Summer Sun
By: Stupiak Kitty
Yoh was a simple boy who wished nothing but for one simple thing: to have an easy life. Alas, Universe must have heard his wish so it decided to give him the exact opposite of it.
For twenty-four years, he never had one. Despite that, he still wished that everything would work out fine eventually.
For the most part, it did work out in the end.
He was an adopted son of the village elders. They were known as Faust and Eliza. They treated them as their own child. He treated them as his own parents. They once told him he was found near the creek. Their conscience won't let them leave a crying infant alone so they took him home and treated him as though he was their own son.
One could say he's lucky someone decided to adopt and treat him as their own family. That was what he overheard from one of their neighbors. Horokue and Pirika were orphans so he understood their reasoning.
Unfortunately, he never had it easy.
When he was twenty, Eliza was killed by a group of random bandits. Faust, who had witnessed the death of his beloved, went crazy and blamed Yoh instead. A concerned villager saw Faust's outburst when he tried to kill him. His adoptive father was now living inside a refuge for mentally ill people.
For years, he only had himself. He was left to take care of everything on his own, including the tiny house the couple had left behind. At a young age, he was forced to look for ways to have food. He found a temporary job in a nearby barn. He was responsible for feeding cows and chickens. The pay is not enough, but it gave him the opportunity to eat meat and have temporary peace of mind.
As Yoh grew older, he realized an important thing about life. Sometimes, in order for you to live, you must first learn to survive, even though it meant hurting someone or even taking advantage of them.
He learned it the hard way.
For twenty-four years, he learned how fleeting life is−how short the moment is. Next thing you know, every moment you have come to cherish in your heart has turned into memories, and the only way for you to visit that again is to recall the past.
In a blink of an eye, everything is not the same anymore. Just like how he never noticed how seasons change.
He found it scary, yet beautiful.
His favorite season was summer. And it seemed as though the Universe isn't a fan of him because it found ways for him to despise it.
He found love in summer; he lost it when the season changed.
Summer – two years ago
Yoh sighed as he threw a pebble at the lake. He watched as it sank the moment it touched the water. He thought how lucky it was to find its forever home in the lake bottom. Sometimes he wished he was a pebble instead.
His friend, Chocolove, suggested a way to change their future in this lonely village. He remembered his friend telling him how he met a group of friendly guys who offered him a job that would grant them easy money and an easy way out to get rid of this almost forsaken village.
He was unsure what to do. Is it logical for him to get mad? Or, is it practical to have an objective perspective and consider this as a chance to change his life?
When Chocolove explained the supposed job, Yoh had never felt anger in his entire life until that moment.
The job was easy. They were expected to rob manors from the fancy town near their area. It was not as bad as he thought it was−his friend reason out−since the manors were owned by wealthy people with enough money to waste it with worthless things. Taking some of it won't change the wealthy people's life, but their life instead.
Yoh understood Chocolove's logic−their lives in the village were getting worse. They were not getting enough resources anymore when the tragedy in the Kingdom of Mu happened years ago. When the king died, the policies changed. He wasn't sure if the rumors were true, but some said the royal family was murdered. Only the crown prince survived.
That was the very reason why random bandits raided his house two years ago. Chaos surrounded them. Only the fittest were able to survive. He wasn't even sure why he is still alive until now when all he knew is to tend barn animals and daydream all day.
He was tempted to agree. Chances are high if he did. Their life would change for the better. They could help the village, they could help themselves. A life without worries is like water to his dry throat, he needed it so badly.
However, he can't accept the fact that he would be expected to do the very reason why he lost his family.
Yoh sighed again. "What do you think, Amidamaru? Should I accept his offer or not?"
The albino cow simply ignored him. His animal friend found the grass more interesting than him. He looked up at the sky instead and wished nothing but an answer.
xXx
Yoh woke up with a start. He was awakened by an alarmed cry of Amidamaru that echoed throughout the forest. He didn't even notice he had fallen asleep. He stood and shouted for his cow's name, asking him what's wrong and where he was. When the cow answered back with a panicked wail, Yoh didn't waste any time and ran.
He didn't like the sound of his friend's cry.
He shouted Amidamaru's name as he ran. He went deeper into the woods, sprinted to where the cry was louder and clearer. His breath hitched as soon as he saw movements from further left; it has been a while since he felt extreme fear.
Someone is stealing Amidamaru!
The forest is dim, but Yoh was sure there was an unknown human forcefully dragging his cow friend away from the forest−from him. His heart dropped as soon as he realized what was happening. Is that a bandit?!
"Hey!" He shouted to get the attention of the hooded man. "Give back Amidamaru!"
When the hooded man turned around, the first thing Yoh ever did was blush. Shocked eyes and pinkish cheeks greeted the human who was about to steal his friend away.
The hooded human was not a man, but a beautiful woman instead. Her entire body was covered; her face was the only part of her body that was visible. She was wearing a thick brown coat that looked uncomfortable to wear in this hot weather.
Even without the sun's help, Yoh could see how dazzling the beauty of this strange woman standing before him. The woman stood out amongst the dark gloomy trees around them−almost as though the Sun was right in front of his eyes.
The woman's pale complexion complemented the amber eyes that were also staring at him in surprise.
"You're giving names to potential food?" was her answer after a moment of the initial shock.
"Food…?" Yoh was too confused to even form a coherent sentence. "What…you…"
"This cow," she pointed at Amidamaru, looking as if it was plainly obvious what she was pertaining to. "Potential food."
"?!" Yoh almost had a heart attack. "Wha-w-wait…I don't know you miss, but you're being ridiculous. That cow is Amidamaru, my friend, and definitely not a potential food!
The woman scoffed, amused. "You're being ridiculous. This is a cow. They are meant to be eaten and not meant to befriend, for obvious reasons."
"Hate to break it to you, Amidamaru is special. He is an exemption!"
"Is the humanitarian crisis really this serious in this village?" She looked disappointed. "…seems like that's your case if you begin to treat this 'potential food' as your friend."
"Not really−" When the woman tried to walk away with Amidamaru, he almost panicked. "Wait!"
The woman stopped as she looked at him with impatient eyes. "Yes?"
"Can you give him back? Technically, the cow is mine and you're stealing it."
The woman looked as if she was beginning to lose patience. "That's how our system works now, isn't it? You steal to survive."
Yoh panicked. "Yes, you may be right…but…I caught you. Now I'm getting my friend back."
She pursed her lips. "A favor for a favor, then."
"Okay," Yoh agreed in a heartbeat. "What is it?"
"Give me another source of food, and then I will give this cow back to you. Otherwise, I'd kill him right here, right now, and eat him raw right in front of you."
He agreed right away.
xXx
"Aren't you the weird one?" The woman said as she stared at the piece of meat they were currently roasting. "You spared the weird cow's life, but you chose another one instead."
He also stared at the meat, before smiling at the woman. "You can't blame me. He's been with me since I was young."
"Hm. You shouldn't be attached to anyone. It will make you weak."
"Then I guess I'm glad that I am."
"You're weird."
"Why do you think so?"
"You're not supposed to show other people your weakness; they might take advantage of that."
"So far, no one has taken advantage of me yet."
"That might happen soon," she answered. "There are people in this world that are more than willing to do anything to live, and for them to live they must first survive. Surviving might mean taking advantage of people or even taking their lives. Some people do terrible things just to survive."
"Hmm…so tell me, are you one of them?"
The woman looked at him. "Do I look like that kind of person to you?"
Yoh studied the woman staring at him. She was holding a large chunk of meat in both of her hands. "You look like someone who hasn't eaten in ages."
She looked at her hands, before looking back at him. "Is that your way of saying I'm a glutton?"
"No, no, that's not what I meant." He couldn't help but chuckle. "I know you're just really hungry."
The woman glared. "That's almost the same."
It made him laugh his heart out.
As they continue roasting the cow's meat in his backyard, the woman looked around the area. "Your house may be small, but it looks decent."
Yoh mimicked the woman's way of questioning. "Is that your way of telling me that you plan to rob my house?"
"What if I am?" She looked straight at his eyes. He noticed how enchanting the color of her eyes is. It was pure dark orange− almost amber, almost the same hue of the summer sun.
He grinned. "I'm sorry to disappoint, I don't have anything valuable here for you to steal. But…if you're into hay, I'll give it to you for free."
The woman sighed, but Yoh noticed that she was trying hard not to smile. "What an idiot."
He couldn't help but grin. "Well, I guess I am."
She rolled her eyes. "I am trying to offend you."
"I think you're right, so I'm not offended."
Silence reigned between them for a moment. Only the rustling sound of the meat being cooked in a small bonfire accompanied them.
Yoh broke the silence a minute after.
"Aren't you hot?" He asked. The woman looked at him. He gestured the thick cloak she was wearing. He explained, "It's almost summer, but I could already feel the heat just by looking at you."
"Then don't look."
"Eh..." He scratched his head in embarrassment. "I'm just concerned, okay?"
"I know. I'm fine. I don't feel the need to collapse, yet. Don't worry; I'll let you know so you won't panic if you see me about to faint."
Yoh could only nod. Another silence, before he broke it again. "Do you have plans to tell me your name?"
The woman looked at him. "Why would I?"
"I saved your life by giving you food. Isn't it logical to tell your name to the one who saved you?"
"In case you forgot, I technically saved you from crying your eyeballs out," She countered after munching a big chunk of meat. She gestured the meat and continued, "This meat we're eating could've been your friend's thigh instead."
Yoh couldn't help the small sob that escaped his lips. "You're right, sorry."
She only huffed, as if she couldn't believe how emotional he was being. "You're too soft."
"This is how I am."
"I wonder why you're still alive if you're this giving, even with a stranger."
"I wonder that myself."
"Hmm…You being soft have done me a big favor anyway."
Yoh chuckled. "Otherwise…I won't even let you inside my house in the first place, right? You were about to steal my friend. I might not be able to forgive you if you did kill him for food."
"Is that your subtle way to make me thank you?"
Yoh could only scratch his head in a loss for words. The woman was snarky and sarcastic. Still, that didn't prevent him from bringing her to his own house. He had this feeling that this woman isn't bad; just in need.
"Well, you still deserve it…" The woman continued. "I know it's hard to trust someone nowadays, so thank you."
Yoh couldn't deny that he was surprised. He didn't expect the snarky woman to thank him.
They ate in silence again. Surprisingly, there was no awkwardness between them.
When he was done, the woman continued eating the leftovers as though she hasn't tasted something as good as that meat for years. He couldn't help but observe her.
"So…will you at least tell me the reason why you are here in our village?" He said casually. "The embroidery on your cloak is something I haven't seen yet. Are you a foreign bandit or a fugitive?"
The woman stilled. Even though she was an expert at controlling her facial expression, his keen eye saw the subtle twitch on her fingers.
"What if I'm both?" Her straightforward answer caught him off guard. "Are you going to alert the village wardens?"
He grinned. "I'm guessing you already know how incompetent the village wardens are."
"You're right," She answered, almost smiling. "I sneaked in unharmed, see?"
"So you are a runaway fugitive and a bandit."
"Are you scared yet?"
Yoh chuckled. He couldn't help it, this woman is amusing. "I don't have any reason to be scared, do I?"
"You don't," She agreed. "Unless you do me harm, you'll see yourself and your friend in hell."
"Y-Yes…of course."
The woman is scary, that's a fact. She was emitting a dominant aura he couldn't resist. Yoh was very certain she was capable of doing that just in case he did something wrong in her eyes. And yet, there's something about this woman that is quite interesting in his eyes.
"Anna."
Yoh looked at her, surprised. "W-What?"
Did she just...
"Anna is my name," she answered. "And I'm asking you for another favor."
xXx
Yoh had never imagined that accepting a favor from a complete stranger would change his life, maybe forever.
Anna was now living with him for almost a month. It's already summer, so the atmosphere around the village is more depressing than usual.
She didn't seem to mind. She asked him if she could live with him as a favor, and for some unknown reason, he said yes right away. She never explained the reason why she was running away, whom she was running away from, she just told him she was in need of a place to sleep because, indeed, she was a fugitive.
Technically, she was still a stranger at the time.
Now, she's far from it.
Yoh couldn't say he didn't like it. In fact, living with Anna has been a great help. She cleaned the house, helped him find food, or even steal fruits from the neighbor's trees.
His small quiet house has become homier now that Anna is living together with him.
And yes, he's in love with her.
If he may be honest, he fell in love when he first saw her amber eyes. It always reminded him of the summer sun.
He doesn't know if she felt the same way, but...he assumed that Anna won't let him have his ways on her if she doesn't like it, considering how feisty she is.
They have coupled, maybe more than the days they have known each other. He never felt any hate coming from her whenever they had intimate contact.
He stopped cutting the logs when he saw Anna approached, a medium crate cradling in her arms. He set aside the hatchet he was holding and greeted her with a smile.
"What did you steal this time?" He asked with a teasing smile.
"Sorry to disappoint, this was given to me." Anna removed the brown cloth covering the crate. Yoh almost gasped when he saw loads of different fruits, loaves of bread, cheese, uncooked salami, and even homemade jam. The crate looked so appetizing he drooled right this instant.
"Where in this forsaken village did you find that?" He asked, shock is written in his eyes. "That could save us from hunger for a year!"
"Well..." She averted her eyes. "A kind woman gave this to me after doing the chores she asked me to do."
He can't help but feel suspicious. "You got that in this village or from that nearby mid-class town?"
"…it doesn't matter, does it?"
He sighed. "I told you not to go there alone. You know the chaos happening around us. What if you were taken advantage, or worse, got yourself killed without me knowing?!"
"You are still talking to me, so obviously that didn't happen," she countered. "Besides, we don't have to worry about food." She gestured to the crate she already put down in front of Yoh. "Wanna start eating that now? I know you're hungry."
He can't help it; he's weak when it comes to Anna's charm. And besides, she's right. She's still there, eating with him, and that's the most important thing.
xXx
"Anna..."
"Mm?" She looked up at him, her amber eyes glowed under the dim light of the gas lamp.
Seeing those already familiar eyes made Yoh's heart hurt for an unknown reason; maybe because of the unspoken worry of not being able to see those eyes again once he woke up.
They were currently lying on their bed; limbs entangled along with the sheets and dried fluid.
"How long do you think is forever?"
"Weird question," she answered. "But fine, I'll play along. Since you asked me, I'll answer you truthfully. Forever is just a concept."
"So you don't believe in that?"
"Not really."
"Hmm..."
"But..." Anna's index finger played around his naked chest. With a small voice, she said, "I guess forever is a feeling."
"Hm?" Yoh was intrigued. "Why do you think so?"
"It feels like I've been doing this with you..." she looked up at him, a rare smile on her face."...since forever."
Yoh couldn't help the smile that touched his lips. "Me too, Anna. Me too."
"Yoh..."
"Hm?"
"Thank you..."
"For…?"
"…for giving me memories that are worth remembering."
"Oh..." He couldn't help but blush. "Are you talking about our coupling or...?"
Anna rolled her eyes. "That's included, stupid."
"Ehehe…What's with you thanking me out of the sudden?"
"I just..." she gave a long sigh. "It's just that...being with you gave me the strength to face my problems and to dream again…to dream and wish for a good future."
"Future...?" Is she talking about the future with him?
"Do you know..." she said instead. "When I tried stealing your weird cow, I was expecting to get caught."
"Eh…?"
She stared at the blanket that was barely doing its job of protecting them from cold. "I half expected to get killed when I sneaked in this village. I never expected you−or anyone for that matter−to do exactly what I asked; to give me food and shelter. I first thought you were only trying to frame me."
"…is this why your guard was high at the time?"
She nodded.
Yoh was deeply curious. "Are you saying that you are suicidal?"
Anna looked at the flickering light. "If I told you I'm meant to live a life behind prison doors, would you believe me?"
He looked at her. "So you are an escaped prisoner from another kingdom, is what you want to say?"
Not only was he curious now, but he was also intrigued. He was confused; Anna doesn't even look like a prisoner. If anything else, he could say that she was close to being a royal. Her pale pinkish skin was so smooth. If he could touch the clouds, he imagined it to be as soft as her skin. She even has long silky blonde hair that looked as though it has been caressed by a sun goddess with how shiny it was whenever the ray of light touched it. Her golden eyes, perked nose, and rosy lips were nothing but perfect to his eyes−the goddesses must have favored her so much that they made her like one of them.
Yoh may have exaggerated it a bit too much, but to him, Anna was an epitome of beauty.
Shen then answered, "I am more than a prisoner, even worse than that."
"What do you mean? Isn't being a prisoner already worse?"
"A prisoner has a choice. They had freedom before they choose to be restrained," she embraced him tighter. "I don't even have that from the start."
Even though he couldn't understand what she really meant, he sympathized. In a way, he understood her. In his current state, he doesn't have any freedom too.
"Everything will be fine." He said in a soft voice.
He felt her nod as she answered, "I'm thankful you caught me."
He smiled. "I'm thankful I found you."
"Yoh…" She called him after another minute of comfortable silence.
"Hm?"
"I'm sorry..."
Yoh tilted his head in confusion. "For…?"
"For everything..."
"You mean the time when you tried to eat Amidamaru?"
She nodded.
He continued, "And that time when you went off without even telling me, and coming back the next morning with a crate full of food?"
"Yeah, that too."
"Hmm...Tell me, are you satisfied?"
"Why do you ask?"
"If you say yes, then there's no reason for you to leave this house anymore." To leave me.
She sighed. "Let's just go to sleep."
Again, the pang in Yoh's heart appeared. "You're avoiding the question, aren't you?"
She looked at him again. "I don't need to tell you the obvious, stupid."
"You're not going to leave me, then?"
"I won't."
"Do you promise?"
"Yes."
Yoh smiled. "Thank you."
"Now, let's sleep."
xXx
When the morning came, she left.
She faded into nothing, slipped away like how the season transitioned－it was almost like an inevitable change.
The bedsheets were still warm to the touch, but the surroundings felt cold. There was no sharp yet gentle voice calling his name anymore, no movements in the kitchen or inside the bathroom.
Even outside the house.
He wanted to convince himself that Anna was just out, maybe trying to search for their food again. But he knew that's not the case.
This time, it felt different.
There were no traces of Anna anymore; her clothes, her things, even her tarnished sandals.
It was as though the whole summer was just an illusion; a cruel fabrication of his brain so he could survive this depressing, godforsaken village.
He was almost convinced that Anna was just a figment of his imagination until he saw a small, almost worn-out paper with messy and cursive writing.
Don't try to find me, cos you won't. Anna is not my real name.
She left as fast as the season changed, but even though it was just the first day of autumn, it doesn't feel like it−Yoh felt like it is winter already. The cold surroundings, the chill he felt in his spine when he saw Anna's letter, the numbing sensation he slowly felt in his heart the moment the reality dawned on him.
She betrayed him.
She lied to him.
"You're not going to leave me, then?"
"I won't."
"Do you promise?"
"Yes."
He realized he never knew the woman who introduced herself as Anna at all. He also realized that she actually took advantage of him.
She took advantage of his kindness, and then run off once she's satisfied, once she knew she could live without his help.
Summer – present
Two years had gone past just like that; Yoh had already forgotten almost everything about the woman; her face, her laugh, even her name. It almost felt like recalling a bad dream, so he never tried to remember anymore.
Although, whenever summer came, he could feel his heart move, almost as though it was trying to recall the good memories he had from the past. The good memories he shared with the woman who taught him an important lesson.
A week after that incident−as far as he could remember−Yoh contacted his friend and gave him the go signal. He agreed to his friend's suggestion of robbing rich people's manor.
Once he experienced the betrayal, he realized an important thing. His life became lighter and easier after he let go of his rational fears. He now understood the woman's reason for betraying and taking advantage of him.
Sometimes in order for you to live, you must first learn to survive, even though it meant hurting someone or even taking advantage of them.
She taught him how to live right in this world where stealing and taking advantage of people is a must for them to live better.
Yoh was a living testament to it. It took him only half a year to get what he has now−unlimited source of food, nice manor, friends from higher societies, big connections, and many more.
He even helped Horo-Horo and his sister to get out of the godforsaken village that he once called home.
In two years, his life changed. The Royal Kingdom has also changed−everyone would definitely agree that it was for the better. The crowned prince was enthroned and is now considered as their new king−despite being young.
Yoh has no interest in royal lives, but his rumor-enthusiast friend, Chocolove, told him that the reason why the whole kingdom suffered for years was because of this reason: The once-crowned prince who is now their king today didn't want to claim his throne alone. He was supposed to be betrothed to a princess from another kingdom to save the kingdom of Mu, but he refused because he was in love with his childhood friend−a crowned princess from another kingdom as well−and that she was reported missing a month before her birthday.
The king almost lost his mind because of that reason. That incident alone made him unfitted to rule the throne.
And then months, almost a year later, the princess came back. The king was so elated that they got married a week after. Soon, they had a son.
For an unknown reason, the king didn't want anyone from outside the palace to meet or see his son−even his queen. He was the only one who could go out and meet the public.
Chocolove had a theory that the queen is not the same childhood friend the king had fallen in love with. Her body has never been found. They assumed that she's already dead. To conceal the news to the public, they bought a random girl from a hidden slave market to pose like a queen and to bear him a child.
All stories Chocolove shared seem to be too farfetched for Yoh. It is possible that the royal family only valued their privacy to avoid any more public issues.
"Hey, Yoh!"
He turned around to find Chocolove jogging towards him, his right hand waving what seemed like a torn poster.
"Look what I found!" Chocolove stood in front of him and grinned. He held the poster before him. "Isn't it a lucky day for us?"
Yoh examined the small banner. He blinked. "The royal palace is having an open house banquet for three days, everyone is invited…"
"You got it!" His friend exclaimed. Excitement was visible on his face. "And you know exactly what it means, yeah?"
"Let me guess…restless neighborhood, overflowing food and litter everywhere, right?"
"Not just that…we could invade the palace and steal gold and pieces of jewelry from them," Chocolove explained. "This is the first time in a very long time−even in history−the royalty opened their palace for the public, that's good news for us, bro. Call it a double kill. We could steal from them and see the real face of the queen. Right, right?"
Yoh studied the poster again. "Is that the main reason why they decided to throw a banquet out of the blue? To meet the queen they've hidden for almost two years?"
"Don't forget their son, the only prince of the kingdom of Mu."
He nodded in understanding. "Cool."
"So you're in?"
"Yeah−I mean, what's the harm? The only worst-case scenario that I could see happening to us is losing our heads. Sure, why not?" Yoh responded with a hint of jest in his voice, but he knew that it's possible. Still, he decided to just go with the flow and see what would happen. He smiled at his friend. "In the end, everything−"
"−will be all right!" They cheered with laughter as they said their usual line both at the same time.
xXx
−First day of the Royal Banquet−
Yoh was in awe as he looked around the street town filled with people, vendors and various colorful stalls. This was the first time he saw the usually silent neighborhood this lively and filled with different crowds. There were lots of foreigners going in and out of the stores. Some looked average, some looked like royals disguising themselves as average, and there were some who tried to look average but he knew they were far from that.
Somewhere within the crowd, he saw from the corner of his eyes how the tall man bumped the proper-looking lady. Before the lady could react, the man bowed several times and apologized. She must have sensed the sincerity so she only sighed and walked away.
Once the man made sure that the lady was far enough, he smirked and pulled a medium-sized wallet. When the man noticed that Yoh was staring at him, he nodded as though he recognized him.
And then the tall man squeezed his way through the crowd, sauntered to the group of a shady and obnoxious-looking group, and greeted them. They looked elated when they noticed the man's gain.
The tall man is called Ryu, and he's with his own gang. They knew each other because Yoh and Chocolove were once just like them−pickpocketing was one of their part-time jobs when they first lived here.
"You missed doing that, don't you?"
"Sometimes." Yoh looked at Chocolove. He was also looking at Ryu's gang. He must have noticed it too. "Most of the time, I felt bad."
Chocolove laughed. "You may want to hide your empathic side again soon. Remember, we have a plan later this evening."
"Later?" He frowned, confused. "I thought we would only check the inside of the palace for future purposes?"
"That's part of the plan, buddy." He tapped the back of his shoulder. "Or…do you want to do that right now?"
"You're that sure the palace is open now, huh? It's still afternoon."
Chocolove smirked. "Huh, you doubt my sources, Yoh?"
They went straight to where the palace is at that moment.
xXx
There's one thing Yoh really liked about his friend, and that's how reliable his information is. When they arrived at the foot of the royal palace, the crowd is already thick; seemed like the royals would be very busy all day long.
Various chatters echoed around the ample royal country yard. The place didn't look as though it has been restricted from the public for years. He saw Chocolove looked around, so he did that too.
Despite having so many people around the area, they could still distinguish the royal wardens standing in their designated position.
"Do you think we could bypass them?" Yoh whispered to his friend. "They look intimidating."
"Nothing to be scared of, buddy," Chocolove wiggled his eyebrows. "I know a lot of birds."
Yoh understood, so he never said anything again. He looked around again; for some reason, he felt as though this is not the first time he has been here.
And then it clicked; he remembered his re-occurring dreams since he was little. This place was the same mysterious place that has been haunting his dreams ever since he could remember. It gave him a sense of deja-vu, a sense of familiarity−almost as though he came back home after all the exhausting journeys the Universe gave him.
Exciting cheers pulled Yoh out of his thoughts. He looked at Chocolove when he, too, screamed in joy and excitement.
"Yoh! Yoh, look!" Chocolove pointed at the wide and spacious balcony. "There's a shadow moving behind the curtains!"
Yoh was bewildered. "I didn't know you're a fan of royals too, Chocolove."
He laughed. "Do you blame me? That could be the queen! This will be the first time in forever we'll get to see her, you know?"
"Well−" Another shout of excitement echoed around the country yard. This time, he had to protect his ears with both of his hands. The screaming was so loud it almost reached his brain. He saw Chocolove jumping, and at some point, he saw his lips moving as if talking to him, but he couldn't hear; the emotion of the crowd almost made him deaf.
A random baby toddling outside the balcony, alone, caused the uproar. Before the baby could take another step, a blur of pink and gold swooped down to grab him in time. This caused another set of roaring excitement; it was a woman with long blonde locks. Soft pink velvety material hugged her slim body.
When the woman stood up and looked at the crowd in shock, Yoh felt his heart fell on his feet.
It can't be…
Memories from the past came rushing, almost drowning him in complete surprise and confusion. All faded thoughts, forgotten face, the happiest moments in his life, the lingering scent that was left behind, abandoned hope and feelings; everything smacked him awake. It all came back at him and made him feel small once again.
Even if they're several feet away, Yoh knew it was her. It was the same woman who tricked him and made him the way he was today.
Even if they're far apart, his hands could still recall how soft that long, shiny hair was−the perky nose and rosy lips that he remembered staring at when she fell asleep and was left awake, and the unique shade of amber eyes that reminded him of the summer sun.
Even if she's far away, Yoh knew it was her…
"Anna…" Saying the repressed name gave shivers through his spine. "Anna…"
I never expected this day would come…
xXx