The Trouble Is

[kfttjdb]

Um, KuroiInu don't have a spasm. I mean you're paying attention (which means you're reading and not just mindlessly posting comments ((not saying the rest of you are doing that.))) There is a method to my madness, I promise.

Oh, and Sayoky: I hate to spoil it but don't hold your breath on that. (although most of the story is up for individual interpretation...)

And yes, the end IS near. (And I'm not telling how many chapters this thing has because then you'll just wait until I post that number. Ha! *cough*)

[Sayoky]

No!! The end can't be near!!! You have to write more....I BEG OF YOU!!! Your story is the best one I have read so far!!!!

[kfttjdb]

Thank you so much, Sayoky. I can't just have the story run on forever, though. That would be crazy. It ends somewhere. Soon. (and I was going to say something else here but decided it will spoil the ending so nah) I do apologize for the delay- I've been working like crazy and have been extremely lazy in posting the rest of the story. I promise that the next time I post in this thread (which will be before Monday) the post will contain chapter 11. YOU HAD BETTER READ IT. *cough* (sorry, not good at threats anymore)

[kfttjdb]

Everyone it's here! Chapter 11! Okay, you need to know some things before you scroll down. Please don't shoot me yet...

If you have read all of the story up to this point, you'll notice this: Chapters 9-11 are "Simultaneous Chapters", meaning some of the events happen simultaneously. When you read this one, it might be confusing. I'll answer any questions...

1. This chapter is extremely long. Couldn't be helped. So sorry. It is also one of the more important chapters so you shouldn't skip it. (unless you enjoy being confused...) Don't worry, 12 is much shorter.

2. Chapter 11 is the weakest chapter of the entire fic. Unfortunately, it had to be. Just work with me here please...

3. There is a method to my madness, I promise.

Okay, here goes:

Chapter 11:
Making Some Sense of It

Yoh sighed as he was folding the blankets in his bedroom. The house had been too quiet. He paced back and forth in front of their bed and bit his fingernails.

“What are you thinking about, Yoh?” Anna asked him. She had been sitting on the bed and stood to get him to stop walking.

“He hasn’t left his room in three days. No one’s heard from him. He could be dead in there for all we know.” Yoh paced faster, focusing his eyes on the floor.

“I’ll go talk to him.” Anna said, walking to the bedroom door.

“Are you sure about that? You’re the one who said…” Yoh started.

“I know what I said, but he needs to talk to someone else besides you now. It’ll be fine. Go and see if you can help Tamao with dinner.” She kissed him on the cheek and opened the door.

“Okay. Be careful. I don’t want him to bite your head off,” Yoh said as they walked down the hallway.

Ren heard someone knocking on his door but ignored it. He was sitting in a different corner of the room but was in the same clothes as when Yoh left him. The knocking continued, hurting his ears.

“Go AWAY!” he screamed. The door opened instead. Anna calmly walked inside his bedroom and closed the door behind her.

“I thought I said go away,” he complained without looking at her.

“Ren you’ve been in here for three days and we’re all worried about you.” Anna started.

“I want to be alone!” he screamed at her.

“Well, obviously.” she said. He seemed surprised by her reply.

“I know you heard the fight because you had to be nosey. You know why I’m angry. Don’t come in here and start trying to analyze me. I want you to get out.” Ren did not look at her.

“This ends right now,” she said under her breath.

“What?” he asked.

Suddenly she threw an unidentified object at him, narrowly missing his face. He dodged it and clenched his teeth.

“GET UP!” she screamed. “Stop sitting in here feeling sorry for yourself. You screwed this up! Don’t take it out on everyone else! So Hao lives with her. I don’t like it either but it’s her business. Something is seriously wrong with you.”

Ren was speechless and looked at her for an explanation on why she was attacking him. He opened his mouth to reply but she continued.

“You have done nothing but take all of your ridiculous insecurities out on her! I can’t believe she has still been talking to you all of this time. Stop looking at her as the problem. You’re the problem, Ren! Now get up, clean this filthy room,” she threw a heap of clothing at him, “and take a bath- You stink!”

Ren’s hands began to tremble. He looked at her again, this time as if he had been stabbed.

“I’m sorry that sounded so harsh, Ren.” She said, “But you needed to hear it. Yoh’s not going to tell you the truth about yourself because he doesn’t see it. Ren, you are scared to death of something. You have to figure out what it is and fix it, then go talk to her again. She is scaring you and you need to find out why for both your sakes.” She smiled weakly at him then left.

---

“Hey Tamao,” Yoh called. She was in the kitchen pouring a glass of water.

“Hi.” She said. When Yoh reached the kitchen he smiled at her and looked around the room.

“So what’s for dinner?” Yoh asked, smiling.

“I don’t know yet.” Tamao replied uneasily. She was uncomfortable and he noticed.

“Is everything alright? Did I miss something?” he asked worriedly.

“I’m fine, Yoh. What are you doing down here anyway? I thought you were with Anna.” Tamao responded while backing away with each forwarding step he took.

“She asked me to help you with dinner.” He noticed she was moving away from him, “Tamao, what’s wrong?” he was bothered by her actions.

“Nothing’s wrong, Yoh. I don’t know what we will have yet, so I don’t need any help. Thanks anyway.” Tamao replied. She looked everywhere except directly at him and she rocked her weight from side to side on her feet.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Yoh asked. “You seem tense.”

“I’m fine. I just need to be alone.” she said walking past him quickly.

“Is this about Ren?” Yoh asked suddenly. Tamao stopped and faced him.

“Um, yes. I just feel terrible for him right now.” She said abruptly. He knew she was lying but did not protest.

“Well as long as you’re alright. Don’t worry about Ren. He’ll be fine.” Yoh said. He put his hand on her shoulder, which she did not welcome warmly, and walked to the sitting room.

---

Horo knocked on Ren’s bedroom door uneasily. He wasn’t sure how to approach him because he hadn’t seen him since before his fight with Yukihiro. After hearing a faint “Come in”, he slowly opened the door.

Ren did not look up to see who was entering his room. He was too busy with his work. Horo watched as he was throwing away paper, folding clothes and carefully picking glass from the floor. He couldn’t believe it. Ren was cleaning his room.

“Ren?” Horo called out to him, “Do you want some help?” He didn’t know what else to say to him.

“No, I’m fine. Thanks anyway.” was the reply. Horo had to blink at him a few times. Did he just thank me? He thought to himself.

“Have you been drinking?” Horo asked him suddenly. Ren paused at his work to look up at him.

“Why would you ask me that?” he replied. “I don’t drink. You know that.”

“You just seem different…” Horo started again.

Ren stood up and stared at the wall past him. Horo could sense the intensity in his eyes. “I know what the trouble is now,” he said slowly. “I know what I’ve been running from and it’s time for me to be honest with myself and with her.”

Horo didn’t know what this meant but smiled anyway. “Good, you’re going to try talking to her again. I knew you two were just friends, but I just always thought you would become something more at some point.” He said happily.
Ren did not respond to this comment but smiled at him instead.

---

“It’s such a beautiful day,” Pirika said after taking a deep breath. She and Lyserg were at the lakeside, sitting on a red blanket.

“I agree,” Lyserg looked over at her and smiled.

“Tell me something,” Pirika started, changing her tone.

“Sure, anything.”

“Why don’t you and my brother get along anymore?” she shifted on the blanket and crossed her legs so she could face him.

Lyserg’s smile faded suddenly and he sighed. “I honestly don’t know.” he replied. She was caught off guard by his answer; she had expected a revelation of some sort.

“You have no idea why he doesn’t like you?” she asked challengingly.

“He doesn’t like me? I just thought maybe he has been down lately.” Lyserg bit his bottom lip as he pondered the thought.

“There’s obviously something you don’t know. You two should talk.” Pirika said worriedly.

“That may not be wise.” Lyserg said with a frown. “He probably knows how I feel and it bothers him. I have to say I didn’t expect it.”

“What are you talking about?” Pirika asked, befuddled.

Lyserg stared ahead and drifted into some unknown daydream. She watched him as the lingering thought consumed his attention. This time also made her realize things about him she didn’t notice before. Her eyes followed the wind as it stirred the emerald strands of his hair and blew at the collar of his green polo shirt. She examined his green eyes carefully as they stared warmly at the lake. Blinking her eyes a few times she came to an accurate conclusion: Lyserg was beautiful.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked finally, breaking his concentration.

“The most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” He said without looking at her.

“Wow, do I know her?” Pirika wasn’t sure exactly who he was referring to, but she hoped it was someone ugly.

“You should,” he said with a smile. Pirika suddenly felt a loss of air between them as if the blanket was shrinking. When she finally realized he was sitting closer to her, she pulled away.

“Are you trying to kiss me?” she asked him.

“What? No…I um…definitely not…why would you think…um…” Lyserg blushed as he struggled to come up with an answer to this question.

Pirika watched him in amusement as he stumbled over his words and found herself blushing as well. She then leaned forward slowly and gently pressed her lips against his.

This impromptu kiss was so shocking to Lyserg that his bottom lip quivered when she pulled back. He stared at her expressionless for a few seconds and was unable to speak.

“You can kiss me if you want,” she said with a smile, “I don’t mind.”

“I’m in love with you.” He said simply.

“WHAT?” She was expecting him to kiss her back, or to compliment her in some way. She wasn’t expecting him to say something that intense, especially without hesitation. Before she could analyze the situation thoroughly in her mind she was responding. “I love you too.”

Lyserg looked at her for a few minutes blankly and then slowly smiled. He passionately returned her kiss then embraced her in a warm hug.

Pirika rested her chin on his shoulder and stared wide eyed at the blanket below them. What have I done?! She thought to herself.

---

“What are you doing out here?” Horo said as he sat down on the grass in the back yard.

“I needed to think,” Tamao responded dryly.

“You won’t believe what Ren’s doing right now,” Horo started. He then noticed the puffiness around her eyes. She had been crying. “What’s wrong?” he asked with much concern.

“I said I needed to think,” she replied again.

“Is this about the other day? I already apologized to you for that.” Horo sighed.

“No you didn’t,” she groaned.

“Well, that’s because I meant every word. Maybe you’re crying because you know I’m right. Come on, Tamao. He’s not here now; you can be honest with me.” Horo sat closer to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

Tamao mumbled something under her breath and pushed his arm away. “Get away from me,” she said coldly, “You’re not right all of the time. In fact, you’re never right. This isn’t about Yoh. I’ve been over him for a while now and I don’t appreciate you bringing it up like this all of the time.”

Horo rolled his eyes and sighed loudly. “Fine. We don’t have to talk about it of you don’t want to. If that’s not why you’re upset, then what’s wrong?” he moved close to her again being careful not to touch her.

“I don’t understand why Hao would be living with Yukihiro, and why she would keep something like that from Ren. Doesn’t that seem weird?” Tamao said as she crossed her legs.

“That’s not why you were crying, but I’ll play along.” Horo said under his breath, “I didn’t know they were living together. I didn’t know they knew each other. That’s weird.” He said with a frown.

“I know. It all came out when they had that fight. Ren was devastated. You know how much he hates him. It just makes you wonder what she’s hiding.” Tamao scratched her head.

Horo watched her as she shifted her body weight several times to get comfortable. What a way to take the attention off of the real subject, he thought to himself. “What do you think she’s hiding?” he asked.

“Do you think they’re a couple?” Tamao asked timidly.

“What? No way! She’s with Ren. They say they’re just friends, but come on.” Horo replied excitedly.

“I don’t know. I just need more information and more time to think about it all.” Tamao said gravely.

“If you feel you must,” Horo said sarcastically.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Tamao asked angrily.

“Do you honestly think I’m going to let the Yoh thing go?” Horo asked raising his voice.

Tamao stood quickly and stormed toward the house. “Why don’t you go find Pirika so you can harass her? I don’t feel like it today!” she said as she slammed the back door.

---

Ren knocked on Anna’s bedroom door timorously as if he were about to face punishment. When he received permission to open the door he only cracked it and stood in the hallway.

“Anna?” He called. “Can I talk to you for a few minutes?”

After a few moments Anna emerged from behind the door and joined him in the hallway. “Sure,” she said. “What is it?”

“I just wanted to say thank you for saving me from myself.” Ren started. “I feel like such a fool.”

“Don’t say that, Ren.” Anna held his hand and smiled. “You were angry and you don’t handle that emotion well. I’m glad you’re alright now. Are you going to her house?”

“Yes. I have to tell her the truth.” Ren said.

“Good. I hope it goes well.” Anna squeezed his hand and he smiled at her.

“Tell Yoh I’ll be back later,” he said.

[Sayoky]

whoa..that was like the best chapter yet!!!!! I started yelling like a fool " Yes!! Yes!! Pirika and Lyserg!!!" really....zOMG!! You should write more fanfics because you have tallent! Your mind is gold!

[Secretofmana]

Hmm..*is still waiting for the chapter when all the oversouling action happens*

*shot 5 times*

Nah, just kidding. Awesome fanfic so far Renna-sama! ^_^

But, what has happened to the guardian ghosts? D: Then again, they wouldn't really fit in well in the story. ^_^;

Edit: Ah...*read the summary* I guess they're not shamans in this story or something, huh? ^_^;

...Manta hasn't done much....*mauled*

[kfttjdb]

Aw, thanks guys for reading this chapter. It really sucks. (I know because I have the whole story) And to answer your questions, SecretofMana:

I excluded a slew of characters simply because I couldn't chase them all. Hey, I'm new at this so I don't have developed talent to include the ghosts without completely boring the crap out of you. They're still shamans, they just don't fight in the tournament because it's over in the timeframe of the story. I hope that helped to explain things a bit...

Chapter 12 will be up some time Friday...

[KuroiInu]

YUSH! Another great chapter Renna-chan-sama! the PirikaxLyserg was both original and adorable. ^-^ *Ish hoping that things will work out for Ren as well*

[Sayoky]

I'm actually thinking of making a Lyserg&Pirika drawing...if you don't mind me doing it! ^^

[kfttjdb]

Thanks for the compliments, guys. And no, Sayoky, I don't mind you drawing a picture of them. (As long as it's PG)

Sorry guys. The truth is I'm worn out tired. No, my job has almost completely sucked the essence of my mind and body. In short, I will not be posting Chapter 12 today. Don't stone me please. I promise it will be before Monday...

[Sayoky]

Oh..don't worry Renna-sama...we aren't going to stone you just for that.I understand you completly..^^

[kfttjdb]

So everyone, here's chapter 12. Um no comments on this one. So here ya go! *chunks Chapter 12 and then passes out*
(Oh I forgot, I didn't check this thing, so there's probably gramatical errors. Sorry, was too tired. *shot*)

Chapter 12:
Suffocating

Ren slowly walked through the forest deep in thought. He wanted to make sure she understood him and he didn’t want to mess things up again. “I have to make this work,” he said aloud. The wind picked up in speed and rustled his hair around his face and neck. He could hear thunder in the distance. “How fitting. It’s about to rain,” he said. Don’t say things like that, he thought. This will work out. I hope. His heartbeat increased its rate when he reached her stone walkway. “Don’t blow this.” He said aloud as he knocked on her wooden door.

Much to Ren’s disappointment, Hao answered the door. “What do you want?” he asked coldly.

“I need to talk to Yukihiro,” Ren said calmly.

“She’s busy,” Hao spat then slammed the door in his face.

Immediately Ren felt defeated, but he decided to stay anyway. He knocked on the door again, except this time he didn’t stop until the door reopened.

“WHAT?!” Hao screamed.

“I’m not leaving until I talk to Yukihiro.” Ren said.

“You’re beginning to irritate me, Ren.” Hao said as he stepped outside, closing the door behind him. “‘She’s busy’ was code for she doesn’t want to see you. I was trying to do you a favor. Go home.”

“I’m not leaving until I talk to her,” Ren said again in the same tone.

“How persistent. I guess that’s how all overly arrogant men are.” Hao said with a smile. “Don’t you have someone else to harass?”

“I need to talk to her, Hao. I need her to understand how I feel.” Ren began pleading with him.

“I think she knows enough. Don’t you think she’s tired of you and your problems? She’s not a therapist. Go talk to Yoh; I’m sure he enjoys giving you advice.” Hao began grinding his teeth.

“I just need her to know…” Ren started.

“What do you need her to know, Ren?” Hao asked rolling his eyes.

“I love her.” He said slowly.

Hao stared at him blankly for a few seconds then swiftly punched him in the face. The force knocked Ren to the ground and he winced in pain.

“Get up,” Hao said coldly as he paced back and forth in front of him.

“I don’t want to fight you, Hao.” Ren said while holding his face.

“That’s a first. You don’t want to fight me? It’s probably smart of you to say anyway. This is a fight you can’t win. GET UP.” Hao’s pace became faster as he stared down at Ren angrily.

Ren struggled to his feet again. “I know you may feel like you need to protect her, but this isn’t necessary.” He said.

“What do you think I’ve been doing for two years?” Hao sneered. “It’s hard to keep her safe when she continues to run for the slaughter. I’m giving you the chance to go home in one piece. You’re not doing any more damage today.” He stepped closer to Ren’s face.

“What’s going on out here?” Yukihiro asked from the front door. Hao quickly turned around as if trying to hide Ren.

“Nothing. Go back inside.” He said.

“Ren, what are you doing here?” she asked, noticing he was standing behind Hao. “What happened to your face?” she glanced at Hao again, “Never mind.”

“Yukihiro, I need to talk to you.” Ren said, stepping in front of Hao.

“We don’t have anything to talk about, Ren. You shouldn’t be here.” She said.

“You heard what she said. Go home.” Hao said.

“Please, just a few minutes?” Ren pleaded.

“Hao, give us some time.” Yukihiro said. Hao looked at her angrily.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“This won’t take long.” She replied. Hao mumbled something under his breath and walked past Ren, deliberately pushing him in the shoulder. He then went inside the house and slammed the door.

“What do you want?” She asked. Ren couldn’t tell her mood.

“Yukihiro, I’m sorry for everything. I shouldn’t have talked to you the way I did, and I should have trusted you enough to tell you I was upset.” He started.

“You always say that, Ren.” She replied.

He was surprised by her comment but continued. “I want to make things right between us. Tell me what I can do to fix this.”

“You can’t fix it, Ren.” She said. “In case you haven’t noticed, this ‘thing’ is beyond repair. There’s nothing to fix because there’s nothing left of it.” She paused. “Are you done because I have much to say?”

Ren didn’t respond.

“I can’t live like this anymore. I don’t want you to dump all of your baggage on me, so I’ve decided to stand up on my two feet and shake the mud off. I can’t fit in your box, Ren. I’m suffocating. I’m not right for you. I’m not good enough for you. I don’t care what you say; I never will be.”

“That’s not true, Yukihiro.” Ren said. “You’re not the problem; I am. I see that now. I was too paranoid to figure it out, but now I know how much you mean to me. I can’t lose you.”

She laughed. Ren looked at her confused. “You’ve already lost me, Ren. I’ve been gone for a while, you just couldn’t see it. You know what? I’m actually glad you came here, because now I can get something off my chest that has been sitting way too long,” she said as she opened her door and stepped back into the threshold.

“What’s that?” Ren asked.

She frowned at him briefly then slammed the door in his face.

Ren quickly beat on the door with both hands. Yukihiro sat on the other side of the door on the floor.

“Go home, Ren!” she screamed.

“No, I’m not leaving! Please open the door! Don’t do this, Yukihiro!” Ren pleaded.

“Go away!” she screamed again.

“I can’t lose you! Just open the door! Please! I love you!” he pleaded.

“Don’t say that.” She whispered.

“Yukihiro, please open the door!” Ren pleaded again.

“I said go away, Ren! I HATE YOU!” she cried.

Ren paused for a moment. “You don’t mean that,” he said weakly. Then he continued.

She couldn’t stand it. The beating on the door. Him pleading for her to open it. Telling her he loved her. It was too much. She ran. She fled upstairs to her bedroom and buried herself in the pillows on her bed, sobbing hysterically.

A few minutes later, the beating stopped. He knew she was no longer on the other side of the door. He knew she was gone. He rested his forehead on the wood for a few seconds and closed his eyes. Then he slowly walked down the stone path toward home.

A few drops of water fell on his black polo shirt and purple trousers. He was not going to beat the rain, and he did not quicken his pace. Suddenly, the sky emptied itself upon him. The rain completely soaked his clothes and rolled off of his black boots. The weight of the water cut apart his violet spike and sent his hair dangling around his shoulders and neck. He welcomed the rain. It hid his tears.

Everyone was waiting for him at the house and was worried he would be caught in the rain. Anna, Tamao, and Pirika were in the sitting room when they heard the front door.

“He’s here!” Pirika said excitedly.

Anna was first to the door, her smile quickly morphing to absolute sadness when he came in. She turned to the other girls without looking away from Ren. “Go get some dry towels. Hurry!” she said. They both ran upstairs.

Ren’s body was completely soaked with rain, but he didn’t seem to notice. Anna stared at him silently as she helped him into the house. Tamao and Pirika reemerged accompanied by Yoh and Horo. Tamao wanted to give Ren the towels but stopped because he looked like he was in a trance.

Anna smiled at him weakly. “Let’s get you dry, Ren.” She said as calmly as possible and put her hand on his shoulder. The response shocked everyone in the room.


Suddenly Ren was collapsed in Anna’s arms crying. It didn’t bother her that she was becoming wet from his embrace. His cries were hysterical as he scratched and pulled on the back of her shirt. The scene made Pirika and Tamao cry as well. They dropped the towels they were holding and tried to regain their composure. Ren fell down slowly to the floor and pulled Anna with him. She held on to him, rubbing his hair and trying to console him. Yoh was bothered by the scene too. He sat on the floor opposite Anna and embraced them both. “I’m sorry, Ren.” He said softly.

Horo watched the three of them in disbelief. “Does this mean it’s really over?” he asked reluctantly.

No one responded.


Thanks again for continuing to read. The end is near. OOOOOOOOO. *bricked*

[KuroiInu]

*hugs Ren*
Renna-chan... that was... depressing. T-T Yukihiro is mean!!!

Wow though... you write hysterical depression very well. It was very moving and emotional without being overdramatic.

[Sayoky]

OMG!! I really have tears in my eyes! I'm like almost crying here..it's just so unfair!! Whyyy?? Why won't she forgive him?!

[kfttjdb]

Thanks for the comments. The truth is I had to re-write it because it was too depressing. Chapter 13 will be up later this week...