"Hey, An...miko, you thirsty?" HoroHoro asked.
"Yes," she said.
"Here," he said, handing her a giant mug.
She stared at in morbid curiosity. "What is this?" Amiko asked, studying the strange bas-relief tiki god on the mug.
"It's Anna's Sacred Cup for Smoothies," Tamao explained.
"No one else can use it," Ren added. "If anyone even tries, she kills them."
"But why am I-"
"She always puts the same smoothie in it," Pilika said. "The Beach Ball Bash. It's a combination of peaches, strawberry frozen yogurt, mango juice, and-"
"-and starfruit," Amiko finished. She blinked.
"How did you know that?" Tamao asked.
"I just did," Amiko shrugged.
"But Anna's the-" HoroHoro started to say.
Ren elbowed him hard in the ribs. "Don't upset her!" he hissed.
Amiko studied the drink and took a sip. It tasted sweet and tangy and blessedly familiar. Tiki mugs...beach ball...it was all too much. But the smoothie was excellent.
Focus on the smoothie. Then she wouldn't have to focus on this Anna person.
*****
"You tired?" Yoh asked.
"I was about to ask you the same question," Amiko smiled. "You had a rough day."
"Oh, I'm all right," he said. "Believe me, I've gone through worse."
Amiko sighed and slid her fingers in the sand. The sunset sky had turned the water a deep salmony pink color. "It's really pretty tonight," she said.
"It is," Yoh said, watching her. She blushed and stared avidly at the patterns the incoming tide left in the sand. "Do you want to go for a walk?"
"But I-"
"I'll carry you," Yoh offered. His dark eyes were pleading.
"All right," Amiko agreed.
*****
Anna held out her arms and curved them around Yoh's neck. His strong arms cradled her smooth back and thin legs. "Is this all right?" he whispered in her ear. Stray wisps of hair brushed against his lips.
"Perfect," she whispered. Her head nestled perfectly in the curve of his shoulder. Yoh walked a long time in the warm sand, the sunset sending reflections off the water and into Anna's dark eyes.
"Hey, do you want to go in the water?" he asked.
"I'll drown!" she said, her arms unconsciously gripping tighter.
"I'll hold on to you the whole time," Yoh promised. "Do you trust me?"
She sighed, stroking her fingers idly against the back of his neck. He waited patiently. "I trust you," Anna said finally.
Yoh waded into the water, seaweed grabbing at his bare feet. Slowly the water level rose until it reached his waist. "Okay, Amiko," he said. "I'm going to set you down in the water. I promise that I won't let go."
She nodded, her eyes closed tightly. Yoh gently lowered her legs until she was standing in the water, her bare feet resting on top of his. "Yoh, I'm going to fall!" Anna cried.
Yoh wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. "No, you're not," he said. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "I'll never let you fall."
Anna turned her head slightly to look him in the eyes. "You mean it, don't you?" she whispered.
"A hundred and ten percent," he said. Her hands slipped to cover his, their fingers twining. He sighed.
"It's pretty out here," Anna said again.
"Not nearly as pretty as you," Yoh said.
Their faces were close together. It took only a millisecond for Yoh to bend down and quickly brush his lips against Anna's soft cheek.
He forgot that she was Amiko.
And for a moment, she did too.
*****
It was almost nine o'clock when Yoh and Anna arrived at home. She was smiling sleepily at him as he carried her inside. "I'm ready for bed," she yawned.
"Did you wear out my poor Ami-chan?"
"Hao?" Yoh asked, puzzled. "Wh- what are you doing here?"
Hao stood up. "I came to visit my Ami-chan," he said. "You weren't here, so I waited."
"Hao-kun!" she cried. Her entire face lit up.
"Ah, my darling," he sighed, burying his face in her sweet-smelling hair. "You look so healthy." Hao touched the tip of her nose playfully. "And is that a little bit of sunburn on your sweet face? You look positively rosy."
"Thank you, Hao-kun," Anna giggled. One of her hands was curved around Yoh's neck, the other was holding Hao's tightly.
"You keep getting better, my precious girl," Hao said. "I'll return for you tomorrow."
"How do you know she'll return with you?" Yoh demanded.
Hao shrugged gracefully. "Call it a gut instinct," he said coolly. He kissed Anna's hand. "I'll see you tomorrow, my princess."
"Goodbye, Hao-kun," Anna called. Her voice sounded lost and alone as Hao disappeared.
Yoh pretended not to notice. "We'd better put some aloe on your face," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "It does look a little burnt."
Anna made a face when he stroked the aloe over her nose and cheekbones. "Is it supposed to be that cold?" she asked.
"It doesn't feel cold to me," Yoh shrugged.
A wicked glint flashed in Anna's eyes. "Maybe because you're not feeling it on your sunburn," she suggested. Quick as a flash she dipped her slim fingers into the aloe jar and smeared across the pale red burns on Yoh's forehead.
"Hey!" he sputtered. "That is cold!"
"I told you!" she laughed.
Yoh grabbed a handful of aloe gel and lobbed the goop at her. It hit her square in the nose and dripped down her chin. "Ew!" Anna giggled. "That tastes disgusting!"
"Well, you shouldn't have put it on me!" Yoh defended.
Anna responded by flinging a handful of aloe at his chest. Yoh retaliated, and they kept up their aloe battle until the bottle was empty and the contents were splattered everywhere.
Anna fell backwards, laughing, into Yoh's lap. "That was so much fun!" she laughed. "But I think the aloe went down my top."
"You don't want to know where it is on me," Yoh said, making a face. Anna giggled. Yoh pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head. He stroked her hair. "You know, I wish that..."
"Wish what?" she asked sleepily.
"That you would be like this forever," Yoh sighed. "But that you would know who you are."
Anna slid her hand over his fingers. "I don't know who I am," she admitted, her voice quiet. "Sometimes I know I am Amiko, and other times...I'm just not sure."
"Someday you'll know," Yoh said. He kissed the top of her head so softly she couldn't tell if he had really done it. "Someday we'll both know."
*****
Ninety miles outside Chicago
Can't stop driving- I don't know why
So many questions that need an answer
Two years lately still on my mind
"Yoh," Amiko said hesitantly. "You'll have to help me. I can't do much on my own anymore."
"I understand," he said. "What do you need me to do?"
"I need you to help me get all of this aloe off of me," Amiko smiled. "I can change myself- it will take a long time, but I can do it. But will you help me?"
"Of course," he said. "I would never leave you alone."
Whatever happened to Amelia Earhart?
What holds the stars up in the sky
Is true love just once in a lifetime?
Did the captain of the Titanic cry?
Yoh poured water over the washcloth and wrung it out. He touched it to Anna's arm. "Too cold?" he asked.
"No, it's fine," she said.
Yoh gently worked the washcloth over her slim arms, conscious of her large dark eyes watching him. He wet the washcloth again and smoothed it over Anna's slender back. Suddenly he realized how intimate this was, to touch Anna's soft skin. Normally he would never touch her, unless he wanted to be slapped. But now she needed him.
"I think you're done," Yoh said. He would have lingered longer, but she looked tired.
"If you hand me my yukata, I can change," Anna said. Yoh handed them to her and left the room.
Someday we'll know
If love can move a mountain
Someday we'll know
Why the sky is blue
Someday we'll know
Why I was invented for you
Yoh wandered into Anna's room. At first glance it was a bare, empty room, with little to show signs of its young occupant. But as he studied it, he could see her touches everywhere- a beaded curtain hanging over the balcony door, a neatly folded black dress lying on a chair. He wandered over and unfolded it. It looked so tiny. But then again, Anna wasn't very big. Yoh grinned slightly. She was the perfect size to carry. Anna fit perfectly in his arms.
"Yoh?" she called. "I'm done now."
Does anybody know the way to Atlantis?
Or what the wind says when she cries?
I'm speeding by the place where I met you
For the ninety-seventh time tonight
Amiko was sitting on a small stool in the bathroom, her limp legs stretched in front of her. Her yukata was a bit in disarray, but she had put it on herself. Her swimsuit had been folded and set neatly on the floor next to her.
"Do you want me to brush your hair?" Yoh asked.
She nodded hazily. "Hai," she yawned. She was exhausted. It had been a big day for her.
Yoh slid the black elastic out as gently as he could. Amiko's fine, silky hair fell past her shoulder, a wave remaining where the elastic had been. He smoothed the brush through her hair. Long honey blonde hairs twined around his fingers. Yoh divided her hair into three parts and braided it loosely to keep it out of her way as she slept.
"Thank you, Yoh," she said.
"Don't mention it," he smiled. He held out his arms. "Ready for bed?"
"Hai," she said, yawning again.
Someday we'll know
If love can move a mountain
Why the sky is blue
Someday we'll know
Why I was invented for you
"Would you like to see the stars tonight?" Yoh asked suddenly. "Not for long. You need your sleep."
"All right," Amiko agreed. "Just for a few minutes."
The night was thick and velvety, the stars gleaming against the navy blue sky. The moon made Amiko's golden hair gleam silver strands. Yoh watched her face as she gazed in open-mouthed astonishment at the sky.
"It's even prettier here right now than it was at the beach," she gasped.
Yoh sat down in one of the little chairs on the balcony, settling Amiko on his lap. She leaned against him, watching the stars in rapture.
Someday we'll know
Why Samson loved Delilah
One day I'll go
Dancing on the moon
Someday we'll know
That I was the one for you
A faint night breeze sent a shiver up Anna's spine. Yoh noticed. "Are you cold?" he asked. She nodded, shivering again.
Yoh leaned back and pulled a blanket from the shelf near the door. He tossed it around her, covering both of them. "Better?" he asked. She nodded. Anna cuddled against him, her body seeking his for warmth. Yoh nuzzled her cheek softly.
I bought a ticket to the end of the rainbow
To watch the stars crash in the sea
If I could ask, I have just one question
Why aren't you here with me tonight?
Yoh lost track of time as they sat there, snuggled together. It was only when he heard a soft little sigh that he realized Anna was asleep.
"Poor little girl," he laughed softly. "You're completely worn out."
Anna's body was limp as he picked her up and carried her like a baby into her room. She didn't rouse once, but her head leaned against his shoulder.
Someday we'll know
If love can move a mountain
Someday we'll know
Why the sky is blue
Someday we'll know
Why I was invented for you
Yoh pulled back the covers of the futon and laid her down gently. Anna's head tilted back against the pillow as he set her legs down. Yoh drew the covers to her chin.
Anna's long dark eyelashes fluttered. "Yoh?" she murmured.
"It's me, love," he said. "Go back to sleep."
"All right," she whispered, smiling dreamily at him.
Yoh swiftly bent and pressed a kiss on her lips before she had time to react. Her lips were soft and sweet and innocent. "I love you, Anna," he whispered huskily.
"I'm not Anna, but I love you too," she murmured, her voice soft and hazy from sleep. She was fast asleep in moments as Yoh stroked her hair away from her forehead.
Three lonely tears slid down his cheek and fell upon her upturned face.
Someday we'll know
Why Samson loved Delilah
One day we'll go
Dancing on the moon
Someday we'll know
That I was the one for you
"Yes," she said.
"Here," he said, handing her a giant mug.
She stared at in morbid curiosity. "What is this?" Amiko asked, studying the strange bas-relief tiki god on the mug.
"It's Anna's Sacred Cup for Smoothies," Tamao explained.
"No one else can use it," Ren added. "If anyone even tries, she kills them."
"But why am I-"
"She always puts the same smoothie in it," Pilika said. "The Beach Ball Bash. It's a combination of peaches, strawberry frozen yogurt, mango juice, and-"
"-and starfruit," Amiko finished. She blinked.
"How did you know that?" Tamao asked.
"I just did," Amiko shrugged.
"But Anna's the-" HoroHoro started to say.
Ren elbowed him hard in the ribs. "Don't upset her!" he hissed.
Amiko studied the drink and took a sip. It tasted sweet and tangy and blessedly familiar. Tiki mugs...beach ball...it was all too much. But the smoothie was excellent.
Focus on the smoothie. Then she wouldn't have to focus on this Anna person.
*****
"You tired?" Yoh asked.
"I was about to ask you the same question," Amiko smiled. "You had a rough day."
"Oh, I'm all right," he said. "Believe me, I've gone through worse."
Amiko sighed and slid her fingers in the sand. The sunset sky had turned the water a deep salmony pink color. "It's really pretty tonight," she said.
"It is," Yoh said, watching her. She blushed and stared avidly at the patterns the incoming tide left in the sand. "Do you want to go for a walk?"
"But I-"
"I'll carry you," Yoh offered. His dark eyes were pleading.
"All right," Amiko agreed.
*****
Anna held out her arms and curved them around Yoh's neck. His strong arms cradled her smooth back and thin legs. "Is this all right?" he whispered in her ear. Stray wisps of hair brushed against his lips.
"Perfect," she whispered. Her head nestled perfectly in the curve of his shoulder. Yoh walked a long time in the warm sand, the sunset sending reflections off the water and into Anna's dark eyes.
"Hey, do you want to go in the water?" he asked.
"I'll drown!" she said, her arms unconsciously gripping tighter.
"I'll hold on to you the whole time," Yoh promised. "Do you trust me?"
She sighed, stroking her fingers idly against the back of his neck. He waited patiently. "I trust you," Anna said finally.
Yoh waded into the water, seaweed grabbing at his bare feet. Slowly the water level rose until it reached his waist. "Okay, Amiko," he said. "I'm going to set you down in the water. I promise that I won't let go."
She nodded, her eyes closed tightly. Yoh gently lowered her legs until she was standing in the water, her bare feet resting on top of his. "Yoh, I'm going to fall!" Anna cried.
Yoh wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. "No, you're not," he said. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "I'll never let you fall."
Anna turned her head slightly to look him in the eyes. "You mean it, don't you?" she whispered.
"A hundred and ten percent," he said. Her hands slipped to cover his, their fingers twining. He sighed.
"It's pretty out here," Anna said again.
"Not nearly as pretty as you," Yoh said.
Their faces were close together. It took only a millisecond for Yoh to bend down and quickly brush his lips against Anna's soft cheek.
He forgot that she was Amiko.
And for a moment, she did too.
*****
It was almost nine o'clock when Yoh and Anna arrived at home. She was smiling sleepily at him as he carried her inside. "I'm ready for bed," she yawned.
"Did you wear out my poor Ami-chan?"
"Hao?" Yoh asked, puzzled. "Wh- what are you doing here?"
Hao stood up. "I came to visit my Ami-chan," he said. "You weren't here, so I waited."
"Hao-kun!" she cried. Her entire face lit up.
"Ah, my darling," he sighed, burying his face in her sweet-smelling hair. "You look so healthy." Hao touched the tip of her nose playfully. "And is that a little bit of sunburn on your sweet face? You look positively rosy."
"Thank you, Hao-kun," Anna giggled. One of her hands was curved around Yoh's neck, the other was holding Hao's tightly.
"You keep getting better, my precious girl," Hao said. "I'll return for you tomorrow."
"How do you know she'll return with you?" Yoh demanded.
Hao shrugged gracefully. "Call it a gut instinct," he said coolly. He kissed Anna's hand. "I'll see you tomorrow, my princess."
"Goodbye, Hao-kun," Anna called. Her voice sounded lost and alone as Hao disappeared.
Yoh pretended not to notice. "We'd better put some aloe on your face," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "It does look a little burnt."
Anna made a face when he stroked the aloe over her nose and cheekbones. "Is it supposed to be that cold?" she asked.
"It doesn't feel cold to me," Yoh shrugged.
A wicked glint flashed in Anna's eyes. "Maybe because you're not feeling it on your sunburn," she suggested. Quick as a flash she dipped her slim fingers into the aloe jar and smeared across the pale red burns on Yoh's forehead.
"Hey!" he sputtered. "That is cold!"
"I told you!" she laughed.
Yoh grabbed a handful of aloe gel and lobbed the goop at her. It hit her square in the nose and dripped down her chin. "Ew!" Anna giggled. "That tastes disgusting!"
"Well, you shouldn't have put it on me!" Yoh defended.
Anna responded by flinging a handful of aloe at his chest. Yoh retaliated, and they kept up their aloe battle until the bottle was empty and the contents were splattered everywhere.
Anna fell backwards, laughing, into Yoh's lap. "That was so much fun!" she laughed. "But I think the aloe went down my top."
"You don't want to know where it is on me," Yoh said, making a face. Anna giggled. Yoh pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head. He stroked her hair. "You know, I wish that..."
"Wish what?" she asked sleepily.
"That you would be like this forever," Yoh sighed. "But that you would know who you are."
Anna slid her hand over his fingers. "I don't know who I am," she admitted, her voice quiet. "Sometimes I know I am Amiko, and other times...I'm just not sure."
"Someday you'll know," Yoh said. He kissed the top of her head so softly she couldn't tell if he had really done it. "Someday we'll both know."
*****
Ninety miles outside Chicago
Can't stop driving- I don't know why
So many questions that need an answer
Two years lately still on my mind
"Yoh," Amiko said hesitantly. "You'll have to help me. I can't do much on my own anymore."
"I understand," he said. "What do you need me to do?"
"I need you to help me get all of this aloe off of me," Amiko smiled. "I can change myself- it will take a long time, but I can do it. But will you help me?"
"Of course," he said. "I would never leave you alone."
Whatever happened to Amelia Earhart?
What holds the stars up in the sky
Is true love just once in a lifetime?
Did the captain of the Titanic cry?
Yoh poured water over the washcloth and wrung it out. He touched it to Anna's arm. "Too cold?" he asked.
"No, it's fine," she said.
Yoh gently worked the washcloth over her slim arms, conscious of her large dark eyes watching him. He wet the washcloth again and smoothed it over Anna's slender back. Suddenly he realized how intimate this was, to touch Anna's soft skin. Normally he would never touch her, unless he wanted to be slapped. But now she needed him.
"I think you're done," Yoh said. He would have lingered longer, but she looked tired.
"If you hand me my yukata, I can change," Anna said. Yoh handed them to her and left the room.
Someday we'll know
If love can move a mountain
Someday we'll know
Why the sky is blue
Someday we'll know
Why I was invented for you
Yoh wandered into Anna's room. At first glance it was a bare, empty room, with little to show signs of its young occupant. But as he studied it, he could see her touches everywhere- a beaded curtain hanging over the balcony door, a neatly folded black dress lying on a chair. He wandered over and unfolded it. It looked so tiny. But then again, Anna wasn't very big. Yoh grinned slightly. She was the perfect size to carry. Anna fit perfectly in his arms.
"Yoh?" she called. "I'm done now."
Does anybody know the way to Atlantis?
Or what the wind says when she cries?
I'm speeding by the place where I met you
For the ninety-seventh time tonight
Amiko was sitting on a small stool in the bathroom, her limp legs stretched in front of her. Her yukata was a bit in disarray, but she had put it on herself. Her swimsuit had been folded and set neatly on the floor next to her.
"Do you want me to brush your hair?" Yoh asked.
She nodded hazily. "Hai," she yawned. She was exhausted. It had been a big day for her.
Yoh slid the black elastic out as gently as he could. Amiko's fine, silky hair fell past her shoulder, a wave remaining where the elastic had been. He smoothed the brush through her hair. Long honey blonde hairs twined around his fingers. Yoh divided her hair into three parts and braided it loosely to keep it out of her way as she slept.
"Thank you, Yoh," she said.
"Don't mention it," he smiled. He held out his arms. "Ready for bed?"
"Hai," she said, yawning again.
Someday we'll know
If love can move a mountain
Why the sky is blue
Someday we'll know
Why I was invented for you
"Would you like to see the stars tonight?" Yoh asked suddenly. "Not for long. You need your sleep."
"All right," Amiko agreed. "Just for a few minutes."
The night was thick and velvety, the stars gleaming against the navy blue sky. The moon made Amiko's golden hair gleam silver strands. Yoh watched her face as she gazed in open-mouthed astonishment at the sky.
"It's even prettier here right now than it was at the beach," she gasped.
Yoh sat down in one of the little chairs on the balcony, settling Amiko on his lap. She leaned against him, watching the stars in rapture.
Someday we'll know
Why Samson loved Delilah
One day I'll go
Dancing on the moon
Someday we'll know
That I was the one for you
A faint night breeze sent a shiver up Anna's spine. Yoh noticed. "Are you cold?" he asked. She nodded, shivering again.
Yoh leaned back and pulled a blanket from the shelf near the door. He tossed it around her, covering both of them. "Better?" he asked. She nodded. Anna cuddled against him, her body seeking his for warmth. Yoh nuzzled her cheek softly.
I bought a ticket to the end of the rainbow
To watch the stars crash in the sea
If I could ask, I have just one question
Why aren't you here with me tonight?
Yoh lost track of time as they sat there, snuggled together. It was only when he heard a soft little sigh that he realized Anna was asleep.
"Poor little girl," he laughed softly. "You're completely worn out."
Anna's body was limp as he picked her up and carried her like a baby into her room. She didn't rouse once, but her head leaned against his shoulder.
Someday we'll know
If love can move a mountain
Someday we'll know
Why the sky is blue
Someday we'll know
Why I was invented for you
Yoh pulled back the covers of the futon and laid her down gently. Anna's head tilted back against the pillow as he set her legs down. Yoh drew the covers to her chin.
Anna's long dark eyelashes fluttered. "Yoh?" she murmured.
"It's me, love," he said. "Go back to sleep."
"All right," she whispered, smiling dreamily at him.
Yoh swiftly bent and pressed a kiss on her lips before she had time to react. Her lips were soft and sweet and innocent. "I love you, Anna," he whispered huskily.
"I'm not Anna, but I love you too," she murmured, her voice soft and hazy from sleep. She was fast asleep in moments as Yoh stroked her hair away from her forehead.
Three lonely tears slid down his cheek and fell upon her upturned face.
Someday we'll know
Why Samson loved Delilah
One day we'll go
Dancing on the moon
Someday we'll know
That I was the one for you