~Hao's pov~
"So is Ayame feeling alright?"
Manta asked as I nodded after telling them how Ayame is unwell, which is half true. Without Ayame's permission, it'll be bad to say something she might not want others to hear, no matter friends or family.
"So why are you all here? Aren't you supposed to be at school?"
"What's wrong with coming back to your own home?"
Anna replied coldly as I smirked a bit before placing the soup into the refrigerator.
~Your pov~
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Growl
".......Hmm....?"
You moaned softly as you open your eyes to find yourself lying in your room with a sheet of blanket over you.
Growl
Came another sound as you blushed when you notice that it was your stomach. Getting up, you slide open the door only to find that it was night time and the place was very dark. After a while of walking, you came into the kitchen and gently opened the light. At first, you were blinded by the suddenly brightness but soon, your eyes adjusted as you look around, wondering if there's anything you could eat.
"If you're hungry, you could have said so."
You heard as you gasped, spinning around to come face to face with Hao. Surprised, you stumbled back and almost fell if Hao did catch you. Smiling at your behavior, Hao walk over to the refrigerator, took out a bowl of soup and reheats it.
"Take a seat."
Hao said as you stare at him, but nodded softly as you sat down. Soon, you heard a ring from the microwave as Hao place the hot soup onto the table in front of you before taking a seat beside you.
"A-Arigatou...."
You whispered as Hao smiled and watches as you ate.
"Are you feeling better?"
Hao asked as you nodded softly, then thanked him for his concern.
"Hao.....that time...how did you know I was there Team Flower and Ren.....?"
"Actually, I was in my usual spot. I was lying there, watching the cloud until I heard the commotion and followed you."
Hao replied as you stare at him. 'H-He was there?' You thought as Hao suddenly grew serious as he said,
"To destroy or be destroy."
"E-Eh?"
"That is the Tao's model. The Tao families are dangerous. Therefore, stay away from them."
".....Tao wa Chugoku-jin desu ne?"
"Eh. The Tao family came from a long blood line. Their history is just as great as the Asakura. They will do anything to get what they want. They're well known in Japan for being the richest of the rich. They're also well known for their martial art. Wari, it was because of me that you had a fright and such experience...."
"I-Iie....!!"
You quickly said as you tries to tell him how it's not his fault. Then, a thought occur to you....
'History greater than the Asakura? What does Hao mean by....And why if Ren after Hao...Maybe I shouldn't ask, it's not my place to stick m-my nose in....'
"You want to know why he's after me, don't you?"
Hao said with a soft smile as your face lid up.
"I-Iie....w-well...."
You whisper, blushing slightly as Hao's glaze softens as he smile wider.
"Since young, he's always second after me no matter in what subject; I always get the highest mark, even in martial art. He always challenges me, but every time, he knows full well that I've always been easy against him. Then after 3 years, he moved away back to China. The way I always go easy on him made him felt weak, so that's why he used you as a lure in hopes to have me fight him seriously for once and see who's superior, and how far the distance between us is."
Hao explained as you look at your empty bowl and nodded slightly.
"Gomen nasai.....giving you so much trouble."
"No trouble at all."
A new voice said as you and Hao turn to see Yoh and Anna standing by the door.
Rest in result
"Y-Yoh, Anna-san."
You whispered as they walk over. "We heard everything. Looks like you got into a problem." Yoh said as you apologized again. "It's alright." Yoh repeated as he looks over to Anna.
"Ne, Anna?"
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"Hn."
Was all of Anna's reply after a moment of silent as you smiled a bit and thanked them.
"I'll take Ayame back to her room. She had a rough day."
Hao said as you stood up and was about to pick up your bowl when Yoh beat you to it.
"You take a rest, I'll clean this up."
".....Arigatou."
You whispered as Yoh smiled at you as you and Hao walk out of the kitchen.
"Hontoni arigatou, Hao."
You whispered when you two arrived in front of your room as Hao smiled at you softly. "Ayame, is it alright if we talk a bit?" He suddenly asked as you stare at the ground, then nodded slightly, but remembered that you're still wearing your day clothes.
"M-May I change first....?"
"Mochiron."
Hao said as you close the door behind you and quickly change into your night kimono before opening the door back up to let Hao in. On the way in, you opened the light.
"Gomen nasai."
Hao suddenly apologized as you stare at him in confusion.
"F-For what?"
"I could have stopped Team Flower before hand, but I was curious on what they're up to so I didn't cut in and putted you in such fright. I know I've said this before, but I just want to apologize again, for accusing you and Tao Ren together. I should have known what really happened, but I guess I was blinded by jealousy."
Hao said, never changing his sorrowful expression as he admit things so easily.
"P-Please don't apologize.....and...umm.......Hao....I umm......have something t-to say as well."
You shuttered softly as Hao gave you his full attention while you hesitated around for a bit.
'J-Just tell him.....just tell him how I feel.'
"A-Ano.....b-before, you asked for my answer....and I-I....I...I........."
'I-I can't speak.'
You softly scream in your head, suddenly finding your voice dying out on you as you shut your eyes tightly while your face heated up.
"I-I can't.....I can't do it after all....."
Yoh: *Pull down the screen as he pop out* Yo ^^
Manta: Ah, We're in chapter 21 already?
Anna: Hn.
Hao: Wari ne, but we're here as repersentatives since writer has a special message to devlier to you.
Yoh: Ah. The next chapter will be update on May 21, 2008 since writer has too many projects and presentations.
Manta: Therefore, she would like to tell you all to have patient.
Horo Horo: Na, but why stop here after all those chapters. She barely even have time to come and update this one and call us all over. Why didn't we just stop at chapter 20?
Hao: You're pretty dense.
Horo Horo: *Anime vein* NAN DESU DE!?!?!?!?!?!?
Ayame: .....
Yoh: ....?
Anna: You're both knuckle heads. Yoh, what are you doing standing around? 30 minutes of electric chair, let's go.
Yoh: *Tears leaking down his eyes as he quickly did as told, sweating with glances of sympaty from Ayame, Horo Horo and Manta.*
Manta: Y-Yoh-kun....
Horo Horo's thought: Good thing I have nothing to do with this.
Hao: So did you think over?
Horo Horo: How am I supposed to know what she's thinking!?!?!?!?!?
Ayame: B-Because this is the rising climax....d-dakara she wants to make the readers *Voice growing faint* excited and eager to read the next chapter....
Hao: *Smiles at Ayame* Ah.
Yoh: N-Naruhoto....
Horo Horo: Right....I almost forgot that she can be a dreadful sadist.
Manta: Shouldn't we go now? I mean, writer will be angry if we stay too long.
Horo Horo: Don't mind her!
Hao: I don't have time to spare here, I'm leaving. Let's go, Ayame.
Ayame: *Nods and follow Hao away*
Horo Horo: Hey, that reminds me, where's Amidamaru?
Kororo: Koro?
Yoh: *Cries more* She's still mad about last time and locked Amidamaru along with the others into the cell....
Horo Horo: *Went pale* Ok....JA NE!!!!!!!!!
Manta: A-AH!!!! Wait for me!!
Anna: I guess no point in staying here. *Walks away*
Yoh: .....Eh? Mina? Anna? *Still doing electrical chairs* What am I suppose to do? If I stop now, Anna would kill me..... T_T
