Chuck: Yo! It's been awhile! I've been reading over the Soul Thief (sorry there hasn't been any updates on it in like three years) and I've noticed a of spelling mistakes and name mispronunciations. Furthermore, I'm temporarily removing them, re-editing them and re-posting them. Once again, I apologize the people reading this fic, but on a good note I am going to finish it up. Well, laterz!

Chapter 01

"Why don't you trust me?"
"Humans are so foolish..."
"I am correct."

As Yoh's soul floated inside of Hao, he felt his memories and mind slipping away from him. The child tried to remember his home, but he only saw shadows. He tried to think of his father, but only saw a dark figure laying on a floor motionless. He began feeling tired as the happy images of laughter and joy with his friends burned away from his mind like paintings in an ignited house. In a matter of seconds his mind was almost completely blank. He said nothing, heard nothing. All he could do was watch blankly as Hao reached out to him, pulling him farther into darkness. He than began falling into a sort of death, having only a faded image of Amidamaru to remember who he was. "Amidamaru... help me..." he cried softly in his mind. He than closed his eyes and felt the rest of his life slip away. Asakura Yoh was gone.

"Yoh-kun!" Manta kept shaking his friend as Amidamaru poked his nose, seeing him crying softly in his sleep. Manta finally slapped him hard in the cheek.

Yoh's eyes fluttered open. "Manta?" he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Ryu's new van hummed softly as it glided down the road, carrying the group to Yoh's old home. Yoh looked up and saw everyone staring at him.

"How's sleeping beauty?" Chocolove asked, ready to say a boring joke.

Yoh smiled softly. "I'm fine. I've just been losing a lot of sleep lately."

Ren eyed him suspiciously, than sat back down in his seat, quickly doing up his seat belt. Ryu sighed happily. "I'm glad I was able to afford this ten passenger van. It really comes in handy for occasions like this, plus there's enough room to bring my motorcycle as well." he said cheerfully.

Manta nodded, than got closer to Yoh. "It was that dream again wasn't it?" he whispered curiously.

Yoh looked at him for a moment, than nodded. Ever since Hao had been defeated a year ago, he had been having this nightmare of a memory. It hadn't been this bad before, but as the anniversary of his twin brother's death came closer, the dream became more reoccurring, haunting him even in his daydreams. "It's like his spirit is following me," he sighed quietly.

Manta stared at his friend with a look of concern, than smiled softly. "It's okay, Yoh-kun. It's just a soul injury. I had one too after what Faust did to me, but I got over it, and I know you can too."

Yoh looked at him with a weak smile, than looked out his window, as Manta blushed.

"So, why are we going back to Yoh's home?" Horo Horo asked as he and Koro snacked on some rice balls.

"Because, Yoh's folks are making a monument for Hao, so his soul can rest in peace." Ren replied as he stole one of Horo Horo's rice balls.
"That monster doesn't deserve a monument!" Lyserg growled softly. They all looked at him, remembering that Hao had killed his parents.

"I don't really think he was evil," Yoh sighed, not really directing the statement at anyone. Lyserg growled, undid his seat belt than lunged at Yoh, turning him so he could face

him. "You should know that he was evil after what he did to you!" he cried.

Yoh felt discomfort building up inside him as the emerald eyes stared into his.

Ryu looked back at them. "Lyserg, you come sit up here with me." he said.

Lyserg took one last glance at Yoh, than carefully climbed into the front passenger seat. Ren frowned and poked Lyserg in the head. "You know he's still a little sensitive about

that!" he hissed quietly.

Lyserg frowned than simply looked away from the Tao.

"Come on! Cheer up, guys! We're almost there, and besides, you're upsetting the R&L," Ryu laughed.

"R&L?" the group asked in union.

Ryu nodded as he looked to Lyserg, than began laughing heartily. "It's named after my favorite couple!" Everyone sighed, than concentrated on the road quietly, unaware of the adventure they were heading into.