Finally, the day that the Asakura household has waited for has arrived – the day the young master Yoh would return home.

As Kino and the maids busied themselves in preparing a feast for his return, Anna calmly continued with her meditation sessions. And of course, her torturing sessions, with Horo Horo, Manta, and Ryu as the victims.

Tamao looked on as Anna made the three scrub the stairs leading to the family temple. Anna was seated on the bench, reading her favorite magazine, as if it was just an ordinary day like the others.

Horo noticed the maid first. He waved his hand. "Tamao!"

"Well, you don't expect Ms. Anna to go around jumping with joy today," said Horo after Tamao told him her observation.

"But she would at least get a little excited," said the maid. "Master Yoh is her fiancé."

Manta nodded in agreement. "She should go to a parlor or something, and make herself pretty. It's been quite a while since she last saw Yoh-kun."

Anna looked up from her reading, an eyebrow shot up. "I heard what you said, water meat bun. If you don't start working again, I'll drag you into a funeral parlor." Her gaze went back to her reading material.

"She's a hopeless case," sighed Manta.

"No, she's not," said Ryu gently as he continued scrubbing. The love potion had already worn off, thankfully. "She cares for Master Yoh…a lot, in fact."

"Hmm?" Horo raised his brows. "How can you say that?"

"I can tell," he said simply.

"Um, really helpful," said the Ainu boy. He looked at the itako. "As far as I can see, the only thing she gets excited about is that magazine." He looked at the cover. "Ten ways to banish a courting spirit. Yoga exercises for overweight spirits. How flirt a spirit are you. What to do when a spirit is in love with a living human. Fall Fashion for the Dead."

Irritated that she was always the topic of their conversation, Anna left.

Amidamaru appeared. "You guys don't just know how fiercely devoted Ma'am Anna is to Master Yoh."

Horo rubbed his head. "I cannot imagine, for the life of me."

The samurai's forehead creased as he recalled the incident by the cave yesterday. The character he met was certainly powerfully daunting, enough to intimidate even Kyouyama Anna. Once his master returns, he would tell him about that boy.

But what the spirit couldn't understand was why that stranger seemed so interested with Anna. Ah, he must tell his master that too.

Ren knelt down beside Pirika, who fell asleep on the yard where she trained all night. He lifted her and carried her into a piggyback quietly as Bason followed him into the mansion.

The boy peeked at the sleeping girl behind his shoulder. She was softly snoring, her warm breath tickling his neck. He smiled and turned his sight back ahead.

"Bason, I never would have imagined that merely looking at someone can cause me so much happiness, even more than all that I get when I finish a tough foe," he confided. His eyes clouded. "If only I can take back what happened that fateful night…"

"Stop blaming yourself, young master," pleaded Bason.

"She hates me," he said softly. "In turn, I hate myself even more."

"Everything that she makes me feel right now…it's all strange and new. I had never felt this happy, or this guilty, or this scared."

"Scared?" asked the power spirit.

"I'm scared of what I'm feeling right now." Ren looked on ahead. "My father taught me that weaklings have no place in this world. But those times I protected her…and when she called me her knight…it felt so good."

He sighed. "Now I think my father is wrong. I now believe that the defenseless must be protected…" His gaze returned to the angelic face of Pirika. A smile blossomed in his weary face again. "Because the thought of protecting the weak can be your source of unlimited strength, just like what I'm feeling right now."

"I tried to convince myself that I was just using her as an instrument in my plans against the Asakura clan, but I just can't believe that lie."

Bason smiled and smoothed the hair of the sleeping girl. "Master, when you feel it is right, you must not be scared. More or less, your heart is the one dictating so, and if it is your heart speaking, you must listen. The heart is the mouthpiece of Kami-sama."

"I don't believe in divine interventions," he said.

"You met this girl in the most unlikeliest situation. What else do you want to see to believe in it?"

Ren was silenced.

"Whenever you look at her, all the traces of the hateful and dark Ren Tao disappear. It's beyond magic…it's a miracle. All those years your father spent in building that icy wall around your heart…they melt with her warmth." Bason smiled. "Isn't that enough a proof for you?"

He shrugged. "When she forgives me…that's the only time I'll believe."

"Tamao!" called Horo Horo excitedly.

The maid looked up. "What is it?" She prepared herself mentally for the tricks that the Ainu joker might pull on her.

Instead, he just grinned. "What I'm going to tell you will make you so happy that you might even kiss me."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah? OK then, rock my world."

"I made Master Yohmei agree to take you with him and Anna when they meet Master Yoh!" he announced.

Her eyes widened, then looked at him, asking if he was serious. When he nodded, she threw her arms around him happily. "Ah, Horo! Arigatou!!! Domo arigatou!!! You made me so very happy!"

"I know," he agreed, and she didn't see his eyes sadden.

She pulled away from him when she remembered who she was hugging, but she didn't let go of his hands. "You may sometimes be an annoying jerk who lives to exasperate me, but guess what, you can actually be very cool."

"Yeah." He forced a grand smile. "I know that you'll say that. I'm just glad you're happy."

She frowned. "You sound different."

He turned his back on her. "You're imagining things. Well, I gotta go. Anna will kick my arse if I don't get back to my post-training exercises." He started to run off, then turned to her again. "Tamao, you owe me a kiss."

Thinking he was kidding, she nodded cheerfully.

Lyserg put his coat on. He heard that Asakura Yoh would be returning that evening, so he would be waiting by the Asakura gates to see the future shaman king himself.

"Prince Lyserg!" called Millie cheerfully as she brought him a cup of coffee. "Good morning!"

He smiled. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness." He sipped his coffee. "Hmm…very good. Your future husband would love you even more because you make great dishes and drinks."

She blushed, then sat down beside him, laying her head on his shoulder. "You will leave again, Prince Lyserg?"

He couldn't help but chuckle at the latest nickname that the lass made up for him. Last night, when he was telling her the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, Millie had decided that he was as dashing as the prince charming in the story; thus, she started calling him 'Prince Lyserg'.

"I'll be gone for the whole day,' he confirmed.

"Can't I come with you? I promise to be a good girl," she said, raising her right hand.

He messed her hair fondly. "I know you are a good girl, but you see…"

"You would just be a bother," interrupted Ellie. "The place where he will be going is strictly for boys only."

"I can disguise," the little girl offered quickly.

"No, you can't," said Lyserg. "You are too cute to be a boy. They'll find out immediately."

Millie's face turned pink with his compliment. "OK," she said softly. "I'll make you a good dinner then, and I'll wait for you."

He nodded. "That's my girl." He knelt in front of her and kissed her on the forehead lightly. "Take care of Morphine."

"Yes!" she agreed eagerly. "Ja, Prince Lyserg! Take care!"

He smiled and left the room.

The smile immediately left his face when he saw a tall man dressed in a priest' clothes, standing by the reception desk of the hotel.

"Hao-sama sends you and the X-Laws a message: that the Gates of Babylon shall erode when Asakura Yoh comes out of the Best Place."

Lyserg clenched his fists. "The Gates of Babylon are stronger than he thinks."

"We shall see who's right." The priest walked away.

"Send Hao my own message too – that I would personally erase his existence, so he mustn't be too cocky." Lyserg crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Zinc nodded and disappeared from the sliding doors of the hotel.

He inhaled shakily, then calmly made his way out of the hotel too, more determined than ever to see the future shaman king.

Horo Horo was practicing his oversoul repeatedly in the bamboo-covered area of the Asakura yard.

That is how Manta saw the Ainu boy that late afternoon. "Horo Horo!"

He stopped. "Manta?"

"So why are you training when Anna is not forcing you to do so?" asked the small boy curiously.

"I…I need something to do," said Horo, averting his eyes.

"Why don't you just wait for him in the house? Yoh-kun will be home in just a few more hours."

He hugged his skateboard. "Maybe later."

Realization dawned on the dwarf's eyes, but he continued to interrogate Horo innocently. "Besides, don't you want to see Tamao and the others off?" he asked.

Horo Horo placed his arms behind his head and lied on the grassy field. "They're grown-ups already. They can walk without my help."

"Yeah."

Silence.

"Well, I better go back to my practice." Horo jumped up from his position. "Just tell Tamao to take care on her way and greet Master Yoh for me."

Manta stood up too. "Will do." He raised a brow as Horo fused Kururu into his skateboard. "By the way, by any chance, do you have any feelings for Tamao?"

Horo, who was going up on his skateboard, fell down.

"Let's go," said Yohmei as Kino handed him his coat. Anna secured her bandanna on her neck and glanced at Tamao, who looked excited to see Yoh again.

"Take care!" said Ryu, waving his arm.

The maid frowned. "I don't seem to see Horo Horo anywhere."

Manta grinned. "He had a little accident with his skateboard, so he won't be able to see you guys off."

Anna rolled her eyes. "What a klutz."

Tamao couldn't figure out why she suddenly forgot her excitement about seeing her master, and was replaced by worry about Horo Horo's condition.

"Well, he did tell us that he won't be coming with us anymore," said Yohmei, turning to Tamao. "He instead asked us to bring you along, since only three people can enter the Asakura forest safely."

"H-He did that?" whispered Tamao, eyes wide. I know that he misses Master Yoh almost as much as I do, but still he gave his place to me!

"Don't worry. We'll look after Horo," said Manta.

"Bye!" waved everyone in the house as the three left the gates.

As the three walked quietly, Yohmei suddenly spoke up. "Tamao, your mind is flying off to somewhere."

"H-Huh?" She blinked, then shook her head vehemently. "N-No! I was just…thinking. I'm excited to see Master Yoh again!"

Anna eyed the maid discreetly.

Soon, they were standing in front of the other end of the cave – it is where Yoh would come out.

Anna looked at Tamao, who was playing with the grass underneath her feet. "If you really are worried about him, why don't you go to him?" she said suddenly.

The maid looked up. "M-Master Yoh would come out sooner or later."

"I'm not talking about my Yoh." The itako crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I'm talking about the person in your mind right now."

"Horo Horo?" she said almost instantly, then covered her mouth with her hand.

Anna allowed a small smile on her face. "Yes, him."

Tamao looked down again, face a mixture of emotions. "I'm worried about his accident…"

"Yes, you are," she agreed. "So if you're thinking of him, why are you here?"

"He did so much for me, because he knew that I wanted to come with you guys desperately," she admitted. "So I want to make the most out of it."

"Do you want that?" the itako asked.

She paused.

"Why don't you go back and see him? That is where you really want to be right now, isn't it?" asked Anna.

She nodded shyly.

"Go then." Anna turned to the cave. "I'll tell Yoh that you came here." She took off her bandanna and handed it to her. "Use this. It's cold."

Her eyes shook. "Thank you, Ms. Anna." I was wrong when I thought she was a sadist…no, she's also like us who cares, but she just isn't demonstrative.

She made an about face and rushed out of the forest.

"She left already, huh," said Horo as he looked up at the ceiling. He was lying down on his bed on his stomach as Manta helpfully massaged his back. "Did she look happy?"

She didn't, but so as not to worry the Ainu boy, Manta nodded.

"I'm glad," said Horo Horo truthfully.

"You have feelings for her…but you are pushing her towards another boy," said Manta. "I don't understand…"

"You will, when you meet that someone you will love with your everything," said Horo.

"Tell me about it," said Manta, peeking at the door.

"When you love someone, you would only want her happiness. When she's happy, you're happy too. Even if it hurts here," Horo slightly raised himself to show Manta that he was pointing to his heart, "if it will make her happy, you'll endure the pain and do it." He laid himself down again. "You'll do everything for the woman you love."

He stopped talking when he heard a sob from outside the door. Manta stood up calmly and opened the door, revealing a tearful Tamao who caught each and every word he said.

His face turned pale. "Uh…" He began to sweat nervously. "How long had you been there?"

"L-Long enough to hear everything that you've said," she replied shakily.

He looked down. "I see."

Manta gave Tamao a gentle shove into the room, then shut the door.

Tamao sat beside him, not taking her shaking eyes off him. Horo, on the other hand, couldn't look at her. Now that his biggest secret was revealed, he didn't have the face to look her way.

"W-Why?" she asked quietly.

Horo smiled uncertainly. "That's a broad question."

"It's the only question I can think of right now."

Horo grinned sadly. "So…um…where do you want me to start?"

"From the beginning."

"Once upon a time…"

"Horo, I want a confession, not a fairy tale story telling."

"Um, OK."

"What's taking that brat so long?" barked Yohmei as he shivered uncontrollably.

"The chill is too much for you, Yohmei-sama," said Anna. "Maybe you should go home."

"And leave you in the forest alone?"

"I can take care of myself."

"Without a doubt," agreed Yohmei. "But what would Kino say when she finds out that I left you here all by yourself…what would she do?"

"Tell her that her grandson and I went for a walk," she suggested.

"Thanks, Anna." The old man began to walk home. "My grandson has always been a troublemaker…geez."

When the old man disappeared from her sight, her gaze went back to the cave. She hugged herself. It was getting cold, alright. She sat down against the bark of the tree to help keep herself warm. She tucked her knees in and looked at the cave. Until finally, her eyes closed, and she drifted off to sleep.

Hao watched her from afar, eyes twinkling. "She's so pretty to look at, especially now that she's asleep. She looks so innocent"

Zinc sighed exasperatedly. "Hao-sama, you're not listening to my reports. The X-Laws…"

"Spare me that. I want to watch her sleep." Hao cupped his chin. Minutes later, he jumped down from the tree top, took off his cape, and placed it on the sleeping itako to protect her from the cold. He backed away, gazed at her for a few moments, then smiled again.


Anna woke up when she felt that she was moving…or being moved. She rubbed her eyes and found Yoh's face smiling down at her. She then realized that he was carrying her in his arms.

"Y-Yoh…?" She wasn't too sure. She might still be dreaming.

He grinned. "I'm glad to finally hear you say my name. Man, it sounds good!"

Her eyes shook. After all those days that she secretly missed his sheepish, boyish smiles…here he was, and he was smiling for her.

She felt her own mouth curve into a shy smile. "Y-You're back."

He nodded.

She nodded too, then slapped him. "Now you can put me down, you pervert."

He immediately did as told. "So sorry, Anna! I-I was just worried that you might get chilled when I saw you lying by the tree, sleeping. I didn't want to wake you up, so I took the initiative of carrying you. Please don't be mad."

"Hmp!" She picked her pace up in walking.

"Anna, I'm really sorry!" he wailed.

"Twenty additional push-ups for you tomorrow."

"Anna!" he whined.

"Yes, Yoh?" she asked, not turning to look at him.

He blinked, then grinned. "Ne, I missed those push-ups."

"Then you need to make up for lost time. I'll make it forty."




"Who is that new girl you brought here?" asked En Tao as his daughter dutifully knelt before him.

"Someone who'll set my brother free from hatred, Father," said Jun politely, but her voice was razor-sharp.

En knew it. "You will regret doing that," he said, smirking.

Lyserg watched as a blonde and a spiky-haired boy with walkmans around his head entered the Asakura gates. He sneezed. "I wonder when will that Asakura Yoh come?" He looked at the couple again. "That boy looks too laidback for a future shaman king. That can't be Yoh." He sighed. "So then…where is Yoh?"

Horo Horo had finished his explanation – about how he loved her secretly from afar since childhood, about how he struggled to be better than Yoh in at least one way so as to get some of her attention but still failed, and how he still love her now with even more fire; and he waited for Tamao's reaction nervously.

She shook her head sadly. "You're just saying that…because you drank the love potion."

She would have been elated by Horo's confession – why not, for she feels that she likes him too -, but then, he might have been saying that merely because he was under the influence of her love potion. She couldn't accept that.

Ms. Anna was right. Love potions would only complicate matters more, because love can never be manipulated.

He shook his head. Was Tamao just being gentle in rejecting him by using that love potion as an alibi?

She stood up shakily. "I think Master Yoh is home already."

Silence.

Horo Horo suddenly got up determinedly, ignoring his aching back "Before you go down there, I still have to ask you to pay one thing that you owe me."

"H-Huh?"

He held her close to him and leaned down towards her face. "Ms. Tamamura, you owe me a kiss."

The rest of her half-hearted protests were sealed by his mouth lovingly.

Tsuzuku

I would have written more, but I don't want to be late for school. See ya in the next chapter! It's ok if u want to flame me for making those OOC situations. ^^ Go on.

::: Syaoran no hime who is really late for her first class