Thank you for your time reading this story, for giving it a chance and for all the favourite, follows and comments, they're greatly appreciate it! :)
Chapter 1 has been updated - small grammar mistakes fixed and timeline added in notes.
TIMELINE: After the Pyron fight. Also, please note that Manta has already visited their house and just imagine the events had happened the exact way they happened in the manga, but without Ryu as we haven't reached that arc yet. Any questions, let me know.
UPDATED grammar: 28.06.2021
Chapter 3: Vulnerability
"Amidamaru..."
"Yes, Anna?"
"You liked it to the cinema, right?"
"Oh yes, I enjoyed it greatly! It's really fun and I can get in for free!" Amidamaru responded with enthusiasm while Anna listened with a bored look.
"Good. You've done well in adding Yoh in the battle against Jun and Pyron two days ago, why don't you go to the cinema? There's a marathon on classic movies running today according to my magazine, but I don't have the patience to go and watch it myself."
"That sounds great, Anna, but Yoh-dono..."
"I'll watch him, don't worry and if we need you, I'll send Manta after you. I will FEED him Amidamaru and maybe I won't kick him if he behaves and depending on how he feels when he wakes up I might or not make him train, stop making those faces. Now go and you'd better be out at least half-day and come back with a full review of at least two of the movies because I want to know if it's worth wasting my time going myself to watch them. Don't spoil me the end, just tell me if it's good."
"But..."
"You've been sitting indoors watching all my soap operas for two days now, you almost know them better than me and that's really absurd, just go, Yoh will be fine..."
"He's been sleeping for 12 hours! He only woke up to eat and then he went back to sleep! I know it's Yoh we're talking about, but…"
"The doctors told us the painkillers will make him sleepy and at least he's eating normally, so nothing to worry. Unless the food Manta cooked is poisoned, Yoh shall be fine. And this is like the third or fourth time in two days I have to remind you this Amidamaru, then you go watch another episode and when it finishes you ask me again about Yoh's wellbeing, you're really pissing me off and you know my patience is little with those things…"
"But..."
"OUT! Or you're making a one-way trip to hell!" Anna snapped angrily.
"Yes, Anna, I will go..." Amidamaru said feeling guilty for feeling excited to go to the cinemas. Part of him felt bad he was going out to have fun and leave his wounded master with Anna, the not so caring violent train all day Anna. If only he knew that Anna had other plans in mind…
As soon as Amidamaru was gone, Anna made sure all the other ghosts have errands to run all afternoon till late evening. House now entirely empty, she checked the time - 14:30. Manta was probably still at school and she knew he had class until late, so he shouldn't be showing up any soon.
Although not as worse as Yoh, Manta got quite the beating too. However, his wounds were less serious, so he was able to go to school. Anna called in sick for her and Yoh for a couple of days. With such enemies on their tracks, it wouldn't have been a smart move to let Yoh all by himself in the house, especially since he slept most of the time. Manta was keeping them updated with school work and that's why he was also coming to visit them later.
Anna went to Yoh's room and opened the door slowly to peak in. The boy was sleeping on the futon, with his face up and his arm laying across his face, covering his eyes, while the other laid on the side. Due to him moving on his sleep, the covers had slipped just below his belly button, revealing some of his bandages and bruises. He was wearing his usual green trousers and unbuttoned shirt out of comfort and easiness to change bandages. His arms also had some bruises and there were some band aids on his cheeks. Yoh also had a bandage around his head, but it was barely visible because of his hair covering it.
Determined, Anna crawled on all fours to get closer and stopped at his side before she boldly brought her face in front of his, just above his arm to stare at his sleeping face. He seemed to be breathing OK and his mouth was slightly opened, a thin line of saliva falling out if it. 'There's something seriously wrong with me if this sight makes me think he's adorable' Anna thought blushing.
She started to inspect his bandages, first those from his face, then she looked at the ones on his body. They were looking good, she probably won't need to change them again, but the bruises will need some more cream applied to them.
They went to the hospital to get Yoh and Manta checked after 'the street fight' they got unintentional involved in. The doctors instructed her and Yoh what to do and gave them painkillers to help ease the pain from the wounds. Anna made sure no one else was at home when she changed his bandages and applied the cream to his wounds. At that point, Yoh was still so sore and tired from the battle that Anna was sure he didn't even remember it. She watched him sleep and read her magazine next to him until everyone came back home.
When Manta asked who helped Yoh change his bandages, she said he's strong enough to do it by himself at which the short boy fumed behind her back earning one of Anna's slippers on his head for muttering about her. Amidamaru, however, had a feeling Anna helped, but was too afraid to say something out loud even to Manta since he didn't exactly have proof. The loyal ghost had been with Anna or Yoh all the time, despite that time he was out because Anna sent him to check if she forgot her purse at the cinema, of which he was sure she didn't, but was too scared to argue.
When Amidamaru came back, Anna was watching TV as usual and he checked on Yoh before joining her. He noticed the fresh bandages and the used cream, yet Yoh looked in deep sleep and judging from how out he's been, Amidamru had his doubts Yoh had done anything by himself. He knew when his master was awake or half awake and he didn't feel it at all while he's been in the house. Something was up, but Amidamaru had the new episode to watch and keep his mind busy, so he didn't dwell too much on thinking about it. Finding out if Fernando cheated on Camille with Lucinda or Maria was more important at that time.
Anna was staring spitefully at a particular blue purple bruise from Yoh's stomach. She cursed Pyron, Jun, Ren and their whole family for hurting her fiancée. She should have sent an evil ghost to hunt them if it wouldn't have been the fear that they'll find some twisted way to use it back against them.
Anna took a look at his face again. No movement, he seemed as usual in deep sleep. And she was certain there was no one in the house. As her and Yoh's relationship recently changed, so did their boundaries. Thus, getting this close to Yoh felt normal now to Anna who was dearly enjoying their newfound intimacy. That didn't mean she wasn't still flustered at times, but with him asleep, she felt bolder. That is why, she was about to do something she'd never thought her 'prior deal Anna' would ever do.
She moved the hair from her ear and placed it gently, slowly on his chest, careful not to hurt him or land on a bruise. She closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeat. She just wanted to hear he was alive.
Anna wouldn't admit it, even to herself, but the fight with Pyron and the way he threw Yoh around, had been hard to watch. Concern over his life had crossed her mind, yet not her features, more than she could recount that night. She had to believe in Yoh he would make it through the fight and come victorious and she truly did, but that didn't mean that part of her hadn't been absolutely terrified for his life.
At the end of the fight, she was incredibly proud of him and his development following her training. She will put him go through hell training combined with intense training if that would mean he gets to see the next day because his physical body would be strong and resistant enough to withstand pain.
Yoh's heart sounded fine, beating rhythmically and relaxing her into fully leaning by his side, with her feet stretching on the floor. Her head was still resting on his chest, sitting on her side contently listening to his heartbeat the same way he would listen to his headphones. It sounded so alive, so comforting.
She was about to dose off when she noticed a change in the beat. It was beating much quicker now. Initially, Anna thought something was wrong, he's getting a heart attack or whatever, but then she realized what the other reason could be. She heard that type of beat before and her heart confirmed it as it started beating faster too.
She moved her head slowly, so her face was now facing his chest and she brought her arms around her head, hiding her features and her now tomato red face. 'This is not happening, I'm so embarrassed I can't even move from my place, the idiot was supposed to be in some deep unconscious sleep!'
Yoh was sleeping peacefully. He felt now and then some pain going through his body, but it was bearable, a sign the painkillers were doing their job. Then, he thought he felt movement, his shamanic senses going on alert, but he calmed down because he instantly recognized this presence. He was grateful his hand was on his face, hiding his blush. This way he could continue his so-called sleeping because he was intrigued by her appearance.
It wasn't the first time he felt her coming into the room. Yoh noticed her doing that yesterday at least two times when she probably thought he was in deep slumber, yet his senses woke him enough to acknowledge any close presence before going back to his rest. He had no idea what she did aside from changing his bandages and tending to his wounds, his memory all hazy from his exhaustion. He also knew every time Amidamaru came in, yet, again, he was too torn out to open his eyes and assure his loyal ghost he will be fine.
It was the first time he felt better and closer to feeling like himself, so he was grateful he could wake up enough to register what Anna was up this time. He heard her coming very close, a sign that the house was to themselves. He felt her hair on his face and arm, tickling him, yet he tried not to move while she seemed to carefully inspect his face. His blush increased and he hoped she won't notice.
Thankfully, she then moved, but her next movement left Yoh in total awe and he was surprised he managed not to give himself in. He peeked at her by slowly moving his arm up and saw the back of her head. The girl had placed her head on his chest, seemingly listening to his heartbeat.
Yoh was so taken aback he couldn't stop his eyes from going wide open, moving his arm, to stare in astonishment at her. She was just sitting there and listening to his heartbeat while slowly relaxing and leaning more on him. He felt touched by the closure and it was showing.
He was blushing madly and realized his heartbeat alerted his state of awareness because he saw her suddenly shift. She moved her face so now it was fully lying on his chest and her arms came around her head to hide her features from him. His shy smile suddenly turned into a big grin because he found her embarrassment amusing and incredibly cute. He loved this hidden side of Anna she was now sharing with him.
Boldly, yet tenderly not to scare her, he reached with his hand on her back, feeling some strands of her soft hair. She tensed under his touch a bit before he felt her relax, but continued her motionless state of sitting on him and hiding. Her warm breathing felt nice on his chest and once again he couldn't stop thinking how cute she looked, even if she was all hiding.
"Hey, you OK?"
"No..." her voice came muffled.
"No?" He asked burrows frowned in sudden concern.
"No, I can't move. It's all your fault, how long have you been awake?" She asked while she rose her arm an inch so she could peek at his face.
"I can feel when someone's around and I know how to tell when it's you."
"So, from the beginning?!" She asked in a pitchy squeaky voice she didn't recognize as her own.
"Well, yes..."
"I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU ANYMORE, LEAVE ME ALONE!" She cried turning her face back on his chest.
"I'm sorry Anna." He said laughing at her embarrassment, yet comforting her with his hand on her back. "Come on, I was just curious, I didn't expect you to come starring at my face and then to check my heartbeat...I mean, you know there's electronic equipment that do that, right?" Yoh commented trying to lighten the mood.
"SHUT UP! I was checking on you." Anna complained pouting with her face still hidden while she clenched and unclenched her fist trying to contain the mix of emotions overflowing - anger, embarrassment, amusement, love, the 'you're lucky you're my idiot and we've made a deal or else I would have hit you by now'.
"Arigato, Anna, I appreciate it. Can I see your face?"
"Why?"
"Because you're cute."
"I said I'm not talking to you anymore."
"Oh, come on, Anna, I'm just teasing."
"You're lucky I agreed I can't tease your face with my fist."
"Thank you, Anna!" Yoh beamed and he moved his hand from her back to her head. He liked her hair, it was soft and so pretty and he'd always wanted to play with it.
"TAKE that hand off my hair."
"Why, did you not wash it?"
"YOH ASAKURA, YOU'RE DEAD!" Anna roared and finally got up.
Face red now both from embarrassment and anger she jumped at him but Yoh rolled out of the bed and run out of the room through the house. His body still hurt and he probably shouldn't be running, but he didn't want to miss this chance of playing a bit of chasing with Anna. If he had read her well, she shouldn't have actually been upset with him, but with the overwhelming and new emotions he was causing her to feel and she didn't know how to handle. So Yoh thought a bit of running around should help her lose some of the steam. Plus, he really enjoyed teasing her without getting hit.
Anna was running after him. He looked behind his should at her:
"I can see your face now!"
"YOU'RE IN BIG TROUBLE, especially if these wounds open, COME HERE!" She shouted chasing after him out of the house.
"But you said to leave you alone."
"YOH ASAKURA, COME HERE!"
Yoh ran out the house gate till he reached the park, made a turn for the cemetery and then made it back, Anna always on his back. Rather than aiming to lose her, he slowed down a couple of times for her to catch up. She noticed and stared at him but he shrugged innocently. He was enjoying this little tag game and he wasn't too worried she'll catch him, after all, he was running every day of his life. Yes, he'd been out for almost two full days, but he was a shaman and his power was also reflected in his physical strength and fast ability to recover.
Anna was also having fun though she didn't think this could happen. She thought she'll catch him and shake some sense into him literally, but realized later that due to her training it would be impossible to overrun him. However, to her surprise, he was playing with her, slowing down at times, so she can still follow. She also couldn't believe she chased him through half of the neighbourhood, she swore she saw at least one of their house ghosts and even Manta walking home. Hopefully, none of their other classmates were around to see them or they might get into big trouble. Well, she didn't have time to think about that, she was too busy smiling and running after Yoh.
By the time they made it back home, Anna was almost out of breath. They both laid on the porch, facing each other, feeling exhausted. He grabbed her hand and she was surprised to feel it as something so natural. She was smiling gratefully.
Yoh as well, was glad that Anna didn't flinch and actually looked happy because of the contact. He was content he could touch her now, play with her and talk to her so naturally without fearing she'll hit him or bite back with some ice-cold remark. He was getting used to seeing this warm side of Anna, overflowing with emotions of love for him and smiling more around him. It felt nice and made him feel those fuzzy warm feelings inside and so much joy.
"If I make you dinner, am I forgiven?"
"Maybe."
"Have you ever played tag before?"
"No." Anna said and Yoh didn't miss the hurt that flashed in her eyes for a second.
"How about hide and seek? We can play after dinner?"
"That sounds like a childish thing to do."
"Yeah, but I promise you it's also fun, come on, I can teach you a lot of games! It's good for training too, it helps with the senses, I swear! I can also teach you how to feel my presence so we're even about the whole me knowing when you're around."
"I know how to do that too, idiot, I'm not that clueless!" She said a bit annoyed as she lightly slapped him on his shoulder with her free hand.
"What about the games?" He insisted hopefully.
Silence. Anna avoided his gaze and looked at the ceiling instead. He felt her hand go limp in his. They were still laying on the porch.
"Grandfather didn't play with me, he was too serious to engage in such 'childish behavior', I've never had anyone to play either." Yoh said with a hint of sadness in his voice looking at Anna.
Her face was unreadable, yet not for Yoh. "I saw others play and always wanted to try, but since I was also training, I barely had time. I tried playing with the ghosts, but most of the time they weren't interested. I bet grandma wasn't better at playing either."
"I stayed away from people, you know why..." She sighed, but this time she didn't hide her sadness. She untwined their hands and moved closer so she could place her head on his chest, unconsciously seeking his comfort and warmth presence. And she also laying there before, it made her feel at ease.
Yoh would have been once again taken aback by her bold action, but he felt that there was something more in her movement. The noticeable hurt in her voice, the way she gently crawled and laid on him, the way her heart didn't race from the embarrassment but seemed to beat as if scared of something, everything just screamed at him that something was off about her. He realized how vulnerable she was at that moment and gently placed his arms securely around her, waiting for her to voice out whatever was bothering her. She seemed to appreciate his embrace and let her hands rest on top of his.
Anna suddenly felt tired from all the running, from all the hiding and she was exhausted from feeling so many things and trying to conceal them from the world. She didn't want to do that around him anymore. She knew he could read her quite well, but still felt the need to voice out her sorrows in an attempt to let the past back with all its sadness and stinging painful memories, so she could be able to embrace the future, the future she wanted with him, full of joy, warmth and love.
"My family abandoned me when I was young, I barely have any memories of them, so I decided to just not think of them since they didn't want me and it…hurt. Then your grandmother took me in for the same reason they didn't want me - my power. I grew up with her and tried to stay away from the people around me because of my uncontrollable powers. I didn't even go to school, your grandma asked a friend to homeschool me, so I could at least know the basics.
I lost it once while I was learning with her because I couldn't understand what she was trying to teach me. She was usually calm and composed as Kino had instructed her, but this time she got really frustrated with me and her mind was just filled with negative thoughts - stupid girl, why is she so dumb today, why am I wasting my time, a pretty face like her it's better off with an empty head. Before I knew it, an oni appeared and because she didn't see him, she didn't duck from the blow. There was blood. I screamed and then everything went black.
When I woke up, your grandmother was there and I was in my room. She told me I knew how to read, write and do math, so that was enough for me for now. I found out later I didn't kill that lady, I've seen her later on while I was out buying something from the shops. She was terrified of me. I was terrified of people.
So I tried to stay away even though I wanted to join the games and play. Sometimes oni would just appear because I stared too much at people and unconsciously listened to their thoughts combined with mine and then I would have to scare the people away so they won't get hurt. There was always blood. So, in the end, I just learnt to stay hidden and avoid people. It was easier to avoid them than to keep my powers in check. It was too much for me and I was so young…
Your grandma never got upset or lectured me, but told me to be careful in a low voice. She never threatened to abandon me or leave me, but as your grandfather, she wasn't very prone to playing or being friendly or affectionate either. If she wanted something she would demand and hit. If she wanted something from me, she would say and I obeyed because I didn't want to give her a chance to have second thoughts about keeping me in.
That's also the reason I've never asked for anything. Somehow, she found a way to keep her mind blocked from me, so I won't be able to read it, but I still wanted her to be pleased with me and expressed my gratitude this way.
I grew by myself being thankful that at least someone was there that I wasn't able to kill. Even when I found out that she wanted me to be your wife, I didn't say no, just obeyed. Now looking back, I think that was the only decision I don't regret accepting out blindly of everything she put me to do or go through. For all that was before it, to be here with you now, I think it was all worth it."
Anna released a long breath. She felt relieved to finally have said it out loud. She shifted in his embrace wanting to see his eyes and what he thought. She hoped he won't pity her or do something silly like crying. But of course, he did, but Anna smiled.
Yoh wasn't crying and his tearing was barely visible. His eyes didn't feel pity for her, but understanding. He knew how loneliness felt, he knew what listening to others blindly despite your own wishes meant. He knew what growing up in a cold environment meant despite you wanting warmth and affection and someone to laugh with. He felt her hand on his face, brushing off the tear he didn't even feel it felt off.
He met her gaze, now back to her usual features and he smiled.
"I am sorry you were so isolated and that I wasn't there earlier on, we could have kept each other company and maybe we wouldn't have had such lonely childhoods" Yoh said hugging her.
"Didn't you hear what I said? You wouldn't have liked me back then, I could have killed you, I almost killed you a couple of times." She replied circling her hands around his neck, but never breaking eye contact.
"Maybe or maybe not, you can't know that. I might have been able to help earlier on."
"That's naive Yoh and you know it. As me, you were only a kid at that time, the last thing you wanted was to have to hang out with a girl like me. You would have hated it and me, and then I would have killed you in annoyance for hating me."
"Well, I really like you now."
"I like you now too. And I had ever since we first met and I've learnt you really like me despite the monster that I was…"
"You weren't a monster, you were just lonely and hurt. And me too, I mean, I liked you ever since I saw you too."
They hugged each other and sat in silence enjoying the comfort and warmth of their embrace.
Suddenly their bodies stiffened and their faces turned red as realization hit in.
"Yoh... did we just…confess?"
"Yeah…I think we did. Twice actually." He said awkwardly.
"Yeah, twice..." She also replied awkwardly.
They broke the embrace and looked at each other. And then they both started giggling. The giggle quickly turned into laughing and then they were both laughing out loud.
Anna couldn't remember when was the last time she laughed this much or just laughed. She didn't know she could make this sound. But the silliness of the situation and the natural confessions combined with their awkward faces just made her laugh.
Yoh was laughing because he couldn't believe their first confession came out so simply and that Anna responded as if he was asking about their dinner or next meal. And they did it twice! He also enjoyed to hear her laugh, he didn't think he heard it before and it was beautiful.
"Yoh?" She asked when she finally caught her breath.
"Yes, Anna?" Yoh asked watching her smile at him.
"Show me some games after dinner and then I have something to show you myself, but first, let's check your bandages."
"Amidamaru, I'm telling you, Anna is going to kill Yoh before the shaman tournament even starts. If she hadn't been so crazy about becoming Shaman Queen, I bet she would have teamed up with Ren by now to kill Yoh! Just out of pure evilness, I swear!" Manta frenetically explained to Amidamaru.
The two met on the way to Yoh's house. Amidamaru's movie marathon was interrupted by an unexpected malfunction in the projection, ending in the people from the cinematograph having to send everyone home. And giving them their money back, well to those who had to pay, ghosts don't and Amidamaru loved that.
"Manta, I am sure despite her hell training and her villain behaviour, she actually has Yoh-dono's best interest at heart. If Yoh-dono didn't train so hard, his body wouldn't have been able to survive Pyron's fists of fury. And she also sent me to the movies, so maybe in time, she'll change or show us a kind side." Amidamaru said trying to convince Manta as much as himself.
"KIND SIDE?! OK, I do agree maybe the training helped him survive the fight with Pyron, but Amidamaru, she sent you to the movies because she wanted to know if they're worth her time and get Yoh alone so she can train him! I saw her chasing him through the park. I know they were at quite some distance from me, but I am one hundred percent that were Anna and Yoh. He barely just regained consciousness and she's making him ran like mad through the park?! That's not OK Amidamaru and you know it…"
"Yes, I agree, but there's nothing we can do about it…" The ghost admitted with sadness.
"Yes, we can! We need to get Anna off his head as much as possible! That's why I took this detour to this fancy spa and got a voucher for Anna."
"A voucher? Spa?" Amidamaru asked with curiosity.
"Yes, a voucher is a piece of paper where you can add money on so you can use it later, you usually give it as a gift to someone. A spa is a place where you relax by getting your body pampered with things such as massages and long baths. Anna likes getting attention and looking her best, so I bet she loves this kind of stuff and I'll give it to her as a thank you for helping Yoh. What do you think?"
"Brilliant idea, Manta! I am sure Yoh will also be grateful!" Amidamaru said with his eyes tearing with happiness and relief.
"Yoh, Anna, I'm here!" Manta shouted when they got in the house.
"I'm here too. Yoh-dono?"
"Hmm, that's weird, the house seems quiet…could they still be out training?"
"No, I can feel Yoh here, follow me Manta."
The two got to the hall and reached the door to the storage closet. When they opened it, they found Yoh sitting in the darkness and apparently trying his best to hide away from them behind some boxes.
"Yoh-dono, are you OK, what are you doing here?" Amidamaru asked alarmed.
"Hiding from Anna…" Yoh said sheepishly. He felt Manta and Amidamaru approaching, but it's not like he had anywhere to go, so he tried to hide from them too. He forgot Amidamaru could sense him.
"THAT'S IT!" Manta snapped. "This is inhuman, poor Yoh has to hide in his own house away from the she-devil, this is not OK at all, Yoh you need help!"
"Manta, I…"
"What's with all this noise?" A familiar annoyed voice was heard approaching.
Manta slammed the door back closed before Yoh had a chance to get out or say anything more and put himself in a protective stance in front of it. Amidamaru looked with panic in his eyes between Manta and Anna while he could also feel his master's distress coming from the closet. Somehow, Amidamaru felt Anna's dreadful aura was more frightening than usual, kind of like the last time she was throwing furniture around the house.
"What are you hiding in there? Is that where Yoh's been hiding and sleeping instead of working?" Anna asked irritated.
"None of your business!" Manta bravely responded, too furious to care if she'll beat him to death. He was seriously concerned for his friend's wellbeing.
"Excuse-me?" Anna's eyes widen.
"No, no excuses! Yoh almost got killed two days ago and he deserves to rest, not to go through one of your hell training straight after! Seriously Anna?! You made him ran through the park, you make him change his bandages while he's unconscious, throw things at him! Shamans are human beings too, leave him alone!" Manta defended fuming.
"Or else?" Anna threatened between her teeth.
"Or else?!" Manta asked taken aback by the cold threatening reply.
Her eyes were throwing daggers at him and Manta felt as if he just lost half of his life. He saw her fist trembling of fury. He felt Yoh try to push the door open, but he blocked it, staying firmly in his place protecting the door. He will fight back, somehow…
Anna took a step towards Manta and raised her fist.
"OR ELSE HE'LL GIVE YOU A VOUCHER!" Amidamaru blurred frightened just as Anna's fist almost collided with Manta's nose at full force, but she miraculously stopped upon hearing the ghost's voice.
She left Manta alone and looked at Amidamaru instead. Despite his panic, he noticed Anna seemed to be trembling slightly.
"A voucher?"
"Yes! Here!" Manta said taking it out and biting his tongue from telling her she doesn't deserve it, yet he saw her eyes narrow in anger as if she could read his mind. "It's a voucher to the spa, you can use it whenever you want this month. Go there and enjoy everything they have and in the meantime I and Amidamaru will make sure Yoh is also properly rested and ready for the next training. Come on, he deserves it, he's still recovering from the fight!"
"And you deserve it too from training Yoh-dono so hard and watching over him. A break is good for you too, Anna." Amidamaru encouraged trying to help Manta.
Her eyes narrowed.
"I WON'T KILL HIM, DAMN IT, YOH, STOP IT!" Anna screamed all of a sudden, making Manta and Amidamaru shrink. Her gaze then focused on Manta who seemed so surprised by her yell that all his courage seemed to have left him. He was just there standing, slightly trembling in fear, with his arm still outstretched with the voucher.
"I meant it, you shrimp. I won't kill you today, you stop it with these stupid nonsense speeches of yours and I'll take this, thank you, and use it if I want and when I want." Anna rephrased and took the voucher with her right hand while she slapped Manta hard with the legendary left. The poor boy lost balance and fell to the ground unconscious.
Amidamaru flinched and was afraid he'll be next, but that's when the storage door opened revealing Yoh. Anna changed her focus towards him, still burning with fury, yet Amidamaru noticed something strange in the girl's eyes, something like fear? Yoh also seemed not himself, looking seriously at Anna.
"He's still breathing." Anna complained pointing at the still unconscious Manta.
"That's not what I meant." Yoh replied.
To Amidamaru's surprise, Anna seemed to calm down, yet her behavior was really intriguing to the ghost. She was biting her lip and seemed to nervously play with her fingers. She still held that menacing 'I'll kill you' look, yet it somehow looked softer towards Yoh.
"I didn't get a chance to tell you, I was going to show you after this as I've mentioned, but…"
Amidamaru felt both teens look at him quickly, before returning to what seemed to be a non-verbal exchange between them. He knew that it would have been better for him to make an excuse and disappear, yet he felt bad to leave his master and Manta with Anna, although the former seemed to have it surprisingly under control.
That's when a sudden thought crossed his mind - did Yoh-dono and Anna keep something from him and Manta? What would his master not tell him? Did Anna threaten him not to? Did it have something to do with that aura coming from Anna that now seemed to be slowly fading away? He didn't get a chance to think more about it because Anna's voice talking to Yoh once again drew his attention.
"We'll talk, I promise, but not now and not because of what you think…"
Amidamaru felt Anna's gaze on him.
"YOU. Not. A. Word. Or. HELL." She said angrily, yet her words came in ragged breaths as if she just came out from running. Then she looked at Yoh. "And YOU. Catch…"
Amidamaru watched in astonishment as Yoh jumped surprised to catch Anna who just collapsed. He picked her up bridal style with a concerned look on his face.
"Yoh-dono, is she OK? What happened?" The ghost asked confused by the sudden turn of events.
"Amidamaru, she'll be fine, she's just…tired. She can't keep up with my training, you know she ran after me and stuff…" Yoh said sheepishly, slightly blushing.
To Amidamaru's relief, he saw the boy's serious concerned face fall and return to his normal smiling self. "Just trust me, OK Amidamaru? And please don't say anything about this…"
"Of course, Yoh-dono, you and Anna can trust me."
"Thanks, now I'll take care of Anna, can you please watch Manta, I'll be back to see how he's feeling shortly."
Amidamaru nodded and watched Yoh head with Anna upstairs. The boy had a big grin on his face and was slightly blushing. He noticed Anna seemed conscious, but he failed to see that she was also blushing and hiding once again her face on Yoh's chest.
Special thank you and credits to my Shaman King friends for the Amidamaru watching soap operas idea!
