Chapter Text
He left the inn, left his old life, with a backpack packed as well as it could be for the unknown, a mysterious package from his grandfather that he had no plans of opening, and Harusame in a cloth case so he could carry it on his back.
Anna told him she had tried to pack an outfit for every type of weather since there was no telling if it would be summer where they were going or for how long they'd be away. She also stated she had slipped his new battle outfit in with the upgraded pants as promised, but had threatened him not to peek until the next round of fighting began.
He had cheekily crossed his heart at the statement and Anna had rolled her eyes at him before trying to shove him out the door.
Her hands meet firm resistance against his chest as he stayed rooted in the spot.
'Wait for me, okay?'
Anna huffed, 'I wouldn't wait for anyone else.'
'I know,' He signed before leaning in and planting a kiss to her forehead.
Anna's cheeks turned rosy as she slipped her arms around his waist and gave him a quick squeeze before ending the moment least Tamao or someone else rounded the corner.
'Come back safe.'
'I promise.'
“What are you looking so dopey about?” Ren asked, bringing Yoh back into the moment as he, Ren, Ryu, and Horohoro stood outside the navel base.
“Nothing,” Yoh stated, as Horohoro hid his face behind a snicker. “What?”
'Oh you know,' Horohoro replied back with an eyebrow waggle. 'You. The fiancée. Your last night together for who knows how long. An inn all to yourself.'
Ren smacked his face and muttered, “Imbecile.”
'We weren't alone. Tamao was there as well as all the ghosts.'
Horohoro's eyes blew wide and he spluttered. 'I didn't think Anna would—'
Horrified, Yoh interrupted him. 'What the hell? No! Tamao is like my sister.'
“Leave him alone, Horohoro. Don't you know the first rule of love is you don't kiss and tell. Whatever the chief did or didn't do last night is none of your business,” Ryu chastised.
'But we're bros,' Horohoro replied, dejected.
“No,” Ryu reiterated, firmly while Yoh signed at the same time, 'Can we just drop it already?'
“Aren't you four lively today,” Silva called, from behind a stand selling festival food.
“Kalim, what are you doing here?” Horohoro accused, pointing.
“They officiate the Shaman Fight and we're leaving for the next part of the Shaman Fight. How many times were you dropped on your head as a child?” Ren sighed, exasperated.
Horohoro briefly looked down at his fingers slowly raising them up as he mouthed number to himself before snapping his head in Ren's direction with an indignant, “Hey!”
“I thought the next round was taking place in another country,” Yoh stated.
“It is, but it never hurts to earn a little extra money before we embark,” Silva answered.
“How can you guys host a tournament if you're so poor?” Horohoro asked, suspicious.
Kalim just laughed while Yoh sagely turned to Horohoro and signed, 'Will of the Great Spirit.'
“If you're not going to buy something then go on and look around. It's your one chance to get a feel for everything before the next part of the tournament begins in earnest,” Kalim advised.
Before the group could turn away Ren was sliding a few yen across the counter and when Kalim offered him the two chocolate dipped bananas he was holding Ren shook his head.
“The takoyaki,” Ren stated pointed to the skewer that interested him.
“Seriously?” Horohoro raised an eyebrow.
“You can't expect me to compete on an empty stomach,” Ren scoffed, before taking a bite of the first one on the stick. “Besides these aren't half bad.”
“Then buy another,” Silva chimed in, eager.
“Don't push your luck,” Ren muttered before taking a bite of the next one on his skewer. “Come on let's go check out the competition.”
“Bye Silva,” Yoh waved, before turning and following Ren.
'It really is people from all over the world isn't it,' Horohoro marveled. 'That person brought an elephant. That person has a robot. Those little old ladies look ancient— Ow,'
“Don't be rude,” Ren stated, after smacking Horohoro, “They probably think you're too young to be let out without adult supervision and they'd be right.”
“Why I oughta—.”
“Come on guys let's not fight. We can sit down over there and relax while we wait for the next announcement,” Yoh placated, pushing himself between the two and gesturing to an out of the way spot next to one of the buildings. The covered porch would provide an escape from the heat, and hopefully keep them from drawing too much attention from the other competitors looking to feel out the competition.
Yoh was laying on the grass. Backpack under his head as a pillow as he kept his eyes closed soaking up the rays like a cat. If Ren had muttered something about it being too hot to be laying directly out in the sun, then Yoh didn't hear him.
Not five minutes later Yoh could feel the atmosphere tense up, but he kept his eyes closed. It was likely just Ren and Horohoro fighting over something inane again, and if it wasn't well someone would get his attention.
He felt a rush of wind fly over him and a rumble in the earth. He swore if he opened his eyes and those two were having a fight over where he was laying instead of literally anywhere else in this area he was going to kick their butts with a tenacity Anna would be proud of.
Shadows feel across his face as something blocked out the sun and stayed there. Opening his eyes he was meet with brown eyes that didn't belong to any of his friends as someone stood above his head peering down at him.
“Morning sleeping beauty,” the stranger spoke, and Yoh's blood ran cold.
The shape of his face, the way he hadn't sensed him approaching. There was only one person this could be. Hao Asakura.
“I just wanted to say hi, but your friends were being rude so I had to use force.”
Yoh's eyes widened and he sat up as the stranger, Hao, straightened to allow him too.
One of the support beams of the overhang on the porch was shattered as Horohoro laid in Bason's palm while Ren stood tense assessing the situation. Tokageroh was already oversouled as Ryu stood ready to jump in at any moment should it look like Yoh would be the next victim.
“Who is this asshole, Yoh?” Horohoro grunted, pushing himself out of Bason's palm and onto his feet.
“I'm Hao, the future Shaman King,” Hao declared. “Yoh here caught my interest in his last match so I wanted to introduce myself and let him know that if he continues to grow stronger then he can join me. You guys on the other hand not so much, but Spirit of Fire could always use you.”
“That's pretty presumptuous of you already assuming your going to win, or that Yoh would want to join you. I could easily defeat you myself without the help of these others,” Ren spoke, brandishing his weapon towards Hao.
Hao tutted, “I thought you already learned your lesson when you went back home, Ren.”
Ren bristled.
“Well I must be getting back,” Hao spoke, gesturing to the number of people that had shown up behind him, no doubt the countless shamans he had been busy recruiting. “I'll be seeing you, Yoh. Don't disappoint me.”
Yoh watched them retreat counting no less than fourteen people following Hao. This had suddenly become a lot more complicated than Yoh could have ever imagined, not that he'd ever truly known what was going on.
Something niggled at the back of his brain though. Hao appeared to be his age, and his face mirrored Yoh's own more that he had expected. They were related, but he still shouldn't look like a carbon copy of the face Yoh saw every morning in the mirror. The other's might not be able to pick up on it, would have no reason to suspect that Hao should even look similar to Yoh because they shared the same lineage.
“Earth to Yoh,” Horohoro spoke, waving a hand in front of Yoh's face. 'What gives? You didn't even say anything. Did you not catch anything he said?'
'Sorry. Caught me by surprise was all. And he and you guys seemed to have the talking covered.'
“I don't know why he's interested in you,” Ren scoffed, “I'm clearly stronger, not that I'd ever join him. He's as rotten as they come if his pompous attitude is anything to go by.”
“What? Remind you of someone?” Yoh teased, trying to deflect the attention off of himself and his still rattled nerves.
Ren rolled his eyes. “You need to stop attracting psychopaths to you.”
“What jealous I'm going to help him and like him better?”
“Idiot,” Ren spluttered. “Anyway it looks like our ride is here,” Ren gestured to the large plane that was being maneuvered out of the hanger.
'How can they afford their own plane?' Horohoro wondered, taking in the Patch Airlines etched onto the side with the faces of all the Patch officiants and Goldva on it.
Yoh gave him a cheeky grin and before he could sign anything Horohoro signed back, 'Don't say the will of the Great Spirits.'
They were ten hours into a twelve hour flight bound for America. The rest of the participants believed the plane would touch down in Patch Village as alluded by the Patch, but Hao knew better. He knew the oversoul would dissipate over the American Southwest and each participant would be tasked with making their way to the village within three months with no directions.
For most of the participants this would appear as an impossible task, but Hao knew every entrance and exit into the village. The landscape was sure to have changed over the past 500 years as the humans have continued to expand and colonize, but the mountain range which harbors and protects the village would still be standing strong. The humans had yet to figure out how to level entire mountains making at least one thing safe from there caustic touch.
The plane was quiet with only the thrum of the engine and the soft snores of a few participants. Everyone was sleeping no doubt knowing that jet lag awaited them at the end of their journey and that the Patch were likely not generous enough to allow them a reprieve to re-sync their internal clocks.
Opacho laid curled against his side hands tangled in his poncho as she slept. He gently carded his fingers through her hair to ward off any nightmares and to hopefully keep her mind quiet and unaffected from the same burden they shared. Hao had spent many a sleepless night alone and unable to turn off all the unwanted thoughts that intruded while others slept peacefully.
Hao only allowed himself to be so tender with Opacho on the crowded plane because everyone was asleep. His followers knew he wasn't cruel, but he was never loving. Hao wasn't sure he even knew how to love and care for someone after Matamune left him the first time, at least not until Opacho. To be so close to someone, to care so deeply about them was a weakness, and Hao knew what happened to weaknesses. They are killed like his mother, or live long enough to stab him in the back like Matamune.
He won't let the same fate befall Opacho. His love for her was for her eyes only, and maybe Luchist who was never too far away.
Something pulled at Hao's mind and he was suddenly aware that not everyone was asleep. Someone was awake. His hand stilled and Hao allowed himself to look up. Controlled like it was his choice and not prompted by anything. His eyes locked with Yoh's who had remained seated, but had poked his head around the corner to deliberately look at Hao.
How old are you? Yoh asked through the reishi before quickly amending in this lifetime?
Good. Yoh at least knew who he was. It was a gamble this afternoon and with an audience. He couldn't count on his good for nothing family for anything, and part of him wouldn't be surprised if they had sent Yoh into the lions den completely unaware.
Yoh's question told him that Yoh didn't know everything. Didn't know how deeply the two were tied. Not just by blood but by every essence of their being.
Hao also took note of how blank Yoh's mind was. The mental barriers enacted to only allow what he wanted Hao to hear to pass through to the reishi. Hao wondered if he was doing it consciously (of course in this moment he was, but other times...), or if this was a subconscious side effect unique to Yoh and Hao from their soul being split in twain. Similar to how reishi could not penetrate the heart and soul and another inflicted with the curse.
Yoh was different though. When Yoh became emotional, the barriers would shatter leaving him an open book. No matter how much Yoh would want to lock his mind down and keep Hao out in the moments it would be impossible.
Hao untangled his fingers from Opacho's hair before holding up ten and then four. Fourteen.
Yoh's eyes widen.
Bingo. Yoh didn't know, but he'd been putting together a suspicion. An eerily accurate picture with minimal information. Maybe his family hadn't told Yoh anything. Maybe all of it was conjecture on Yoh's part.
Birthday?
Hao smirked and held up five fingers. May.
Before he can finish the devastating blow and follow it up with a twelve, Yoh's head disappeared as he was yanked back around in his seat.
Interesting. One of Yoh's so called friends had woken up even though no words had been spoken.
Hao couldn't hear the words that passed between them because they weren't speaking, but the thoughts they strung together in their hands reached him with ease as Hao allowed it in.
It seemed it was a conscious effort on Yoh's part if what was unfolding before Hao was anything to go by, but he also couldn't rule out that he hadn't rattled his psyche with the exchange that was taking place.
As to the why his brother hadn't shut Hao out from this he either wanted him to eavesdrop, or didn't know that this was something Hao could read with his reishi.
What are you doing? Horohoro angrily asked.
Nothing, Yoh responded, unfazed.
You were talking to him weren't you? Horohoro accused.
So?
Listen I know you like being friends with everyone, but like Ren said he's trouble. We don't need him. Not everyone has to be come charity case for you to save.
Don't be like that, Yoh replied back, You might like him if he changes. You like Ren now, and you'd miss him if he left even if you wouldn't admit it.
Not the point, Horohoro argued, Ren was misguided. This Hao guy is just plain evil.
You don't know that.
You can't solve all your problems by making friends with everyone.
Yoh must have given Horohoro an eye roll or something because then Horohoro was squawking, Don't be like that this is serious. He could kill us. You didn't feel how strong his spirit was and he was holding back.
Everything will work out, Horohoro.
Listen I don't want your fianc é e to murder me because you wanted to make friends with the murderer who clearly wants you for something.
Hao will likely kill you before Anna could if that happened, and Anna would be more occupied with dragging my spirit back here to murder me herself so you'll be fine.
Don't joke about this. This is serious, Horohoro insisted, frustrated.
“Hao-sama too loud,” Opacho muttered, stirring from her slumber.
“I know, but we can't get rid of him yet,” Hao spoke softly, “Anyway we're almost there. It's time for everyone to get up.”
“Fall like shooting stars?”
“For a little bit only if you want too.”
“Opacho no fall. Opacho fly,” she stated sagely.
“Then hold on tight,” Hao spoke, before waking Luchist up so he could spread the word to everyone to wake up and be ready.
“You have three months to make it to Patch Village. Get their anyway you can. Anyone who doesn't reach Patch Village within the time limit will be disqualified,” Goldva's voice carried over the loudspeaker waking everyone up and halting the signed argument Yoh and Horohoro were having.
“Three. Two. One. Geronimo.”
“Gerwanna,” Horohoro rolled the the unfamiliar word around in his mouth perplexed by what it meant. Horohoro didn't have the best English but he was pretty sure the English number that came after one was zero and not gerwanna whatsit.
Horohoro was brought out of his revelry when the plan immediately disappeared and they were sent free falling thousands of kilometers above land.
“Why has everything been a freaking oversoul this month,” he moaned. “Also where did Yoh go?”
“No time to focus on that. We have to focus on not going splat,” Ren hissed.
“What so you want to leave him on his own to go splat? He was sitting right between us,” Horohoro argued. “Also Ryu wake up. How the hell are you still sleeping!?”
With a swipe of his snowboard at Ryu's hair, Ryu came to life hands immediately going to his damaged coif.
“Was that necessary?” Ryu asked.
“Yeah if you don't want to die,” Horohoro answered, gesturing at the rapidly approaching ground.
“Alright morons listen up. We're going to great a cushion with a blast from our oversouls at the last second. If you can successfully do it and not die I'll let you accompany me to Patch Village.”
“The hell. Let us,” Horohoro roared.
“It will prove you're not so weak that you're going to hold me back. Face it, Yoh is the only one with promise out of you lot.”
“Says that last guy to figure out his dad was an oversoul.”
The resulting shriek was deafened by the three oversouls slamming into the ground at once as their shamans landed safely on their feet.
“Hah!” Horohoro shouted, triumphantly.
“Incoming,” Ryu spoke watching as something came speeding at them.
Another oversoul later, and smoke cleared from the crater to reveal Yoh standing there as he threw an arm up to catch his headphones falling back down to the earth.
'Where did you go?' Horohoro asked, eyeing him suspiciously unsure if this was an impostor.
“Signing's really hard when you're free falling, and it makes lipreading even harder. So Hao picked me up out of the air told me what I had to do and then shoved me back off his spirit saying he wasn't going to do everything for me.”
“How considerate of him,” Ren spoke, the sarcasm dripping heavily from his voice.
“I could have figured it out myself,” Yoh pouted.
“Well then start figuring out how to get to Patch Village if you're so smart,” Ren said, eyeing the wide open desert.
“Route 66. The lifeblood of American culture. Connecting Chicago all the way out west to Santa Monica, California. The dream of every free spirit to transverse that sacred route even though its been paved over with other interstates,” Ryu spoke reverently.
“What are you going on about?” Ren sighed.
“It's not coincidence our journey starts here. With my legendary oversoul Big Thumb we will embody the adventurous spirit of the American hitchhikers.”
“Weren't they poor?” Ren asked, scandalized.
“Don't worry Ren you can pay for the hotels,” Yoh spoke.
“Tokageroh let's go!” Ryu called, holding his giant green oversoul out into the night.
“No one's going to see that unless there a shaman idiot,” Ren muttered, slapping his face.
Not a moment later a truck pulled up bound for Yonta Fe. The man, Billy Anderson, allowed them to climb into the back of his truck as stars shown in his eyes. He mutter something about “his own little Roswell” and “God, he hoped the Men in Black didn't find him”.
They didn't know what they'd find in Yonta Fe or even how they would find Patch Village, but they had three months and it couldn't be too hard right? The Patch wouldn't present them with an impossible task without at least giving them a hint.
The settled in with the cool breeze of the desert at night whipping against their skin. They pulled on jackets to lessen the sting of the air, and looked up at the stars in an untouched part of the American frontier.