A/N: This is chapter two of Broken. Dedicated to Yoh-Kun (no, it's not Yoh Asakura. *Sincker* If u know me well, you'll know who this is ^^). Hehe, I just wanted to write this for him for no particular reason except for the fact that I have no one else to dedicate this to. Sure, I can to my tomodachi-tachi but…aww… you get the point. @_@ BTW, I'm back from Dumaguete, so a job has to be done. ^^
Chapter two Summary: What happens when a depressed Yoh was cheered up by shy little Tamao Tamamura? Will the conversation enlighten the shaman?…Or will the conversation lead to a confession which a certain Ainu will live to grieve for?
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Broken Chapter Two: Maybe It's Wrong
"Aw, that's sad," said the tall blue-haired boy with his forehead creased. He was holding up a cookie and bit it reluctantly. "So what do you plan to do now?"
Tamao Tamamura has just narrated to Horo horo what had happened yesterday. She was very very worried for Yoh and Anna's sudden engagement departure. A sigh came out as the Ainu munched on the sweet.
"I…I don't know," she replied, staring at the floor. "Master Yoh isn't feeling well…"
Horo horo swallowed the food into his digestive tract and looked at Tamao meekly. He stood up, then patted her head, smiling. "Yoh is just a bit insecure about his family's decision. Just give him a rest so he can have time to think it over." He grinned, trying his best to cheer up the prophetess. "I'll be glad to talk to him on your behalf."
The girl looked up at him with a reassured smile, aside from the audible blush on her cheeks. "Arigatou, Horo-kun…" Her eyes sparkled gratefully. "Hontou ni arigatou. I have no idea what to do without you."
Horo horo bit his lip and paused for a while. He then gave her a cheerful thumbs-up gesture, hiding something. Good thing for him, Tamao couldn't see through his smile. "No prob."
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"Hmm?"
Horo horo shrugged. "L-Like I said, Yoh… Cheer up."
The Asakura looked confused, but chose to grin at his friend. He then stood up from his cot, nodding curtly. "Yeah, I guess you're right." There was a hint of hesitation in his voice, but Horo horo decided to ignore it. "Maybe Anna will be much more…happier that it turned out this way…"
There was a long pause. But it ended when the Ainu broke the silence a while later.
"S-She's really worried about you, Yoh." Horo horo stared at the floor. "So…please stop making her worry. It sickens me, too." There was a trace of care the way the blue-haired boy spoke.
Yoh blinked. "She?"
Horo horo cleared his throat. "Tamao, I mean…"
Yoh paused to understand his friend's situation. He sighed quietly, then smiled.
"Why are you pushing her away?" there was a sudden question in his voice.
His companion flinched, quite unprepared to answer that matter. It was purely confidential…no, enigmatic to Horo horo's comprehension. He wasn't even sure exactly why and what he was so worried about. "W-What do you mean?"
"If you want to tell her so badly, there's no harm in trying," his friend replied simply.
The Ainu faced him, his azure eyes turned serious. He hesitated to reply and shook his head instead. "Nah… I think she's a lot more worried about you."
"But I doubt if she's a lot worried about me than you are about her." Yoh said with a grin.
Unexpectedly, a blush shaded the Ainu's cheeks faintly. He shrugged once more. "Why would I be so worried about her?" He tried. "It's none of my business anyway…"
The auburn-haired boy scratched his head impatiently. "Horo horo, don't you think that the whole reason for you to come into my room is because you want to make a deal that I should act much better so that Tamao wouldn't feel too bad?"
The Ainu was stunned. How straightforward can he get?
Yoh's eyes softened. "…But I'm sorry to say that that cannot happen."
"Yoh…?"
A sigh was heaved by the Asakura. "It's just Anna…"
Immediately though, Horo horo understood what there was to understand. "So you really meant what you told her after the Shaman Fight," he faced him, "that no matter what circumstances the both of you will encounter, you will always try to find ways to get her back."
Yoh let out an uneasy smile. He rubbed his cheek and replied, "Y-yeah…"
But this wasn't such good news to the Ainu. What should I tell Tamao?
After their conversation had ended, Horo horo chose to leave Yoh to his thoughts. He knew that the auburn-haired shaman was in deep trouble, aside from the fact that he wanted his dear Anna so badly. For the Ainu, however, it wouldn't be too easy to tell Tamao what he and Yoh had talked about. Considering Tamao's one-sided infatuation for Yoh, which he knew all too well, just made things harder for him.
Horo horo stopped his pace and stood on the sidewalk blankly. As a cool breeze passed by, his senses numbed.
Tamao……
The thought of her frightened him, but overwhelmed him as well…in a good way. But the Ainu had never felt fear and happiness whenever he was with the prophetess before. Perhaps he was just afraid to tell her that Yoh has already fallen in love with Anna. Or maybe he was just afraid to see her cry, since he will be the one who is going to deliver the message to her… But when you look at it in a different perspective,
"Why do I fear her when I need her? Why do I hate to see her begging me just to reassure her that Yoh is fine?" the young shaman paused once more and glanced at Tamao's room window. "…why can't you just understand that I will always be here for you with or without Yoh?"
Then suddenly, he snapped. "What am I talking about…?" A sigh.
Each passing day since the moment when he met Tamao, he understood greatly how much she cared for Yoh Asakura. But that never seemed to bother him for he enjoyed teasing her (since he loved the way her cheeks turn crimson ^^)…until today.
The Ainu snorted as he buried his hands in his pocket. "Funny…I feel as if I'm going insane."
Unexpectedly, a quiet yet teasing hum was heard. Horo horo looked up at the tree and found Hao sitting there, observing the shaman secretly.
"Still having a hard time with Tamao-chan as always, ne Horo horo?" Yoh's twin smiled.
The Ainu's cheeks blushed profusely. "Damn it, Hao!" he roared. "I never ALLOWED you to spy on me!!" There was a hint of annoyance and relief in his tone. I just hate that bastard…
Hao chuckled jokingly. He looked at the young man standing under his tree with eyes flaming in anger. The long-haired shaman hopped down beside Horo horo gleefully and replied, "If you haven't noticed, everything you think just comes out of your mouth when I happen to be sitting here." An innocent grin. "Just tell her how you feel…then fate will do the rest."
Horo horo snorted and waved his hand in skepticism. "What the heck are you people talking about?" He, too, referred to Yoh. "I don't…um…I-I don't…" the Ainu hesitated.
Before he could continue, Hao chickled lightly. "You can't even say it."
He blushed profusely "Sh-Shut up…"
"In three seconds, I'm sure you'll admit to me that you have feelings for Tamao-chan." Hao said, letting up three fingers.
Horo horo blinked. "W-Wha?"
The other shaman lowered one of his fingers. "Two…"
Tha Ainu felt his chest tighten. "I-I…"
Hao lowered another one of his fingers. "One…" he paused, then, "Ze…r--"
"OKAY! OKAY! You win!" Horo horo said suddenly, then took a deep breath. "So I admit it, I do…like her." He paused quietly. "I like her, in fact, I like her so so much…that I…" He cluched his fists, wanting so desperately to hit Hao's face—especially his annoying grin—so hard. "So much that I may even…love her."
There crept a sincere smile in Hao's face. "See?" he spoke, patting the Ainu gently. "You just needed to say it out loud. You can never, ever lie to your heart for it will keep on longing…waiting…aching until you admit it." Now, his smile was occupied with doubt. "As for me…"
Horo horo smiled gratefully. "Thanks."
The auburn-haired shaman nodded as he turned to leave. "I have…a lot to do for my brother." He said, walking away. "…and for Anna."
Tha Ainu nodded back curtly, then walked inside the Asakura residence. He went inside his room and found a small piece of paper taped on the table. "Oh…this is supposed to be Yoh's job," he said out loud, realizing that the paper contained a list of groceries.
He walked over to the Asakura's room, but was stopped when he heard a few whispers inside.
Tamao…? He wondered, realizing the familiar awkward voice she possessed. His heart crumpled. Please…don't tell me she's going to……
A deep intake of of breath after some long silence was heard. Her voice was clear…and what shocked him the most was when she said, "I love you, Yoh-sama."
The Ainu crumpled the grocery list, trying so hard to contain himself. What the--?! Tamao…please, take that back…!! Please!! The hurt was too much to bear. Please…
Horo horo had never felt this way before. He gritted his teeth and abruptly ran back in his room.
TSUZUKU
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A/N: As the story develops, so does the plot. It sounds a bit sappy here, so I apologize. Mendori-chan is feeling gloomy today since it's raining outside… *mutters* the rain is nice and I love the shower a lot since I feel some depression. ^^
Please Review! Next chapter is a Hao/Anna, incase you were wondering.