Prologue
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Anna walked home, feeling sulky. She was considering something that was going to change everything and against to what she felt. God, forgive her. If she was ever wrong for thinking of doing such drastic actions, then forgive her still. Maybe it was better if it was left this way. He may not understand it now but he would in time. And he would forget her…in time.
She just can't take it anymore. Her job to him was done and there was nothing left to do with him. He may not need her. There was nothing she could do now…but leave. Will he take it?
She sighed and squinted up at the clear blue sky. This is going to be hard but …
She walked inside and took her shoes off. She found Yoh wearing an apron and stirring something in the kitchen. Her heart ached for him but if she didn't do it now, then when?
She cleared her throat loudly for Yoh to notice her. He was grinning at her and she could see that his apron was stained with chocolate.
"I can see your hands full of those things."
"Oh Anna! You're here already." He laughed. "Hmm…yes. I was trying to make some kind of desert for you…but…" He stirred more. "It doesn't seem okay. Could you…take a look at it?" Yoh said with pleading, his eyes bright.
Anna walked over to the pan to see the messy place of a kitchen, where ingredients were tossed over here and there. She rolled her eyes in resignation and took the ladle from him. She tasted the mixture while he watched curiously and waited for the result. Actually, the mixture was a little sweet but would do well. She looked at him and returned the ladle.
"Well?"
"Fine." She eyed the kitchen over with one eyebrow cocked. "You clean."
He sighed as if released from a death sentence. "Yes ma'am."
She turned and walked into her room.
Perfect. Just perfect.
She can start her packing while he is cooking. She'd be ready to go at dawn. She opened her closets quietly and packed them neatly, careful not to make any noise that might disturb Yoh. She can hear him humming below. She wondered if he would still hum like that when she's gone?
Later at dinner, they ate the cake that Yoh had made. Not bad, but still Anna would wince every now and then while chewing but Yoh ignored it and continued talking and eating. He was saying something about what they would do in summer.
She stared at him. What was it about him that hurt her and left her longing for him? Of course, she doesn't know. If she knew, would she be asking now? No, of course not.
Yoh was feeling light today and happy merely because he was able to please Anna. It's enough just to sit with her and talk endlessly, now and then, see her nod and glare at him or talk in monosyllables. Yet, something was terribly wrong. She maybe like this always but something is really amiss. She seems so distant, so far away but then of course maybe it was just his imagination. He shook his head. He was daydreaming again no doubt and even having hallucinations. Whatever.
It was nearly 11 o'clock when they said goodnight and went to bed. Yoh, despite of warning himself that he was having delusions, can still feel something bad and the fear that swallowed him further, allow him no sleep.
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He sat up, perspiring. He grasped the sheets and through it back and walked to Anna's room. He walked quietly like a cat would, and just as quietly as he had came; he opened the door and peered inside. He found Anna asleep soundly beneath the covers and with a smile to himself, returned back to his room.
As he lay, however, his fear was lessened but not much as he'd hoped. Thinking hard, his mind seemed want to burst, he finally went to sleep.
It was at the morning as Yoh went to Anna's room to wake her up that confirmed his fears. Worst fears. Anna was gone but then he thought that maybe she was just around the house doing something like sweeping and cleaning for a change but he still doubted it.
He made a tour around the house but Anna was nowhere to be found. He was already feeling desperate as he walked unsurely back to her room. Where could she be gone? He asked himself a million times.
There was only one way to know. He trotted straight to the closet and opened it.
"What?" Yoh said. Anna's clothes were gone, all gone.
Yoh found nothing more to say. He looked down and found a note lying on the bottom of the closet. He opened it and read the note.
Goodbye.
One word. It simply said goodbye. Nothing more…nothing less. She's gone for good.
One word was all it took to make him fall down on his knees and unaware, tears stream down his eyes.
Why?
He didn't know. What has he done to make her leave?
He just sat there. Waiting for nothing…
She's gone.
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A/n: revised as of 03/26/2007