Disclaimer: Shaman King does not belong to me, and will never belong to me. As much as I would like to own them, it's a sad case I don't. So don't sue me. You'll get nothing in return anyway, so why bother?

For Kira, thanks for writing such a wonderful fic, Frozen Ray, which warms my heart all the way in the cold Melbourne winter.
For KageNoTenshi, for dedicating her wonderful new fic, The One The Two, to me. This one's for you.

Warning: Sappy [extremely] and Yoh-Anna OOC warning.

If I Could Change The World
written by: da*mouse

Chapter 3: The Parting

So this is how it ends…

Anna pressed her hand against the sliding door, and turned back to look at her little room, for one last glance. Her tatami mat was bundled up neatly, all blankets folded. All her belongings were packed away in the closet…belongings she had no need for. Not anymore.

All she needed was packed in a small bundle by her feet.

She turned away, her features set in a stanch expression.  She reached behind her and tugged her bandanna from her neck, arranging it around her blonde hair. Midway, she paused…remembering…

*Flashback*

She tugged impatiently at her bandanna. Somehow, the piece of red cloth refused to untangle itself from her neck, and the wind was blowing rather strongly. Her blonde bangs tumbled over her eyes, irritating her with its constant dancing, courtesy of the wind.

"Here, let me help you."

Her hands dropped to her side as Yoh stood behind her, untangling her bandanna. Carefully, he untied the stubborn knot, and then, with a swift moment, slipped it over her head, securing it with a butterfly bow. His hands rest against the sides of her head for a few moments longer than necessary, smoothing the bandanna.

His touch light, and tender, and she felt her face growing warm.

"There." He smiled cheerfully. "Now, come on. We have to hurry home, the clouds doesn't look like as if they will last much longer."

She nodded, noting the dark clouds hovering above them ominously.

He then grabbed her hand, taking her by surprise.

But she didn't object.

Instead, she returned the pressure onto his hand, as the two of them hurried home, hoping to beat the rain.

*End of Flashback*

Anna's throat tightened. Remembering the warmth she felt as he helped her with her bandanna, and the feeling of her small hand in his larger one, calloused from all his training and work. 

I can't think of that, of him. Not now…I can't.

Not anymore…I can't.

Resolutely, Anna finished fastening her bandanna, and picked up the small bundle by her feet. She stepped out of her room, and with a firm hand, slid the door shut.

-

Yoh was in the kitchen, fixing himself a cup of hot o-cha. As it had been for the past week, he felt himself tense, and edgy. He was holding the kettle with one hand, and tapping the countertop with his other hand. Suddenly, his hand slipped, and the hot water poured over his left hand.

Cursing, he dropped the kettle, and immediately ran his hand under the cold tap water.

He closed his eyes, knowing that his nerves were on the edge. Tensed.

He didn't understand it.

Hao was back. He knew it, and he was sure of it. He could sense his twin brother's aura, strong and pulsating. He had gone to the woods, where he knew Hao was hiding.

You've come for me, hadn't you? I'm here now, so why won't you come out and meet me? Fight me, take me, or even kill me, if that is what you want?

But Hao refused to come out when he called.

That had left Yoh feeling angry, and afraid. Not for himself, but for all the people around him…his friends. Ren, Manta, HoroHoro…

Especially…Anna.

Did Hao plan to strike against them?

He could only prayed and hoped that it wasn't so.

Turning off the tap, he straightened the kettle, when out of the corner of his eye, a color of red flashed past.

Anna…

His grip on the handle of the kettle tightened considerably, as he remembered the troubled, but cold expression on his fiancée's face. He had decided that it was best she left alone, and didn't disturb her when he finally returned to the house.

Then he heard a creak, and a slight banging sound.

The front door. He frowned. It was dark, what was Anna doing, going out at this hour? And in this situation whereby…

Leaving the kettle where it was, Yoh exited the kitchen, and threw the front door open, to reveal Anna hurrying out of the gates, a small bundle over her shoulder.

Without any hesitation, he raced out.

-

It had begun to rain, drizzling lightly. She didn't have an umbrella with her. But it was all right. She would do without.

"Anna!"

He heard me…he heard me walking out.

"Anna!"

She desperately wanted to keep going, and pretended not to hear him. She didn't want to face him, not at all. But she knew it was not possible. At the very least, she must ensure…

That he would not go after her, and not fall into Hao's clutches. Ensure that Yoh would never approach Hao. Ensure that Hao would have the most minimal chances of ever harming Yoh.

For that, she must make Yoh…

Forget her.

Drawing a deep breath, she stopped walking. Composing her features into a stoic expression, she turned around.

"What do you want?" she said brusquely.

Yoh skidded to a stop in front of her, his face reflecting surprise and slight sorrow at the tone of her voice. "I…I…it was dark, and I…thought that…"

She interrupted him. "Say you what you want to say, and don't waste my time, standing there and stuttering incomprehensively."

A look of hurt clouded over Yoh's features, but he didn't retort. He never did. "What are you doing out here, alone, Anna?"

"Leaving."

-

The raindrops began falling harder, from light drizzling to heavier droplets of water.

He heard what she said, but he thought he was mistaken.

Leaving…?

"What do you mean, leaving?"

"I mean that I am going away. Leaving, don't you understand?" Her voice carried a sharp, sarcastic edge.

"Anna, I don't understand. What is going on?" Why would she be leaving? Why? Was it something I said? Did?

"I just want to leave. I'm tired."

"Tired?" he persisted. I don't understand. Make me understand. 

"I never have to give you a reason for what I am doing. I don't see why this is an exception. I'm leaving. Leaving you. That's simply it." She said, her voice icy-cold.

No! He grabbed her arm. "I won't let you. At least give me a reason. Why are you doing this?" His voice was pleading.

Why are you doing this…to me?

-

Dark clouds gathered ominously, and the rain showed no sign of letting up. If anything, it began raining harder.

She hated this. And at that moment, she hated herself. For hurting him so much. She closed her eyes. She didn't want to look at the beseeching expression on his face, the confused look, and the pain in his eyes.

One day, you'll know. For now, please, just accept. Let me go…I have to go. For your sake.

She removed his hand from her arm with a forceful gesture. "Consider the engagement broken." She hated the way she sounded, impassionate and cruel. As if their engagement was worthless. Nothing.

-

She's breaking our engagement…?

He, who always believed that everything would turn out all right, no matter what, now could see neither light nor understanding to what was taking place. His thoughts and feelings were as dark as the skies above him.

"What did I do…to make you want to leave?" he whispered, his head lowered, pain constricting his heart. "Do…you hate me?"

-

Thunder crashed, and lightning streaked across the sky, and the rain fell relentlessly.

"Do you hate me…?" His words burned.

She closed her eyes, as if the act would will away all the hurt she was feeling, and all the pain she was causing him.

I don't hate you…in fact, it was…I…

No, I don't want to hear this anymore. None of it. I'm sorry, Yoh. I can't tell you why. I'm sorry, sorry, sorry…

She brushed aside his importunate question, ignored it.

"So...this is goodbye." Anna's voice was devoid of any emotion, and her face expressionless. In contrast to her fiancé's face, where desperation, anguish and confusion mirrored.

"Anna...no. You can't just...leave."

A short bark of laughter. "Since when do you tell me what I can do or not do?" She turned away from him, to hide the slight trembling of her lower lip. Gathering her strength, she took a step forward, and began walking away from him.

There must be something he could do. To keep her. Not to let her go, out there. Not to let her leave. He couldn't.

"Anna! I love you!"

She stopped. The rain kept pouring.

Everything seemed to stop moving. The time, the world. Everything to a standstill, as those words escaped Yoh's mouth.

I...love...you.

Anna pressed a fist to her mouth, her heart almost shattering into pieces. She knew she couldn't look back, couldn't look at him. Or she would break down completely. Lose control, lose herself.

She steeled herself for the cruel words. "I'm sorry I don't feel the same."

Pause.

I don't want it to be this way.

"I never felt the same."

Taking another step, Anna broke into a run, running away from Yoh. Leaving him. Disappearing into the rainy night.

As for him, he was too devastated to move, hearing her words, watching her run. Standing despondently in the rain.

If I could change the world…I'll change it now. This second, this moment. So that she didn't leave me. Left me standing here…alone.

The water on his face...he was no longer sure it was rain or his tears.

-

"I'm here."

"Good." Hao chuckled. "I see you're smart enough to listen to me, Anna."

Her eyes blazed. "First, don't you ever address me by my name. Second, don't judge me. You're not worthy enough for either one." She spat, turning away from him.

Hao spread out his arms in a nonchalant gesture. "Whatever you say."

Silence lapsed between the two, him casually standing, without a care, and she seething with anger.

"What do you want from me?" Anna broke the silence. "You have me here now, you can tell me what you want."

Hao shook his head. "Ah, patience is a virtue. You'll find out soon enough."

"You promised not to hurt him." The words were spoken in a monotone. She prided the way she managed to keep her calm. She must never let him see the deep fear that rested within her. She hated the fact that Hao was right, but he was.

"He is your weakness…"

"If that's what you're worried about, banish that worry." Hao said flippantly. "He's nothing, anyway."

Anna's grip on her prayer beads tightened. He's worth at least a million of you.

-

So now I have you. Hao glanced amusedly at the itako beside him as they walked silently back to his camp. She hid her anger well, but not well enough.

She couldn't hide her real feelings from him. He was Asakura Hao, he who knew all.

Such a fascinating individual. Strong. Determined.

Yoh had her once…now it's my turn.

Hao chuckled to himself. Share and share alike, eh, Otouto? We are twins after all…

For now, she's mine.

And forever, she will be.

I've taken her, Yoh.

Now…everything…shall…begin.

-

It was still raining.

Yoh still hadn't moved.

He didn't know how long it had been. Time hurried past him, with him not noticing anything. He didn't notice his surroundings, nor he cared about them.

Anna had long disappeared. He hadn't gone after her. He didn't know why, but he couldn't find the strength in him…his strength, part of it, was gone. Along with her.

Whatever Anna did, there was always a reason. A good, solid, valid reason. But this time…

Maybe…what she said…was true. Didn't love me…no point…continuing. Loveless marriage…in the end, both of us will suffer.

Why did his heart remain unconvinced? Why did he feel…that it wasn't true?

Respect her, let her go…

But he couldn't.

Anna…why? Why?

-

Oyamada Manta was walking home when it started to drizzle.

Darn! Well, I'd better hurry…

The midget made it to his front door as it began pour heavily. Heaving a sigh of relief, he shut the front door and hurried to his room, his mind filled with mathematical equations.

-

Tao Ren cursed the falling rain as he hurried to the Asakura house. Of all days to choose, his sister had to choose today to make Yoh and Anna some cakes, and as usual, entrusted him to take the cakes to them.

And now it was raining, and he didn't have an umbrella. He had no choice but to start running. Skidding to a neat stop in front of the gates, he ran in.

And stopped.

The house was dark, very dark.

They couldn't be asleep. It's too early. Well, Yoh might be sleeping, but I doubt that Anna will be. Or that she'll let him…Tao Ren grinned. He always prided himself as an extremely lucky person compared to Yoh.

No woman to order him around. Heaven forbid the day he would allow himself to be controlled by a woman.

And he couldn't understand, really. How could Yoh care so much for a tigress like Anna. Loved her, even. Ren shrugged. None of his business, anyhow.

He raised his hand to knock.

Knock! Knock!

The knock sounded hollowly through. He waited.

And waited.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

No answer. Ren frowned, feeling uneasy. He hated that feeling, of unease. Cautiously, he approached the window, and peeked in. He couldn't see anything, the house was bathed in darkness.

Maybe they went out.

But…Ren directed his gaze to the dark skies. Something was not quite right. He had known when he left the Tao mansion, the unnatural stillness of the day. He had chosen to dismiss it, then.

But now, he could not longer ignore it…he could feel it, it was stronger…a strange, almost threatening presence. It told him that somewhere, out there, something was happening.

Ren's eyes narrowed.

Something menacing.

-

Somewhere, an Ainu young man was carefully watering his crops when the dark clouds began to gather.

Eh…? I would have thought there would be no rain today…

HoroHoro raised his eyes to the sky, watching the clouds carefully as they rapidly assembled, blocking out the sunrays and bits of blue sky.

Hmmm…

His shaman senses began to perk up, as he continued to watch the sky. Picking up his gardening utensils, he started towards the house where Pilica was waving to him in addition to pointing at the dark horizons above.

He tried to fight off the feelings of worry, telling himself that weather changes were, in fact, and of course, nothing strange.

But deep down inside, he knew something was wrong. Much as he wanted, he couldn't shake the feeling.

As he hurried into the house and dried his hair with a towel that Pilica handed him, he made a mental note to check with Yoh as soon as he could.

Surely Yoh would have sensed something, too.

-

Bokutou no Ryu was carefully combing his hair, and singing to himself, when the rain began to pour, instantly ruining his hairstyle.

"Damn!" he grumbled, running for cover to a nearby bus stop.

He was halfway there when a strange sense overtook him, stopping him in his tracks.

Posed in a vigilant stance, his eyes darted around him. The feelings of apprehension grew stronger.

It's not right.

Ignoring the rain, he raced towards his motorcycle and hopped onto it, gunning the engine, heading towards to Asakura residence.

-

Faust VIII was putting away his medical journal when shadows streaked past his window. He paused, the journal hanging in mid-air, as his eyes narrowed, his senses all on alert.

Replacing the journal, he walked over to the window. No shadows were seen, except those of the trees, but still…

With a jolt, he realised that rain was pouring. Heavily. He hadn't noticed it, and had assumed a fine weather all day, for it was so sunny and still in the morning.

Being a doctor, he was intelligent. Add on his shaman intuitions, it made Faust VIII a very observant individual.

And all his instincts told him that something was wrong.

Very wrong.

-

Lyserg Diethl was asleep when something jolted him awake. It might have been a dream, or a sound, what was it, he didn't exactly know. But all of a sudden, he was awake, wide awake.

He opened his window for some fresh air, and saw cloudy skies, poised for a heavy downpour. A sense of gloom hung about in the evening air.

Lyserg frowned.

A glint of light caught his attention, and he turned to see Morphine flying towards him, and gracefully landing on his lap. Her tiny face looked distressed.

"You felt it, didn't you, Morphine?" Lyserg asked softly.

"I did, too…"

-

Chocolove was munching on a sandwich and relaxing between his act when his harried looking manager appeared and informed him of the cancellation of his show that night.

"Huh? Why the sudden cancellation?" asked the baffled comedian.

"It's raining too hard. And since your show is staged outdoors today, we have no choice but to postpone," explained the man.

"Oh."

Rain? Hmm…

Chocolove swallowed the last of his sandwich, and gulped down a glass of milk. Then he heard Miko growling softly.

"Miko?"

"Grrrrr…"

He frowned. Suddenly, he felt a chill. It just swept over him. And he felt the signal, loud and clear.

Danger.

-

Asakura Yohmei and Asakura Kino were sipping hot o-cha when the rain began to pour. The old couple looked out, their faces tensed.

Then Yohmei set down his cup, his face sorrowful. Kino shook her head.

"It has begun."


-To be continued-

*

da*mouse ®
posted 7th August 2003
edited later: changed contradicting time-frames.

Yeah well, told you guys it was sappy. I warned you! :P

Sorry about the last part introducing all the other SK characters. Ah…that was so rushed, gomen ne.

By the way, looking at how long it took for me to get this chapter out, don't expect Chapter 4 too soon. *cringe*

So anyway, will be glad to hear what is made out of this chapter, so please please pretty please with sugar on top leave me a review/comment/flame/whatever. As always, I am open to suggestions.

P.S. the Yoh/Anna parting-in-the-rain idea taken from Meteor Garden. Yeah, I am unoriginal. But I referenced, so you can't sue, nay nay nay.