Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ A Gift of Love ❯ Hidden Motives ( Chapter 32 )

I had a hard time starting this chapter. I don't know why. I'm just trying to make sure Ren isn't more concerned about his battle attire than saving Pin-Mei. But he also needs some cool duds. Bling bling yo! -awful picture in mind- Ren, you are never going to wear street clothes. Ever. -is still thinking about a diamond incrusted Kwan Dao-

 

I think I'm going to start mega-proofreading my chapters. All these stupid mistakes slip by me, and then I feel foolish when people point them out (I'm a senior in high school for gosh sakes. I shouldn't be making flubs like that. Perfectionism is not a bad thing.). This is what I get for writing when I should be sleeping.

 

I wanted to have Ren go to the stables to mount Hakuoh, but then find him slaughtered instead. Then I realized that he'd have to be a huge idiot not to notice a slaughtered horse for a month. Thus, Hakuoh lived to oversoul another day.

 

I call Pin-Mei's house a castle because Fan Castle is an actual place. Or was. It was in Dynasty Warriors at least -sweat drop-

 

Disclaimer: I don't own the book Where the Red Fern Grows, or Shaman King for that matter.

 

Notes: The flashback is to when they're chibitized… I mean little kids

 

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A Gift of Love - Chapter Thirty-Two: Hidden Motives

 

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Ren threw his bedroom door open and ran over to his wardrobe, opening it in the same fashion. He began tossing clothes out like mad until he found his old yellow and black battle garb with the hole in the chest. Luckily, it had recently been resewed in order to accommodate his growth, so it was an easy fit. He went back and forth as to whether he needed his cape or not, but ultimately decided against it; he was going to the Xu/Fan Castle to rescue Pin-Mei, not show off his expensive clothes.

 

Next he ran out to the armory to make sure he had his best Kwan Dao at his disposal. He soon realized that his best one was covered in club photo stickers.

 

How ironic.

 

He was about to go to the stables to get Hakuoh when he suddenly thought of the engagement ring that was in his drawer. Although it would cost him precious time, he decided that it was necessary to bring it.

 

I want to give it back to her as soon as I can.

 

As he picked up the trinket, a low voice came from behind him.

 

“You're going after her, I see.”

 

Ren tensed, then turned around. Xu Zhang stood in front of his wardrobe on the opposite side of the room. Looking closer, he could see that his figure was slightly see-through. He knew that the man before him was dead.

 

“Yes, I am.”

 

The man looked at him sadly. “Ren, believe me when I say that although I wish for happiness for you and Pin-Mei, fate may deal you another hand. A bad one.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“It can be a cruel thing, fate. I'm sure you know that.”

 

“I do.”

 

“Are you prepared for a life or death choice?”

 

“What?”

 

“You'll have to make a choice while you are fighting this battle. It will affect not only you, but Pin-Mei as well. But you will have to make this decision on your own. No one can help you, especially not Pin-Mei. It will not be easy for you.”

 

Ren narrowed his eyes. “A decision about what?”

 

Zhang just looked away from him. “Are you prepared to kill her?”

 

His eyes widened. “What?”

 

“Are you prepared to kill Pin-Mei?”

 

“Why…are you even asking me this?”

 

“Because it may come to that.”

 

Ren looked at the floor and put the ring on the inside of his shirt. “No, I'm not.” He looked up at him. “But it doesn't matter, because I won't have to. Even if it's something I have to do, I'll find a way around it. I refuse to hurt her again. If one of us has to die, it'll be me.” He turned to walk out of the room.

 

“Have you ever read that old American book, Where the Red Fern Grows?”

 

Ren turned back around, confused. “What?”

 

Zhang ignored his expression. “It's one of Pin-Mei's favorites. Rong used to read it to her all the time. It was about a boy who bought two dogs so he could go hunting, a boy and a girl; Old Dan and Little Ann.”

 

Ren nodded slowly, just to let him know he was listening, although he didn't think it had anything to do with their present situation. The spirit seemed amused by his perplexed expression and continued.

 

“As the two dogs grew up, they became a formidable team…However, in the end, they get into a fight with a mountain lion. Little Ann gets cut in the shoulder, and when Old Dan joins the fight to save her and their master, he sustains wounds that lead to his demise.”

 

He paused for a moment.

 

“But that is not the only tragedy. After the death of her beloved partner, Little Ann loses the will to live, and dies shortly after.”

 

He gave Ren time to think about it. “Do you understand?”

 

Ren nodded. “I believe so.”

 

“Do not go in there saying that you will sacrifice yourself in order to avoid killing Pin-Mei. While men can often times carry on, women sometimes would rather join their lovers in death than live alone until they find a new love. So, if you die, remember that you will, in essence, be killing her.” He looked up at the ceiling. “In reality, you are the only “family” that she has left. I am gone, as are Rong, Ling, and Shu. I alerted your parents about them, but with their wounds, it is doubtful that they'll survive.” He looked at him. “People with nothing left will have no trouble taking their own lives. So don't let yourself die.”

 

Ren nodded. “I won't.” He turned. “I'm leaving now, whether you have something else to say or not. There's someone who needs me right now.” Without waiting for a reply, he left the room.

 

Zhang watched the door slam shut.

 

“Do you really think they'll be all right?” he said aloud.

 

There was no reply.

 

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Ma Ying and Bason were waiting for him by the gates. He trotted up to them and looked to Ma Ying.

 

“Lead the way,” he said.

 

“Yes, Ren-Bocchama!” she floated off in the direction towards the Xu/Fan castle, and he followed.

 

Just hang on until I get there, Pin-Mei. I'll save you.

 

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“Bocchama, forgive my ignorance, but what are we doing?”

 

It was late at night, and Ren and Bason were walking through a graveyard near his home. He looked over some gravestones, checking the names and dates.

 

“I'm getting that brat a spirit so she'll leave me alone,” he said. “I just need to find any old female spirit, then I can finally have some peace and quiet.”

 

He approached one memorial and read the name. “Ma Ying Taphan. Yeah, this'll do. Spirit, show yourself!”

 

The female soldier's spirit appeared over her grave. She looked at him with slight annoyance. “Yes? What business do you have with me?”

 

He removed a small mortuary tablet from his pocket. “You're going to become a little brat's main spirit.”

 

She frowned. “I apologize, but I do not wish to participate in this.”

 

The young shaman raised the tablet in the air. “It wasn't a request,” he said. It glowed and sucked Ma Ying in. He lowered it and sighed. “Finally. Now that that's done, I'm going to bed. Starting tomorrow, I won't have to worry about being disturbed during training.”

 

The next morning, he tossed the tablet at his little shadow. She stumbled and caught it, then looked it over.

 

“What's this?” she asked, holding it up.

 

He groaned. “Don't you know anything? I got you a spirit, just like you wanted. Now you can go train and leave me alone.”

 

Her face lit up. She ran and hugged him. “Thank you, Niisama!”

 

He pushed her away. “Yeah, whatever. Just don't bother me anymore.”

 

Ren went to train with Bason while Pin-Mei sat on her usual rock. She placed the tablet beside her and stared at it. Nothing was happening.

 

“Niisama!” she called over.

 

“What do you want?” he yelled.

 

“It's not coming out!”

 

“Just tell it to come out. God, do I have to do EVERYTHING?”

 

She blinked at it, then poked it gently. “You can come out now.” Pin-Mei smiled in awe as her new spirit came out to float next to her. “Hi! I'm Pin-Mei!” she cried raising her hand.

 

Ma Ying looked at her, confused. “Ma Ying…” she said slowly. She looked around. “Where am I?”

 

Her master giggled. “At Niisama's house!”

 

“Who?”

 

“Niisama! Tao Ren!”

 

Ma Ying's eyes narrowed. “Tao, you say…”

 

“Uh-huh!”

 

She looked to the young boy practicing Kwan Dao movements about twenty feet away. Her look turned into a glare of anger, pain, and malice.

 

“Kiet…I'll avenge your death.”

 

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It was later the next night in the Asakura home. After a day of chores (Yoh and HoroHoro) and television (Anna), they were finally able to sit and have a nice evening meal.

 

“I wonder how Ren is making out,” Yoh wondered aloud.

 

HoroHoro took a bite of food. “He's fine. You know him. He wouldn't ask for help even if he needed it.”

 

Anna sat calmly across from them. “It was a nice visit we had from that spirit,” she said after a sip of her drink.

 

They looked at her.

 

“It's too bad we couldn't have met her when Pin-Mei came over.”

 

The boys kept staring at her. This wasn't like Anna at all.

 

“Come to think of it, if she didn't come here when Ren and Pin-Mei did, how did she find her way here? I doubt that if Pin-Mei was barely conscious she could tell her how to get here. Hm…how did she even know Ren was here? Wouldn't she have just sent her to his house?”

 

The boys thought about her words. Yoh's eyes widened.

 

“Ren's in trouble!”