Slightly AU (fic is based loosely on the series, does not quite follow main storyline i.e. Yoh becoming Shaman King, mainly makes use of setting)
Author's Note/s: Okay… after this, expect a late chapter 4. School's killing me slowly from the inside… like those blue tunnel spider things in that short story in the Artemis Fowl Files. So in short, my imagination's a bit rusty and clogged with various concepts such as acceleration, free fall, treasure hunting, cosine, sine, tangent, alpha, beta, panitikan, balita, talambuhay, Iliad, Honor and Pride, debate, pronouns, subject-verb agreement, opportunity cost, market economy, economic systems, bathroom cleaning, money management, okir, acrylic paint, naga, blah… blah… blah… Yes, I've been busy. Plus there's the college entrance exams coming up… Bweh. The fluff's a bit… off. Sorry, am not that much of a fluff writer. Having said my piece, read away, my good people so that you may not have to endure my mindless chatter!
Disclaimer's Note/s: I am an overworked, physically fatigued, mentally unstable being who is grinning stupidly at that thought. XD
Through the Ages
Age 16: A Bit of Realization
"It's a beautiful day today!" crooned the corpulent weatherman, gesturing to a moving map of some sort behind him. He pointed to some obscure region, and continued, "The sun will be shining, the birds will be chirping . . . Put away all those umbrellas, you young folk, and get out of your houses! Take a walk with your loved ones, take time out of your busy schedules to stop and smell the flowers! No rain's going to fall in Tokyo tonight!"
Sixteen-year-old Kyouyama Anna took one look at the darkening sky, and muttered, "Yeah, right."
She could practically hear the thunder rumbling from above. There was going to be rain, weatherman, or no weatherman.
Never trust weather forecasts.
She got the remote, and flipped through the shows. Nothing interesting was ever on late in the afternoon. What's the use of television, then? Waste of electricity. She was thinking of having the thing removed when she heard a familiar snatch of music. She flipped back several channels, and discovered that it was coming from an old soap opera.
"I remember this," she said, a bit surprised, watching as the last of the bridesmaids walked down the red-carpeted aisle. "This is the part when . . ." Her breath caught when she heard the opening notes of the Wedding March. The camera focused on the large double-doors at the back of the church as they creaked open to reveal a buxom blonde in a pink wedding dress.
The itako coughed, and wrinkled her brow. "It is still as horrible as I remember," she muttered, eyeing the gown with distaste. "When I get married my gown is going to be white. Definitely." As she watched the Barbie look-alike march down the carpet, she wondered if the groom had agreed to the dress color. He looked most pleased when the camera focused on his face, and he was all but ogling at the woman when they proceeded up the steps to the altar. He never took his eyes off her . . .
I wonder what Yoh'd think . . .
She blinked, and paused. Did I just wish for Yoh's opinion? She considered the wisdom of this thought.
Come to think of it, she'd never tried asking for his opinion. They rarely talked about anything regarding their wedding. It was just like something that would eventually happen . . . Something routine. At least, that was how she viewed their engagement.
Where is he? She glanced out a nearby window. It's getting dark and the rain's going to fall soon. He's going to be drenched.
. . . He might get sick.
Grumbling about idiot fiancées who didn't know how to take care of themselves, she shut off the television, and went out into the hall to get two raincoats and an umbrella.
-
The rain poured down hard and fast the minute Anna reached the next block. She put up the hood of her coat, and looked around. Yoh's jogging route included this area, but the shaman in question was nowhere to be seen. He'd probably been slacking again. She sighed inwardly, and headed towards the park.
Everything was so dismal and gray. And wet. She scrunched her nose, and waited till her eyes adjusted to the dimness.
Trees. Lots and lots of trees and bushes and greenery that all didn't look quite so green. But no Yoh. She was about to call out his name when she spotted a boy's slouching figure seated on one of the benches not far away. She approached him silently, till she was able to make out the familiar orange headphones hanging behind his ears, and the dark hair that hung in wet strands just above his shoulders. Then she noticed the way his clothes seemed darker, and the way they stuck to his body . . .
"Yoh," she said sternly, "What are you doing?"
Sixteen-year-old Asakura Yoh turned his head in her direction, and raised one of the arms dangling from the bench's backrest in a lazy wave. "Yo, Anna," he greeted, a peaceful smile on his face. He didn't seem surprised by her arrival. "What're you doing here?"
"Don't change the subject. You're all wet." She frowned harder. "You idiot, you might catch a cold."
"No I won't." The shaman turned his face back towards the sky, and closed his eyes, allowing the rain to fall on his cheeks. "Try this, Anna. It's very soothing."
As she watched him enjoy the rain, she felt some of her crossness disappear. It was hard being angry at him for an extended period of time. He looked so relaxed . . .
She sighed gustily, and tossed the extra raincoat onto his lap. "Baka, I don't want to get sick. Put that on."
"Hai, hai," he said, standing up. "Thanks."
She watched him fumble with the coat for a few seconds, and frowned. "You're doing it all wrong." She tapped her foot impatiently. When he put his arm through the wrong sleeve, she stomped towards him and snatched the garment from his hands.
"–Hey! I was about to get it!"
"Stop whining, and stick your arms out."
Yoh obeyed immediately.
"Honestly, Yoh . . ." Anna muttered, under her breath as she slipped the coat on the right way, "You shouldn't depend on me so much. However will you manage your duties as the Shaman King if you don't even know how to put on a raincoat right? Hold still." She turned him around, and pulled up the zipper in front. Then she tugged the sides of the garment to straighten it. When she was satisfied with her work, she looked up . . . and found him watching her with laughing eyes. "What?"
"'Behind every great man is a woman,'" he quoted. "I don't think I'd be able to function properly without you, Anna. Besides . . ." his grin turned sheepish, yet at the same time gentle, as he pulled up his hood and admitted, "It's nice to have you fussing over me like that."
Anna stared at him, at a loss in how to react. She was like that when Yoh caught her off-guard. It didn't happen often, but when it did . . .
Suddenly, she was aware of how close they were. She nearly jumped back, but didn't upon reasoning that it would look unnatural and would only lead to uncomfortable questions. But their proximity was beginning to bother her, and, without warning, she felt her cheeks begin to flood with warmth. On impulse, she looked down, thanking the gods it was dark enough to cover up her reddening face.
"Is something bothering you, Anna?" Suddenly, Yoh was in her line of vision, squatting on the floor. He looked pretty worried. "You look kind of red . . ."
To heck with darkness.
"I'm fine," she replied, straightening, willing her facial muscles to be expressionless.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"That's good." An easy smile replaced the worry that didn't suit him, and he stood up. Then, suddenly, he tapped the side of one fist on his open palm. "Ah!"
Anna glanced at him, eyebrow raised. "Ah?"
"Did you make dinner at home?"
"Of course not," she replied, narrowing her eyes at him, "Since Tamao's not here, that's your job."
"Good! Let's eat out!" He sounded very excited.
Anna gave him a look which plainly stated 'Are you serious?'
"I'll treat you, Anna! C'mon, please?"
"Why?" The blonde crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't want to eat in a fast food stall, or even in a restaurant."
"Then we could always order take out!"
"The food will not be fresh once we get home."
"Then we won't eat at home!"
Ugh. I give up.
"If I don't like it, Yoh," she threatened, "if I don't like it one bit, then you'll have to jog around the park a hundred times."
"Okay!" he agreed, nodding vigorously.
Is he that confident that I'll like it? Anna wondered. She was pulled out of her reverie when she felt her arm being tugged.
"C'mon!" Yoh said, holding her hand. "We'll have to run there to avoid any lines!"
Suddenly, the itako found herself being half-dragged out of the park, and into the streets. The downpour had slowed to a drizzle by then, so it was relatively easier to see things . . . All she was looking at, however, was her fiancée's back. Sometimes, sometimes, she just couldn't figure out what when on in his head. He wasn't sane, though. That she was sure of. Any sane person wouldn't have the guts to yank Kyouyama Anna off her feet in such a vulgar manner.
And she allowed him to do so . . .
Although she dreaded the thought of growing lenient, Anna's eyes softened just the slightest bit.
-
"Fast food." Anna's voice was tight. Yoh had just come out of the store, and the two were walking down a sidewalk. It had stopped raining by that time, so both had their hoods down.
The dark-haired shaman hugged the fragrant bags to his chest, and inhaled deeply. On his face was a look of pure bliss. "Not just any kind of fast food, Anna!" he said, tone and demeanor similar to a child who has received a new toy, "it's from Silva's new fast food joint!"
"I fail to see how that makes any difference," the blonde replied coldly. "I hate fast food."
"Aw, c'mon, Anna! You haven't even tried it yet!"
"I don't have to try it to know that I won't like it." She frowned at him. "Where are you taking us, anyway?"
"There!" Yoh pointed to a bench not very far off from where they stood. It wasn't just any bench, though. And there was a red vending machine next to it.
Anna stopped, recognition kicking in. "Is that . . .?"
"Yep." Yoh walked passed her, and sat on one side. "I'm surprised you still remember," he remarked, grinning up at her. "I'd have thought you'd consider that time insignificant."
Insignificant . . . huh?
Anna watched as Yoh immediately attacked the bags of food. He was officially oblivious to everything else now that he was eating. Men were like that. She walked over and sat next to him, leaning back and folding her arms.
She and Yoh had stood there by that railing a few steps away from the bench, staring at the immense body of water that reflected their image. That was two years ago, before Yoh and the other participants in the Shaman Fight had to go to America. The day itself was nothing special. She and Yoh just went out for a walk, talked about several things . . .
Something that smelled oddly like cheese appeared under her nose.
"Try this." Yoh shoved a greasy package into her hands. "It's a cheese burger."
"I know what a cheese burger looks like, baka," she retorted, taking it reluctantly. She peeled away part of the wrapping and wrinkled her nose. "Ugh, it looks disgusting. How can you eat these?"
"They're good," he said. "Try it."
Anna took a small, hesitant bite.
Yoh watched her expectantly. "Well . . . ?"
It's . . . good.
"It'll pass," she replied, trying to look nonchalant as she took a bigger bite.
Noticing this, Yoh hid a smile, and reached back into the bag. "Here." He presented Anna with a bunch of fries. "These too."
The itako was too engrossed with her burger to criticize. She took a piece, and nibbled it. Then, "It'll pass as well."
Yoh's grin widened.
Several minutes later, the shaman leaned further into the bench, patting his happy stomach. "Ah," he sighed contentedly, "This's the life, eh, Anna?"
The blonde didn't reply.
"Anna?" Yoh glanced at her serious face. She looked as if she were contemplating. "Are you thinking about something?"
Anna intertwined her fingers together, and leaned forward on her thighs.
"Care to talk to me about it?" he asked gently.
She bit her lower lip, unsure of how to phrase what she wanted to say. "Yoh . . . would white be okay with you?"
"Huh?"
She frowned. "Is your hearing that bad? I said 'would white be okay with you?'"
"Anna," he laughed, "I heard the question. I was just wondering what you meant by white."
"I meant my wedding dress."
Bewilderment entered his face and tone. "Wedding dress?" he said incredulously, "Isn't it a bit early for you to be thinking of those things?"
"I'll think of them when I want to," Anna replied, looking over her shoulder to glare at him. "Now answer the question."
"Wow Anna . . ." His hand went to the back of his neck. "I wouldn't mind even if it were multicolored! It's your dress, isn't it?"
The blonde sighed at the incompetence and tactlessness of men. "Is it that difficult for you to answer a simple yes-no question?"
A shrug. "It depends."
Anna nearly groaned aloud in frustration. "Your answer, Asakura," she said witheringly.
"Yes, white would be okay."
She stood up. "Thank you. Now take me home."
"But y'know, Anna," he added quietly, "anything else you prefer would be fine with me, too." Somehow, she got the feeling that he was not referring to the dress anymore.
Though she pretended to not hear him, a small smile crossed her face.
-
The walk home was spent in silence. Even Yoh didn't attempt to break it. Once they were inside, however, he was the first to speak.
"That was fun, ne, Anna?" His voice held a happy, bouncy note in it. "Let's do this again sometime!"
"Not often," she replied complacently, taking off her shoes. "You still have to train."
"We'll go again, then?" He sounded absolutely astonished. "You didn't say no."
She took one look at his glowing, excited face, and couldn't help but let a smile slip out. "Yes, Yoh, we'll do this again."
Suddenly, the ear-to-ear grin that he had on changed into . . . something else.
She frowned. "What's wrong now?"
"Anna," he murmured breathlessly, as if he couldn't believe himself. "You smiled for me . . ."
Her face flamed on full force. Surely she had not expected this. "That-that's ridiculous," she stammered, "Why would I smile for you?" Blast that disturbing perceptiveness of his!
Fortunately for her, Yoh decided to drop it. "Nah, you're right. I haven't earned it yet. But I will, though," he said rather determinedly, fists clenched. If he noticed that she went a shade redder than before, he had the grace not to say anything about it. "I'll go use the bath first, 'kay, Anna? All that rain water made me sticky."
"Wh-whatever." Her nerves were still a bit rattled, and the abrupt change of subject was not helping.
"Ah, and Anna . . ." Suddenly his face was over her shoulder, so close that she froze. "Don't get mad." Before she could ask him what the heck he was talking about, he leaned in closer, and planted a feather-light kiss on her cheek. "Night, Anna." She turned, and caught on his face a fleeting look of tenderness before he disappeared up the stairs.
He was getting too daring for comfort. And she couldn't do anything about it. Sighing, Anna stripped off her raincoat, and folded it. You're not getting off easy for doing that, Asakura.
-
The next morning, as Yoh was about to leave for his daily jog around the block, Anna stopped him by the door.
"An extra fifty laps," she told him, straight-faced, "for that stunt you pulled yesterday."
"Easy," he grinned, strapping on weights to his wrists, and ankles. He turned to leave, but paused, and turned back. Anna watched him with a raised eyebrow, as he approached her . . . and her eyes widened as he took her shoulders, and gently pulled her towards him. And kissed her cheek once more. "Make that a hundred," he said casually. "Ja, Anna!" He gave her a small, cheerful wave, and was out of the house before she could react properly.
Too daring . . .
"Baka," she muttered under her breath. She stepped out into the front yard, and found the shaman jogging towards the streets. "Yoh no BAKA," she yelled at his retreating form, "if you EVER do that AGAIN, I'll make you do THREE HUNDRED!"
Yoh grinned at her from over his shoulder, and disappeared around the tall fence.
His companion rode up next to him in a small bicycle. "What'd you do to her, Yoh?" Oyamada Manta asked, worried. "She sounded pretty ticked-off."
Yoh shrugged innocently, though the smile on his face did not waver. "I dunno. I just said good bye."
End
Author's Note/s: I ended with Yoh this time. Feels a bit odd. XD Hope you liked it, guys. Remember: the easiest way to inspire a writer is to send in a review. We witers need some love and attention, y'know. Gives us some direction in life. XP