Chapter 5: Possession

(Part 2)

Screams of pain, yells of agony, and low dark chuckles: these were what Yoh hears. He wanted all of this to stop but he can't do anything as the guy in front of him was gripping his neck tightly. Breathing was difficult and his mind won't work well due to lack of oxygen needed by his brain. He wanted to move, to do something, but it seems like all of his furyuko was fled away from his body.

"Why?" the voice of the guy in his front with orange hair caught his attention. "Why are your eyes so soft? Don't you hate me?"

Yoh was getting confused by AshLee's demeanor now. There was really wrong with him. He was totally acting differently, as if he was possessed. AshLee's eyes were covered by his bangs. His other hand was slightly curled but not totally closed, preventing the snake-shape flame encircled around Manta to tighten, for Yoh's relief.

But seconds passed, AshLee's straight lips curved into a sadistic smile as he looked at Yoh fiercely. "I'm going to teach you how to hate."

"AAAHHHHHH!" Manta's scream echoed in that part of forest as the snake-shape flame tightened. His small body was ready to give up and his skin was slowly burned dangerously.

"M-Man-ta…" Yoh looked at AshLee and tried his best to speak. "R-re-lease… him…"

But AshLee only gritted his teeth. He wasn't happy on the brunet's reaction. "Why I can't feel any hatred from you? I'm going to kill this midget."

"You… won't…" Yoh stated, looking directly at AshLee's eyes. "I – know… you – wont…"

AshLee grinned evilly as his eyes narrowed, looking at Yoh in a mocking way. "Wanna bet?"

Another scream from Manta. Yoh tried to get free from AshLee's grip but failed.

"Let's end this show. I'm going to burn this midget's body and soul so whatever happens you are not going to see him anymore." AshLee opened his hand widely, ready to summon another flame.

"ASHLEE!" Both males looked at the direction of the voice and saw a necklace of beads going towards their direction swiftly. Yoh noticed AshLee's grip loosened a bit and used this as opportunity to escape as he summoned his remaining strength. AshLee, gotten distracted from Yoh's action, hadn't managed to dodge the 1080 which binds him on a tree.

Yoh quickly went on Manta and exactly caught the midget who fell unconscious as the flame surrounded him vanished. The other shamans also got free.

"Release me from here Anna! Damn! Let me go!" AshLee shouted and shouted, throwing curses at the blonde who was standing few feet away from him. Anna put her hands together and began to chant a prayer. The 1080 glows which made AshLee anger more and continued his cursing to Anna. Finally Anna opened her eyes as she spoken the last chant. A bolt of electricity came out from the 1080 beads and electrified AshLee. The orange-haired guy managed to look at Anna with pure hatred before he lost conscious and fell silent.

As AshLee's body hung motionless, Anna's body finally gave up at the same time. She dropped on her knees. Yoh quickly ran over her, leaving Manta on Ryu's hand and Horohoro who was trying to give a first aid in Manta's burn with Kororo's help.

"Anna…" Yoh said as he knelt beside her. She was panting hard. Beads of sweat were visible on her face. He noticed the burn on her arm and felt his heart was punched by something. The burn was not as much as Manta. Hers was first-degree while Manta's was second-degree. Yoh dug his nails on the ground, feeling angry to his self as he couldn't do anything.

"Yoh…" Anna's voice snapped him back. Anna softly touched his cheek, looking at him with concern. Yoh rested his forehead on her shoulder.

"Sorry…"

His eyes were heavy, his body wanted to rest more, but he felt like he was sleeping for so long. He tried to move but something was restraining him to do it. He finally decided to open his eyes and when he did he saw his current position.

"What the –? Hey! Why am I tied on this tree? Anna–" AshLee's sentence was cut as he looked at them. The shamans were looking at him with confusion, eyes full of questions and something that says he did something… wrong…

The guys were beaten badly. Manta was unconscious, burn in his skin were visible. Anna was currently nursing by Kororo to lessen the pain on her arm. He looked at Anna but the blonde quickly averted her gaze.

"Am I…" AshLee gulped, not really sure if he wanted to hear the answer in the question he will ask. "Am I the one who made that?"

Anna's nod was enough answer to shatter AshLee's will. He bowed his head, ashamed. "It's not your fault," Anna added as she stood, gaining confuse looks from the others. "Let's go home now. Manta needs Faust's aid." She started to walk towards him, going to free him.

"Don't…" Anna halted as she heard AshLee's voice. "Don't come near me."

Anna who was few steps away from him shouted angrily, "Don't act stupid. It's all over."

"Please…" AshLee answered in a tone of command and pleads. "Leave me in this state for a while."

Anna looked at him, sighed, and then looked at Yoh over her shoulder. "Let's go," she said then walked passed AshLee.

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Faust was walking along with Tamao, holding two bags of groceries. He decided to accompany the timid girl as he needed to buy something. The walk was quite silent. The pink haired girl will occasionally ask him about something and he will answer it with a shook of head or short sentences. Suddenly his attention was caught by a hooded man who dropped on his knees. Faust quickly put down the bags and helped the man.

"Are you okay?" The doctor asked as he offered his hand. The hooded man accepted it, get up with Faust's help, nodded, and then leave.

Tamao blinked due to the hooded man's action. Faust and her exchanged looks then shrugged and continued their pace back to inn.

The man in hood slowly lifted his hand covered with bandages then grinned. "What a great power."

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Yoh's Pov

"For the millionth time Yoh, I. Am. Fine," Anna said beside me sternly, stressing the last three words. We were now walking home with the guys. Anna and I were behind them. I was aiding Anna, throwing worry glances on her arms every now and then. I really felt bad that I can't do anything for her. "Yoh…" I looked directly at Anna's eyes, they were full of concern. "I'm fine… okay?"

I only nodded, and then bowed my head. Yes, Anna's simple burn was nothing compare to the injuries I received. But I am used to it. I had been in many battles and always receiving cuts and wounds from my enemies. While my precious Anna was not.

Then my best friend, Oyamada Manta, was hurt again. For the second time I hadn't able to protect him. I looked over Ryu's arms, where Manta was resting. I still can see the pain in his face.

I felt angry to myself. I felt angry whenever I can't do anything to save the people I care. I really don't like this emotion, but I can't help it whenever I see my friends and Anna were hurt.

I remembered what AshLee asked me that night. What if Hao suddenly came and take Anna away from me, do I have the power to save her? Funny, AshLee showed me today that I don't have the ability to compete with Hao. I'm still… weak…

I gulped the imaginary lump formed in my throat. What if someone stronger attack us again? What if AshLee went berserk again and hurt Anna? What will I do?

I bit my bottom lip, controlling my emotion. It is not like me to think of the negative side. But…

A soft squeezed on my hand brought me back to reality. I met Anna's soft gaze. She shook her head, and then whispered, "I trust you."

A small sad smile played on my lips. Despite the things happened Anna still trust me and will forever trust me. That's my Anna… Confidence was beginning to build inside me. As long as Anna and my friends are with me I'm sure I can do everything. I can become strong. Everything is going to be alright. I squeezed back, feeling a little better now.

"Who are you?"

Anna and I both stopped as we heard Horohoro yelled. We both looked at the direction they were looking and saw a man in hooded cloak.

"Eh? What with those wounds? Tsk. You must really please Death in a battle." Even though I couldn't see it I could say he was smirking.

"What the heck are you talking about?" Ren asked angrily.

"Nevermind. I'm just here for the blonde." What? Blonde? Was he talking to Anna? What is it now?

"Who are you?" Anna demanded, repeating Horohoro's question, tone full of venom.

The hooded man's head snapped at her direction. "Ahh~ As beautiful as always, and still scary. Too sad you don't remember me anymore. It was just been three years when we met."

Anna's brow furrowed. "How could I know you if you're hiding your face," the sentence was more statement than a question.

"I doubt you will remember me if I show you my face. After all you haven't seen me before."

I'm getting nervous in the outcome of conversation. I can feel a dark aura lurking from this hooded man. I can't take it anymore so I quickly walked in front of Anna, shielding her from this man. "What do you want?" I asked.

The hooded man tilted his head, as if looking at me clearly. Then I saw his smirk and… fangs? "You're Asakura Yoh, I presumed."

"I am."

"Match better… Things will get more easily." The man then removed the hood, revealing a long spiky scarlet hair, face which looks like at the same age of us, whole eyes is pure black except for a crescent shape pupil in deep red, and sharp fangs. "I need Kyoyama Anna, may I borrow her?"

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Third Person's POV

AshLee's gaze was far, as far as his mind where. His emotion was mixed and jumbled. He felt angry to himself. He was here to fulfill a promise and duties, and hurting Anna was not one of them. He bit his bottom lip, blood drip from there. He felt the pain but he didn't care. Anna was hurt more than this. The guys were hurt because of him. Manta was unconscious because of his weakness.

"It's not your fault…"

Anna's words echoed in his mind. The blonde didn't want him to blame himself but what she said was far from truth. True, he didn't intent to hurt them, but still it's his hand and power that hurt them. He bit his lip deeper and more blood flow from there. This punishment was nothing.

An eerie wind blow suddenly and AshLee became alert. The birds were flying away from the forest. The wind became warm. Some insects were giving signal of warn. AshLee can feel someone's presence too familiar to him.

"It can't be!" He said in a frighten tone as his eyes widened. He was sure it was him and his aura was near to her. "NO!" He tried to free himself but the 1080 was tightly binding him on a tree. His body felt so tired and his furyuko was slowly draining. Whenever he tried to use his power a bolt of electricity was coming out from the beads, the power to restrain a demon was still active in the necklace.

"I need to go… if not… Anna…"

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The grin never leaves his face. He was acting too cocky at the same time. But maybe he has a reason as a tremendous amount of fearsome furyuko was emitting from him.

"What do you want from me? I don't even know you," Anna said bravely as she crossed her arms. It was half true, yes she never seen this man before but she had quite idea who he was, the familiar dark aura coming from him, it made a sweat role on her face.

"Lying is not good Anna…" The man stated as he smirked. "Let's erase that doubt in your heart by showing this." He stretched both his arms, his cloak flew on his back and finally his masculine upper body and long dark red baggy pants were revealed. A pure red flame then emerged from the ground, surrounding them.

The shamans' expression held surprise but Anna's held something unreadable.

"Humans called me Dave, the evil…" The man who called himself Dave extended his hand towards Anna. "Now be a good girl and come to me."

The shamans then quickly motion in a fighting stunt except for Ryu who held Manta protectively. It made Dave a bit surprise.

"Going to fight me in that state?"

"Well, maybe this is our fate, to fight you in this date," Chocolove stated proudly, grinning widely, already in oversoul. Seconds later his face was flatten on the ground. Thanks to Horohoro who smashed the afro's head.

"Stop with the rhyming, will you?"

"I don't care if you want the ice queen but you should fight me first," Ren said smugly, Hou Rai Ken on his hand.

"Amidamaru, please lend me your power once more," Yoh said as he unsheathed the Harusame.

"As you wish Master Yoh," Amidamaru answered merging his soul with the sword.

Yoh held the Spirit of Sword in his front, looking at Dave determinedly. "I don't know what you want from Anna. But I will certainly not give her to you."

Dave bowed his head, his shoulder were shaking. He then held his head up as he burst out laughing. The shamans looked at him confusingly. He stopped, and then grinned evilly. "What can you do against me? You have some guts to tell me that when you're only a bunch of insect." As he said the last word, he stretched his arms, sending a massive amount of wind that pushed the shamans away, out in the flame that surrounding them.

"HOROHORO! CHOCOLOVE! REN! RYU! MANTA!" Yoh shouted but remained on his position. He needs to protect Anna.

"Now it's your turn." A flame suddenly turned into a sharp spike and dashed directly to Yoh. It pushed the brunet away like the other shamans.

"YOH!" Anna shouted and tried to move but she felt her body stopped. As she turned her eyes she saw the man in cloak walking towards her with ease.

"Finally no one will disturb us." He stopped few feet away from her. He looked intently at her, from head to toe, and then smirked evilly. "Shall we go?"

Another sweat rolled on Anna's face. She can feel her heart was pounding. She still can't move. She was prison inside this small portion of forest surrounded by flame. The 1080 was not with her. It was tie around AshLee…

AshLee…

The ground beneath them suddenly shook. A flame suddenly burst out from the ground where the enemy was standing. Dave quickly jumped away.

"My, you're late…" Dave said as he landed on his feet with ease. The orange flame in front of Anna slowly disappeared and revealed an orange-haired guy. "…Death."

AshLee? Anna thought, looking at the back of the man on her front.

"Dave…" the newcomer hissed angrily, gritting his teeth. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"For the blonde… What else?"

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ANNA!" Ashlee shouted as his eyes revealed from his bangs. The crimson color of his irises was gone and replaced by pure orange.

"Tsk. Tsk. Don't gets so mad AshLee. You don't want to wake him, do you? I don't want too… not now to be exact." Dave eyes traveled back to Anna who was still can't move. "The knight was here, I can't kidnap the princess now. So, see you later, Kyoyama Anna." And with that a flame surrounded his body and he vanished with the flame.

Anna finally dropped on her knees, and cursed someone's ability to stop her movements. She quickly looked around, the flame surrounded them was already gone. She stood and ran towards the boy who was lying on a ground.

"Yoh…" she said as she held him on her arms. She noticed the deep wound on his shoulder and she quickly untied her bandana and put it on him to cover the wound. "Yoh…" she whispered as she softly shook him.

"A-Anna?" Yoh mumbled, regaining his conscious. He cringed as he sat up when he felt the pain in his shoulder. The pain subsided when he saw Anna's gaze to him. Her eyes were watery, ready to cry. "Anna…"

"You idiot," Anna said as she throw herself on him, embracing Yoh tightly which caught him surprise. Second later his eyes soften and give back the hug.

As they depart from each other's embrace, Yoh scanned the area and saw the others slowly moving up. He too noticed AshLee, standing still, eyes covered with bangs, wounds all over his body, holding the 1080 tightly.

"What happened to him?" Yoh asked with concern. Anna only bowed her head.

AshLee managed to look at them with regretful eyes before collapsing on the ground.

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They were back in the inn, in one specify room; the others were circling the long table, while Ren was leaning on wall. The tic-tac of clock was louder. All were silent, waiting for Faust who was healing Manta and AshLee upstairs. Their faces were unreadable.

Faust finally came down and the people on the room quickly looked at him. Knowing what they wanted, Faust smiled then nodded. It was enough to tell them that everything is fine now. He sat beside Ryu.

"Now everyone is here, care to explain us now what's happening?" Ren said sternly, eyes closed.

"Yeah! What's wrong with AshLee?" Horohoro asked.

"And who is that another Hao-like and what he wanted to you?" Chocolove added.

Yoh, who was sitting beside her fiancée, looked at Anna with concern. The blonde finally opened her eyes and looked at them seriously.

"Before I begin my tale I want you to remember this… AshLee and the one who attacked us earlier, Dave, are not simply Hao-like. They are… demons…"

An update finally. Geez… I'm suck with promises… I promise to update soon but what the heck! I didn't make it! This chapter was written a month ago and… oh! Enough with excuses… I'm really sorry for the super duper late update. T^T

Oh! Do Anna and Yoh were a bit OOC? Or is it fine because of the situation? Please tell me.

Anyway, I'm really thankful for those who review, put this story in their favorites and alerts. You're the reason why I'm still writing this story… You are my motivation. Tee hee…. ;3

Hope you enjoy this chapter. Please R&R.