Thank you for your time reading this and especially for your time commenting, it really means a lot to me and motivates me to continue this story ^_^.

TIMELINE - Still the day before Tokagero comes, but after Manta left, hours later. Continued from chapter 4.

10.07.2021 - Small change to story description.


Chapter 5: …and a talk about us (part 2)

"OK, now back to training." Anna said dropping his hand, getting up motioning for him to start back the push-ups.

"Wait, wait, I thought the training wasn't supposed to be part of the deal why do I keep on training then?!" Yoh said taken aback.

"Yeah, it wasn't, but you moved too slow tonight with your training and now we don't have a lot of time to spend after, so had to combine them. I've increased your training lately and I can't just back it down now, can I? What if Ren's brother comes at your door one day with Pyron2.0? Or his cousin with Pyron100.0, you need to be on your best, and you had a break for lunch." She said in a playful voice shrugging innocently. "And we're still spending time together, so don't worry. I'll make it up next time, I promise, I have a plan, I'll take you out somewhere nice, we can have our first date out, let that all on me, now come on, resume your training, I want to climb back." She ushed him.

"But, but what about your powers? And we're going out, as in out, out?!" Yoh asked blushing madly and mildly stammering.

"That's a surprise, you'll just have to wait for it. And my powers? That's about it really, I'll learn how to control them, I'm working on that."

"Don't you need help training them like you're training me?" Yoh asked resuming his push-up position and watching Anna climb back on him eagerly.

"If I need help I'll ask, don't worry, leave the training part to me. Come on, we're running out of time, Amidamaru will be coming back."

"Where is he anyway?"

"I sent him on another trip around the town, but gave him the Osaka map instead to make sure he takes longer finding the streets…" Anna said playing again with his hair.

"ANNA!"

"Oh, stop complaining Yoh, he's a 600 years ghost, he'll be fine, he can just float above and find the house back."

"That's not my point Anna." Yoh said a bit annoyed they were back to the initial argument. "Give Amidamaru a break, he always tries his best to please you and not only out of fear. I mean it, he respects you and I'm sure that even if he would find us, he wouldn't go running around and telling everyone." Yoh rephrased his previous arguments on defending Amidamaru.

"Are you implying we should tell him about us?" Anna said her voice raising unconsciously, a tint of panic coming out of it.

"No, that's not something I am implying, that's something we would decide together if we want to."

"I suppose next thing you'll want is to also tell him about my powers. That at least we'll scare him enough to leave us alone." She continued angry, yet her panic was raising.

"No, your powers are a totally different matter that I am sure you would prefer it to stay between us for now." Yoh replied with a grave voice.

"Oh, I don't know Yoh, it was initially just about us, but now it seems it's about us and everyone else around so why not?!" She shouted annoyed, her voice rather shaky and she felt tears pricking at the corner of her eyes. Her fists clenched.

"Anna, stop it, that's not what I mean and you know it! And please calm down, that's my hair you're pulling at." Yoh said slightly raising his voice and stopped the push-ups.

Anna tensed and went silent. He barely ever raised his voice, so him doing that earned an immediate reaction from her. He felt her release his hair she had unconsciously pulled at and felt her starting to rub the area soothingly in an attempt to apologize.

They just had their first fight and Anna was nervous. Did she mess things up because she let her panic and fears control her?

Yoh was also shaken by the argument. Would Anna get out of the deal if anyone did find out? Would she get back to old Anna? Yoh took a deep breath, channelled his inner self and turned his head towards her. He stared at her until she looked back and they made eye contact. Then he spoke in a calm confident voice.

"Anna, your powers are something for us because it's only us that knows how to deal with them and understand them, so let's keep it between us as we did before. We'll work on that or you'll work on that, but I want you to know that, as last time, I am here for you. Don't hide from me, we're way past that, also considering our deal. So, if you are hurting or struggling in any way, let me in and I will try to help, OK? Don't just brush it off, I know it mustn't be easy on you… It's also not easy to admit you might be stronger than me at the moment, but I will try to catch up with you on my way to becoming Shaman King to ease your way as promised, but it might take a while, so be upfront about your powers with me, OK? Hang in there and trust me I will be there to catch you." Yoh finished with a big smile.

For anyone else, Anna's face could have been read as bored or lacking any reaction. However, Yoh knew she was letting his words sink in. He saw her nod and whisper a shy soft 'Thank you'. He broke the eye contact and turned his head back while he resumed his training.

Yoh was too anxious about the next part that he wanted to talk about with her to be able to look at her. He was rather nervous, so it was one of those really rare occasions he was grateful he had also training to keep him distracted from his feelings, so he could focus on his words and what he wanted to convey through them. He took a deep breath, before he let his heart speak in a shy, yet determined voice, and with a small smile on his face.

"And about the deal…No one's gonna come between us, OK? Even if someone like Amidamaru or Manta or another ghost would find out or I don't know, guess it, that wouldn't change us or the deal or especially how I feel towards you." Yoh added in a comforting voice because he felt Anna's previous distress. His hair too. "I know the deal was just us, but if things do change and other people find somehow about us, I won't drop my part of the deal and it wouldn't affect how I feel about you at all. I mean, I would probably be embarrassed and still prefer doing things like hugging or playing or this while we're alone, but Anna, I would seriously still love you. And if you, however, want to drop the deal and go back to…" Yoh continued his voice shaking towards the end, his push-up speed having increased due to his nervousness.

"I DON'T. Stop your rumbling for a second and stop moving up and down, I am trying to think." Anna said harshly.

He froze with his body up from the ground. Yoh felt her head falling on his and could feel her tensing, her body going stiff on him. He was also rather nervous, waiting for her response. He was so desperate for her not to drop the deal that he decided it's worth to confess his feelings. He didn't regret doing it, but he was extremely jittery to hear her response or feel her reaction. Did she even hear him? He felt her slightly move.

His hands were sweating, his heart was racing and he tried to keep his breathing even. He was good at reading her and even though he could feel she genuinely needed time to think, the wait was killing him more than the awkward pose he was stuck in with her. He finally heard her talk, but her voice was almost a whisper, yet tender.

"I don't want to drop the deal either and you're right, even if someone would find out, I don't think I could actually be able to drop the deal…" 'It would kill me…' She thought but didn't say it out loud. "I like how things are now between us and, as you, I wouldn't be able to go back because I want to go forward with you."

Yoh felt Anna shift and saw her leaning towards his face, holding on to his body with her arms circling around his neck while trying to balance her legs so she won't fall. Then he felt her soft lips on his cheek for a brief second before her voice whispered in his ear softly:

"I love you too, even if the whole world finds about us, I would never go back on my feelings either."

Yoh's limbs gave in and he collapsed on the ground feeling too overwhelmed, yet overjoyed at the same time. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, yet he finally felt the tension leave his body and he started smiling widely, happy that he responded to his confession with genuine emotion. He was so happy that he actually started laughing and crying and totally ignored the pain from hitting this face on the ground. Or how Anna literally took his breath away for a second by accidentally almost strangling him because she still had her arms around him and held on tighter upon the fall.

Anna on the other hand was flustered, but happy too. Old Anna would have been angry he dropped her, but that was the last thing she could think of. She was actually somehow grateful they were on the ground as she herself felt rather weak after that confession.

When she first heard him say the three important words directed at her, she felt everything freeze and she just wanted to relish them, so that's why she asked him to stop. There was no way he would say it just for her sake, so she realized he meant them. He truly, truly loved her with genuine emotion. The same emotion and devotion that saved her years ago and gave her a new perspective on life. She was definitely crying now because she felt too overwhelmed by his love. However, she brushed her tears quickly and composed herself enough to respond to his confession because he deserved it.

And now here she was, being on the ground and being so close to Yoh made her feel warm, comfortable and safe. Safe to truly be herself and safe to show her emotions. She rested her head on his. Then she released his neck and moved one of her free hands on top of his. She listened contently to his beautiful laugh and looked at his wide characteristic smile.

"Why are you laughing? Cause I am sure it's not because you hit your face or I almost strangled you..." She murmured.

"I'm just happy. Us, the whole situation, everything between us evolved so fast, yet it comes so natural like we've always felt this way, but we just didn't say it out loud because I guess we didn't know how or we were afraid? And now it's happening and I love you and you love me and it feels extraordinary to be loved, so isn't that amazing? We just confessed again and sometimes we sound so out of one of your shows, yet it sounds so great and I'm sure we both meant every word and…"

"Yeah, I understand what you mean. It is real and genuine and beautiful and it does feel at times like out of something you see on TV. It's nice to actually feel it and not just see it. Though, I prefer us, cheesy Fernando with Camille always appear rather fake and forced to me, we sound as you said, more natural, but then again, they're reading a script and not actually really feeling what they say." Anna said making eye contact with Yoh. He liked his brown eyes, they always looked at her with so much love and compassion. And they were adorable cute too.

"True." He admitted letting go of her hand as he turned his body so he could hug her which she gladly accepted. He enjoyed the closure, the touch, her voice, her golden eyes, her soft hair, her presence, her everything. He placed a hand on her hair and moved his hand softly up and down it, before he closed his eyes contently.

She also closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeat, her head on his chest. It made her feel at ease, so serene and so happy, like his whole existence was bringing peace to her whole being.

They just sat there laying on the floor lazily, cherishing the moment for a couple of minutes more before Anna opened her eyes and broke the silence:

"Yoh?"

"Hmm?" He replied opening an eye to stare at her beautiful warm golden eyes.

"You're supposed to be training. It's the second time I broke your concentration."

"Yes, I'll continue right away and also make up for the time."

"Good." She smiled sweetly and they broke the hug. They both resumed their positions.

"You better not drop me again." She teased holding on to his shoulders.

"I don't know why you are complaining Anna, it's me who hit his face and almost got choked in the process, you had a soft landing."

"It wasn't pleasant either." She commented rolling her eyes, but then continued. "Yoh…I am sorry about Amidamaru, you are right, maybe I should have more faith in him if not for him, then for your sake, I know you care dearly for him."

"Thanks Anna, that means a lot! He is great, I am sure he won't make us his next gossip tale for Manta."

"He'd better or I'm actually sending him next to Hell together with Manta whom I always thought I'll actually send first between the two of them." She said thoughtfully, yet with honesty.

"ANNA!"

"I said if he does." She said sweetly. "You know your suggestion of telling Amidamaru about us…I think it might be useful to let him know so then we can put him guard the house for us instead of me having to come up with all those plots to keep everyone miles apart from us. It's perfect!" Anna exclaimed excitingly at the newfound opportunity. "We can have him like a bodyguard, like those celebrities have on TV, and he can tell us whenever someone's approaching and after all those tours I've sent him on, he should also know a couple of great places to go on dates too and he can trail along to make sure no one's following us and Yoh, are you listening?!" Anna said slightly shaking him.

"Yes Anna, I'm following, I think it's great you want us to share the news with Amidamaru, but I didn't imagine you'll turn us into one of your shows."

"We have to seize the opportunity Yoh, we can't afford let everyone know about us yet and Amidamaru is the key to keeping our deal in the long term."

"OK, we can tell him tonight or tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, gotta plan it properly." Anna said already preparing the moment in her mind. She arranged herself more comfortable, resting her arm on his head and her head on it while with the other she held on to his shoulder.

"If you say so…do I need to do anything?"

"No, leave all the speaking to me!"

"Great!" Yoh said relieved. He didn't mind letting Anna do the reveal part. He had a feeling once she'll get to tell him, she'll probably get a bit flustered, but knew she'll manage it better than him. He was curious to see how she'll handle it because he sure was shy and kind of embarrassed of putting it out into words. He loved Anna and he was fine telling her that, but he wasn't sure he was ready to voice it out loud for others.

Both Yoh and Anna found it somehow comforting to share the news with Amidamaru. As fun and thrilling as keeping their relationship a secret was, having someone else to share it with offered them new 'exciting' perspectives. In addition, as Anna pointed out, it wouldn't be bad to have someone help them with the whole secrecy.

"Also, Anna?"

"I'm planning out Amidamaru's new itinerary considering us, what is it?"

"I won the hide and seek game, you'll have to obey my wish!" He said excitedly.

"We shall see about that, we might not count it, Amidamaru and Manta interrupted us." "Oh come on Anna, I didn't even cheat as you did, let me have this one, pretty, pretty please, I'll even train for another half an hour." He pleaded with puppy eyes and sweet voice looking at her.

"Don't look at me like that." She said blushing and then bit her tongue in an attempt not to 'awww'.

He didn't budge.

"Yoh." She said trying to sound harsh but failing miserably in front of his adorable puppy eyes.

"Anna." More sweet voice. The gaze seemed to intensify. She thought she heard him whine too.

"We'll see about that, now let me think about telling Amidamaru." She said blushing and biting her tongue again because he looked incredibly adorable and the urge to aww was strong.

"Great, thank you, Anna!" Yoh beamed. That was almost as good as a yes.

Yoh continued to do his push-ups satisfied with the answer while making himself some plans. After a while he noticed Anna's hand falling off with the corner of his eye. He stopped to take a better look at her and realized she's fallen asleep on his back. He smiled contently at the view of the innocent girl dozing off.

He continued to do the push-ups much careful than before not to wake her up. When he finished the training and all the extra ones, he actually done a couple more just because if she did wake up, he wanted to show off. But she stayed asleep to his small disappointment.

Yoh slowly brought his body on the ground, mindful of her fallen hand and decided he could get some sleep himself. He put his head on his arm, imitating her and reached for her hand with his free one. He brought it close and gave it a soft kiss before he continued to hold it close, like a kid hugging his plush. He fell asleep quite fast happy with the closure.


Anna was having some kind of nightmare. She was in the water, but she was aware she didn't know how to swim, so she tried to move her hands in an attempt to keep afloat, but her hands just wouldn't move. Afraid of drowning, she forced herself awake.

Initially, she was rather confused because although she had woken up, she still felt the water. As sleepy as she was and still rather shaken from the dream, it took her another couple of minutes to remember what happened and to understand that that soft thing she was sleeping on was not her bed. She blushed, closed her eyes, took a couple of breaths to calm her heart before she opened her eyes and tried once again to understand the cause of her dream. She then finally located the source of the water, currently all over her left hand.

Anna looked at it closer, blinking the last traces of sleep. She realized with mild horror that Yoh, who had been holding her hand -cue to face getting even redder -, had been salivating on it while sleeping. Her embarrassment turned into annoyance and she 'ew-ed' mentally.

Yet seeing him with that cute content face that was smiling in his sleep, cuddling her hand like a dear plush made her hesitate to yell at him to rudely awake him. Yes, once again she found herself thinking there was indeed something seriously wrong with her because she found her salivating sleeping fiancée adorable. 'You're in love, that's it' Her thoughts answered and she blushed remembering their previous confession, all traces of annoyance gone. He had that effect on her mood lately…

Anna would have stared some more watching Yoh when she realized she's been so focused on him and her close surroundings that she didn't acknowledge that Amiadamaru was also in the room looking rather confused and blushing madly at them.

The girl screamed. Yoh jerked awake violently, dropping Anna on the side, but holding on to the hand and pointing it as if it was a weapon.

"Oh, it's just you, hi Amidamaru." Yoh said smiling upon seeing him and waving friendly with Anna's hand instead of his. He felt Amidamaru's presence, so he didn't feel the need to wake up.

"My hand, PLEASE." Anna said fuming next to him.

"Oh, yes, sure, here, thanks." Yoh replied blushing really embarrassed upon realizing that he was holding Anna's hand. Then he saw Amidamaru watching them and became even more flustered.

Anna wasn't doing any better, all red herself but managed to find her voice.

"Aaaa, maybe I should go and leave you two…" Amidamaru said.

"No, stay, it's late anyway, I'm going to bed. We'll explain tomorrow, so SHUT UP until tomorrow or, else, tonight you're sleeping in HELL, but not until I torture you before." Anna said evilly as she passed by Amidamaru sending chills down the ghost's spine. Even Yoh felt afraid although her threat wasn't directed at him.

"And good night Yoh, I hope you finished the training."

"Good night, Anna! Yes, I've even done a couple more." He replied grinning proudly.

"Very well." She replied mildly surprised and she smiled before she left the room.

Yoh was happy with her reaction. Amidamaru looked confused between the two teens, not understanding anything they've done and said ever since he found them in the living room. Did he somehow get in an alternative universe? The map he used sure wasn't from Tokyo, so maybe he did somehow end up in a parallel universe where Yoh and Anna were together, like together-together.

"Amidamaru?" Yoh asked waving a hand in front of Amidamaru's face.

"Yes, Yoh-dono?" Amidamaru replied a mix of fear and confusion obvious on his face.

"Don't worry, it's alright. It's as she said, you'll find out tomorrow Amidamaru, let's go rest for now." Yoh said winking, then added. "How was your afternoon? I didn't even realize it's already evening."

"It was OK, I've seen a really wonderful park that had this water exploding everywhere in a very spectacular way." Amidamaru said with enthusiasm following Yoh who was heading for his room. Yoh's calm nature always seem to soothe his worries and make him see the bright side of things.

"Oh, you've probably seen a fountain, I like them too! Some of them are really big and have colours and music too!"

"That's fantastic Yoh-dono! How was your day?"

"It was actually great! Better than I expected." Yoh beamed

As he reached his room he made a short eye contact with Anna who was just entering hers. They both smiled knowingly and quickly at each other before they entered their rooms.

Amidamaru, however, noticed this quick exchange and realized he might not be in an alternative universe and something might truly be happening between his master and Anna. He actually considered for the first time that Anna might not be the monster he and Manta thought of her as being, and that she truly cared for her. Maybe even in a romantic way, considering not only how happy his master looked but also how genuinely happy the girl looked herself upon seeing Yoh.

He was looking forward to what the teens will tell him tomorrow with even more excitement than he awaited every new episode from his favorite telenovela.