Disclaimer: I own nothing except this story wherein the characters used are not owned by me. So Anna returned and the story continues...

Chapter 10: Homecoming

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Near the door, Yoh sat, holding Anna's still body. Unable to let go for fear that she might ran away from him again. She returned. She returned to Yoh. All he can feel was her warmth enveloping her, something that he hadn't felt in a long time. Something that he yearned for a long time but was unable to suffice it.

Recovering his daze, he stood and carried Anna inside just as Tamao was about to follow Yoh. The sound of plates meeting the floor was heard through out the whole house as Tamao brought her hand to her gaping mouth.

Tamao

I came out from inside carrying the plates to follow Yoh-kun and greet the new visitor.

"Yoh-kun?"

Crash.

I dropped the plates as soon as I saw Yoh carrying Anna's limp form, probably unconscious. "Anna!" I gasped. The other people heard it for they also rushed out of the room, eager to see what can be seen.

Manta

Anna? Anna is here? Anna came back?

"Yoh!"

Horo Horo

She returned? Now?

Pirika

I ran out with my chest pounding. Did I heard Tamao right? Anna? I saw Yoh carrying Anna-san inside and accidentally stepped on the plates that Tamao broke.

"Anna! Ow!"

"What now?" My nii-chan turned to me.

"I hurt myself with the broken plates!"

He placed a hand over my mouth which smelled of food and hissed, "Sshh...Keep quiet! I'm watching..."

I struggled to get his hand away from my poor mouth. "Mmmrppppghhh!" I jumped away from him to attend to my cuts which were starting to hurt badly.

Ren

What the hell is the matter with this people?

Oh.

Hao

A lazy smile crossed my handsome features. Hohoho! Look who's here? Look who decided to pay us some visit? I was at right place at the right time.

Aya

I ran out as well when I heard it. I heard it from Tamao. Tamao said Anna, right? I saw Yoh-kun carrying her. They were right. She had the same color of hair as mine and in my guess, same built as me. Damn. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I watched as Yoh carried her to a couch, and laid her gently. Why was it that some part of me feels...hurt? I should be happy for Yoh. His fiancée has returned already, he will be happy and would return to his original self. But now, I don't know where to place myself. I can't actually amble myself with them, can I? Damn it.

---

Everybody followed Yoh as he gently laid Anna on the couch. His eyebrows creased in an unusual way.

"Anna?"

Silence. Everyone could only watch as they gathered around. Hao sensing the unease building up in Aya, gazed at her. He leaned on the wall watching Aya clutch her hand to her chest.

"Tamao?" Yoh addressed to the girl with pink hair still gaping. "Can you get me some warm water please?"

"H-hai!" Tamao immediately fetched the warm water with a towel and brought it to Yoh. Pirika began cleaning up the broken plates and by this time was all cleaned up.

"Yoh? You ok?" Horo Horo touched Yoh shoulders lightly. Yoh looked up at Horo Horo and grinned.

"Of course I am." His gaze slid back to Anna. He placed the damp towel on Anna's forehead that was burning with fever. Anna moaned and moved slightly.

"You know? They could use some fresh air." Pirika observed and decided to clear up the people. "Come on, we should continue eating. The food might get cold." And she started by pulling his brother's arm. Everybody followed, leaving Yoh and Tamao to take care of Anna.

"Anna?" Yoh held Anna's hand as Tamao wiped Anna's other arm clean.

"Did she faint?" Tamao asked.

"Hai."

"Anna-sama must be feeling pretty tired."

"I guess so. Will she be alright?" Yoh asked hopefully to the prophetess.

Tamao smiled gently, assuring him. "She will be. She will be needing rest. The fever will pass and maybe by tomorrow she will be alright."

"Thank you, Tamao-chan." Yoh thanked gratefully. Tamao blushed prettily and nodded.

"Why don't you take her to her room, Yoh-kun? She will be comfortable there. Wait here, I will arrange it for Anna-sama." Tamao rushed to Anna's room to arrange the slumber place of the itako.

"This is very surprising." Pirika managed to babble over the silent group.

"Just eat." Horo Horo didn't mind everyone else as long as he's eating.

"You are always surprised over everything." Ren sneered at the female Ainu.

"What do you care!" Pirika pounded her fist on the table. "Anyway, I'm not like you. At least I have other feelings." She shrugged.

"It's a great coincidence. She returned when we are all here." Manta observed.

"Maybe she wanted to inform that to everyone herself to save Yoh from spreading the news."

Ren crossed his arms. "That's ridiculous. She doesn't even know we are here!"

"You are ridiculous, Ren." Horo Horo quipped in, crumbs sticking out to the corners of his mouth. He started touching Ren's hair. "Whoa, what do you use with these? Egg whites?"

"What!" Ren Tao glared at Horo Horo. "Stop touching me, you overgrown piece of crap!"

"Ahohoho!" Horo laughed.

"Your hair doesn't look normal to me either! Kisama!"

"Cut it out, you two." Pirika said as Ren and Horo Horo started fighting. Horo Horo almost threw Ren a fork to help with.

"Do you think Yoh will feel happy about Anna-san's return?" Aya asked, pertaining actually to no one. She had been quiet through out the whole meal and this was the first time she spoke. And throughout the whole meal, Hao had been eyeing her. Watching as she rolled peas on her plate then fidget. Aya had been completely nervous through out the meal though she shouldn't be. She was a friend after all. She is not an intruder who entered this house and waited to be caught.

This time Hao answered. "Of course he will be. Anna is his fiancée and he loved her." Hao tried to place much emphasis on the word loved. Ren and Horo Horo were still busy fighting with each other, while Pirika and Manta were listening.

"Oh." That was the only word that stumbled out of Aya's mouth. Hao chuckled and placed his hands behind his head. He seemed to be enjoying this, still not taking his eyes of Aya as Pirika and Manta exchanged looks that both showed confusion.

---

"Yoh-kun? You can bring her to her room now." Tamao came from Anna's bedroom.

"Thank you." Yoh scooped Anna and carried her to her room. Tamao proceeded to the kitchen to arrange the raging group that already started fighting.

Yoh gently laid her and tucked her under a blanket and sat beside her. He sighed, not knowing what to feel at this exact moment. But maybe some of his feelings are recognizable. He felt glad and relieved and happy. Something that makes him want to float and put his arms around her but decided against it for fear of waking her up from her peaceful sleep. That can wait. He grinned then reached out to touch Anna's cheek, missing something. In a few hours, she'll start glaring at Yoh again. Ordering him about, scowling, and criticizing his every mood but he didn't care. Just for once he didn't. Anna turned to her side, facing Yoh but still asleep. Yoh had to smile as he tenderly held Anna's hand in both of his and placed it near his chest. He closed his eyes, feeling it at the same time sleepiness washing him over. He slowly fell beside Anna facing her, her hand still in his grasp.

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"Tamao-chan, my dear," Horo Horo exaggeratedly drawled under his breath and tilting Tamao's chin, "Thank you for that wonderful meal." He grinned as Tamao blushed furiously, stammering.

"O-of c-course...anytime Horo-kun."

"Don't believe everything he says." Pirika whacked his brother's head.

"Oww! I mean it!"

"Nii-chan. Let's go home."

"I am going. Just give Yoh my regards." Ren Tao said then left the other way, scowling at Horo Horo who tried to imitate his hair using the upward motion of his hands while being pulled on by his sister. Ren was thinking that it was a pity he wasn't able to talk to Pirika with his annoying brother's pesters.

Aya faced Tamao, smiling. "They are funny aren't they?"

"Yes...and sweet." Tamao added.

Aya poked Tamao at the side and winked conspiratorially, "I get that. You like him, don't you?"

"I..."

Aya laughed at Tamao's obvious distress at the question. "You don't have to answer that. I have to go Tamao-chan. Thank you very much. It's such a pleasure working with you." She bowed politely and left. Hao followed after hastily rendering a goodbye and regards to Yoh thru Tamao. He left.

---

Anna woke up to the feel of sunlight warm on her face. It took a while to focus her vision and turned, to find out that she couldn't because her other hand is stuck. Her mind was reeling and she felt heavy but he felt better than last night.

Last night.

What happened last night? She scanned her thoughts, wanting to remember. She remembered walking with her things...feeling tired and depressed and worrying about something she couldn't comprehend. As her vision became clear, it was then that she recognized that she wasn't lying at her bed, the bed that she used to lay on when she ran away. This was her room back then at their house. She gasped, suddenly jerking her head to the direction to where her hand is stuck.

And there, she found Yoh's peaceful face asleep, her hand clutched in his chest.

She faced him fully, just staring. So he didn't change much after all. This time, it was Anna's turn to touch him, running her other hand across his features, his breathing timed and even, his breath warm on her hand. Imagine Anna's eagerness to meet Yoh again and now they did, she wanted to cry. Tears welled up in her eyes. What would she say now? She knew that sooner or later, Yoh would have to ask questions that needed answers. Answers that needed reasons.

She put the thoughts aside because for now she had to be strong. No matter what.

She moved closer to him, slowly untangling her hand in his and placed her arms around him.

I'm sorry...

She wanted to say but she couldn't. Words were barred on her throat. She wanted to ask for forgiveness.

To him.

Only to him.

She never said sorry to anyone before. But now she does want to but found out that she couldn't.

I'm sorry.

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A/n: revised as of 3/27/2007