Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ Ivy, Shaman Runaway ❯ Bloody Angel ( Chapter 60 )

 

Bloody Angel

Hao's face took on a look of immense regret as the reality of what he had done sunk in. His hands became shaky, and he slowly let the hilt of the sword roll out of his hand. He looked upon his victim in disbelief and utter horror. This would be the one murder that he would regret the most.

 

I caught the hilt as it fell out of his hand, and I held it steady so that it didn't move and worsen the wound. I tried not to cringe as blood smeared from the wound onto my hands.

 

I took the time to evaluate the damage that Hao had done. Blood streamed steadily out, but it wasn't gushing. Despite the blood not gushing forth from the wound, Hao, Yoh, and myself were all covered in blood. The sword had gone through the chest, and was sticking out the other end. It must have been such a gruesome sight…no wonder everyone was beholding the scene with such horror. I was too numb to fully realize what would eventually happen: death. The wound was fatal. I was too numb to cry or feel pain at the loss of life.

 

I looked back at Hao. “You know, if we took the sword out, statistics show that a normal person could hold on to life for at least fifteen minutes more. I'm guessing a shaman would have longer. I'd say about twenty or twenty-five.” My mind was numb, my body was numb, and my voice was dull, numb, and devoid of emotion. My knees began to feel weak though, as if I would pass out at any second, and I placed a hand on Hao's shoulder for support.

 

Hao, shaking off the cover of shock that had clouded his thoughts, started apologizing. “Ivy…I'm so sorry! I didn't want to lose you, so I thought that if I killed him that you would be able to love me again. I love you…I didn't mean for you to suffer while waiting for death to come. I didn't want to lose you…I'm so sorry…can you forgive me?! I love you…”

 

I smiled sadly up at Hao. “It's okay. It's my fault. I shouldn't have…well I shouldn't have done a lot of things. There were a lot of things that you shouldn't have done too, but I don't think that either of us should be held accountable for anything that we've done. It really is everyone's fault, so there's no use blaming anyone. I forgive you if you forgive me.”

 

“Of course.” Hao looked at me, his eyes a window into his soul.

 

“I'm not suffering, by the way.” I looked down at Yoh's body on the ground. “You didn't hit the lungs, and you missed my heart. I'll have twenty or so minutes as soon as I get this out of my chest. I can pull it out without making the wound worse.” I drew in a breath and held it as I pulled Hao's sword out of my chest. I laid the sword down, and then joined it on the ground.

 

“IVY!!” My collapsing seemed to break the spell on everyone who was watching. They all instantly ran forward to see what they could do that might save me.

 

Yoh and Hao both rushed to hold me. They bumped heads, and glared at each other. They silently worked out a compromise, and laid me down so that I was resting comfortably in both twin's arms. The rest of the group surrounded me and then everyone started jabbering at once.

 

“QUIET!!!!” Anna finally screeched. Everyone obeyed. “Ivy…sis…”

 

“Goodbye Anna.” I smiled weakly up at my older sister that I had only know a matter of weeks. “I'll miss you. I'm not staying on Earth after I die. I'm going straight to Heaven…or Hell. Wherever they put me. Take care of yourself. Love ya sis.”

 

“I love you too.” Anna smiled down sadly at me in the boy's arms. “I'll try to take care of myself.”

 

I continued saying my last goodbyes. I gave Tamao advice on men. I told Pilika what training techniques I thought would be most effective to use on Horo Horo. I told Jocko about a really funny joke shop that he should look into. I told Faust that he could `not have any of my organs after I was gone, but thanks for caring.' I gave Morty my address book full of the numbers of desperate girls that he could go out with. I gave Ryu a copy of the address book I gave Morty. I apologized to Horo about what I had told Pilika, then I gave him book full of coupons for the Patch restaurants.

 

“Ren, Jun?” My adopted siblings rushed to my side. “Thanks for taking me in and treating me like one of the family. I really appreciate it, and I'm gonna miss you guys. You were so good to me.”

 

Both of them were tearing up by now, and Ren could only nod and smile sadly. I could tell that Jun wanted to envelope me in a bone-crushing hug, but didn't because of the wound. She smiled sadly at me and sobbed occasionally.

 

“Yoh?” I looked up to my right, into his eyes.

 

“Yes?” He looked down lovingly, eyes full of grief.

 

“I love you, but there's no point in being married to me since I'll only be around for a few more minutes. Marry Anna after the Shaman Tournament is over. She loves you. Promise me that you'll take care of her.”

 

Yoh bent over to gently kiss me one last time. “I love you too. I'll take good care of her. I swear on my life.” Yoh carefully transferred me into Hao's arms, and went to embrace and comfort Anna. He was careful not to get any of my blood on her.

 

I snuggled into Hao's embrace and starred up into his eyes. He looked down, longingly into my eyes. Hao gently stroked my cheek, brushing away stray hairs. We didn't speak for a few minutes. Hao finally broke the silence.

 

“After all this time…All of those times that you said that I had `killed you' back when you were mad at me…I finally have. I've finally murdered you.”

 

“I've murdered myself. You only helped me. I gave up my life the minute I was born. There was no avoiding this. I am but the embodiment of sorrow and suffering. I was doomed from birth to be miserable. Don't blame yourself.” I smiled as I looked into those beautiful dark brown eyes. I suddenly cringed a bit as I coughed. I pulled my hand away from my mouth, and was disgusted at the sight of my own blood.

 

“I'm so sorry for everything Ivy…I love you. Please don't leave me!” Hao begged, ignoring all of my blood that was staining his clothes.

 

“Hao…you of all people should know that I can't help it. I'm not long for this world. I don't want to die, but there's nothing I can do about it.” I tried to sustain my smile. It was a weak smile, but it was the only one I could manage.

 

“I'll never see you again…I just know that you'll get into Heaven, and once you're there you'll never be able to come back here. Ivy…you're not like me…when I die, I don't get to go to Heaven. I'll never see you again…I can't live without you…I love you…” Hao didn't even try to conceal the tears running down his cheeks.

 

“True that we'll never see each other again, but…what if, in your next life you become a saint then die and go to Heaven? Sure it'll take another hundred or so years, but…I'll be there in Heaven still…you can see me then.” I knew that I was just babbling nonsense, but I knew he couldn't bear not seeing me again.

 

“You and I both know that that won't work.” Suddenly an idea struck him. “When I become Shaman King I'll resurrect you!”

 

“No Hao.” I stated firmly even if I was feeling weak. “Don't bring me back. It's time for me to die. I'm going on to the next life, and that's final. I'm so sorry…I couldn't live as a ghost. I don't think I could bare being around live people and not being able to interact with them like I could if I was still alive…I'm sorry…it's for the best.” I closed my eyes and winced as it got harder and harder to breath.

 

“Ivy?!” Hao's voice begged me to hold on.

 

My eyes snapped open and gazed up at him, “What?”

 

“How are you doing? It doesn't hurt too much does it?!” Yoh looked over me worriedly.

 

I smiled again. “It doesn't hurt at all. Death isn't so bad. I really don't feel any pain at all…the real pain is the pain you feel for the people you're leaving behind. Death isn't really as terrible as people make it out to be…right Hao?” I managed a small smirk in Hao's direction.

 

“Right…death itself isn't so bad. The pain comes from knowing the one you thought you could trust murdered you…God, I'm sorry Ivy…”

 

“Don't say that. I want you to go on living Hao. I'll never forgive you if you kill yourself.” Hao was about to protest, but I cut him off forcefully. “Find another girl to love…no whores though. I want you to be happy. Try to be happy. Promise me that you'll be happy.” I waited for a response, but all I got was silence. “SAY IT.”

 

“I promise that I'll be happy.” Hao replied mechanically. The feeling was completely drained from his voice as if he was dying with me. But then, “If I had my powers I could heal you…I feel so helpless Ivy…I can't save you. I feel like a wimpy human…I'm suppose to be the most powerful Shaman ever, but look at me. I can't even save the woman I love…”

 

I winced again as I felt the end coming. I could feel the life draining from my body. “Goodbye everyone…thank you so much for everything. Anna…goodbye sis. Yoh…I love you. Take care of my sister; make her happy.” I looked up into Hao's eyes. “Oh Hao…”

 

“One last kiss?” He asked through tears.

 

“One last kiss.” I smiled back at him as he kissed me goodbye. “I love you, Hao…” I snuggled back up against him and closed my eyes one last time. I died with a peaceful smiled painted on my lips.

 

Once I was dead, then the sobbing broke out. The sky erupted in a monstrous storm, lamenting the death of its former master. Everyone held each other and sobbed until their eyes had no more tears left to cry. All except Hao and Yoh. Yoh cried silently as he kneeled down next to his brother.

 

Hao cradled me in his arms and cried softly. He ran his fingers through my hair, and stroked my cheek. He sighed from time to time, but didn't say anything. Yoh played with my hair and traced the details of my face. Neither could bear to look away from me.

 

“She wanted to end the killing and the dying…how ironic that she was the last to die.” Yoh didn't look away from my face as he addressed his twin. “You're not going to kill anymore, are you?”

 

“No. I'll beat them all to a bloody pulp to become Shaman King, but I won't kill. I'm done with killing. I can't bear to see any more death. Not after watching her die in my arms.” Hao sighed as he stoked my cheek lovingly.

 

“What about humans?”

 

“I pity them…now that I know what it's like to be one. Poor, pathetic bastards. They are but helpless weaklings. Idiots that are oblivious to everything around them.” Hao's tone turned emotionless.

 

“I'm sorry about your fiancée.” Yoh tried to comfort Hao.

 

“She was yours as well…She favored you. I was only her back up choice if something happened to you. She loved you.” Hao sighed again, completely discouraged, and infinitely depressed.

 

Yoh stood up to go and comfort Anna. A small smile graced his face. “I don't think so. Remind me, what were her last words?”

 

Hao looked up to see Yoh's retreating back. “Ivy…” He went back to gazing at me.

 

Not long after that Opacho and Luca came dashing down the street with the antidote that would give Hao back his shaman powers. They skidded to a stop when they saw my body lying limp in Hao's arms.

 

“Master?” Opacho looked back and forth between my body and Hao, a frightened look on his face. He looked as if he was going to cry.

 

“Master Hao…is she…?” Luca gulped as he noticed the blood staining Hao's clothes and skin.

 

“Dead.” Hao affirmed, swallowing the lump in his throat.

 

“Mistress…” Opacho wailed softly.

 

I stood staring, unable to leave them. I leaned up against the Church wall and watched as the Church pastor said he would take care of the funeral. “Such a shame…she was so beautiful…”

 

“She still is beautiful…even covered in blood…Ivy's beauty is deathless despite her being mortal.” Hao mumbled. “Let's go home Luca, Opacho…” Hao gently handed my body over to Yoh, who cradled me carefully as if I would crumble at any second.

 

As Hao turned to leave, I reached out for his hand. Mine went right through his. He stopped and looked around, as if looking for the person who touched him. He looked right at me. Through me…I should say. He couldn't see me.

 

“Master?” Opacho looked back at Hao who was starring right at me.

 

“I thought…never mind. Let's go.” Hao turned and started walking again. Opacho looked where Hao had been starring, but he too didn't see me.

 

I let Hao walk away, and I prayed that he wouldn't try to hurt himself. I walked over to where my guardians floated. They were starring at my lifeless body, and were discussing some pressing matter.

 

“What do we do now?” Isa asked no one in particular.

 

Aikido answered. “I don't know…I want to stay with Amidamaru…but I do believe it is my duty to follow after her to Heaven…”

 

“Chirp…Tweet…”

 

“Chip says he wants to stay with me. What of you, Isabelle?” The samurai didn't bother to look over at the cowgirl.

 

“I…don't know…I have nowhere to go…I s'pose I want to stick together with yous guys. Where er we goin'?” Isabelle looked up at Aikido, praying for an answer.

 

“Stay with Yoh.” I chimed in, hoping they would notice a fellow ghost in their midst.

 

“Mistress…” The two gasped in unison. Chip chirped at the same time, so I'm guessing he said `Mistress' as well.

 

“You heard her?!” Aikido threw a questioning glance at Isabelle.

 

“Yeah, and you?!”

 

“Yes. Mistress Ivy…but I don't see her!” Aikido looked right through me.

 

“Mer'either. But you did hear her say to stay wit Yoh, didn't ya?”

 

“Yes, I did…Goodbye my Mistress…I shall see you in heaven one day when Amidamaru and I pass on together.” Aikido smiled happily as she sauntered off to be with her lover.

 

“Chirp-e-d Chirp!” Chip sung as he flew off after Aikido.

 

“See ya in the next life Miss. If you see my man up there, tell `em that Isa says hi. I'll see you when I can't stand to wander any longer on this earth.” Isabelle smiled softly and slunk off after the others.

 

“Goodbye…” I smiled sadly and waved as they left. Everyone had slowly started to disperse, but the crying hadn't stopped yet.

 

Soon only Yoh stood outside the Church. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed as he sat propped up against the building. “Oh God Ivy! Why?! Why did you do it?!” Yoh didn't bother to wipe the tears away from his eyes. “Why did you go and get yourself killed protecting me?! It's not fair! We were going to get married! We were going to settle down and start a family! We were in love! It was all so simple; you had chosen me over Hao, and we were getting married! Why did you do it?”

 

“Because I love you.” I sat down next to him and put my arms around his shoulders. “I died protecting you because I couldn't stand to see you dead.”

 

“Oh Ivy…now what am I going to do without you?” Yoh couldn't see me either.

 

“You'll go on living. Forget me Love. I am but a pale ghost of who I was. The woman you fell in love with is already dead and gone. I love you…goodbye Yoh.” I kissed him one last time on the lips before I stood and walked away from the Church. It was then that I realized I didn't know where I was going.

 

“They can't see you, you know.” A new voice echoed from behind me.

 

I turned to face a tall man with short, bright red hair. Hidden behind mirrored shades, he had emerald green eyes. He looked like he had just stepped out of the Matrix, dressed in black with a long trench coat and black sunglasses. I stood and gaped at his oddity.

 

“They were right; you are beautiful. Such a shame that you had to die such a bloody death…We'll get you cleaned up when we get there. Can't have such a beauty judged when she looks so blood-soaked. You know, you look kinda like my little sister. She's an X-LAW. Her name is Façade. She looks a lot like me. She has the same hair and eye color, and she dresses similarly. Only, she wears a black tube top, and black capris. She wears the trench coat and mirrored shades though. Sorry, I just kinda start talkin' when I meet someone. Especially when I talk `bout my sis. I haven't seen her in forever.” The strange man smirked lightly at me.

 

“Who are you, and where are you taking me?” I raised an eyebrow at his sudden appearance.

 

“My name is Raphael. I'm taking you home with me. Take my hand, and you'll see Ivy.” His smirk widened, and he suddenly reminded me of Hao.

 

“How do you know my name?!”

 

“I know everything about you Ivy—or is it Judo?” He smirked openly, not hiding his amusement at teasing me.

 

“How did you—explain yourself!” I accused.

 

“When we get home. Now come along, the others will be waiting for you.” He stepped toward me.

 

I stepped back as he reached for me, mistrusting of his motives. “What others, and what do you want with meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!” I screeched as he scooped me up, and teleported us somewhere in a great burst of bright light.