Yeah. I graduated! Then I got busy with work…dang.


Anna's voice hid from her as she stared unfocused at the endless void of the trunk. She felt Hao's presence behind her; the radiating anger scorched her back but sent chills down her spine. Her mind was frantically chasing excuses but it was like trying to catch the clouds. She felt Hao's fingers suddenly in her hair, playing with the golden strands and she tensed. As she did, so do his fingers, grabbing a fistful, and yanking her head back roughly. Their eyes met, his were flaring with such rage that they looked almost smoldering red. Anna breathed in deeply.

"What do you want me to say," Anna asked in a quiet challenge. She received a painful tug against her hair, causing her to wince. Hao was breathing hard and unsteadily, his eyes unfocused but intent on her.

"Where are they, Anna," he repeated, his voice was deadly as he lowered himself behind her. His free hand wrapped around her shoulders, holding her crushingly against her chest. She felt the heat of his breath against her ear, his lips brushed along the rim. When she did not answer, he tightened his finger and gave her head a powerful yank to the side. She shrieked in pain, shaking in alarm. "I will ask again…where are they?"

"I…"Anna stammered. "I really do not know, Hao. I let them out and they fled. Okay. They fled as fast as they could."

Hao was silent for a moment. She could tell he was thinking it over. He was trying to decide what to do and he wanted to be careful about it. After what seemed like hours, she felt Hao shift. His lips brushed against her neck and moved to tenderly kiss her shoulder. Anna waited, unsure what to expect. She felt Hao's hand disappear from her hair and softly trace her side. Anna swallowed, softly when she hear Hao's gently but maniacal laughter.

"Anna," he said coldly and calm. "Do expect me to believe that?"

"Of course I know you would not. Why would you," Anna replied, coolly. Hao tilted her face toward him.

"Where are they, Anna. I am giving you a last chance and I am not a generous man. Tell me where they are and your punishment will not be very long."

"And if I do not tell you."

"What a cliché question, Anna. Just answer me without the double talk. Will you tell me or not?"

"Of course not. If you are the great Shaman King, find them yourself." She was half-tempted to spit on him to emphasis her rebellion but the look a calm death and fury in his eyes stopped her. Hao smiled, sweet and savage as his eyes trailed along her face. He brushed back a few strands of hair almost lovingly. Anna was lost in confusion. Was he not mad at her? Did he not plan to torture her? Why was he being so damned sweet?

"Anna. Did you let them out before or after our deal," he asked; his mouth was close to hers that she felt every word. Anna's heart sank for a moment.

"Nice try. It was before we made our deal, Hao."

"Pity. I would rather have had Yoh suffer than you." He kissed her soft and long. Anna shut her eyes, sighing inwardly.

Anna…Anna…I am going to protect you. I will not let Hao harm you.

I will be fine. If you try, anything Hao might harm you.

He cannot do much to me. I am a part of him.

He can kill you; destroy your existence if you get involved. Your friends need you, Patch needs you, and so do I. Do not do anything stupid or I will train your ass off if we get out of this.

Oh…I will be good. Yoh reply was filled with his fear but it was soft and understanding.

The kiss ended and the next thing Anna knew, Hao's hand hit her in the back of the head. She heard a mental, angry curse before she blacked out.


It is one of my shorter chapters butI wanted it to be the last half ofOnce Upon A Dream. I hope you enjoyed this chapter none the less. I went to the AX05 and just came back with an itching to write. I was dressed as Anna. I tried to go as the Iron Maiden but I didn't finish my costume in time. Well I will try to update with the second half and Twin Heros.