Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ A Gift of Love ❯ The Flower Wilts ( Chapter 36 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

 

He chuckled, and they soon fell asleep.

 

Ren had mixed feelings as he watched them. He was happy that they loved each other, because it meant that Pin-Mei would be born soon and that they'd meet a few years after. But seeing them sleeping together reminded him of what he was missing. Her. The girl whose mother bore such a striking resemblance to. Pin-Mei.

 

The next night, Zhang and Hua stood together in the dining room waiting for Jiang Yin to appear. As the door flew open, his malicious smile and glowing eyes could be seen in the darkness of the night. Like the night before, he extended his hand to his fiancée.

 

“Come darling, we have a very busy night ahead of us.”

 

Hua looked up at Zhang, then at Yin. Slowly, she started walking over to him. Zhang put his hand under one of her small braids as she left. It trailed over his skin, and he clenched his fist when he could feel it no more. He looked up, his eyes flared with anger.

 

Yin was clutching Hua again, his right hand on her right breast. Zhang went to march over to him, but Sun grabbed his arm.

 

“Son, don't do anything rash. You have no idea what he's capable of.”

 

Zhang shook him off and continued on his way. Without warning, he pulled his hand back and punched Yin in the face. He pulled a shocked Hua away from him and hid her behind his back.

 

As Yin recovered, he glared at Zhang, who showed no fear or remorse. “What do you think you're doing?”

 

“I could ask you the same exact thing. What kind of pig forces himself on girl like that? And even if she wasn't against it, she's too young for that crap!

 

“Who are you to decide that?”

 

“Anyone would say that! Twelve?? Are you fucking serious? Her body wasn't made for you to put your grubby hands all over, whether you're her fiancée or not. If you really loved her at all, you'd wait until she was old enough before you even thought about doing that to her. You'd appreciate the privilege of being able to touch her, you sick bastard!”

 

Yin raised his eyebrows. “Oh dear, Hua. How could I have ever let you stay another night in a house with such disgusting individuals in it?”

 

“What did you say?” Zhang took a step toward him.

 

Yin sighed. “I guess I have no other choice.” He reached into his jacket.

 

Hua's eyes widened. “No Yin! Don't!”

 

Before anything could be done about it, Yin pulled out a tag and threw it at Zhang. It landed on his forehead and began to glow. A second later, surges of dark energy came out and engulfed his body like electricity, crippling him and forcing him to the ground. He screamed as blood came from his ears, nose, and mouth. Hua knelt beside him and tried to take the tag off, but the waves coursed through her body, and she quickly retracted her hand. She looked at it; it was smoldering, burned by the dark energy. She jumped up and grabbed Yin's arm.

 

“Please, Yin! Stop this! He's not worth it! Let's just go home, please! I'm sick of being here!”

 

“Why do you care about what happens to this trash?”

 

“Well…I…,” she looked down at Zhang, whose body was still writhing in pain. “J-Just stop it! He'll die! Stop it!”

 

When he ignored her, she knelt beside the cursed boy again and braced herself. After a quick breath, she clutched his body close to hers, allowing the energy to engulf her as well. She tried to hold back cries of pain as it burned her body, but her grip never weakened. If anything, it only made her hold him tighter against her. Her actions finally caught Yin's attention.

 

“Hua, you fool! What do you think you're doing?” he cried.

 

She opened her left eye through the pain so she could look at him. “I won't let go until you release the charm.”

 

They stared at each other, Hua giving the best glare she could manage in her state. Finally, he sighed and snapped his fingers. The tag fell to the ground, splitting in two. She breathed a sigh of relief and ran her hand across his face, then his chest, arms and hands.

 

“I'm so sorry…” she whispered.

 

Yin walked over to her and yanked her off the ground. “We're leaving - NOW.” He dragged her toward the door. Zhang weakly lifted his head off the ground.

 

“Hua…”

 

She looked back at him frantically. “June 10th!” she cried. “June 10th!”

 

“What…?”

 

“It's your last chance! June 10th!”

 

Yin covered her mouth. “Be quiet, darling.” He pulled her outside and slammed the door.

 

Sun and Na rushed to their son, who still lay on the floor.

 

“Zhang! Zhang! Oh goodness…I…Sun, is he badly burned?”

 

He turned his son's arms over in his hands, then looked at his face. “The burns…they're gone.”

 

“What?”

 

Na looked at his skin, and sure enough, the burns were no longer there. “How? Did they disappear when the curse was lifted?”

 

“…No…that's….not it…”

 

The couple looked down at their son. “Zhang!” Na cried. “You're alright!”

 

Zhang made no effort to get up from the ground. He just kept looking at the ceiling. “It was Hua. She did it.”

 

“What?”

 

“When she touched me…some sort of warm feeling came over me…She touched me so the burns would heal. It was her. She said that shamans can't heal anymore, but she can.”

 

“Zhang…” Na put her hand on his shoulder. “She's gone, Zhang, she's not coming back.”

 

“Don't tell me that. Once I figure out what that date means, I'll be able to save her.”

 

Days later, Zhang was still contemplating what the significance of June 10th was. He tried to think about past conversations, anything that could be have some sort of other meaning. She wouldn't have said that if she didn't think that he could figure it out. Finally it dawned on him.

 

“We're getting married when I turn thirteen.”

 

“Could it be…?”

 

The scene faded out. “But what did it mean?” Ren wondered aloud. “He didn't say, so how the hell am I supposed to know?”

 

He found himself in a cathedral. He heard murmuring, and turned around. His eyes widened.

 

Hua and Yin stood on the altar facing each other. Both were smiling, but Hua's seemed sad and forced. Her dress was red, and lilies were in her hands, but they were held loosely below her stomach.

 

“A wedding…” he whispered. He looked around. “Zhang, where the hell are you?”

 

“If there is anyone who has reason that these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

 

Hua looked around, as if hoping that someone would. No one said anything. Sadly, she turned back to the minister. Yin nodded at him.

 

“Well then, I now--,”

 

“NAY!!! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD - NAY!!”

 

Hua whipped around to the front doors of the church. She smiled. Ren turned also.

 

Zhang was in the doorway, panting. He was dressed in red silk dress top with black pants, obviously the best clothes he owned. Not waiting until he caught his breath, he sprinted down the aisle and up to the altar. He grabbed Hua and held her close to him, giving her a quick kiss.

 

“I didn't think you were coming…” she whispered, a few tears in her eyes. “I thought you forgot about me.”

 

He gave her a sly grin. “I don't forget things easily. Mom says it's my worst quality, because I tend to hold grudges.” He glared at Yin. “Like the one I have against that bastard.”

 

Yin looked back and forth between them. “What is the meaning of this?”

 

Suo stood up. “Yes, Hua. What is going on here?” A man who Ren presumed was her husband and Hua's father stood up next to her. He said nothing, and kept an expressionless face.

 

Hua looked around, a little scared. Zhang held her closer, showing no fear.

 

“Hua doesn't want to marry this guy,” he said.

 

Suo glared at him. “What?”

 

“This guy's a pedophile anyways. Having sex with a twelve year old is disgusting.”

 

“Um…”

 

He looked down at her. “What is it?”

 

“I'm thirteen now…today's my birthday.”

 

“Oh…Well, having sex with a thirteen year old is still disgusting! How old is this guy?”

 

“Twenty,” she whispered.

 

“Like I said - disgusting.”

 

Suo's glare didn't waiver. “Is this true, Hua?” Hua hesitated, then nodded. Her attention was turned to the man holding her. “And who's this?”

 

He stood up straight. “I'm Xu Zhang. I took care of Miss Hua when she was sick. My family owns a clinic in town.”

 

She looked disgusted. “I see…”

 

Yin shook with anger. “Yao! Suo! We already agreed on the engagement! Nothing can be changed!”

 

“Like hell!” Zhang turned to Hua's parents. “Listen, I know I haven't met the two of you, but I wish to have your blessing. I…” He clutched Hua and held her hand. “I'm in love with your daughter, and I--,”

 

He didn't finish. Hua looked over at him. His pupils were dilated. “Zhang, what is it?”

 

Then she saw it, a blade sticking out of his chest. She followed it up to Yin, who now stood behind him. She watched helplessly as he fell to the floor. Her body was frozen for a moment.

 

“ZHANG NO!!”

 

She knelt down and turned him over. He wouldn't even speak to her. She grabbed his wrist. There's still pulse. I can save him! She placed her hands over the wound, covering it, and concentrated. Suddenly, Yin pulled her off of the body.

 

“Darling don't touch that, it's rotten,” he said with a smirk.

 

Hua fought against his grasp in an effort to continue the healing process, but he wouldn't loosen his grip. She eventually hung in the air, supported only by his hold. Tears streamed down her face as she kept whispering to herself. He scoffed at her.

 

“Can we finish this now?” he said looking back at the priest. He felt a jab. He looked down to see a sword in his chest. The holder: Fan Yao.

 

“Lord Yao…” he whispered. Yao only glared at him.

 

“Don't make my daughter cry again. Don't touch her. I'm making sure that you won't.” He pulled the blade out and pushed the body back. Hua fell to the ground. Yao stroked her hair. “Finish what you started,” he said softly.

 

She nodded silently at him and placed her hands over Zhang's wound once more. Her hands glowed as she went to work closing the hole in her beloved's body. WORK!!

 

Minutes later, she had to support herself with her palms on the ground, panting. She looked to Zhang. Please…

 

Zhang blinked. He looked up at the ceiling, then sat up, shaking his head quickly.

 

“Ow…What happened?” He turned to see Hua with tears in her eyes. “Hua? What's wrong? Are you okay?”

 

She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I'm so glad you're okay!”

 

“Hey… come on, what's up?” he said, returning her embrace.

 

“Nothing…it's nothing…”

 

“Hua,”

 

She stopped. Slowly, she let go of him and stood up to face her father. “Yes, father?” Zhang stood up behind her. Her father looked at the both of them.

 

“Hua, is this the man you want to be with?”

 

She looked back at Zhang, then broke out into a bashful smile. “Yes,” she said as she turned back to Yao. “He's the one I want.”

 

“I see…”

 

Zhang looked at the floor, slowly trailing his eyes up to the lord's face. He put on a determined expression, then took a few steps in front of Hua.

 

“Lord Yao, I know I'm just a human, and I can barely use the five senses I'm born with, never mind a sixth. I can't see spirits, and I still don't understand a lot of things about shamans. But I…” He felt Hua hold his hand from behind. “I still love her. She's beautiful. She makes me laugh. She always thinks of others. I love her smile and her laugh. And…she never looked down upon me for being normal…for not having any spiritual powers.

 

“These last couple of weeks without her have been torture. I need her. I want to have her with me until the day we die. I want to marry her.”

 

Yao raised his eyebrows. Zhang pulled Hua up beside him so he could hold her again.

 

“My family isn't rich, so I can't promise that I'll be able to give her the extravagant life she's been living here. But I can promise that I'll take care of her for her whole life. Even after I die, I'll take care of her.”

 

She looked up at him, his words making her cheeks burn.

 

“Alright.”

 

They stared at him. “What?”

 

“You have my blessing.” He smiled at them. “We already have a wedding underway, so Zhang, why don't you just take Yin's place since he seems…” he looked behind him. “…unable to continue.”

 

“But darling! He's a mortal!” Suo cried running up to him.

 

He shook his head. “It doesn't matter. They love each other. If we pull them apart, they'll just want each other more. Besides, isn't the fact that Hua's happy the most important thing?”

 

She glared Zhang. “I suppose you're right…”

 

The couple looked at each other. “Lord Yao, are you sure you aren't against this? I mean after all--,”

 

“I've never known someone who questioned a blessing. Are you trying to get me to say no? Haha!” He looked at him and knew what he meant. “If you can look past the barrier and see my daughter as more than just a shaman, then I believe I can feel at ease putting her in your care.”

 

Neither of them complained.

 

Despite usual protocol, Zhang went to live in Fan Castle. It was then that “Xu” was added to the title, and thus became known as Xu/Fan Castle. His parents chose to remain in the town, reasoning that they needed to be close to the people so they could treat them.

 

However, there was a dispute arising over the subject of an heir to the family. Zhang reasoned that it didn't make sense for Hua to have a child at this point. She was still only thirteen, and her body was barely developed. Suo insisted for months that she should, and finally, the couple knew that they couldn't refuse any longer.

 

Strangely enough, Zhang had actually refused to sleep with Hua after their wedding. After saying that Yin was disgusting for taking her at such a young age, he would only be a hypocrite if he did the same. But now they found themselves with no other choice.

 

As they lay on their large bed, he had looked down at her sadly through his long hair, unruly when out of its ponytail. She reached up and cupped his cheek.

 

“Zhang, it's all right. I want this…I want you…This isn't my first time…but, it's the first time I've actually wanted to do this, so please, don't feel ashamed. I wouldn't have picked anyone else in the world to father this baby. It has to be with you, or not at all.” She smiled, then laughed. “Or something like that.”

 

He finally smiled at her, then captured her lips, gradually trailing kisses down her body. The room went black.

 

Ren just stood with his head turned to the side. Awkward…Very, very, awkward.

 

“Zhang! They're here! They're here! Come on!”

 

“Hua! You can't run!” He grabbed her gently to stop her.

 

She giggled. “Sorry. I'm just really excited to see her.”

 

“I know, but you can't bounce around like that.” He put his hand over her stomach.

 

“Yeah…I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking…”

 

He sighed. “It's okay, just think a little more next time, okay? You don't want to harm the baby.”

 

He let her go and held her hand. They stood on the steps of their front door, Hua staring at a carriage that was making its way up the hill. She squeezed his hand.

 

“I'm so excited! I can't wait to see her! And him, too.”

 

He looked at her. Her smile was as bright and innocent as ever. Even though the baby would be born in less than a month, her personality had not suffered one bit.

 

Finally, the carriage stopped, and the door opened.

 

“Look look look!”

 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

Anything the Ren of the present says/does will be in italics.

 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

Ren turned his head forward to look at occupants of the carriage. His eyes widened.

 

A younger version of his mother daintily stepped onto the ground, a one-year-old Ren in her arms.

 

“Ran!” Hua called over waving her arm in the air. She broke into a speed walk and quickly made her way over to her. “It's so good to see you!” she said smiling. She looked at the baby in her arms, eyes wide in awe. “He looks just like you, Ran! So pretty!”

 

P-P-Pretty???

 

“Can I hold him? Please?”

 

Ran looked from her son to the mother-to-be. “You can try…but he hardly likes it when I hold him.” She handed Ren to her. Hua eagerly took him in her arms.

 

“Oh he's so cute!!” she squealed and nuzzled her cheek against his. He didn't look amused. He seemed to look over the side of her arm at her stomach. When she pulled away from him, he looked straight at her. “Oooh, what pretty eyes…”

 

“Fat,” he said bluntly, pointing at her.

 

“Eh?” She had a look of utter bewilderment on her face.

 

Ren had a slight look of shock on his face as well. “Uh…sorry Hua…”

 

Ran gave her a sympathetic look. “I told you. He doesn't like people.”

 

Hua shrugged. “Whatever. He's a baby; he doesn't know what he's saying.” She began walking away as her husband came up behind her.

 

Zhang went and shook hands with Ran. “Your husband didn't come?”

 

She shook her head. “I suppose he still has ill feelings over her sister.”

 

He waved it off. “Nah, if he did, I'd say he wasn't worth it.” He looked behind him where Hua was still walking away. “She's so excited, you know. I'd say seeing Ren's made it worse.”

 

Ran took out her small paddle fan and laughed behind it. “Well, when she requested the engagement, how could I refuse?”

 

They both watched her turn the corner around the house to sit in a whicker chair in the back patio. She set Ren down on a small table to the left of it.

 

“Alright, Ren, we're going to have an heir-to-heir talk here.”

 

He looked away from her. She looked slightly annoyed, but carried on.

 

“I'm not fat you know. I'm pregnant. I'm gonna have my baby soon. Your future wife.” She smiled.

 

He looked back at her, and her spirits lifted.

 

“Ugly.”

 

“Double sorry.”

 

“Why you little--,”

 

She looked around to make sure no one was watching, then smacked him on the head.

 

“Ho.Ly.Crap. That would have killed any other baby. Maybe she wasn't so fit to be a mom…”

 

While he was recovering, she stole his right hand and placed it on her stomach. He stopped, his small yellow eyes becoming wide.

 

Hua sighed. “That's where she is. Where Pin-Mei is. She's going to be born next month. I know it's going to be a girl, even though mother wants a boy. I had a vision about it. It'll be a girl, and Zhang will name her Pin-Mei.” She smiled sadly, staring into space, knowing she wouldn't have the opportunity to name the baby herself.

 

She was brought back to attention when she felt Ren place his ear in her stomach. This surprised her, but she accepted it. Pin-Mei kicked inside the womb, and he flinched, snapping his head up and looking at Hua as if to ask her what happened.

 

She smiled. “She kicked. Babies do that.” She giggled. “You should see what happens when she gets the hiccups!”

 

Ren looked at her, then down at her stomach again. He smiled, then giggled. She was, again, surprised, but followed his lead.

 

“I'm…smiling…That's right…this was before…all that happened…”

 

Hua suddenly brushed the baby Tao's bangs back. “You're going to grow up to be so handsome, I can tell.” She kissed his forehead.

 

He felt himself blush.

 

“Promise you'll protect Pin-Mei?”

 

He stared at her blankly. Her lips gave a little pout, then she retrieved a cookie from a small basket next to her.

 

“Okay, once again: Promise you'll love and protect my daughter?” She moved the cookie up and down. He followed it with his eyes. “Good enough. Here you go, Ren.”

 

He took it from her and stuffed it in his mouth. Hua smiled, her head leaning on her fist, her elbow on the arm of the chair. She reached over and pulled out a miniature bottle of milk.

 

“Wash it down, now.”

 

He stared at it, as if to say `This lady's got everything!', and then grabbed it, chugging it down within ten seconds.

 

“Dankyuu,” he said.

 

She took it from him before he could drop it, her eyes soft and serene. “What a cutie.” She looked in the older Ren's direction, smiled, then kissed his infant counterpart on the cheek.

 

It went black again. An extreme sinking feeling came over Ren. He knew there was only one possible scene that could be next.

 

Sure enough, screams filled the room. All he could see was a small slit of light, like a door that was cracked open. He walked over to it and looked inside.

 

Hua was on the floor, lying on her back. Zhang, her parents, Kai, and Ran sat with the doctors around her. She screamed again, and Zhang squeezed her hand. She looked at him with tired eyes.

 

“Okay, I'm exhausted, let's switch now…” she said with a weak laugh.

 

He just looked at her. She had already told him what was going to happen after this was over.

 

“Hua…” He wiped the sweat off her forehead.

 

“Thanks…” she smiled at him, then her face twisted in pain again.

 

Finally, she stopped screaming. There were cheers in the room as the doctor held up the newborn baby.

 

“What is it? It's a boy, isn't it?” Suo said excitedly.

 

The doctor shook his had. “No, it's a girl.”

 

“WHAT?”

 

Hua's breathing staggered. “Let me…see her…”

 

Zhang nodded at him, and the baby was placed beside her head. She smiled, tears in her eyes.

 

“I…I did this…I made her…It's so amazing…Isn't it, Zhang?”

 

He nodded.

 

“She's so beautiful…” she whispered.

 

He squeezed her hand. “Yes, just like you.”

 

She looked at him and smiled, then looked at Ran. “Where's Ren? I want him to see her…” Ren waddled over to her. She smiled at him. “This is her…Pin-Mei…your wife…”

 

“Baby,” he said.

 

She smiled. “That's right…Baby…” She brushed his bangs back again and turned to Zhang, tears streaming down her face. His face mirrored hers.

 

“I love you Zhang…with all my heart…”

 

“I love you too…”

 

“Promise me…you'll take care…of Pin-Mei…?”

 

“Of course, yes, anything…”

 

“Can I have one more kiss?”

 

He leaned over and gave her a passionate kiss, still careful of her frail body.

 

“Thank you…”

 

“It's nothing…I was always happy to do it…”

 

“Zhang…”

 

“What is it?”

 

“I…I don't want to die…”

 

Every single tear that was inside of him came out. She was only fourteen. Her birthday barely a month ago. Now she was leaving. Dying. He stroked her face. She turned to Pin-Mei.

 

“Pin-Mei…I love you…I want you to know that…Mommy's not mad at you…This isn't your fault…I promise….I'll protect you…from heaven…” She looked up at the oblivious infant Ren. “Remember…our promise…okay…?”

 

“Cookie?”

 

She laughed weakly. “Ran…give him…a cookie later…with some milk…it's in…the patio…”

 

Stop it…

 

She looked up at the ceiling.

 

“I have…no regrets…I'd…do it all…this way…again…if I had…the choice…”

 

STOP IT…

 

“I…will…be…watching…all…of 230;you……I…promise……I…love…you 230;all……Thank…you……so……much̷ 0;……I'm……so……happy……… …”

 

STOP IT!

 

She closed her eyes. Her hand fell from Ren's cheek. He stared at it, then crawled over to her and started hitting her on the forehead lightly with his hand.

 

“Laydee! Laydee! Wake up laydee!”

 

“THROW HIM OUT!” Suo screamed.

 

“I'm sorry…” Ran whispered and gathered Ren in her arms and started to stand. “Come on, honey...”

 

“No…”

 

Everyone looked at Zhang. He was still clutching Hua's limp hand.

 

“She loved that boy…” He lifted his head, showing the rivers of tears that ran down his face. “She would have been okay with him to do that…She would have laughed and said something like `He's a baby, he doesn't know any better'…”

 

JUST FUCKING STOP IT!!

 

Everything vanished. Ren stood in the darkness, gripping his head and hiding his face.

 

“You see now, don't you? What that girl did?”

 

He lifted his head. Suo was standing in front of him. She circled him, touching his face, neck, chest, and shoulders.

 

“All Hua wanted to do was bring another life into this world. And that ungrateful life stole hers away from her. She killed her mother. Then her father. What would be next? The “love of her life”? What's after that? Your family? Your friends?”

 

Ren just stared wide-eyed into the darkness.

 

“She was beautiful, wasn't she? Nothing could compare to her. She wasn't capable of speaking ill of anyone. She hardly ever got angry. She loved life. Zhang loved her innocence. She had a gift we shamans all wish we had - the ability to heal. She was working on taking that ability a step further - bringing the dead back to life. Wouldn't that have been wonderful? You could bring back loved ones and… those you regret killing.”

 

Ren flinched.

 

“She didn't deserve to die… my poor Hua…”

 

Ren clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. His bangs hid his eyes.

 

“Hua shouldn't have died.”