Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King
"Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Tamao, Ponchi, Konchi, Amidamaru, Mosuke, Ryu, Tokagero, Bason, Ren, Pailong, Silva, Horohoro, Kororo, Pirika, Faust, Eliza, Boz, Lyserg, Morphine, Chocolove, Mic, and everyone...to have received your care until this day, I truly thank you all. "
He had no choice but to drop out of the shaman tournament in order to save Ren. His desire to be the shaman king had less weight than his desire to have the Chinese shaman resurrected.
With his eyes closed, he carefully unstrapped the oracle bell from his forearms and let it drop on the riverbank.
"I'M SORRY...Anna."
Of all the important people on his list, Anna is the one person he would never want to disappoint. He's sure she'd understand why he had to do what he did - because for him, it felt like it was the right thing to do.
'Everything will be alright' has always been his motto and it always appear to work - though at that moment, it seem to have failed him. Sighing in defeat, he walks away without looking back.
It took him a while to think things over (considering the fact that thinking wasn't his best trait) before finally deciding on the next steps. As if on cue, Anna comes along and agrees with his decision. However, she doesn't let him off without hitting him with the legendary left.
Her unusual way of showing affection is the sole proof that he has been forgiven. Setting aside the searing pain on his cheek, he's just plain happy to know that she'll be there for him no matter what.
Hana went on a fieldtrip that morning so the couple had the house on their own.
Yoh went about on his daily chores as usual, but his pseudo grin everytime their gazes met, is starting to irritate Anna. However, she knew him so well that she'd rather wait for him to come around.
He always does she thought.
On a typical day, she would have evoked the truth out of him by painful means...but all she could now is worry.
Sometimes (more often than not), she still couldn't help but wonder why he had to go through all the motions and be broody, than tell her straight away and get it over with.
Silence is somewhat a bliss to her and she'd prefer that from Hana's random fits or the hysterical laughter from the frequent visit of a certain ainu. What she can't stand is the fact that Yoh is cooped up in his own head.
Finally, after a few more hours of incessant musing, Yoh handed her a brown folder (his name was printed in front of it).
Confused yet determined to find out what the ruckus was all about, she opens it.
"What's this?"
"I had my checkup yesterday and..."
"You have brain cancer." She said in a dead tone.
"Yeah..."
She placed the folder on the center table.
"That's what's been bothering you?" A tinge of mockery in her voice. If anyone other than Yoh heard her, they'd probably be furious. It doesn't make sense to be angry at someone who is seriously sick.
"I just didn't know how to break it to you so..."
"Yoh," She sighed, somewhat relieved "Did the doctor gave that to you personally?" She pointed to the document.
"Err... I was kind of in a hurry yesterday.. I just snatched it from his table."
Another exasperated sigh. Instead of words, she got a hold of the document once more and showed it to him.
"Yeah, Anna, I know... the results are.."
Yoh's eyes widened in shock.
"I..."
Anna's eyebrow twitched as she hummed "Hmm". Translation: Yes, that's right you idiot.
Relief can be seen all over his face. "I really thought I was going to die. Hahahah" He laughed heartily.
He's back.
She wanted to hit him more than anything - for making her anxious over nothing.
She also had to admit to herself that she got nervous, but the nervousness got washed away the minute she saw the name on the file. Name that wasn't her husband's.
Author's Note: Flashback is from Chapter 156. Thanks for the reviews and the favorites... those stuff really help inspire me to write. I meant to write longer but with work going on and all that, I could just compose a few sentences. Is this chapter any good? Let me know.
Thanks again!
xoxo
~ash