Shaman King

Kouzoku Waga Herutsu

'Following My Heart'

Romance/Humour

Rated T

Pairings: Yoh+Anna, Ren+Pirika, Lyserg+Jeanne, HoroHoro+Tamao, Ryu+Jun, Faust+Eliza

Summary: Manta has tickets to a five star hotel in Hokkaido and has invited everyone. It was intended to be a nice relaxing trip where you could just chill out…but you and me both know that's impossible when the boys are hormonal teenagers and the girls are just not having any of it. Yoh's shy, Anna's stiff. Ren's prideful, Pirika's stubborn. HoroHoro's clueless, Tamao is confused. Ryu is flirtatious and Jun is thinking. What on earth is going to ensue when the 'ones not caught up in love' decided to do some stuff…coughcoughpushpeopletogethercoughcough Why you shouldn't get tickets to Hokkaido and be stuck with quarrelling teenagers who really need to sort out their fusses.

DRAMATIC AND SAD CHAPTER THIS CHAPTER AND A BIT RANDOM PEOPLE! This is more or less and Yoh and Anna chapter…

Cast

Yoh 15

Anna 15

Tamao 14

HoroHoro 15

Manta 15

Ren 14

Pirika 14

Ryu 20

Jun 19

Hao 15

Faust 36 O.O

Eliza 35

Chocolove 15

Lyserg 14

Jeanne 14

Marco (The Paedo is here for some reason…to get sneered at) 35

And all the random spirits…and Opacho…7

Ryoi 15

Jukio 14-15

Chapter Six: Fragments of Anna's past-The Boy That She Lost

Anna rolled her eyes and sighed heavily as HoroHoro and Yoh fought over the last bit of steak at the breakfast table. It was bad enough the previous day when they were fighting over ice cream, which of course because the world is a cruel place landed plonk on her. She had definitely given them a good lashing for their immaturity and seriously, they were fighting over Opacho's favourite ice cream…and the colour murky black wasn't appealing to many; unless they were two baka's by the names of Yoh and HoroHoro.

Of course, when Yoh saw that the ice cream was on Anna, he apologised and started arguing about it with HoroHoro. She'd been flattered that now he was solely fighting over the fact that the contents had spilled over her, but there loud noises were driving her crazy and her period was at its worst, so they really got it bad this time around.

Manta, blushing quite subtly was plaiting Jukio's hair, while she was examining herself in her pocket mirror. Her father had said she always thought others were so much prettier than her, yet she appeared to be rather vain…ah, the facts of life don't apply to oblivious fathers unfortunately.

Hao was instructed Lyserg to speak from his heart about Jeanne, but a fed up dowser had asked Hao to set things straight. Bemused, he had queried why so and his reply was that he failed to take Anna from Yoh and owed Lyserg a favour, so at this the shaman shrugged and smiled.

Pirika was silently gazing at Ren. She had heard of his heroics, making him seem like a shining knight in armour and his outward affection while she was asleep. But, if he hadn't have been in such a temper for no apparent reason and come running past her like she was air vapour, none of the life threatening events would have transpired.

Jun was watching Ryu gel his hair as she had long finished her book and Ryu, seeing her enthusiasm at intensely viewing his hair antics, had possibly blushed faintly for the first time in his life. It quickly faded, but the ever sharp senses of Kyouyama Anna caught it and upon seeing it, her lips curved upwards in a small smile.

Ryoi was humming a tune from one of Anna's soaps called 'march of the proud' which he had memorised from one of Anna's many CDs. He had memorised a few of Ringo's songs also, but he preferred the catchy phrases of the rhyming song he was humming softly and Anna had to admit, he sounded like he might have a good voice.

Faust and Eliza were locked in an embrace, with a confused Opacho observing them like a tiger deprived of food for many, many weeks. Ren inwardly grumbled at the boy's innocent nature. He wasn't THAT much younger than them, right? Well…he was seven. He stole a quick glance at Pirika to find her gazing emotionlessly out of the window. He sighed. Gazing emotionlessly out of a window was something Anna must have mastered, because she did it on numerous occasions. Ren sometimes wondered why Anna was the way she was, but told himself it was her personal life and he had absolutely no right to butt in.

Chocolove was telling Tamao a joke about sharks and after it finished instead of giving a polite chuckle as she usually did, she looked absolutely horrified and doubtful. HoroHoro sensed her distress and got up, pushing Chocolove away from her to go bother a still sulky from yesterday Jeanne and a very unclean looking Marco, only to his dismay to find when he arrived back at the breakfast table, the heavenly gorgeous looking steak had vanished; and that Yoh looked casual but had barbecue sauce all over his mouth…

Anna found herself absentmindedly gazing at the Asakura and wiping the suspicious sauce off of his face and ignoring furious glares from HoroHoro, turned to face her. He grinned adorably at her and she gave him a shy and almost restricted smile. It wasn't that she didn't just love his smiles…it just reminded her a tad too much of a little lad she once knew from her childhood.

FLASHBACK

The seven year old itako sighed an placed the book of rituals she was reading down, scratching the back of her head thoughtfully. Kino had asked her to go and retrieve the groceries, yet so immersed in the reading of her ritual book she had forgotten and if you forgot a task Kino set you…all hell would break loose.

She stretched out her aching limbs and grudgingly reached her feet, despite the exhaustion that shot through her. The blonde haired girl began to walk, her muscles tense but when she got to the door, she managed to wrench it open with her little arms and stumble out, looking mighty weary.

After a while under the harsh sun, she was joined by the Asakura cat guardian, a Nekomata, known as Matamune. He purred softly and was met by a sharp glare.

"Ah you baka cat, why didn't you remind me about the groceries?" She demanded. He smiled at her affectionately, but her eyes only sharpened more with venom.

"Gomen Anna-chan, I thought you required a rest. Kino-sama has been running you ragged with all these extensive itako training lessons." He replied in a concerned tone.

"Huh, baka. I can take care of myself. I am strong and independent; no one is allowed to look out for me." The cat sighed in resignation before a soft smile played on his lips.

"Ne Anna-chan, you know you're not alone."

Silence.

And then…

"Matamune no baka. If I wasn't alone, why did my parent beat me? Why did they kill my grandfather in front of my eyes because he stood up for me? Why did they abandon me? Why did the humans call me names and hurt me? Grandfather was the only one who cared, besides…grandmother told me at her death bed not to let anyone in because I would somehow hurt them, and now look at grandfather…"

"Anna…" he cut in gently. With an upturned nose, she quickened her pace, leaving a thoughtful appearing Matamune behind. "You're forgetting one other person you know besides me and Kino…"

END FLASHBACK

Her forehead creased in exasperation. Matamune had thought she had not heard him, and yet she hand, ever so slightly and on the way, she had pondered on his words. A faint smile graced her features as HoroHoro began to lob meatballs at Yoh from across the table and an angered Yoh shot back. It had quickly developed into a full fledged food fight, but Anna was much too busy reminiscing to pay heed. Though…if a meatball came her way…

Her eyes closed and the smile vanished as if it had never been there in the first place. She focused her mind on remembering the first time she had met him, or rather; the first time she recalled his familiarity.

FLASHBACK

"Oh I left the money…" Anna said slowly, causing the shop owner to arch his eyebrow. He frowned and grabbed her arm, eyes very hard and daunting.

"Then you work girl." Anna inwardly groaned. She COULDN'T. Kino wanted her back straight away after buying groceries to learn about summoning some big spirit or what not.

"I'm afraid I can't." His grip tightened.

"Then are you gonna nick it?"

"Of course not sir, just let me get the money…" His grip tightened yet again and she winced. Suddenly, a hand was placed on the man's shoulder. He grumbled and turned around, to come face to face with a little boy on a stool.

Anna blinked.

"Here sir."

The boy with hair colour exactly the same was her grinned at the man, handing him some money; on closer inspection the right amount of yen Anna needed to pay. She gaped, but her icy expression slid back into place. Nodding with approval, he released Anna and walked back to his counter.

Anna found the boy gazing intently at her, his expression saddened and unsure. Her eyebrow cocked up and he cocked his head to the side, with the expression evident. Muttering 'thank you' Anna gathered her stuff and walked out of the shop. The boy stood there silently, before he grinned cheerily.

Anna was about three metres out of the shop when she heard shouts from behind her. "Hey!" The boy from earlier called out, catching up with her, "Don't leave me hanging Anna." He broke into a stupid grin at her clearly surprised expression, but then she gave him a menacing glare.

"Look, I've said thank you and I won't bother learning why you know my name, but…"

"Anna," the boy sighed dejectedly, black eyes meeting black, "surely you remember me?" The itako stood dumbfounded before shaking her head. He gave her a wounded smile.

"I do not…"

"It's me, tsuin-chan!"

END FLASHBACK

She recalled her eyes widening with shock at the boy's claim. Then, her hand whipped across his face and she stormed off, leaving him gaping after her. She knew it was true, but forced herself not to believe.

"Now!" Hao exclaimed cheerfully, plonking himself down next to Anna, who glanced at him in a bored way, "Let's play truth or dare!" Ren, on his second bottle of milk for the day, spat it out, right onto HoroHoro.

"NANI! Count me out! I will not let you ask who I love because that is my secret and I will not tell you it is Piri…I SAID I WOULD NOT TELL YOU DAMMIT!" Anna whacked him on the back of the head. "CURSE YOU WOMAN!"

"Baka," she snorted calmly, shooting a smirking Hao a death glare, "we all know who you love; and I didn't even have to read your mind." Everyone sweat drops except Pirika, Yoh, Tamao and Hao.

"Anyway," Ryoi cut in, grinning, "lemme go first." Everyone nodded and Anna rolled her eyes. The game was childish enough, but the enthusiasm of the people was gagging her. "Anna, truth or dare?"

"Truth…"

"Righty! Anna, do you love Yoh?" Anna blushed and her mouth opened slightly.

"Ah…I'm not playing this infernal game!"

"C'mon Anna-chan! Please! I'm dying to know!"

"I said no!"

"Please Anna! I have a right to know…right?"

"Oh sorry, let me make it clearer. I said Ahem NO!"

"Anna!"

"Do you want to join Amidamaru in the world of the deceased my dear?"

"What? Amidamaru, do you have a scout club in the spirit realm?"

"Why yes Yoh-dono."

"(SIGH) Yoh..?"

"Yep!"

"Shall I tell you something I must have said before?" Yoh's eyes widened, a blush appearing on his face. Anna had said THAT before?

"HAI!" (Mega cheerful)

"You're a baka."

"Oh…" he replied in a sad tone.

"Anna?"

"Yes Spiky?"

"Yes."

"Huh?"

"You do."

"Huh? What?"

"Nothing, anyways! Manta ask someone!"

"Uh…J…J…J…J…" Anna rolled her eyes.

"He wants to know who you like." Anna cut in dully but pointedly at Jukio. She flashed Manta a grin and pampered her hair, making Anna inwardly groan and Hao smile dumbly at her reaction.

"Oh…I like…all the boys who have bods on them! Ho ho! Like you for instance Yoh…"

"MOVING ON." Anna stated sharply, "I think I should ask…Hao?"

"Yes?" He responded, a tad surprised she had asked him.

"Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Why is your hair long?"

"'Cause it's damn sexy."

"Anyways, Yoh truth or dare?" Chocolove asked.

"Dare."

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Did you think of one of your blasted jokes?"

"No Ren, my dare is on the extremes and I'm gonna have to run after saying it!"

"What is it?" Anna sighed impatiently. Chocolove's eyes twinkled.

"Kiss Anna on the lips."

She choked on her breath.

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FLASH BACK

She sat, leaning against the tree trunk, hugging her knees to her delicate frame. Matamune appeared at her side, smiling wistfully at her.

"Anna…"

"He is NOT my twin brother. I never had a sibling."

"Oh Anna. He was always there for you…"

"I do not!"

"Anna…"

"Hey!" A voice shouted cheerfully. Anna gave a frosty glare to the five minute older boy resembling her practically in all appearance gawked and followed up by a coaxing grin.

Honestly, for the last month he had been stalking her, trying to convince him he was her older twin brother. In fact he was, and she knew he had always cared, but pushed the memories far from her mind. She told herself she hated him and she told him that but he just usually smiled at her wistfully, aware she was lying to him and herself. Getting yourself to hate someone who had a telepathic twin link was nigh impossible.

"What?" She uttered, casting the ground a solemn gaze. His expression softened and he walked towards her, settling himself down by her side.

"Tsuin-chan, I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to help you…I wanted to, but I…"

"Daissuke no baka," she heavily sighed, running a hand through her plaited blonde hair, "it wasn't your fault." He blanked out before giving her an innocent look.

"You've accepted that I am your brother?" He remarked hopefully. A vein pulsated atop Anna's head and he sweat dropped as she turned to him, enveloped by a fiery aura.

"I NEVER SAID THAT BAKA!" And she grabbed his collar and flung him into the tree she leant against, reaching her feet and dusting herself down. She stared at the tree impassively, before giving a nod of approval and walking away. Daissuke was hidden amongst the leaves grinning at her disappearing figure. Matamune gave a light hearted smile. She wasn't in denial any longer.

END FLASHBACK

Anna was in a jumble now. She'd had another memory about her twin brother Daissuke Rai Kyouyama and Chocolove had dared Yoh to kiss her. She was distracted by the memory and her brows burrowed in annoyance.

"Ooh! Go on Master!" Ryu yelled proudly. Yoh gulped, a blush on his face and sweat beads running down his face faster than a waterfall. Hao pouted in a mournful way and snapping back into reality and alerted to the fact, there was yet another eye roll from the itako.

"Well Yoh?"

"H…a…i." Anna's eyes shot fully open and she glanced at Yoh with a startled expression in full display. He grinned sheepishly and scooted over to her, herself still dazed.

Hao glared at his twin and promptly turned his head away in disgust, making a 'humph' sound. Yoh's face neared hers slowly. Anna cursed as she found her body unwilling to move. Either he was taking it slow because he was nervous, or on the other hand was trying to do it for dramatic effects.

She closed her eyes as she felt something press against her lips but quickly pulled away. Her eyes tentatively opened to see everyone's jaw in the ground and Yoh sitting on his knees, twiddling with his fingers, a bug blush on his face and looking very meek.

"WAAA!" Chocolove yelled, "I was KIDDING! Geez! I cannot believe you mustered up the courage to do that!" Yoh hung his head, but stared at a dimly blushing Anna who was only a very short distance away.

"Gomen ne…I'll go jump off the M4…"

"Calm down baka," Anna interrupted, much to everyone else's surprise, "I didn't feel it anyway." She looked away, her blush increasing, but everyone noticed this. They grinned. Anna saying that meant she wasn't angry for him kissing her and for once Yoh understood and a big, cheesy Yoh-grin appeared on his face.

"Anyway…Hao, truth or dare?"

"I've had my…dare?"

"Go copy Yoh."

"Hai!" He exclaimed in a sing song voice, waltzing towards Anna. Before she walloped him, Yoh had already beaten her to it, knocking his brother into the nearest wall, looking very evil like. Anna's flushed face was viewable and she rapped at her head due to the sappiness effecting her central nerves system, while everyone smiled and Yoh glared at poor Ryoi, who sat there sweat dropping.

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LAST FLASHBACK

'Let me out wench.' The oni hissed as the girl sat there, rocking herself. She was surrounded by tall trees, in the heart of a spiritual forest and was all alone.

There was no reply, but only silence. The oni let out a long growl from inside her mind, trying to force its way out. She resisted and felt as if her head was about to explode. 'Girl. Let me out this instance!'

"No!"

'Fine then…' She let out a scream and collapsed onto her hands and knees, sweat trickling down her face. A shadowy figure materialised next to her. A large black ogre with glowing red eyes, stood there, looking terribly enraged.

"You will die now wench!" Her eyes widened. Why would the oni kill her? He would cease to exist if he did and that…was what she wanted. So, the seven year old sat there, eyes with set determination but wavering on fear. Though not totally prepared, she was ready to die. The angered oni was so fuming it had forgotten she had created him, accidentally of course, but still…

Then she realised something. The oni had never before had the power of speaking outside her mind, so why was it now? Had it gained even more power? She closed her eyes, awaiting the impact as a black surge was shot out of the oni's hand.

Daissuke, seeking his sister out, felt it. Anna's life force deplete by a vast amount. Pupils dilating, his turned his attention to the heart of the forest he was trekking in and sped down the route which he was so sure led to his troubled sister.

Anna instinctively placed her hand on her wounded shoulder. She had dodged the oni's blast and it had skimmed her shoulder, burning and scarring her flesh. She was paralyzed and couldn't dodge this time as another black surge was fired and closing her eyes once more, awaited her fated demise…yet; nothing came.

She regretted opening her eyes. And they immediately widened. She had been pushed out of the way and now saw what the black surge had hit; Daissuke. It had torn through his stomach, the oni pausing to see the blonde haired boy falling to the grass below. As Anna watched, eyes wide, he turned to her, cringing and one eye closed, a grin plastered on his face.

"I did it Anna-chan," he said merrily, coughing and spluttering out blood, "I did something right." The oni, realising what it had nearly done, returned to Anna's subconscious. Daissuke's body landed on the grass below with a thud and regaining any rational thought, she rushed over to him, picking his limp body up and placing it on her lap.

He gritted his teeth; one eye still closed and gazed up at her, still grinning.

"Oni-chan." His grin widened and expression softened.

"I did it Anna," he said, her eyes widening, "you finally called…me…br…o…the…r." And as Matamune came racing towards the scene on his all fours, he stopped almost at the instant of arriving, his eyes big and displaying disbelief, as Anna sat there, cradling her brother in her arms, tears streaming down her face for the first time in years, eyes full of emotions once hidden, Daissuke's own blood splattered upon her; though even he was sleeping an eternal sleep now, he was still grinning.

END LAST FLASHBACK

Tears threatened to fall, but she held them back, biting her lower lip. Why were the memories returning to her? Because she had just noticed Daissuke and Yoh had matching smiles in a way, yet they were different. She cast a gaze to the boy and seeing her sad look he felt his heart sadden and quickly rushed to her side, wrapping his arms around her and planting a kiss on her forehead.

She gawked at him, but only felt a slight bit of heat building in her cheeks and smiling softly took his hand in hers, resting her head against his chest and listening to his rhythmic heartbeat which lulled her to sleep.

Not seeing what was going on, the others were in a majorly competitive game of truth or dare.

"Right! I have a sneaky idea!" Pirika exclaimed, glancing cheekily at HoroHoro and Tamao, who blushed. She seemed to look thoughtful. "Ok, well Anna-chan asked me to do this at whatever right opportunity." She flashed Anna a smile and gaped at the cute scene, but then happily shrugged and glanced back at Tamao and HoroHoro.

"What is it?" They both chorused in squeaky voices.

"Yeah, what?" Ren asked, staring suspiciously at her. Jun smiled at her brother. Jeanne looked down at her knees and Hao stared at Jeanne and Lyserg glared at Hao, while all the while Ryu was gelling his hair.

"Tamao dare or dare?"

"Eh? Sis, isn't it..?"

"Dare, ok Tamao!"

"But Pirika-chan!"

"I DARE you to answer HoroHoro's invitation to the dance." She said smugly, giving the two beet red blushers a broad grin. Ren restrained his urge to laugh and cast Pirika an 'oh-that-is-harsh' look. Her response was a teasing smile. Tamao blanked out, remembering her conversation with Anna.

"So…" Tamao began, looking anxious and jumpy, "do I love him?" Anna rolled her eyes.

"I can't answer that."

"But you seem to know…"

"Ok. So I do, but I want you to figure it out yourself Tamao-chan."

She inwardly sighed and gave HoroHoro a long and hard stare, making him feel even more uncomfortable.

"May I have time to think it over?"

Pirika smiled.

Anna raked a hand through her hair and began to twiddle around with her golden strands which shone under the silvery glow of the moonlight. She was by the lake, sitting just as Pirika had been, contemplating on the reawakened memories of her dear brother, who had also saved her life. As she had sat there, with him in her arms, her grandmother's taunt had returned. Then, her opening heart closed once again, thinking it was truly her fault people who tried to help her got killed, but knowingly; she felt her twin had died happily…but she had never forgiven herself, nor ever would.

This lake had become a frequently visited spot by her at midnight and she would sit, gazing at her reflection in the water and think until usually two am at least. She was usually alone when she did this as no one was aware she took these visits. But then she felt a warm hand upon her shoulder.

Her head whirled around to see Hao there, smiling fondly at her in a way Yoh did. She acknowledged he was there by a brief nod of her head and guessing he was invited, sat down next to her. They sat together under the darkened sky, not exchanging a word, until Hao gave her a lopsided look.

"Nani?" Anna queried softly, tucking a golden strand behind her ear, Hao chuckled softly, before his expression sobered up.

"You were thinking," he started, receiving a puzzled glance, "about Daissuke." She could have gone mental and hit him, she could have slapped him, but she sat there, gazing at him intently.

"So…how are you aware of my brother?"

"Well, when we were both little, my Reishi linked with yours and I saw what happened; all since you were born technically. And I had a feeling you were thinking about him." Anna sighed and nodded again, staring gloomily at the sparkling water below.

"So…you've invaded my privacy all my life."

A nod.

"And yet I didn't feel my Reishi link with yours."

"Ah, because you could not control it."

"And now it has returned to me."

"That is good." She shot him an angrily burning glare, but he simply raised an eyebrow back.

"Why is it?"

"You can control it this time around, ne?"

Silence.

Anna appeared thoughtful and then Hao cupped her chin with his hand, forcing her to look straight into his eyes. "I think this is one of the world's apologises, Anna." He released her and she turned to gaze at the starless sky, gaze transfixed on the crescent moon.

"He was the only one who truly understood me; in a ways as Yoh understands you."

A slight chuckle.

"Yes, you are correct. I believe it is known as a telepathic link between twins, hai?" She nodded in agreement and turned to Hao, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Hai and Hao?"

"Hai?"

"Arigatou."

Tsuzuku

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Wow, my chapters keep getting shorter and shorter. Hopefully chapter seven will be longer. That, besides the truth or dare, was not intended to be a humorous chapter. Yeah, Daissuke was a bit random, right. Oh well. Half the stuff is made up about Anna's past by the way. Oh, and thanks to who ever gave me the review about Opacho's actual age, because I had no idea what it was beforehand -.

Preview For Chapter Seven

He gave her the puppy dog look and sighing, Jeanne rolled her eyes and finally gave in to Lyserg. Marco glowered at the dowser from the sidelines though.

"Fine Lyserg…-kun, you are forgiven."

"Arigatou Jeanne-sama and I…"

"AND HE WANTS YOU TO GO TO THE DANCE WITH HIM!" Hao interjected cheerfully.

Anna and Tamao sighed as the sparks between Pirika and Jukio started off again. Tamao glanced at Anna in a confused manner.

"Why are we watching this?"

"Because it's entertainment without turning the TV on."

"Oh Jun-sama!" Ryu called in a sing song voice. The green haired Tao smiled and waved at him.

"Hai Ryu-kun?"

"Well I…" Ryu paused, a slight red underlining developing. Tao Ren rolled his eyes.

"Baka." He murmured under his breath. He looked up at his elder sister, frowning. "He wants you to go with his repulsive self to the upcoming third anniversary resort dance!"

End Preview For Chapter Seven

Bye and thx if you reviewed.