If I Smile And Don't Believe, Hoshiko

Summary: After a mental breakdown following Hao's untimely death, Anna seems to have lost all of her memories except of her beloved Hao…one night, when she attempts to escape from the En Inn where Manta has been watching over her, she is stopped by none other than Eliza, who stops her tears and begins to act as a mother for her. But as she grows more and more dependent on this new, "mother," Anna's mind drifts farther and farther away..and all Yoh can do is watch. Will Faust be able to help he and Eliza give Anna up as the daughter they never had, their "Hoshiko?" …or will they play onto the illusion and let Anna die?

Disclaimer: The tortured, vertically-challenged, exhausted authoress does not own Shaman King so please don't hurt her. That would be rude and insulting to Faust and Eliza and Frankensteiny. You don't want to upset the poor dears.

A/N: I love this plot! I wanted to have a main character, but it frequently switches between many characters like Anna, Yoh, Eliza, and Faust…Yay for Faust and Eliza on their way to stardom!

FaustEliza: Damn straight!

Neko-Neko Faust VIII: My god, Faust you are a sexy beast!

Eliza: Second to that!

Faust: I am what I is!

All: big cheesy smile Have fun with this story! 'Tis dramatic and angsty but the Author Notes shall brighten your gloomy day! And please convince Neko-Neko Faust VIII to cease doing her author notes in script! 

Chapter Three: Mother Dear

The night was dark, and the rain poured down like a waterfall onto my face and my clothes.

I didn't know why I was out, but I had left the inn, I suppose, for a walk in the late autumn night…the air was clear, and thickly soft…I loved the feeling, and knowing I had left my poor Johann to look after Anna, I had decided to return back, to help him.

I was stopped in my tracks, and thouroughly shocked…

"Help me!" she screamed with a passion.

It was Anna.

Her hair was in disarray, she looked tired and had dark bags under her eyes, her bandana was missing, and she was clothed only in a white nightshirt. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. She looked horrible…and so sad.

"Help me!! Help me!!! Whoever you are, just help me!" I was surprised she didn't know me, she saw me often, but tragedy often triggers memory loss…it pained me to see such a controlled, pure person like her be in trouble, or pain…I felt so sorry for Anna.

"Shh…shh…" I hushed her gently, drawing the little girl into my arms.

Anna ceased her convulsive sobbing, and drew close to me like a baby with its mother..

A baby…

A mother…

She was shaking, trembling in a sorrowful way and stuttering uncontrollably, I had to do something to quiet her, and to make her feel better.

"Hush…everything is going to be alright…everything will be fine…trust me." I beseeched her warmly, in a maternal voice and stroking her blonde hair.

She looked up at me with a red face swollen from both the cold and from crying… "Why?"

I knew it was slightly wrong, but if it would give her some kind of solace, some kind of confirmation of anything, I would do it…for my little…

Hoshiko.

My Little Star.

"Because you're my little star, you're my sweet little Hoshiko." I said, embracing her and feeling her tears stop running.

"Hoshiko?"

"Mmm…" I sighed softly, knowing I had comforted her, "Because you're my little Hoshiko, and I'm your mother…come on, let's go inside, and be warm."

I led her down the pathway, hearing her follow me with tottering, childish steps. She was thirteen, she was no child…on the outside, at least.

But inside she was the most childlike, fragile creature…

And I was her mother.

A/N: I wanted to convey Eliza's feelings, she never gets a very prominent role, and I wanted to give her one. She and Anna are the main characters, and Yoh kind of suffers the consequences of Anna's choice. Faust just wants to help his wife and himself, and Manta-kun is just lovelorn and would do his best to protect Anna…I have a feeling this will be good, maybe it will…

Next chapter! "Hoshiko?" everyone begins to see Anna stick to Eliza like glue, Faust notices it first, and asks his wife what's up! What's going on? Can he stop Anna? Can he have the heart to bring Anna with them to Germany without Yoh noticing? Big decisions! Read on, dear reviewers!