Sniff! Last chapter, guys. It's been a good one, yes it has, and I'll never forget the joy of having a first story! Oh, the wonder of it all! Horo: So are you going to release me now? Akina: Hell, no! I've captured you, and by all rights I own you! But I don't own Shaman King. Horo: So you don't own me? Akina: Where the hell did you think up that one?

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Yoh slowed his pace down to a walk. He wasn't one bit tired, but Anna was panting. "What... was... that... for..." she asked between pants. They were back at the cemetery she had first met Yoh at. Yoh leaned against the tree.

"Anna, I have something I need to talk to you about."

The look on his face was so painful, so intense. Anna started to worry slightly as she sat down next to him. He put his arm around her, and they sat there for a few minutes in silence.

'I'm going to explode if I don't tell her soon,' Yoh thought. 'But the second I tell her...'


"Anna," he said, receiving a 'hm?' from the exterminator in his arms. "I have to tell you... this isn't easy at all... oh man..."

"What is it, Yoh?"

He looked at her. Everything about her he loved so much. "Anna, you know how demons take mates, right?"

She nodded. Was he trying to say what she thought he was trying to say?

"Well, it's not just based on feelings, you know. Instinct take a big role in it, too. A demon knows who their mate is supposed to be before they even meet the person."

"Like destiny?"

Yoh chuckled. "Where'd you think the word came from? It's what some people call it, destiny, but I usually don't buy into it."

"What are you trying to say, Yoh?"

"What I'm saying is, I want you as my mate."

Anna smiled and snuggled closer to him. "Of course I will."

"No, Anna, I'm saying I want you as my mate, but I can't have you. You're to young, to innocent for me. I don't you to have a mate before you're ready."

"I am ready!" Anna protested. Yoh just shook his head.

"Having a mate isn't like marriage at all, you know. There's no such thing as divorce, no such things as an affair, nothing like that."

Anna closed her eyes. "I don't want to do any of that stuff. I want to be with you."

Yoh sighed. "But you can't. I'm not letting you have a mate at the age of sixteen. I know, when I was born, it seemed like a natural thing, and some demons still think of it like that, but see, these are the modern times. You'd be shunned for it, and I can't let that happen to my Anna."

"So why are we even talking about this?"

"Because. My instincts are telling me at every waking moment to take you in my arms, kiss you, etc, etc, but I don't want to do these things. Well, I don't see the harm in kissing you or anything, but it's the etc's I worry about."

Anna merely nodded. She could tell were he was going with this, and she dreaded it.

"Anna, if I left for a while, would you still love me when I came back?"

She opened her eyes and stared at a leave that had fallen from the tree they were leaning against. "Depends on if you still love me."

Yoh smiled. "I'll always love you, Anna. You know that."

"I know." Her eyes started to water. "How long will you be away?"

He sighed. "For a long time, Anna. At least two years."

"I can't be without you for two whole years!"

"Do you think this is easy for me?" Yoh asked innocently. Anna paused. "I mean, I've loved you ever since I laid eyes on you. Ironic that it's me that's asking to leave."

Anna started crying. "Promise me you'll come back."

"I promise."

"And you won't find some demon girl to hang with without me."

He laughed. "I won't Anna. Don't worry." He leaned down and kissed her passionately. She returned the kiss. Finally, Yoh pulled away, smile on his face. He tapped her on the nose. "Who knew you could kiss that good, Anna?"

She hugged him. "Only you, Yoh."

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Epilogue

Manta looked up at Anna. "Yoh hasn't been by lately. Do you know what's up?"

Anna sighed, leaning on her elbows. "He decided to take a break from all this human company. He said it was hard not to devour you on the spot, you looked like the perfect snack all the time."

Manta gulped. "Um, when's he coming back?"

"Oh, once he gets this little problem fixed.

"Hamburger and sushi, up!" Horo brought out two plates setting them in front of the humans. "Oh, and a letter for the young lady in blue." He handed the startled girl an envelope. Anna raised one eyebrow, and took the letter and opened it.

'Dear Anna, How are you? I'm enjoying Nerima, but it's not as fun
here as it would be if you were here. I stopped drinking after the umpteenth
attempt to poison me. I didn't know there were so many people that hate me out there. It was a painful experience. I almost bit some of my friend's heads
off. But enough about me. Are you keeping up okay? You tell me if a demon tries
to bother you. I'll take care of them in a heartbeat. I'll see you again soon!
Love, Yoh'

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Aw, how sweet. I think I added some fluff without it making me sick to my stomach. Sorry 'bout the short chapter again. And with the ending that no one expected. Like I said, all complaints, physical or verbal, go to Horo Horo. He put me up to it. Horo: What did I ever do to you? Thank you for reading, reviewing, being there, sniff, oh man, emotional moment. At twelve o'clock midnight. Oh man, I'm crying. Check out my new story in the Kodoma no Omocha section, and be on the look out for a sequel to this. Thank you! ^^