Forgotten Memories

Memories from the Past

The train ride to Shimokita where Osorezan was located was awfully quiet. Despite the comfort and luxury the coach offered, the atmosphere remained tense and no one spoke a word since the gang left Funbari Onsen in a hurry. Even Ren and Horo Horo just sat still and were not in the mood for any catfight. Somehow, everyone was trying to sense what's going on Yoh's head at the moment. The look of shock never left his face from the time when he put down the telephone and told them that something had happened to his fiancée in Osorezan and that he needed to go there fast. They had never seen Yoh looked so frightened in his entire life.

Yoh sat up and looked out from the train's window. The moon was full and bright and the world seemed peaceful in the glorious night. Manta and the others were already snoring their heads off. No matter how hard he closed his eyes, Yoh just couldn't find any urge to sleep. His grandmother did not elaborate what happened over the phone since she herself had not yet seen her student and was also on her way to the holy mountain from Izumo. This was the second time Yoh felt so worried sick in his life. The first was when he rode the very same train to Osorezan to meet his future wife.

"It's been years since I first saw you there," Yoh began to speak softly to no one while staring at the darkness outside. Scenes from the past began flashing in his mind ---- his journey to the holy mountain with the cat guardian spirit, Matamune, his first encounter with Anna, his fight with the Oni, Matamune's sacrifice. These were the sort of memories that were unforgettable. "If you only knew how anxious I was that day. I was aware of the family tradition and never thought twice that you were a powerful woman. You scared me the first time we met. You scared me still. I already lost Matamune in that place. I don't want also to lose you there."

Hao stared blankly at the small bonfire before him. He just woke up from another dream --- the one that kept on bothering him since the day he left the blond itako out in the cold in the holy mountain. Anna Kyouyama --- his twin brother's fiancée really caught his interest. He even remarked before that she could be an appropriate Shaman queen. However, his recurring dreams were suggesting that she might really have been his queen in his former life. If that's the case, I left you crying in the past and days ago, I left you almost lifeless. He couldn't believe himself for harboring these guilty feelings.

"Is something bothering you, Master Hao?" Argon, his new spirit materialized by his side. Hao gave him a fleeting look then returned his gaze to the burning flame in front of him. There was something he didn't like about his new spirit that he couldn't point his finger on. Perhaps Argon didn't look as powerful and as menacing as his Spirit of Fire. Perhaps he was, shall we say, so human. In spite of this, Hao needed him. Argon was the one who found him dying in the desert. He needed Argon's power to revive his own. He needed him so he could pursue his plans of making his twin brother suffer for the humiliation he had caused him. His angry vengeful thoughts were brushed away by his inquisitive spirit when he asked, "Are you worried about the itako?"

"Why would I be?" Hao smiled and answered him with another question.

"You seemed so fond of her. I could kill her that time if you wanted me to."

"I didn't want her dead in the first place. She is an important tool in bringing Yoh's downfall and I suppose you are going to assist me in this all the way?" Hao was not fully convinced of his new spirit's allegiance.

"You have my full support and loyalty, Master Hao." The spirit bowed down before him. "Although you couldn't remember me, I had been a follower of yours since your days in the Patch tribe. I was the one who took care of your wife and child when you have left for the Shaman Fight."

Hao tried to recall everything the spirit was saying but only one image kept on flashing in his mind --- the image of a crying woman and a child. "Do you think the itako we left at Osorezan had something to do with my past?"

"She showed some resemblance to your past wife. That is why I used that memory to haunt her dreams."

"Then how foolish of Anna to fall for a forged dream, a fake memory," Hao smirked.

"Sometimes dreams are manifestations of one's forgotten memories, Master Hao."

Hao was becoming annoyed of his human spirit. "Enough of this nonsense talk. You haven't given me my daily dose of Furyoku yet."

"I'm sorry for my boldness, Master Hao. This furyoku that I'm going to transfer to you is from the shaman who is guarding this forest." Argon then touched Hao's forehead with his pointing finger which emitted a red light. Hao relished the sudden surge of Furyoku in his body. He felt invincible again that he began to laugh. His maniacal laughter was softened by a gust of strong wind which startled a flock of birds resting on the trees. Their flutter of wings was last heard before the night went still.