Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King, blah, blah, blah.
Chapter Four: Somewhere Other Than Here
Yoh.
Anna stood still. It was as if time had stopped, but her heart was still beating. And it was going faster by the second.
Yoh was stunned as well. His hands went cold.
Utsumi turned to him, noticing that the hand she held was like ice. "What's wrong Yoh?" she asked.
At the sound of her voice, Anna finally took notice of her.
Anna sucked in her breath. This was turning into a very awkward situation.
Meanwhile, Yoh's mind was in a blur. He couldn't think. He was barely aware that Utsumi was looking at him with concern. His eyes never left Anna's face.
Say something.
The thought surged into Yoh's mind, urging him. Still, he hesitated.
Say something.
It kept nagging him and he finally forced the last of his reluctance away.
"Ann-"
"ANNA!"
Yoh's feeble attempt was cut short by…a guy?
A guy who looks suspiciously like our age, Yoh observed as the said person grabbed Anna's hand.
Anna winced as Keiji touched her hand. They still haven't recovered from Keiji's hold a few seconds ago.
"I've been looking all over for you." Keiji said, worry etched clearly in his blue eyes and completely oblivious to Yoh and Utsumi's presence.
Anna's initial irritation gave way to guilt. He was only concerned and it was her fault, anyway.
"Master Shotoku's already in our rooms, he wants to talk to you."
Anna frowned. "Is something wrong?' she asked.
Keiji shook his head. "I don't think so, but still, we better go." He said.
Nodding her head, Anna agreed and they began to leave. She made a point not to look in Yoh's direction, even though she wanted to.
When they were gone, Yoh was silent, dumbfounded at what just took place.
"Keiji, I need to go to the washroom."
They stopped walking for a moment before Keiji unwillingly let go of her hand.
Thank you. Anna thought before entering the washroom.
She stepped in front of the mirror and turned on the faucet. The sound of water soothed her. She really had no business in the washroom. She just needed some time to think, alone. She placed her hands in the rushing water and watched as it spilled from her hands.
What's wrong with me? Anna asked herself. I knew I was going to see him. This is the Shaman Convention, he's Shaman King. Obviously, he was going to be here.
But she didn't count on him seeing her. Anna had expected that she would just hide in the shadows until the Convention was over. They would never have to encounter each other.
Fat chance of that now, she thought glumly.
Her thoughts went back to the scene. An image of Utsumi materialized in her head.
Utsumi. His girlfriend.
She was beautiful, with her black hair and slender built.
She looked so warm. That's probably why he liked her in the first place. Unlike me, who's just a cold-hearted bitch.
Anna stared resentfully at her reflection in the mirror and then looked at the door. She wondered if Keiji was waiting for her or had already gone to Master Shotoku.
She sighed and turned off the faucet. She snatched some paper towels and wiped her hands with it before walking out.
Keiji did wait for her.
"Our enemies are moving." Shotoku said, solemnly.
"Are they in the convention?" Keiji inquired.
"I'm afraid so," he looked at Anna, "we should do our best to fend them off."
The fire in the fireplace flickered as silence fell on them. Keiji broke it.
"What about the Shaman King?"
Anna spoke, with steel in her voice.
"He will not be involved."