Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ Ivy, Shaman Runaway ❯ Sparks ( Chapter 53 )

 

Sparks

When I woke up I found that Opacho and Luca were both asleep again in the same places I found them when I woke up that morning. I carefully snuck out of the tent so that I didn't wake either of them. Opacho woke up anyway and followed me without my knowledge.

 

When I got to the edge of the campsite a small voice spoke up from behind me, “Where is Hao going?”

 

“Ahh!! Oh, Opacho! How did you sneak up on me?!” I blinked stupidly at him. `When did he get so sneaky?'

 

“Hao can't sense things with his powers anymore.” Opacho notified me. “Where is Hao going?”

 

“I'm going to see Ivy.” I replied simply and kept walking. “Are you coming with me?” It really didn't matter if he was or not, I was going to see the love of my life, and no one could stop me.

 

“Opacho doesn't think this is a good idea. Didn't Ivy say that she didn't want to see Hao again, and that she didn't want Hao to come for her?” Opacho voiced his third-personalized opinion.

 

“I have to see her again. Either you're coming, or you're not. I don't have to talk to her. She won't even know that I'm there. I just have to look at her. It's killing me not being able to sense her, and since you have no intentions of giving me my powers back…this is the only way.” I explained it to him.

 

Opacho nodded. “Let's get walking.”

 

“Thanks buddy.” And we walked. And walked. And walked. “We should have taken the Spirit of Fire.” I grumbled after an hour or so of non-stop walking.

 

“Hao cannot see ghosts.” Opacho reminded me.

 

“You're not serious.” I glared down at him, disbelievingly.

 

“Quite serious.” Opacho didn't even look up at me.

 

“I hate you so much right now, and when I get my powers back, the first thing that I'm going to do is beat Luca to a pulp.” I glared harder, if that was possible, but then was suddenly cut off as I tripped over something. “What the hell?!”

 

I looked around and found the arrogant idiot that dared trip me. It was a suitcase. Not just any suitcase, but a suitcase filled with clothes. Not just any clothes, but clothes that I recognized all too well.

 

“Ivy…” Opacho mumbled, his voice full of realization.

 

I picked up the suitcase, and smiled at Opacho. “Let's continue, shall we?”

 

Opacho smiled back and replied, “Master is feeling more and more like himself, isn't he?”

 

“Yes. I am. I just have to see Ivy again, then I'll be better, Opacho. I love her.” I didn't look back at him as I spoke, but instead kept walking.

 

Finally after a few hours power walking we were standing in front of my little brother's house. It was a little past sunset. We had found two more suitcases full of Ivy's stuff, and had carted them with us all the way here to return them to her.

 

“What does Hao plan to do?” Opacho asked.

 

“I have no idea.” I shrugged, and started to approach the house. “First of all, I'm breaking in, then I'm going to give her stuff back, and finally I'll try to talk to her.”

 

“Opacho thought that Hao said that Ivy didn't have to know that Hao was there.” My little follower challenged.

 

“I changed my mind.” I smirked. “You should wait here.”

 

Opacho raised an eyebrow suggestively at me.

 

“I promise I won't try anything.” I added as I noticed the look.

 

Opacho nodded. “Fine, but be good.”

 

I waved a hand over my shoulder at him as I walked away, and I could hear Opacho sigh as I let myself into the house.

 

The whole house was dead silent. As I had fabricated the thought, I mentally prayed that there weren't any ghosts lurking in the halls. If I ran into a ghost, I wouldn't know since my powers were gone, and that could cause major problems for me.

 

I couldn't sense anything in the entire house…but then again, humans couldn't sense things, and in my current human state, why would I have been able to sense anything?

 

`Is this what it's like to be human? To be utterly clueless and in the dark about everything? I really do pity the poor worthless creatures!' I set down Ivy's suitcases by the door, and preceded to wonder around the dark house.

 

I didn't dare turn on a light; it would be easier for me to sneak around in the dark. A thought occurred to me: `Since I'm technically human, they won't be able to sense that it's me in the house!' I chuckled softly at my slight advantage.

 

`But then again, if they do catch me sneaking around and they want to fight, I'm a dead man. But they wouldn't kill me…would they? Surely Ivy wouldn't let them.' An image of Ivy standing staring stoically at me as Ren cut off my head popped into my mind. I shuddered. `Never mind, forget that I mentioned it…'

 

I somehow found my way to the kitchen and stopped there to try to get my bearings. I had only been up in Ivy's room of this house before, and I had no idea how to get there. I didn't have any more time to contemplate this, for right then someone ran smack dab into me, knocking my pathetic human body to the ground.

 

I looked upon the face of the person who had knocked me over only to find that she too had been knocked to the ground.

 

“You!” She glared one of her icy stares at me.

 

“Uh…Hi Anna…” I greeted lamely.

 

“It seems you've gotten exceptionally good at masking your Shamanic Aura. I didn't even sense you.” She got to her feet and glared down at me. “Why are you here?, and this had better be good.” She warned.

 

I too got to my feet and tried to explain myself. “Look, Anna, I just want to see Ivy—“

 

“—You knew she was my sister!” Anna seethed.

 

I flinched slightly as she raised her hand to smack me one.

 

“You knew all along what I was doing, and you didn't tell me!! You bastard!! You tricked me into handing over my own sister!!” Anna was beyond angry, and I knew that if I tried to stop her, she would smite me.

 

“Anna, please! I—“

 

“—you are leaving right this second!” She finished my sentence for me.

 

“But I have to see Ivy!” I insisted.

 

“No! Get out of my house!!” She got up in my face and glowered at me.

 

“I love her Anna.” I looked her in the eyes and stated simply.

 

Surprisingly it shut her up. “What?”

 

“I love Ivy.” I repeated. “If you won't let me see Ivy, then hand me a butcher's knife. I refuse to live without her.” I got down on my knees, took Anna's hands in mine, and looked up into her softening black eyes. “Please. I'm begging you. Let me see her. I don't have any other reason to live. Say no, and you've killed me. It's your choice Anna. All I want is to look at her.”

 

“What happened to your powers?” Anna asked suspiciously.

 

I smiled up at her as I explained. “They're gone. I'm as weak as a pathetic human now. Opacho and Luca did this to me so that I wouldn't have such an easy time disposing of myself.”

 

Anna nodded and signaled for me to get up. “Follow me, and bring her suitcases.”

 

“Thank you…” I mumbled gratefully as I picked up the suitcases by the door and followed Anna up a flight or so of stairs.

 

“Just shut up and follow me.” Anna grumbled back.

 

When we reached the top, Anna pointed to the only door on the entire floor. “That's her room. There's a door out to the balcony, and on the balcony there is a ladder that leads to the roof. I want you out of here before morning, and don't you dare try anything on my sister. Ivy is exhausted, and is out cold.”

 

Anna turned away from me and descended the stairs, leaving me alone in the hallway outside of Ivy's room. I took a deep breath, and gently pushed open the door.

 

Sure enough, there was Ivy, passed out on her bed from exhaustion. She was still in her day clothes, and hadn't even bothered to get under the covers before falling asleep. She looked absolutely beautiful in the moonlight that streaming in from the skylight directly above her bed.

 

She had a wild beauty about her, with her body sprawled out on the bed, one hand hanging over the side, the other arm thrown at an odd angle to rest above her head on the pillow. Her hair was tossed all about her as if blown by the wind, and some wisps of hair hung over her face. Her chest slowly rose and fell with her light breathing. A content smile painted her slightly parted lips, and I could have sworn I heard a voice yell `KISS HER!!' I knew I would wake her if I did though, and I wanted to watch her for a little while longer, so I refrained from going along with my primal urges.

 

“Even in sleep she tries to seduce me.” I muttered jokingly to myself as I looked upon her. I carefully set her suitcases down at the end of her bed, and quietly glided over to her bedside to look at her more closely.

 

It was then I noticed the scratches. At first I only saw the ones on her forearms, but then I was tempted to pull up her shirt to inspect her stomach. Sure enough there were scrapes there too. I held my breath as I lifted her left pants leg. It was heavily bandaged, and I could see some blood soaking through.

 

“Oh Ivy…what happened to you?!” I lovingly stroked her cheek, brushing some stray hairs out of her face. My heart almost stopped when she reached her hand up to touch my face as well, but then I realized that she was still asleep.

 

Ivy sighed happily as she ran her fingers through my hair and played with my bangs. “I love you…” she muttered in her sleep.

 

For a minute I decided to let myself be delusional, and let myself pretend that she was actually talking to me. “I love you too Ivy…I wish that I could tell you how much you mean to me.”

 

I sighed sadly as I laid my head down on her chest to listen to her heartbeat. “If only you were awake…”

 

I closed my eyes, and almost fell asleep, but just as I was drifting off, I could have sworn I heard Ivy mutter, “Who's to say I'm not?” I swiftly jerked myself awake, and stared down at her.

 

Her eyes were still closed, and she was still very much asleep. “I love you Ivy. I want to always be with you, but I know you don't feel the same about me. I am a monster. A murdering monster, and you deserve so much more than that. That's why I've decided who I want to be. I want to be the man you feel in love with. I want to be the man you've always wanted. Tell me what to do, and I'll do it. I just want to be the guy that first won your heart. I want you to love me because you want to love me, not because I lied to you or tricked you into it. I want you to genuinely fall for me. I want you to fall hard and fast. Just like I did for you. I want you to be happy. I'm only happy when you're happy. I want to be able to look at you whenever I want, not just when I sneak in your room to watch you at night. I want you to kiss me back like you used to. I don't want to have to force you to let me hold you. I want you to want me to hold you and kiss you and love you. I want you to want me like I want you. I know that will be hard, since I can't express how badly it hurts not being able to have you. You say I can have any other girl, but what if I don't want any other girl? I swear never to look at another woman as long as I live if I can have you. I want you to return my love. I want to get rid of all the pain I've inflicted upon you. Oh Ivy, I'm so sorry...I want to get married. I want to settle down and start a family. Yes, you heard me right: I want kids. And I want you to have those kids. I…I've made up my mind about what I want, and I've decided it will be enough if I could just have you.”

 

I took a breath and looked down at the beautiful woman in my light embrace. “I love you. I know I keep saying it, but I don't want you to forget it. It must be getting old by now…I'll try to say it another way. You drive me crazy. You make me insane. I can't get you off of my mind. I need you. I want you. I'll die without you. I don't want to go on living if I can't have you. I can't stand a moment without you. I wish that I could hold on to you forever. I refuse to breath unless it's the same air that you're breathing. If being in love makes me insane, I don't ever want to be remotely sane again! I love getting lost in your eyes. I love kissing your heavenly lips. I love running my fingers through your soft, curly hair. I love the way you feel when I touch you. I love the way you give me goose bumps when you talk. Just looking at you is enough to make my heart do back-flips. When you smile at me, it gets so hard to breath. I regret that in the English language there's only one word for love. I wish I could express the way I love you in a million different languages. I can't say `I love you.' enough.”

 

I looked over her again as I continued. “I can't live any more knowing that that sleazy brother of mine is running his hands up and down your body, taking what should be mine. It makes my blood boil every time you moan his name instead of mine. I'm going to kill him Ivy. I'll kill him, and then I'll take you back. I'll murder one more time, but then after that, I'll change. Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it. One last killing Ivy, and then I swear I'll change. I promise you that I'll change for the better. I'll be compassionate. I'll be loving. I'll be faithful, caring, fair, and honest. I'll be anything you want me to be. I'll be a good husband and a good father. I'll do all of this; just say that you'll be mine, and only mine.”

 

I took a chance on waking her, and leaned in to lightly kiss her luscious lips. Thankfully I didn't wake her. “Ivy, Luca and Opacho sealed away my powers so that I didn't commit suicide after they gave me your note. I'm as weak as those idiot humans I hate so much, so I won't be picking a fight with Yoh right away. The potion they gave me loses its effect after three days, so I'll be back sometime around then to kill that fiancée stealing snake. Goodnight. I love you my darling angel…” I kissed her again.

 

I stood up and took off my cloak to spread over her like a blanket. I grabbed an ink pen from her bedside table and scribbled a message on the back of the note she had left me. I folded the piece of paper and tucked it safely in her hand, closing her fist around it. I slowly made my way to the balcony door, looking back at her several times.

 

I had my back to her when she slowly slid open her eyes and smiled gently at me. I also didn't hear her softly moan, “Oh Hao…please don't hurt him…”

 

I didn't want to leave her, but to my utter dismay, her bedroom door opened, and in stepped that despicable villain, my younger brother, Yoh. I quickly made my way out to the balcony so not to be seen. If I had had my powers I would have killed him right then and there, but since I was currently as weak as they come, I could do nothing.

 

Suddenly Anna's words came flooding back to me, “There's a door out to the balcony, and on the balcony there is a ladder that leads to the roof.” `And there's a skylight directly over Ivy's bed…I could probably watch them from there…' I didn't hesitate, but instead hastily climbed up the ladder and rushed to the skylight on the roof. As I had expected I had a perfect view of the scene unraveling below me. I could even hear most of the conversation between the two.

 

Yoh quietly approached Ivy's bedside, and sat where I had been only moments before. “Hey, Ivy…” he called softly.

 

Ivy's eyes flickered open and looked deeply into his. “Hey. What are you doing here at this time of night?” I watched the hand that held my note to her, gently set the piece of paper down on her bedside table. She held my cloak to her tightly as he sat up in bed.

 

“I wanted to see you. Is that so much to ask?” Yoh smiled at her, clearly not noticing the cloak.

 

“I suppose not…” Ivy answered with a smile. She got up and set my cloak carefully down on top of her suitcases that I had set at the foot of her bed. “Did you just come to look at me, or did you want to touch me as well?” She teased.

 

“What's the fun of looking if I can't touch?” Yoh teased back, encircling his arms around MY fiancée from behind her.

 

“My words exactly, Brother.” I growled. “Don't you dare touch her…” my words were a deadly whispered.

 

“Stop it Yoh…” Ivy tried to wave him away, but he caught her lips in a fiery kiss.

 

“Let go of her!!” I hissed. My blood was boiling by now, and if I was able to I would have cut him into little tiny pieces and fed him to the Spirit of Fire. I couldn't help but feel that God was torturing me. Laughing at me. Mocking me. Fate mocks me.

 

What made it worse is that she kissed him back. I wanted to tear my eyes out when I saw that he was taking off her shirt and laying her down on the bed. He straddled her and removed his shirt as well.

 

“I love you Ivy…” Yoh sighed as he planted a trail of kisses up and down her neck.

 

“I love you too.” She whispered back.

 

“No…Ivy, please…please don't let him do this to you…don't let him kiss you…don't let him touch you…please…please…” I begged, but it was no use. Yoh continued to kiss her, and she let him.

 

I sat there and watched him kissing her, and I didn't bother to hide my tears. She looked up at me, and for a moment our gazes locked. `I'm sorry…' she mouthed. I nodded back at her, stood up, and made my way to the edge of the roof.

 

`She knew the whole time…she was awake the whole time…she tried to push Yoh away because she knew I was watching, and she didn't want to hurt me any more than necessary. That look she gave me…she feels sorry for me…she pities me…she pities me…how pathetic is that.'

 

“It looks like we've lost them…” a feminine voice stated from behind me. Tears were evident in her small sigh.

 

“Don't give up yet Anna. I'm getting her back.” My voice was cold and harsh.

 

“I wish you good luck with that.” I didn't have to look at her to know she was rolling her eyes at me.

 

“Anna?” I turned to look inquisitively at her.

 

“What.” A statement, not a question.

 

I took her in my arms and forced my tongue into her mouth. To my immense surprise, she kissed me back with fiery passion. We put everything we had into that kiss, but I felt nothing. No spark what so ever. Not like the hot jolts of electricity I got when kissing Ivy. I felt nothing towards Anna. I let my hands roam her body, touching, grabbing, squeezing, pinching, feeling, hoping to feel something. Nothing. She pressed her body closer to mine, and groped all over my body. Nothing. I even went so far as to slip off the top part of her dress, and pull off her bra. I still felt nothing as I stared at her. I slowly laid her down on the rooftop and straddled her. In one last desperate attempt, I let my mouth wander further and further down her neckline. When I was right above her chest I pulled away, unable to go any further.

 

I stood up and began to walk away from her. “I'm sorry.”

 

“For what?” She panted, slipping back on her clothing, and letting her arms circle around my waist.

 

“I shouldn't have used you like that.” I pulled away from her again, unable to look at her.

 

“You should do that to Ivy sometime, she'll melt in your arms.” Anna slunk over to me again, taking me by the shoulders, and turning me to face her. She rested her hands on my bare, muscular chest, and looked up at me, her eyes full of lust.

 

`Dammit. Now look what you've done!' “Anna, no! You've got the wrong idea, you see…I just…I don't…aw shit…” I sighed as she pressed her lips hungrily back to mine.

 

I pulled away again and tried to explain. “Anna, stop! I don't feel anything for you! I was just trying to…I don't know, get rid of some of the pain. I'm sorry for misleading you, but!—“

 

“—Will you leave me so unsatisfied?!” She yelled back. “I don't care if you don't feel anything; it makes me feel better! Now shut up and take me!”

 

I was so shocked at her words I tripped as I tried to get away. “What?!”

 

She took the opportunity to get on top of me and kiss me again. “You heard me. I don't care how you feel. You started this, now finish it!!”

 

I rolled on top and pinned her. “I'm sorry Anna, but no. It was a mistake. Please forgive me. You're Yoh's girl, and I have no interest in you what so ever. Please, don't harbor any delusions that there is anything between us. I'm sorry, but I'll be leaving now.”

 

“Fine!” She snapped. “Just know that you missed your chance star boy, and I'll never be yours, so you can't have me even if you did secretly want me!” She pushed me off of her and stormed off.

 

“What a mess.” I sighed getting to my feet. `You are such an idiot Hao.' My mind scolded me.

 

“I know.” I rolled my eyes at my stupidity.

 

`You should have known better than to try something like that with Ivy's sister!' I mentally slapped myself.

 

“I know.” I insisted. “This only proves that Ivy is the only one for me.”

 

Slowly I made my way down the ladder back onto Ivy's balcony. `How to get down? I could always jump.' I looked over the edge and noticed that I could easily make it down the terrace next to the balcony without getting killed.

 

I stood up on the balcony railing and prepared to jump to the terrace.

 

“HAO!!” I almost tripped off of the balcony rail and fell to my doom as a frantic female voice screeched my name, but the voice's hand reached out and caught mine. My entire body stiffened at the touch, and I regained my balance.

 

I looked down at the girl. She stood, staring wide-eyed at me; her beautiful onyx eyes, filling with tears, and overwhelming panic.

 

“What are you doing?!” Her grip on my hand tightened so that her knuckles were turning white. She was crushing my hand, but I was enjoying the pain. I smirked at her. `She thinks I'm going to jump! And she actually cares!'

 

“Don't look at me like that Hao. What are you doing.” Ivy demanded that I answered. It wasn't a question. It was an order. `Tell me what you're doing right now!' is what she meant to say.

 

I only smiled wider. She cared whether I lived or died. Knowing that was enough to make me one of the happiest men in the world. I must have looked insane with such a wide smile on my face because she looked horrified at me.

 

“Hao?!?!” I hadn't said anything up until this point, and it was scaring her to death. “Don't just stare at me, say something!! Anything!! Please! You're scaring me!”

 

“Goodbye Ivy.” I smiled as I put one foot out on thin air, getting ready to jump onto the terrace and climb down.

 

“NOOO!!” She grabbed even tighter to my arm and pulled me off of the balcony railing on top of her. She held me tight and refused to let go of me as she sobbed. “No…I won't let you go!! Please…no more deaths because of me…no more…”

 

“Ivy…” I sighed, time to come clean. “I wasn't going to jump.”

 

She let go of me slightly and looked suspiciously up at me. “Really?”

 

“Yes. I'm coming back to kill Yoh in two days, remember? I'm coming for you then, so what would the point in killing myself be?” I softly nuzzled her cheek.

 

“Then why did you say `Goodbye Ivy.'?!” She pushed me off of her and glared angrily.

 

“I was just saying goodbye! As in `Goodbye. I'm tired, and am going home.'” I defended.

 

“But then what where you doing standing on the balcony railing?!” She pressed.

 

“You see that terrace up along the house? I was jumping for that so I could climb down.” I explained.

 

Then she hit me. A cold hard slap across the face. “What was that for?!” I cried rubbing my sore cheek.

 

She stood up and walked back inside her room. “Get out of here Hao.” Tonelessly and emotionlessly she ordered me to leave.

 

I looked after her for a good minute before she looked back at me. “Please don't look at me like that.” She requested when she found a despairing look on my face.

 

“Aren't you going to tell your fiancée that I was here? Why don't you kill me now while I'm defenseless? It will be a lot easier than fighting me when I get my powers back.” I suggested.

 

She looked back at me sorrowfully. “Don't talk like that. I don't want anyone else to die. I'm sick of death.”

 

“I suppose I should thank you.” I smiled sadly back at her.

 

“For. What.” Sarcasm dripped from each letter.

 

“You didn't want me to see you with Yoh. You didn't want me to get hurt. I thank you for that. It makes me feel better that you don't do these things just to hurt me purposely.” I kissed her at the base of her neck, and ducked just as her fist flew over my head.

 

“Don't touch me.” Ivy stormed off into the confines of her room and flopped down on her bed. I smiled as I noticed that she grabbed my cloak to snuggle up with.

 

I followed her in and noticed that Yoh was gone. “Where's your fiancée?” I asked bitterly.

 

“Yoh is not my fiancée. We are still trying to figure out the `fiancée situation' at the moment.” Ivy snapped angrily. “And for your information, Yoh went back to his own room. Now, if you don't mind, I'm trying to sleep.”

 

“That's okay, I'm perfectly happy watching you.” I laid down next to her in bed, wrapping my arms around her.

 

“Leave me alone!!” She jumped out of bed and screeched at me for even daring to touch her.

 

“Give me back my cloak.” I looked down at her, sprawled out on the floor.

 

“No!” She snapped, holding it tighter to her.

 

“Why the hell not?!” I raised an eyebrow at her strange behavior.

 

“I don't know…” She admitted, getting to her feet, and sitting back down beside me on the bed.

 

“Keep it then if you need it that badly.” I smiled at her. I kissed her lips softly one last time before I left. “I love you.”

 

“Please don't kill him…” Ivy begged.

 

I looked back at her, disappointed that that was the response I got. “Ivy…I said `I love you'…”

 

“I heard you…” She muttered. “I'm sorry…but…please Hao…I'll do anything you ask…just don't kill him…anything.”

 

She was trying to make a deal with me. “Even your hand in marriage?” I pressed.

 

“Yes.” She raised her tear-stained face to look at mine.

 

“No.”

 

“What?!” She looked at me, swearing she had misheard.

 

“I said `no.' I don't want you to sell yourself to me. I want you to honestly love me. Yoh is standing in the way of that right now, and once he's gone, you'll be free to love me with your whole heart, and not just half of it.” I smiled back at her as I left.

 

She stared back looking as pale as a sheet. “Hao…no…”