Disclaimer: Shaman King belongs to their respective owners.

Author Notes: Thank you muchly for the reviews!! ^___^ I really appreciate your kind words and comments and I hope they remain kind words and comments especially during the end of this chapter.

Replies:

Unmei - Thanks for the luck! I completely agree and unfortunately I knew that before I wrote this. --;;

Kitsune Asakura - Thanks for informing me on that -- my bad. I always get confused of the whole…  Japanese l/r pronunciation thing.

da*mouse - Anna's birthday never mentioned? Oh well, I'm satisfied that its on July 22nd or somewhere around that. It's a shame though, I was really curious about that detail. Well… since you've been… subtly hinting me for updates, I suppose I should the same to you… hmmm? For *cough*IfICouldChangeTheWorld*cough*cough*

Warnings: Major OOC because I'm writing this in Anna and Yoh's POV… partial angst for Anna… ~~~ ß signals POV change… Very sorry if it's confusing…

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Endless Days, Ch 5

~~~

My hands shake nervously as I follow Kino-sensei into a hallway I don't remember ever going through. I would never have expected this feeling or this situation a month ago. I held my breath as we entered the room at the end of the hallway. Anxiety got the best of me as my legs stiffened and I froze -- one step away from entering the room.

"Come in, don't be shy," her hand gently pushes me forward into the room.

I gasp as I take in the sight of the white dress I've only seen in pictures. The window was open allowing a light wind to blow in. The hung dress seemed to dance among the breeze.

I don't know what it is about this dress that attracted me to it in the first place. In fact, I really don't know much about this dress, only that it's white and silky.

I never bothered to look at wedding dresses when I was younger. What's the point of looking at something and feeling unwanted, as it will never ever happen in your lifetime. It's just stupid... I'm not one to believe in delusions to despair. What did it matter? I thought I was a freak, an outsider… someone who didn't belong in this world. I thought I was the only one to have these shaman powers. Of course, I was only 3 or 4 at the time. I am much more informed about the world of shamans now.

If my parents abandoned me because of who I was… what are the chances of ever finding someone who will accept me?

My hope was lost forever --- until I met the Asakura family. Kino-sensei has taught and trained me to become the most powerful itako ever to exist. At the end of the first day's training, she told me words that I thought would never change my life like this.

"You are more talented than I first thought of you and I am a hard woman to please. Since your ignorant parents have left you… why not join the Asakura family? My grandson -- Yoh… You would like him… in time. Although he is extremely lazy, he has a kind heart. When the time comes I want him to become the Shaman King. And I want you to train him well and hard so that he is prepared for the burdensome task. In time, you will learn to love him."

I'm surprised I didn't laugh at that word right then and there. Love. What was that word… really? What did it mean? I never cared about such an insignificant word… until I met him.

"Try it on."

Kino-sensei's voice startles me as I snap back to reality. Reluctantly, I reach out towards the dress, taking it down from the hook. I placed the dress over my body and looked at her blankly.

"You can change in there," she spoke, pointing to a small boxed area I hadn't noticed on my way in.

I made my way inside, making sure none of the wandering spirits were watching me. Slowly, I undress as my mind beings to wonder about him once more.

Yoh was the first and only one who taught me how to love. He showed that people can be depended on and can be... sometimes for the most part, trusted. In many ways, he's opened my heart to experience things I never knew of and could never feel through my icy exterior.

If I hadn't met the Asakura family, I don't know what I could have become. I could be dead already. I could have been a girl who was always taken advantage because I didn't know better. I couldn't have become who I was today. I'd doubt I'd have the courage to go outside. But… meeting them… they gave me strength, knowledge and someone to spend the rest of my life with.

Love isn't for the weak. Love… in many ways… is for the people who are truly strong. Sure, independence is strong at times… but being able to love… that's having courage to put your heart on the line and enduring both good and rough times.

If I thought about this a few years ago, I'd laugh.

Who needs love right? Who needs to depend on another person? They'll just let you down anyways… right?

Yoh isn't like that. And that is one of the many many reasons… why… I love him.

~~~

"Yoh! Are you done yet?"

Grandpa is yelling at me again. This darn thing is harder to put on than I thought. It's so itchy too!!! Gah…! Now I know why most people only marry once. Sheesh!

"Yoh!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming," I replied as I slipped my arm into the remaining sleeve. "How do I look?" I asked as I came out of the changing area. 

"For crying out loud, take off your headphones! You don't want to listen to your wife's wedding vows now?" He pointed at the headset as if they were a foreign animal burrowing on my head.

"Hai, Hai," I took them off and set it on a table near me, "Am I ready now?" I raised my arms and spun around for an effect.

His face wrinkled in dissatisfaction, "Comb your hair."

I looked around for a comb when I spotted it near on top of the drawers, in front of a large mirror. Hmm… it must have been moved here… I don't think I noticed it here last time.

Arrgh!! I want to see Anna!! Whoever made it a 'rule' that grooms cannot see their brides must be insane!! I wonder which dress she chose. Oh well, that doesn't matter. I just… want to see her. She could be wearing her black dress for the wedding for all I care. Who cares about clothes? It all doesn't matter… nothing does. As long… as it's her…

I have to calm down. It's only… a wedding…

'Correction! The biggest day of your life!!'

I shut out the voice in my head and ignored my beating heart as I brushed the remaining strand away from my eyes. Looking at my reflection, I grinned. Perfect. In my standards. Now for the judge's approval and I'm all set. I turned, waiting for a complaint or a flaw in my appearance. Instead, I found my grandfather looking at me with an awestruck look in his eyes.

"What is it?"

"Nothing," he simply replied, turning to the window. "It's hard to see you all grown up now. Especially, during your previous training… you never bothered to think too much. But when you came to us on that day… It's surprising."

"What? That I am capable of thinking?"

"Complex usages, yes."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Just get out there and be happy and remember to bring the gifts in the living room."

"Don't worry about the inevitable," I replied as I headed out of the room. Maybe if I'm lucky… I can find the room Anna's in… and then MAYBE… I can see her. I mean-- what's a quick look-see going to do? Nothing! Exactly.

I almost reached the end of the hallway when I saw my Grandma blocking the entrance of the room. It looks like she was expecting me.

"Yoh," she started, "You can't see her… It's bad luck."

'So she is in there….'

"Buuuut! It's bad luck if I don't see her too!!" I pleaded.

She laughed as she poked me in the ribs with her cane, "Go outside and wait for your friends. Maybe that will take your mind off her for a bit."

"Yeah. That will totally help ease my mind," I mumbled as I disappointedly turned towards the main gate outside.

~~~

I swallow hard as I nervously hid behind the thin wall. For a second I thought I heard Yoh's voice outside. I was fully changed and almost prepared to come out!! He couldn't have seen me. At least… I hope he didn't. It looks like we're going to have a big talk after the wedding. I peeked over the wall, making sure that he wasn't there. Slowly, I walked out of the cramped space.

The gown was longer than I had expected, so I had to lift the hem slightly to keep it from touching the ground. Kino-sensei turned from the door and gasped as she saw me.

"Anna… you look wonderful! I'm glad Yoh hasn't seen you how pretty you look. He would probably freeze in his spot for a while."

"So… he was here."

"Yes, but not for long. I made sure of that. A wedding just isn't a wedding without a speechless groom gaping over his wife in front of the shrine for goodness knows how long."

I giggled over the thought at Yoh with his mouth open and his eyes completely… goggling. He was like that when he came back from buying groceries and found me cooking dinner.

"Anna--- you.."

"What are you looking at, Yoh?" I glared at his intent stare.

"D-Do you need help?" His face was still marked with shock as he dropped the groceries.

"Are you implying something?" I placed my hands on my hips, staring him down, making his reply inarticulate.

"No-no! I just.. uh.. was.. uh…"

"Go greet your guest, Yoh. I'll tell you when dinner is ready," I turned back to chopping the green onions.

"G-g-guest?"

"Ren and Bason. They're in the living room."

"H-hai." I could still feel his stare as he slowly made his way out of the kitchen.

I smiled as I thought of our past. "How do I look?"

Kino-sensei smiled back in approval. She walked towards me and brushed an unnoticed wisp of my hair aside. "You look wonderful. Quite suitable as the bride of the Shaman King."

She turned towards the door as she chuckled to herself, "Indeed, I was right to set up this marriage."

I sensed that she meant something else by those words and from the tone of her voice. "What do you mean?"

"The loneliness in your eyes when I first met you. It's disappeared. Moreover, you've learnt how to love and experience the feeling. You've learnt how to trust others and depend on them without seeing the relationship as weak or as your weakness. You've become stronger, I'm sure you agree."

Speechless in words, I nodded as a response. She's read me like a book.

"Tell me, Anna. You would have still married my grandson despite his failure in obtaining the title of the Shaman King, would you not?"

Again, I nodded, "I owe so much to your family. It would be absolutely shameful of me if I were to leave because of such a reason."

"You've fallen in love with him."

I felt stupid as I nodded once more. What else could I have said that she did not already know?

"I'm glad that I was able to bring two lonely people together. It makes the world a better place, having someone to always love and having that person return your love," she faced me with a smile.

As always… she was right.

~~~

The sun shone in my eyes as I turned to pace towards the house. It was a beautiful day. Sakura blossoms were falling from the surrounding trees. I was glad that I chose this day… It's perfect. I being to walk forward once again, into the sun's rays, when I notice a small crowd of four coming towards here. Automatically, I sense that it's Horo Horo and his younger sister, Pilica with Ren and his older sister, Jun. I saw their hands waving energetically and in return I wave back.

"Ah! Horo Horo-san and Pilica-san!"

I wiz around at the sudden voice, "Tamao."

She looked at me and flushed slightly, "Konnichiwa, Yoh-sama. Congratulations on your marriage with Anna-sama."

I was about to say my gratitude when the group arrived.

"Oi! Yoh! Congratulations!!" Horo Horo rushed in, slapping my back as an encouragement.

"Congratulations," the rest soon followed. 

Grinning widely, I replied to them, "Sankyuu, everyone."

Pilica asked, "So where's the bride?"

Immediately, I thought of Anna dressing in her gown. …Beautiful… So much for easing my mind…

"Ah, she's just finished fitting in to her wedding gown. I'll take you there Jun, Pilica!" Tamao excitedly replied. I watched as the three girls rushed over the room where Anna was. Arrgh! I want to go there!!! My feet begin to follow them but a hand stops me.

"Now, Yoh you know better than to see your bride at this point in time," Horo Horo smiled, "No matter how pretty she may look."

"Who created that rule anyways?"

"No one did. It's just a custom. But, hey by the looks of it, it must have been created for the sole purpose for driving the groom insane," he chuckled, "Luckily, Ren and I chipped in for a gift! This will definitely take your mind off Anna for a while."

A shocked Ren began to fluster, "I don't remember chipping in for anything."

I stopped when I realized what Ren was wearing. He returned my stare with a flush, "What are looking at?? My sister made me wear it!!"

I burst out laughing and hear Horo Horo joining in with me.

"Now that I notice it, Ren… haha!! You look ridiculous in that outfit!!" Horo Horo cried out, "Now I see why you were hiding behind your sister when we met up!"

"Don't be stupid! I did no such thing!!" He whipped out Bason's spear and was prepared to take out the laughing Ainu.

Settling down, Horo Horo handed me a wrapped rectangular box. "Help yourself. Pilica gave you the boxed goodies and I added the little extra."

"I thought you said Ren chipped in."

"Oh that. I was just making him look good," Horo Horo grinned as he ruffled Ren's spike.

Ren quickly thrust the spear right under the other boy's neck, "Do you want to die?"

The boy laughed, "Anyways, Yoh, I think you'll really like my portion of the gift."

"Thanks. Ah! I have to take the gifts into the living room. We can hang out there for a bit until the rest of the guests arrived."

 "Sounds good to me! Come on, Ren." Horo Horo grabbed Ren's arm as he followed me into the house.

"I can walk by myself!!" the shorter boy glared.

I laughed as they argued as all good friends do. Today is a good day. And in an hour… I'm getting married to the girl I love most dearly!!

~~~

I stare at my reflection as my thoughts drift off again. Marriage has truly changed over the years. Even though my marriage with Yoh is arranged, love exists between us. Matrimony in the past was simply arranged for economic status and wealth. Happiness didn't exist. Money acted as the compensation for one's beatitude. I'd rather live in squalor with someone I love than live in prosperity only to suffer from lifelong depression.

Brides are to wear white to signify her purity and the death of her ties to her family. Well… that shouldn't be too much of a problem in my case. My ties with my family have been broken long ago. And I have already unofficially become apart of the Asakura family. I should be thankful no family feuds would exist.

"Anna-sama!" 

I looked over to see Tamao, Jun and Pilica standing at the door with sparkling eyes. "…Hi."

Horo Horo's sister was the first to speak, "Awww!! Congratulations Anna-san! You look amazing!"

"Thank you, Pilica."

Jun handed me a medium-sized box, "A small gift for the bride."

I bowed my head as I mumbled thanks. Tamao congratulated me next and I repeated another word of appreciation. That's all this day has been about -- gratefulness, saying thanks. Pretty dull if you ask me. If I were granted one wish right now, it would be to speed this hour into a second. I hate to admit it… but I want to see Yoh in a tux. I want to see if he looks as ridiculous as I imagine him to be.

~~~

By 1:30, every guest had arrived and I felt like I've said 'thank you' at least about… a billion times. I never knew this day could be... so... jaw-exhausting!

Well, I'm glad everyone could make it today. Manta, Horo Horo, Ren, Ryu, Lyserg, Chocolove, Faust and Eliza, Pilica, Jun, the Lily Five, Silva and other members of the Patch Tribe. Many spirits from the cemetery came too. And even though there were less than 100 people at the wedding, the place was livelier than ever.

~~~

The hour passed by faster than I thought with Jun telling stories about Ren, Pilica about Horo Horo and Tamao sitting silently and commenting at times. I listened surprisingly as I actually found these stories semi-amusing.

"Everyone. It's time," Kino-sensei arrived at the door, at just about five to two.

I swallowed hard as I followed her outside. Don't get me wrong, the wedding wasn't outside… it's just the old tradition of having the bride come into the church or shrine from outside. My heartbeat speeds up enormously and I'm surprised I can act like I'm breathing normally.

Kino-sensei rests her hand on my shoulder, "Calm down. It's alright."

I took a deep breath and sighed. This wasn't like me. This wasn't like me at all.

A gentle breeze blew past me, causing me to realize my surroundings. The sun was at the peak of the horizon now, shining brightly from above. Cherry blossoms fell continuously from the trees, almost like falling snow on a winter day. I take in the fresh scent of nature, allowing my excited nerves to relax. Slowly, I began to walk. I can see the doors of the shrine, wide open and waiting for my entrance.

The time has finally come…

The time that I have been waiting for…

The time that I have dreamt of…

is now… 

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^__________^;;;;;;

Okay, okay… So I lied… The next chapter is the final chapter!! Which I swear will be up within 2-3 days.

I just realized that I had to go back to my lovely omnipotent third-person point of view again, and I don't want to confuse you as I did myself through reading/writing this.

Ehehehe… be kind… and don't throw out those tomatoes yet?