I think I should clarify something before I begin. Faust, Ren, HoroHoro, and the rest are still alive. When Hao said that he no longer had Faust, he meant that since Faust betrayed him, he would no longer make the medicine that suppressed Anna. Yet again…thank you for your reviews.


It was summer, hot and humid. Anna was trying to keep cool by waving a makeshift fan over her face. Her blonde hair was piled up in a loose ponytail and few strands of hair were falling on her neck. She was wearing a black one-piece and a pair of shorts but she still was sticky and sweating. The day was slow and quiet which made her suspicious. Where was Yoh, she wondered. Her bare feet padded noiseless on the floor as she made her way to the back.

No one was there but it was a slight improvement from being inside. Anna took a seat on the porch and took the small bit of shade that it provided. She looked out over the hot spring, quietly meditating. Of course, she was thinking about Yoh. He had been acting unusual recently; being reclusive, moody, and restless. However, Faust dismissed it as hormones since he was a fourteen-year-old boy and it was bound to happen even to Yoh. Yoh's parents and grandparents agreed with Faust, They told her not to worry and just try to be supportive of him.

Yet, Anna felt differently and she could not shake this feeling that it was more than that. It was not just his attitude; it was his posture, the way he presented himself and the fact he was growing his hair out. It was chilling because he seemed to be acting like his brother. You are jut feeling insecure because he was looking at you so intently that one night and all you could do was blush. Anna scowled at that voice. Shut up.

"Anna." Anna turned in the direction of the timid voice. Yoh was standing in the doorway, his hair was pulled back in a wild ponytail. He was not wearing his usual open shirt, none at all actually and a pair of swim trunks. He had a small white bowl in his hands. Anna head whipped back, her face suddenly hot and she were speechless. She cursed under her breath as Yoh sat down next to her. In the bowl was a few cubes of ice and Yoh was rubbing it on his shoulders, silently. Why had she not though of that?

"Where have you been," Anna asked as they both looked out on the yard. You could clearly see heat waves in the air.

"I got some ice," Yoh replied, shaking the bowl. Silence past between them. It had been a long time since they had been alone together. They were usually surrounded by his friends or off doing other things. Anna flapped her fan harder.

"Would you like me to rub some ice on your shoulders, Anna," Yoh said after a moment of hesitation. His voice was very tentative and unsure. Inwardly Anna smiled. That was her Yoh.

"Sure." Yoh positioned himself behind her, his legs on both sides of her. Anna almost sighed. She felt so safe with Yoh. It was so good to have him. Anna inhaled as she felt a piece of ice against her back. It took her a moment to recover as the ice cooled her hot skin. Yoh was very careful and tentative as he guided the ice. Once in a while, Anna felt his cold fingers on her skin after the ice had melted. In addition, every once in a while, Yoh would rub ice on his shoulders. Soon the bowl of ice was gone and Anna volunteered to get some more.

She admitted to herself as she dumped the cubes into the bowl, she was enjoying there time. There had been so much tension in the house when no one was there. Anna was smiling to herself as she took one of the cubes and rubbing it on her shoulders. They do not offer very long relief, she thought to herself. When she turned around Yoh was standing there, his usual smile radiant against his features.

"You look so lovely when you smile, Anna." Anna could not hide her face in time. She could feel her face flush a violent red. Yoh smile grew and his cheeks turned a softer red as he took one of the ice cubes and popped it in his mouth. Of course, he got a brain freeze and spit it out, whining and grabbing his head. Anna scolded him for doing so but she was secretly amused. Together they went back outside and took turns cooling each other off with the ice.


Anna restlessly moved around the dark room, holding herself. Her eyes were watery and she desperately tried not to cry as she brushed her eyes. Hao was softly snoring in bed; she could see his form move up and down with each breath. Anna took a seat in a chair next to the window, curling up into the plush cushion.

She had been dreaming. No, it was an actual memory because as she sat in the chair, looking blankly at the shadows, Anna had a wave a nostalgic happiness and anger. She had a feeling that something was wrong with Yoh and she dismissed it as hormones. Not just Yoh but hers. What if she had done something? Would it been different? Also, if she and Yoh were fourteen, when did this happen? Anna yawned; questions plaguing her mind until she had drifted back to sleep.


Then the door opened and there stood…Hao? No, it was not Hao but in that instant that was who it looked like. Yoh looked around at them, confused. His long brown hair fell around his shoulders and toward his back in spiky layers. HoroHoro and Ren frozen in the middle of there fight. Anna held her breath but rolled her eyes and sipped her tea. No one said anything. No one could speak.

"What are you guys doing," Yoh asked, trying to be light. Everyone exchanged glances. What were they going to do? They had been caught. Anna placed down her cup and stood up. Without saying anything, she commanded the attention of everyone in the room. When she looked at Yoh, his eyes trailing on her intensely, Anna nearly lost her voice.

"Yoh," she started, unusually confident. "We need to talk."

"Yeah," HoroHoro and Chocolove said in unison. Ren let go of HoroHoro, nodding and settled in his seat.

"Yoh-kun." Manta was sitting properly next to Anna, looking at his friend. Yoh sat down, crossing his legs, now all eyes on him.

"What about, Anna," he said. Anna was taken back. He was not looking at his friends; he was acting as if they were not even there. His gaze was on her. His attention on her. Anna wanted to lick her lips; she was unnerved by the eyes. They were not Yoh's which were always laughing and honest. They were smoldering and hidden in them was cunning and sorrow. Hao's eyes.

"Your behavior has become very annoying and frankly we are sick of it."

"As in worried sick," Chocolove cracked.

"We want an explanation."

"What do you want me to explain," Yoh asked.

"Let us start with why you have been so reclusive?" This time Ren spoke. Yoh looked at him, not smiling just seemingly annoyed. He did not say anything but Ren looked away.

"Why have you been reclusive," Anna repeated, demanding.

"I want my privacy." Anna raised a brow, looking at him. "Everyone deserves there own privacy."

"He got us there," HoroHoro said.

"No he does not! You idiot," Ren started.

"Master Yoh," Ryu butted between Ren and HoroHoro's arguing. "We are worried about you. Where have you been going at night?"

"Where have you been going at night, Yoh?" Anna repeated when Yoh did not answer. She was getting tired of this. It was obvious he was not going to listen to his friends. That made her even more suspicious. Yoh's friends were everything to him. Now he was giving them a rather polite cold shoulder.

"I have been going for walks. Sometimes being caged up in makes me restless."

"If you are so restless, I can give you something to do," Anna replied. Yoh smiled, slightly shrugging. Anna dismissed it. It really was not the time to argue over responsibility "And why are you ignoring your friends?"

"They are not of much importance." That stung. HoroHoro and Ren stopped fighting. Ryu, Faust, and Manta looked at him, hurt evident in there eyes. Even Anna was shocked as she started coldly at him. His features were peaceful and his posture was laid-back but graceful as he lounged on one hand. Strand of brown hair fell in face.

"What a Hao thing to say," Anna began. Everyone seemed to hold his or her breath. It was rather taboo mentioning him. After the merge, they just wanted peace. Yet it was not the time for pussyfooting around it. Something evidently had gone wrong in the merge and it was taking affect. "Your entire posture resembles your brother a lot."

"What about it, Anna," Yoh replied, his voice was soft and even. His brown eyes were focused on her. Anna opened her mouth to reply. "Anna, my Anna…" Anna could feel blush against her cheeks. He had never said that to her before. "I am Hao, Hao is me. We are one. I am hurt that if I take on some characteristics of my brother that you, my fiancée and my friends, think that I am turning into my brother."

"You taking on more than characteristics, Yoh," Ren said.

"Yeah! Only Hao would say we are not important," HoroHoro said win unison with Chocolove.

"You are not though," Yoh replied, in a matter-of-fat tone. "I care for you, but I no longer need your companionship."

"Yoh-kun," Manta began, his voice cracking. Anna scowled. Why was this so familiar? Yoh stood up, looking at no one and ignoring him or her. Everyone stared at him, hurt and bewildered.

"Anna," he said, standing in front of the doorway. "Go and get packed. Our plane leaves in a few hours."

"Do not order me around, Yoh Asakura," Anna said, standing up and stepping over his friends. "We are not done."

Yoh shrugged and retreated out of them room. Anna followed him, leaving his friends in silence. What was wrong with Yoh? What did he mean by 'our plane leaves'? Where were they going? She had trouble keeping up with him. He was walking rather fast, taking large and careful strides. Anna was to busy concentrating on catching up with him, she nearly collided into Yoh when he abruptly stopped.

"Yoh. Look at me now," She ordered, slightly out of breath. He turned, looking at her and smiling. "What the hell is going on? Where are we going?"

"To Patch Village."

"Huh? Why? When did you arrange this?"

"Anna," He took one of her hands into his. "Do you love me?"

"Do not change the subject!"

"I am sorry, Anna. I just want to know."

"Well, I want to know what is going on with you and why you want to go to Patch."

"I will answer you question if answer mine," He bargained.

"No."

"No you do not love me or no you won't agree."

"No…I mean yes. Why is this so important?"

"Please answer it Anna," he begged, softly. Anna took in a breath. She did not know what to say. Of course, she loved him but…but she had never been verbal about it. She could not. Yet she had too, now she did. He wanted to know.

"Yes," Anna whispered, lowering her head.

"The no matter what happens. Will you always love me? Will you always stay by me?"

"Of course." Yoh smiled, he looked rather relieved.

"I love you too, Anna." Anna face flushed as Yoh tilted her head and kissed her quickly. That was very forward." In addition, I will never leave you. I will always be near. Okay? Can you remember that?"

"Yes." Then he let her go, his goofy smile fading into a cool, confident smirk.

"Get ready, Anna. We are going to America."

"Why?"

"To perform my first duty as shaman king."


"Wake up, Anna." Anna groaned, rubbing her wet eyes. That had been the last time she talked to Yoh. That had been his last words, his last request before…before… Then she lost it. Just like that. Her thoughts were wiped from her mind, as she was drug back to reality. Hao was standing next to her, brushing her hair away from her face. She was curled up in the chair, sunlight streaming in from the window.

"Hao," she said dryly. He smiled.

"Pleasant dreams, Anna."

"Huh? Umm…I do not remember them."

"Shame." He did not sound like he really was worried. He sounded pleased. "Get ready. Today is a new day."

"Do not order me around," Anna said. Hao laughed.

"Of course I can, Anna. I am the king and you do not have the same power over me as you did Yoh."

"What did you mean Yoh would die? Where is he?" She remembered that. After he had said that, he became mute. He did not answer any of her questions, just smirked, and readied himself for bed. Hao patted where his heart would have been if he had one.

"Somewhere he will not cause trouble. Do not worry, Anna. If you be a good little girl, nothing will happen." Then he leaned in and took another kiss from her. A very hot but quick one. "Remember our deal Anna, your still mine."

"We will see," Anna whispered, as he retreated away, so quietly that the words just blurred together.