I had such a hard time trying to put something for Yoh…good thing that it's now for someone easier…Anna!!! *dances for joy* But then…it might still be OOC!!!! *runs around in shock*

Okay, I hope you like this one; I hope this can please you….

Nothing much to say in the author's note section…*sigh* I just hope that if you ever review, please be as honest as you want. I'm an open-mind ^_^ I won't be mad no matter how bad you say my fic is.

Hai, hai, here's the fic now, minna-san.


Disclaimer: Shaman King is created by Hiroyuki Takei



Part Three: Anna


"Where do you think you're going?" I asked in my usual cold tone.

Yoh turned around – nervous – and grinned at me, "Ah…Anna! I…uh…promised to meet Ren and the others at the…uh…grocery store…and…I…." He paused then forced a laugh, glancing at the clock near me.

I sigh, staring down at my fiancé, arms crossed, "If that was just the case, then why in world are you sneaking around there like a thief?" I asked. He became rigid and, if possible, more nervous. It seems like I've hit the right spot. I always do anyway.

"Ah…uh…"

"Just go. It doesn't matter. It's not as though I can hold you back." In fact, I can hold him back but I don't have a reason to do so. From the look on his face, he's probably hiding something from me. Every action he created was very suspicious. Besides, what would anybody do in a grocery store? I know he goes there only when I ask him to. Okay…order him to.

Yoh bowed his head quickly then dashed towards the door. "Ah! Arigatou, Anna! Merry Christmas!" he shouted before leaving the onsen.

Merry Christmas, huh.

Pathetic.

How can you say that this holiday is merry? There's more than 50% of humanity dying because of this cold out there and yet everybody has the guts to celebrate the greatest times of their lives. It's pathetic, it's stupid and it's a great waste of money. I don't see why people would go and bankrupt themselves just to give a useless gift to somebody who'll just throw it away when you could've used that money for your daily needs – if not daily, then future needs.

And besides…how can you say that this is merry…? When you're all alone…and nobody wants to stay with you…and you know that it's your fault. You can't do anything about it.

I look at the empty hallway, my hand placed on the wall. I resisted the urge to sigh and instead, huffed, pushing away these uncertainties. I start to take a step back to the TV room but the way seemed…darker…longer…scarier…lonelier.

I clenched my hand into a fist then stomp back to the room. I hated these feelings. I didn't want them and I didn't need them. They just make life in this world harder to bear.

I reach the room and then slammed the door shut behind me. Quickly, I grabbed the remote and lay comfortably on my side, as my usual stance. It was cold and I could feel a shiver forming on my back but I shrugged it off. I had been used to such cold – no, colder – for many years; what's the difference with this?

I started surfing through the channels, each one not lasting for more than a second. There was practically nothing to see on TV. But then, half of the time I spent here is composed of just channel surfing.

Then the TV froze.

"When you're all alone…" the words flashed on the screen then vanished into the background of darkness.

I pressed the button impatiently but it doesn't seem to work. Curse this stupid piece of metal. , I growled softly, eyes narrowing at that piece of technology – that dares defy me!

The commercial continued, much to my anger; a picture of a red ribbon appeared from the empty screen then moved to tie itself around a green box, which then turned see-through.

"Damn…." I mumbled, now getting impatient.

The screen zoomed into the box where a picture of a loving family materialized from a mist of white. "…We'll be there for you…" Came the next message, vanishing after a flash, "…to-"

"ARGH~!!!!" I shouted, pressing – no, pounding – hard on the button and making the remote slam on the floor so hard, I'm sure it shook the ceiling below. Good thing there was nobody here except me…. That is…if you call it…a good thing…ne?

Finally, the channel went to the next then the next after that and so on. I sighed, rolling my eyes in irritation, as relaxation overcame me once again then continued to surf.

After a dozen channels, the same thing happened. The TV froze but this time at a cartoon show.

What is wrong with this thing?! , I let a soft growl escape under my breath as all signs of comfort left me; the stupid cartoon song echoing from the TV made me more irritated and angry.

"Christmas time is coming soon / To Santa Clause we sing this tune / All of us will do things right / Bless us with a pleasant sight." A picture of some cartoon characters accompanied the song, skipping in circles, hand in hand, with 'ultimate happiness' on their faces.

My patience was running out. Never in my whole life had this thing work like this. No person – human or not – has ever been this stubborn and now?! A non-living metal box is testing my anger like this?!

I sat up, gritting my teeth and strangling the stupid remote with all the strength I have – without breaking the crappy thing, of course. I wasn't stupid.

"Just this we wish / A gift for each / Dear Santa, Santa-"

My shoulders relaxed; the next channel flashed as I continued my surfing. But it seemed like this weird occurrence wasn't finished yet.

"(1)Would you care enough to-"

"Don't be lonely on Christma-"

"Perfect Christmas for a perfect coup-"

On and on it went, the distance ranging from a dozen to two dozens of channels.

I was ready to scream my head off but I swallowed it and threw the remote at the TV instead. Instantly, the screen turned blank. I don't know if I had broken those but I didn't care. I'll just ban everyone from the TV so they'll never know. Unlike this stupid thing, nobody will test my patience at all.

I grumbled to myself, moving near a wall and leaning at it. I stared at the screen but soon found it of no interest and turned to the room itself.

The same illusion that appeared before me in the hallway started to occur in this room; each corner growing dark and the silence…unbearable…deafening.

My eyebrows furrowed with worry and, as much as I don't want to admit it, a tinge of fear. I hug my knees to my chest like as if the darkness would eat me if it touches my skin. I look at the remote then bit my lip. If this would be the only choice, then I'll take it.

I grabbed the cold metal then opened the TV. In the screen, a nearly bald man with thick, hard-rimmed glasses suited in formal wear leaned forward on the table and took a breath. I focused all my attention at the man and slowly, the shadows start to whither and disappear.

"It's hard to keep it sometimes, right? After so long…the burden becomes heavier every second. You know it but you don't wanna see it." The person spoke, looking at me straight in the eye. I shiver, backing from the TV but only found the wall blocking my way. Who was this guy? Why the heck am I feeling uneasy? Is this the effect of those 'shadows'?

"I admit I am amazed at you. Not many can hold back this long. For what I know, you might be holding back your whole life. But nonetheless, you are a coward."

I jolted up straight, staring at the screen wide-eyed. Is this person reading my mind? He's only human. He cannot see me; he does not know me. This is just a show with everyone acting out of script. , I turned away from the screen and tried to ignore it but found that it was useless. Sometimes, being a shaman can be a burden as well. With your senses honed, you can't just shut things out that easily.

"A coward like you is blind. You are surrounded with protection yet you shield yourself from it. You are afraid, afraid of what might happen. The past plays a great role in your life and though you shake yourself from it-"

I approached the TV then pulled the plug. I made a long soft sigh then recoiled back to the wall where the previous darkness came back.

The gods must be punishing me. Nothing like this has ever occurred in this home – nothing that goes against me – though I think it's about time for the 'gods' to punish me like this. Maybe I have been waiting and preparing for this day…trying to make myself strong and immune to every thing imaginable. I guess…I haven't made myself numb to everything.

I don't want to be punished like this…like this darkness…and solidarity. I hate it…. The worse part is…I couldn't do anything about it. I curse under my breath.

I push my knees to my chest, trying to generate heat within my body. I inhaled through shaking teeth then let warm breath touch my hands, which I kept rubbing together for the same goal of hear. Maybe I should've taken a blanket with me…or maybe get one now…but…not in this darkness. I was…afraid.

I crouch lower. There was a soft breeze that made my bangs move.

…Soft…breeze…?

There's no window in this room. And it's illogical for that kind of breeze to come from outside. I can't feel anybody's presence either. So why was there wind in here?

Then it hit me; I shot my head up. It wasn't the wind at all. It was myself. This position I was in…was very familiar. I had done the same to keep myself warm once…on the cold streets…with snow on my head and shoulders…. Once….

Iyada! , I shake my head and stood up, still pressing myself to the wall and eyeing the darkness with my coldest stare. I bit my lip hard; I wouldn't be surprised if there would be blood forming on my lips now. I did not want to remember those. I never want to remember those. Those were not worth remembering; those were – are – useless memories.

I sigh in defeat, my shoulders slacking. There was nothing I can do against an enemy I cannot see…an enemy such as…myself.

I was ready to succumb into the darkness. I was ready to relive it once again but…

I felt it…that certain aura…that certain calming aura. It had a sort of effect on me that made me feel warm, comfortable and…content. There was only one person who can bear this kind of strength.

None other than Yoh.

He wasn't here. He was just near here…with his shaman friends; I could feel the others' presences vaguely. He must be on his way back. I smile softly, knowing that – even though he may not be beside me – I wasn't going alone anymore. And the shadows are now running back to their corners.

Yoh…has always soothed me with his presence. There was something in his soul – or furyoku – that gives comfort to anyone around him. It was no wonder he can attract a lot of shamans towards him. Shamans could sense that and humans made themselves blind. So…not many…humans…actually…

No, it's not my place to say such things. It's not my life; it's his and I don't plan to own any of it. To be part of it…maybe…

I could hear the faint sound of the door opening. Yoh must be trying to not be heard but unfortunately, he wasn't trying to not be felt. I should add that to his training.

I open this room's door; the shadows now completely gone or maybe, I just don't see them anymore because of my fiancé. I quietly and calmly move to an area where I can see the entrance to the onsen. I watch Yoh hurriedly leave and gently close the door behind him. He had left something…in the dining room.

My feet move softly on the ground as I hastily go and check the room I just mentioned. I wanted to know what he was so careful and secretive about. Just one more turn and -

My eyes grew wide at the sight then softened with a smile. I let a chuckle escape my lips as I approached what I saw.

There, on the table, was a bouquet of flowers. And they were not roses.

"Yoh no baka…." I held the bouquet close to my chest and pressed a painful yet true smile – something that I rarely show. I wanted to say thank you but…it would be out of my character to say something like that to Yoh. He might even freak out and ask about my health. Then an idea came into my mind; if Yoh did know me, then he will know the meaning of this action. It will be a double-edge sword. I will know whether Yoh knows me and I can give a thank you message…or…Yoh will remain clueless. It doesn't hurt to try. Erasing the grin that played on my face, I made my way towards Yoh, sliding the door open with much force.

"Asakura Yoh." I muttered, putting total emphasis on every syllable.

He flinched then nervously turned around at me. "Ah…Anna…." He grinned, repeating actions similar to that this morning. Yoh…you could be so predictable sometimes…with that routine of yours. You always seem to act like I'll snap at you at every mistake you make in front of everyone. Probably…I will – that is, in front of everybody.

I tapped with the bouquet, eyebrows raised, "This…was what you were buying at the 'grocery store', hmm?"

"Uh…well…I couldn't decide on which gift to give you and I've been looking at every store that's why we – I mean, I was so late and…so…uh…Horo horo -"

"Oh no, I didn't take part on that! Don't believe him, Anna!!! He lies!!!" Horo shook his head vigorously. I gave him a sharp stare. Every one of Yoh's friends looked suspiciously at Horo horo. No doubt, these flowers were his idea. He probably meant to give roses – and even meant it as a joke – but Yoh changed it. He must've known – no, he knew that I never liked roses that much.

"No! It's Ren's fault!!!! He was the one that brought us to the flower shop!!!!"

"What the-?! Baka Ainu!!! Can't atone for your mistakes, you…CHICKEN!!!!!!"

"NANDA'TO?!?!?!?! First of all, I am not a baka!!!! Secondly, WHO THE HECK ARE YOU CALLING CHICKEN?!?!?!"

They continued this bickering but the rest was vague to me. I was looking at Yoh's eyes and he was looking at mine. He was nervous and scared…and happy. Did he enjoy seeing me mad like this or…could he see through my mask…? I ignored the question and, catching that pleading look in his eyes, decided to make the 'fight' behind us stop. I heard him say once that Christmas is a time of giving, joy and peace. So, all in all, I'm sure that Yoh didn't want them to fight but from what I've seen before, he couldn't stop them. And? He trusts that I can? Ha, just his luck. I can do that.

"This," I waved the bouquet, catching everyone's attention, "is a waste of money. You should've just brought something else more useful." I scolded my fiancé.

"But-" Yoh countered, almost as though he had never had that eye contact with me.

I shook my head sharply, "No buts. Either you go inside now or freeze here to death. I give you your choices." I shot every single shaman – and Manta, of course – in front of me a cold stare

All of them paused, looked at me and gulped, eyes growing wide per second then everyone quickly rushed inside. Everyone made their way to the dining room. Good.

I didn't want anyone to see me as I approach the nearest vase to me and place the flowers inside, arranging them slightly for a nicer look. I smiled…and I knew…Yoh was watching just behind me with the same warm smile.



(1) From Hallmark (the greeting cards). I think it goes something like this here in my country: would you care enough to give the very best?


Disclaimer: The idea for the channel surfing came from my tomodachi, leopika-chan *applause*. I haven't told her I'd use that (she used it for a radio instead of a TV and it's more comical than this)…yet. Hai, hai, I'll call her and ask. I hope she'll let me though ^_^ Daijobou, she's kind enough to let me…at least, I think she is…*gets struck by lightning* I'll shut up… -_-


At last! Finished another chappie! I'm updating fast because this fic has to be finished before December ends! Besides, I don't have to actually connect each and every chapter since they aren't interrelated. Just a series of one-shots compiled into one story because of one common theme: Christmas.

What do you think about this one now? (I made that cartoon song, okay? I already have a tune and I know it sounds like some song but I just don't know the title *eyes turn into spirals*) Just be as honest as you can. It won't matter to me if it's positive or negative. Please review because I wanna know if it's OOC or not and if the grammar's fine and all, ya know.

Okay. Next one is…drum roll please…Marion Phauna!!!! I like her character too!!! Daijobou, Ren will come afterwards (I know I mentioned him before XD). Don't worry.

Thankies everyone!!!! For reading!