Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ A Gift of Love ❯ Spreading Her Wings ( Chapter 6 )

 

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A Gift of Love - Chapter Six: Spreading Her Wings

 

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Pin-Mei shivered. The water was freezing, and she was scared out of her mind. Even though she had been thankful for Ren's kindness a few minutes ago, he was now back to his old self, and thus, a ruthless teacher. He was leading her deeper and deeper into the water, until she was finally up to her shoulders.

 

“Okay, first thing,” he announced. He let go of her wrist and waded over to stand behind her. She panicked and tried to attach herself to him, but he swiftly dodged each attempt. When he was finally behind her, he put his hands under her armpits.

 

“Start walking,” he commanded. She obeyed after a whimper and a gulp.

 

When it was too deep for her feet to touch the ground, he lifted her slightly, just to keep her above water.

 

“Okay, kick your legs.” She did. “Now do this with your arms.”

 

He turned her around, letting go of her to show her a treading motion with his arms. She copied him. He watched her for a few moments, then folded his arms and grinned.

 

“Look at yourself,” he said.

 

She finally realized that he wasn't holding her up. “Eee!!” She sunk down into the water like a stone. Ren sighed and went over to pick her up.

 

“Why'd you stop?” he asked in a disgruntled voice.

 

“Why did you let go of me???” she countered.

 

“You'll never learn how to swim if I don't! Do you want to sink like stone all your life, or do you want to be able to go into the water and not be afraid?”

 

“I don't want to be afraid, but it's so hard…My mind keeps picturing the worst possible thing that can happen, then I can't stop thinking about it…”

 

Ren let his eyes drift upward as he blew another sigh out of him. “Listen, if it helps you at all, just keep telling yourself that I'm here with you. I won't let you drown.”

 

Niisama… “Okay… I'll try again…”

 

“Alright, then.” He resumed his position behind her and walked with her. Eventually, he let her go, as if she were a bird about to spread her wings and fly away.

 

And fly away she did.

 

She turned and looked back at him. “I'm doing it! Oh my gosh! I'm doing it!” she cried.

 

In a fit of joy and accomplishment, she raised her arms up into the air, and she sank. Ren looked half concerned, but when she popped back up a moment later, his eyes softened and he smiled. She went under again, but this time didn't come back up. He swam out to where she had been and looked around. The water was darker here, so it wasn't easy to see her.

 

Suddenly, a strong force pushed down on his back, and he went under. When he came back up, Pin-Mei was giggling.

 

“I got you!” she teased.

 

“That's really impolite, you know,” he said, coming towards her. “We punish impolite people in my house.”

 

“Hm?”

 

He took his hand and put it on her head. Before she could react, he dunked her under the water. She came back up coughing.

 

“You jerk! That was mean!”

 

“It isn't so great when the shoe's on the other foot, is it?” He gave her a sly grin. She was staring at him. The grin disappeared. “What?”

 

She waded over to him. “I just noticed…When your hair gets wet, your tongari goes away.” Her hand went to touch the fallen hair, but he turned away.

 

“Yeah, it does that,” he said, getting out. “We'd better go, the sun is setting.”

 

She turned to confirm what he said. “Yeah, you're right.”

 

When she joined him, he handed her shoes to her. She shivered.

 

“It's so cold out here.”

 

“That's because you're all wet,” he observed. “I brought towels here beforehand. Go wrap yourself in one.”

 

They started walking back to the house. Pin-Mei was startled when another towel was draped over her shoulders. She looked to Ren, who was walking without one.

 

“Aren't you cold?” she asked.

 

He shrugged. “I can take it. No big deal.”

 

She tried to hold back an inevitable blush. “Um… Niisama?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Thank you.”

 

He looked at her with the soft eyes and smile that had been made especially for her. “You're welcome.”

 

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That night, Pin-Mei sat in the weight room watching Ren work out again. It amazed her that despite their activity that day, he still had the energy to lift all that weight. She, on the other hand, was ready to turn in for the night.

 

Ren had his back to her, working the rowing machine.

 

“Hey, Pin-Mei,” he said. She made a small sound in reply. “I'm planning on visiting my friends in Japan soon, and I thought you might like to come along.” She didn't say anything. “I have a timeshare over there, so we wouldn't be staying in some third-rate hotel. Asakura Yoh is there, so you can meet him and the rest of his friends. Plus there's a lot to do there, and since it's winter, we can see the snow there too. How does that sound?”

 

No reply. “Are you listening, brat?” He turned around to make sure she had been paying attention, but instead found her sleeping on the bench, her head resting against the wall. He shook his head. “Honestly…”

 

Ren stared at her for a few moments, taking in the sight before him. She looked so innocent as she slept. A small smile was on her face, as if to tell him she had liked his proposal. He walked over to her and bent down to bring himself to her level. Gently, he brushed a stray hair out of her face, then smiled.

 

“Alright, I'll take you there.”