Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ Rules Of Shamanism ❯ Epilogue ( Chapter 6 )

 

 

 

 

It had been nearly two weeks since the whole ordeal, and most of Tamao's injuries had healed. To everyone's surprise, her emotional state had improved much quicker than they expected. Tamao had used Horo Horo as an emotional crutch; he was a shoulder she could cry on. Tamao didn't have to talk to Horo Horo about what happened; he already knew. After a few days, she no longer insisted that she be with Horo Horo twenty-four hours a day. Tamamura had thanked Horo Horo repeatedly over those days. Horo Horo really got to know him as Tamao's father, not as the mayor. The suffering everyone went through did have positive results. Chishioko, Horo Horo, Tamao, and her father grew closer together. They were like a family now.

 

Today was Horo Horo's big day. Tamamura wanted to reward Horo Horo for what he did. Horo Horo felt that Tamao's safety was reward enough, but Tamamura insisted. He said that no good deed should go unearned. Horo Horo wasn't quite sure what he had in mind, but he knew it was something big. There was going to be a big ceremony and a party tonight. All of the influential people in Funbari would be there.

 

Horo Horo was nervous the whole day. He had heard that this was going to be a fancy party. People at fancy parties wore fancy clothes. He didn't have any fancy clothes. Both Tamao and her father told Horo Horo to wear his normal clothes. They all felt that Horo Horo's clothes were more than just an Ainu robe and shorts. They represented who he was. Horo Horo agreed to wear them.

 

This was going to be an elaborate ceremony, and a lavish party. The largest ballroom in the mansion was prepared for this event. There were rows of benches set up for the audience to sit on. There would be many people here, most of which who would be shamans. In one side of the room and in the one adjourning room were large banquet tables. After Tamamura gave Horo Horo the reward, there would be a large party. Horo Horo had seen spirits preparing food all day; he couldn't wait.

 

In the center of the ballroom was a long magenta carpet that led to the front of the room where Tamao and Tamamura were. An elaborate chair had been set up earlier that day. It was made with magenta velvet cushions and silver trim. Tamamura sat in this elaborate chair while Tamao chose to sit in a regular-looking chair. Tamao and her father wore super formal clothing for the ceremony; Horo Horo had never seen them in clothes like these. Tamao wore a beautiful dark violet dress with matching gloves that came up nearly past her elbows. She had a Japanese symbol on her head that stood for “star.” Tamamura was donned in an equally sophisticated garb. He wore a green robe with a white fur trim. His clothes were decorated with gold braiding.

 

Horo Horo waited at the end of the magenta carpet, far away from the chair. Tamamura stood and addressed the audience; it was time to begin the ceremony. “My fellow shamans, my friends and colleagues,” he began. “We have gathered here to bestow a great honor upon a young man. A young man who is a hero. He has given more of himself than anyone could possibly ask. He risked his life to save the life of Tamamura Tamao, my beloved daughter. Words cannot express my gratitude to him. I will now award him Funbari's highest honor. Horo Horo, please step forward.” That was his cue. He walked down the magenta carpet towards the chair. Horo Horo tried to ignore the many eyes staring at him. As he walked the aisle, he saw Tamao wink at him. Horo Horo smiled. He stopped when he reached Tamamura's chair. Tamamura opened a small box on a table next to him. He removed a beautiful silver medal attached to a velvet ribbon. The medal was an eight-pointed silver star with detailed engravings.

 

“Horo Horo, it is my great pleasure to award you Funbari's most remarkable honor: the Star of Wisdom. It is awarded only to those few who perform an act far above and beyond the call of duty. You saved Tamao's life without any regard for your own safety.” Horo Horo bowed his head and Tamamura put the medal around his neck. Tamamura hugged Horo Horo and whispered in his ear, “Thank you.” The room filled with a roar of applause and cheers. When the noise had died down, Tamamura removed another item from the table. It was a large silver sword, with beautiful engravings on the blade. Tamamura held the sword with the blade pointing upward.

 

“Because of your bravery, I will bestow another honor upon you. Please kneel.” Horo Horo knelt down and bowed his head. “As the mayor of Funbari, I hereby install you in the Order of Funbair Shamans. You are now a Funbari Shaman, with all the rights and privileges thereof. From this day forward, you shall be known as Horo Horo-sama of the Ainu.” Tamamura touched each of Horo Horo's with the sword and then drew it back. “Arise, Horo Horo-sama.” Horo Horo stood up and looked at Tamao, who smiled at him. Holding the sword with both hands, Tamamura presented the sword to Horo Horo. Horo Horo took it and examined the beautiful blade. He saw the words engraved on the blade, Horo Horo-sama of the Ainu, I am forever in your debt.

 

“Now, let the celebration begin,” cheered Tamamura. Everyone gave Horo Horo a standing ovation. After they applauded, the people vacated the benches and filled the banquet tables. Horo Horo, Tamao, Chishioko, and Tamamura sat at the head of the largest banquet table. Tamamura sat at the center, Chishioko was on the right, Tamao was on his left, and Horo Horo was on Tamao's left. Tamao turned and smiled at Horo Horo.

 

“My little Horo-chan is a Funbari shaman now,” Tamao said. “Does that mean I have to call you Horo-chama?” she teased. Horo Horo smiled. He was part of Funbari now, but Tamao still saw him as her cute little Horo-chan. He didn't mind. Horo Horo tried not to show it, but he secretly liked it when she called him that.

 

“Um… you can call me whatever you want,” Horo Horo said. His mouth watered as spirits placed plates of succulent food in front of him. He tried to pay attention to Tamao.

 

“Horo Horo, I wanted to tell you how much… how thankful I am that you saved me,” Tamao said with a sudden air of seriousness. Horo Horo looked into her eyes. “The only thing that kept me alive was the hope that you would come for me. I knew you would save me. You risked your life to come and get me.” She leaned over and gave Horo Horo a loving embrace. Horo Horo hugged her back; he never wanted to let go. They released each other and sat back into their chairs. Tamao wiped a tear from her cheek. “You don't know how much that means to me,” Tamao said.

 

Horo Horo gazed into her eyes with a serious expression, as if he were gazing into her soul. “Yes, I do.”

 

 

Owari