Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King

Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait... I had a lot of stuff to take care of. And writer's block's a b****! Anyway, this is a little shorter than the previous chapters. I'll try to update sooner. Thanks a lot for the reviews!


~o0o0o~

"No. You saved me." She spoke to him softly as her hand rested on his cheek. "Now it's my turn to save you."

Ren stood outside the couple's door, seemingly waiting for the right time to get in. He heard what the itako said and he's more than pleased about the progress they're making. He gave himself a mental pat on the back for his well executed and successful adhoc plan. But it's been a few minutes since Yoh passed out and he figured his best friend must be starving, so setting aside his regard for self-preservation, Ren opened the door and was immediately greeted by a murderous glare from Anna.

"Ahem." Ren cleared his throat. "Am I interrupting something?"

The itako squinted her eyes, stating the obvious.

"Oops. Sorry." He placed down the tray next to her while she continued to follow his moves with her eyes. "Seriously, you're creeping me out. It's not like you're doing, you know, that." He spat and turned to his best friend. "Yoh, do something?"

Yoh just shrugged - somewhat saying 'What am I supposed to do?'. Ren laughed at this rather natural reaction from his friend but the female Asakura wasn't in the mood.

I feel like I'm all tied up in a giant roulette with a blindfolded Anna throwing bolos at me!

"Alright...I don't have to tell you to look at me while I'm making my way to the door coz you're already doing that. See me closing the door, leaving you two alone. Happy now?" Ren snorted as he made his way downstairs.


~o0o0o~

Ren was a few inches near the kitchen when his cell phone rang. The caller id says "Jeanne".

He answered almost instantly - hearing her voice had always been bliss for him. The mighty Ren Tao, never one for romance, had fallen head over heels with the iron maiden. They've been dubbed as the weird and/or scary couple but then again, he could say the same about the Asakuras.

"Jeanne, is everything okay?" This is how he always started his conversation with her.
"Absolutely." She answered. "How's Yoh?"
"Still out of it. But we're getting there. Do you have any news for me?"
"Don't fret dearest. I've already requested all of your appointments moved until you come back from Tokyo. The minister's not very happy though."
"He's a grumpy guy, that's for sure. I hope he didn't make things difficult for you because if he did..." There's a slight mischievous tone in his voice.
"Well, meeting with him to explain the situation wasn't really a walk in the park. But I managed to convince him."
"Do I even want to know what you did?"
"Hush Ren. Why would I torture the minister?"
"Beats me."

Of course this was just playful banter between the Tao-s. If anyone ever heard them.. that's another story.

"Ah, don't be silly. If you're dying to know, I just told him that you'd prioritize meeting him when you get back."
"I feel such a drag already. Anyway, how's the little tot?"
"He's sleeping. Adorable as always."
"Okay. See you soon."
"Yeah."


~o0o0o~

Anna went downstairs and saw Ren eating.

"Oh hey, sorry, I'm quite famished so... oh and this is delicious." He complimented.

Anna leaned by the doorway and crossed her arms.

"I'm only gonna say this once so listen well," She started.
"I'm all ears."
"Thank you for being here - for helping me with Yoh."
"We're friends - other than that, I cannot think of a better explanation."
"I really appreciate what you've done so far but it's time for you to go back to your family."
"Couple days more Anna." He replied as he took in another spoonful.
"That wasn't a request."

Ren looked her in the eye and just breathed a sigh of defeat. "Normally, I would insist on staying but from your resolve, I'd say you've already got a handle on things. Am I wrong?"

"Wasn't that the whole point of me asking you to leave?"

Ah, sacked again by the ice queen.

"I understand. But you gotta be reasonable too. Even though my family practically owns a few planes doesn't mean I can have them here instantly." He whined.

I just had to protest. She was literally leading...rather dragging me towards the door like she wanted to throw me out...in the middle of the night.

"Plus," He continued "I just got here hours ago and haven't rested since. Sure, I can get a lift to the city but come on, give me a break."

She whirls around and headed back upstairs but not before saying "Fine." She pointed to ruined floorboards then stared back at Ren. "That too."
"Yeah, you've reminded me twice."
"And for staging up the attack against me... I'll get back to you."

To Ren, it felt like being hit by lightning as her last words registered to his mind. Surely, it means he's in for some serious torment.

"Anna, I was provoking Yoh to remember. You do know the saying 'Desperate times calls for desperate measures' right?" He chided.
"Whatever. I want you gone the earliest by tomorrow. Got it?" She hovered for a few seconds more on the staircase, brows furrowed and darting eyes directed to Ren before resuming her steps.
"Sir, yes, sir." Again, with little regard for his life, he straightened up his back, placed his feet together at a 45 degree angle and saluted the itako.
"Keep that up Ren and I assure you, there'd be hell to pay."
"Ugh, can't take a joke? I was just teasing!"

Ah, I'm laying my ass on the line here. I hope you're getting my drift Anna. I just wanted you to take your mind off things even for a few minutes.


~o0o0o~

The next morning, Ren was helping himself with a glass of milk. Anna enters the kitchen, hands on her hips, foot tapping the floor.

"I thought I told you to leave the earliest time possible."
"What can I say? I overslept. I also had to make a few calls so that I could have those fixed." He drinks up the remaining contents of the glass before speaking again "Do you want coffee?"

Anna sighed. She just haven't the energy to argue with the chinese shaman. This surprised Ren too - the itako rarely lets up.

"I know this is quite a unique situation and it certainly needs a lot of your patience. But at least, you guys are on the right track. Just a few more baby steps and for sure, Yoh would recover what he'd lost."

"..."

"If I may suggest, you may want to bring Hana back home."

"..."

"I'm not supposed to ask again, however, I really wanted to make sure; do you really want me to leave?"
"Yes."
"Very well."

~o0o0o~


A/N: Bolo - long heavy knife with a single edge.