The summer was over and here came fall, back in school. My mother had set me up to go to Shinra Private Academy. Or in other words, Yoh's school. Where I shared the same classes as my fellows. That was the only great thing about going back to school. To be honest, sitting in school wasn't that bad. Compared to Anna's training, it's paradise. Boring yes, but it was better than her torture. She had given Yoh and I a break for a day, saying we were going to need it for whats in store for tomarrow. Her worst training methods...
I sat in my last period, bored to death. As I stared out the window gazing at big fluffy whiteclouds. "Miss.Yuan-Fong? Miss.Yuan-Fong!" The teacher shouted, I barely heard because I was half asleep. My head fell from my hand as I dozed off to sleep on my desk. "Nevermind! Not only is Mr.Asakura falling asleep in my class but even our newest transfer student! Mr.Oyamada read thel ast paragraph so I can end my class and go home!" "Yes, sir!" Morty replied, as he tried to substain his laughter.
After school, we headed home. Morty had to go home to study for this big test at prep school but he was going to come over later. Trey had been waiting for us, he had just been staying with us even though we already found his crafts. Turns out the police took it for safe keeping when he left it on the street to go to the restroom. Trey didn't go to school eitheir since his parents only sent him down from the north for the tournament. But, it's always nice to have someone ready to welcome you home as soon as you get back. He was quite happy for our arrival since he had to stay at home with Ryo all morning since we weren't there. "Your home!" Trey cheered, running out the front door. "Save it," Anna said, already getting down to business. "This pathway has not been sweeped, do you want me to get dirt on my shoes when I walk on my own pathway?" "What? You wanted me to do that to?!" Trey questioned, not beliving all the work he had to do. "It's just going to get dirty anyway!" "No excuses! I want this pathway sweeped in five mintutes or you won't be having any dinner tonight! As, for your punishment you'll be sitting at the kitty table for tonights dinner, if you have any." Trey's jaw dropped as he fell to his knees in agony. "She's so cruel..." He said, as he started to fake cry until Anna threw the broom at him. "Get started, slacker!" She said, sternly as she went into the house. "Poor, Trey..." I said as Yoh nodded with me. "I don't know about you. But, I think Anna been a little mean lately. Well, meaner than usual." "Same here, she can be cruel at times. But, this is just cold." Yoh agreed. "Theres gotta be another reason for it." We walked in the house as Anna had already changed out of her uniform. She was putting on her boots and had already grabbed her pink purse and coat. "Anna, where are you going?" I asked, curious to where she would go. She never went shopping and she usauly stayed in her room to work on her sewing project. "To the store." She replied, putting on her hat, it was chilly outside. "Shopping?! Anna's actually going shopping?!" I shouted, doing Morty's dramatic scene for him since he wasn't here. "Can it." Anna said, as she turned around and looked at me. "Mei, I need you to give me your clothes. You can wear one of my dresses until I come back." "What for?" I asked, confused to why Anna needed my clothes to go shopping. "Your going to buy clothes at the store, right?" "No, I'm not. Well, yes I am..." Anna said, looking unsure of what to call it. "Just think of it as a surprize." "Surprize?" I asked, this was to much out of Anna's character. Why would she want to give me a surprize? Was it my birthday already? No, it can't be I was born in May. Anna was becoming unpatient, "Just get me your clothes."
Anna took off to the store with my clothes and shoes. Saying she needed them for the surprize. When I changed out of my uniform all I could see in her closet were black dresses. Maybe, I was looking in the wrong place. Atleast there were different kinds. Dresses for warm and cold weather. They all looked the same to mebut I finally picked one. It was a dress for warm weather but I really didn't want to go through that hour long decision again. I just wore knee length white socks with it to keep warm. It was all I could find. Since, I didn't want to raid her room and find something personal.But, a coat would most definitly do the trick. It was kinda embarressing to be in such a short dress, but since I was wearing it I decided to complete the whole Anna look. I put on one of her other red scarfs, it wasn't as long as the one she usualy wearsand it had a white japanese designing on the side of it. But, not having my clothes gave me something to do today. Going to the post office to see if my mother had sent my clothes over to Tokyoyet. I know she must have since all of my luggage went to her home in Izumowhile I came to Tokyo. She didn't know I where living so I assume she thinks I'm with Len, but she knows everything. I repeat everything. If shes worried she watches over me with her all knowing portals, yeah kinda sucks. When you try to get away with having a referral she already knows I had gotten one. So, I know she wouldn't leave Izumo to come check on me. Besides, she doesn't like to intervene with my progress as a shaman and young teenager. She told me all the time how she preferes that I learn how to take care of myself at young age. Well, to get to the point. I guess the only two places for my clothes to be.Which wouldbe the post office or Len house. Since I don't know excatly where he lives, yet. Checking the post office first would be better.
"I'm off you guys!" I said, borrowing Anna's sandals and coat, I was going to look ridiculous walking down the street in socks and sandals and I know if Len saw me he burst out laughing. But, I could stand it. "Your leaving too, Mei?" Yoh asked, looking up from his music as he peered over at me. "Yep, I gotta go out to the post office." I said. Yoh tossed me some change, "Just call on a pay phone if you get lost okay. Or if your getting back late so Anna doesn't worry." "Okay, thanks, Yoh." I said, as I looked athim. He just smiled and went back to his music. Will I ever figure him out? I've know him for 2 months now, but I feel as though we've been best friends for eternaty. It wasn't on my mind constantly but I think about it from time to time. "You need somebody to walk you back?" Ryo asked, worried about me. He too knew about my horrible sense of direction. "No, I'll be fine. Hikari's all I need." I said, walking out the door. "Thanks Ryo. I be back later." "Hey, dude! I mean, Mei! Need any help?" Trey asked, he had been eavesdropping into the conversation. "You know, how you get lost and stuff..." Trey was blushing really badly, it was almost too terrible to let him down. But, Anna would be furious if she found out he didn't do the chores in the kitchen. "No. Will you? Anna left you a list in the kitchen." I smiled. "I would help if I didn't have to go somewhere. See you, when I come home." Trey cried at the front door at the thought of more chores to do and missing another chance to walk somewhere with me. He had been asking all month. Maybe later, but I'm busy today. I walked passed Amidamaru since I didn't want to bother him. He was practicing techninqes with his sword, gracefully. I wish Hikari was that cool, the only training she did was sleeping. She said rest was what made her stronger. But, she was always there when I needed her, so I guess everybody has their own thing.
I had just left the post office and man. I was mad. My mother had known where Len lived the whole time and sent him a letter to pick up my clothes from the post office on purpose! I know she did she always knows everything with those portals of hers. Len had already gotten them and left me his address and a note saying he'll never give my clothes back, unless I come and get them for a trade. Knowing him he was going to want something out of me, I don't know what though. But, he would trade my clothes for something, I wonder what. Oh yeah, and remember when I said a coat would keep me warm it didn't, my legs felt like icecubes. I rushed over to the abandoned chinese resturant, Len was staying in. He had bought it from the previous owner, a half a year ago. Soon, he'd be fourteen in January. I looked at the tall buliding it had so many floors. It was half resturant, half house. At the resterant every single window was shattered making it look like the abandoned resturant it was. There was a side entrance that led you to a stairway. The stairs that led you to Len's door. I stood there unsure if I should knock or not, he was odviously waiting for me. But, at the same time of not wanting to be rude I didn't want to be embarressed. I finally knocked three times as I started to regret even coming to his door. I just knew it was coming. "Who is it?" Len asked, as if he got visiters, he was trying to make fun of me already. "Give me my clothes, Len." I said, as he opened the door smirking. "Mei, what a unexpected visit. I didn't know you were coming over, you should have called." Len said, trying to hold in his laughter. He had no shirt on, looking like he had just got out of the shower from a long work out. "Come in, you look cold." I walked in as he closed the door. "Please, allow me to get your coat." He said, taking Anna's coat and hanging it on the coat hanger. As he saw me in her summer dress, not able to hold his laughs in any longer. "You look like a beggar off the street! No wonder your mother sent me your clothes, you can't even properly dress yourself!" Len laughed, as I started to pout. He was just mad that I wasn't staying with him."Oh, shut it!" I said, trying to get this over with. "Just give me my clothes and I'll make my merry way home. Since, I look like a beggar off the street, apparently." "Don't blame me. This never would have happened if you hadstayed with me in the first place." Len said, trying to persaude me. "You know you'll never run out of clothes with me and you won't have to dress so poorly and be embarressed everywhere you go. Are you wearing sandals with your socks?!" Len started laughing again as I became fed up and started looking around his house. "Bason! Do you know where my clothes are?!" I shouted as I searched through things as Icame acrossLen's memorial tablet. "Young Mistress, it is a pleasure to see you again after all these years." Bason said, appearing to me, he was kneeling. "Do ignore, the Young Master's taunts. He still upset about your living residence." "I know," I sighed. "He didn't have to be so mean about it though. He can be such a child at times." I whispered, my last sentence to Bason but Len had heard it anyway. "I heard that. You know your terrible at making a whisper, Mei." Len said, coming into the room. "I don't know why you insist on talking to Bason like he's an actual person. Do you belive that 'spirits are your friends' crap?" "Seems like things never change." I said, noticing Len was degrading Bason and ignoring what he actualy was just like his and my family. He should be respected and appreciated for making and giving his sacrifices and services from life to death. Not treated as a tool that powered your weapon. Even a blade is respected by it's samurai. "They never do when your involed." He said, coming up to me, thinking I was talking about myself. "How long do plan on have this insane notion of staying with Asakura?" "How long do you plan on having this insane notion of not giving me my clothes?" I said looking at him, noticing he was shorter than ever. He was still shorter than me after all these years. Still two inches shorter. And I thought he had grown taller, well I was sitting down when I thought that. I tried to hold in my laugh. "I'm serious. Being with that-What is so funny?" Len said, stopping his lecture when he noticed my giggles. "Oh, nothing. I just noticed that your still shorter than me after all these years." I laughed, as I started to run. "Shorty!" "Get back here, you!" He shouted, as he chased after me. "Take it back!" I had made it to somewhat of Len very own lair before I got caught. He had pinned me down to the floor as Anna's scarf fell off, I guess Ididn't tie it very tightly. Len held my arms down as he hovered over my body on all fours. I laughed, as he playfuly glared at my smiles. "Take it back." Len demanded, as he smirked. "Make me." I smiled. "Well, now. What do we have here?" Someone asked. Len and I looked to see Jun leaning on the doorway looking at us deviously. Len quickly got off of me as Jun looked at our sheepish faces. "Oh, dear me. Did I intrude on your little, reminise?" Jun smiled, as Len got off the floor. "No, I was just on my way off. I have some important business to tend to. So, if you don't mind I'll be off." Len left out of the room as red as a cherry, pretending he had something to do. "Ha! It feels like old times. I can't leave you two alone for a minute without you all over each other." Jun sighed as she sat down in a chair. I was already standing. "Well, hello to you too, Jun." I greeted. "Oh, Mei. It's been so many years, I'm so happy Lenny finally got to see you!" Jun said, ethusiasticly. "Really, now? Did he miss me that much?" I asked. "Well, it's not just that...it's just with you not around things haven't really been the best." Jun said, getting into explaining what happened, while I was gone, training. "I noticed. I swear everytime he talks to me it's like talking to my Uncle. Except it's him speaking the words." I said. "He's changed so much over the years. Does he really think the world is so rotten? Did your uncle really get to him that bad?" "...I'm afraid so. But, what am I saying? I was the same way not to long ago. It was that Yoh Asakura that made me see things clearly." Jun said, looking down, as she smiled at Yoh's name. "But don't give up on him, Mei. He really needs you, you were the only thing that eased his suffering. Now that your back he'll probably listen to you, you could get him to be friends with Yoh." "Give up?... Jun, I'll never give up on him. I belive in Len and I've always belived in him. Since the time we first met, I've always seen it. His kindness, it's like a flame that never goes out. Thats always there to light your path and warm you with it's fire." I said, to her. "Thats why I love him. And because I love him, because I belive in his own strength I will not end his suffering. I will be there to light his path but I can't decide weither he'll go down it or not. I can't fight his battle, as much as I want to I can only do everything I can to make him ready for it. If I do it allfor him I'll disable him to do anything on his own. Besides, I don't think he'd let me help if I tried. He's much too stubborn." Jun looked at me for a while taking in what I had said, not expecting it. She hadn't seen me for 3 years so she probably taking the feeling of having me around back in again. "Mei...thank-you." Jun said, as she smiled at me. "It's great to have you back." "Your welcome." I smiled, as it came back to mind. "Oh, Jun you wouldn't know where my clothes are would you?" She sweatdropped, "There in Lenny's room at the bottom of the closet. He was going to use them to make you stay here for the night." "I knew it!" I said, as I ran off to Len's room. Once there I noticed Len sitting on his bed now with a shirt looking out the window. I quietly crawled across the floor to reach the closet as I opened it slowly. "I know your there. I can see your reflection through the glass." Len said, as I jumped. "So, your really just going to go back there without atleast staying the night here. After three years your just going to go off and leave me here worrying about you, again." "Gosh. You make it sound like we're married." I smiled, trying to put in a joke to make the situation less tense. "Get serious!" Len blushed, as he turned around to see me right in front of him. "Don't worry, I'll stay for the night. Just relax, kay'?" I smiled, as Len looked into my eyes as if he was finding the answers to the world. "But, I have to get my clothes though. I'm pretty sure almost everything I own is in there, right?" "How would I know?" Len said, turning the other cheek to hide his cherry face. "What? You mean you didn't go picking to see my undies or something?" I questioned, as I made my way over to the closet. "I would never, you sick-minded girl!" Len shouted, taken back by this statement as his face got even more red. I opened the closet to see a big box untouched and still sealed up. "Heh. Guess not," I said, as I turned back at him to see something else. "Of course, I would never be-" Len stopped talking as he noticed I was staring out the window. He turned to see it too. It was finally here, the destiny star, that signaled the start of the tournament. Len started to smile, "You see that, Mei? Thats the destiny star telling the world my destiny to be Shaman King has come." I looked at the Destiny star not knowing what to say, Len was just showing off. The star wasn't just for him, it was for everyone. Signaling that everything that they had waited for, everything that they had went through for this very moment. It was all starting now, the shaman tournament to be Shaman King.
