Disclaimer: Don't own SK.
Author Notes: Much thanks to everyone who reviewed (I was very touched when I read them, by the way.) and major more thanks to everyone else who gave me Anna's birth date!
Warnings: OOC, written in Yoh's POV (Point Of View) …bad
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Endless Days, Ch. 2
~~~
Anna's birthday is coming up soon. I can remember all the nights spent looking at her sleeping face, just wondering what to get her. I want to make this birthday a special one… one that she can actually remember… one that she wants to remember. She's gonna turn 18 and I know that girls probably want to remember something really special on the day they become adults.
On my 18th birthday, I never expected her to have done what she had. First, she bought me a brand new set of headphones, the ones I've always wanted but never actually said out loud for the fear of getting hit. Not only that, on the head connector, (You know the band that attaches with the left and right earphones?) there was an engrave of some sort. When I read it for the first time, I couldn't believe it. I had to rub my eyes a few times before making sure it was actually there.
The engrave read: I love you with all my heart and I hope you enjoy this gift as much as I enjoy seeing your smile everyday. With much love, Anna
Well no, it wasn't exactly her first time saying those words to me, and it wasn't as if I wasn't sure if she didn't mean it.. I mean I know for sure she means it, but… something in those words -- all those words that just made me feel that I have to do at least one good thing without being told to. Something that was better than roses and diamonds, something better than money and luxuries. I had to show her that I really loved her as much as she loved me.
When I first said those words to her, I could sense her skepticism towards it. I don't know the complete details of her past but I'm positive that it's shaped of what has become of her now. I guess she doesn't know how to love because she's never truly felt it before. Which is why I had decided that this birthday would be the day --- the day where she can truly know for sure, how much I love her, and how I will never stop loving her.
A lot of people say that teenagers don't know what the true feeling of 'love' is. All they do is just say we don't understand it, or we're too young to know the meaning and other stuff like that… the list is endless. What does 'I love you.' really mean? Is it just something to say to make the other person feel good?
Maybe the definition of love is different for every person… the definition that I have is… well... I can't make it into sentences that you can actually understand… I know the feeling all too well and I can't describe or explain it… isn't that funny? All I know that is.. when I'm with Anna… I know its love. It's so hard to tell you the feeling… but when I'm around her, I get this weird warming feeling that makes me grin until I can't feel my mouth anymore. Maybe I'm repeating myself when I say this but I think when you really love a person, all you want to do is spend time with that person, constantly wanting to know who that person is, what they like, what they don't… you can't live without them, that's for sure. The best thing about being 'loved' is that it gives you a reason to wake up in the morning, it gives you a reason to live… because it gives you a feeling that you're wanted and needed in this world. It makes you feel that you're actually important and yeah.. it does make you feel special..
I don't really care if people think that we're too young. Who cares what everyone else thinks, all that matters is that I love her, and can't think of anyone else more perfect than her. I can honestly say that I can't picture living my life with anyone else but her.
To be honest, I never really realized how important she was in my life until I thought about it… which really wasn't that long ago. I almost hate myself for not noticing before.
The way she hides her smiles when she sees me after I've completed difficult training… and I mean really difficult, like that time at Yomi cave. Actually, as I think about it… I did think a lot about her when I was in there. At that time, maybe a part of me already knew I was in love, even though my mind didn't register it as it was.
Oh! And I like it when she comes into my room at night and thinks I'm asleep but… of course I'm really not. She would always do that, and a part of me would always stay awake just for that moment. Sometimes she would caress my cheek, ruffle my hair, say things I can't really make out -- things that make me want to reach out and touch her. I've always wanted to just suddenly 'wake up' and just hold her. But then, a part of me fears that she won't come into my room anymore.
Well, it's not like any of that matters anymore. We share the same room now… and she still does those things… and still thinks I'm asleep at those moments. It's actually funny if you think about it. But at the same time… it's really… indescribable.
But as I was saying, the time where I knew for sure that I was in love with Anna would have to be… around the time I became the Shaman King. When I realized that the harsh training was actually for my own good. Okay... so I'm a little slow, but when your training everyday for over half of your free time, I don't think you would see that this kind of pain could actually do you good. I finally realized that this training wasn't to put me through endless torture, (As I previously thought.) but it was for my… no scratch that… our own benefit. She wanted to make my dream come true and to do that, I had to become more powerful -- at least a hundredfold more than before.
There was this time… this one time… and this moment sort of motivated me to train a little harder. It lasted for a second, but it was enough to get me through the years. It was a look that she gave me… not a death glare... Actually, I think that's what scared me the most. It was almost a sad look… I could feel her pain as I stared into her eyes. When she blinked, the sudden mood disappeared, but still I felt it. I can't remember why or when she did it… but I still remember that fearful look she gave me. She was really afraid for me. Which wasn't surprising, when your parents ditch you and all you virtually have left is your fiancée only… (Let's face it, my parents and grandparents are survivors but eventually time will shorten their lifespan.)
Why didn't I realize it? The absolute last thing she wanted was to see me, dead. Sure, I could break or strain a few bones and muscles through training… nothing that time can't heal… but how can time retrieve a life? It can't. Though, I can still be there spiritually.. it wouldn't be the same. It was with that look that made me realize that I couldn't slack off anymore.
And so I trained. And what did I get?
I got something that makes even the depressing things in life easier. I got someone to love, care for -- I got someone to spend the rest of my life with. I got Anna.
When I actually think about it (again), maybe I was in love with Anna my whole life. How come your heart knows it before your mind does? It's like sleepwalking... or just things you don't even realize you're doing. It's difficult to explain, but when you start thinking about the people you care about, you suddenly end up with a lot more than you probably think you thought of.
I can remember how we met, I can remember how nervous I always got when she walked close to me, I can remember it all.
A few days ago, I went to Izumo to see my grandparents. I asked them to come this weekend so we could discuss or follow through with the arrangements for our wedding.
I can remember that day so well…
I told Anna I was going out for a bit. She raised a questioning eyebrow but didn't say anything. Before I knew it, there I was looking into the eyes of my grandparents.
"Grandma, Grandpa… I want to have an arrangement so that I can marry Anna on her birthday," I said in the most normal tone I could bring out, "I've fallen deeply in love with her… And I think that this is the perfect time for this marriage."
They looked at me strangely at first, but slowly their eyes sparkled towards me, even smiling at me. "Oh... Yoh…"
Grandma looked at Grandpa with an omniscient glance, "I knew he would fall in love with her someday."
Grandpa didn't say anything in defence but he looked at me and said, "We're happy for you, Yoh."
I grin uncontrollably, "Do you guys think that you can come to Tokyo this Monday? Since we have a holiday and all …To plan and stuff?"
"Of course! The sooner the better... I was waiting for this moment for forever, you know," Grandma smiled.
I chuckle nervously as I continued, "Do you think it can be arranged?"
"Leave that part to us," Grandpa replied.
My eyes lit up as I thanked them like there was no tomorrow, "Thank you so much… And please… don't tell Anna that I planned this. I want it to be a surprise."
They nodded, knowing my reasoning and a few hours later, I left with a wide grin on my face.
I can't wait to see her face when she finds out. My heart is pounding loudly when I think ahead, not too long from now. I imagine as we are finally pronounced husband and wife and I imagine our future that lies ahead of us.
All I can do now… is wonder what Anna will think or say… or do to me when she finds out..
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, I know this story is completely out of the timeline. And yes, I know that this chapter didn't turn out so good. Uh… but nonetheless, please review with comments, concerns, questions, flames (constructive), anything.. the two cents.
Again, major and many thanks to each one of you who took the time to read this or the last fic and much more thanks for those who review(ed) it.
