Hello all,

Last chapter of the argument series all! Sorry for any pain caused through the arc including for today.

WARNING for this chapter on strong emotional display, violence and blood.

Hope you enjoy it despite the warning!

Also, just a BIG thank you to all my readers and especially to anyone who has commented or reached out to tell me they're following the story! It really brings me great joy and your comments make my day at times because life is not always easy to handle, so thanks for taking time of your own lives to make mine better. You're all so awesome! 3 ^_^


SUMMARY: Yoh and Anna have to face their fears if they want to save one another from their own turmoil. However, will they reach one another before their own fears break them down?


Chapter 19: Fear

"So, that's what happened…" Amidamaru said following Yoh.

"Yeah, grandpa just kept talking and talking about Anna, I kind of snapped and I think Anna somehow heard only that part and she thinks I'm fed up with her." Yoh explained running and his spirit nodded, having learnt not to put too many questions about how Anna 'somehow hears' things.

Yoh abruptly stopped, feeling his breath suddenly knocked out of him.

His eyes grew in horror as a dreadful feeling engulfed him, sending a cold shiver down his spine. He felt something like that before, that feeling something wasn't right when Manta was kidnapped. However, what he was feeling now, was much worse. Much intense - it made him sick.

"Yeah, out of context, it does seem like…Yoh-dono? Has something hap…" Amidamaru also froze as the dreadful feeling also hit him.

He immediately eyed Yoh and they both exchanged a quick knowing look of panic, before they both started dashing madly guided by the awful feeling towards its source.

"Anna! This is really bad Amidamaru, this is…" Yoh said his voice shaking from worry.

"I know Yoh-dono, I can feel something's not right and the intensity…"

"We've been all building a connection and I think that must be why we're feeling it more than when it happened to Manta. Or because we are shamans…"

'Or because it is really bad what's happening to her right now.'

Yoh felt sicker at the thought and quickened his pace. He prayed she was fine. He had to trust her, he had to! He couldn't panic, he had to keep calm as much as possible and be ready to support her with whatever was happening to her. Because it felt bad. Oni kind of bad and this time he didn't have Matamune's support.


Despite his hope and optimism, Yoh expected the worse, yet his mind blocked any thoughts of how this worse could look like. But it soon started to get shape as he got to this large alley behind two big empty buildings - one abandoned and one closed for an indefinite time period. The public lighting wasn't working properly, one pillar with bulb illuminating part of the deserted place, yet it put a spotlight on the horror scene in front of them - there was blood splattered everywhere.

Yoh and Amidamaru's ran chased, as both stood there in shock, frozen in place at the sight.

Four men were laying on the ground on their back or side, clothes soaked with blood. They had deep wounds on their body, hands and legs. Yoh prayed they were still alive and tried to make his body move to check or call for Anna to see if she was OK or nearby, when he heard a strangled unfamiliar voice in the shadows.

"Pl-pl-please, spare me, I beg you, don't kill me!"

The terrified voice made Yoh shiver, but it was enough to make his body finally move. He approached carefully, followed by a cautious Amidamaru.

Something moved in the shadows till it reached the light and soon the owner of the voice was visible. Yoh's eyes went wide and he felt his body freeze once again, scared by the sight.

"Please, please, we didn't mean to, please spare me!" The man sobbed.

He was hung up in the air by a blue large hand whose nails were piercing into his throat, leaving trails of blood. His feet were dangling lifelessly and his hands looked powerless against praying the strong hand away or at least stop it from closing further around his neck. He trembled in his thorn clothes, stained with blood.

The blue figure, however, was watching him with satisfaction, smirking maliciously at his pray before he eyed Yoh. The boy felt his blood go cold and could barely move or say anything upon feeling the evil aura around the oni. Yes, he knew that was an oni. And, yes he was aware of where it could come from.

He used his rising panic to make himself do something than just stare at the evil creature checking him out. He was petrified and hadn't felt this scared in years, not even when Anna summoned the first oni during the Tokageroh events. He felt like years ago when the oni attacked him at the shop. Yet, just like then, the mere thought of helping Anna, of doing something in case she needed him, was enough to make him do something.

"A-A-Anna!" He shouted trying to keep his body from giving a violent shake when the oni stepped closer to him. "Where is she? And release him!" He demanded looking back at the oni's piercing blue eyes, determined to not let his fears overwhelm him.

He couldn't afford that.

"What a considerate boy you are despite leaving her so soon. I can see why she likes you so much…" The oni taunted giving a light shake to the man in his hands, who now having noticed Yoh, started to cry for his help, making the boy shudder at his broken please. "Release him? Why, he'd been mean to your friend, so now we're teaching him a lesson." The oni explained as if it was an obvious thing before he snarled at the man to stop or he'll kill him on the spot.

The man went silent, yet his eyes continued to beg for Yoh's help.

"We?"

"We." The oni's smirk grew and he moved aside, gesturing with his free hand towards the shadows.

Anna stepped in the light, eyes devoid of any emotion, mouth a thin line. Her left fist was closed around her red bandana that just seemed redder than ever. At a closer look, Yoh realized that her black dress had bloodstains, just as her hands and legs - he felt like he couldn't breathe and his blood ran cold.

"Anna, are you OK?" The boy asked ready to dash for her, eyes widened in horror at her sight.

"Stay there." She threatened voice cold.

"But the blood!" He protested walking towards her.

"It's not mine. Now, don't you dare come closer or I'll kill him. Or you." She added, but her cold tone slightly trembled at the last two words.

Yoh stopped, watching her shocked.

"Yoh-dono…" Amidamaru whispered in worry, but Yoh replied keeping his voice low.

"Let me handle this but stay close."

The spirit nodded, before he disappeared.

Yoh took a deep breath, channelling his inner self and pushing his panic aside. He had to do this, there was no one else who could help her. And there was no time to think of the ifs of what would have happened if he just stayed from the beginning at home, so he concentrated on the present and on reaching out to her.

"You won't, Anna." He said calmly, looking softly at her.

"Want me to start with him as proof." She said impassively and as on cue the oni started to close his hand against the man's neck earning a cry from him.

"No, stop it Anna! You can control this, make it stop."

"Of course, I can control it." One look towards the oni and he stopped - the man feel unconscious from the lack of air.

"Then why won't you stop it? Why kill him?"

"He tried to kill me, so this is self-defense." She shrugged looking through him.

"I'm sure he learnt his lesson, so set him free."

"No." She said simply.

"Then how about you release him and take me instead?" Yoh suggested watching her reaction carefully.

Her eyes widened before her face fell back to its emotionless state.

'Good, one crack.' Yoh thought feeling a bit more confident in his attempt to reach her through her negative thoughts.

"No." Both Anna and the oni said concomitantly, the latter surprising Yoh considering the last ones we're out to murder him on the spot.

"How come you don't want to kill me? Am I not the reason she might make you disappear?" Yoh asked confused breaking eye contact with Anna to stare in disbelief at the blue entity.

"I'm a creation of her fears and right now you're her main source, so why would I want to kill you? I almost like you more than her, but she's still the source and she's feeding me some delightful emotions, so I still prefer her." The oni grinned showing his teeth at the boy, but he barely noticed, too concerned with what he just learnt.

"You're afraid of me, Anna? Why? What did I do? Please don't be afraid of me!" Yoh pleaded looking at her hurt and taken aback.

He had to stay focused on helping her, yet the new information hurt him in a way he didn't expect. Not from her.

Something in her eyes changed at the sight of his genuine display of emotions. Seeing him hurt, despite him previously hurting her, still pained her.

'Another crack, yet unintentional.' Yoh noticed while he tried to control his own inner struggle.

"I am not afraid of you, stupid. I am not afraid of anything!" She shouted taking a step forward, a battle of emotions crossing her face - anger, frustration, pain, fear.

"You're not, but I am."

She froze, eyes wide, before she recollided looking aside bitterly trying to hide her obvious hurt at his statement.

"Good, you should be afraid of me!" She hissed between her teeth, fist clenching, body trembling. "Kill the m…"

"I'm afraid for you, not of you."

"What?" Her eyes looked at him hopefully for a second before they were replaced by anger.

'She's cracking, I can do this, I can get to her, before I get overwhelmed by my own emotions.' Yoh thought as he took a small step towards her.

"You're only making things up to calm me down so I won't kill him or you!"

"No, I am speaking the truth and you know it. Focus on my thoughts and you'll know I'm not lying. You also know me well enough to know when I am lying."

"LIAR! I apparently don't! Or else I should have understood you had too much of me! And how could you not?! Look at all those people I wounded!" She shouted, her eyes to the ground. "I should have just kept my distance and loved you from afar then invade your world with my presence." She snarled, tears dropping from her eyes despite her anger - she brushed them off furiously.

"No, please Anna, you got it all wrong! And those people, I don't blame you because it wasn't you! You might be in control because they are still alive and I'm sure that's you who made sure of that, but the oni is using your negative emotions to control you! You have to overpower him and I know you can!"

"They are?" She asked plainly, yet he saw hope flash in her eyes before she moved her gaze back to the ground.

"They are! I saw their chest go up and down! Amidamaru!"

"Yes, Yoh-dono, they are alive, I had checked them twice." The spirit confirmed materializing next to one of the men.

"See Anna, no harm that can't be undone yet! Now please, just hear me out! It's like when you told me that if someone looking like you comes and tells me they'll break up with me, not to believe them because you might be controlled or that's definitely not you because you would never say such a thing! It's almost similar now - I would have never said such words the way you think I did!" Yoh cried in frustration, his obvious pain in the voice making her hurt too. "Do you really believe that, after all we've gone through recently, I would all of a sudden need a break from you? Please, allow me to explain, it's a really stupid misunderstanding…" He pleaded with fervour because he wanted her to believe him - it hurt him to know she believed he would say such things about her the way she thought he meant them.

Anna didn't look at him as she let the words sink in before he finally noticed her eyes starting to lose that coldness they previously held. Although it was anger they reflected now, it was still better than that emotionless blank stare she had before that both made him shiver and that also deeply hurt him for having to see her like that.

"Drop him." She suddenly growled towards the oni.

"But, but…"

"Don't make me repeat myself." Anna hissed towards the blue appearance and he threw the man to the ground brutally before he sat down pouting. The oni was disappointed with how things were evolving - this was not what he expected to happen. He needed to do something…

Amidamaru immediately flew and checked the man.

"Still breathing, but his wounds are very bad! Like the others, he needs to get to a hospital urgently!"

Yoh nodded, before he heard Anna's voice, so he turned around to meet her burning angry eyes.

"I'm listening."

"What you heard it's what I told grandpa because he kept asking about you, he annoyed me and I snapped!" Yoh explained looking sideways somehow ashamed to be talking about his true feelings towards his family.

"You never lose your calm." Her brows frowned as she crossed her arms not wanting to believe, yet her mind was already hearing the boy play the conversation again in his head.

"I did lose it this time because grandpa hurt me." Yoh said in a small, yet clear voice looking at her sad. "He only cared about you, he didn't even want to talk with me on the phone."

"So you're jealous he cares about me?"

"Not jealous, annoyed. Annoyed because he insinuated I don't care about you! Because I care a lot. Annoyed because he only cared about my training as a shaman, not as a human being. Annoyed because he barely let me talk at all and that just made me lose my temper!" Yoh said frustrated fists closed, feeling once again overwhelmed by all his emotions rushing in.

"Yoh..." Her eyes grew upon hearing his reply and reading through his mind. '…why didn't you tell me.' Her thoughts finished her sentence and she felt her wrath rise because she couldn't say it out loud - she made him leave before he had a chance to explain or say anything or before she could notice something was off about him.

Anna had been so overwhelmed by her own emotions and efforts to control her powers that she missed his own struggles. She didn't know he was hurting because of his family - how deep had he'd been hiding these feelings if she hadn't notice them before?

She suddenly saw him dash towards her and before she had a chance to move or say anything, he was hugging her tightly.

"I'm sorry, Anna, I didn't mean to hurt you! I was just hurt and said those words not thinking, but I honestly didn't mean them the way you thought! It hurt me that grandpa thinks I'm not good enough for you, when you are the only person who cares for me and loves me in this whole damn world! How could you believe I don't want you in my world!" He screamed the last part sobbing, tears falling down his cheeks and his body trembled, so he kneeled.

"Yoh…" She said in awe, not expecting such an outburst from him - his cry actually scared her, she'd never heard him scream like that before.

Anna put her hands around his back, returning his hug. She felt his tears on her shoulder as he rested his head there, his whole body shuddering in her embrace from his sobs.

She kneeled down with him, rubbing his back soothingly, all of her anger forgotten upon listening to his pain - it actually made her eyes sting with tears from the intensity.

How could someone hurt such a kind and selfless soul like Yoh she wondered just as the oni raised his hand, preparing to strike him.

She barely managed to move their bodies together in time to avoid the sharp claws of the oni. He took a step back recalculating his aim.

"Yoh, go away, he's gonna kill you! Let me go!" She told him desperately.

"No, I'm not leaving this time! What if it attacks you instead or kidnaps you and runs away? I can't let that happen! I believe in you, you can control it! Yoh told her trying to catch his breath as tears still rolled down his eyes - he was making an effort to calm himself down.

"What if I can't, don't be an idiot, move! Save yourself!" She urged, yet he didn't move an inch. "YOH!" She shouted, but it was useless.

"You can do this! You're stronger than him, just remember you are in control, don't let him overpower you! Think of us, think of our future!" Yoh encouraged as he held on for dear life to her just like he did the very same morning.

The oni found the best angle to hit without hurting her - because he still needed her, so he prepared to strike again.

"Yoh let, go, please!" She begged becoming frightened yet pushing him away felt like trying to move a mountain.

"NO!"

"Yoh-dono!" Amidamaru materialized concerned not sure his master had a plan to deal with the situation anymore.

"Move aside, I'm going to hit!" The oni warned chuckling, obviously enjoying the situation.

"Don't you dare! You said you won't attack him!" Anna shouted at the oni.

"I changed my mind, the mix of emotions coming from your fear of losing him tastes like heaven, I want more!" The oni replied salivating greedily.

"Don't you dare, I said." Anna repeated, getting angry.

The oni moved his clawed hand up.

"I said no."

The hand moved at lightning speed.

"YOH-DONOOOOOOOO!" Amidamaru cried moving in front of the attack despite knowing it will go through him.

"DON'T TOUCH HIM!" Anna screamed channelling everything she could - her power, Yoh's love and incredible trust towards her, her emotions, everything as she put her hands around the boy's back trying to protect him from the blow.

The oni's sharp claws stopped, nearly touching the boy and he dematerialized, disappearing, when the wave of power hit him. The ripple also made the windows of the closed buildings shatter, together with the only light they had, letting the two distressed teens in the darkness.

Anna's breath was ragged, and her body trembled, still holding on to Yoh for dear life. Tears started rolling from her eyes.

"I am sorry, Yoh, I'm so sorry I screamed at you. And for telling you to leave and for hurting all these men, I didn't mean to and I didn't mean when I said I'll kill you! I was just afraid I'll get you hurt just as I got them. I only wanted to get you away from me so you won't get hurt, yet when I thought you hurt me, I just snapped and I'm sorry, I didn't want to, I shouldn't have…I tried so hard not to!" She sobbed clinging to him, arms around his neck, face buried in his neck, yet he heard everything she said.

"I know, Anna, I know, you were just overwhelmed by your powers and the oni…" Yoh comforted her, holding her and breathing heavily - so much had been happening he couldn't believe it was finally over.

He was feeling better after letting some of his emotions out and crying and now he was relieved that they were safe and in each other's arms. It felt soothing to Yoh after everything that happened and it also helped him anchor himself back into reality and to his usual self.

"The oni was right, I'm just so weak and so scared of losing you. I mean, look at me, I destroy everything and I'm afraid I'll destroy you too accidentally or that I'll scare you away!"

"You destroy everything because you're still learning how to control your powers, it's OK, you'll get there, you're improving so much already by knowing how to send those onis away. So you're not weak, you're just learning. And I can help you if you want just as you help me with training, you don't have to do it alone. At least give me a chance to show you."

"But I'm dangerous."

"The life of a shaman is dangerous and involves certain risks and you know that as much as I do."

"And I hurt you! I hurt you by saying I'm afraid of you! And it hurt Yoh, it hurt to think you actually had enough of me and I feel so stupid for thinking you of all people would harbour such thoughts."

"It's OK, I'm scared your words will hurt me too, but it's worth the risk if in the end will be fine and we understand that none of us wanted to cause sorrow to the other. Now, calm down, your mind is just making everything worse and we don't want another oni. Everything will work out, shush, shush."

"But, but…" She hiccupped.

"Shhush, I'm here." He comforted her rubbing her back soothingly pressing a tender kiss on her forehead before he continued softly. "It's OK to be afraid, I'm scared too and afraid I'll mess up at times, I guess it's just another side of being into a relationship. The fear of losing someone as well as the fear of someone hurting us, I think they will always be there, so we'll have to leave with those aspects as well and just believe that we won't do this to one another or it's just a misunderstanding."

"I don't want to fight with you again."

"I don't want to either, but I fear it will happen again. As I said fearing things is part of a relationship too, but we must not let it overcome the good parts of it. So don't worry too much, after all having arguments is part of a healthy growing relationship according to your magazines." He added the last part smiling weakly.

"How come you know so much? Aside from the quote from the magazine because it's definitely not from them because I read them too and I know they don't say that kind of stuff." She asked her sobs finally subsiding, a snort escaping her lips upon hearing about Yoh quoting things from her magazines once again.

She rubbed her tears and moved her body, trying to see in the darkness of the street his brown beautiful eyes that brought her so much love, warmth and comfort.

"I don't. I just learnt from myself and you and I guess from our experience. You're not the only one fearing things. It just so happens that we sometimes fear the same things in our minds." He cupped her cheek surprising her and despite not being able to see him, she could feel his soft gaze locked on her as he added warmly.

"I know you're not a bad person, Anna. You're just hurt so you lash at everyone around when they hurt you more than you can handle and just try to hurt them back harder. That's not an excuse to do it, but I know you just don't know how else to handle it and you also feel remorse after. That means that part of you wants to do better and maybe change that and I'll be here to lend you a hand, so no more beating yourself over what happened today or in the past. OK?"

He felt her nod and turn her face in his palm, placing a tender kiss on it. He blushed.

"Now come on, let's get to light and call an ambulance for those men." Yoh said dragging them both to their feet.

He could feel Amidamaru's presence guide them towards the closest light and he thanked him gratefully for his support through all this. The spirit smiled back glad to be of help to them, yet part of him was still distressed over everything.

When they could finally see each other, Yoh and Anna looked like a mess - bloody clothes, traces of tears, red cheeks and eyes from all the crying. Yoh rubbed his tears before he gently also wiped away any traces of hers. She blushed shyly, gazing into his eyes gratefully for everything he'd done or said for her that evening. Or actually in general. She loved him.

Yoh smiled brightly at her, returning her gaze. A weak smile barely showed on her face. He loved his Anna.

"There's a hospital, just at five km from here, but I think there are some night shops opened at just 1 km from here that we can ask to call an ambulance for those men." Amidamaru informed.

"Wow, Amidamaru! When did you have time to look for those?" Yoh asked impressed.

"I didn't…Anna sent me so many times away in town in search of different routes I kind of learned them, especially the ones in our neighbourhood or around it." The ghost chuckled and he saw Anna smirking knowingly - that actually made him feel relief.

Despite how rough things have started since he met her, ever since he found out about her relationship with Yoh and he'd been asked to help them, he'd learned a new side of her and actually started to understand her better. He also felt fonder towards her - not as close to Yoh-dono, but still a deeper connection than before that made him smile at the thought. He liked his teens.

Amidamaru was glad to see both of them looking better. They had such a hard day, he felt like something heavy had been moved off his chest upon seeing them going back to their normal selves. He had no knowledge on how to deal with breakdowns or sobbing teens and all those overwhelming emotions that the two were having were above his experience and TV experience. He could only give general pieces of advice, but nothing concrete that he believed would be useful to them right now. Still, that didn't stop him from trying to do so if needed.

"OK, then let's go get some help for these men before going home to warm up. It's getting really cold!" Yoh suggested and grabbed Anna's cold hand - they should really get home fast before any of them caught a cold, but then again, their resistance to cold was quite high, but none of them wanted to risk it.

Yoh looked at Anna's bandana, she was still holding it in her hand, considering wrapping it around her bare shoulders. Suddenly, something on her right leg caught his eye, glittering in the light.

"Yoh?" Anna asked watching his expression go from his 'everything's great' to pure horror.

He ignored her question as he let go of her hand and kneeled down watching the thin, yet visible growing line of fresh blood falling down Anna's leg.

"Anna?" His voice was shaky.

She avoided looking at him as she moved her dress slightly up revealing a fresh bleeding wound.

"Anna, did the oni hurt you? When you told me to move, you got hurt for me?" He asked terrified.

"No, Yoh, it wasn't the oni. It was one of the men that attacked me, he managed to stab me with his knife before the oni got to him."

"Why didn't you say something? I can't believe I didn't see it before and confused it with existing blood! Does it hurt? It's bleeding really bad!" The boy panicked.

"Oh, stop worrying, I'll live, that's why I didn't tell you about it and to be honest with everything going on I almost forgot…Yoh, what are you doing?" She shrieked the last part as he suddenly grabbed her, holding her in his arms.

"Anna, that looks really bad to me! It might get infected and you're losing a lot of blood! I need to take you urgently to the hospital!" Yoh shouted as he started dashing in the direction Amidamaru pointed.

Yoh had never felt more grateful for all the running he had to do as part of his training because now he was certain he could make it in time with her to the hospital.

"No, Yoh, no, we got to save those men first, I'm a shaman, I can make it! Their wounds are worse!"

"Shaman or not, it's been probably bleeding for quite some time and that's bad, Anna!" He said trying not to panic as he ran through the streets till he reached one of the open shops and shouted. "There's been a gang fight and some people got hurt just three streets away, can someone call an ambulance?"

"Yume, call an ambulance. Where did you say boy?" An old man appeared in the doorframe. "Oh, you two don't look too good either, did you get caught in the fight? People those days, it's no longer safe to walk at night with them, poor kids! Wait here till we also get you an ambulance!"

"Three streets away and we don't have time to wait for the ambulance, I gotta go and take her to the hospital, thank you, byeee!" Yoh cried as he resumed his dash.

"Yoh, I'll be fine…" Anna mumbled sleepily.

"No, stay awake, please Anna, stay awake!"

"But so tired…" She said cuddling into his chest despite the way her body shook from the dash - it was so nice and warm, she liked when he held her, it made her feel at peace and after everything they've been through it was all she wanted, to rest.

"Tell me my next training. Or where you want us to go next on a date. Please, just keep talking for me."

"OK, OK." She said rolling her eyes and started to recite his training for the whole week.

Despite her careless attitude towards the wound, she was actually pretty worried about it. It hurt her a lot, but she didn't want to worry him any further after everything she'd put him through and considering through what painful training she's putting him go through every day. So she bit her lip at times and tried to pretend she didn't feel the pain, trying not to hiss when he accidentally shook her too much.

She was grateful he gave her something to talk about to distract her from the growing pain. Overwhelming emotions. Overwhelming pain. Overwhelming day. Anna hoped this was really the last thing in store for them today and she could rest after. They both did as they wished they would never have to go through something like that before.

She continued talking about future date plans just as the hospital came in sight.