(a/n) Thanks for the review Smart Angel. I really really appreciated it. Sorry for the late update. I promise to update quicker this time as soon as I receive another review. (Well, my summer vacation from school is only up to third week of April...) So, here it goes. Enjoy.

But first, I'll just add one thing I forgot to post last time.

Disclaimer: I do not ownShaman King. If I do, I wouldn't have to post a fanfic. But I wish I do...

.........................................................

Chapter 2

It was a beautiful morning that greeted Yoh the next day. With a loud yawn, he stretched his arms and back, ready for the day ahead of him. Taking off his sleeping robe, he ever slowly changed into his usual attire. Then, he went out of his room, only to be aware that Anna has once again done the cooking.

"Good morning," he greeted as he met Anna on their kitchen.

Anna returned his greeting by a her usual cold stare. "After breakfast, you are to run twenty kilometers, do 100 push-ups..."

Yoh interrupted her long list, "Ne, I'm the Shaman King now, right? Why the need to practice?"

Her brow rose to Yoh's horror. "Are you complaining?" She crossed her arms in her front. "Well then, let's make that 25 kilometers and 150 push-ups."

His jaw dropped instantly, "Anna, have mercy!"

A soft bark cut through Yoh's early melodrama. It was Yoh, the puppy. He ran to Anna with hiss small but cute steps and wagged his tail, asking to be carried, which Anna wholeheartedly did.

Yoh's features sagged even more. Why is she nicer to a puppy than me?

"Oh," Anna added, "Don't forget to buy dogfood on the way home."

His smile came back. "Can we just have breakfast first?"

............................................

"Master Yoh," Amidamaru asked his master the first chance he got, "Why is it that Miss Anna still makes you train?"

Again, Yoh wore his silly smile. "I don't know.", he shrugged, "But since you're now here with me, I guess something's getting better."

Amidamaru couldn't agree more. It was true in any angle since Anna forbade him, and even did drastic measures to keep him away from Yoh while he was training before the Shaman Fight began He looked at his master peacefully as he followed his tour prescribed by Anna. Master Yoh is right, something's getting better. His thoughts was disrupted by Yoh's sudden shout.

"Manta!" he shouted.

Amidamaru looked before them to notice his master's close friend riding a bicycle.

"Hi, Yoh, Amidamaru." the short man greeted.

"Manta, what are you doing right now?" Yoh asked.

"I was just strolling around." he smiled, "My house got pretty boring."

Yoh laughed. "Where are you heading?"

Manta sighed, "Nowhere in particular." He then saw the weights around his friend's wrists and ankles. "Training?"

"You've noticed, huh?" Yoh spoke, "I don't know why, but she told me to train today."

"But it really sounds like Anna, doesn't it?"

"Yeah." Yoh was about to open another topic when he saw one of the spirits from the inn, insisting for him to resume his work. He sighed inwardly. "Ne, Manta, the spirit's already demanding on me. Maybe we could contiue this while I train."

"Sure," Manta agreed.

So off they go finishing Yoh's tour, with Manta pedaling his bicycle. After almost three hours of jog, the Shaman King decided to have a break and sit down on his favorite bench on the park. The two mortals sat contentedly on the bench, reminiscing all the things that happened among their circle of friends.

But it didn't last for long though. Their long conversation fairly came to halt when Manta's phone rang. He excused himself and aswered it.

With an apologetic look on his face, he returned to his two friends. "Sorry, got some problem at home."

Yoh waved to him, "It's alright." He stood up, "I have some errands to do myself."

"So I guess this is goodye." Manta said.

Yoh grinned. "You can always go to the inn."

"But that means being a slave to Anna." Manta added blandly.

....................................................

"Master Yoh, we need to buy dogfood." Amidamaru reminded his Master on their way home. As usual, Yoh had it erased from his memory the moment he went out of their home.

Yoh slapped his forehead. "Oh yeah." He smiled to his spirit, "It almost slipped my mind." His mind roamed somewhere. "I could already imagine how Anna would scold me if I come home without it."

"That's right, Master Yoh."

Yoh hurried to the opposite direction, where the supermarket was situated. It took him twenty minutes to get what Anna told her. Before going out of the shop, Amidamaru called his attention.

"Master Yoh,"

"Hmmm..."

"It's raining hard outside."

Yoh's face sagged at the bad news. "Bad luck, isn't it?"

"Maybe we should wait for it to stop." Amidamaru suggested.

Yoh sighed then glanced to a nearby wallclock. It was almost lunchtime, just five minutes away from actual twelve noon. By the time the rain would stop, it would be afternoon already. He sent the plaastic bag he was holding a fleeting look. Yoh would be very hungry by then. "Let's go."

"But, Master Yoh." The spirit protested.

"Everything will be alright, ne, Amidamaru." With that, he ran using all his strength and the rain batting his whole body.

Within a span of ten minutes, Yoh was able to come home. Of course, he was absollutely soaking wet. The moment he slid the door open, a thick white towel was slammed to his face.

"Lunch in five minutes." A female voice commanded.

"Okay." He removed his wet headphones and slipped off his slippers. He began striding barefooted to his room upstairs to change clothes.

Upon reaching the kitchen, he started apologizing to his fiancee.

"I'm sorry, Anna." he said.

She didn't accepted it nor rejected it. She just pulled her chair and began scooping rice to her bowl.

Yoh was faintly surprised when a soft paw rythmically scratched his pants. He beamed to the puppy. "There you are." He bent down to pick him up. "I bought you a bag of dogfood." He furrowed the little one's head. "Let's eat now, ne?"

........................................

While eating, Yoh was beginning to be bothered by a slight headache. The rain, maybe. Even though, he continued eating happily with Anna and the little Yoh.

During the afternoon, the sickening feeling worsened. Yoh decided to take a pill to relieve himself, but it was no help for him. To keep his condition a secret, he stayed on his room where no one would disturb him after cleaning the dishes.

.......................................

Someone is licking me. That was the first idea that entered Yoh's mind as he woke up the same afternoon. He yawned sleepily only to be greeted by a strong throbbing of his head. I thought this would be over when I wake up. He opened his eyes to see a puppy licking his cheeks. "So you've noticed, little Yoh?" he joked.

The puppy barked softly as an answer. At the same time, Anna entered his room holding a tray with a bowl ang glass. She sat down before Yoh.

"Ne, Anna." He tried to hide his being unwell. "What are you doing?"

Anna didn't respond, instead she placed her palm on his head. "It's almost dry."

That was when Yoh became aware of a wet towel on his forehead. She knew all along. "Sorry, Anna."

"Hmph." she snorted while soaking the towel on a basin beside Yoh's futon. "I always tell you that rain and sweat isn't a good combination, idiot."

He smiled his foolish smile. "But if I didn't run on the rain, Yoh will be suffering from hunger."

"Idiot." she scolded. "I could have given him something to eat then. Dogs can also eat something else than dogfood."

He didn't argue anymore.

"Sit up." she ordered.

Yoh obeyed like a child. "Sorry."

"Enough." Anna shoved a spoonful of porridge and placed it before Yoh's mouth. "I've already cooled it downstairs."

He gave her a grateful grin, "Thanks." and ate the delicious meal Anna prepared herself. I guess rain and sweat is a good combination afterall.