Disclaimer: As usual, I do NOT own 'Shaman King' or any anime and their original characters. If there is a character or story that you never heard of before in here, it's mine and mine alone!

A/N: Now, I know I promised action here, but then again, I had to break it into two parts because it was TOO long! I'm sooorrrriiiiiii! Anyway, this is day two…


Ghosts of Hatred


A Boring Day – Part One : Something damn well better happen!


Friday, 06:00 in the morning.

The sun shines down on a peaceful, quiet house that resides in Tokyo, Japan.

The clouds glided softly across the skies as golden rays illuminated a path above the horizon, revealing the sun's trudge upon the dome of blue. The streets of Tokyo rested silently as the week was nearing an end. Snow fell upon the city and it's people. On top of the roof of the small inn, a teenage boy had arisen stiffly from his cold slumber.

His vision was still blur and his body is aching in many places due to the fact that he had been sleeping on top of the very uncomfortable roof in the middle of a freezing night. As he tried to get up, he discovered several layers of thick blankets binding him to the roof.

"Huh? I don't remember those…" But being Yoh, he just shrug off any thoughts.

He tried to lift himself up but realize that something had been pining his arm down. Yoh turned to the lump underneath the thick blanket beside him. He delicately pulls down the covers to reveal the mystery.

"A-Anna!" Yoh was stunned.

There she was, curled up in a tight little ball wearing her thin yukata, which is useless against this sort of weather. She was clinching onto his arm like her life depends on it, never letting go. Her skin felt like ice when Yoh push away some of the blond hairs obstructing her innocent looking face. Yoh could feel her shaking when some snow flakes rested on her forehead. Yoh embraced her body.

She must had brought these when I was asleep…Yoh sighed, releasing a stream of warm vapor in the sub-zero conditions.

Maybe it was the sunlight that had reached her enclosed eye-lid, or the touch of snow, or maybe it was Yoh's body warmth, either way, Anna was awake.

"Y-Yoh?" She asked, suppressing a yawn.

For a moment, Yoh's blood turned ice. Then when his brain registered that he wasn't in any mortal danger, he flashed her the most beautiful smile he could muster.

"Ohayo, Anna!" Yoh spoke in a soft but energetic hush as he wrapped her in the thick blankets, seeing how she was still shivering.

"A-Arigatou…" Anna murmured with her teeth chitterling as she tightens her hold on the covers.

"No problem…" Yoh looked up to the sky, "Check it out, it's snowing!"

"Isn't it a little too early for it to be snowing?" Anna asked as she tries to sit up straight.

Yoh looked back at she with a grin, "I thought so too, but it has been rather cold these few days…" He helped her up. "And last night was a killer!"

Anna froze. Her eyes began to water. Yoh could see guilt written all over her face. "Er…Not like it was anything I couldn't handle!" He quickly added. But Anna was already sobbing.

Yoh, being who is he, spoke with a voice full of concern, "Anna? What's wrong?" He moved closer and place his hands on her shoulder lightly. To his surprise, Anna closed up the gap between their bodies by burrowing her face into his chest. Yoh was slightly taken back but manage to hold on to his footing.

"A-Anna? What's the matter?"

Anna pushed herself gently from his body. Looking down, she spoke with a soft tone, unlike the usual serious one that she usually uses.

"Listen, Yoh… About yesterday, I…" Anna bit her lower lips, "I'm sorry for the way I behave… There's no excuse for it, I overreacted… I should have trusted you…"

Anna took a deep breath before she continued, still looking everywhere but Yoh, "…I didn't listen, I was mad with jealousy…I-I…" Anna felt as if something was stuck in her throat, "What I'm trying to say is that I'm"

She didn't get to finish her sentence because Yoh had once again overwhelmed her in his warm embrace.

"Y-Yoh?"

"Shhhh…" He whispered to her ear, "It's ok, you don't have to say anything…"

"B-But I…!"

"Listen, Anna… I know how you feel, I mean, even I would get mad if I saw another boy trying to flirt with you…" Yoh joked, "But you don't have to worry, cause I'll never leave you, ever…"

"Yoh…" It was tiny, it was hardly noticeable, but at that moment, when the snow was falling gently all around them, Anna allowed a smile to show on her beautiful, pale face. "…Thanks…"

Yoh beamed happily as he wiped away the loose tears falling from her onyx eyes. "Anytime, Anna… Anytime…" He then let go of a sigh of relief. Looking down from where they're standing, "Oh boy, looks like it's a long way down from here…"

"Well, it was your fault!" Anna retorts, "Nobody asked you to sleep on the roof!"

"But Anna…!" Yoh whine.

"No BUTS!" Anna gave him a look of annoyance. "You got us into this mess, and your gonna get as out of it! You hear me!"

Deep inside, Yoh was smiling his head off, looks like Anna's back…!

"Hai, hai…" Yoh dropped his shoulders in defeat. Then a brilliant came to his mind, smiling sinisterly, "Oooookay Anna, I got an idea…hehe…"

Not liking the sound of Yoh's 'idea', Anna tried to protest but it was too late. Before she knew it, Yoh had grab her up from her legs and had his other arm supporting her back, bridal style.

"W-What the heck!" Anna screamed as she tried to struggle free, but the blankets had restricted her movement. "YOH! Put me down this instance or you're gonna reg!"

If Yoh had heard her, he didn't show any signs of it. Instead, he had this super wide grin on his face, "Hold on tight now, Anna!"

Before she could threaten him further, Yoh leapt from the roof with Anna in his arms. Feeling the cold wind rushing pass her face, Anna griped on to anything she could lay her hands on, which was rather difficult because of the three blankets wrapped around her body. Then she felt Yoh tightening his hold, she looked up and saw a face full of determination, which was quite surprising since this is Yoh we're talking about.

Yoh spoke in a hush tone, "Don't worry, I won't let go…"

Anna's fear was immediately drained from her. She relaxed her body in Yoh's comforting arms, all signs of doubt and panic were gonna, she whispered just as softly.

"I know…"

It was a moment that felt like forever.

When Yoh finally made the touch down, he quickly return her body back to her control, hoping to lessen her anger. Anna looked away.

"…Thanks…"

Yoh beamed at her cheerfully, "Glad you like it!"

Before Anna walked through the front door, Yoh called out to her.

"By the way, thanks for the blankets!"

Anna stopped, without turning back, "No problem, it's my job to look out for you…"


Friday, 06:34 in the morning.

"Anna! Breakfast is ready!"

Yoh returned to tide up the kitchen. A few seconds later, he could hear the heavy footsteps of Anna walking down the stairs. She was dressed in her school uniform and had a bored look plastered on her face. When Yoh greeted her again, she just waved him off. Walking around the table, she plopped herself down on the sit.

"The bathroom's all yours," she grunts, stretching her aching muscles.

"Thanks," Replied Yoh earnestly, "You start without me…"

"Whatever…"

With an ever-smiling face, Yoh bounced out the room. Anna shook her head in defeat. Her Fiancée is nearly sixteen years old but still acts like six, but that's one of the reasons why she likes him. Smiling to her, she quickly resumes the demolitions of the contents of her plate.

Upstairs, Yoh was getting into the shower. Checking his watch as he removed it from his wrist, he relaxed as time was plentiful. Stepping into the shower, he welcomed the warm water that fell from the heavens. Yoh closed his eyes and was in absolute bliss. His mind relaxed, his senses shut down one at a time.

When he opened his eyes, the face of grown man was just hovering in a proximity too close for comfort. Yoh's natural instincts kicked in.

"Ahhhhhh!" He screamed and tripped over the slippery water.

"Ahhhhhh!" Screamed back Amidamaru, who unlike Yoh, can't trip over anything.

"Ahhhhhh!" Cried Yoh as he fell.

"Ahhhhhh!" Continued Amidamaru

"PUT A LID ON IT!" Roared Anna from below.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

"Ouch! Amidamaru! Enough already!" Yoh shook his head to gather back his senses, "Sheeesssshhhhh! What were you thinking, scaring me like that!"

It took Amidamaru a few seconds to regain back his sense.

"F-Forgive me Yoh-dono," Amidamaru stuttered, "I was already nervous since this morning…"

Yoh scowled as his rubbed his head to see if it was still in working condition. "That's okay Amidamaru, but what's so important that you had to 'attack' me in the shower?" Yoh asked with a smirked on his face.

Amidamaru laughed nervously, "I apologize, Yoh-dono, I was floating all over the house looking for you…"

"And you found me, in the shower, bearing all…Because…?" Yoh raise an eyebrow.

Sure, Yoh's a nice guy, but when he's caught without his pants on, it's a different story.

"Gomen, Gomen…" Amidamaru sense the edginess in his voice, so he decided to get straight to the point, "Yoh-dono, I wish to speak about last nights…incident…"

"Oh, you mean these?" Yoh asked, pointing at the multiple cuts and bruises on his body, "Don't worry, Anna wasn't really that mad…besides, she's gonna help me treat them before we leave for school…" He replied with a easy-going smile.

Amidamaru sweatdropped. Once again, his master never fail to surprise him.

"Er…No, I wasn't talking about that…" Amidamaru stated, "I meant my…behavior yesterday…"

With that said, Amidamaru bowed down low. "Your loyal subject begs for your forgiveness!"

Yoh was rather taken back by his action, "Amidamaru? What are you d-?"

"It was childish of me!" Amidamaru continued without hearing him, "I should never had spoke to you in such a manner!"

"Amid-"

"You are the master! I am but a servant to you, I have no right to question you decision...!"

"Amid-"

"I was acting out of my place… Yoh-dono! I will accepted whatever punishment you wish to deal me in !" Amidamaru raise his head to look at Yoh.

"Ouch! Man … That fall must have opened up the wound again, Anna won't be happy about this…" Yoh poked at a cut on his shoulder.

Amidamaru stared.

"Yoh-dono!" Amidamaru was crying, anime-style again, "I'm being serious here!"

Yoh looked at him with one of his famous smiles, "Haha… I know, I know… I was just kidding…"

Amidamaru looked dumbfounded, was this really all just a joke to him…?

Yoh look at him in the eye, "Gomen, Amidamaru, I didn't know that bring Sapphiron home would upset you so much…"

Now it was Amidamaru's turn to be stunned. "Yoh-dono! There's no need for you to apologize!"

But Yoh waved him off, "No no…I didn't think of your feelings…it was selfish of me, as your master, as your friend…"

Amidamaru didn't know what say, he hadn't expected this, "Yoh-dono...!"

"If there's anyone who needs to apologies, it's me…" Yoh cut him off, "I'm sorry…" Yoh then turned and bow to him.

Amidamaru looked as if world peace had suddenly been announced.

"I-I…"

"But then, Amidamaru," Yoh gave him a pleasant look, "There's no need for you to feel insecure about Sapphiron…!" He added with a laugh.

Amidamaru turned red with embarrassment, "W-What! I'm not insecure about"

Yoh laugh, "Haha… I was just kidding! Relax, Amidamaru…" Then his face turned slight serious, "You're my friend, Amidamaru, you're the one that helped me to enter the Shaman Fight, you're the one that protected me all this time, you're the one that helped me defeat Hao…"

"Y-Yoh-dono…"

Smiling away, "There is nothing in this world that could force me to give you up…So cheer up!"

Amidamaru hanged his mouth wider than a crocodile.

"Er…Amidamaru, it's getting a little chilly in here…" Yoh started to shiver. Being naked, wet and cold isn't the best way to start any day, let alone a Friday, "So…er…If you don't mind, I really need to use the shower now…"

That's when Amidamaru was brought back to Earth, kneeing down(ignoring the fact that he has no knees), "Yoh-dono! I, Amidamaru, swore eternal loyal to you!"

"That's very nice of you, but-"

Not hearing a word, "I will fight for you to the very end!"

"Er…Thank you, but I really need to-"

"Not even hell shall waver my loyalty!"

"Amidamaru…cold…"

"I'll follow to the ends of the world!"

"Amid-"

"Even if we have to face a thousand demons, I'll'

"AMIDAMARU! IT'S FREEZING OUT HERE!"

"OKAY! Okay! I'm going…sheez, that's gratitude for ya…" Amidamaru mumbled

"I HEARD THAT!"


Friday, 07:12 in the morning

"YOH! Step on it! We're running late!" Screamed Anna, standing ten meters away from him with her hands on her hips.

Yoh struggled to catch up, "Cut me some slack, Anna! My body's aching all over!"

"I thought I gave you some pain-killers!"

"That's not the point!" Whined Yoh.

About half an hour ago, when Yoh finally came out of the shower, he was met with an annoyed Anna who wasn't too happy will the noise. She only gave him half of his share of breakfast. Yoh, knowing better then to complain, ate his share in oppressive silence.

It was close to seven when Anna finally remembered to treat Yoh's wounds, which proves to be more than what Yoh could chew.

I swear, one day she'll kill me trying to save me…Yoh rubbed his back. What does she think I'm made off? Dough! Cause she sure knows how to beat them…

"Well, it's not my fault that you got into a fight!" Spoke Anna when Yoh finally caught up to her. "Besides, I was going light on you yesterday, you had worst in the shaman fight!"

"Well, that's true…" Admitted Yoh, "But still… I'm only human…!"

Anna sighed and continued her walk, although this time at the same pace. After awhile, she spoke again.

"Tell me about the Oni…"

"H-Huh?" Yoh was caught off-guard by that question.

"Tell me about your fight, yesterday…" She spoke in a calm manner.

Yoh thought for awhile, "They're different…" Yoh looked at her with one of those rare serious look on his face, "They're smarter, more organize then…then the ones before,"

"I see…" Anna was deep in thought, "What else? Tell me everything…"

So he did, for the next five to ten minutes, Yoh illustrated his tale to her. The harmless walk in the park. The sounds of explosion. The gruesome scene of the crime. The new improve Oni. The run for safety with the girl (A muscle twitch on Anna's face, but she remain in control). The meeting with the new shamans ("They must be pretty weak if they can't even handle Oni…" scoffed Anna). His encounter with Geno ("Miss Geno…" corrected Anna, Yoh sweatdropped).

"Then for the next three hours, we were introducing each other," Yoh went on, but with a more cheerful attitude, "He told me about this one time when he was trying to sneak on board a plane with a black, unmarked luggage, the whole airport was in an uproar!"

Anna chose to ignore that commend, she ushered him to continued.

Yoh then go on to describe the three new spirits that Geno brought out. Anna listened attentively as Yoh dictated Geno's speech of the new spirits, even Amidamaru popped out in ball mode for this seminal.(Yes he brought his partner to school, wouldn't you do the same if you were attacked just yesterday?)

"So…Basically, he's altering the spirits from their natural form, making them…deadlier?"

"Ya, something like that…"

"Doesn't that bother you at all?"

"…A little bit…"

It was a freezing morning, the snow had piled up all over the place. The two teenagers observe in silence as a snow-plough opened up the sea of whiteness, revealing the tar blacken road beneath.

Hmph… Underneath all that white beauty is nothing but darkness… how ironic… Anna thought to herself. She then glance sideways to look at her fiancée. Yoh was buttoning up his coat. The one that Anna made for him a few weeks ago to prepare him for the winter. Yoh saw her looking at him, so he beamed back at her.

Sigh…What would I give to be like him? Anna quicken her pace.

A chilly wind blew passed their faces, it began to snow heavier. From the distance, the shape of their school came into view. Anna tighten her grip around her own jacket, the one Yoh bought for her as a belated Valentines day present. This action had not gone unnoticed by the boy.

"You Okay, Anna?" Yoh asked with genuine concern in his voice, "Maybe we should stop for some"

"No," Anna cut him off sharply, "I'm fine, besides, school's just up ahead and we're running late…"

"If you say so…"

Two minutes later, they had reached the school's main gate, beyond that was a long stretch of snow covered road. The grassy fields along it had been painted white over night. Before they entered,

There's something on Anna's minds that had been bugging her since breakfast, and she is determined to get rid of it before class.

"Yoh…" Anna spoke.

"Huh?" Yoh turned around and face her, another concern look on his face, "Yes, Anna?"

"I've been meaning to ask you this for a long time," Anna suddenly enjoyed the sight of a common tree, "Do you think we're meant for each other?"

Yoh was taken back with this question, "W-Why do you ask, Anna?"

"Why did you choose me? We're completely different from one another," Anna tugged her jacket, "Heck, we don't even like the same type of songs!"

Yoh laugh nervously, "Well, that's true… But still, why are you worry about something like this?"

"Is it because of your grandparents? Did you choose me because they said so?" Anna demanded, "There are other girls out there better than me, so why me? Why do you work so hard for me?"

Yoh thought deep, after while, he spoke in a cheerful voice, "I don't know!"

"Argh! Forget it! I don't even know why I bothered to ask you in the first place…!" Yelled Anna, she turn her back towards him.

Yoh smiled continuing the small hike to class, after ten steps, he turned and face her.

"Gomen, Anna, I don't have the answer to your question yet," A small 'hmph' could be heard, but Yoh paid no attention to it, "But then Anna, if you're not for me, then why do I dream of you as my wife?"

Anna turned around and faced him, with surprised clearly written on her face.

"Yoh…"

It was one of those romantic moments where the two lovers were lost in each other's eyes and the surroundings fade away. For a moment, the whole world revolves around one boy and one girl. But then of course, we all know that moments like this never last long.

Dingggg-Donggggg!

The ringing of the school bell shattered that moment of peace between the couples, and had crash landed the both of them back on Earth.

"Damn, we're gonna be late," Yoh reach out his hand, smiling as usual "Come on, Anna! We don't want to be late now do we?"

Anna stared at his hand for a second before grabbing it, "Fine, lets go…"

As the two of them ran up to the building, Anna thought to herself, 'as your wife', huh? She allow a small smile to show on her face, Fine, you're forgiven…


Friday, 11:29 in the morning.

It's official. This is the most boring day in the whole history of schooling, hands down…

Since the start of lessons, the teachers that came in were nothing but mindless speaker-boxes, rambling non-stop about things that nobody really gives a damn about. At the end of the day, people only remember them to be able to present an acceptable grade to their parents or guardians.

When the mathematics teacher left, Yoh slammed his head onto the desk for the seventeenth time in the short time span of four hours. Sooner or later he's gonna die from sever blood force trauma, if the boredom doesn't get him first. All around him, Yoh could hear similar banging going off one after another.

Yoh struggles to bring his head back to its original position, only to smash it against the surface of the desk again, a lot harder this time.

I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! Yoh screamed in his head. Taking in deep breathes; he calmed himself down and forces himself to look at anywhere else but his notes, so naturally he would look at Anna.

"Hey Anna, are you…." Yoh stared in wonder.

Anna was sitting on the next chair beside his. Her cheek rested against the surface of the desk with her arms folded on to it, supporting her head. She was sleeping.

Haha, she looks so cute like that! Yoh laugh to himself., then he walked up to her and shook her shoulder lightly. Light moans could be heard beneath the heap of messy blond hair.

"Anna…You okay…?"

"….Hm?…Huh?" She looked up and saw Yoh's happy face, she replied emotionlessly, "What is it, Yoh?"

"Nah, I was just checking, you seem tired today…"

"I'm fine, you just worry about yourself," She spoke coolly, "Literature's up next…"

Yoh groaned, "Aw man…! And I thought it couldn't get any worse from math!"

"It's Friday, Yoh" Anna smirked, "It's the last day before the weekends, why would they make things easier for us?"

"Hai…I guess you're right…" Yoh sighed, then he remembered something, "Speaking of which, lets go out for dinner today!"

That grabbed her attention. Anna bolted upward with a genuine surprise look on her face, "Go out for dinner?" She repeated, dubious of what her ears had just received.

"Yup!" If Yoh were a puppy, his tail would make a really good fan right now.

Anna face returned back to her usual empty look, "What for? You can always just cook, like the rest of the days?"

"But Anna!" Yoh pouted, "It's a Friday! And besides, I want to make tonight special!"

"Special?" A expression of astonishment slipped through her face, "What so special about tonight?"

"Hehe, you'll see!" Yoh grin

"Fine! But you're paying!"

"Hai, Arigatou, Anna!" Yoh beamed

Anna snorted, "You just don't want to cook…"

"Haha… Fiancée knows me best!"

"But of course…"

Yoh turned and walk back to his sit, staring out of the window again. Anna shook her head and returned to her original positions before Yoh interrupted.

Sigh… what is that baka up to now? Anna blew some strains of hair off her face and allowed a grin on her face since nobody could see it. Maybe… Just maybe…

Her thoughts were interrupted when the literature teacher stepped into the classroom, the reaction was immediate. Boys jump of the desk that they were on, groups of girls disperse. Everybody dash back to their sits. Anna and Yoh propped themselves back into an upright position.

Everyone in that room had the same thing going through their mind.

Here we go again…


Friday, 11:57 in the morning/noon.

BAM!

"Mr. Arisugawa!" Boomed the teacher annoyingly.

"Sorry… Sorry…" Murmured the boy sleepily as he lift his head from the desk.

That's the fifth one already…. Thought Yoh as he observed his fallen classmate making an attempt to open his eyes. They're taking us out one by one!

This is the worst way to end any week. To be tortured slowly to death by boredom. What's worse, there is no way to defeat this evil. All thirty students in that room had been condemned to a long and painful road to the afterlife.

I never thought I'll be saying this, but maybe Hao had the right idea… Yoh grumbled to himself.

The old man up in front ignored the yawns and closed eyes around him and when on blubbering about what this poem means, what that character is implying, what the object symbolize, blah blah blah…..


BAM!

Down goes another. This time, he didn't even bother to tell off the guy. The friends closest to him began prodding him to check for any signs of life left in their fallen comrade.

Seeing that nothing would change anything soon, Yoh ponder over the Oni incident that had occurred yesterday.

Earlier today, while Anna was in the shower, Yoh snuck in the papers for today. All over the front-page were scenes from the battle that took place last afternoon. The headlines read, "Terror Attacks Close To Home"

'Terrorists', huh? Yoh retrained himself from laughing that morning. I guess it's a good enough reason to use…

The article went on about how pipe bombs were dumped into the stores, dustbins, and even buried under the park'' soil. They shown pictures of craters and demolished buildings, etc.

Man, looks like we got littler carried away… Yoh sweatdropped when he saw the hole in the wall which he sent the Oni flying through. I hope they got insurance…

The death toll had totaled up to at least thirty people confirmed dead, and that was the number of people they dug up with their parts attached. Forensics experts were still trying to piece together fifty-two other arms, legs and random chucks of meat. It's a bloody jigsaw puzzle.

The report then when on about how the police will tighten security around pubic places as well as government buildings. They called for a city-wide curfew for the next seventy-two hours, until CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) can get a grasp of the situation, everybody is suppose to be at home by 9pm.

Yikes, looks like tonight's dinner would have to be cut short an hour! Yoh grimace.

Yoh was about to put away the paper when he spotted a single word from the very corner of his eyes on the very last paragraph of the article.

" 'Monsters'…? "

Yoh when in for a closer look, casting furtive glances around the room, he was sure that he was alone. Reading out loud,

"When they regain consciousness, several surviving victims of this tragic occurrence told tales from being attacks by vicious creatures they describe as 'monsters', however, this might just be a result of hallucination from being disoriented by the explosions…"

Yoh folded the paper gently and place it into his bag.

Yoh opened his eyes and finds himself back into the warm classroom.

Yoh was sure that the people recuperating in the hospital were not shamans. For one thing, if they were shamans, they wouldn't reveal anything about the spirit world to the 'normal' world. Yoh then consider the fact that they might be like Manta, non-shamans but are still able to see spirits. But he quickly banish that thought when he read other publishing newspaper.

There's no way sixteen injuries, eight witness and two reporters could suddenly developed shamanic ability… That's not possible… So the question now is, what exactly did they saw…?

Yoh shook his head violently out of frustration, he decided that he would examine any possibilities with Anna later after
school, maybe her insights could shed some light on this-

BANG!

Yoh nearly fell out off his chair. Lucky, no one had noticed him or even bothered by the sharp sound he made. They were all in a stupor state and the old man was probably half deaf anyway. The only one who did seem to notice was Anna, who just blinked at him.

Yoh rubbed his eyes, slapped himself lightly three times, pinched both his cheeks for at least ten seconds before looking out of the window again. The scenery didn't chance.

"Unoh…"Was the only thing Yoh could say when he found his voice again.

Outside of his window, at distance no more than fifty feet, at least ten figures stood out in the snow-covered parking lot, lot more are ambling towards the school.

Standing seven feet tall, armed with horns, claws, fangs and a face no mother could love, the Oni that were station outside his window right now are a menacing force to be reckon with. It took Yoh only a fraction of a second to realize that these were the same type of Oni as the group he faced yesterday.

"You've got to be joking…" Yoh stared in exasperation.

"Yoh! What are you doing!" Anna hissed.

Yoh just continued pointing at the window, knowing that it would explain everything by itself.

Anna gave him a puzzled look, then when the teacher's back is facing the class, she quickly and quietly slipped out off her sit and reappear behind Yoh.

"What's going" Then she saw them, her eyes grew into dinner plate size. "No way…"

Below them, they could see students, teachers and cleaners walking pass the Oni like they were there. The Oni themselves paid no heed to any passerby. They just stood in line without blinking, moving or even looking at each other. But there's something else about them that Yoh noticed.

They do look similar to the ones from yesterday… The shocking finally left Yoh, But they not as 'colourful' as that bunch…

"Are they the ones?" Anna asked calmly, as if big ugly monsters are suppose to stand outside your window.

She sure is taking this pretty well…Thought Yoh before he answered her, "Yeah, except the colour, these are too… 'dull', compared to yesterday's…"

"Hmmm… Well, at least they don't seem to be looking for trouble… Maybe we'll deal with them later during break?"

"I'm not so sure, I think they're waiting for something…"

"Like what? A signal?"

"I'm not s-"

Before he could finish his sentence, the Oni did something unbelievable, again.

At first Yoh thought the lights and his eyes were playing games with him, but when he looked closer, he could see blotches of red (for some) and orange (for the others) spread across their features, painting them, The more parts the colours reach, the more… 'Lively' the Oni seems.

Then Yoh realize, they are coming alive. The coloured forearms and legs of the creatures began swinging back and fore. Their eyes glowed evil yellow, pupils darting left and right, as if looking for something. The retractable blades on their forearm and calf sprung up from dormancy, eager to be put to use.

Both Anna and Yoh traded looks.

"Yup, that's them alright…" muttered Yoh

"Cool trick…"

Before Yoh could agree, the Oni pulled another trick up from their sleeves. Even though it was snowing pretty heavily, the couples could make out a silhouette of a figure draw nearer to them. From what they could tell, it was at least twenty feet in height. It's forearm and legs seems elongated but they can't confirm it, not with this much snow. A massive horn, half the size of the smaller Oni protruded from it's forehead.

As it approaches, the two of them recognize the beast.

"Naka-Oni…" They barely whispered.

Medium size class Oni. Unlike it's fellow Oni, this one is clad in a dark bluish armor, it's blades are better designed and had unknown patterns sculpted onto it. It's eyes glowed sinister purple, showing no signs of remorse nor mercy.

Yoh found his voice first, "Looks like they brought out the big guns…"

Anna was cessation of any sound.

Yoh tried again, "Sooo… What do you think they're waiting for…?"

Anna gave him a look that has –Shut up you dumb bastard and be grateful that you're still in one piece- written all over it.

Yoh raise his hands defensively with a look that says –All right! All right! I got it, you don't have to bite my head off- printed on it.

Unknown to the loving couples, the boy sited in front of Yoh is nearing his limit point.

Masayoshi is a very patient, quiet and fun loving boy. However, today wasn't treating him well. First off, he woke up later because several…complications as he would usually put it. Then, his mother accidentally burned breakfast while talking on the phone with his aunt.


"Have you tried using lemon?" His mother converse to the phone

"How about lime?"

"How about vinegar?"

"How about SHUTTING UP!" He exploded.

Needless to say he's been grounded. After that, the bus that came late, and took off even later, nearly run down a twelve-year-old boy thinking he's superman. The driver swirls at the last moment, only to collide into a school bus full of ten-year-olds.

The kid that ran across the street got away scoot free without a scratch. Which is much less that what Masayoshi got. Even though he was relatively unharmed, he was held back by officers for questioning.

It took him thirty minutes of running in the snow filled sidewalks to get to school. When asked for his excuse, the principal believed every word of it… Or so he tells him.

"Rrriight… I believe you…" Said the principal

"Thank you, sir…" Then he noticed something, "Sir, why are you looking out of the window?"

"Oh! I'm glad you asked," He turned and look at Masayoshi with an innocent face, "Since I believe your story, there must be flying pigs outside my window, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of one…!"

Silence.

"You could just have said 'bullshit', you know,"

"Now where's the fun in that…?"

"Stupid, arrogant, sarcastic son of a…" The list goes on for a minute, "…hole!"

People say three times' the charm… Let's count, waking up late- One. Listening to mother yap all day- Two. Grounded- three. Vehicle accident- four. Hold back by cops- five. Ran a meaningless marathon- six. Having to hear the principal bitching-

CRACK!

Something finally snapped, and it's not just his pencil.

"AHHHHHH!"

The sudden out burst nearly gave everyone a heart attack, they turned to the source of the fire.

" I CAN'T TAKE THIS CRAP ANYMORE! SOMETHING DAMN WELL BETTER HAPPEN RIGHT NOW OR ELSE I'LL…" He said something that made all the girls (except Anna) grasp.

"Er…Dude, calm down…" Yoh groaned, his heart rate had just skyrocketed.

But before the old man could retaliate…

"RRRrrooooaaaarrrrrrrr!"

Everyone (But Anna and Yoh) gaped at the window, the teacher dropped his book, Anna and Yoh simultaneously slap their palm onto their foreheads. Crap…

"….Okay, not what I expected but it will do…" Said Masayoshi.

Anna and Yoh traded looks again.

"Guess we found the signal, huh?"

"…"

The class stared at it, too paralyze by fear to move, and the Naka-Oni stared right back at them. It's horn glowing brighter.

Yoh learnt from past experience, when anything starts glowing, it's not a good sign. Yoh covered Anna with his own body as a shield. Then yelled at the top of his lungs,

"EVERYBODY GET DOWN!"

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm…..!


11:59:58

11:59:59

12:00:00


AN: I finally finish this! Anyway, I would like a lot more reviews if it doesn't kill any of you… And yes, I got a feeling that I made Anna a littler too soft for your taste, and Yoh a littler too brainy for some others, but what are you? 'Perfect'?

P.S. : I did the '24' thingy again, like it?