So here's part 4. Not sure if these are getting better or worse. oh well. read and review please!

Decisions

As Anna left the room, Yoh and Ren just stared after her. Neither seemed capable of moving or speaking. Finally Yoh turned to Ren with a desperate expression on his face.

"What are we going to do Ren?" he asked, his voice was barely above a whisper. His eyes dropped to the floor. Ren turned to face him, and just pulled him into an embrace. They stayed like this for a few minutes, until a gentle cough was heard from the general direction of the door. Both looked up to see Horo standing there.

"I couldn't help but overhear," He said in a slightly worried voice.

"Eavesdropped more like!" snapped Ren, irritated at being interrupted.

"Whatever," Said Horo with a grin, "Are you guy's really, um, you know…"

"Together," Yoh filled in with a slight grin, which faded as he said the next words, "Yeah, until Anna decided to step in." Yoh sighed and slumped onto the sofa, the other two just stated at him.

"What are you going to do about it?" Horo asked, glancing from one to the other. Yoh looked up at him, no trace of his normal smile in evidence now.

"There's not a lot we can do, Anna was right. I am engaged to her." Yoh's head flopped back as he finished saying these words. Horo looked at the two of them in disbelief; they both seemed to be just accepting this.

"You can't just let her do this. Even I can see that you're both going to be miserable!" Horo was worried now; he'd never seen either of them like this. Ren was usually so determined, he never gave up. And Yoh was never depressed, sure he acted upset when he had to do training, but he was always cheerful and happy anyway.

"You don't understand," Ren said quietly, seriously. "It's not just Anna that's the problem. Neither of our family's would approve. It's just not possible."

"Screw them! They're making you unhappy!" these word escaped Horo as a hiss.

"Both of us are heir to our respective families. It is our duty and responsibility to make sure that our families survive into the next generation." Ren snapped this statement out then looked over at Yoh, who nodded his agreement.

"You're just going to give up?" Horo asked, even though he already knew the answer. Yoh stood up, looking at Horo.

"It sure looks that way doesn't it Horo," Yoh said with a sad smile. He and Ren made their way to the door, and from there each went to their own rooms, leaving a stunned Horo staring after them.

Yoh closed the door behind him and sighed. He had always known that it wasn't possible to have a relationship with Ren; he had too many responsibilities for that. But ha had always thought that they'd stay friends, no matter what. Now even that was going to be taken away from them. He walked across the room and dropped down onto the bed, too depressed to even cry.

Ren was pacing in his room, full of pent up rage. He knew his duty, how dare that woman presume to tell him what to do. Yoh was his friend. The first one he had ever had, she had no rite to try and separate them. Ren punched a wall in frustration. Knowing that even if it wasn't possible, he still wanted more than just friendship with Yoh. He was tired of catering to his family's needs, and tired of watching Yoh do the same with his family. Ren dropped to the floor and sighed, "The family must always come first." He whispered. Staring into space, resigning himself to his fate.

After the two shamans had left, Horo had retuned to the garden where the others were still hiding from Anna. He explained what had happened to them, and the conversation he had with Ren and Yoh afterwards.

"We have to do something!" he exclaimed after finishing the account. "They're making themselves miserable just because they think that their families won't approve!"

"Even if you're right, what can we do?" said Manta "It's their choice after all."

Horo grinned at Manta "I have a plan, just listen before you jump to conclusions." With that he began to outline what he had in mind. The others listened with growing interest as he went on, and in the end they agreed to help him.

Thanx for reading. let me know what you think. I'll update asap.

Cheers then

Luv satin.