Thank you for all your reviews! I am sorry it has been so long since I updated. I am graduating this year and I have been busy with work, college searching, and school in general. I will try to update more often. Number two. I apologize immensely for the mistakes in chapter nine. I just got really into it and just let the computer catch the grammar and the spelling. I also did it in sections, so if the thought seems to jump or uncompleted, chances are I did it at two different times. Immensely sorry. As for what happen to Ren and the gang, I was going to explain what happen to them in chapter nine but I was sidetracked by the drama.
Anna emerged from the bathroom, staring into the dark room as shadows dance on the walls and floor. She stood in the doorway, contemplating about the next course of actions. The Queen might have gotten rid of a weight against her but it just added to Anna's troubles. Yet as looked at the room, at the form lying in the bed but obviously not asleep, Anna began to understand the Queen and Hao.
Queen Anna, her misery obviously began after Yoh supposedly died. It was hard to image it but the Queen was in the mindset that he fiancée had died though Anna knew better. She withdrew into herself, her only hope, the hope of the Shaman Village was gone, and she broke apart. Holding Yoh's lifeless form and losing against Hao even with there best attack, it was too much to bear.
It was hopeless, and as she watched, Hao beat Yoh's friends to near death and Yoh's body slumped motionless, Anna just fell. When Hao became Shaman King, Anna had sunk so deep into a dark void that she just allowed herself to be taken by Hao instead of suffering with Ren and the rest. That had been her weakness and if she had not been in such grief, Anna would have joined them instead of marrying Hao. By the time Anna recovered from that trauma, she was married and Queen.
It was different from now; she knew what had been going around her but she did not have the will or strength to oppose. She lived a hollow existence filled with guilt, remorse, and misery but on the outside, she just seems her normal, cold self. Only difference was she was more submissive than usual. Her emotionless disputation had also been her down fall because no one realized that she was dying inside.
She had also been afraid. When she gathered herself up, she could not do anything because Hao subtly intimidated that it seemed to be just a husband's power. Therefore, she went along with it, afraid to do anything. As if there had been anything, she could do because it was hopeless without Yoh. In addition, the one thing, the very thing that annoyed Anna as she made her way across the room was that the Queen, over time wanted Hao to love her or at least to trust her.
Anna stood at the edge of the bed, looking at the form underneath the covers. She stood staring, blankly as she mulled over the Queen and Hao. It was true she had wanted Hao to have some real emotion for her, not just the false affection that he provided. Maybe at some degree, Hao did care for her but it was never the same. Hao could not love and it made the Queen anxious and hold a candle of pure hatred against Hao because she wanted him to stop being suspicious of her. She wanted to be able to have some relief that if she slipped in her act that Hao would smother her and repress her even further.
In addition, to Anna's satisfaction, she realized that Hao acted the same way because he, the mighty Shaman King, the fire shaman with no remorse had been frightened! It was not very obvious because Hao was an expert at hiding it. (Something they had in common.) Yet, he was afraid of being betrayed, he did not want to feel that agony again because it hurt and had cost him his life. What was even greater for Anna was he had weakness and for the Queen because it proved he did feel an emotion.
If any of his other followers had betrayed him, they would have died the instant they uttered any objections against him. Yet Anna, even if he did kill her, it would wound him and he would fell that pain of losing someone. That was why he was so determined to keep her memories from her. When she began to remember, he obviously panicked because he had Faust created something to repress them. From what Anna put together, if anyone else had begun to figure out what was going on, he would kill him or her. Yet not Anna and it gave her a power.
"Hao," Anna said. Her heart was pounding for two reasons. She finally was figuring things out and it gave her adrenaline but she was also afraid because Hao was obviously stung and furious. That could be harmful toward her. She may have some control but it did not entirely stop Hao from hurting her or even killing her. It was obvious from when he tried to strangle her that at a moment of pure desperation or rage, he was capable of anything. She needed to work with that.
"I am over here, Anna." Anna looked over her shoulders. Hao was sitting in a chair, hidden in the shadows, a sliver of moonlight across one side of his features. Anna looked at the form and tested it. It sunk under the pressure. It had only been the blanket. Shit, Anna cursed mentally. Even without trying, she had been fooled. She sat on the bed, covering her mistake and facing Hao. It was silent; the tension was thick, sticky, and humid. Anna thought she was going too suffocated underneath it until Hao finally spoke.
"We are both caught at the end of each other's blades, Anna."
"Elegantly put, Hao," Anna countered. The moon glimmered against his white teeth as he smiled. Another breath of silence curled around them until Anna spoke this time.
"Who is going to put their blade in first, or will we both die together."
"Even if your blade was to strike first, there are hundreds of more behind you. We must figure out away that both of us can lower our blades and save both of our blood." He was right. Even though it could not be as drastic as them fighting to the death over this squabble, any type of abuse against Hao and she was going to meet with the rest of his lackeys. He was just warning her. This exchange of words was just an intimidating duel.
"Hao," Anna sighed, dropping the bantering tone. She clenched and unclenched the sheets. What was she going to say? This was getting annoying though her heart was throb in her throat as if to say, 'this is not annoying, this is dangerous'.
"Who are you?"
"Huh?" The question caught her off guard. Though he said it so lightly and casual and he were smiling pleasantly, a chill ran up her spine. "What are you talking about? What are you accusing me of now?"
"I am not accusing," he replied, gently. Anna scowled, tilting her head questioning to one side. Her heart was racing faster. Hao stood and strolled, confidently and casually toward the bed. He leaned close to her, placing both hands at her sides on the bed, trapping her between him and the mattress. Anna looked up at his dark eyes, boldly. His eyes were easy and entertained. She hope hers were just as emotionless as his were playful and confident. "I just want to know who you are."
"I am Anna Kyouyama. I am the Shaman Qu…" Anna stopped, freezing. Hao's smile did not falter but his eyes were dancing. Anna did not know what to do, her whole body felt like ice. Oh no, she cried in mental desperation and anguishUnknowingly, she had placed her own headstone on her grave. And it would read, "Here lies Anna Kyouyama. The Former Queen, Anna Asakura."
"Anna Kyouyama," Hao breathed in awe and triumph. No…no, Anna feverishly chanted. How could she have let that slip? "It has been so long."
"What are you talking about," she demanded, angrily. Anna backed away, crawling back slowly on the bed, pushing him back with the heel of her foot. Now she was freaked! Hao stood up, chuckling, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face. Anna's own hair was falling in her face but she did not bother to move it. She was sprawled on the bed, looking at Hao angry, annoyed, and completely bewildered.
"You are a good actress, Anna. I was fooled for a very long time but then, you and the Queen are the same person, so you must have pulled her feeling from deep inside you."
"Hao…" Yet he was laughing, manically. Okay, I have had enough, forget it. Anna crawled off the other side of the bed and ducked behind it. She was going to make a run for it. He knew who she really was and though he was obviously losing it…again, Anna did not want to be around when he recovered. She could probably get to Kino's, find out what really happened to Yoh and try to get information on what happened to Ren and them. Then she would go from there.
Anna crouched behind the mattress, one leg stretched in front of her, ready to bolt. Yet Hao had swiftly caught on to what she was going to do and he was in front of her. He looked down at her, his head cocked and his mouth laughing. His eyes were blazing with amusement. Anna pursed her lips but she would not let him stand in her way. If she had to fight, she would. She could not kill him though.
Anna took a deep breath and pushed herself up so she could run. Hao was quicker and caught her before she could take even two steps. His arms embraced her, holding her against his chest. Anna cursed under her breath and looked up at him.
"Do not be afraid, Anna," he laughed as if it was a joke. His fingers played with her hair as he studied her. Anna was even more confused. Was he not going to kill her? She was not complaining but it did not make sense.
"If you are trying to put me at ease, you are doing a lousy job." Hao smiled and pressed his lips quickly against her forehead.
"Good thing I am not trying. You do not remember, do you? The last time you came back."
"The last time," Anna repeated, in a hushed tone. Of course, she did not remember the last time; all she remembered was that there had been one. "No I don't."
"I guess it will come back over time." He sounded disappointed as he slipped his hand into hers. Anna was lost. He wanted her to remember. Why? From what it seemed, he tried to repress her memories from her with Faust's help. Why did he refer to her as she did, as herself and as the Queen? No, he wanted her to remember her last revival, not that he was Yoh. Her head began to throb wildly as she thought about him as Yoh. She wanted to scream. This was getting her nowhere!
"I have had it," Anna cried, pushing away from Hao. She did not have to pretend anymore. He knew she was Anna, not his Queen and she was frustrated and pissed. "I have had it with you and myself, The Queen. No wonder she was losing it! She, I became some submissive and miserable wench. I want to know and you will tell me, what is going on. Why are you happy that I am no longer the Queen? Why did you suppress my memories, myself? Who are you?"
And he laughed, loud and long. Anna fist clenched and unclenched. He was not going to laugh at her. She threw her body into her attack, just wanting him to stop laughing. She did not like to be laughed at; she did not want to be. She wanted to answers. Hao caught her wrist before she could make contact with him and shoved her onto the bed.
"Sit down, Anna," he said. "I will give you an explanation, if you want it. All you have to do it say the magic word."
"Bit me." Hao grinned and playfully biting her fingers, which she tried to throw into his face. His grip was to firm for her to even make a move.
"That was two words," he said. "Would you like to try again? I am open to any suggestions."
"Please," Anna said, throwing it into his smiling face. She hated his mood swings! How many did he have around her? It seemed like hundreds and they changed so quickly that it was hard to understand. He truly was insane. That was another thing that made her and the Queen mad was his continuous mood swings.
"About a year ago," He began, taking a seat next to her, his fingers tight around hers. "I noticed that you, my Queen was acting really strange. You were able to hide it slightly better this time but I was busy with other things to notice and I was cautious. It had happened once before when I thought you began to remember but it was…your monthlies. But you woke up like you were in a coma, convinced you were still that thirteen-year-old girl and I should be dead." A secretive smile curled around his lips as he thought about something that seemed humorous. Anna listened intently, waiting for him to continue. If he was willing to tell, she was not going to stop him.
"You are a memory, Anna," he said, breaking away from the subject to explain. "A memory of another time and another personality inside my Queen. Yes, you do have the ability to pull my Queen from deep inside you because you and her are the same but you still are nothing but a memory. I enjoyed you because I had a worthy companion again, though my Queen was just as lovely."
"Yet then you began to tell the others that not all this was supposed to be and you became a danger. Instead of disposing of you…I had Faust suppress you. It was simple because you were a memory and my Queen came back. She was a lot stronger than before; I enjoyed her company a bit more…" But you knew she could possibly betray you, so you made sure she remained fearful of you, Anna thought, smugly.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because you asked." Anna laughed bitterly. It was such a Yoh response because he seemed slightly surprised. It stung when she thought about that. She looked at him, at Yoh's face looking at her with his Hao eyes. Another puzzle piece was placed, now she just had to find out what Amidamaru knew…what really happened.
"Now I have to do something with you," he said, deadly serious.
"Huh?" Anna gazed at him, she had not caught what he said, and his tone was flat and emotionless. Hao did not say anything; he was looking at their hands. His fingers twirled around hers, his touch was soft and soothing. "Hao, what did you say?"
"I have to find a place for you. With Faust gone, there is no way to repress you again, dear Anna."
"What happened to Faust," she asked. Hao did not answer; he stood up silently. Wait, why was she worrying about Faust? "What are you going to do with me?"
"That is depending on you, Anna. Do you want to die?"
"Stop being overdramatic," she scolded.
"I have two choices. I can kill you now or we can make a deal. And I do not want to kill you quite yet. Yet you are a real danger to me but if you compromise your rough attitude and keep your memories to yourself then we can live at some bit of peace. I do not need more uprisings."
"What if I agree and I do not comply afterwards." She was speaking, of course, when she found out what really happened. If there were a way to end this nightmare, then she would do it. It seemed that there was a chance they could get Yoh back as soon as she found out how they lost him.
"I believe you would be smarter than that," he said, his teeth flashing as he smiled savagely. Anna stood up, looking up at him. They looked at each other for a moment. She would die either way; she was not going to live this life with the knowledge that she could have her Yoh with her. Yet she was going to delay it for a moment and maybe, just maybe until she was a bit older.
"Okay. Fine. I will be the perfect Queen, at least in front of your subjects. I am going to learn from the Queen's mistake and not be bullied around by you." Hao eyes flashed. That was a soft spot. Anna just smiled, quick and cunning. Hao returned it.
"One more condition, Anna, my Queen," Hao placed a finger against her lips. "I am not an idiot. I know you will turn against me at any chance you get. I would surprise if you did not. If you do, I will not only take your life but Tamao's, Ren's, HoroHoro's and the rest of them."
Good, they were alive, Anna thought. That could be useful for later. Much later. She would have to watch were she stepped. Very carefully…very carefully because she was not only risking hers but a bunch of peoples.
"Oh yes," Hao smiled was wicked. Anna looked at him. "And Yoh will die as well." Then, sealing the agreement before Anna could react; Hao captured her mouth with his in a very demanding and rough kiss.
Well that is the quickest update I have had. Yet again, I thought about going one way and it went into a very different direction. It gave it more of a zest I believe. Hope you enjoy.
