Warmth

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King.

When the warmth of hot chocolate isn't enough, you can feel warm with the one you love. J

Yoh's POV

I looked everywhere then my gaze went back to Anna; there was only one way I could think off… but…

Will Anna allow it?

This was too urgent… I must… and with one final sigh I asked Anna pleadingly, "Don't get angry, ne Anna?"

She looked at me weakly; it bothers me too much to see her this way… "About what?" she uttered softly in confusion not knowing what I was planning, which was actually good.

I didn't reply but instead I took her into my arms for a warm embrace. I was quite nervous that's for sure but the moment she was in my arms I felt it would always be alright… as long as Anna is around. However, before it will be alright I still had to face something… that something is Anna's wrath. I gulped and looked down to see Anna looking at me. There was something quite different about her; her usual cold and placid face seemed to have softened. Somehow with an urging tug from my heart I thought I would not be murdered by Anna.

And I was correct… but what I got was not what I expected either…

She mustered up all the strength she could and softly murmured, "You really ran out ideas, huh?"

I smiled at her with relief; now knowing that I would survive this odd ordeal; hugging my fiancée… since when was this a sin? I laughed in my mind; since I met Anna Kyouyama of course. I then replied, "Hai Anna…"

We were silent for a while; there was no point in continuing any more conversation anyway. Probably by just looking at each other we were already content; not needing any more words. That was my case, though I'm not quite sure about Anna. Anyway, what I feel for Anna has long surpassed what words could comprehend… I then felt something on my shoulder. I grinned to find Anna – who was still in my arms. Her head was on my shoulder slumbering peacefully… When I look at her like this I can't help but think she's an angel that came from heaven… that she's someone so innocent, naïve and probably even perky or nice. However, even if Anna may not be innocent, naïve and definitely not perky, she's still an angel that came down from heaven… She's an angel that guides me… and somehow… I…

I love her.

I love her.

I love her.

No matter how many times I may repeat these three words I know I'll never get tired of it… because… I love her. And that will never change. Probably I won't even be Yoh Asakura without her, definitely not Shaman King or the man I am now. Maybe I'm not yet a "man", that I'm only a teenager… that I cannot comprehend such things. However, I… I… I know and I am sure that I love Anna and would not be who I am without her.

I brought her sleeping body closer mine gently… I don't know… even if maybe… she's not cold anymore (she doesn't seem so anyway), I just want her with me, close to me… Gently because… I wouldn't want her to wake up.

I just wanted to shout to her what I feel… but… I don't know… Maybe I'm just afraid…

Afraid of what?

Of how… how… Anna would take it.

I sighed and remembered how we first met… It was so sudden… too sudden… but it turned out okay, if a swollen foot is okay… --;;

I sighed softly as my grandfather called me to our dining room to meet "someone special" as he would call it. My mind though thought it was only a family friend… but anyway, I still followed my grandfather because he did promise me that he would lessen his trainings for me that day.

"Hurry up Yoh! Your grandmother will be displeased to see us tardy for our guest." Granpa said shoving me into the room quickly.

Paying no matter to who was inside I laughed. Of course it was weird for my grandfather for me to laugh, but actually I was laughing at his fear for my grandmother. I silently made a vow that I wouldn't want to turn out like that.

A stern voice suddenly interrupted my laughter and I quickly turned around to see my grandmother accompanied by a blonde-haired girl around my age; my guess was that she was her student, "Take your seat Yohmei, Yoh."

Both me and my grandfather sat down. Sitting on the couch, I looked at the girl and gave her a warm smile. Her reaction totally not what I expected, she glared at me for a moment then turned away coldly. Then, I developed a fear of her... to be increased by my grandmother's announcement.

"Yoh… you do know you're an Asakura, correct?" she told me.

I nodded nervously thinking of some possibilities and where she was getting at. 'Could she have found out I've been stealing those bean-filled buns from Tamao? I surely hope not…'

"Well… an Asakura must be well-disciplined and respectful and…" she countinued on slowly, "I have decided to engage you with my student, Anna." She said pointing to the girl.

I was silent then asked my grandmother, "Obaa-san… eh… what does 'engaged' mean?"

                             

My grandmother sighed muttering something about being embarrassed, "It means that she'll be your future wife Yoh…"

"Wife…? What was that again?" I tapped my chin, I do recall Tamao and even grandpa talking about this… wait… grandma is grandpa's wife… Wait… that means…

"NANI!?" I exclaimed in shock then I looked at my sudden wife-to-be.

"Is there something wrong Yoh? Oh… and by the way her name is Anna Kyouyama, be sure you are prepared for the celebration feast later." my grandmother told me but before I could even retort she left me in the room with my grandfather and the girl.

Might as well make the best of it…

I approached the girl and once again gave her a smile, "Hi, I'm Yoh…"

She didn't reply but suddenly I felt a strong force on my right foot. I looked from her (who was turned in the other direction) and my foot which was currently being stepped on by her, "I know that… and from now on… I shall take over in your Shaman training."

My eyes widened even if it was already teary from the pain on my foot. I turned to look at my grandfather frantically.

"Don't worry Yoh, everything will turn out fine…" he laughed nervously as he exited the room as well.

"Do you have a problem?" she asked me her foot still unmoving.

I nodded not being able to reply just pointing to my foot.

Instead of taking it off she just stepped on it harder…

That fear was never lifted and probably that was the first time out of the many that I cried because of Anna in my childhood, but hey, I was ignorant then… I didn't understand who Anna was to me. Now that I think of it, Who is Anna to me? Is she just my fiancee that I love? Or maybe much, much more?

I laughed lightly… that question is too easy to answer, of course, Anna is my life source. Without Anna I wouldn't be who I am. Sure, I wouldn't be myself if I didn't meet Manta, Amidamaru and everyone else. Of course, they accepted me. However Anna, she always believed in me…………… right?

Was it just a pigment of my imagination to think that Anna always cared for me and believed I could be Shaman King?

Maybe, but for this time… just this time, I wouldn't want to find tout if that is true. I like it… when I think she cares, when she shows an act of care to me. Because… she's my Anna… right?

I have no right to claim her… I know that but… I am her fiance, and it feels somewhat… right…?

Yes, that has to be the word.

I felt 'right' with Anna by my side.

I took a breath and smelled the scent of the Christmas spirit, or maybe that was just Anna's hair? Ha, ha… but that led me to another problem… No, not the one with the untouched money… It was something much, much more grave. I didn't know what to give Anna for Christmas.

I barely remember past years… since probably this was one of the best years of my life. I blinked for a while, actually, I think I didn't even give gifts on Christmas, it was usually Anna who bought gifts, but never did we exchange gifts. She was too busy training me for the Shaman Fight, which was done now so that doesn't give me an excuse not to give her anything.

No, it's not that I don't want to give her something. Hence, I would kill to just find something perfect for her! But, I didn't know what. Well, what did you expect? I can't even think of a good gift for Manta and I already asked him what he wanted! I sighed and probably that caused Anna to stir for a while.

I made then a note to move and do actions less.

I smiled; the only way I could think of was to take a nap myself.

I leaned closer to her, planning to kiss her forehead, and I did. It's not as if she would know… and a lazy bum like me can do those things too…

And if I do get caught… Everything would always come out okay.

I whispered to her ear, "I love you…"

I was about to sleep myself when I saw two onyx eyes staring at me in shock – Anna's eyes…

I laughed nervously and scratched my chin lightly, "Oops…"

Tsuzuku

This fic is Six Chapters long ^^ Enjoy minna… R/R