If Today Was Your Last Day

Please read before continuing with the story:

Keep in mind that this is my first fanfiction. I do appreciate constructive criticism, but please don't flame me. This story takes place during and after the defeat of Hao in the Japanese anime version. I want to wait until Takei releases the true manga ending next spring before I write anything for that. I will be writing based on the assumption that you have read about Hao's true past, so if you haven't read Mappa Douji yet, I suggest that you go and read it at and buy it when it is released in a store near you. XD Also, I will not and ever will write in fan girl Japanese. The only time I will EVER use that language (but not fan girl style) is when a Japanese character is talking to another character does not speak their language, causing a social barrier that happens in 'normal' life.

Summary: What would happen if Hao survived the final battle for the Great Spirits? Would he refuse compromise and continue his massacre of the human race, or would he somehow be changed by Yoh?

Please read and review and I will give out cookies! ^--^ On a last note, I do not own Hiroyuki Takei's Shaman King or Nickelback's If Today Was Your Last Day so please don't sue me.

Pain. All I could feel was absolute, mind-consuming pain. It felt like red hot needles were slowly being drawn across every inch of my body and my insides were becoming my outsides in one agonizing movement. Indescribable heat was blasted into every pore; every opening, so much that I couldn't breathe and each labored breath only worsened its penetration. My mind screamed just as loud as my body did, creating a constant wave of hell, paling in comparison to the actual house of the Devil. Thoughts that weren't even mine raced through my head:

Oh Great Spirits, it's finally over!

He's gone! He's actually GONE!

Marco! Our prayers to the good lord were answered!

We did it! That arrogant bastard is dead once and for all! Yeah-Ouch! Ren!

I couldn't even think myself; my mind was as paralyzed as my body. Each new invasive thought was like a blast of mana exploding inside my head. I was just about to give in to the approaching dark abyss before I heard something else. Someone else.

NO!

And everything went black.

Sorry it's a cliffy, but I really need some sleep, for driver's Ed is in my future. Don't want to kill anyone, so rest is a must. I promise that the next chappie will be longer, much longer. And sorry that Hao had to get hurt, but it's necessary for my story line! I'm a bad girl…So, please review! I want to know what people think!