Why hello again. Have you returned to read the latest chapter of this crossover? Good for you.
Enjoy it, please. And review, if you'd be so kind.
"Why are you following me?"
I didn't even turn around to ask the question. But Yoh knew I was talking to him.
"I wanted to know why you pretended you didn't know me today."
Of course he would want to know that. Of course he would be able to tell I was lying.
After a pause, I answered him quietly. "I'm not pretending."
More lies, which I'm sure he was able to hear in my voice.
"Ari..." It sounded like he was about to plead with me.
I whirled around, so I could face him. I was furious now – it was the only way I could keep the tears out of my eyes. The anger masked my sadness. "I don't know you. Stop following me. Go home."
He did the opposite of what I asked. He started to walk closer to me. "You promised we'd always be best friends, Ari," he reminded me.
I fought the tears I knew were coming to my eyes. I knew I had promised that.
What a lousy best friend I was.
I wanted to tell him everything, so badly. But I couldn't. I had to convince him that I didn't know him.
"Stay away from me!" I screamed at him. I ran a few steps, ten or twelve, then stopped and turned back to look at him again.
And I took my act one step further.
"Stop following me, stalker," I told him.
Then I turned again and went back to running. He didn't follow me this time.
I wonder if he had seen the tears in my eyes.
I ran for a while. I wasn't anywhere near home. I didn't know where I was , or even if I was going in the right direction. I didn't care.
When no one was around, I broke down and sobbed.
That's what I was doing when Kurama found me.
"Arivianna..." He paused, then moved closer to me. "What happened?"
I sniffed, trying to stop crying enough to answer his question. And I was glad he hadn't asked me if I was all right; I clearly wasn't.
"I slapped Yoh."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Your friend."
"Yes."
After a short silence, he asked me, "Why?"
"To keep him from following me, and to convince him that I don't know him."
I stood up and turned to face him. "I'm ready to go home now, Kurama."
He nodded and proceeded to guide me home.
Yoh didn't try to talk to me the next day.
I didn't know how to feel about that. I was glad, that he was making this easier for me. But it made me sad, too.
He didn't follow me home, either.
But Anna did.
"What is your problem?" she asked me.
I turned around to look at her. "What's it to you?"
She walked right up to me, almost pressing our faces together. "I am Yoh's wife, and I expect him to make me first lady of the shaman world. But now he can't train because he's upset over you and the way you're treating him."
Yoh's wife? I tried not to let the shock show in my eyes. "I don't have to talk to you," I said.
She slapped me. "Tell me why you're ignoring Yoh."
I smiled an amused smirk at Anna. "Really, Anna. You think slapping me is going to make me want to talk to you?"
And then I turned around and walked away.
- Kuramastrass -