Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ A New Life ❯ The Trip ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter 1

 

“Wow! Hao looks so cool! But so does Yoh! Aw man. I can't choose between them. Grrr!” Rika Matsumuto mumbled as she watched her favorite show Shaman King. She sighed as her blue-black hair covered her green eyes like a curtain. She quickly found a hair-tie and pulled it back into a ponytail. “Sometimes it's annoying to have long hair, I mean; I almost missed a good scene.” Then she sat transfixed to the TV. She sighed again as Hao Asakura jumped into view with his cape flying around him and his bare chest showed. “He's so....kawaii!' she thought, blushing. She stopped though when she saw Yoh Asakura flash a lazy smile. `He's so…kawaii!' “I can't decide! I'm gonna go nuuuuuttttssss!” she cried as she fell face-first off her bed onto the floor. “……Ow.” She jumped back up when she heard a yell of pain. She looked at the screen. It showed Tao Ren being hit by a with-like girl named Matilda. “Man, I wish I could be a shaman in Yoh's world. Then I could help Yoh, though I'd hate to fight Hao.” Rika whispered at she looked outside at the stars of the real Tokyo. She turned her just as a shooting star passed at her last words. Suddenly the TV went blank and the lights flickered off. “Is that your wish, little one?” a voice whispered. Rika clutched the blankets in fright. “Who's there? What do you want?” A scent of cinnamon washed over her and it felt as if someone was sitting next to her. “Do not be afraid, my dear. I am here to grant your wish,” the voice said. Rika instantly liked it; it was sweet and comforting, it mad her feel calm. “Who are you?” she asked. Again the scent of cinnamon surrounded her. “Come outside dear. It's getting quite stuffy in here.” Rika frowned, confused at this. It was actually cool in her room, but she didn't ponder on this long before the voice and its presence disappeared, it seemed through her door. She followed, feeling silly, down the stairs to find the door open and a blast of cold air hit her full in the face. She quickly took a look at clothes: PJ bottoms and a tank-top with no socks. `Not exactly winter clothes but I can't go back and change now,' Rika thought as she slipped on a thin coat and slippers. She raced out closing the door behind gently so her neighbors wouldn't wake up. She stopped and took a look at the apartment building before her. She lived by herself because her parents had been killed two years ago in a car accident. Rika was 16 and had a part-time job so she could pay rent. The owner hadn't mind her age since she was paying him. Rika shook her head and walked out near a tree. “Hello? Are you still here?” she called softly. “Right here, darling.” Rika jumped as the presence suddenly appeared behind her. She turned and gasped. The moonlight gave off great light and showed a slightly transparent woman smiling at Rika. She was tall with white hair, light amber eyes, and light cream skin. She wore dark blue robes decorated with white patches that resembled stars. Rika just stared in awe. The woman chuckled and laid a hand on Rika's shoulder. “Hello again, young Rika. It is so very nice to see you again,” she said and hugged Rika. “`Again'?” she echoed. The woman stood back and nodded. “Yes, little one. My name is Aylah (I-la). I am your guardian ghost. The spirit of wind. I've watched over you ever since you were born. And I'm here to grant your wish. By the way, I must say how well you've grown. You are such a lady now.” Rika backed away. “Hold on…..what? What do you mean you've watching me since I was born? Is this some kind of trick? You can't be a ghost can you?” Aylah bowed her head. “Yes. I am a ghost. Your guardian. I'm sorry I never showed myself before, but your shaman side didn't kick in until you made that wish,” she answered. Rika's mouth dropped in shock. “I-I'm a shaman? Yeah! My wish came true! Wait, my wish, you said you were here to grant it? Does that mean I get to go to the Shaman King world? Please!” Aylah again chuckled. “Of course, little one. But I must warn you, things will be slightly different. The people will be stronger. Even more dangerous enemies will appear. And Yoh's group will be teenagers, your age. Are you prepared?” Rika was jumping up and down. “Yes! Totally ready! Let's go!” Aylah nodded and a strong wind picked up, whirling around Rika. A light exploded and she felt herself vanishing. Than everything went black. *** Rika blinked: once, twice three times and still once more. The buildings were different, more old-fashioned. She was sitting on something solid, like rock that was resting on a familiar hill that over-looked the town. She looked down to see a tombstone. It was broken in half, yet Rika could just make out the name. “A-amid-damaru. Amidamaru…woah...Sweet! I'm here! Aylah! Aylah! Where are you?” “Here, little one,” a sweet voice said on her right. Rika glanced over to find Aylah floating over her shoulder. “You did it! We're here!” Rika said in pure delight. “Of course, that was your wish. Now, darling, I think we should find a place to stay. You look cold. I don't want you to get sick,” she said with a tone of concern in her voice. Rika smiled and nodded before running down through the cemetery. `This is the Funbari Hill Cemetery. Where Yoh hangs out!' she thought excitedly. She jumped over the gate into the shining town. She looked at the night sky. “Yoh was right, Aylah, the stars are beautiful here,” she whispered to the spirit floating beside her. “Yes, they are,” Aylah answered softly. “Look! There's the place where Yoh helped Kanta the painter! And there's the Funbari Museum! Wow! It's so big, the city,” Rika pointed out the buildings as they ran past. Suddenly she stopped near a bridge and looked around. “What's the matter, little one?” Aylah asked. Rika shivered before answering, “I don't know where to go. I'm lost. And I'm not sure where Yoh's house is.” Aylah shook her head. “Then what do we do? Wh- Are you ok? You look pale, dear,” she stopped when she saw Rika cowered down by the bridge, shivering badly. “I'm ok, just a little cold. C'mon, let's look around till we find Yoh's place. I didn't bring money for a hotel.” And with that she stood up and ran in one direction. “Rika! Wait for me!” Aylah cried floating after her. Rika walked through a crowed of people, searching for signs. `Let's see…this is...no...um...that place…ahhh! I'm lost!' She walked up to a person and tapped on his shoulder. “E-excuse me sir. Do you know where Yoh Asakura lives?” The person wheeled around. “Sure I do. I'm staying with him after all.” Rika gasped. “Lyserg!” He gave her a confused look. “Do I know you?” he asked. Rika shook her head. “No, I'm sorry, we've never met but I've heard of you and your spirit, Morphin. You're a dowser, right?” Lyserg looked surprised. “Yeah, I am. Are you a shaman?” Rika hesitated. “Um...oh yeah! Yes, I'm a shaman. My names Rika Matsumuto. Here comes my spirit now. Hey Aylah! C'mere!” Aylah finally caught up and stopped next to her, huffing. “Finally! You run fast, you know? Oh, who's this person, dear? A new friend?” Lyserg stared, amazed at how close this girl and her spirit were. `They remind me of Yoh and Amidamaru,' he thought. He was brought back to earth as Rika began waving her hand in front of his face. “Hello? Anyone in there?” Lyserg nodded. “Hey Lyserg, welcome back. So anyway, can you bring me back to Yoh's house with y-y-y-ACHOO!! Sorry, it's just really cold out here,” Rika said sniffing. “Oh, here. You're not dressed right for this kind of weather. It is only a couple of weeks till Christmas,” Lyserg said as he removed his green coat and placed it around her. “C'mon, let's go find Yoh and the others. You see Yoh's fiancé, Anna (Rika silently growled at the word `fiancé') sent us out for groceries. There's Ryo and Horohoro over there. Ren and Yoh can't be that far away,” Lyserg said leading her over to his friends. Rika swayed a little, suddenly feeling dizzy. “Hey guys!” Lyserg called out. Ryu and Horohoro turned from arguing over some fruit, grinning. “Hey Lyserg!” They greeted, not noticing Rika right away. “Where's Yoh and Ren?” Lyserg asked. Ryu pointed over at a noodle stand. “Buying some Raman Noodles. Hey, who's the girl? Your girlfriend?” He and Horohoro laughed. Lyserg blushed and shook his head. “N-no! This is Rika. She's a shaman too.” Rika waved, still dizzy. “There you are Lyserg! Where have you been?” They all turned to the cheerful voice to see Yoh Asakura. Rika blushed, taking in the sight. Yoh stood there in his beige coat with a scarf holding on to some bags in one hand and flashing that lazy smile that Rika loved so much. “And who's this?” a cold voice belonging to Tao Ren, who stepped out beside Yoh, said. “R-rika Matsumuto,” Rika mumbled loud enough for them to hear. Yoh stepped up to her and put his face close to hers. Rika blushed lightly. “Are you ok? You look sick,” Yoh said. He lifted up his free hand and laid it on her forehead. “Now that you mention it...” Rika started. “You're burning up!” Yoh exclaimed, “We should get you inside. You can stay at my house. Do you need some help walking?” Rika was about to shake her head when suddenly her knees buckled and she fell into Yoh's arms, unconscious. “Rika!” Aylah cried. “That's ok, I'll carry her home,” Yoh said, concerned. He hand Lyserg his bags and picked up Rika bridal style. “C'mon guys!” “Yoh-sama, Lady Anna isn't going to like this,” Ryu said as they walked along. “We'll find someway of calming her down later, right now we need to get Rika inside and warmed up. And you don't need to worry, you'll fit right in,” Yoh told Aylah, who was hovering over Rika.