his face and placed them at her sides. "But still, don't be a stranger."

Kagome nodded and chirped, "Same to you~ Come by any time." As her hand waved farewell, she closed her eyes as she smiled. She didn't want to see his back as he left. She needed to avoid any chance of following him right then and there, just as she did months ago. He departed just as he did that day, except, she hoped that he came to realize his needs and desires: ones that someone like her couldn't provide.

[ 'Ren, if we're reborn in the same time… I hope you'll love me again.' ]

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Authoress' Notes: Again, my apologies about promising that this would be the final chapter of this arc! I literally have a google document that outlines major events that I want to cover in each story arc. My writing process involves writing around those points. And as I'm fleshing out preceding and proceeding events to the major events, the chapters end up longer than previously anticipated! I was over 50 pages into writing this chapter when I realized that the chapter would be excessively long if I put everything I wanted in one last chapter!

Therefore, I decided to split it into two so that it would be a more enjoyable reading experience. That being said, chapter forty-three won't take as long to post because I already have a lot of finished already. Despite the hiccups in story pacing, I hope that you all are still enjoying this story!

At this point, I wonder how many people's predictions for the story proved to be close to what I actually wrote! Let me know if anything surprised you or if you pieced together anything accurately~! Anyways, friends. We're approaching the 1/2 way mark of this fanfic so let's keep going strong!