Here's the next chapter, and yes, we will be seeing more YohxAnna soon!

Chapter Ten: The Talk

The wind barrier collapsed as soon as Hao had gone. Ayamae turned from Yoh and the others and bent to retrieve her sais. Wiping dirt off of the blades, she secured them to her knee high boots and grabbed her pack.

"We better get back to the inn and check on the others," Ayamae said, not looking at anyone. With that she started off down the hill.

The group looked questioningly at each other. They had a million questions going through their heads, the top of which they were wondering where Ayamae had learned to put up such a strong wind barrier, one that could stop Hao, and make him turn away.

"Ayamae," Yoh said, jogging a little to catch up to her. The others were following close behind, each discussing what they had just seen. Yoh looked at her quizzically, opening his mouth to ask a question, then closing in at the look on Ayamae's face. Her jaw was set, her eyes were hard, but there were tear tracks down her cheeks, and she bit her lip as if to keep herself from crying more.

Yoh stopped, stunned. He didn't understand what was going on exactly.

"That was intense, huh, Yoh?" Horohoro asked, obviously finishing a thought.

"Huh, what? Oh, yeah," Yoh said, not really paying attention. He started walking again, following his friends. Anna was waiting at the entrance to the inn, arms folded in front of her. Behind her stood Tamao, Jun, Pirika, and Manta, all watching Ayamae, Yoh, and the others approach, their spirits at their sides and discussing the events with the shamans.

Ayamae came up to Anna and they talked in quiet whispers for a minute. Anna looked at Ayamae with concern, but Ayamae only smiled. They hugged, then Ayamae went inside. Anna looked at Yoh and the others, then beckoned them in.

Dinner was set on the table, and everyone started eating. Yoh and the gang were telling those who hadn't been there what had happened earlier. Manta was stunned that Hao was back, and coming after Yoh and the others again. The others wanted to know exactly what Ayamae had did, to make the barrier. Ayamae, however, was not present. Anna had explained to the others that Ayamae was resting, and was not to be disturbed.

After dinner and cleanup, everyone sat around and talked for awhile, laughing and joking, relieving the stress that day had caused. Not long after, everyone decided to go to bed.

When Yoh was sure that Ren, Horohoro, and the others were asleep, he crept out of the bedroom. He walked over to one of the many balconies and opened the door, stepping into the chilly air. Leaning on the balcony railing, Yoh gazed up at the stars. Soft footsteps warned him of someone else approaching, but Yoh already knew who it was.

Turning around, he smiled as his fiancé, Anna, joined him on the balcony. Setting her hands on the balcony, she turned to look at the stars. Yoh turned back to gazing at the stars, resting one of his hands gently on Anna's. Anna smiled softly, turning her hand to intertwine her fingers with Yoh's. They stood there, gazing up at the stars, for a time, taking comfort in each other's presence.

Finally, Yoh sighed, turning to Anna. "Anna, we need to talk," he said.

Anna turned to face him, and nodded. When they were kids, Anna had always been rough on Yoh, forcing him into doing things he didn't want to do, their meetings always ended in tears. Now, after the defeating Hao, Anna had begun to show Yoh her softer side. Not in front of his friends, no, in front of them she kept up her reputation as the ice queen, and Yoh was fine with that. It made the moments they had alone all the more special.

"So," Yoh prompted. "Do you know what's going on with Ayamae?"

Anna nodded her eyes grave. "Ayamae didn't want to bother you or the others with the details, but she told me earlier she felt that you were starting to guess at what was going on. She said it was okay to tell you, but she would appreciate it if you wouldn't tell the others, not yet at least."

Yoh nodded, curious as to what was going on that none of them knew about yet.

Anna sighed, meeting Yoh's eyes with her own, and told Yoh everything. She told him about the Shadow King, Hao, and who Ayamae truly was, and how she had come to figure it out. She explained about the prophesy and how Ayamae, still in love with Hao, was hoping there was some way to save Hao from the influence of the Shadow King.

When Anna had finished, Yoh whistled quietly. "No wonder that meeting with Hao was so upsetting to her. She was seeing firsthand what Hao has become." Yoh sighed, running his free hand through his hair. Anna squeezed the hand she held.

"We should go to bed," she said softly. "Yoh look exhausted, and who knows what tomorrow will bring."

Yoh nodded in agreement. Standing together on the balcony for a minute longer, they finally released hands and walked inside.

"Goodnight Anna," Yoh said, turning back to his room.

"Goodnight Yoh," Anna whispered, favoring him with one more of her soft, sweet smiles. She was glad he had taken the truth calmly, and accepted Ayamae for who she was. She had also seen in his eyes that he also hoped there was a way to save Hao. With one last glance back at Yoh's bedroom door, Anna entered her own bedroom.

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Yay! Another chapter up! I'm so glad, I've been wanting Anna to tell Yoh for a while! Anyway, hope you liked it!

Please review, if you want…it helps me want to keep writing!