Anna's eyes drifted from the ceiling and across the kitchen table to meet Faust's concerned look.

"It all still doesn't make sense to me." she sighed.
Faust turned to the long-haired council shaman standing on the other side of the room. "Would you mind explaining again what you understand to have happened, Silva?" gently asked Faust.
Silva sighed slowly whilst closing his eyes and lowering his head slightly. He stepped closer to the center of the room.
"The Great Spirits can behave in strange and mysterious ways, Anna." he began. "From what I can gather from what Faust has already explained, Yoh experienced a relapse of his bound soul with Hao. The first time their souls became one, and then became separated: Yoh's soul yearned to be one again." Silva paused for a moment, glancing at Faust.
"Yes," continued Faust. "Yoh has explained everything to me, and if what he says is true, he remembers completely how it felt to be one with Hao. The symptoms he had described are that of a person who is addicted to ecstasy. It felt…" he trailed off, noticing Anna looking solemnly at the ceiling once again.
"And Hao's brief period of total memory loss…?" she asked quietly.
"I can not be sure," began Faust. "But it appears that when Hao separated from Yoh the first time, Yoh had retained part of Hao's soul, and also part of his memories. I can only assume that is the reason Hao experienced a brief period of amnesia… and also why Yoh was hearing voices and seeing 'visions'." Faust finished, exchanging glances with Silva once again. "However, because Hao has refused to explain his version of events, this is simply a theory."

After a short period of silence, Anna lifted her head slightly to look at the doctor sitting in front of her.

"Do you think it is possible Yoh may want to become 'one' with Hao again?" she said softly, barely a whisper. Her eyes glazed over slightly at the thought.
"I don't know." Faust said firmly. "At this point, we can not rule it out."
The silence grew again until Silva approached Anna, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I have faith in the Great Spirits. And I believe in my heart that all this happened for a reason. The world was unbalanced, and now it is right once more." he smiled at her.
Anna softly placed her hand across Silva's comforting hand and looked at him, smiling briefly. She then turned her gaze once again to the same spot on the ceiling.
"I just hope Yoh sees it like that too…" she whispered.
Moments later, foot steps could be heard throughout the Inn, as a long haired shaman and a short puffy haired child walked slowly past the open kitchen door and then outside onto the front porch. HoroHoro appeared in the doorway of the kitchen and managed a soft smile.
"He's leaving now," HoroHoro announced to the three of them. "I… er… will see him off." He disappeared quickly from the doorway and followed his two friends outside.
Anna stood up slowly, her eyes closed. She stood up strait and adjusted herself.
"Let's just get this over with." she said in the firmest voice she could manage.

Outside, Hao was standing on the porch, his usual smile painted on his lips. His eyes glistened in the early evening sun; and just for a brief moment it felt like the world was at peace somehow.
"I'm gonna miss ya dude." HoroHoro proclaimed. Hao turned around to see his best friend grinning at him. Hao laughed slightly.
"I'm going to miss you too, HoroHoro." Hao replied. "It has been an honour having you as my friend."
"Ahh, Hao don't say it like that!" HoroHoro beamed, slapping Hao on the arm. "No matter where you go, we'll always be friends." Hao smiled at this. HoroHoro's gesture was one he was still unfamiliar with, yet treasured deeply.
"Thank you." Hao sighed.
"So we did make it in time, then." Came a voice. Hao turned around to see Ren, Lyserg, Chocolove and Ryu making their way up the sandy path towards the Inn. "Shame. I don't do goodbyes." Ren added.
"Even so," laughed Hao. "I still appreciate you being here all the same."
Ren crossed his arms as the four of them reached the porch. "Well, it certainly won't be as interesting without you." Ren smiled, holding out his hand to Hao. Hao laughed again, but instead of taking the Chinese shaman's hand, he re-adjusted his posture to face Ren face-on, placed his hands together and bowed graciously. Ren smirked, and bowed back. The rest of them looked on as the two shaman's displayed their respect for one another.
"Hmpf." muttered Lyserg. Hao's attention now turned to the English Shaman. Hao wearily stepped towards him.
"Lyserg." Hao said quietly, a sympathetic look in his eyes. "There is nothing I can possibly say." Lyserg met Hao's eyes as he spoke. "And I know that." Lyserg diverted his look to the ground. "I will forever regret my actions, and I – "
"Thank you for bringing Yoh back." Lyserg interrupted. Lyserg gave Hao a serious look. Hao blinked. "I am grateful that you did that." he added.
After a moment or so, Hao replied. "You are welcome, Lyserg."
Lyserg nodded his head, and then stepped aside. Hao turned around again to see that Anna, Manta, Faust, and Silva were now standing on the porch.
"Hao-Sama?" came a sweet little voice. Hao looked down to his right to see Opacho's large eyes filling up with tears. "Why can't Hao-Sama and Opacho stay?" Hao smiled at the little girl and knelt down to come face to face with her. He gripped her little hands gently.
"Opacho, I thought we already talked about this?" he smiled.
"Opacho knows." She replied, tears spilling down her face. "If Hao-Sama stay, Yoh-Sama will be in danger." Hao turned to look at Anna, who was watching the two of them closely. Hao's eyes drifted up the building to the roof where he knew Yoh would be listening.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay here with HoroHoro?" gently whispered Hao. Opacho began to wail.
"Opacho not want to leave Horo-kun, but Opacho will not leave Hao-Sama!" she screamed. Hao wrapped his arms around Opacho and lifted her off the ground. Opacho wrapped her arms around Hao's neck as HoroHoro approached them.
"Hey kid. No need for tears!" smiled HoroHoro, finding it difficult to keep back the tears himself. "We will see each other again, I promise!" He held up his hand to the five year old, Opacho smiled and high fived him. HoroHoro then ruffled her hair. "You make sure that Hao stays out of trouble from now on, okay?" nodded HoroHoro, then laughing as he exchanged glances with Hao.
"Opacho will. Opacho promise!" Opacho beamed a smile at HoroHoro.
"Good girl." nodded HoroHoro, now stepping back with his friends.
Anna walked slowly towards them, carrying a large cloth travel bag. She handed it Hao.
"Thank you for doing this for Yoh." she said quietly. Hao threw the travel bag over his free shoulder, shifting Opacho to sit on his hip as he did so.
"You don't have to thank me, Anna. If I did not come back in the first place, none of this would have happened," he replied, yet still smiling slightly.
"I don't believe for one moment that Yoh regrets that happening." muttered Anna, she turned to look up at the roof, certain that Yoh was still up there; gazing at the sky like he had been doing all afternoon.
"Hey," softly said Hao. Anna looked at him, her expression showed how worried she was. "This is for the best, and Yoh knows that." He looked at her seriously. "He does know that, Anna."
She sighed slowly, pausing briefly before responding. "I hope so."

Hao smiled at her, and then turned to the rest of the group who were all smiling in some way. Hao smiled back at them, grateful he was able to leave on good terms with everybody.

Well, almost everybody.

"Farewell everyone," called Hao, lifting his hand in a waving gesture. Hao turned and began to walk slowly down the path towards the gate. The group called out their individual goodbyes and waved as Hao turned the corner to make his way towards the city.

Hao paused for a moment and placed Opacho down on the ground. Opacho looked up at Hao wearily, but did not say a word. Hao was out of sight from the front porch of the house now and the others could no longer see him.

But one person could.
"Don't go,"
Hao closed his eyes, his brother's thoughts echoing in his mind.
"Please, you don't have to go."

Hao turned around slowly to see his brother standing on the roof of the Inn. Yoh was watching him, his eyes were wide and his mouth was pressed into a firm line. He closed his eyes briefly,
"Please, Hao."

Yoh opened them again.
Hao stood still for a moment gazing at his twin. He sighed, before smiling and lifting his hand to wave.
"I have to," he said gently, knowing Yoh could not hear him; although it hardly mattered. "Goodbye, Yoh." Hao held out his hand to Opacho now, she gripped it as they slowly turned and continued down the road again.

A few moments passed and suddenly quick footsteps could be heard. Hao turned around quickly as Yoh caught him by surprise by throwing his arms around Hao's shoulders; causing Hao to let go of both his travel bag and Opacho's hand in the process.
Yoh held onto Hao tightly, but didn't say anything. Hao blinked but then sighed heavily as he tightly wrapped his arms around his younger twin too.
Anna, followed by the rest of the group ran out into the street to see what was happening. Anna stopped in her tracks as she saw the two embracing one another.

"Yoh, I know that you understand why I have to go." muttered Hao into Yoh's shoulder.
"I know." mumbled Yoh. "But you promised you would never leave me."

"No, I promised you would never lose me. And you won't. Not ever."

They slowly let go of one another, but Hao still held a firm grip onto Yoh's wrists as they stood just inches away from each other. Their identical eyes met as Hao rested his forehead onto Yoh's forehead.
"You have given me the most precious gift anyone could ever possibly give to me, Yoh. A new chance of life." Hao smiled. Yoh shuffled on his feet slightly, concentrating on Hao. "I have seen the world through your eyes, and you showed me that it is beautiful. I want to go and see this beautiful world, and live the life that you have given me." Yoh closed his eyes briefly and smiled. "And you have a wonderful life here too, Yoh. With people who truly love and care about you." Hao and Yoh stood up slightly as Yoh looked over his shoulder to see Anna gazing at him, emotion flooding her face. Behind her all of Yoh's friends looked on.
"We might be two halves of one soul Yoh," whispered Hao. Yoh turned again to see Hao smiling at him. "But that doesn't make you any less my little brother." He nudged Yoh slightly. "I suppose, you could say, you can not escape that fact." chuckled Hao. Yoh laughed a bit too, sighing.
"I guess this is the part where we say goodbye, huh?" muttered Yoh.
"Yes Yoh, but don't forget; no matter where I go, we'll always be brothers." Hao looked over Yoh's shoulder to see HoroHoro nod his head as he said that.
Hao bent down slightly to pick up his travel bag, throwing it over his shoulder again.
"Goodbye Yoh." said Hao, with a smile. Hao took Opacho's hand once again and they turned and began to walk away.
"Goodbye… Hao." Yoh whispered back.

There was a pause as everything slowed down for a moment. Anna attentively approached her fiancé and slipped her fingers into his hand. Yoh turned and smiled at her, Anna sighing with relief as Yoh gently caressed her fingers in his hand. They turned to watch Hao Asakura disappear out of sight.

The sun was beginning to cast a warm orange glow across the dark blue twilight sky as Hao and Opacho were making their way out of town. The silhouette of the city bordered the horizon as Hao took a moment to look back at the beautiful scenery and smile.
"Hao-Sama?" muttered Opacho. Hao looked down at the small child with a heavy hearted sigh.
"Yes, Opacho?" he smiled.
"Will Opacho and Hao-Sama ever see Yoh-Sama and his friends again?" she asked.

Hao closed his eyes for a brief moment and turned around completely to watch the sky.

"Of course we will Opacho, I mean…"

Hao gazed up at the huge white beam of light that suddenly appeared in the distance and then roared across the night sky, leaving a beautiful streak of stardust behind it.

"…I wouldn't miss my little brother's big moment, now, would I?"

THE END