Chapter Text
"Yes, I am sure you can't go with me." Yoh replied snarkily, annoyed by the fact he has to repeat himself for the third time today.
It was the day of his second Shaman Fight. He didn't know anything about his future opponent, other than that his name was Faust VIII. He didn't know how this fight will end up, but he was more than sure, that the victory will be his.
Young shaman dressed up in a raincoat, ready to go outside into the refreshing, spring rain. His fiancée, Kyouyama Anna was watching him, while leaning on the wall, her arms crossed. She was staring at him, a bit concernedly.
"Why?" she asked in a mock offended tone "Don't you want me to cheer on you a bit?"
"I don't need any spectators." Yoh replied harshly as always.
Well... He wasn't always like that. Four years ago, he was a very laid-back boy, his only wish being to listen to music and live a carefree life. But he sacrificed something of great value, just to save her from her hatred... And pretty much herself.
"Okay. Let's go, Amidamaru. Matamune." he looked back at his two guardian spirits, taking Harusame in his hand.
Samurai nodded, ready to go whenever he was. Nekomata grabbed his hat and put it on while looking at his shaman.
"Are you sure you want me to go as well, Master Yoh?" he asked "You know too well, that I will not be much of a help."
"I'm sure, Matamune." replied the shaman, already opening the door "Even though you can't fight, it doesn't mean you are useless."
Nekomata's eyes glistened, as he looked at Yoh. He smiled and tipped his hat, ready for departure. Yoh was just about to step outside when he looked back at Anna.
"You can make dinner in the meantime. I'll be starving after the fight."
And then he finally left for the cemetery - his next fight location.
***
The rain didn't show any signs of passing when Yoh arrived at the destination. As he was the first one to show up, he decided to rest on a bench and wait for his opponent there. Matamune sat next to him, taking out his small umbrella and closing his eyes, just to enjoy the sound of the rain. He knew, that his shaman didn't really enjoy conversations, so he decided to relax with him before the fight. Both of them actually enjoyed that moment of silence between them. Nothing more than just sounds of the pouring rain. Suddenly, his ear flickered at the sound of footsteps and he opened his eyes to take a look at the source of them.
"Looks like someone is nearing, Master Yoh."
Yoh stretched himself and got up, ready to see his opponent. Instead, he saw Manta dashing in his direction with that huge encyclopedia in his hands. The young shaman pinched the base of his nose. No one ever listens to him...
"Manta, what did I tell you..."
"I know, I know!" he replied excitedly "I just couldn't sit in one place knowing that you'll be having your second match today!"
Yoh glared at him at first, but then he just sighed deeply and shook his head.
"Whatever. Just don't get in my way."
Manta was already used to the cold tone of his friend's voice. He was like that ever since they met. Though it resembled more of one-sided relations, Yoh eventually grew to tolerate him. "Like" is definitely too strong of a word. At least for now.
"Excuse me..." a voice sounded behind them.
Everyone's attention turned to a blonde man standing behind them. He was quite tall and had very pale skin with dark circles under his eyes. He was dressed in a white coat, the same colored hat, and a yellow scarf. He certainly didn't look very healthy nor strong... But Yoh knew too well than to underestimate his opponent, however weak would they look.
"I'm looking for a man named Asakura Yoh... Could it be you?" the man asked with a slight smile on his face.
"That's me." the young shaman replied, eyeing the strange man.
"Ah, wunderbar!" the blonde man replied in German "Pleased to meet you then. I am your today's opponent, Faust VIII, and..."
"Enough talking." Yoh interrupted him "We're here to fight, not to have conversations."
Faust gave him a small, almost warm smile.
"Yes, you're ri-"
"And don't even try to attack me before the proper fight starts." Yoh interrupted him once again, showing him his Oracle Bell. "We still have 5 minutes left. So better sit down or something."
His opponent frowned. Could it be a coincidence...? Without saying anything, he just sat down on the opposite side of the bench. Something rattled under his coat, which got the attention of both of Yoh's guardian spirits. Matamune's eyes suddenly narrowed and the fur on his back bristled.
"Master Yoh, this is-"
"I know, Matamune. Don't worry." his shaman replied. "I'm still not scared of him."
Of course, he wouldn't be scared of someone so weak. A Necromancer... Someone who summons the dead and makes them fight for him, huh? Yoh has already met someone like that. That Daoshi... Jun, was it? Though she had only one strong "doll" with her... And this man here could create hundreds of them. Though it was more of a "strength in numbers" strategy...
Well. Reishi sometimes really comes in handy.
Matamune was still staring worriedly at his master. His boldness and confidence could be his nail in the coffin. Even if Yoh could read minds... That didn't mean he could underestimate his opponents. And unfortunately, he tended to forget about his own limitations. The young shaman threw a glance at nekomata. Right... He had heard everything. Matamune took his hat off and lowered his head in apology.
"Are you just going to sit there like that...?!" Manta burst out suddenly, making Yoh grit his teeth. Why couldn't he sit silently for five minutes...
"Ah, if the silence is making you frustrated, you can always chat with me, kleiner Junge..." Faust offered him an innocent, gentle smile, which caught Manta off guard.
From behind the bench they were sitting on, came out a skeleton... A dog skeleton to be exact. Seeing Manta, it started to wag its tail and proceeded to sniff him thoroughly, much to the boy's fright.
"You don't need to worry, he doesn't bite." Faust laughed at Manta's terrified expression. "His name is Frankensteiny and has been my loyal friend for many years..."
"...h-how..." the young boy stuttered.
"Mmm... I suppose you're asking about my friend's unusual look, isn't it?" the man gave him another gentle smile "Well, you see..." he finally got up and took his cloak off.
Underneath, he was hiding a chain-bound human skeleton with a hole in its skull.
"I am a Necromancer. I specialize in raising the dead."
Manta was staring at him with a visible fright. It didn't cross his mind... That such people could be shamans as well...!
He backed away... And then tried to run away, screaming. That was... Too much for him. Way too much! Yoh was right, he shouldn't be coming for this fight... That man was insane!
"Oh, going away so soon?" Faust asked, glaring at the escaping boy.
He wasn't able to get too far away. A few skeletons got up from the graves and blocked Manta's way, capturing and pinning him to the ground.
"Let me go...!" he yelled, terrified of what that insane man could possibly want of him.
Faust, not moved by his screams at all, just came up to him, sipping something from a tiny bottle with a straw. His eyes were fixed on Manta, as he was observing his research material with a small glimpse of inquisitiveness.
"You are lucky, mein Freund... You see, I'm also a doctor. Your height concerned me since I noticed you... You are way too small for your age. Let's check you for any skeletal abnormalities, hm?" he knelt beside him, pulling out a scalpel.
"Master Yoh, we need to do something!" Amidamaru exclaimed, ready to unsheathe his sword. "Faust wants to hurt Manta...!"
"And?" asked Yoh, not moving an inch "It's not like he's my friend or anything."
Everyone's eyes were on him right now. Even Faust looked surprised at his words.
"Y-Yoh..." Manda stuttered, his throat tightening at his friend's words "How can you..."
"I'm just stating facts." he glared at the boy "You just randomly decided to stick to me and follow me everywhere. It's annoying."
"But..."
"Do you want to know the real reason I told you not to come?" he stood up, crossing his arms "I knew you would be a burden. And I'm not sacrificing my dream just to save some annoying kid. Do what you want, Faust. I'll just wait for the match to start." he sat back down.
Faust looked at him, surprised. He got up and the skeletons just let Manta go. The young boy was teared up and still shocked because of his friend's words. How could he... Say something so cruel...?
"I... I can't believe you are so heartless...!" Manta yelled and finally managed to escape the cemetery.
Amidamaru and Matamune could feel that huge relief that flooded Yoh's heart. His strategy worked... And Manta was safe. That was all he cared about for now.
Their Oracle Bells started beeping. Shaman Fight countdown. Yoh finally stretched and got up. It was time.
"Don't go easy on me, Faust." he said, staring at him coldly "Because I'm going to give it all."
***
Manta was running away from that damned graveyard, constantly wiping the tears off his face. What was he thinking...?! Of course Yoh had to hate him! After all... He was the one following him everywhere, without even asking if that was okay with him...
And suddenly, he bumped into someone.
"Uhh... S-sorry..." he said and looked up. Wait... It was... "A-AN...!"
Anna put a finger on her lips with a slight smile and looked around. No one was here. Good.
"Hi, Manta." she smiled at him, but got worried seeing him crying "What happened...? And what are you doing here...?"
He stared at her, completely puzzled. Anna crouched and hugged him gently. She couldn't bear seeing anyone crying.
Manta was surprised by that... But then he just buried in her shoulder and slowly explained what happened at the cemetery. She pulled him off a bit to look straight into his eyes.
"He did this to protect you, Manta." she explained calmly, with a smile on her face.
"But..."
"I know him too well..." he shook her head slowly "He probably knew this man's plan beforehand, so had to act like he doesn't care about you. That way you could get away without harm, right?"
Manta looked at her, surprised... But he had to admit, she was right. If he tried to save him... He would need to use up his Furyoku. And that wouldn't be good for anyone.
"Besides..." she crossed her arms and stood up "If he doesn't consider you his friend, then you're my friend now! He doesn't know what he's missing on!" she gave him that wide grin, which made Manta smile as well.
"Thanks, Anna..."
"You're welcome!" she smiled gently and looked around "Okay... so I came here in secret as well... Can you show me where that cemetery is?"
***
Anna decided to hide behind that big cherry tree in the middle of the graveyard. That way she shouldn't be seen and she had a great view of the battle!
It looked like Yoh didn't have many problems with Faust's guardian ghost. The man seemed to struggle in that fight, getting increasingly desperate. Anna was proud of Yoh's strength. It made her heart flutter to see him fighting for real. He looked so serious and strong... His training must've been really good! Too bad he was often overworking himself and ended up fainting or injuring himself. That's why she had to look after him! After all... The training wasn't everything. He had to care for himself sometimes as well!
She remembered the moment when she first saw him after the three-year separation. He was trying to get out of the hospital, where he ended up in because of the wounds he got after a harsh fight. Thankfully he gave up when he saw how worried she is and decided to stay there, though he was constantly grumbling about how he needed to back to training. But he didn't mind her taking care of him as well, which made her very happy and a warm feeling flooded her chest every time she noticed him being actually grateful for her help. Of course, he didn't show it openly... But every small "thanks" or a gentle look from him... That was all it took to make her heart melt every time.
It seemed the fight was coming to an end... When suddenly Faust noticed a movement behind that tree in the middle of the cemetery. Oh... It looked like they were having a spectator!
He smiled a bit noticing a sudden shift in his opponent's expression when he saw that girl hiding. Looks like he found a weak spot...
Eliza rushed to Yoh, dragging his attention away from Faust, and finally grabbed him from behind, preventing him from getting close to her shaman.
That was the time he felt the time slowing down. The skeletons that blocked her way out, him grabbing her by chin... No one else had the fucking right to touch her...! And what made him really furious and terrified at the same time... Was the fact, that he was going to hurt her for real.
He didn't know what was happening around him. He had a feeling that his Furyoku decided to take control of his body.
Yoh didn't remember, what happened after that...
And the next thing he saw was Anna's eyes, gazing at him in terror. Harusame's blade was pointing at her... But it didn't seem to hurt her. Still... Why was the blood dripping from it...? Then he realized the pulse he felt on its grip wasn't his own. Harusame was stuck in Faust's back, probably piercing his heart. When the realization finally came... The pulse was gone. And that was probably the most terrifying moment for him.
Matamune, who was observing them from afar, took off his hat and lowered his head and ears. He felt a piercing pain in his heart. And his master's pain as well. Nekomata knew, that Yoh didn't cause his opponent's death on purpose... But for some reason, a bad feeling made the fur on his back bristle up. May it be only a feeling...
Anna stared at Yoh in shock, when he pierced his opponent with his sword. The fire she saw in his eyes... It made her scared for some reason. He made her scared. Especially that now Harusame's blade was just centimeters away from her own chest. Her mouth felt completely dry and she was paralyzed. But still, she was the first to break out of that shock.
"Yoh..." she started.
He gritted his teeth.
"T-that's why..." he looked at her with anger in his eyes "That's why I told you to stay home...!"