Prince Meets Princess
Chapter Nine: Pain and Passion
Anna sat under a large sakura tree watching the petals gently flutter down in the breeze. It had been a little over a week since Asakura Hao had decided to visit her. Anna needed time to herself, away from the maids, from the king, and from Asakura Yoh.
But Asakura Yoh didn't seem too keen to leave Anna alone. As of right now he was watching the young itako. Yoh did like Anna very much. She was the exact girl he wanted to get to know, but she didn't seem interested in him.
In all honesty the only reason Anna was here was to become Shaman Queen. That way she could have the easy life she never had. The idea of falling in love with the Prince never occurred to her.
Yoh finally gathered his courage and walked up behind Anna, "Anna?" He said quietly.
Anna blinked, "Asakura-san." She replied in the same tone.
Yoh frowned slightly, "Please call me Yoh, I would like nothing more than if you would." He pleaded.
Anna sighed as she rolled her eyes, "What...Yoh?" She asked pulling her knees against her chest.
Yoh couldn't help but smile when he heard the young itako say his name, "I just wanted to make sure your ok." He said.
A light blush appeared on Anna's face, but she was quick to hide it, "Why would you be worried about me?" She asked not looking at the Prince. Anna wasn't used to people worrying about her, most people ignored her.
Yoh slowly sat next to Anna, "Because, you just seem like there's a lot on your mind." He said softly.
Anna shook her head, "There's nothing wrong with me, I just needed to get away from all the maids and people in the castle." She said honestly, "I needed sometime to think."
Yoh slowly nodded, he understood how she felt. After he found out he was related to Hao he spent the rest of the night and the next day in his room, unable to believe he was the other half of a monster like Asakura Hao. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.
Anna glanced at the brown headed Prince, why did he seem so worried about her? "There's nothing to talk about." She said simply. In all honesty she was afraid to open herself up, to lose that mask that protected her from pain.
A heavy sigh issued from Yoh as he stared ahead of him, "Don't be afraid to open up to people Anna, no one wants to hurt you." He whispered still not looking at Anna.
Anna frowned, "What do you know?" She snapped standing up, "You never had people stare and point at you, call you a demon child, or throw rocks and sticks at you. You had an easy life, don't try to understand something you know nothing about!" She yelled before turning and walking away.
"Anna!" Yoh said standing up and grabbing her arm, "Tell me then, everyone needs someone to talk to."
Anna glared at Yoh before smacking him, "I'm not here to make friends or fall in love, I'm here to be Shaman Queen!" She hissed before snatching her arm away from Yoh and stocking up the castle steps and into the castle.
A small grinned formed on Yoh's face, "I didn't say anything about falling in love." He muttered quietly as he slowly followed her. He didn't mean to hurt her, he just wanted her to open up to him. It's true he lead an easy life, sheltered from ridicule. He had no right to try to understand what pain Anna went through, but that didn't mean he cared less. In the short time Anna had been there, Yoh had grown very attached to her. But that was normal for a teenager madly in love.
