Thank you yet again.


"Apple?" Hao steadily cut a slice from the red fruit with a large knife and offered it to Anna. She sighed and took the piece. It was extremely juicy, sweet, and delicious. Hao grinned and cut some more slices for him. It was mid-afternoon, the weather was crispy and warm with refreshing breezes. The sun was hanging in the horizon, the faint colors of sunrise seeping into the blue sky. Anna and Hao were relaxing in the forest, in the peace and serenity of nature. Hao was preparing some fruits like apples, oranges and grapes while Anna was skimming though some old text about shamans and the Great Spirit.

Anna had not had time to find Tamao, Amidamaru, and Bason. Hao kept a close eye on her and whenever she was not by his side, she was escorted by one his followers of spirit. Whenever they were alone, it went pretty much as it was now. They would remain silent, just busy in there own worlds with a small awareness of each other. Every occasionally they would speak usually short sentences and it never elevated any conversation. Surprisingly, both were satisfied with this arrangement even if Anna had to be in Hao's company.

"Anna. Why are you so interested in my books?" Hao asked. He was leaning over her shoulder, his hair caressing her cheeks and falling over her shoulder. Anna scowled and turned another page, which had a rendition of the Great Spirit.

"Hmm. I want to know more about the shaman king and the Great Spirit. I want to understand it a bit more." It was not a lie, not entirely. She did want to know about the Great Spirit and the shaman king but there was underlining motive. Anna really wanted to know if the shaman king had any ability over time or mind control or reversal or anything that would explain why Yoh had inexplicably wanted to go to Patch Village. Hao pushed some hair behind her ear, resting his chin on her shoulder. Anna did not want to turn her head to look at him but her finger clenched into a fist. She wished she could hit him! "Why are you letting me read if you are so suspicious?"

"You just look so focused, "Hao smiled, coyly. " I wanted to know what was so fascinating in this old garbage that got you so intrigued."

"Oh." Anna would have shaken her head but she could not so she turned her attention back to the book. Hao read over her shoulders, she felt his eyes moving almost at the same pace. After a while, Anna could not concentrate. She could feel Hao's steady breath against her cheeks and his long hair against her back. "Weren't you cutting fruit?"

"Mmmhmm." He replied, drowsily.

"Hey! Are you falling asleep?"

"This stuff is dull. It is nothing but theories." Anna groaned under her breath. Well that would not help much. She needed actual evidence! Anna shut the book and tilted to one side so she could face Hao. His smiled at her, his eyes were tired and thoughtful. His fingers reached out and brushed a wild stand away from Anna's face. Anna had the fight the urge to punch him and sat immobile.

"Very lovely," Hao smiled, his fingers delicately placing a few hairs behind her ear. She felt his fingers skim over her cheeks, touching so lightly that it almost did not seem like he was touching her.

"Huh?"

"Your hair is very lovely. It is soft and the perfect shade of gold."

"Flattering will get you no where." Hao laughed. Anna shifted her weight so her back was no long to Hao but in an action her knees touched with his and the distance between them grew smaller. Damnit, Anna cursed. Hao grasped her chin, holding her face gently and firmly so her eyes were leveled with his. Anna tried to read what he was thinking or planning to do but she could not.

"May I kiss you, Anna?"

"You actually are asking me?"

"Of course," Hao replied brightly. "I could take it by force, but that is not very polite and I do not want you to feel uncomfortable."

"What has changed from before? You never asked me."

"That was when I believed you were my wife but your not. You are Anna, young Anna and I do not want to put you in that situation. Besides, you cannot say you did not enjoy it before."

"That is why I am not going to say anything. Answer me this and I will consider it…"

"That is a start," Hao smiled.

"You did not seem to feel any remorse for what you did to the Queen, like repress her and intimidate her. You do not seem to be so noble when it comes to blackmailing me and threatening other people's lives. You killed hundreds of shamans and destroyed and entire race. However, from what I am observed and from now, you are very noble, understanding, and virtuous when it comes to intimacy. Why is that?" Hao let go of her and took a slice of an orange from a tray.

"There is difference between what your are comparing. I might not value life and I am cruel, but when it comes to virtue of a woman it is…respectable to comply to the wishes of the lady because they cannot fend themselves."

"Sexist pig, that is not true."

"Well not now anymore but in my past lives, that was the case. I still hold that as something that the woman's companion should respect because it is proper. I treated my wives that same way."

"Your wives?"

"From my past lives."

"You mean you blackmailed…" Hao shook his head, chewing on the orange. He looked slightly irritated.

"You know what I mean, Anna."

"Yes. I know." Anna never thought about Hao's past lives. Actually, she never really thought about him having other wives. In the past, of course. Yet as she thought about it, it rather made sense and in away, it did not. Silva was a descendent of Hao and so was Yoh in a way, so Hao must have had a wife or at least a companion in his past. Logically, that was true but when she thought about it, she wondered if Hao was married because of love or was it arranged. He had been to fixate on becoming Shaman King that she did not see him being a father or a husband. It really was strange.

"What are you thinking, Anna?"

"Where did you get that philosophy? Since in your time women were not equal but considered lower and you had the 'power of being a man', I would not think you would have that philosophy."

"I guess I am just a bit of a mother's boy." Anna wanted to laugh, but she did not. At least not outwardly. You would never expect someone as powerful or as frightening as Hao to admit he was a mama's boy. It was hilarious and true. Hao smiled and took her hand. "May I? I have answered your question openly and truthfully."

"No." Yes, she was bitch, but just because he was open did not mean she was going to let down her guard. One moment of pure humanity would not account for years of terror. Even though, she thought shamefully, she had enjoyed being kissed. It was a different experience. Hao looked down at her hand, twisting his fingers around hers.

"Hmm. I wish I had gotten the better end of that."

"Why? I am not really your wife, why would you want to kiss me?"

"What difference does it make what your personality is, you are still the same Anna even if it seems like you are two different entities." Anna scowled. There was an evident double meaning to that.

"Ironic how the same can be said about you."

"Ironic, how…" Hao repeated hollowly.

"If I kiss you, will you do something for me," Anna bargained, ignoring what he said for the time being.

"Depends. I am not too desperate."

"Hah. Hah. No. I want to know where Yoh is and what you meant by he would die to."

"Yoh does not exist physically, Anna. He is apart of me."

"I know that but wouldn't you being killing apart of yourself."

"No."

"Is that it?"

"What reason should I tell you?"

"Because I asked. And I am offering you a kiss."

"That would cost more than a kiss," Hao replied wickedly. Anna stared for a moment, trying to comprehend what he was saying. When she got it, Anna hand, the one not being held, clenched so tight in a fist that her knuckles went white.

"So much for not forcing yourself on a lady."

"I am not forcing Anna, I am offering. Forcing is to take it from you because I am physically stronger than you are. I am respecting you. You have the option to say no and it will end at that. We will both lose though, you can say."

"Oh." You sly, perverted, bastard, Anna cursed him mentally. "But you have no qualm putting me in position to choose?"

"Not really." Hao shrugged, his fingers caressing the back of her hand. Anna held her breath. What should she do? She was actually surprised she was asking this question. Of course, she would say no and slap Hao for being so perverted and diabolical but…Yoh. She wanted to know about Yoh but she did not want to betray him.

Even if he did not exist physically, she would still feel that guilt. It would be worse from before because now she had the sense and the knowledge that Yoh was alive. Yet her action would perhaps give her information to save Yoh. Perhaps… Yet, what if it was a bluff? It did seem odd that the cost went up for that piece of information.

"Is it worth it," Anna asked. Hao's grin was too mischievous.

"I would not know, Anna."

"I mean, will you tell me about Yoh."

"Why do you want to know about Yoh? It will make no difference if you knew or not."

"Really? Then I will have to…"

"Yoh seems to want you to know," Hao interrupted thoughtfully.

"Huh?"

"I hear him. He is not too happy with me but then again he is too weak to do anything. I can feel he wants you to know because…well…just so you know what is happening with him. Yet he does not like how I use that to get what I want and he does not want you to do it." Anna shut her eyes. Was he lying? It could be a trick; she would not put it past Hao.

"Anna?"

"Yoh?" She was somewhere. Well it was like she dreaming but she could sense things around her. She knew she had 'slipped' away' and Hao was now cradling her, brushing her hair. He knew what was going on but he allowed it. Why? She did not have time to think about it because there was Yoh, small but clear in the mist. Mist? She now noticed it was like being in a cloud. Thick fumes of mist curled and billowed around them.

"I did it! OMG. I did it." Yoh seemed thrilled but his lips were not moving. Anna stared at the figure confused. She could see his happiness but he was not speaking. It was in her head. Anna tried to step forward, she wanted to touch Yoh. The smoke parted to reveal a precipice, falling down into black nothingness.

"Don't Anna. We are not in the same mind…this is just a link."

"Yoh!" She found she was speaking mentally as well. It was an odd feeling because it echoed in her head. "Tell me now. What happened?"

"I cannot! If I do, it hurts! I tired before. This is one of the only times I have been able…Anna…do not do it."

"Do what…"

"Umm…do not agree to what Hao wants." He said timidly, she could see him twiddling his fingers and looking down.

"Then tell me. I have put you through worse than this."

"Anna. Please do not. I know you want to…"

"I do not!"

"You will because of me. Do not sacrifice yourself for me."

"Will what Hao tell me help?"

"Huh?"

"You are shaman king! I should be with you and I intend of making it that way. If I agree will it help get you back?"

"Umm…no."

"Do not lie to me Yoh!"

"It…it…well…it can if you understand but what if you can't and…and…" The world slipped away, cutting off Yoh.

When she woke, Anna knew she was crying. Her cheeks were wet and her eyes were sore. Yoh…she had saw Yoh. Anna sat up and looked over at Hao. He just started at her, no emotion, or any sign that he knew what happened. Anna turned away, looking out at the scenery. What should she do? What should she do?


Now it time for a little poll. I think it would be good to get some input. Do you believe Anna should or shouldn't? Normally, I would have her say no but I got a request for a lemon. Well I set it up and now it time for you to decide. If not…I will go on with what I have planned.