_______________________________________________________________________________

Broken Chapter Four: If You Love Him

Asakura Yoh stared at the pink-haired prophetess with eyes widened. What she just told him couldn't fit into his sysytem that he just sat there like a rock. As Tamao slowly and nervously faced the newly polished floor in an attempt to  hide her expressions, Yoh blinked.

"W-What are you saying…?" he managed to raise a question despite the fact that Tamao's courage began to crumble dramatically.

She looked up to him with clenched fists. "Please understand, Master Yoh." She inched closer and closer that Yoh became more and more confused. "Please…" her voice was desperate.

And now, the auburn-haired shaman dawned into realization. He knew this would come sooner or later. Yes, he understood…but he couldn't. Or rather, he was just torn between Tamao and ……

Anna.

"Anna…" he said out of his own will.

Tamao withdrew herself as soon as she heard him say her name. It hurt her, really, that it felt like a really hard slap on the face. Her eyes welled up with moisture. And, in a fight between her physical being and her emotional state, she took a step away from him. "Y-Yoh-sama…"

He couldn't hear her. He was too busy wandering in his thoughts about the cold blonde-haired itako. She isn't like that, he told himself. She is Anna, always has been, always will be. And I was just so afraid of losing her…

His thoughts were then cut when an audible sound of the door being shut was heard. Tamao left the room immediately without him even noticing it. Yoh wanted to run after her, but he just felt that he had no such right. An ocean of guilt occupied his face.

"I'm sorry…"

~

Tamo ran hurriedly into her room and buried herself against a pillow. She looked at herself at the mirror, almost blinded by her tears. She was so mad at herself. She thought of herself as a stupid and worthless person who was pushed away by others most of her life. It was as if she was neglected and peripheral to the people around her. Oh, how she wanted to kill herself for being so utterly stupid.

And no one can make a difference anymore…

She just lay on her bed and allowed the endless flow of tears to gush out. She needed to. This was the only thing she could do eventhough she never wanted to.

But unaware of her surroundings, Horo horo was standing outside her doorway, watching her with grieve pain. He wanted her to smile; to make her happy…

But he had no such place in her heart to do so.

I will be always be here with you as a shadow… no more, and no less. He cautiously stepped inside her room and knelt down beside her bed. He quietly brushed Tamao's hair, and this surprised the girl.

The Ainu smiled, although it was bitter. "Hey..."

Tamao roughly wiped away the tears that soaked her blushing face. She was embarrassed to see Horo horo in front of her as she was crying. "H-Hey…" She smiled back lightly.

"You okay?" He continued to comfort her.

She faced the pillow and curled herself into a sitting position. "Uh-huh…"

"I'll annoy you if you're lying to me."

 He was aching.

Tamao faced him and smiled, now more audible. "I told you, I'm--"

Horo horo pricked her lightly with his fingers, causing the girl to giggle and laugh. "I won't stop unless you tell me you're okay!"

 He was hurting.

"Cut it out, Horo-kun!" she pleaded under her laughter. Her tears were gone just as like that.

"No way! Tell me you're okay!"

 He was yearning. This is all I can do for you…

When he finally released her from his grasp, she continued to laugh—a laughter that he always wanted to see her with. But no matter how long he yearned for it, it will never be his anyway… never, for it belonged to only one person; to Yoh.

"Okay, okay!" she chuckled lightly. "I'm alright now… I'm okay."

The blue-haired shaman smiled. "Okay…" Please stop making me fall for you… please stop making me long and wait for you. He gave her a light pat on the head. Because I know I will never deserve you…

The girl looked at him intently. "Ne, Horo-kun…"

"Hmm?"

"I don't know how to put it, but you've always been here for me." She scratched her cheek delicately, then gave him a smile—a smile so perfect. "Thank you."

It was just there; it was just so clear. It was all he wanted from her. "Of course!" he said suddenly, pulling her up from her bed.

Tamao clumsily stood up from the force of the Ainu's built muscles. "W-Where are we going…?" she sruttered as Horo horo dragged her along the corridors.

He turned to her and grinned sheepishly. "I'm hungry."

"Horo-kun…?" there was a spark of curiousity in her eyes. He was waiting for her reply, expecting her to say yes. And, she did with a nod. "I'd be glad to cook for you."

~

When the two were settled in the kitchen alone, they prepared the ingredients needed.

"What do you want to eat, Horo-kun?" she asked, searching inside the refrigerator for anything that might be substantial to his desire.

"Anything you'd like to cook," he replied.

Tamao faced him curiously. "Are you sure you want me to decide?"

"What's wrong with that?" there was a sign of astonish in his tone. "You know how much I like your cooking." Horo horo grinned sheepishly.

The pink-haired prophetess blinked abruptly. "O-Oh…" she gathered all the necessary ingredients she needed. "Okay then."

The boy didn't mind what she cooked, for he liked everything she did. If he could just save one single memory for the rest of his life, it would be seeing Tamao skillfully making devouring food with a lovely smile. He would never trade that for anything in the world…ever.

Tamao suddenly was taken aback when she found a plate of food left in the fridge; it was untouched.

"Master Yoh…" she tried to choke out her tears, but were suddenly stopped when she felt Horo horo wrap her in his arms gently. No matter how hard he tried, Yoh would always remain in her memory. "H-Horo-kun…?" she stuttered.

If you love him; if he means so much to you, then I will just stay as your shadow until I have my turn in your heart. Horo horo kissed her hair lightly; just a sign of fondness…although it meant far more deep to him.

"You know how much I hate to see you cry when you're cooking," he told her.

And he meant it.

To his surprise, Tamao responded with an equal amout of 'fondness' that translated into a hug. "I know…"

The kitchen was then filled with silence, for words were no longer needed.

I know… TSUZUKU

_______________________________________________________________________________

This is for Miko-sempai! ^^ Thank you for motivating me through your fanfics. I am truly grateful to have met such a person like you. *Bows* ^_^

Next chapter is the continuation of Chapter three! Hope I didn't upset you all for updating quite later than usual. Tinamaan po ako nang writer's block. Mendori-chan asks for all of your forgiveness though her sincere apology. ^^