Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King so please don't sue me. I will not be responsible for any sudden bursts of tears that this fic may cause or the up and down feelings that you may experience from reading this.

Chapter 5 – Great Spirit, thank you

Awhile back she had fallen asleep against his chest as he slowed the horse down so that its steps wouldn't disturb her. They had been in the saddle for a few hours already. It was past the time that he had said that they would take a break, but he had expected it to be like this. She wasn't that experienced in the saddle as he was, but even he hadn't sat in a saddle for a while. His numb bottom reminded him of the old days, his past lives, countless hours that he would spend in the saddle until he had become accustomed to sitting atop a horse all day long. It was part of his training after all; it was expected from an Asakura to show off that they knew everything, that there was nothing that an Asakura couldn't do.

He sighed and she shifted in the saddle. She would have fallen if his arms weren't on each side of her, keeping her from falling off the top of the horse. His arms once again tightened protectively around her though he continued to hold onto the reins with his hands. He leaned his head forward and rested his chin against the top of her head. She continued to remain sound asleep, riding in the saddle for a couple of hours must have really worn her out he thought. He was going to pull over so that they could stretch their legs, but he was going to let her sleep for a little bit longer.

A smile played across his lips at the thought of taking a break; most likely something else would happen if they were to stop. Seeing her naked body sprawled out across the grassy scenery around him was most appealing to him, but he still wanted to let her rest if not just for a few more moments. His mind returning once again to the path ahead of him, it was long and old. It seemed to run on endlessly just as he remembered it though the boundaries of the path seemed to have widened over the years. He could remember the path being a bit smaller, but that is to be expected when 1000 years has passed since he last set foot upon the path.

He felt it suddenly; an old pain and scar that remained even to this day. It was from the wound that he had received from the fall after he had shielded her with his own body. Many scars seemed to remain no matter what body he was in, he had lost count of the various scars that decorated his body or even when he had received them. He couldn't remember sometimes, but other things always remained fresh on his mind, events that constantly played tricks on his mind and above all, his heart. He would always remember the events that played throughout that day to make things unfold and crumble in around him.

flashback

They had finally reached it, their spot. Hao lowered her gently from off his back and onto the grassy ground. Her eyes were closed now and her breathing shallow. 'Is she going to die?' His mind raced as he inspected each tiny part of her. 'No, there was nothing wrong with her physically.' It was something inside of her; something was trying to take her away.

'No!' His mind shouted and various incantations ran through his mind. He had studied the books. He knew the spells, there had to be a way to save her. 'Use magic.' He heard himself silently saying. It was one thing that he was supposed to be strongest at. Hadn't the Asakura's dedicated their whole time into carefully training him and what they were unable to teach him, he was able to learn on his own . But nothing had prepared him for this moment. No one had ever trained him on how to deal with the life of another human being; no one had ever shown him how to save a life, only how to destroy one.

"Anna." He was saying her name again without realizing it. His eyes strayed over to the water, the cold icy water that came off from the mountain. Maybe it would revive her, but they hadn't properly trained in its cold depths yet.

The two had trained under the freezing water that came from other waterfalls, but for some reason. The water that came here seemed to be even colder. The two of them had swam in the water a couple of times, almost drowning each time in an attempt to strengthen their bodies. It was their way of training when the adults weren't looking yet they were just enjoying themselves, playing around yet allowing their bodies to become accustomed to the artic water that flowed steadily into the area. She had always appeared stronger in the water. It hadn't been till much later that he had realized that it was a mental battle that one goes through when in the icy depths.

He had almost really drowned once and she had saved him pulling his heavier body onto the shore. It was his turn to save her now. He scooped up her tiny body into his arms realizing once again how petit she really was. Even now, she seemed lighter than when he had last carried her in his arms, but she wasn't protesting this time. She had beat against his chest, yelling for him to put her down or she'd kick his ass and he wasn't laughing now like he had been when she had told him that.

Hao stepped into the water, needles began to stab him in his feet, but somehow he pushed such feelings aside. His mind was focused on her and the pain in his leg numbed from the cool water, leaving him feeling nothing. Nothing, but her. He didn't want to go very far from the shore because the small pond had a drop off. It seemed shallow at first glance, but if you were to go out too far. You'd realize that it actually became quite deep.

He sat down in the shallow end, the water rising to his shoulders. He winced as the icy needles continued to bury their way into his body, but he held onto her as he seated her body into the water next to him. It was cold; it was dangerous, but for Asakura Hao, nothing mattered more than the one in his arms. 'Let my life end.' He thought. 'Just don't let hers end before mine.'

"Please Anna." He couldn't control it anymore, the shudders. They started in his body and began to tremble throughout. He couldn't feel his hands anymore. He wasn't sure if he was holding onto her anymore and he just wanted to close his eyes. He was tired from running the entire way; from the loss of blood and the thought of losing her must have taken years off his life. He just wanted it all to end, but he didn't want her to end.

She had always be a vibrant girl, cheerful in her own way, pushy in all other ways, bossing him around as if she owned the place already. They hadn't been married yet, but she still carried the air around her as if were born an Asakura. That is why the adults accepted her; it's why the people respected her. It was the reason why he loved her.

She was different. She didn't look at him expecting anything in return. Well, maybe besides having him for all life as her personal servant, but it was something that he was all too willing to do. Somehow, somewhere along the way, the idea had become appealing to him. Even fun at times because in his own way, he was able to use her also, what the elders didn't teach him. He learned through her.

He felt her suddenly, cuddling up against him. Their lives seemed to flash before his eyes and he just wanted to hold onto her more, but he was so damned cold. He was dreaming he told himself, of a time when he had been able to just hold onto her. His hands and arms refused to work anymore. 'Have I let her go?' He wondered and willed his body to not let go.

"Anna." He whispered again not even able to hear the tiny word that left his lips and than he faintly felt something stir beside him. Or was it on top of him.

He slowly opened his eyes, realizing that he had closed them. Her face was just right above his and she was leaning on top of him.

"Hao, it's cold." She leaned her head back down onto his chest and curled up against him, trying to gather as much body heat as she could from him.

'Anna..' He thought, the word playing over and over in his mind. He wanted to smile, but it was too painful, his body still refusing to listen. He couldn't feel his body anymore, but she was all right and that was all that mattered. 'Great Spirit… thank you…' It was his last thought as he felt himself leaving this world.

end of flashback

A/N: evil laughter ensues throughout the background Wow! I'm making more HaoXAnna fans. Yay!!! Actually I'm a AnnaXYoh fan above anything else, but HaoXAnna ties second with my ideals of YohXHao. XD