Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman king
Author's Note: I miss writing this! This is my first break after our first mock defense and my classmate and group mate had been kind enough to lend me her laptop since mine is currently on a tantrum, so here I am updating this!
Thank you everyone who read and kind enough to leave a review on the first chapter. It means a lot to me. By the way to my dear friend evening_rose, your request for a second part to Diffindo would be posted as a third chapter of this story promise! Thanks girl for the support that you gave us during our first and second mock defense! And by the way chapter nine for my other story "Accidentally yours" would be posted shortly in a few days.
Warning: this happened in alternate universe. A little OOCness might be encountered while reading this. Thank you.
~majrocks~
"In times of grief and sorrow I will hold you and rock you and take your grief and make it my own. When you cry, I cry and when you hurt, I hurt. And together we will try to hold back the floods of tears and despair and make it through the pot hold street of life."
Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook)
~majrocks~
Title: A matter of choice
It was a sudden call, Yoh and Anna were just having their usual breakfast when Mikihisa suddenly called and informed them about an emergency meeting in Izumo. He didn't give any reason why and remained silent and emotionless despite his son's endless inquiries.
In less than two hours the couple boarded the train, questions still in their minds.
"Do you think it's something important that's why they called us to come?" asked Yoh finally breaking the silence.
Anna just shrugged, "You know them, they never call a meeting unless it's something important."
"Do you think it's about the Shaman Fight?"
"Maybe…"
Yoh sighed then moved closer to Anna then rested his head on her shoulder. Anna was startled at first then relaxed as she him close his eyes. She tucked a stray hair in his ear and in her eyes you can see an emotion so foreign to the public eye: love, care.
Sure, in front they look like an odd couple, a cruel joke that fate had played, and the fact that everyone who knows them is curious as to how they would be as a married couple when it would seem that you'll be mixing oil with water is no secret to them. But in every rule there would always be an exception and every story is now just boxed up in one side, so do them. What you see is not always what you get, because when their alone, when curious eye were out of sight emotions spill and found their way out like a mouse playing while the cat is out.
She let him sleep during the rest of the trip, unknown to her; Yoh isn't sleeping at all but enjoying the feeling of being this close with her. Moments like these are rare in their place when their friends would constantly pop out of nowhere and unintentionally distract them.
He felt her wake him up near the station and straightened himself before giving her one of his famous grins.
~majrocks~
There is tension in the mansion; both of them can feel it as they enter the place and was then ordered to come to the living room in 15 minutes.
When they entered the room they saw the whole Asakura family present, from Yohmei to Kino, to Keiko and to Mikihisa and with them are two visitors.
A lady with dark blonde hair tied in a loose ponytail and a mahogany colored hair guy with a striking resemblance to Anna.
They sat side by side and were being observed by the two visitors.
"Now that we are complete, we can now start" Kino started, "This two people with us are Miranda and Seito Lee, Anna's parents."
Yoh's eyes widen like saucers as he felt Anna stiffened beside him. When he looked at her she remained stoic and emotionless then felt eyes on both of them.
"They came here to take Anna back…"
Yoh suddenly jerked upward, he isn't sure if he heard it right or his ears where playing tricks on him, "Pardon?"
Yohmei frowned at his grandson, "You heard it right Yoh, they're her parents and they're taking Anna back."
Shock and confusion were now mixing, "I thought that they abandoned Anna when she was young, then why are they coming back here as if nothing happened? And why does it seem to me that you're giving her away like a dog?" Anger started to build on his body.
Kino just shoved his words, "They didn't abandon Anna on purpose, they have their reasons and Anna was aware of it."
When he looked Anna her face was still solemn as she nodded in agreement.
"I can't understand why there is a valid reason to abandon your own child!" he wailed.
"Yoh honey, calm down. We'll explain everything" Keiko said for the first time.
"We were both young when we had Anna," Miranda started, "Times were hard, and for inexperienced, young and jobless parents it was worse. My family despised and disowned me once they learned that I become pregnant during my second year in college. Seito's family doesn't also approve of the situation not just because they thought that I ruined their son's future but also because I'm a half breed. I'm German-Japanese. After Anna was born we tasted life's worst dish. My husband had been in and out of work which is fatal for someone who feeds two mouths. After 3 years my father sent me a letter saying that he is giving me a second chance to finish my studies and live with them in America in one condition that I'll come alone. That's an offer that I couldn't resist since it will secure me and my family's future so Seito and I agreed that I will finish my studies and he will work along side me without my father's knowledge so we can earn money. But the main problem is our daughter. His family long before Anna had been born already cleared that they didn't want anything to do with our family and already regarded him as dead." She looked at her husband then paused.
"So we decided to find someone who will take care of Anna and found Reika," Seito continued for his wife, "She cared for Anna for two years before dying in an accident without us knowing it. That left Anna alone and the rest is how you know it."
Yoh is still not convinced, "How can you be sure that Anna is your missing daughter?"
"For the last two years that she was in Reika's care, we wrote letters and she sends us pictures of Anna. After I finished my degree we looked for her in almost every corner of Japan and then found a lead that took us to your grandmother's Inn in Aomori." Miranda answered.
"But she's my fiancée; you can't take her away from me!"
"That isn't legal and Anna is still young when that pledged happened. Please understand our situation, we've been separated for so many years and want to make up for the lost time" Miranda almost pleaded.
"If you really love her, you would think of her happiness" Kino said, "And now I officially cancelled the engagement between you and Anna. She can now go with her parents."
"But grandma!"
"Are you questioning my decision child?"
~majrocks~
Yoh cannot sleep in his room, he had been tossing and turning left to right but he still can't sleep. It is one of what they call as white nights wherein you cannot sleep because your mind is full of thoughts.
It has been decided that he's engagement with Anna be cancelled and tomorrow she will leave with her parents. Anna remained silent throughout the whole meeting which droved him crazier. Miranda was so happy and thanked their hospitality and kindness in taking care of her child and even promised to help them in any way they can. He was almost tempted to say that leaving Anna with them is all they need but didn't have the will to do so since his family already made the decision.
After a few more minutes he gave up and walked out of his room and proceed to Anna's
He saw her lying in her futon facing the wall then gently tucked her in when she suddenly faced him and he found out that she was fully awake.
"Why are you here?" she asked slowly getting up then sat in her futon.
"I can't sleep and as I can see so do you," he answered.
"I'm just thinking."
"About today's events? Me too, everything happened so fast. Yesterday we have a normal life then now it's been rocked and you suddenly became my ex-fiancée" he said, "Why didn't you speak up in the meeting? Are you just accepting their decision as it is?"
Anna looked at him for a moment before answering, "I owe your family my life, and their decision is my decision; that's the least that I can do to repay them for everything."
"Even if it means sacrificing your own happiness?" Yoh's voice didn't mask the hurt that he is feeling at the moment, "I thought you're better than that. I thought that you're a woman who has her own decision and won't just go with the flow. I thought you have your own mind and not a puppet by others!"
A slap hit him on the face.
"Sorry if I didn't live up to your expectations! There are some things that we cannot change. Sometimes you have to go with the flow but that doesn't mean that you don't have a mind of your own!" tears trickled down her face. It's the third time that Yoh saw Anna let her guard down and it's always about or because of him.
He wiped the tears with his hand then held her. They stayed like that for what seems like forever, not saying anything just feeling each other's presence.
He made her face him again, "Anna, do you love me?"
Anna looked at him quizzically, "What kind of question is that?"
"The kind that I ask you now" he countered.
"Why are you asking me that--"
Yoh cut her off "Is it hard to answer a yes or no question?" his voice raised a few octaves and he saw her looked surprised at him, "Sorry. I just got carried away…"
Anna inhaled then sighed before looking at him straight into his eyes, "Yes"
"Yes what?"
A vein popped in her forehead, "Yes, I love you idiot!"
Yoh blushed and he saw her blush as well, after a moment he asked again, "Do you trust me?"
Anna nodded.
He smiled, "Remember what I told you before that whatever happens we could always run away together? Well, we'll do it now."
Anna's eyes widen like saucers, "Are you out of your mind? Your family will disown you if you do that! Are you even thinking?"
"Maybe I'm going crazy, with all these events who can I help it? But I assure you I've thought about this. All of my life everything's been laid out and spoon feed into me and now I want to make my own decision." He looked serious.
"If we will do that your family will hate you"
"If I didn't, I'll hate myself"
"Are you sure about this?"
"I've never been sure in my life"
Anna gave him one of her rare smiles.
"If we don't hurry now they'll take you away tomorrow" he reminded her.
~majrocks~
In less than thirty minutes both of them were ready with their belongings. They were tiptoeing in the backdoor when they bumped into Tamao, who almost screamed good thing Yoh put a hand on her mouth.
"Shhhshhh… Tamao. Don't make any noise" Yoh said
The pink haired girl saw the bags and their outfit,"W-what's happening? W-where are you two going?" she was aware that the engagement had been cancelled and somehow it ignited a flame of hope in her heart. Now as she saw them ready to go she suddenly has a bad feeling about this.
"Were running away" Anna answered.
She was beyond shock, "W-what?"
Yoh put a hand on her shoulders, "I can't let them take Anna away and I can't also let you be involved in this. So please, you didn't see us and didn't talk to us okay?" she was on the verge of tears, her dreams, her hope were all shattered in less than a second.
"B-but master---"
Yoh gave her a look that begs for understanding, and she just bit her lip to prevent it from trembling. She lowered her head then nodded.
Yoh smiled then hugged her, "Thanks Tamao. You're always a friend." Then intertwine his hands with Anna and led her to continue.
Anna looked at her then faintly smiled apologetically.
They were opening the back door when his grandfather's leaf shikigami blocked their way.
"Where do both of you think you're going?" he asked.
They turned and saw him.
"I'm sorry grandpa, I'll never comply with your decision. I love Anna, I'll fight for her" Yoh announced.
It's the first time that Anna heard him say that to other people and even if their situation was quite complicated the impact of the confession still hit her with full force.
Suddenly they heard two familiar voices; Ponchi and Conchi
"Were now here baby, let's get it on!" says Ponchi
"Back off now or ran with ass off!" seconded Conchi.
"Master Yoh, mistress Anna, leave now. I'll take care of them" Tamao appeared carrying her kokkuri board in a fighting stance.
"Thanks Tamao!"
They then moved out of the house. They were running like mad horses while fighting their way out with spirits blocking their way. When they were near the border of the Asakura territory they heard a voice; Keiko's, "Yoh!"
When he looked at her he saw his mother's eyes were pleading him not to go. He remembered the happy times that they had shared together but shook his head to shake those memories away.
"Don't go…" he heard her say.
He looked at her then shakes his head, her tears started to flow, "I'm sorry ma"
They continue to run with Yoh holding Anna's hand tagging her along. The blond can't help but look back at Keiko, her face was sad.
Keiko weakly sank in her knees still crying. Her baby is now a full grown man. From the time that he can walk he started to drift away from her and now he's gone. Chasing his happiness, she smiled at the thought while tears continue to flow.
Shortly her husband arrived and held her, "You've talked to them?"
"I didn't see them, lets go back inside now." She answered and urged her husband to go back to the house.
~majrocks~
Yoh and Anna run as fast as they can and finally when they both felt safe enough rented a room in a hotel to spend the rest of the evening then ride the earliest train back to Funbari Hill tomorrow.
"Sorry we have to share a room. We didn't have enough money to rent another" Yoh explained as he led her to a one-bedroom suite, "You can have the bed I'll just sleep on the floor"
Anna took his hand and pulled him to sit on the bed, "No, we'll both sleep here."
When he blushed she continued, "I mean sleep beside each other baka! Nothing more"
Yoh smiled nervously then touched her face, "I still can't believe we did it. If I'm dreaming I don't want to wake up."
"Better believe it, or do you want me to punch you to make you believe?" replied Anna then showed him her fist before pulling him to sleep next to her on the bed.
~majrocks~
The next day they woke up early and bought tickets back to Funbari Hill but at the last minute change their minds and headed to Tokyo instead thinking that Funbari is the first place that their parents will look for them. They were very careful while at the station waiting for the train. They would constantly check their surroundings for any sign of their family.
They sighed in relief when they're finally inside the train and now on their way.
Yoh, who from the time they checked out of the hotel intertwine his hands with Anna with a little force started to relax.
"Up until now I can't believe that my grandparents can give you away that easily. Most of all grandma, she should have known better than to give you back as if you're parents are just from a vacation and just left you for a few days." The anger in his voice was evident, something that rarely happened.
Anna rested her head on his shoulders, surprising the brunette. Never once had Anna initiated close contact between them.
"Don't blame them, especially Kino," she said, "She knows me better than anyone else and knows how I yearn for a family from the time that she took care of me. Never once had she thought about anything but my happiness."
"Are you regretting that you left with me?" Yoh can't help but ask but deep inside he dreaded if her answer would be yes.
"Ever since they left me in Reika's care, I always anticipated the day when they would be coming back and take me with them as they promised" she answered and in her eyes you can see a distant look.
Yoh felt silent, unable to know what to say, Sorry? Don't worry everything will be alright? Those words seem powerless and inappropriate for the situation. Guilt was creeping on him and he now starts to question if he had made the right move, he was so engrossed with self doubt that he missed how Anna's expression changed.
"But I never and will never regret coming with you," he heard her say, "People change as time goes by and so is their dreams. I've already found my place her, so why would I go and experiment with an uncertain one?"
He looked at her tenderly; all the worry had vanished into the air, and then kissed her hand, "I'll make sure you won't regret this. You and I will build our own family and I'll make you feel the love of a family that always yearn for."
"You better do"
Yoh smiled at her then gave her a sandwich from his bag, "Here take a bite. This isn't a proper breakfast but it will keep us until we reach Ren's place.
"You know I don't like sandwich for breakfast!"
Yoh just chuckled and continued to press the sandwich on her mouth, "But you never liked anything!" he jest.
"I like you"
He blushed then pinched her nose playfully, "if I had known before that sandwiches for breakfast make you romantic I should have prepared this long ago!"
He got a smack on the head as an answer.
"Baka!" she said as she took a bite on the sandwich.
~majrocks~
It's around noon when they reach Ren's hotel room in Tokyo. Ren was surprised to say the least of their unannounced arrival and the bags that he saw they were carrying were adding up to his confusion.
"Hi! Ren!" Yoh greeted, "Can we come in? Sorry I haven't called first."
He nodded and opened the door to let the in.
"You two are going on a holiday?" he asked directing his gaze on their bags.
"Were running away" Yoh answered.
The Chinese boy sweat dropped, "Pardon? You're running away?"
"More like eloping" added Anna.
"What!" Ren's eyes went wide as saucers, trembling he slowly reached for the telephone, "Wait! Just stay there. I'm going to make a call"
In less than an hour Ryu, Manta, Ren, Horo, Yoh and Anna were sitting in Ren's living room.
"Now, can you two explain what kind of craziness is happening here?" Horo-horo asked.
Yoh had to explain everything that happened yesterday to his friends.
"So you two run away last night right?" Ryu confirmed.
"What are you planning to do now Yoh? Your family will be looking for you two" asked Manta.
Yoh looked into Anna for a moment then announced, "We will wait until Anna and I turn eighteen next year then we'll get married. After that we will decide if we would want to go back to Izumo. "
All four boys were stunned, they didn't have any idea how deep is their friend's feeling for the blond until now that he is willing to risk everything for her.
"Well, guess you're all set up for that goal. Here," Ren reached for his pocket and gave him a key and took out some bills from his wallet and also gave it to his friend, "Take this, it's the key to a villa that my sister bought in Osaka. You can use the place; I'll tell her everything and sure will understand. And the money, use it I know that won't find a job at your age now."
Yoh shakes his head, "No Ren, letting us stay on the villa is good enough but giving us money is too much. I don't want you to feel responsible for us," he gave the money back but Ren had been firm and laid it down in front of him.
"Who says that I'm feeling responsible for the two of you? And second who says that I was giving the money to you? You have to pay it back Asakura!" he then frowned at Yoh.
"Thanks Ren!" Yoh said as he hugged Ren, who squirmed to break free.
"Eewww… Stop it Yoh!" he barked as he brushed imaginary dust in his shirt.
Manta and Horo-horo also took out their wallets and handed bills to the couple.
"It's the least that we can do for the both of you" said Manta.
"If ever there's a problem don't hesitate to call us" Horo reminded them.
"I don't have enough money master, mistress, but I'm willing to take you to Osaka for free in my motorcycle" Ryu offered.
Yoh and Anna felt overwhelmed by the affection that they are receiving from their friends. Yoh was teary eyed and Anna showed her gratitude by not glaring at them.
Ren offered another suite in the hotel so the two of them can rest before they head for the villa tomorrow.
They had a sumptuous lunch then the boys talked and played games for the rest of the afternoon while Anna watched TV.
They all decided to sleep over in Ren's place for tomorrow they will bid goodbye to their friends. The three boys were bunking in with Ren while Yoh and Anna shared another suite.
~majrocks~
Yoh woke up in the middle of the night and saw Anna's side of the bed was empty. Panic strike through his body then he looked into the veranda and saw Anna standing there watching over the city.
He sneaked behind her and hugs her from behind, "Why are you here?"
"Are you sure about your decision in running away with me? After this you'll be leaving the life that you always loved…" Anna said not looking at him.
Yoh made her turn around then held her gaze for what seems like forever, "But I'll be with the love of my life!"
Anna blushed then hugged him, "I wonder how it feels to be married."
"It would be wonderful, I'll make sure of it; we will encounter hardships, tons of them but I want you to trust me. Trust that we'll always make it through."
Anna smiled, "Do you think we should practice our wedding kiss?"
Yoh grinned, "I think I'd like that"
He then brushed his lips with hers then hugged her tighter.
~majrocks~
The following day they bid their friends goodbye and let Ryu take them to the villa in Osaka.
"Call us if anything happens" Horo said.
"Don't hesitate to call if you need help" Manta added.
"Be sure to invite us when your family arrives and needs to be hauled back to Izumo" reminded Ren.
Yoh nodded and happily bid them adieu then almost at the same time they blinked, did Anna just smiled at them for a second?
They were left wondering if that had been true or their eyes were just playing tricks on them because Anna immediately faced the opposite direction.
When they headed back at Ren's room the aroma of freshly baked apple pie greeted them and there on the centre table they saw an apple pie and a note lying beside it.
In neat handwriting it read:
Ren, Horo, Manta
Thank you
See you all at the wedding
-Anna
They all smiled sheepishly, in their minds a random thought lingered, You're Welcome
~majrocks~
I'd been meaning to write this for ages but couldn't find the time to do so. I hope you like the story as much as I do. I've formed the story while hearing one of my group mates occasionally played the song Runaway by the Corrs .
You know guys Reviews and constructive criticisms are always appreciated, welcomed and loved. So why not give one? See yah in few days as I update my other story "Accidentally yours"
Lovelots,
Majrocks .^_^.V