A/N: Yeah...felt like updating something other than Of Friendship And Change, because I needed a break from it. However, my readers for that, I have started chapter...um, whatever chapter we're on.

Note: Also, I apologise that this is indeed, for me, a hugely short chapter. Though it appears that with this story, the chapter do come short. I do not plan to change this. But, I do plan, because my last exam is tomorrow, to update more often. Though I will be away with no internet access or computer access from Monday till Saturday next week, I will try my best to write more. I have become more involved in this story,and my refreshed reading of it as spurred me on and reminded me of why I started it. I would very much like to continue it. I plan to.

ItalicsChinese

Chapter 10

"Ren! Wait up! Ren!"

The Chinese boy only slowed for a moment to let his boyfriend catch up, before continuing with his fast pace down the wide hallway. He could hear the others trying to keep up, and their spirit control were the only things lighting the dark passageway.

Ren stopped suddenly, and Yoh bumped into the back of him with a yelp.

"Bason." Ren commanded his spirit to appear.

When nothing happened he turned to face the crowd of friends behind him with a confused look.

"Bason?" He called louder, hoping to be heard.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and Yoh let out a breath.

"Ren, when you were being controlled, you...disowned Bason. You banished him from your sight. Don't you remember?" Yoh asked.

Ren's eyes widened, and he felt a surge of dread run through his veins as his mind recalled what had happened. Guilt was ready and waiting for him.

"B-Bason...Bason I'm sorry...you have always stood by me, and I just let you go like that. I can't defeat En without you Bason." Ren mumbled the rest in Chinese, and the others looked amongst themselves.

The hand on Ren's shoulder squeezed a little.

"Ren, Amidamaru is looking for Bason, I told him to tell him that you're back."Yoh smiled.

Ren sighed.

"I can't believe it Yoh. Even before I met you, Bason was always my Guardian Ghost, even when I used him as a tool, it was him, no other ghost. I just...disowned him. In seconds. I didn't even think about it, it just happened. He was the most loyal ghost I could have ever asked for and I banished him." Ren shook his head.

"Listen Ren, he'll forgive you, he knows that you were being controlled. He'll come back, he's loyal, like you said. Right now, you need to focus on Jun, she could be in trouble." Yoh reminded him.

Ren tried to pull himself together, pushing the haunting feeling of guilt into a cupboard for the moment. Yoh was right, he had a sister that needed his help.

"Come on. I know where my father will be."He said, starting for the end of the hallway.

They walked for near enough five minutes, the silence was unbearable, only being broken by the falling of feet, the clatter of weapons hitting the floor occasionally, and the concerned sighs of the youngest Tao.

Ren felt a warm hand reach out to touch his shoulder again, and he lifted his sad gaze from the floor to look Yoh in the eye.

"You can do this Ren. I know you can, we are all behind you, no matter what."He said, a sincere smile gracing his face.

Ren turned slowly to face his companions, and in that moment, he realised, Yoh spoke the truth. The group of Shaman, warriors, friends, standing before him. Each with fire behind their gazing eyes, each beaming with pride and each ready and waiting to help their friend. Ren had never before felt so honoured, and even now, without his Guardian Ghost, he had never felt as strong. He could be Tao En.

Because Tao En didn't have the power of friendship to fall back on.

"Thank-you. All of you. I know that...I know that I don't show any of you how much I appreciate your friendship, and I often insult you, and shout at you all. I-I know that you don't deserve that treatment any more than my father deserves forgiveness, and I am willing to make changes when this is over. I know that to finish this off completely, I must start new. I have to let go of my past, and not only defeat my darkness, but change anything that makes me dark. Including my anger, my anti-social behaviour, and my tendency to hit Horo over the head for being a complete dolt."

The group burst out laughing at the last statement, and even Ren allowed a cocky smirk to overtake his features. The Ainu mock glared at his best friend, and shook his head.

"You'd better not change too much Ren, we like you for you, not your past."Horo grinned.

Ren nodded. "Don't worry; I won't stop telling you when I think you're being a dick head."

Horo laughed at that and gave Ren a playful shove, the Tao pushing back a little and smiling.

"Well, behind these doors lies the most influential man you'll ever have the chance of meeting Lyserg."Ren turned to his green haired friend.

"Yeah, and he has a moustache."Horo commented.

"I remember now, you kept taking the piss out of him!" Yoh laughed form the other side of Ren.

"It amazes me how even though this seems to be a very serious matter, you all can joke, and simply go for it. I think I shall learn from your example. When accompanying you in this battle, I'll stay strong and optimistic. It seems to work for you guys at least."Lyserg smiled.

Ryu stroked his sword as Tokogero appeared beside him.

"Well short stuff, it's time to teach your old man a lesson, it seems he wasn't listening the last time."He said, proceeding to merge his ghost with his wooden sword.

Chocolove grinned.

"I could crack a joke. But I guess that would piss you off, so I'll just let it go for now, and amuse you with my amazingly talented joke telling talent later, when we defeat this En guy together." Mic appeared next to him, and he reached out to stroke the air where the creature-ghost stood.

Ren smirked at his friends.

"Let's do it."

A/N: Yes, another chapter. Finally you say? Yes, I know. I would appreciate reviews, they boost my ego. Flames and ignored, and constructive criticism is welcomed.

REVIEW PLEASE!