Chapter 3
With one hand the blonde Itako held her son's little body keeping him from sinking in the waters, while her other hand kept rinsing all the shampoo off his soft hair. He was still unconscious, and she wondered how long it would take for him to wake up. She then recalled that it must be very tiresome for his consciousness to readapt into his new body… and his newly acquired... Curse.
Anna closes her eyes at such thought. When did things become this messed up? All she wanted was to live a peaceful life by Yoh's and Hana's side. She knew it wouldn't be easy, especially after promising Hao that they would do everything in their power to help humanity become a better place. But she would have never expected things to turn out this badly.
She opened her eyes slowly and started contemplating her son's face…He doesn't even know what happened and how his entire future is compromised. He looks so relaxed, not a care in the world… so much like Yoh.
Yoh, the person who was equally responsible for their current situation. Anger started to take over her body once she remembered what happened.
FLASHBACK - IRAQ 2002
A big explosion could be heard not so far from their hiding place. Their location was pretty well covered up, as they learned very useful techniques with Sati on how to morph shamanic energy so it appears solid. A great tactic to confuse enemies into thinking their base was only a mirage. The most impressive thing, tho, was that it was in the middle of the city.
Anna was wearing a black long dress, her beads were packed up inside her bag, since they were very uncomfortable to wear with all these layers of cloth around her neck. She locked the final room. They were staying in a reasonably big brick house with three rooms, a living room where the entrance stood and right across the entrance door, there was a small portal that gave access to the kitchen.
- I locked everything. The truck leaves in 10 minutes. - At the entrance her husband was holding their six months old son as well as a huge travellers' backpack and another smaller bag. The baby was happily pulling on his hair... Hard.
- Good! - He said relieved to hand Hana over to her, gently so as to avoid more hair damage.
Once the baby was safe in his mother's arms, Yoh stared at the kitchen's portal with a concerned expression.
- So? What are we waiting for? - She asked impatiently, looking in the same direction.
- Zamir entered the cabin, he said he forgot something in the pantry and that he would be right back.
- Zamir! Let's go! - Anna shouted as loud as possible, trying not to startle Hana too much. She gets no reply. - Seriously… He knows we need to leave immediately!
- I guess it's hard to hear with all these bombings…
- What? The kitchen is right there! How deep in the pantry has he-
( ( ( (((EXPLOSION))) ) ) )
Anna kneeled to the ground hugging Hana, as she muttered a shamanic mantra to repel radiation. Yoh had created a barricade around them with the Spirit of Earth, preventing the debris from hitting them.
A massive explosion hit the right wing of the cabin, pieces of furniture, wood, bricks and wires all over the place. It was big enough to blow up half of the place's walls but thankfully the entrance structure was still intact. The kitchen, on the other hand, had only the wall with the small portal still standing.
- ANNA! ARE YOU GUYS, OK? - Yoh shouted once the dust started to settle. The explosion was so intense that his ears were still buzzing. He dismantled his oversoul, and cleaned his sight with his checkers scarf only to find his wife and baby right beside him.
- Yoh! We need to go. NOW. - She said in a stern voice. Hana was laughing, not really aware of his surroundings.
- We can't leave Zamir behind!
- There's no use, Yoh! If he was in that kitchen the chances of him being alive are zero!
- But I don't sense his spirit... - He stared back towards what used to be the kitchen.
- Yoh, if we don't leave now. We won't make it! - she said desperately.
- It's ok, Anna! - Yoh said as he noticed a small movement in the kitchen. - Get to the truck, I will catch up with you both in a second! - Not waiting for her reply, he went through the kitchen portal, vanishing in the dust.
- ARE YOU INSANE!?- Anna shouted but it was no use, he had already run inside. - For fucks sake… - She muttered under her breath; she was furious. With her free hand, she removed her 180 necklace from her bag just as a precaution, wrapping it around her arm. She started heading towards the truck holding Hana... But the truck was nowhere to be seen. It had left… With all their belongings in it.
- KISAMA! - She cursed out loud.
IN THE CABIN
- ZAMIR! ZAMIR, DO YOU HEAR ME? - Yoh tried sensing his aura, but he couldn't feel anything. It was so weird… What a great idea sending Amidamaru to inspect the surroundings, if only he was here to help out…
- Huff huff… - A muffled noise could be heard from under some metal planks. Yoh quickly ran over to the place where the noise came from. He lifted a huge plane of metal and beneath he found the thirteen-year-old black-haired boy kneeling to the ground with his back turned to Yoh.
- Zamir! Are you ok? Can you move?
- Hm… - The boy didn't turn around to look at Yoh. - Yes, I can move… - he said emotionlessly.
- Great! C'mon let's go! We need to hurry! - Yoh's arms were starting to get numb from holding the weight.
- Ha...Hahahaha… - Zamir started to laugh hysterically. - You are such an idiot… - he said viciously.
- ...What? - Yoh frowned.
- Do you really think we would let your brother take over this easily? Don't be pathetic. Our God has every right to be angry, and so are we.
- Zamir, stop saying nonsense! This has nothing to do with Hao. Let's go before you get hurt! - Yoh said calmly.
- Stupid. You are so blinded by your meaningless principles that you can't even see what's right in front of you… Asakura Yoh… the future head of the Asakura family and direct descendant of Asakura Hao… the fake god. – he paused for a second. - I will take upon my own hands the honour of destroying you and your family… - Yoh opened his eyes wide, sensing what was about to happen. - IN THE NAME OF OUR GOD YABISU! - Zamir opened his jacket just to reveal several hand-made bombs.
Yoh finally got it. He dropped the metal to Zamir's side and immediately ran towards the entrance. Another huge explosion came from where Zamir was at. Yoh barely escaped his body being propelled through the door by the impact, falling just inches away from Anna. He started coughing out all the dust that entered his lungs.
- YOH! - Anna's voice became clearer after some seconds. She kneeled next ot him and with her free hand, she helped him up.
- Anna, are you ok? - Yoh said roughly, regaining his composure. The traveler's bag had been damaged so Yoh moved it to his hand.
- No. We are all fucked. - she said sternly. - The truck left...
- Shit... - Yoh said, trying to improvise a new plan. But it was too late.
The sound of military helicopters started to fill up the atmosphere. - No… no, no, no, no! - He said nervously, as he grabbed Anna by the wrist and started running... - Let's go!
- Hahahahaa…. Run! Run like the little roaches you are! Hahahahahaha - Zamir sadistic laughter filled the atmosphere as he appeared from the smoke. His clothes were completely torn and he was covered in ashes, blood and dust. He climbed up a big pile of residue formed by what used to be their house. - YABISU knows your every move! There's nowhere to hide! - He threw another one of his handmade bombs towards them, even if he knew they were already too far to be hit. - DIE!
They heard Zamir's provocations followed by another huge explosion. They kept running at full speed, two helicopters following right after, aiming their guns at them.
Everything was so intense, that they could barely process what was happening. Anna was breathing heavily, and Hana seemed very amused by all the running. They entered a corner, trying to lose the airships... But they were ambushed by a third one.
- ANNA, DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!
- I CAN'T STOP! IF I DO, THEY WILL HIT US!
- Tsk… PLEASE DON'T FAIL ME... SPIRIT OF EARTH!
The helicopters started shooting violently.
Baby Hana was innocently laughing before several bullets went through his body...
END OF FLASHBACK
- Anna-san here it goes! - The pink haired teenager announced her entry before sliding the bath doors. - I brought your towels and- She stopped mid-sentence noticing that Anna was crying desperately as she hugged her baby.
- Anna-san… - she didn't want to be intrusive, but Anna was her friend. Anna was always there for her whenever she needed comfort during the shaman fight, she couldn't just leave her like this...
The shugenja approached slowly and placed one of the towels around Anna's shoulder, not really caring that it was getting wet. She then sat on the border of the thermals having her feet inside the water. She placed her hands delicately on Anna's left shoulder and made her lean on her lap. The Itako let herself be embraced and let her feelings out, overwhelmed by the gesture she didn't know she needed.
- How dare we, Tamao! - Anna shouted. She begun to confess everything, as the pink haired maiden listened. She explained the whole story, sometimes sounding more logical, other times only rage and emotion in her voice. Tamao was very shocked to hear all that had happened, but she didn't feel like saying anything. All she knew is that Anna needed her there. She doesn't even know when she started to gently stroke the older girl's hair.
- And now… Now there is no future ahead. - Anna said finally with an empty stare. Her voice was monotone and the tears were already dry.
- Don't say that Anna-sama… There is a lot to be done still. You know you can count on us, we are here for you… For all three of you. - Tamao said, being careful with her words.
She knew how delicate the situation was, and how meaningless words seemed at this point. But she really meant everything she said. They were her only family, and she would do anything for them.
Anything.
- I know. - The reply came a little later than expected, but Tamao was grateful that it did.
They stayed like that for a couple of minutes, until Anna fully calmed down. Tamao then offered to take and dry baby Hana so that the Itako could have some space.
She greatly appreciated the offer, and once the younger shaman left, she took this opportunity to properly wash her hair and body. In her head everything was still a big mess, but she was feeling somewhat lighter after sharing her emotions.
She finished bathing, and put on the Yukata Tamao had left for her on the bench. Tamao was waiting for her right outside the door, with baby Hana all ready for bed.
- Thank you, Tamao. - Anna said softly.
- It's the least I can do, Anna-san. - She said with a lot of care in her eyes. - He hasn't woken up yet… I think he might be very exhausted, but he is breathing very peacefully…
- Hai. I guess it will take some time for his spirit to adapt to this new body… I think I can take over from here, Tamao. Thank you again…
- Of course! - She was about to hand baby Hana over to his mother when a door slid open.
The brunette shaman left his room and was now in the hallway facing the girls.
- Anna… - he paused - ... Can we talk? - his voice came out very low. He was looking at his wife with begging eyes, she stared at him emotionlessly.
The tension could be felt miles away.
To be Continued.
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Hi Guys!
Thank you all who started following the story. :) It's been a hectic month so far, but it felt good to detach from reality a bit and write another chapter...
Hope you enjoy! 3
Elhana Lupa
Aaaa I am so happy to read your comments, Elhana!
And I am very glad you found the manga... I had a similar story years ago, because I had only watched the anime and then when I found the manga all of a sudden and couldn't let go!
I also hope Takei will give us some closure with more Asakura Family moments haha I am waiting for the day he will bring Yoh and Anna back in shaman king super star. Lets hope!
Thank you so much for your support 3 Lets try our best to keep the YohAnna fandom alive haha!
Take care!