Warmth

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King.

When the warmth of hot chocolate isn't enough, you can feel warm with the one you love. J

Anna's POV

Brushing of the cold snowflake that landed on my bare shoulder, I continued to walk aimlessly – not caring if the cold would soon consume me. Though it was tiring; walking around smoke-filled city of Tokyo, I pushed my feet to move forward even if it aches or throbs in complaint. I just managed to sneak out of the house wearing this – Yoh was reluctant to make me go like this but Yoh, he could never say no to a direct order from me.

Yoh… who was he to me anyway?

He's my fiancé, I know that… but do I care for him… in that way? My usually even face turned red in embarrassment. Though no one was hearing me I felt somewhat awkward to even think about my fiancé…

His laidback and calm face never failed to irritate me but in a way it impresses me as well. It was amazing how he could make such good friends and such. It always scares his friends when I order him around and probably scares them more when I start ordering them around. I could name all of his friends… Water meat bun, the arrogant Tao, the idiot tribes-boy, Doctor Faust, Hopeless and Worthless comedian Chocolove, Amidamaru, Ryu; who seemingly has a crush on him and is gay, Lyserg and some others – they are too much to mention. Even if they are somewhat a crazy bunch of people, it amazes me how they always stick together.

He's always a gentleman and gentle too… wait, aren't gentlemen supposedly gentle? It is in the word already… He is kind, he may not be the perfect Shaman but he has the perfect heart. I remember the time he has beaten Hao and the reason he did was because of his heart, and I guess he is also Shaman King because of that. His heart though can do much more than that. His heart melted most of the ice in this itako's heart… dakedo I can't tell him that. I don't want to tell him that. I don't need to tell him that.

He's my fiancé… we'll get married anyway; there's no need to think of such pointless things. I thought pushing away the flooding thoughts of my warm-hearted and laidback fiancé and focusing more on thinking of what to buy Master Yohmei and Mistress Kino for Christmas. I just sent Yoh to try and find good and affordable bargains, demo knowing Yoh he wouldn't be able to buy anything at all. Ah… the hustles of Christmas shopping.

I slowly made my walk home. Not really rushing like others would do; I like snow… it felt wonderful. Though I was already somewhat dizzy and weak I still slowly made my way home not minding the odd looks on the passersby when they saw me wearing a simple sleeveless black dress in winter.

"Is that you my beloved sister-in-law?" a familiar voice greeted as I instinctively turned around to see the familiar smiling face of the emotionless and not to mention heartless Hao Asakura.

"What are you doing here, Hao?" I asked him coldly.

"You shouldn't treat your brother-in-law badly…" Hao taunted me a little ignoring my question.

"You're more like my 'great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather-in-law'" I replied sarcastically.

"Ouch… I don't look that old, do I?" he said in his familiar taunting smile.

"As a matter of fact you do." I replied calmly.

"Tsk, tsk. Why do you have such an attitude problem?"

"Ask God, He made me this way."

"Really now? Would God really make someone who dare opposes the great Hao Asakura?"

"You must be stupid then… everyone opposes you."

"You hurt me so." He said still grinning pretending to get hurt. I looked at him for a second, he looks so much like Yoh; their features - their everything… yet they act so differently.

"S-Sure… so what are you doing? Are you thinking of ways to regain the Shaman King throne? Or are you now reduced to a street side bum?" I asked in some sort of insult way as well.

"Actually, I was laughing at how pitiful humans were – they celebrate such a thing as Christmas but don't see the suffering around us. Christmas is yet another irony the world has, do you know that?"

"You're the biggest irony Hao, you smile like that but in truth you hate the world and everything around you."

"I don't hate you, right; my precious itako?"

"Don't ever brand me as yours…"

"Have I hit a nerve?"

"No… I would never let you."

"But really my sister-in-law… it is true that Christmas is but a mockery. It's just an excuse for people to buy gifts to show of their personal wealth… humans." Hao sighed.

"Some people think differently from you… Hao Asakura."

"That counts you, am I correct?"

"I believe so..." I turned around about to walk away when he brought me closer to him, "What is it?" I said my voice not showing any signs of weakness.

"Say hi to Yoh for me…" he smiled before letting go and walking away as well, "and don't forget to send me wedding invitations, I am eagerly awaiting your wedding, can I be best man?"

"In your dreams probably…" I said as he stifled a laugh and went on with his life – consisting of trying to regain the throne of Shaman King, irritating others and of course insult and want to kill human beings.

One of the things I would never understand in this world is Hao Asakura… and yet again I made my way to go back home - to where Yoh would be coming home to as well.

*******

And here I am; standing just a few meters from my home yet I can't move my muscles any longer. Maybe Yoh was right, maybe I shouldn't have worn such clothes on a winter day. However, Anna Kyouyama never admits her mistakes…

My vision began to blur and soon I fell down to the cold, cold ground.

"Anna!" I heard a worried voice.

"What happened?" I asked wondering why the hell I was lying down on the sidewalk near my home.

"Anna… I'm so glad you're safe." I fluttered my eyes open to see the smiling face of my fiancé, Yoh Asakura.

"Why am I here?" I managed to say, not showing him any sort of weakness as I still tried to stand up.

"Anna… don't, you look sick, I'll take you inside, okay?" Yoh told me planning to carry me on his back and bring me home.

"I can do it myself." I said pushing the ground to help me get up but ended up slipping and falling back down the ground but Yoh cushioned me and I remained safe. I didn't want to look weak and I am not weak but seeing myself now... I ignored the stares we were getting from the passersby. Yoh on the other hand would not give in and still wanted him to carry me.

"Dakedo… Anna, you might fall down…" Yoh said and he seemed to be ready to give hundreds more reasons just as long as I would agree for him to carry me.

"I don't care." I said with every ounce of my pride.

"Anna, please?" Yoh pleaded on his knees as the crowd that was watching us looked at Yoh with amused looks on their faces.

I looked at him for a while, he can sacrifice his pride for me but I still don't agree with him. Yet, when I look at him like this I just can't decline.

I slowly nodded and his usual laidback smile spreading back to his face. I slightly smiled myself before I lay myself on Yoh's back, even if it was cold somehow when I laid myself on his back and sudden surge of warmth entered me…

Yoh… you bring out the oddest things in me…

I soon fell asleep the coldness making me slumber, the warmth making me feel secured.

Tsuzuku

Takari-san's Notes:

I know the beginning quote was pointless in this chapter but it would be more clear in the next few chapters; just wait for the next few ones ^^. Gomen if Anna was OOC, it's really my first time to use Anna like that and of course make a Yona that centers on the two of them. I usually make it a side-couple alone.