Author's notes: I know what you people are thinking right now… and I am so sorry!! It's a bad habit, really. Happy birthday to Yoh Asakura-kun and Hao Asakura-sama!! We love you two for being so gentle and oh-so adorable!
Dedication: Who else? For Yoh-kun and Hao-sama!! Also, for Miko-sempai. I hope you remembered Hao-sama and Yoh-sama's birthday. (They're twins, duh! So of course they were born on the same day.)
On with the continuation of Chapter Three: Tears…
PAAK!!
"B-Baka!!"
She was staggering uncontrollably as her eyes shook with both fear and disgust. The itako had lifted the palm of her hand, and folowing her movements danced along her blonde locks.
The forest was silenced when the loud sound of a smack echoed throughout the vast woodlands.
In front of her stood a young man with his long auburn hair being drifted away by the soft wind. The swollen cheek that was facing away from the furious lady had his hand on it to caress the hurtful pain.
Kyouyama Anna pulled herself away from the built arms of the man and glared a dagger-sharp look at him. She was panting from the sudden close encounter that she finally snapped out just when his lips were so so SO close to hers. The way her unlit raven eyes burned furiously would make hell beg for mercy.
"What were you thinking?!" Her voice was impenetrable and cold…but trembling. Her eyes were still and unfathomable…but she was holding back tears.
Asakura Hao knew this as he looked back at the woman who had just hit him, not wanting to give her the idea that he was mad. After all, it was his decision to have bent down and had attempted to kiss her.
I just hope it was woth the try…
But Hao knew why she snapped; and it wasn't because she wanted to push him away, or she was lonely or she had such a reputation. It was because of one thing he has failed to notice all this time…
"Then does this mean you still love him?" Hao looked at her, yearning.
Anna stiffened, but it was her instict to show that she was unaffected. There was an awkward silence as she shrugged uncomfortably.
"If so…" the shaman continued as he turned his back on her, taking a few steps away. "Then I have no purpose to stay."
In a desperate attempt to tell him he was wrong, Anna called out, "It's not what you think it is."
But she wasn't a good liar.
The shaman stopped and smiled at himself bitterly. "The truth is right there imutou-chan, it always has been," he replied, slowly facing her with an intent gaze. "You just couldn't see it; Or rather, you refused to."
And this silenced her for the first time.
Hao sighed as he ran his fingers through his auburn hair smoothly. "I will not tolerate you to admit to me that Yoh is still there, lingering in your heart in each passing moment that you see me. Because I know that we look the same; but we are entirely different people." He bowed his head curtly, gesturing to her his utmost respect. "I know how much he means to you, even if you can never admit that. It takes time, but I'm sure you'll be able to someday."
It shattered his soul to have told her that. Anna meant so much to him…but he knew how much Yoh meant to her and the other way around. There was nothing more to say.
That's the way it goes…
The shaman smiled longingly. "If only I could just hold you in my arms… Just once, then it would mean everything to me."
"H-Hao…"
The man chuckled bitterly. "I feel as if I have no right to hear the way you call out my name like that."
Anna watched him as he walked closer to her again. "Just once, Anna… Just once. That's all I ask of you."
She was puzzled. How could she allow Hao Asakura to hold her close when she just hit him with her cruel and insensitive slap? But the way his eyes lit longlingly at her left her with a question.
Should I…?
The shaman sighed. "It's alright to say no, Anna." There was a tone of disappointment in his voice.
Because I know you would never…
Anna took a deep breath. She knew that this was all Hao would ever ask for. Nothing more. Hastily, she shut her eyes tight to think better and observe the circumstances that might happen.
A few moments passed as Hao watched her patiently. He knew. And then…
"No." There was a muffled reply.
He felt himself fade.
Anna opened her eyes as she met his. They were cold and untouchable, the way they always have been. "No…"
He smiled resentfully. "I understand."
"Do you realize that you've been dumped?" the itako added.
Hao merely nodded as silence occupied the forest once again.
"…but I am grateful that you told me that." An unexpected addition came out from Anna's mouth. She was looking away.
"It is the truth, my dear Imutou-chan."
"Then there will be no truth unless he… will--"
"I know he will Anna." Hao looked at the lady with determination as she turned to meet his gaze. "Yoh will… because he is still longing for you."
The wind passed by Yoh's sullen room as he stood by the porch, listening to the chime as it trickled a calming sound. The skies began to darken when a soft crack beyond the horizon was heard. There was peace in his surroundings, even if the weather promised rain…
But there will never be peace in me.
He was forced again to recall the exact reason why he had to break his engagement with Anna. His grandmother, Asakura Kino, just told him a reason that was not even appropriate nor valid for the young heir to accept. He knew that there was something more to it.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a knock on his door was heard.
"Come in." Yoh tried to be cheerful, although he was clearly faking it.
There stepped in his grandmother, carrying a grim façade. The old woman looked up at her grandson and told him something…
Something that would murder every inch of his heart.
TSUZUKU
Laughs like an idiotI just love to keep things hanging!