Chapter Two: The boy who dances with ghosts.

When Shiro woke up he was sitting against a tree in what seemed to be a graveyard.

When he stood up he saw the graveyard was on top of a hill and from there he could look over a city and he could look at the stars.

Where am I? He thought.

What is this place?

Then the darkness surrounded him and started to take form…

Shiro started to feel warm, too warm.

What’s happening?

Shiro was surrounded by five dark creatures.

Shiro held his hand up in the air like Yami had done before and the shadow slayer appeared in his hand.

Then two of the five creatures started to attack Shiro.

Suddenly there was a flash and the two creatures vanished.

‘’It seems you could need a hand.’’ Someone said from behind him.

When Shiro turned around he saw a boy smiling at him.

The boy was holding a katana in his right hand.

‘’Watch out!’’ The boy yelled and Shiro ducked away just in time to dodge the attack.

He charged at the creature who attack him and slashed it in two.

Then the boy stood next to Shiro and they fought the creatures together.

When the creatures were gone they sat down at the tree where Shiro woke up earlier.

‘’Thanks for the help.’’ Shiro said.

‘’You’re welcome’’ The boy replied.

‘’I’m Shiro’’

‘’The name’s Asakura Yoh.’’ He said smiling.

‘’What was that sword you were using just now?’’ He asked.

‘’I don’t really know. All I know is that it’s called a shadow slayer.’’

‘’And what were those creatures?’’

‘’I suppose it were shadows. I haven’t seen them before but I can guess it were shadows.’’

‘’It seems you’re in quite a situation.’’ Yoh said.

‘’Yeah, kind of.’’ Shiro replied.

‘’Where is this place anyway?’’ He asked.

‘’This is Funbari Tokyo.’’

‘’I’m in Japan? But how? Japan looked totally different when I was there last year.’’

‘’I don’t really know what seems to be the problem but if I can I’d like to help you.’’ Yoh said.

‘’Thanks but I don’t want to involve anyone.’’

‘’Why don’t you come to my place and we’ll talk there.’’

‘’Okay, we’ll do that, thanks Yoh.’’

‘’I don’t mind.’’

Then Yoh and Shiro walked to Yohs house and Shiro could see what Funbari was about.

‘’Funbari looks like a nice town to me.’’

‘’Yeah, it is, it’s really nice to live here.’’

‘’It’ll take a while to get to my house because it is in Izumo.

Quite a distance from here.’’

‘’Ah I don’t mind, this way I can see something of the neighborhood.’’

‘’We’re here.’’ Yoh said after a while.

‘’Is this your house?’’ Shiro asked impressed.

They were standing in front of a big Inn.

‘’Welcome to Flame Inn, home of the Asakura family.’’

‘’Your house is amazing.’’

Yoh laughed.

‘’Thanks.’’

‘’Anna! I’m home!’’ Yoh yelled.

‘’Who’s Anna.’’

‘’My fiancé.’’

‘’WHAT?!’’ Shiro yelled surprised.

‘’My fiancé. Were going to marry.’’

‘’You…you’re going to marry!? But you…you’re…’’

Yoh laughed.

‘’I expected something like that.’’ He said.

‘’Do you want some tea?’’

‘’Yeah, I’d like that.’’

‘’Follow me.’’

They walked over to the living room and Yoh told Shiro to sit down at the table and wait for him to get some tea.

‘’Who are you?’’ someone said with a cold voice.

Shiro turned around scared.

There was a girl laying on the ground behind him, in front of the TV.

‘’Who are you?’’ She asked again.

‘’I…I… I’m Shiro.’’ Shiro said afraid.

‘’Yoh and I fought some monsters together and he asked me if I wanted to come along with him.’’

‘’You better be who you say you are or else…’’ The girl said threatening.

Then Yoh returned.

‘’Ah, I see you’ve met Anna already.’’ Yoh said with a smile.

Anna sighed.

‘’What a coward.’’ She said.

Yoh sat down at the table and gave Shiro his tea.

Shiro was still scared.

‘’Thank you for helping me.’’ he said eventually.

‘’No problem. By the way, what was that sword you were using just now?’’

‘’That was a shadow slayer. I don’t really know what it is either. Long story. But uhhhm… Didn’t you ask that once before?’’

‘’Yeah, but well, maybe you’d tell me something more this time. Maybe you’re holding something back, and if so I’d like you to tell me so. I’m your friend and I would seriously like to help you.’’ Yoh said carefully but with a smile.

‘’Tell him. you’ll regret it if you don’t. Trust me, I know.’’ Anna said.

Shiro sighed.

‘’I guess you’re right. I come from another dimension. My twin-sister and I were living on an island out in the Pacific Ocean. The island was named Sulicia. Then one stormy night, I woke up and heard a scream. I recognized the voice as my sisters’, so I ran down and followed the noise. Eventually I arrived at a peak and saw a cloaked man, which had his face covered by a hood. He told me he was Khan. He was carrying my unconscious sister and told me some weird story about an evil organization and my sister being a dimensional goddess, and he being the leader of that organization. He took her and disappeared through a dimensional portal. I followed him and arrived at a silent and dark dimension. I ran looking for my sister, but I couldn’t find her. Then I met some guy named Yami. He told me he was me, my evil me. Then I fought him and that was when I first saw a shadow slayer. Yami was using one. When he and I charged at each other there was a flash and we were blow away from each other. Then Yami said something about destiny not wanting us to kill each other already, so Yami disappeared through a dimensional portal and I started looking for my sister again. Which brought me to a great hall in which Khan was standing. Then we fought and right at the moment Khan wanted to finish me off, a shadow slayer appeared in my hand and blocked Khan’s attack. Then Khan sent me off into another dimension, this dimension and sent a few shadows after me to finish the job, which didn’t work.’’ Shiro said.

‘’Wow… That’s some story…’’ Yoh said amazed.

‘’I guess it wasn’t coincidence we met. I believe we’re destined to meet, and I believe I am destined to aid you in your quest of retrieving your sister.’’

‘’Shiro.’’ Yoh said seriously.

‘’I WILL go with you, I WILL help you with your quest, no matter what you’ll say.’’

‘’But…I…you…thanks…’’ Shiro said.

‘’And how about you?’’ He asked.

‘’That attack just now, what was it.’’

‘’Shinkuu Buddagiri.’’ Yoh explained.

‘’Japanese for Celestial Slash, mine and Amidamaru’s combined powers.’’

‘’Amidamaru?’’

‘’Yes, my guardian spirit.’’

‘’Yoh, don’t tell me you haven’t told him what you are yet.’’ Anna said.

Yoh laughed a stupidly.

‘’No, not really.’’

‘’Well…’’ Anna said.

‘’OK, OK, OK!!! I’m a Shaman.’’

‘’A what?’’ Shiro asked.

‘’A Shaman, one who fights with the spirits of dead people. Amidamaru is the spirit of a great samurai who lived 600 years ago. He’s the samurai of the legend.’’

‘’What legend?’’ Shiro asked.

‘’There’s a legend that tells that Amidamaru was an Evil samurai that lived 600 years ago. As the legend tells Amidamaru had killed a thousand men before he got killed himself. Wow, that’s some story.’’ Shiro replied amazed.

‘’Yeah.’’ Yoh said smiling.

‘’But the legend’s wrong. Amidamaru isn’t an evil spirit. He all did it to help his friend, Mosuke. Mosuke was Amidamaru’s best friend, and royal smith. He was asked to forge great weapons for the Emperor and his army. Mosuke did a great job doing so, but the Emperor became scared. What if Mosuke would forge weapons for other Emperors and their armies too. That would be disastrous, so the Emperor ordered Amidamaru to assassinate the royal smith. Amidamaru agreed in doing so, but the only thing he didn’t know was the royal smith being his best friend Mosuke. When they met each other Amidamaru couldn’t bring himself to killing his best friend, which is right. So Amidamaru let Mosuke run away. When the Emperor got word of that he sent his army to punish Amidamaru for his sins. But of course, Amidamaru fought back, cause he didn’t want himself to get killed. But eventually he fell, after killing the army along with the Emperor.’’ Yoh said.

‘’What and amazing story.’’ Shiro said, still amazed.

‘’I feel sorry for Amidamaru…To be ordered to kill your best friend…That’s just wrong…’’ Shiro said sadly.

‘’Yeah, but if that wouldn’t have happened we’d have never met.’’ Yoh said with a smile.

‘’Yeah, I guess…’’

‘’We should be thankful to Amidamaru then.’’

‘’Yeah, we should.’’

‘’Well then… thanks Amidamaru’’ Yoh eventually said with a smile.

‘’Enough crap talk.’’ He said.

‘’Let’s go do something fun.’’

‘’Yoh.’’ Anna said calmly.

‘’Don’t forget about your shaman training.’’

Yoh sighed.

‘’I won’t.’’ He said sadly.

After that Shiro and Yoh went out for a walk.

‘’Don’t mind her.’’ Yoh said.

‘’Huh!? What?’’ Shiro said surprised.

‘’Anna.’’ Yoh said.

‘’She might seem strict. But on the inside she cares. That’s why she’s always watching me. I can’t do anything without her knowing. But at least I can be sure nothing happens to me.’’ He eventually said smiling.

Then they heard a scream.

‘’What was that?’’ Yoh asked.

‘’I don’t know, but it sounded like trouble.’’ Shiro replied.

‘’It came from…that way.’’ Yoh said.

And they ran in the direction where the scream came from.

When they arrived Shiro and Yoh saw a big dark being, a shadow.

‘’Go away you big dark ugly monster!’’ Yoh screamed.

Yoh ran towards the shadow and sliced its leg.

‘’What!? It’s no use. It’s too strong for me to fight it without Amidamaru.’’ He said.

‘’Here goes. Amidamaru! Spirit Form!’’ (Transforms your guardian spirit into its “soul ball” form.) Hyoi Gattai!’’ (Fuse yours and your guardian’s spirits into one using the body of the shaman. Also known as Unity.)

Yoh screamed while running towards the shadow again and preparing his katana.

‘’TAKE THIS!’’ Yoh screamed.

‘’SHINKUU…BUDDAGIRI!’’

Then from his katana a shining energy-slash was fired towards the shadow, which cut of his leg.

Yoh laughed. ‘’Take that you ugly monster!’’

Then suddenly it’s leg regenerated.

‘’WHAT?!’’

‘’No way!’’ Yoh screamed.

‘’Shiro! Why are you standing there?’’

‘’Come on and help me!’’ He said.

‘’I…but…but…’’ Shiro replied hesitating.

‘’Come on! Just shut up and help me!’’

‘’Okay! I will.’’

Shiro raised his hand.

At the moment the shadow slayer appeared Shiro bursted towards the Shadow, jumped and with one slash he cut of its arm.

‘’Yeah! That’s more like it!’’ Yoh said.

‘’Come on. Let’s beat this punk up together.’’

Then Yoh and Shiro stood back to back and together charged at the shadow.

When in front of the shadow they jumped into the air.

‘’SHINKUU!’’ Yoh screamed.

‘’TAKE THIS!’’ Shiro yelled.

Then they all, Yoh & Amidamaru and Shiro, yelled at the same time.

‘’BUDDAGIRI!’’ ‘’SHADOW SLASH!’’

Out of their weapons shining, half-moon-shaped, energy-slashes were fired, getting bigger the closer they came to their target.

Yoh’s was white and Shiro’s was black.

Then they hit the shadow which started screaming as if it was burning in the flames of Hell.

Both its legs were cut of and its remaining arm.

Because it was so run down it started to fall apart into little, shining, sparkly things.

‘’Nice attack.’’ Yoh said.

‘’When did you learn that?’’ He asked.

‘’I don’t know.’’ Shiro replied.

‘’I just yelled something which popped into my mind, and then that dark energy-slash came out of my shadow slayer.’’

‘’Well, I think it was cool.’’ Yoh said smiling.

‘’You did great.’’ He said.

‘’You and Amidamaru did two.’’ Shiro said smiling.

‘’I hope those things wont keep coming back. I can’t handle them with this sword. Only you can beat them with that shadow slayer of yours.’’

‘’Yeah, you’re right. But, they’re only coming after me, so, if I leave, then, they won’t come here anymore.’’

‘’But I can’t leave you alone with those things hunting after you. I’m going with you. When will we leave?’’

‘’As soon as possible.’’ Shiro replied.

‘’I don’t want the shadows to mess around in this dimension anymore.’’

‘’What about tonight?’’ Yoh asked.

‘’That’s fine with me.’’

‘’Then it’s settled, tonight we’ll be going.’’

‘’Okay.’’

The rest of the day they loafed around Funbari Tokyo till nightfall.

When they arrived at Flame Inn Anna was in a bad mood.

She was waiting for them outside the front door.

‘’Where were you all day? What about your training?’’

‘’About that, Shiro and I had to fight a shadow, you know, one of those monsters who are after him. It wasn’t easy, but we beat it. So I thought that was enough training for today. So we loafed around town and relaxed a bit. By the way, tonight I’ll be going with Shiro. To help him on his quest.’’

‘’That’s exactly why you have to train more. Since you couldn’t beat it easily you have to train harder. And how could you think of going away? What about the shaman tournament? I won’t allow you to go and quit your training to go out on some crazy adventure. My husband has to be the shaman king. If not, I can’t live an easy live. So, sorry Shiro, but Yoh isn’t coming with you.’’

‘’Aw, come on Anna. Don’t be like that.’’

‘’I'll increase your daily amount of training.’’

‘’Aw, no, please.’’ Yoh begged, but it was no use.

No one could ever stand up against the will of the almighty Anna.

‘’Well, I'll be leaving then.’’

‘’What, already?’’ Yoh asked.

‘’Yes, Defcon one wont just do nothing and wait for me to come and take back my sister.’’

‘’Yeah, I guess you're right.’’ Yoh said.

‘’Well, I'll be sending you off with the best regards of Anna and me.’’

‘’Thanks.’’ Shiro said.

‘’I appreciate it.’’

Shiro made a few back steps and he raised his hand, revealing the shadow slayer once again.

I don't really know what to do now.

Do I need to say something?

Then Shiro started to hear voices inside his mind.

Interdimensional Travel System Activating……………

What's this feeling? Shiro thought while his heart started to beat more rapidly.

Revealing Dimensional Gate……………

Suddenly a dimensional portal was revealed.

What are these words in my head. It's like some kind of virtual system is getting ready to activate.

‘’Shiro, what's wrong?’’ Yoh asked.

Requesting gate Access……………Gate Access Granted……………

‘’I think it's time for me to go.’’

‘’What do you mean? Shiro, what's wrong?’’

Dimensional Gate Open!

‘’Thanks for everything.’’

‘’Shiro, what's wrong?’’

Then Shiro walked into the gate while saying his last words to Yoh and Anna.

‘’Goodbye.’’

‘’Shiro, wait!’’ Yoh yelled after Shiro, but it was already too late.

Shiro went through the gate, into the interdimensional galaxy.

I hope I can see Yoh and the others again. Shiro thought while drifting between dimensions.

All the things we’ve done together…This friendship can’t end here, I’m sure we’ll meet again.

Then when Shiro looked up he saw a shiny spot in the distance.

He tried to get over to the spot, but is was rather hard to get there.

Eventually he got there and when he did he saw it was a shining fairy.

She had dirty blond hair, and a cute, pretty face.

She had, compared to her body, giant wings and they were like twice the size of her body.

Her height was, like, the height of Shiro’s head.

She was surrounded by a blue light and she looked really peaceful lying there unconscious.

What is she doing here? How did she get here? Shiro thought.

What should I do? I can’t just let her be like this.

And like that Shiro took her in his arms and flew further into the dark distance of the interdimensional world.

Suddenly, after a few minutes, a dimensional portal opened, sucking Shiro into another dimension.

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