Author's Note: Hello! I edited this a bit! Today is Wednesday, August 25, 2004. This, if it's your first time reading, is a little fic containing three stories about the three Shaman King females: Tamao, Pirika, and Anna. They are held in their POVs. Romance, angst, some humor, suspense, it has it all! Sorry if you don't like it, or if it's corny, or if the pairings are un-canon. Flaming is ok, but please, don't use vulgar language like swearing. I don't like such profanity. Please keep this a family-friendly site! Thank you =)

Open Eyes

Tamao's Eyes

StrawberryLove-sama Productions

Started on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 and finished on Saturday, May 8, 2004

Tamao and HoroHoro pairing

She was trembling, nervous. Clad in a glowing white, she was the envy of all the women there. The walls were a soft peach, and hanging from the ceiling in the corners, were flowers: lilies, carnations, violets, and peonies. All were shades and hues varying lights and darks of pink and purple.

I sighed. I stood, then, turning and glimpsing the aisles. They too were covered with flower petals. Mostly cherry blossoms but they were others there as well.

But this was only the hall not the church itself. That was a truly remarkable sight. Garlands of those same flowers. Soon I'll learn that those were your favourite flowers and that he gave them to you everyday since you decided to have this wedding.

A wedding. I was a bridesmaid and yet I didn't want this wedding to happen at all. Thing is, I loved the groom. But what could I do? I if said anything you'd probably hate me and that wouldn't put me on the good side of the groom.

We all piled into the car and drove to the church. I noticed Anna was nervous. How could she not? It was her wedding day, but I knew for a fact that the bride and groom loved each other very much. I told myself this so I could convince myself out of love. He didn't love me, why did I love him?

She was nervous and I was too. Was I really ready to see this? To see someone else marry the one I loved?

Love. What is it? Does it always tear two friends apart?

Love. Is there such thing as true love? Or is everyone just pretending to believe? Pirika was in love. She told me so. True love she had said.

Now, she and Ren were arguing all the time. The wedding was so happy for them. They were smiling and laughing. I think they really loved each other then, but now? I'm not too sure.

I was a fortune teller but I don't even want to think about what will happen in my future.

Anna was beautiful. I'm sure Yoh will think so too. I couldn't help but grumble unhappily. I was always overlooked. Too shy, too small, I was the mouse no one remembered. Sometimes, I wished I wasn't like that. If I could change I would. If I was more like Anna-sama, would Yoh love me?

No. I don't want love like that. I want someone to love me, the real me. I scoffed. Did love even exist? Why was I even thinking like this?

We arrived. Anna went to the dressing room. Already in her dress, she didn't need to do anything.

"Tamao, I'm so nervous." She smiled.

I was surprised. Anna was telling me this? Anna?

"It's ok to be nervous. It's your wedding day." I said this a little bitterly but I didn't think Anna noticed. She was staring dreamily at the ceiling. She snapped back to reality.

"I suppose so. Is my hair ok?" she asked, anxiously.

"Anna, I don't think I've ever heard you worry about your hair before." I teased.

She smiled back. "I guess not. Today is the one day I'm allowed to. Just don't tell Yoh." She grinned.

I was about to reply when HoroHoro came in.

"HoroHoro! What are you doing here? Out!!" Anna said, seeming more like Anna.

"Hehe, sorry," he apologized. "Can I speak to you Tamao?" he asked me.

"Sure." HoroHoro was like one of my best friends. He was nice but sometimes could be a little… blunt.

"You look really nice." He said grinning.

"Thanks." He also wasn't one to dish out compliments. He probably wanted something. He was like this at dinner, when he wanted seconds for dessert.

"Tamao, I," he was interrupted. Ren and Pirika arrived.

"Hey guys!" HoroHoro greeted them.

Ren nodded to them but Pirika bounced over to him. "Onii-chan! I haven't seen you in so long!" she hugged him.

"Where's Yoh?" Ren asked.

I shrugged. HoroHoro turned to me. "Save me a dance!" he called as he was being dragged away by Ren.

I smiled back at him and I saw him grin and wave.

Too soon, the wedding started. A little girl and a little boy both walked up the aisle. He was wearing a cute little white tux while the girl was wearing an adorable white dress. They matched. Flower petals fluttered and joined the ones already on the floor and in the pews from the little girl's hand. The boy carried a pearled pillow with two glimmering gold rings.

I went first. I was dressed in a cream colored gown falling in elegant folds to my feet when I felt a gaze on me. I looked up. It was HoroHoro, smiling encouraging.

I walked to him, and we linked arms. "Hey" he whispered.

"Hey,"

"How you holding up?" he asked me.

I smiled softly. "I'm doing fine."

Like almost everyone else, except Yoh, HoroHoro knew of my secret love. Sometimes I thought he was… angry or something. As if he didn't approve of my loving Yoh. But those moments always passed and HoroHoro was HoroHoro again.

We both stayed silent until we had to part.

"Stay strong," he whispered to me before letting go of my arm.

I met Yoh's eyes. He smiled at me. My heart fluttered but I realized that he was looking behind me, at Anna.

I felt crestfallen. But I knew I had to be strong. I had to leave this foolish thought of loving Yoh. Here he was, getting married to Anna, one of my best friends and all I could think of was the groom.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join…" The priest spoke those familiar words. I sighed. Soon, all too soon, they would be married. Anna Kyouyama no more, but now Anna Asakura.

I looked at her. I felt shocked. I have never seen Anna like this. Her eyes were alight with happiness. I saw Yoh was the same kind of look. Their eyes met and they smiled simultaneously.

They were clearly in love and I didn't think I had to nerve to go between them. I just had to wade in my sorrow in solitude.

Once again my eyes met HoroHoro's and he smiled at me. There was something… different in this smile. Something like… love.

I had just seen two people so in love I could recognize it anywhere. And it was there, in his eyes.

He must have seen my realization because he then smiled again, sadly, and then turned away to look at the happy bride and groom.

"And now I pronounce you husband and wife." The priest ended to be met with cheers and applause.

"You may now kiss the bride"

I turned away not wanting to see this.

I was glad when the wedding ended. We all piled up in limo and when to the dance hall. Anna next to Yoh with his arms around her. Those two had eyes only for each other.

We had dinner, talked, made toasts, blah, blah, blah.

This day was supposed to be a happy one and I guess it was. For Anna and Yoh. But not for me.

They led the dance, Anna leaning against Yoh murmuring quietly. I saw him reply with soft eyes. Anna blushed.

"May you honor me in this dance?" HoroHoro came up to me and bowed, gallantly.

I was a little nervous about being in his company but what could I say? He was my best friend. I couldn't turn him down.

I nodded and he swept me into the dance floor. We swayed gently to the music.

"Tamao, there's something I've been hiding." He said.

I braced myself. He was going to tell me he loved me.

Then I wondered, was it such a bad thing that he loved me? He was like an older brother to me.

"I know," I placed a finger on his lips. Smiling, I continued to dance with him until he lost his surprised look.

I realized that I had fallen in love with HoroHoro, quietly, with no warning, I did. Now I realized it from the look in Yoh's eyes. The look in Anna's. Now, I saw that even while arguing, Ren and Pirika did love each other, truly and completely. As I did, I just hadn't realized it.

I relished the joy and warmth of being in his arms. He released me when the dance was over but I knew, I would never be released from his heart.

Wow, this chapter's done! Hehe, cheesy, huh? Whelps… this isn't edited… The next chapter is though… the ending is a little different =) Review please!