Chapter 5- Goodbye Anna!

"I'm going back to Izumo, Manta."

"WHA?"

Yoh took out his suitcase and started packing all his belongings in his room. Manta stood there wide-eyed not believing what he's seeing. Immediately Manta thought that he was the reason for Yoh's departure. Like last time after their first meeting and battle with Faust, Manta remembered clearly after the battle,Yoh had specifically told him if they stayed friends then he would end up getting in his way of becoming Shaman King. Therefore, giving Manta the boot was the only option. But they worked it all out and both told each other "Let bygones be bygones." and never brought up the subject again. Manta was both confused and hurt that Yoh was doing this to him again. He clenched his tiny fists.

"BUT WHY?"

Yoh glanced over at his short friend. "I just have my reasons. Let's just leave it at that." he replied rather coldly.

Manta was getting mad now. Friends shouldn't hide things from each other no matter what, they should work together and figure out a way to help one another. "DAMMIT YOH! WHAT THE HELL DID I DO THIS TIME? I've been nothing but a good friend to you! And the last time I've check, I haven't gotten in your way of becoming Shaman King 'cause the dumb tournament is OVER!"

Yoh gave his breathless friend a strange look trying to figure out where he got all this crap from. " Manta, what the hell are you talking about? This has nothing to do with you!"

Manta fell over anime style feeling like a complete moron. Okay, so maybe he should confirm things before jumping to conclusions next time. Manta slapped his forehead in relieve.

"Sheeesh! Why didn't you say so. So whats your real reason for leaving then?" he inquired cautiously trying not to jump to anything yet.

Yoh stopped packing and looked at his friend again. "Manta, why does everything bad always happen to the nice guy? "

"What do you mean?"

Yoh sat down on his bed. "Last week I saw Anna and Hao in the kitchen. They were..Well...it looked like they were pretty 'fond' of each other...that's all. It has nothing to do with you buddy." he gave Manta a weak smile.

"Oh... I see." was all the short one could manage. He was partly relieved that it was not him that Yoh had a problem with, but he mostly felt really sad because Yoh was in so much pain at the moment.

"But that's a dumb reason to leave, Yoh. I mean you have friends that care about you and not to mention you've already lived here for so long, it would just be pointless going back home."

Yoh sighed and then smiled. "I know. I'm not planning on leaving forever. I just need some time alone."

"For how long?"

"I dunno. But like I said, I won't be gone forever." Yoh smiled at his sad friend.

Manta lowered his head. "Ya, but I still won't get to see you..."

Little did they know, a certain Itako stood at the doorway and heard the whole conversation between them.

(Next Morning)

The next day, Yoh woke up extra early to pack more of his belongings for his trip.

'Maybe I should stay there for good. It might be for the best...' he thought.

He stopped packing and sat on his bed trying to figure out if what he decided was for the best or not. For one, he is leaving behind all his best friend, especially Manta. They've been friends for such a long time and suddenly leaving like this could leave him pretty hurt. But Manta would be even more hurt if he stayed and acted like a jerk towards him because of the way things are lately, right? Yoh clenched his head in frustration. Everything is so complicated!

Knock knock...

"Come in." Yoh said flatly.

"Good morning, Yoh." Anna walked in.

Having the one he didn't want to see the most in his room, Yoh lowered his head trying to avoid eye contact with her as much as possible. He was already miserable enough as it is he didn't need his poor excuse for a fiancee to make things worse for him. So they just stood in silence for the next while. Anna, trying to break the awkwardness, suddenly spoke up.

"So...um...It's a nice morning today, don't you agree? It's great whether for training." she said trying to remind him of their past happiness where they lived each day without any kind of grief or worry. Just care-free. Those were the best years ofAnna's life up until now; up until the 'Hao Incident'.

"Why don't you get Hao to do it? I'm sure he'll be happy to comply. After all, a bitch loves to be ordered around by his owner." Anna's eyes widened in disbelief

She went right over to him and smacked him clear across the face. She looked at Yoh furiously.

"Why are you being like this?" Anna demanded.

Yoh closed his suitcase and headed towards the exit of his bedroom. At the same time Anna ran over and grabbed his shoulder, desperate to make him change his mind. It would hurt her terribly if he was gone on account of a misunderstanding.

"Please don't go Yoh. You have to believe me! What happened between Hao and I was a total misunderstanding!"

Yoh stopped and turned his head enough to see a bit of Anna.

"Anna..." he said softly.

"Yoh..." Anna said with a glimmer of hope that he believes her.

"...Goodbye." with that he jerked his shoulder and descended down the stairs. The cold hearted Itako that has never let anything catch her emotions off guard fell on her knees and was left standing there with tear stained eyes.

'Damn you Asakura...'

End chapter 5

TBC...