Pure Snow

Author's Note: 7/21/04 (yes, quite some time ago, I know) -- Today I'm going to the doctor because of a knee pains. TT Though, luckily today's physical therapy is cancelled for today so I have more time to finish this chapter. (Chapter a day keeps the fans away. lol, no offence!) Now I'm pretty used to sharing my personal life.....damn isn't this what my xanga account is for? if only I knew how to use it....Thanks for all of your kindness! And as for who Anna is gonna end up with....I-Am-Not-Telling! But eitherway, I'm sure you'll like the ending! =) ....well.....uhhh.....here's chapter 12!

Disclaimer: I'll never own Mankin......ever......or the song Pure Snow!

Chapter 12:

I definitely won't regret any of it, even the crying I did over you.
Because I love you Anna.......

I love you.....

That's the first time anyone has ever told me that....

Not even Yoh has ever told me that he loved me....

I love you....

Those are very powerful words.....like I hate you...

And it makes me wonder.....

Was all that crying worth it?

Were the words "I love you" too strong for Yoh to use to tell me how he felt about me?

Was there someone who loved me more than Yoh right before my eyes all this time?

I don't know anymore.....

Anna stood at her current spot for a few minutes. Those three words felt like a thousand swords that stabbed her entire body. She shook her head and walked inside the house.

Today was December 15th. And Hao and Anna started to get ready for Christmas. The house wasn't really decorated, but it was enough. Anna started to cook dinner. She and Hao agreed to take turns on cooking. But Hao would always have to clean up after, and clean period.

While Anna pulled out the ingredients out of the pantry and Hao walked upstairs to his room. Stepping inside he locked the door behind him. Or he barricaded it somehow. Hao opened his closet and pulled out the big leather covering from deep within his closet. He dug around looking for a box, any kind of box. A show box would work too! Hao looked all over the room for a box. Hidden deep in his dresser was a big white box. Something like a bakery box.

Hao opened in and saw it was covered with crumbs. He frowned. "Yoh must've snuck this from Anna." Walking to a window he opened it and dumped the crumbs out. Once the bakery box was nice and clean, Hao carefully uncovered the pretty dark green leather covering revealing a beautiful white dress with light pink frills and small cherry blossom designs on the rims of the dress. It still had that sweet sakura scent

He smiled, knowing that Anna would love it since he saw her admiring it and the shop. Very carefully Hao folded the dress, trying to prevent wrinkles and permanent folding on the rims. He lightly set the dress in the box. Luckily it was a perfect fit. Next Hao pulled out the box of perfume and pulled out the small bottle and rested it on the dress.

Closing the box he pulled out some glittery pearl white wrapping paper and wrapped Anna's gift. Hao tore out two of his pant suspenders that were attached to Hao super sexy lego pants that were in his closet and used them as ribbons. He sighed. Hao loved those star suspenders; they were a part of his unique one of a kind outfit. But he figured he could replace them.....somehow. Though, at least a part of him was in his gift and he hoped that Anna would cherish them.

Hao attached a little tag on the ribbon. He didn't know what he should write on it yet. It had to be poetic, yet non-cheesy, romantic, yet not too deep. Hao shrugged, he still had some time before Christmas to decide. The long haired boy picked up his present and lightly set it in his closet. He smiled. "I want to give this to her myself."

After Anna's dinner the two said goodnight and immediately went to bed.

The next morning....

Anna opened her eyes. It was so cold today. She sneezed and rubbed her red nose. Anna felt like she really didn't want to go to school today. It would only be long, boring, and miserable. She got out of her futon and folded it up, putting it away. Anna opened her doors and walked out of her room, yawning and rubbing her eyes. She walked downstairs, hugging herself to keep her warm. Shivering and chattering her teeth she glanced up and saw Hao eating his breakfast. He glanced up at Anna. "Hey, why aren't you dressed? We're going to be late."

Anna sneezed again. She answered his question by asking another one. "Why is it so cold out?"

Hao laughed. "It's winter, of course it's gonna be cold." He stood up out of his chair and walked to Anna. He spotted her red nose. "Hey Rudolph, are you ok?" Anna sniffled. "Yeah. I think I just caught a small cold. I think I'll stay home today."

Hao nodded in approval. "Do you want me to stay home with you?" Anna shook her head, saying she'll be fine alone. Hao nodded again. He threw on his trench coat and grabbed his school bag. He smiled at Anna and told her that she should go rest and he will come home ASAP. Anna grinned and waved him farewell.

Anna snickered. Like hell she was staying home, cold or not. Walking over to the medicine cabinet she pulled out some cough medicine and she gulped it down. Of course it taste like outdated artificial bitter grape flavoring but it was the only thing that kicked in quickly. And afterwards Anna had to gargle a lot of water to get rid of the awful after tasting flavor.

Anna dashed into her room and threw on her black dress. Over that she put on her tan coat and wool pink scarf, and then snuggled on her wool hat. Walking downstairs Anna slipped her feet into her boots. She grabbed her beaded necklace and raced out the door. The first thing she planned on doing: visit Yoh.

At the hospital.....

Anna came and burst through the double doors. She ran up the stairway to the third floor and ran to room 305. She knocked before entering. Exploring the room she saw that Tamao wasn't there. Anna grunted, she would never leave Yoh if she was watching him. Anna put that aside though, she was actually pretty glad that Tamao wasn't there because one: it proved that Anna was more reliable. And two: she wouldn't have to waste her breath on asking her to leave.

She smiled and walked over to her sweetheart. She held his hand and started a conversation with him. "Hey Yoh. How are you?"

Silence.

She chuckled. "I'm doing fine. Though it is pretty quiet around the house without you."

More silence.

"Hahaha, this is pretty weird, talking to a body that's not awake. Usually I'd slap them, but in your case, I won't."

Even more silence.

"You know, Hao has been pretty supporting after what has happened. And my ankle has just about healed completely!"

".................."

"After everything, Hao has been there to comfort me.....but.....none of this usually happens without Hao." Anna gripped on Yoh's lifeless hand, deep in thought. "All of this happened when Hao first came here....." Anna squeezed his hand, starting to get pretty pissed. She grasped on her beaded necklace.

Which means that all of this was Hao's fault!
I'll keep on waiting, as long as it takes,
ChibiLaryla: Hehehe...looks like Anna's pissed! Wonder what'll happen next? But I have a question for all of you!

What do the snow and cherry blossoms symbolize?

I'll give you the answer at the end of the fic!