Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ Ivy, Shaman Runaway ❯ Epilogue: Under The Stars ( Chapter 74 )

Epilogue: Under The Stars

One and a Half Years and Four Months Later Hao, the Shaman King lives with his wife, most of his original followers, and servants in a four-story mansion in a virtually unpopulated, heavily wooded, part of Tokyo's outskirts.

“Opacho, where is Master Hao?” Luca walked into the huge mansion's kitchen where Opacho was watching the servants make Dinner. A businessman in a blue suit followed the priestly man.

“In the shower.” Opacho responded uninterestedly not bothering to look back at Luca.

Luca turned around to the man behind him. “The Shaman King should be out in ten minutes. He takes relatively quick showers.” Luca assured the gentleman, a representative from some smaller country.

“He's in there with his wife.” Seven year-old Opacho warned.

Luca heaved a heavy sigh and gestured apologetically to the foreigner. “I am so sorry, he may be several hours; would you like to take a seat in the parlor?” Luca smiled warmly at the ambassador as the man made his way to the front parlor of the four-story mansion.

As soon as the man had left the room, Luca's smile dropped, and an annoyed glare replaced it. Luca slammed his fist down against the counter angrily. “What the hell is he doing in there!”

“Her.” Opacho climbed up on a barstool so that there wasn't such a height difference between the two companions. “Luca should be use to this by now. They do this practically every day, twice a day.”

The older of the two frowned, biting back in an annoyed tone. “I know, Opacho, I know. It's just, I thought that today since he knew that the representative was coming that he would control his hormones, get some common sense, and postpone the daily routine a bit. Honestly, he's like a machine! Don't they ever get tired! I'm surprised that it took him two whole months to get her pr—“

“Now, now Luca. Not everyone knows, and one can't really tell by the look of her. She's still got seven months to go, and Opacho doesn't think that Ivy has even told Hao yet.”

“Hasn't told me what?” Hao walked into the kitchen, making both of his followers jump.

“Master!” “Master Hao!” The man and child nervously greeted one of the two Shaman Kings.

“Yeah, hi. Told me what, Opacho?” Hao stared curiously at the small African boy.

“Uh...I...well...Ivy...Ahem...” Opacho faltered and fumbled for his words under Hao's steady gaze.

“Yes, what haven't I told him Opacho?” I slunk into the room like a cat, sneaking up behind Hao, and draping myself like a blanket over his shoulders from behind him. I rested my head up against my husband's and gave Opacho a look that said `Tell him and you die a bloody, slow, painful, death.'

Opacho smiled nervously back at me and mouthed breathlessly, “Nothing. Perhaps Ivy would like to tell you herself?” Opacho then ran for his life to hide behind Luca.

Luca covered for Opacho, and changed the subject. “Perhaps Ivy would like to inform you that the ambassador is here, and waiting for you in the parlor?”

“Oh is that all?” Hao took me in his arms, and kissed me lightly on the cheek. “Thanks for warning me. Damn. I thought I had wasted enough time in the shower that he'd have given up trying to talk to me and had gone home. I really don't like that country; they're destroying nature left and right. Now their country is a wasteland and they expect me to do something about it. Stupid humans.”

“Hao, a Shaman King shouldn't be bias like that.” I scolded.

“I'm not bias; I'm just picky.” Then he added as an after-thought. “Hey, where's Hane?” Hao looked over at his two present followers.

“He's out in the courtyard bringing in Azariel and Sachiel.” Kanna announced as she slowly made her way through the doorway helped by Mari and Macchi.

Hao took one look at her and smirked. “My...you're getting fat again.”

Kanna glared at him evilly, but didn't say anything.

I lightly slapped Hao upside the head and muttered. “Insensitive bastard. You would be getting fat too if you were four months pregnant. Third time in a row Kanna?” I directed a friendly smile in the blue-haired girl's direction as I made my way over to her and placed my hand on her stomach.

“Yes. I just can't seem to stay not pregnant for more than a few weeks. Not that I mind; I love my girls Azariel and Sachiel, but I'm hoping for a boy this time. I'm going to name him Trsiel.” I snapped my fingers, and an armchair appeared out of nowhere for Kanna to sit in. “Thanks Ivy.”

The day I had come back to life, Kanna and Raphael had decided to get married `since everyone was already there, and the pastor was present.' Kanna has been having child after child ever since.

“It's seems Raphael is doing his job. How is that husband of yours?” Hao leaned on me and ran his fingers through my hair as he teased Kanna.

“He's fine. He's currently working up in Heaven with Gabriel. Gabriel hates it, but Raphael is having fun.” Kanna made herself comfortable as Hane waltz in the door, carrying two babies; both were girls, the elder one was one year and one month old, the younger four months old.

“Hane, could you bring the girls over here?” Kanna summoned the angelic puppy.

“Oh sure, I'll just drag them all the way over there. I don't mind at all. Make the dog do all the work.” Hane gave the girls over to their mother, and slunk away, bitterly

“Hane!” Hao called after the dog as he was about to leave the room.

“Yes Master?”

Hao walked over to Hane and whispered, “Look, there's this guy in the front parlor. Could you maybe scare him away by biting him or something?”

Luca heard, and whapped Hao on the head. “Listen here, young man! You cannot treat foreign representatives like that!”

Hao pouted like a child, “Then can someone send him away to Yoh? Isn't that country in Yoh's half of the world?”

“No.” Luca scowled at the teenage King. “We decided against splitting the world in halves. Both you and Yoh have equal control over all parts of the world...and besides Yoh and Anna are not in Tokyo, remember? After Hana was born they took off on that business trip/honeymoon across the globe to improve relations with other countries. If they haven't even taken time to met their own son, then how do you expect them to make time to deal with a country like that's problems? You must take some initiative and deal with your own problems.”

“Actually, I already took care of it.” All heads turned to look at me. “Yeah, I offered him some alternatives to having the country go to war, and he said that he'll talk to the rest of the government about it. He's already gone.”

Hao hugged me tightly and said, “Ivy I love you so much right now. Thank you!”

“You're welcome.” I smiled brightly, but soon enough started to feel sick to my stomach. “Uh...can you let go of me? I feel kinda sick...”

“Really? What's the matter? Are you going to be okay? You're not coming down with something are you?” Hao immediately started fussing over me.

“God Hao, give her some space.” Macchi winked at me.

“Ivy will be fine.” Mari glared jealously at me; she would have traded her soul to the devil to be in my place.

“You should try some ginger ale and saltines.” Kanna suggested.

“Does that really work?” I questioned skeptically.

“It does for some. Couldn't hurt.”

I took her advice, and it seemed to help. When I felt better Kanna started to tease me mercilessly. “So Ivy, two months huh?”

“Yes.” I eyed her suspiciously. `Don't you say a word Kanna or I'll have to hurt Raphael.'

“It's May now, and two months ago was March. Your birthday's in March isn't it?” Kanna smirked lovingly. “Was it on your birthday then?”

“Most likely.” I snipped back, not caring much for her teasing.

“On your birthday! How romantic! Let's see...seven months to go. It's May now...December? Would that be right Ivy?”

“Yes. Right around Christmas. Now cut it out Kanna.” I glared icily at the blue-haired woman, and she and the rest of the Hanagumi left the room to make their way up to the guestrooms where they would be staying. Hane picked up the luggage and hauled it up all the flights of stairs.

The only ones left in the kitchen now were the servants, Hao, Opacho, Luca, and myself. “What was that about?” Hao whispered to Luca. Hao was the only one in the room who hadn't followed Kanna and my conversation.

Luca ignored Hao, and turned on me. “Ivy...I think this has gone on long enough, and you need to have a serious discussion with your husband.”

“Not now; I'm hungry. Hey, Sebastion? What do we have to eat at the moment?” I asked one of my favorite chefs.

“Well Miss, we have your favorite dessert: sophapillas with whipped cream, honey, powdered sugar, ice cream, and chocolate sauce.” The chef offered.

“Sorry, Sebastion; just the thought of that makes me sick. Do you have any fish heads, peanut butter, pickles, and mustard?” I asked innocently.

Gagging could be heard in the background before Hao interjected, “Ivy? Are you sure that you're okay? You're allergic to pickles, and eating all that at once could be considered toxic waste.”

“I only tell people I'm allergic to pickles because I use to not like them. And: nonsense. It's really good; have you ever even tried it?” I could see the color drain from my husband's face as I held out a bite for him to try.

“No thanks...I think I'm gonna be sick.” Hao turned down the offer as his face lost even more of it's color.

“You know, maybe you're right. Sorry Sebastion could you just get me some cookie dough ice cream? I'm not really all that hungry anymore.” I abandoned the toxic waste in favor of an ice cream cone.

“Mistress Ivy should tell Master Hao now. It won't be long before it becomes obvious even to someone as oblivious as Hao.” Opacho suggested.

Hao looked back and forth between Luca, Opacho, and me. “What is going on here. Someone better start explaining.”

“Fine.” A defeated sigh escaped my lips. “Let's go for a walk.”

“I wonder how he'll take it?” Luca whispered to Opacho as I pulled Hao out the door.

“Look how scared she is...Oh Mistress...Opacho hopes for her sake he takes it well...”

I led Hao out of the house, into the woods, and to the bank of the river that ran through the woods. I sat down on the bank, hugging my knees to my chest, and looked up at the stars.

He sat down beside me and gazed anxiously. “Ivy...what's the matter with you these last few weeks? You've been acting so...differently.”

I angled my head slightly so I could look into his eyes. “Hao? Do you still love me?”

He looked at me like I had just zapped him with my Allure powers. “Is that what all this is about! What kind of a question is that!”

“It's a question you need to answer. After I made you wait one and a half years for me; was it worth it? Do you love me as much now as you did one and a half years ago?”

“Ivy...” Hao moved so that he was sitting behind me with me in-between his legs. I leaned back against him with my head resting on his shoulder right up against his neck. “Of course I still love you. I fall even more in love with you as each second passes. Why would you even need to ask?”

“I don't know...I just...”

“Do you not love me?” Fear and doubt laced his usually confident voice.

“Of course I still love you! Does it seem like I don't?” I lifted my head from his shoulder to face him again.

“Well...This past week I've been pretty busy, and you've always said that you were too tired to do anything. I just thought that maybe...maybe you were tired of me. Maybe you were tired because you had already been with someone else...” I looked up at his dark chocolaty orbs, and it broke my heart to see they were filled with unshed tears.

“No. There's no one else. Just you; my first and my last.” I smiled playfully and kissed him on the tip of his nose. His confident smile returned to his face.

“So, if you're not having an affair, then why are you so weird all of the sudden?” He pulled me closer to cuddle up against him.

My mind raced to find a way to tell him. I found myself wondering how my sister had told Yoh. I couldn't just come out and say it. Maybe if I hinted at it enough? I scrambled to say something, but nothing would escape my mouth. I was so worried of how he would react. Finally I decided upon a round about way of telling him:

“Hao? Do you like children?”

I could sense him raising an eyebrow at me even if I couldn't see his face. “Human children, or Shaman children?”

“Shamans.”

“I suppose. Opacho is great, but others are annoying. Why are we on this topic all of the sudden?” Hao answered the question, all the while wondering about what I was getting at.

“Well...I mean...I just wanted to know if you ever...might want to be a father?” I held my breath for his answer.

“Only if you're the mother.”

I let out the breath. `Thank God.'

“Do you want kids Ivy?” He glanced down at me in his arms, and I had to think about it before I could answer.

“I don't know...I've never really thought about if I wanted children. I just kind of accepted the fact that I was going to have children...Actually I'm scared to death about having kids. So many things could go wrong, and I know I could never be a good mother to them. I don't know if I could even take care of them...I can just barely take care of myself.” I buried my head into his chest and thought about what a mess I had gotten myself into.

“You'd be a great mom.” Hao stroked my hair lovingly and cooed softly to me, his voice reassuring me that everything would be fine. “Besides, you wouldn't be raising them by yourself. I'd be there for you, and we have Luca, and Opacho, and Kanna, and Mari and Macchi, and all of the servants. Everything would work out.” Hao chuckled as he realized what he had said. “God, I sound like my stupid little brother.”

“I guess you're right.” I felt better about it. `I won't be alone.' “I've changed my mind; I do want kids. I'm looking forward to it.”

Hao gazed lustily down at me. “You know...we could get a head start on that family of ours right now...”

I slapped him good-naturedly for his dirty thoughts. “Would it kill you to stay on topic for once?”

“I was on topic!” My husband pouted.

“Sure you were. Back to the original subject: would you rather have a girl or a boy?”

“Doesn't matter. If I had to choose, I would have twins. That way, we could have two at once. And we could either have two boys or two girls or a boy and a girl. What about you?”

“Twins? Ouch! Do you know how big I'd get? Plus that's practically double the labor. One at a time is enough.” I playfully pushed Hao off of me.

“It wouldn't be so bad; now would it? Think of this: some mothers have quintuplets.” Hao smirked affectionately.

I rolled my eyes and sighed, “And I'd be lucky enough to have you get me knocked up with five kids at once. I can just imagine the stretch marks, and the morning sickness, and the lower back pains. Maybe twins wouldn't be so bad...if we had two boys?”

“I'd rather have two girls.” Hao sighed back at me.

“I thought you said you didn't care.”

“When I said I didn't care, I meant that I wanted two girls.” Hao argued.

“Well I want a boy.” I argued back childishly.

“But I want a girl.” Hao returned.

“Well we're having boys.” I snipped.

“Maybe we should have four at once? Two boys, two girls?” My husband tried to compromise.

“FOUR! I'd died! If we're having four then you'd better get me some morphine or something to dull the pain.” I pouted.

“Morphine, Ivy?”

“Yes. Morphine. If I'm giving birth to four of your children just because you had to have twin girls, then I'd better be so drugged out of it to the point where I can't talk straight.”

An amused smile broke out on Hao's face as he came to realize something. “Ivy, we're arguing over this, and you're not even pregnant.”

The smile dropped from my face, and I turned away from him. “About that...Hao?”

“Ivy? What's the matter?” He tipped my chin up to face him, but I pulled away again.

“Hao, we were married four months ago on January first. Ren's birthday, right?” I gulped as I slowly led him into the conversation.

“Yes. And...?”

“Well, my birthday was two months ago in March, right?” I tried to slow my breathing down, and concentrated on not fainting.

“Yeah. Well?”

“And it's May now, so December is nine months away from March.” It took all the courage I had not to chicken out right then and there.

“For God's sake Ivy, spit it out!” Hao's patience was wearing thin.

“Hao, I'm pregnant.” I pushed away from him and started walking fast paced back to the house.

About a minute later he appeared in front of my path. “Ivy...”

“What.” I snapped, turning away from him and walking back to the riverbank. I didn't want to be around him at the moment. Actually I was feeling pretty angry with him for doing this to me.

“Ivy.” He again ended up in front of me, blocking my path. There was no escaping him. He took me by the shoulders, and forced me to look him in the eye. Hot tears streamed like banners down my cheeks. He took a moment to gaze into my eyes before finally speaking. “You're not joking about this, are you?” A blank look overtook his face, and it looked as if he might either faint or blow up at any moment. “You really are pregnant.”

“Yes. I am.” I scarcely managed to mumble.

“Well that would explain the odd behavior, weird food choices, and lack of energy.” Hao held me close, a look of pure rage coming over his handsome face. “I'm going to kill that bastard brother of mine.”

I lightly conked Hao on the head, seething, “The baby is yours!”

“Are you sure?” He raised a cautious eyebrow at me.

“Of course I'm sure! I'm only two months pregnant, and the little incident with Yoh happened three months ago! The baby is yours.” I made my way back to the riverbank and sat down under the old Sakura tree.

Three months ago on Valentine's Day, Hao and I had had a party at our house and invited everyone. Yoh and Anna had flown back to Tokyo just for the party. Macchi and Mari had spiked the punch, getting Yoh and myself totally wasted. One thing led to another, and we had woken up in the same bed the next morning. It wasn't too hard to figure out what had happened.

I turned on Hao as he sat down beside me. “If I remember correctly you got pretty drunk that night too. I bet Macchi and Mari planned it that way. Lucky they didn't both get pregnant or else you'd have three women to look after at once.”

Hao blushed slightly, remembering that night. “Yeah, so we've both been unfaithful. Let's not get drunk anymore, and hopefully that won't happen again.” We were silent for a moment as Hao repositioned himself behind me so that we were in the same position as earlier with me sitting in-between his legs.

“So I'm going to be a father.” Hao cooed pleasantly in my ear, clearly pleased with himself.

“Are you scared? We're only seventeen.” I lay my head back up against his neck.

“No. Not at all. I would be if it were any other woman carrying my child, but since it's you, I have no problem with it what so ever.” Hao leaned up against the tree trunk behind him, closing his eyes halfway.

“You're going to be insanely overprotective of me from now on, aren't you?” I groaned.

“Yep, but what kind of husband and father would I be if I weren't insanely overprotective?” He nuzzled me softly.

“So you're happy about this?” I whispered softly, slowly drifting off to sleep.

“Yes. I'm looking forward to it. I've always wanted to have kids with you.” I could hear the suggestive smile in his voice.

“Shut up Hao.” I gently elbowed him in the stomach.

“I'm serious! Aren't you happy?”

“I'm excited, but I'm scared too.” I opened my eyes, shaking off sleep.

“It'll be okay. I won't let anything bad happen to you, or our children.” I couldn't help but smile at him. He tilted my chin up and kissed me lightly. “I promise.”

“Thank you. Hearing you say that makes me feel better about it. I should have told you sooner, but I didn't know how you would react.” I settled back down in his embrace.

“You can tell me anything. We've been through too much together for something to tear us apart now.”

“Promise that you'll never leave me Hao.” I gripped on to his clothing.

“Ivy, I promise to never even dream of leaving you.” He kissed the top of my head and then rested his head on top of mine.

“You know, we haven't talked about names yet.” I prompt.

“I like Hoshi. It'll work for either a boy or a girl.” Hao smiled as brightly as the stars he was so in love with.

“You should marry those stars if you're that obsessed with them.” I teased.

“I can't marry the stars. There are too many of them, and that would be bigamy. Besides, I'm already married to you; why would I even want another wife? I swear, if you ever die or leave me, I'll never remarry.” Hao held me tighter to himself. “What names were you thinking about?”

“Me? I like Gale. It could be either a girl or boy's name depending upon how you spell it: G-A-L-E for a boy, and G-A-I-L for a girl. What do you think?” I cooed.

“Nah...I don't like Gail. It sounds too girly to be a boy's name, and since you're so determined to have a boy...” Hao teased.

“Fine then. What do you think about...Thorn? Yeah, I really like that. It's better than Gale anyway. We have got to name one of our children Thorn.” I urged.

“If it means so much to you,” Hao caved. “we can name the younger twin Thorn.”

“Hao?”

“Yes, my love?” He winked playfully down at me.

“Thank you.”

A puzzled look overtook his face. “I haven't done anything especially amazing lately. Thanking me for what?”

“Everything.” I pulled him closer to me for a passionate kiss.

Looking back, I can't see why I ever wanted to run away from him. He was such a good husband. He put up with me, protected me, loved me, and worshiped me even. We were made for each other.

That night was one of the happiest of my life. There I sat on the riverbank with my Prince Charming. I had always fought to get away from him, but sometimes you just have to hang in there. Everything will work out in the end, and you'll find everything is right with the world. Everything will be perfect. And that's the way my life was...`at least for now, anyway.'

The

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