I clutched Brownie and Shirayuki-hime as Asakura Hao gave me some last minute instructions. He and Ms. Anna were going downtown to run an errand for Master Mikihisa.

"Feed them on time and don't lose them from your sight, do you understand?" he asked authoritatively. I quickly nodded, and he flashed me a sexy grin. "Thanks Cherry."

Cherry. Almost like how Horo-kun calls me. Flower. I blushed, but when felt Anna-okami's glare, my gaze dropped down on the meowing kittens.

It had been some months after the death of Master Yoh, and just when I and the entire Asakura clan had given up hope on Anna, Hao Asakura came along, bringing along a weapon of a death promise to his brother. Amazingly, he was the lone person responsible in helping the itako to eventually recover from her mourning. We were eternally indebted to him, though Master Yohmei and Mistress Kino were sure verbally undemonstrative about it.

Tomorrow, I was scheduled to visit Horo Horo again. I decided to prepare my clothes while the kittens were still eating.

I quietly reflected on the situation. Ms. Anna was lucky that in her moments of grief, she had someone like Asakura Hao. As for me…

I knew I promised myself that I would never give up my best friend, but the past months had battered me enough already. Also, until now, Dr. Faust had yet to give a more positive and hopeful diagnosis about Horo-kun's comatose. The stress was slowly draining life out of me.

But I had gone this far, and it was futile to retreat.

I would just have to continue my agonizing wait, and continue praying for a miracle. It was all I could do.

I could feel my eyes getting sleepy. Really now…I need more rest. I just got back from China yesterday and I wasn't able to rest long for I went back on checking whether the household chores were done by Ponchi and Konchi.

Hmm…a minute of rest wouldn't hurt… I just needed to…close my eyes…for a minute…just a minute…

"Tamao!"

I perked up. I looked up and saw Horo Horo smiling down at me. The familiar boyish grin warmed my heart so much that I could feel tears forming in my eyes.

"H-Horo…Horo?" I didn't bother to wipe my tears anymore. "Y-You're…"

"Ssh…" he murmured, wiping my tears away with his thumb. "Flower, I'm going home, on an Ainu warrior's honor. On my honor. I promised you that, didn't I?"

"Going…back?" I looked around, and my shaman instincts told me that this was a dream.

"Right," he nodded. "So wait for me. I will do as I promised so don't break your own promise." He grinned. "Never give me up, ok?"

"H-Hai!" I nodded.

"By the way, I suggest that you stay around the Izumo house for awhile. A love story might interest you there," he said.

"E-Eh?" I blinked when he suddenly began to vanish. "H-Horo-kun, wait! I want to tell you something!"

"Me too," he smiled. "But there is a proper time for that. Let me come back first, ok?"

"H-Hai."

"And no man will give you a nickname aside from me!" And with that, he disappeared.

I blinked. Even if he was in comatose, he knew what was happening to me, even something that happened just minutes ago?

I realized what Horo Horo was referring to as the 'love story'. Some days later, Anna-okami returned home wet and shivering, shrouded by Master Asakura's mantle. We both then overheard Hao telling Master Mikihisa and the others that he was going to marry Ms. Anna.

My gaze immediately went to the itako. I thought I spotted confusion on her face, but it was quickly chased away by the raw anger on her face.

She burst into the living room angrily. "Never! I will never marry you!"

Silence.

"No one understands…I am contented to live with Yoh's memories. Remembering him makes me happy, and I don't need another person to fill in his shoes. I'm happy!" she continued furiously.

"How can you be happy when you let his memories haunt you like a ghost?" Hao-sama asked calmly.

I watched the exchange of words between them, eyes wide. Something was dawning in me…with the way Hao Asakura talks, and the way Anna-okami reacts…something that they both missed to see when it was actually just right under their noses!

I smiled to myself. They love each other!

 My thoughts were broke when Anna-okami suddenly fled from the room. I was worried, so I followed her. "M-Miss Anna, wait!"

"Let her be, Tamao," said Kino, looking at the fleeing figure. "She needs time to think it over."

Hao clenched his fists, then went out of the house quietly.

Before I could think, my feet moved already. I ran after him. "M-Master Asakura Hao, wait! Don't go!" I caught up with him. "D-Don't give up! You…you love her, don't you?"

He smiled at me slowly. "I do, very much. And I'm not giving up."

"E-Eh? But why are you leaving the house already?" I asked, forgetting who was I talking to.

He chuckled. "I'm just finding another way into her room. I know that she won't leave her bedroom door unlocked, you know."

"Oh."

He grinned, then looked up at the window. I reckon that he found his way already.

I clasped my hands and wished him luck. It was high time for Anna-okami to set herself free and be happy again. She had mourned long enough, and someone like her deserves the best kind of love in the world- an unconditional love I could sense Hao Asakura has a fount all for her.

And by the day that I returned to China, I was feeling very, very happy already. Ms. Anna has already agreed to marry Master Hao and I know that everything will now be alright.

When I returned to Horo Horo's side, I didn't feel the usual frustration I have when I see his comatose body. I could still remember my dream vividly.

I clasped his hands with mine. "Ne, Horo-kun? You'll be home soon."

Tsuzuku

(the story has been more narrative, but from next chapter, we'll be back to usual Horo/Tamao. SPOILER!!! ^__^)