Chapter: Secrets

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King

Summary: What does Anna do when Yoh's out with his friends?

Story

"Say, Yoh?"

"What, Anna?"

"Weren't you supposed to go meet Manta?"

"Yeah, he's in his computer class right now though."

"Oh."

There was a moment of silence before Yoh finally looked up, narrowing his eyes at Anna.

"Why?"

"No reason." Anna replied casually, biting into her apple.

Anna Kyouyama asking something for no reason? He'd want to take over the world before that. She was definitely up to something. Probably evil and sinister like everything else she had up her sleeves when it involved him and his friends or just…anyone she didn't liked.

Yoh glared at Anna suspiciously, trying to read her thoughts. What could she be thinking?

Anna ignored Yoh's glare. Her eyes glued on the TV as she continued to bite and chew on her apple. After a few minutes, Yoh shrugged the matter off and went back to his book. It was the only one Manta found that actually made Amidamaru sound cool.

Anna glanced sideways at Yoh before turning back to the TV. Yoh was too busy reading to notice.

"I'm going out."

Yoh blinked, looking up as Anna went to the mirror, retying the bandanna on her head.

"Ah…ok, what do you want for dinner?"

"Anything but fast food." Anna replied shortly, pulling her purse over her shoulder and making her way out the living room.

"Anna."

Anna paused, "What?"

"Want me to come? It's pretty late."

"If I wanted you to come I would have said so."

"Oh…well can I come?"

"No."

"Why not?" Yoh asked, blinking curiously.

"Because you need to cook dinner."

"It's still early for dinner."

"Well I intend to be late. Beside don't you have Manta to look forward to?"

Yoh frowned slightly, what did the supposed to mean..?

"At least tell me where you're going" he asked instead, feeling it useless to argue. Anna was already walking towards the door, sliding it open before she spoke, "To see a friend."

Yoh blinked, a friend…?

He looked blankly at the closed door for a few second before summoning up Amidamaru.

"Amidamaru?"

"Hai Yoh dono?"

"Did you know Anna had a friend?"

"You mean…friend? Tamao and Manta? Jun?"

Yoh frowned and looked at Amidamaru, troubled.

Ranseb yawned loudly, leaning against the tree trunk beside his sister. A small African girl before him glared at him, sitting Indian style a few steps away. Ranseb ignored her and turned his attention a few feet across. A blue haired teenage girl was having an argument with the ice-cream man. With how things looked, he wondered if she'd be able to get them ice-cream.

"Anna-sama!"

Startled, Ranseb looked the opposite way. His sister opening her eyes leaned up as well.

The blond Itako was making her way atop the hill, taking her time. She paused and looked back, hand on her hips as her red bandanna blew with the wind where she faced. A while later, another teenage girl with flowing silver locks made her appearance next to Anna.

Ranseb stood up as the two girls walked over; taking the basket Anna was holding.

"Jeanne-sama, you came too?"

The nun in training smiled charmingly as Anna, poker faced at the excitement the children seemed to show sat down on the blanket.

"Hai! Marco went off to train with the X-Laws so I took the chance. They won't be back for a couple of hours."

"Where's Pirika?" Anna asked as Jeanne sat down next to her, pulling the basket closer to take out its contents.

"She went after the ice-cream man." Said Ranseb glumly, pointing towards the ice-cream truck, "They had been at it for the past fifteen minutes."

"Good." Anna said, pulling out paper cups, "There isn't much. The basket already skyrocketed more than what I would allow, and her highness Jeanne here didn't felt like bringing anything."

Jeanne grinned, "I'm sorry, I didn't want to make everyone suspicious."

"You can get away with murder with your reputation. Meanwhile Yoh found it suddenly more entertaining to lurk about at home."

"Do you think he's starting to figure out?" Ranseb asked, biting into a chocolate éclair.

"He's usually out with friends. He must still think I watch TV all day."

"Still, it's not like he would mind. And you two will be married someday-"

"Anna-sama doesn't owe Yoh-sama anything!" Opacho declared, "Yoh-sama spends too most of his time with his friends to-"

"That's enough Opacho." Jeanne cut in lightly, pouring herself and Anna some orange juice, "Yoh is Anna's fiancé."

"Hao-sama is better."

"But Manta-kun is so much cuter, ne?" Pirika added, walking up to the group holding ice-cream cones.

Opacho reddened. Either with embarrassment or fury, Anna had no idea. Not that she cared.

"Manta-boy is stupid!"

"Ah…young love." Pirika sang plopping beside Anna as Anna laughed. Jeanne cleared her throat.

Opacho glared at her cupcake.

"I'm surprised Hao allowed you to join us."

"Master Hao trust Opacho. Opacho doesn't need to hide anything from him."

"I'm not that surprised. Hao could easily read her mind" Anna said curtly licking her ice-cream, "besides we should leave that matter for the shaman tournament."

"Yeah, why don't we just cut the cake?" Ranseb added, feeling Opacho about to explode.

"Fine. Lets just get this over with. Pirika where's the cake?" Anna asked looking at Pirika expectantly.

Pirika's eyes widened, "I was supposed to bring the cake?!"

From afar, a hooded figure observing the group smiled to himself. His eyes trained to the blond itako smirking and occasionally joking. Taking a step back after a few minutes, he turned away from the group, walking off silently. No one noticed.

"Hai. Yes, I understand."

Anna blinked, setting her coat atop a chair as Yoh sighed on the phone.

"I know Manta I'm sorry. I'll call you later ok?"

Manta's loud exclamations could still be heard loudly as Yoh replaced the receiver.

Anna raised her eyebrow as he turned to her, smiling cheerfully.

"Hungry?"

"No. What was that about?"

"Ahh…that well...Manta was mad I didn't meet up with him and the others today."

Anna lowered her eyelids, "because you were stalking me."

Yoh sighed, "Yeah…sorry…"

"No need. You knew I saw you." Anna replied shortly walking towards the stair.

Yoh lowered his head, "not that…just that"

Anna paused, glancing back sideways at Yoh. There was a moment of silence before Anna finally nodded, "Its ok."

Yoh looked at Anna silently, smiling weakly, "You think so..?"

"Your friends are important to you. It's not something you had known all your life." Anna said evenly, starting to walk up the stairs again.

Yoh watched her disappear from sight before letting out a sigh, taking a seat. Amidamaru had disappeared off somewhere. Probably with Tokagero. Yoh felt a bit relieved over that.

"I'm not sorry I followed you…" Yoh whispered looking at his tea. His ears still ringing with Anna's laughter.

"Seems like it." Anna said, startling Yoh, "I'm not sorry for not telling you."

"…I know." Yoh replied, trying to smile.

Anna looked at him for a few minutes in a steady gaze. Yoh shifted his glance back to his tea, taking another sip as his fiancé came and sat before him.

"It was Opacho's birthday."

Yoh looked up, blinking curiously, "I was surprised to see all of you together."

Anna glared, "People shouldn't limit themselves to what others think."

Yoh smiled laughing sheepishly, "I guess. Why wasn't she spending it with Hao?"

Anna shrugged, "too busy taking over the world?"

"…so…when did you guys started getting together?"

"Pirika and Opacho started first, Ranseb and Seyram were always with me. Seyram and Opacho became friends…since Opacho was curious she never talked. Jeanne one day strolled our way and joined us." Anna replied, reaching for Yoh's tea and taking a sip.

"And you guys have been friends ever since..?" Yoh asked, smiling.

"More or less."

"Why did you try to hide?"

"I didn't." Anna replied shortly.

Yoh sighed, "I'm sorry." He said, recalling Anna laughing with the group. It was the first time he heard her laugh. And for some reason he felt guilty over it. He used to think he accomplished far just by making her smile.

"You think too much."

Yoh grinned sheepishly, "Do I?"

Anna frowned, "You're not responsible for my life."

Yoh sighed, "…still…you laughed."

"So? You only laugh when your friends around."

"No. I laugh when its just us as well."

"You laugh for ridiculous reasons."

Yoh smiled looking at Anna, "You think so?"

Anna didn't reply. Instead she took another sip, finishing off his tea and staring off into a distance thoughtfully. Sighing, she looked back at her fiancé, "Yoh…" she began trailing off as Yoh looked up.

"Yeah?"

"…"

"Ah…" Yoh smiled, "I'm glad you laughed."

Anna smiled back, "Me too."

"So…does Opacho really have a crush on Manta?" Yoh asked clearing his throat and picking up his now empty cup.

Anna smiled, recalling the small girl's reaction, "I guess. I doubt Hao is too happy about it."

Yoh laughed, rinsing the cup and setting it aside, "Who knows…" he said softly, walking up to Anna and leaving a small kiss on her head.

Startled, Anna blinked but didn't say anything.

Yoh grinned stuffing his hands in his jean pockets, "I can get used to that."

Anna raised her eyebrow, "Opacho in love with Manta?"

Yoh's grin widened as he leaned down, leveling his face before Anna's, "Not that…" he whispered before claiming her lips in his.

Anna smiled, responding with slight hesitance. She could get used to that too.

Nightglider: So? How was it? Please review!