Dedicated to our beloved Shaman King character, Matamune, the original Yohna shipper and in honour of the OR arc being finalised. I love you kitty, and it breaks me to read about your departure every time, yet I still love Osorezan loads! Can never get enough of the Yoh and Anna origins - sad, yet such a beautiful story!
Also, thanks to all who make time to read my fic and especially for your time writing a review, it makes my days 3 Enjoy the last chapter of the date before next chapter we move forward - still continues the date, but we do get back to the main plot, you'll see ;-)
Summary: An unexpected event brings back unspoken words from the past.
Timeline: Last part of the date, before the Shaman Competition starts.
Chapter 14: Just Yoh and Anna on a date
(Part 4: Blast from the past)
"What's that sound?" Anna asked looking at the tree nearby.
"Amidamaru?" Yoh suggested trying to sense his ghost, yet he felt nothing.
"No, he can't be this close." Anna said with certainty as she stood up and started looking for the rustling sound she heard.
She came closer to the tree and looked between the leaves. More rustling noise and this time Yoh also heard it, so he stood up, preparing to join. Just then the noise intensified, some leaves started to fall just as a loud meow was heard.
And then Anna was suddenly gone.
To Yoh's astonishment, the girl just lounged herself at the tree, pressing her nails hard and pushing her body up, reaching with her hands to the branches so she could quickly, yet steadily push herself up towards the continuous desperate meows.
"Anna, what are you doing?"
"He's gonna fall and he's too far up, I have to save him!" Anna said with a fervour that made Yoh think there was more than compassion that fueled the girl's sudden motivation to save the cat.
Yoh started to climb after her while he silently called for Amidamaru through their connection. He was still behind her, yet now he was able to see the cat and understood the possible reason Anna was so worked up. He gasped himself - up, towards the treetop, there was a ginger tabby kitten hanging on a branch, that reminded Yoh a lot about a similar looking cat, yet definitely bigger.
'Matamune…' The boy thought just as he heard a loud snap.
The branch broke, sending the kitty in free fall. Anna who was about to reach him, watched with horror how it slipped away right in front of her hand. In that split second, memories flashed before her eyes clouding her judgment, so she just jumped to catch the cat without thinking about her next move. It happened so fast, the poor girl didn't even get a chance to scream in fear as she found felt herself falling between the branches at an alarming speed.
"SPIRIT UNION!" Yoh screamed in terror and lounged for Anna barely missing from catching her ankle.
His heart had almost stopped and so did time between the moment his hand reached for her and actually grabbed her.
However, Yoh miscalculated his step and slipped. Thanks to Amidamaru's quick reflex, though, the boy managed to grab a hold of the branch he just dropped off, while with the other hand he held on to Anna's feet with a strong grip.
"Don't look!" Anna screamed finally finding her voice as she realized her dress went up due to gravity. "Either of you! I'll kill him again!" She added referring to Amidamaru.
The kitten in her arms, in the meantime, jumped from her arms on a nearby branch and then down another till he was down and ran for his life, disappearing from sight.
"I'm not looking, but how am I supposed to pull you up then!" Yoh complained keeping his eyes closed, blushing from the awkward embarrassing situation they were in now, yet he was grateful he caught her in time.
They still had about 1m and a half till the ground.
"You should be strong enough to just pull me!" Anna cried back her voice still pitchy from embarrassment, keeping her dress in place with her now free hands.
"Yeah, but I only have one hand…wait, I got an idea. You trust me, right?"
"Always, Yoh, always, now do whatever that mind if yours thought of!" Anna ordered.
In one swift motion Yoh pulled with all force Anna's body and sent her up flying by the force of inertia before he completely let go of her ankle.
"YOH!" Anna screamed when he felt his hand let go and she found herself flying for a few seconds between the tree branches, despite going up.
She desperately tried to reach for anything to grab on, but it happened so fast, she just didn't' get a chance. And now she was falling again.
Seemingly out of the nowhere, Yoh jumped catching her in midair before he gracefully landed on a tree branch and then with another leap, they were down on the ground. Apparently, while he threw Anna upwards, Yoh let go of the branch so he could fall on a lower one and just prepared to catch his fiancée when gravity brought her back to him.
Yoh was beaming proudly of his acrobatics and of the idea of using physics knowledge - who would have thought what he learnt in school would actually be useful?! However, the girl in his arms looked half angry, half terrified of his stunt.
"YOH ASAKURA, how dare you throw me like that! Just because I said I won't hit you any longer doesn't give you any right to toss me up like that!" The girl cried trying to catch her breath and calm her racing heart.
She unconsciously put her arms around his neck, holding tightly as if she was still afraid she might fall again.
"But I caught you! It's a pity you didn't see my plan from afar, including your fly and my jump, I coordinated everything! Too bad even Amidamaru didn't see it because we were in spirit union and I was concentrated to catch you and calculate the next move, but I am sure to a bystander it had been absolutely extraordinary!" Yoh cheered from all the adrenaline rush.
"I'll punish him then for encouraging you to do such figures! We are not acrobats Yoh, we're shamans! However, since you are so much into gymnastics, I'll make sure to add some to your training!" The girl growled looking at him still angry.
"You're fine, I got you, don't worry!" Yoh smiled ignoring her anger and pressed his forehead lightly on hers. "Well done on saving the cat! I am so proud of you and so impressed with your tree climbing skills!"
"Well, when I was young and didn't want to do what Kino asked me to do I would just climb up and hide in the trees and see if she comes for me. She never did. I am not sure if it's because she couldn't see or couldn't be bothered to put up with a 6-year-old kid's tantrums and search for me, but the longest I stayed was 5 hours and I was absolutely starving."
"Why didn't you just go down?"
"I almost slipped and then I was too scared to try again. I called for help, but no one came. So I stayed there until I was able to gather my courage and climb down. I still climbed trees at least another 3 times after."
"I couldn't hide anywhere from grandfather; his divination skills were too good and then he would get angry and punish me." Yoh admitted then became thoughtful. "Anna…did the cat also remind you of…"
"Matamune?" She sighed and lowered her head to rest it on his shoulder. "Yes. He saved us…me…and I never got a chance to thank him or even know him. He'd done so much for me, yet I've been horrible to him…"
"I am sure he understood why and didn't hold any grudge. I got to know him and I can assure you of that." Yoh said softly, eyes saddening at the thought of his dear friend.
"I am sorry you lost him because of me…I don't think I've ever said it…" Anna admitted looking into his eyes for a forgiveness she never thought she yearn so much for.
"It wasn't your fault Anna and he wanted to save you just as much as I did, so the fact that he sacrificed himself wasn't your fault. It was a choice we both agreed on because you were worth it for us." Yoh explained smiling at her softly before he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
'She is feeling remorse over what happened, that's why she was so eager to help the kitten. Anna, you're such a good person at heart, if only you would show it more or to others, yet when you did, you got hurt…' Yoh thought sadly.
"Can we check where the kitty went? But grab my purse first!"
"Sure! I think it was this way." Yoh said going to get it before he started walking in the direction he saw the cat running, still carrying Anna in his arms.
Adrenaline gone, Anna was already beating herself up for the stupid idea of jumping like that, yet she didn't regret a second for risking her life for the kitty.
'I guess Matamune must have thought the same about me.' Anna thought with a sad smile. Meaning something so much to someone was a feeling the girl had always struggled to understand from the very beginning, yet she learnt it from Yoh and she knew without a doubt it in her heart the boy was genuine about it ever since.
Her fear had slipped away just by listening to Yoh and also because she was quite resilient, yet the girl only made herself more comfortable in her fiancée's arms. It felt nice and warm and she felt content and at peace there. And he didn't mind carrying her. He had that happy grin he always had when she's close. And he was in spirit union so he should last even longer. Wait a moment…spirit union?!
"Amidamaru's still here?!"
"Oh, yes, I forgot to get off the spirit union!"
"Amidamaru's so double dead." Anna growled.
"I don't think he wants to come out of the spirit union anymore…" Yoh sweat dropped feeling his spirit's fear coming in waves upon hearing Anna's threat.
"He will be then dead, dead, undead and then dead." Anna said sharply.
"Anna, you're scaring him even more!"
"Well, if that still didn't get him out, how about no more Love and Power for a week! Say bye, bye to Camille and Fernando…" Anna smirked smugly.
"No, why, I didn't do anything, I apologize, don't take Camille and Fernando, I beg you!" Amidamaru appeared from the spirit union sobbing and pleading.
"See, got him out. Now stop the crying, you're giving me a headache, I won't, I won't. I thought after seeing us so much, you won't need them anymore."
"I need all of you!" Amidamaru complained still sobbing.
"I will think of a different punishment, but for now I want to find the kitty! Amidamaru, make yourself useful and search for it, I might forgive you. Might."
"Yes, Anna, right away!" The spirit said eagerly stopping the flow of tears and flying ahead to look for the kitten.
"There, now it's just us again." The girl said cuddling into his arms and making the boy blush.
She really didn't like sharing their time or him with anyone.
Yoh would have totally forgotten about Amidamaru if their connection wouldn't have reminded him. He could feel his spirit's embarrassment and it didn't take long for Yoh to realize it was because of his display of affection towards Anna. So, part of him was relieved Anna made him go away and part of him was relieved he still had a spirit after the so-called spirit had seen so much. 'Anna must really like Amidamaru's company during her shows…' Yoh thought.
"I found the kittens!" Amidamaru came back, hands on his eyes afraid he'll see again too much.
"You're back." Anna muttered crossing her arms and gesturing to Yoh to let her down.
"Kittens?" Yoh noticed the plural.
"Kittens?" Anna picked on.
They followed Amidamaru until they reached a large bush next to a wire fence. The teens looked within the plant and saw not one, but two pair of eyes looking at them. Anna bit her tongue from squealing, yet Yoh just let out a small cry of joy at the sight. He reached with his hand in the bush for the kittens and they hissed at him, puffing loudly and making Yoh recoil in fear and surprise.
"Scarry cat." Anna huffed rolling her eyes and stepped forward reaching with her hand confidently.
Despite the hiss she managed to grab one of the kittens before the other ran further into the depths of the bush. She held it in her arms firmly, yet gently, looking at the kitten's fearful eyes. It was the same kitty she saved and upon seeing her, the feline seemed to recognize her, especially after sniffing her carefully. Then it slightly relaxed in her arms and made a meow that made both Yoh and Anna's hearts melt.
"See, that's how you do it." Anna said smugly as she removed her hand carefully and lightly petted the kitty's head.
"OK, OK, I got it, I'm going after the other one!" Yoh announced and went into the bush for it.
After a couple of hisses, puffs and meows from the kitten and an 'Anna!', "ouch' and 'come here' from Yoh, the boy got out of the bush with the second kitten. His hair looked messy and had leaves in it, but his clothes didn't have any holes. His hand however had some scratches.
Anna bit her tongue hardly from squealing. The kitty puffing in Yoh's arms was black with green eyes and had one orange spot on his nose and ears.
"He's cute, but doesn't seem pleased I got him." Yoh said trying to stroke the little kitty in his arms.
That seemed to help the kitten calm down a bit.
"I think they're just scared, but seem rather friendly." Anna commented.
The kitty in her arms started to purr. The one in Yoh's arms followed its example.
"Awww!" Both Yoh and Anna cooed, the latter unable to suppress her reaction this time.
"What do we do with them, Anna?"
"I am not sure Yoh, maybe they're strays…"
"Can we keep them?"
"Yoh, we can't." Anna said half-heartedly looking at the little kitty purring in her arms. It closed his eyes slowly before he started to doze in her arms. She felt like crying from the adorableness and rolled her eyes mentally. 'I am turning into a softie! Not only Yoh, but now kittens make me emotional!' She thought and suddenly she made eye contact with the black kitten. Yoh had just raised him at her eye level.
"Can we keep them?" Yoh repeated using a pleading voice while he tried to copy the kitty's adorable eyes.
"Yoh, don't do this to me…" Anna said weakly.
"Please…"
"OK, OK, we can keep them…" Anna admitted defeat not being able to resist them all and sighed.
Before Yoh had a chance to let out a happy cry Amidamaru materialized in front of them.
"You can't keep them. You have school and the shaman king competition."
"But Anna can watch them while I train and I am sure they'll be fine while we're at school." Yoh said surprised by Amidamaru's intervention.
"She has her own duties as your trainer and as itako. And shows to watch." Amidamaru explained.
"But maybe I can make time…" Anna said biting her lip because she knew Amidamaru was right and she didn't like others than her being right.
"You both have too much on your plate to take care of two kittens. They are needy and require as much attention as you both need from one another…I mean, do you think you can handle your relationship, school and the shaman competition altogether?" Amidamaru tried to reason.
Four pair of eyes looked at him with sadness making the spirit's heart sink. He really didn't like to be 'the bad guy', but someone had to be the voice of reason. 'How did I end up in this position?! Fernando and Camille are each other's voice of reason, they are mature enough, but my teens are still too young to not cave in at some things now and then…' Amidamaru thought softly watching the two shamans lower their shoulders in defeat.
"Yoh, I think the kitties are better at a different home, our ghosts might scare them…" Anna sighed loudly pouting at Amidamaru.
"Yeah, he's right. Thanks for making us understand the situation Amidamaru, I guess we got distracted by their little paws and ears and eyes and soft fur." Yoh thanked his spirit while he petted the cat in his arms lovingly.
"True…" Anna said softly, but then she quickly changed into her determined self. "We need to find them a safe home then! Amidamaru! Here's your chance to escape your sentence to Hell and go find a foster home for animals around. QUICK!" The girl ordered.
"Yes, Anna, on my way!" The spirit said glad to help and be freed of any punishment and flew. He did remember there was some shelter close by from his past tours around the city in that area.
"Yoh, let's ask some people around. I mean, you do the asking and I'll watch your back."
"Yes, Anna! But maybe try not to glare at people."
"No promises."
"OK." Yoh sweatdropped.
"Glad we found this nice shelter for them not too far away from the park."
"Yoh, it was a longer walk than I expected, I hope the picnic blanket is still here. At least you got your backpack because I reminded you."
"Well, you put me ran so much, distances feel differently for me. And Amidamaru's not good at measuring km too apparently…"
Anna glared in the ghost's way, making him shiver.
"And about the blanket, I'm sure it is, look, I was right! Time to rest!" Yoh cheered letting himself fall on the blanket ready to relax.
"We don't have time Yoh, we have a train to catch and judging from our rumbling tummies, it's probably very late. We might have to take a later train." Anna said thoughtfully before she shouted. "Amidamaru! What's the time?"
"It's almost 12 judging by the sun."
"Amidamaru, I didn't ask for your opinion on the weather, I asked for a certain fact, go find the answer." Anna hissed and the spirit flew away looking fanatically through the park for a clock.
She had a feeling their unplanned kitty adventure took more time than it should. Her fears were confirmed when Amidamaru came back and reported the time as being 12:02.
"Damn, we're gonna miss the train! We have at least 30 minutes to walk and the train is at 12:30!"
"Let's run!"
"Yoh, you know I can't run in these."
"I can carry you!"
"Too many people around, we'll draw unwanted attention and I'm fed head over hills over nosey people thanks to the sweet shop. I will beat up someone for sure this time."
"Can't we get the next train?"
"It comes in an hour."
"Oh… then what?"
"I guess we'll just have to stay around some more and wait, as you say, for things to work out." She said not knowing what else to do then follow Yoh's motto and secretly enjoying having another hour to herself with Yoh.
"That doesn't sound bad at all! I like our date!" Yoh beamed and Anna blushed not expecting him to have been having the same thoughts on the matter.
Just as they were about to lay down Yoh mumbled, his face red.
"Anna?"
"Yes?"
"You rested on me before…"
"Yes, did you have a problem with that?"
"No, not at all, just…can I rest my head this time on you?" Yoh mumbled closing his eyes in embarrassment not as much as in fear.
He opened his eyes wide once he felt a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Go for it." Anna smiled and Yoh's blushed increased, yet he felt overjoyed.
"It's my fault."
"No, it's Amidamaru's fault, he should have said something."
"But Anna, you said not to come close to…"
"Did I give you permission to speak? I said not to come closer while we're acting as couple, not if we're sound asleep for hours when we had a train to catch! And we were also starving…" Anna snapped at the ghost.
Indeed, Yoh felt so cosy resting on Anna's tummy that he fell asleep and so did she shortly after. Amidamaru awed and guarded them, but it didn't cross his mind to wake them up. About two hours later, Anna woke up and she wasn't the slightest pleased to find out they missed not only the train again, but also the next one.
Since she couldn't be mad at Yoh - because he was her 'cute' date and look at that sleepy satisfied face - and she really didn't want to be angry at him for something so silly, she just placed the blame on Amidamaru.
Now they were making their way home, about 3-4 hours later than expected. They had some snacks on the way home, but they were still hungry. Anna leaned on Yoh for support because of her shoes which she hadn't mastered walking on yet.
"I apologize for my mistake!" Amidamaru bowed genuinely sad.
"Anna, he really didn't mean it!" Yoh defended. "He's been really helpful all day and really nice to us, please forgive him."
"OK, Yoh, maybe I will forgive him after lunch and even watch Love and Power with him if he goes check if the house is clear for us to go in."
"Yes, I won't disappoint! Camille and Fernando are waiting for us!" Amidamaru beamed flying away. Despite being only episodes that had already aired during the week, the ghost didn't mind re-seeing them. And also, he wanted to get Anna back in a good mood not as much for him, but for Yoh's happiness.
He really enjoyed the teen's date and was thrilled to see them so happy together.
"Thank you, Anna!" Yoh beamed.
"Anything for you Yoh, but don't abuse it." Anna warned.
"I won't!" Yoh said seriously and the girl nodded satisfied with his response.
"So, how do we enter the house again?" Yoh asked watching from the gate with Anna the path to the main door.
"Amidamaru said Manta and Ryu are in the living room talking about various things, including our whereabouts. So, we can't dash in, they'll spot us. And because we are clothed like this, we can't enter by ourselves either, they'll definitely ask nosey questions."
"We can't go through the back door either, the staircase is visible from the living room so they'll still see us even if we take the other entrance." Yoh thought out loud.
"There's one way…Yoh, how high can you jump? In spirit union I mean?"
"Quite high."
"Can you do it while holding someone?"
"You don't imply we jump on the balcony?" Yoh's eyes went wide.
"That's exactly my plan. Don't know why you act so surprised after your 'excellent' acrobatic skills from the park." Anna said teasingly.
"I guess we could try…" Yoh commented smiling remembering the amazing stunt he was still very proud of.
"I suggest we try jumping from the side Yoh-dono so Manta and Ryu won't notice you from the front."
"Good idea Amidamaru! But then won't it be suspicious we both come from upstairs?"
"True. That's just the first part of the plan. We dress quickly, each of us in our rooms, then we jump back and you enter first the house and pretend to have been running and I come after pretending I was out. Understood?"
"Understood."
