I do not own Shaman King. Pity!
"Master Hao!" The cool solace of sleep was broken as a rushed shout leaped through the silence. Anna's eyes snapped open, greeted by frolicking shadows and moonlight. Beside her, Hao shifted silently, pulling reluctantly away from Anna. Another frantic clamor at the door sprung herself into the sitting position as Hao slid on the other side. He cursed underneath his breath as Anna watched him wrap his cloak around his bare shoulder and made his way across the room
"Master Hao," The messenger gasped as a beam of light streaked across the floor. Wild eyes looked passed him quickly, looking at Anna as she pulled away the twisted covers. "I am sorry to disturb you but I have something of great urgency." Hao followed the messenger's nervous gaze as Anna tightened the robe around her. Wisps of her blond hair fell over the frown on her face. What was going on? The floor was cold underneath her bare feet as she shuffled toward the door.
Hao looked at Anna, a small smile touching his lips. He whispered something to the red-haired messenger before ushering him away from the door. How did he know...he read his mind...The reply came before she could even finish the question. Go figure, she thought. Gently taking her chin, Hao tilted her head to face him and she felt his strong gaze searching hers for answers.
"How convenient," he muttered.
"What is so convenient?" Anna demanded, about to smack away his hand. Stop Anna, she warned herself. Do not do anything foolish that will attract unnecessary suspicions. Hao inclined his head toward hers, one arm snaking stealthily around her waist. His embrace was crushing, bruising as he pinned one of her arms to her side.
"Go back to bed and don't leave this room," he said hotly in her ear, his strong fingers enhancing the order with a squeeze. It was hard to tell if he was frustrated with her or not! Anna took her deep breath, holding a growl of annoyance deep in her throat.
"I can take care of myself," she said, monotonously and bluntly. The words spilled from her mouth before she could gather them back. "You are the Shaman King and you have been called to duty. Now go!" With that, she placed her free hand on his chest and shoved him gently but rough enough to force him away. Hao looked rather stunned for a brief moment. She remembered the look of pure, new shock when she had slapped him. He regained just as quickly, smiling and running a hand lazily through his scalp.
"I know you can, Anna," he replied, his tone filled with fondness and hidden meaning. Anna untangled her arms, one eyebrow arched. Once again, Hao took her in another embrace, more gentle and caring. Schizophrenic pyromaniac, she caused him under her breath. His lips were warm on her cheek as he kissed her trailing his lips to her mouth in a quick kiss.
"Do not disobey me, Anna. You maybe my queen but I will not tolerate betrayal, "he warned darkly against her mouth.
"And I don't tolerate your harassment Hao. How could I betray you, my king and my husband," she countered, her tone was bored but playful and affectionate. She adopted his tone from yesterday, lighter and more frivolous with a small smile. "Now stop playing games with me and go to your duty."
Hao let her go and left her alone in the room. As soon as she heard the page and Hao's footsteps retreat from the front of the room, Anna sighed with relief and slumped her tense shoulders. She never had acted before, outside her normal bossy and nonchalant self. Now she was on a dangerous balancing act with no net. Before she had fallen asleep, Anna had sworn not to act rashly. If she wanted answers, she had to play the role of Anna, Queen of the Shamans, and wife of Hao. The witty and sharp woman of nineteen who still held an air of confidence but was submissive to schizophrenic, paranoid, and suspicious husband without a hint of the actual Anna underneath who was fuming with annoyance and lost. The only thing that would help complete her balancing was her net, Queen Anna's memories, which were lost in a peppermint-scent medicine.
She opened the door to her closet and began to rummage through the many sets of clothes. They were beautiful outfits, most of them were black and simple, but then there were the ethnic designs of Patch. Anna rummaged though until she found a charcoal-colored turtleneck with no sleeves and a pair of billowy, long black pants with wine-colored, Patch designs along the sides. Discarding her robe quickly, Anna hastily changed into the stealthy outfit. Just as she tied to drawstring to tighten the pants around her waist, the door to the room banged open. Anna scowled.
What does he want now; she thought with a bitter sigh and put another cream-colored robe around her figure to hide her clothes.
"We will hide here for now," a familiar voice whispered in a commanding bark. Anna stopped for a moment. It wasn't Hao. "Then, we find the rest. So keep it down."
"So much for a tour of the castle," a voice cracked a feeble joke then shrieked in pain. Anna eyebrows furred together in a frown. Escapees? She peered out of the closet, holding the robe tightly. Two figures were shifting in the darkness; a pointy-head man was thrusting a glaive at his partner threatening.
"Baka! Shut your mouth. We will get caught because of your lame jokes." His afro-headed partner rubbed his nose tenderly then gazed around the room. A low whistle of approval touched the tense air. Was this why Hao wanted her to remain in her room? Because of these two dolts?
"Looks like King Hao enjoy his luxury. What ever happen to sleeping under the stars," Hao's name was bitter against the afro-man's tongue. "
"I wonder where that woman is! Traitorous bitch," Ren said foully.
"Right here, Tao Ren." Anna emerged from the closet, her head held high with confidence and a sly smirk. Chocolove and Ren turned to face her and even in the darkness, Anna saw the flash of fear run across there faces. "And I would be careful who you are calling a bitch if you want to 'find the rest'."
"Finally," Ren smiled wickedly, flashing his glaive in front of her while Chocolove recovered and the steel of his claws caught the moonlight. "I get to slice you up for betraying Yoh!"
"SHUT UP, YOU POINTY-HAIRED BASTARD," Anna suddenly shouted, suddenly feeling defensive. Her voice ripped, strangled through the silence. The ache came back, her head throbbed, and her throat stuffed with silent sobs. Another qualm of remorse and mourning rushed over her as she angrily glared at Ren. "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO ACCUSE ME OF..."
Chocolove caught her mouth first, the claws cutting into her cheek. Ren pointed his glaive at her now, his gold eyes gleaming in the darkness. He had aged as well. However, unlike Tamao or Hao, it was not gracefully. On the other hand, maybe it was from abuse. His face was drawn and tired, scars lined his cheeks and one cut through his left eye. His lean and thin body covered by a ripped and bloody tunic, which showed off his scared arms. He was bare foot, his toes where cut and bleeding.
"I wonder how the Shaman King would feel if he found his wife sliced in half," Ren said wickedly. It was a complete shock to Anna, but she bit down on Chocolove's hand nonetheless until he let her go with a silent howl. Instead of lurching forward to meet with Ren's glaive, Anna ducked down and extended her leg under his feet. Ren, not expecting the attack, fell to his back and the glaive clattered out of his hands. Anna scrambled to grab it but Ren recovered from his mistake and snatched Anna's ankles. Chocolove grabbed the glaive while Ren remained on the floor with Anna in his grasp. The point of the spear was suddenly in Anna's face.
"Still got your spunk, don't you Anna," Ren commented from behind her.
"Let me go, Tao Ren."
"Not likely," he replied.
"You sure are still a stupid and stubborn ass," Anna said quickly. "Do you think you could enter the bedroom of the Shaman King and harass his wife?" Anna growled as she spoke those hated words though they sounded like a threat that was not to take lightly. "Do you really think with you loose that he would leave this room unguarded?"
"Shit," Ren cursed. Anna smiled to herself and looked up at Chocolove. He was looking between Anna and Ren, evident fear in his eyes. She still had her touch though most things she had said were a wild jab in the dark. They evidently worked; there was a cool, tense moment as thoughts crossed both of the men's minds. It was really simple to munipulate, especially if someone was in a situtation like theirs. She had to work fast.
"I will make a trade with you," Anna said, very business-like and calmly, though her heart was racing.
"What kind of trade," they asked in unison.
"You tell me what has happen the past six year and what happened to Yoh with no pussy-footing around anything I ask and I will...." Think Anna. "...be your leeway to find whoever else and get you out of here."
" What the hell does he got you...." Chocolove began.
"And if we refuse," Ren asked, interrupting Chocolove. Anna glared cool and sly at Ren.
"Then you are extremely idiotic." Chocolove and Ren gazes meet for a long silent moment as Anna waited. They were examining the situation; it was easy to tell they were silently communicating, there eyes locked in argument. Anna drummed her fingers on the floor, waiting edgily. For Pete sake, you die or you escape how hard can that be? The battle fanned out and Ren released her ankles cautiously while Chocolove removed the glaive from hovering in front of her eyes.
"How would you give us leeway, " Chocolove tested. Good question.
"Simply put you in a disguise and say that someone broke into my room. You are there on Hao's orders to escourt me to safety."
"What if we run into Hao?"
"Then we are all screwed. Yet you have a better chance than anything to escape without your own nameless tombstone." Another moment of silent thought. It was a issue of trust and the trust that was not between them was as thin as tissue. Yet they had nothing to lose, either die hear and now or maybe even have a chance of esacping. If she was caught...well she didn't know but deep down....it did not seem very pleasant.
"Why are you helping us?" One last obstacle.
"Because I woke up not feeling myself." Of course they did not grasp what she was saying. Anna sighed. "I will explain later, now isn't the time for idle chat."
"Fine, woman but if there is any trickery on you part, I will personally kill you myself," Ren spat venomously.
"Oh do not worry. I would rather die at your hands than sleep another night with Hao." Part of that wasAnna brushed herself off carefully once she was able to climb to her feet without them hovering over her. Ren and Chocolove looked at each other curiously. Yes, The Shaman Queen suddenly disliked her husband after years of supposed commitment. But did she really hate Hao? Anna brushed away that thought with a deep growl. This wasn't the time to banter about whatever subconscious feelings that weren't hers. Finally, she was going to get some straight answers but first... With a fast motion, Anna smacked Ren before he gained his weapon back. He howled for a moment but was hasty to cover his deceitful mouth. Anna smirked.
"That is for calling me a bitch."
More to come and a pairing in the next chapter. Sorry if the writing gets rather weak near the end, I am doing this at night.
