Yoh wonders about Hao and Anna's relationship (not that kind of relationship).

Disclaimer: This is where I tell you that I don't own Shaman King.

Essence

.begin

He wasn't sure why she hated her brother so much.

He had somewhat of a vague explanation why, but one could never be too sure about her thoughts. Sure, a lot of people hated his brother, and it shouldn't come as a surprise that his fiancée did too (but that didn't stop the thoughts from coming).

"Why does he need to come over?" she asked him, gritting her teeth as she kneaded her fingers into the futon. She folded it with impeccable precision, quick and efficient.

"Because," he said simply, propped on his elbows, watching her. "He's my brother. And almost yours too." He smiled, but the look on Anna's face was enough to erase any smile.

"Don't remind me," her tone was dry, but it was stressed, pained, and it hurt him to see her like this.

"I'm sorry Anna," he apologized, but remained firm. "But he's my brother."

He thought her fingers would break; the way she so tightly grasped the futon was enough to make any fingers shatter.

He looked at her thoughtfully, and she stared back. "He reads hearts," she said simply, her eyes hard and cold. Like me, she could've said, but she didn't have to.

How very strange it was, that someone as strong as Anna would be disturbed by such a thing.

He would have gone over to her and held her, if he could. But she did not expect his of him, and he did not give it.

And tonight, when Hao had come over, bearing a smile and some kind of food (he forgot what, though he ate it happily enough), Anna's lips had drawn themselves into a very thin straight line. Her hands clutched the small round beads of her rosary tightly, and her eyes were set close to each other, glittering dangerously.

Hao didn't so much as glance at her as he sat and chatted pleasantly with Yoh, and only when he stood to leave, did he finally look at Anna. From the time he had stepped in the house, she had remained in that same tense position.

As if on cue, she reached out her hand, and Hao took it, kissing her fingers lightly, then left. Anna's lips were very white, her eyes had narrowed further, and she let that hand drop limply, then went into their room.

This was important, Yoh thought, though he couldn't seem to imagine why.

.end

Ending notes: I do like how this came out. XD

Edited 4.16.04: Tense changes and more parentheses fun! (Well actually, just one I think.)

.sepia days