Two chapters in a row! How cool is that?

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Anna's POV

Takeshi left. He escaped from the hospital—the blithering idiot.

When I got there, the nurses were in hysterics. Shouting things like, "Security! A patient's escaped!" I tried hard not to laugh; it sounded like something you'd only see in a movie. I suppose ridiculous things like these still happen in real life.

Ryu also came to tell me that he was sorry he wasn't able to watch over Takeshi properly. He was panting; like he had just ran through a marathon. Of course, I hit him for that, but now, I'm starting to think I shouldn't have.

Ryu handed me an envelope with a lot of money inside, and said they were from Takeshi. He told me Takeshi didn't want me to be paying for his hospital expenses, knowing that I'm nearly broke (which I am), so he gave the cash to Ryu, to be given to me.

Ryu quickly left after completing his "mission." Actually, I would've been suspicious of his behavior, running off like that so suddenly and without a word, but I suppose he was just scared of me. People usually are. I don't mind.

And about that reckless airhead, Takeshi.

Well, I'm not angry at him. Honestly, I'm not. It's strange, but I actually feel…relieved. I'm sure that fool half-expected that I'd explode like a volcano the second I found out about his clever escape, but I surprise even myself. If I was looking at myself in front of a mirror, I'd accuse myself of being out of character. Because, to tell the truth, I'm really okay with it.

Something about it seemed right and I'm not really one to doubt my feelings—my gut feelings, at that—so I suppose what happened is really what's meant to be. Something felt just right about Takeshi leaving, but I can't really put a finger on the reason why. It's really frustrating that I don't understand why, but I thought it prudent to just let it go. After all, I'm not really the kind of person who'd dwell on petty problems like that.

But, it did annoy me a little that Takeshi had to make his great escape when he's still in the recovery process. How stupid is that? I'm not surprised if he's still in pain up to this time. He deserves it for acting so reckless. He could've waited until he was properly discharged, but no, he just had to make like a cat burglar and sneak away quietly. I would've let him go without question, but then again, maybe I wouldn't have either.

My emotions are kind of confusing lately, and I don't get why. I said I love Takeshi and I told myself repeatedly that it was similar to the kind of feelings I have for Yoh, but something also told me, it wasn't. Something tells me that I'm just confused. That I'm mistaking one for the other. That I'm jumping to conclusions.

I'm starting to think that's true.

I know I rarely jump to conclusions, being very practical most of the time and I also know I'm not one to be easily swayed by emotions, as I was taught during my Itako training.

Which is why I don't understand why I lose my cool when I'm with that idiot, Takeshi. Why I act differently. I say I'm "in love" with the guy, but at the same time, I don't. I feel as if I'm mistaking that "love" I'm feeling for the man for something else. But I just don't know what. I even kissed the man and it's starting to feel as if I really, really shouldn't have done that. It felt like it was something I was going to regret that I did…someday.

I winced. All this thinking and inner monologue is making my head hurt. I don't usually do stuff like this—it's usually Hana who does these things—so I hate it when I do.

I quietly stepped into the inn, simultaneously taking off my sandals. I walked into the living room, where I found Yoh tinkering with his Harusame.

Suddenly, I felt light. It was strange, but I suddenly felt so happy to see Yoh. It was like I hadn't seen him in a long time, which is stupid, because I see him every day. I wake up next to him every day.

But, out-of-character as it may sound, seeing Yoh made me smile. Made me happy.

Yoh suddenly sensed my presence and looked up, surprised. "Hey, you're back."

I nodded, the smile disappearing from my face. I didn't want him to see that.

I went around the table and sat next to him. I wanted to tell him about Takeshi leaving, but I thought it would be better if I just kept my mouth shut about him unless Yoh asked.

Well, predictably, he did.

"How is he?"

Ever since he had that row with Takeshi, he stopped referring to him by his actual name.

"He left," I said calmly.

Yoh almost fell off the couch in shock. "He did?"

"He said he had to go…somewhere…important," I lied.

Yoh, apparently, didn't notice I was lying. He almost always never did. I guess if you didn't have reishi, it's always hard to know if people are lying to you.

"Well, good riddance," he huffed before returning back to tinkering with his old sword.

I wanted to tell him off for talking about Takeshi like that, but I thought it wasn't a good idea. Takeshi did tell me to forget about him, and talking more about him wouldn't live up to what he expects of me. And besides, I don't want to have to fight with Yoh for something so trivial. I value our relationship more than that.

I looked at Yoh quietly. I could feel myself breaking into a smile again. I didn't understand why. "Yoh?"

He cheerfully looked up at me questioningly. "Yeah?"

"Do you want to go for a walk?"

Yoh paused, a little startled by the sudden offer. Then he laughed. He laughed so hard that it looked like he was going to cry from it.

"Aww…Anna-chan wants to spend time with me!" he teased.

I felt a vein pulse in my right temple. "Shut up," I said, glaring at him.

Yoh smiled even wider, so I smacked him on the head…hard. He yelped out in pain, clutching his skull.

"Ow! S-Sorry…"

I wanted to tell him off for apologizing. He has this stupid habit of saying sorry even when he technically doesn't need to, and this is one of those days.

After all…he was right.

I really wanted to spend time with him.

***

Takeshi's POV

I felt so stupid for forgetting to pay for my hospital bills. A second later, Anna might've had to pay for them and she's broke. Yoh's broke. Well, at least I think so. Those two don't have a job, and Anna said the Asakura fortune's dwindling, so yeah. I guess they are broke.

Ryu dropped me off in front of an old warehouse near the pier while he went to hand the money over to Anna. Poor guy was as scared as hell. I guess he just didn't want to face Anna after he let me escape.

I folded my arms in front of me, frowning. I stared down at my watch for like the tenth time already. Okay, so I wasn't really counting, but still, Ryu was taking too long. Where was he?

Suddenly, I saw a shadow of a man quickly move before my eyes. I blinked. What was that?

I quietly stared around, hoping I was merely hallucinating.

I wasn't.

"Still alive, I see."

I steeled. I remembered that voice.

"I know you," I said loudly. I silently searched around for the hoodlum, hoping he didn't notice I actually didn't know where he was right this moment.

"I know you, too," came his drawling voice.

"What do you want?" I called out, trying to sound braver than I felt.

There was a morbid pause. I felt my blood go cold.

"Your life."

A second later, I heard a soft click. I thought it was just my imagination at first, but the strong smell of gunpowder quickly proved me wrong. I jumped and barrel-rolled to my right just in time to avoid a whizzing bullet that threatened to pierce through my skull.

"So close," I whispered.

The hooded man—the same guy who tried to kill me, I presumed—slowly walked out from behind a small ice cream stand from across the street and pointed his gun at me.

I could almost see him smirking. "I know. Let's make the gap even closer."

He fired again, and I rolled away again. I began to feel dizzy. Okay, I can't keep doing this forever.

He quietly moved closer to my position, chuckling to himself maniacally. I dove behind a couple of trash bins and called out boldly, "I know you're a member of the Black Oni!" I cleared my throat. "Tell me what you want with me!" Well, that sounded pathetic.

"I was not instructed to answer questions, especially yours," was his reply. "I was only instructed to make sure you die."

With that, he fired again. The bullet pierced through the trash bin to my left and I shuddered. Again, that was a close one. Any closer, I might've been shot again. And most probably, I'd actually die from it this time.

And my attacker knew it.

"Are you scared?" he said in a taunting tone. I wanted to be offended and scream at him that I was no scaredy cat. But that would just get me killed. So I remained silent. He continued. "No Anna Asakura to protect you now… You're all alone, Takeshi Himura."

I almost fell back in shock. "You know Anna?"

The man didn't answer. He simply fired again. I ducked, feeling the bullet whiz above me.

Panting, I inwardly jumped for joy. Yeah! A lead, finally! If the Black Oni knew about Anna and what she can do as an itako, then she must have something to do with what this cult—or this demon—must be planning.

Suddenly, I felt sharp pain burn through my chest. I staggered back and hit the wall behind me. My wounds were acting up. Crap. I could almost see my attacker smirking victoriously.

"You're still recovering from your gunshot wounds," he commented.

I didn't let him finish. "Gunshot wounds that you inflicted on me," I spat at him.

"Such an honor," he said sardonically. I felt my jaw tighten angrily. The man chuckled. "And such a wonderful thing. It will be very easy to kill you then."

"Bring it on, jerkface!" I yelled before pushing the warehouse doors behind me open and flinging myself inside. Sweating profusely, I quickly grabbed the lock that was gathering dust between my feet and used it to lock myself from the other side of the warehouse. There was another set of doors in the opposite side of the building and I planned on making that my escape route.

One thing was pulsing rapidly in my head: how am I supposed to make the Black Oni believe that I'm dead? That they actually killed me? They won't let up unless they're sure I'm wiped off from the face of the Earth and I have to somehow make them think that I'm gone for good. But how?

Suddenly, I saw a bunch of ultra-thick metal sheets stacked one on top of the other. A filthy-looking leather jacket (that still looked fake, anyway) hung on a nail a few inches from the stack. I smirked. That gave me an idea.

Memories from an old time travelling movie came spiralling into my head. For the first time, I thought, Hollywood actually held significance.

There wasn't a moment to lose. It was now or never. I quickly sprinted over to the stack of metal sheets and grabbed one of them. There were holes in each of its four corners and each hole had a really thick rope tied around it. I didn't know what they were for, but for now, I considered them as my only shot at saving my life.

I tied the two adjacent ropes together and pulled the loop over my head. The "breastplate" fit snugly, though I had to admit, it was kind of heavy. It was really thick and made of solid metal. I felt like I was gonna collapse because of the weight. My gunshot wounds didn't quite help either. But I had to bear through this. I had no other choice.

I quickly ran and snatched the worn jacket from the hook, using it to cover my new "breastplate." With that, I made my way towards the other exit, the one overlooking the sea.

As fate would have it, the other set of doors behind me crashed open and yup, you got it, there was the madman, shooting away at me with his gun.

I continually ducked and jumped and barrel-rolled to avoid the bullets, and strangely, I did miss each one. I know, it seemed really unbelievable—I've always thought something like this only happens in the movies—but that's what really happened.

Finally, I reached the other side of the warehouse and pushed the doors open. I focused my attention on that side of the pier with no railings to separate land from the sea. That was exactly what I needed to fake my own death; but I had to do this carefully.

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I could still hear the mad gunman shooting at me. He still couldn't hit me. Maybe he was just a bad shooter. Or maybe I was just plain lucky. I probably have an angel watching over me. Maybe.

Finally, I reached the part of the pier that I was looking for. I carefully stood with my back to the sea, my heels just a few inches away from sliding off the sand and falling into the waters. It so happened that that particular area was situated in a corner, so it gave my assailant the feeling that he got me now. That I was completely under his mercy.

Oh, man, that bonehead didn't know just how wrong he was!

I wanted to scream, "Ha!" at him like an arrogant brat, but that might give me away. Instead, I acted all scared and shaky, hoping that would trick the man into shooting me.

Yeah, I wanted him to shoot me. I was not losing my sanity; I wanted him to shoot me, for real. More specifically, I wanted him to hit me in the chest, where my lifesaving breastplate or "bullet-proof vest" was hidden beneath my ugly jacket. The sudden impact with the metal would be painful, yeah, considering I was still recovering from being shot multiple times before, but I'd still be alive. And that's what mattered.

The force would send me tumbling down into the sea. I'm a trained swimmer, I can stay underwater for as long as five minutes and I'd do that now. The idiot would think I'd drowned, having been "shot", and I'd just resurface once I was sure he was gone.

Easy peasy. Or not. I swallowed. Focus, Takeshi, focus!

"You sealed your death sentence the moment you stepped to this side of the pier," he declared knowingly. I wanted to laugh at him. Quite the contrary, my good man. "You have nowhere else to run. To hide. No one to protect you. No Anna Asakura to save you." The man raised his head and I got a good look at the face beneath the hood. He had scars on his face and he had unruly orange hair. He looked to be in his thirties.

I also saw a black "Oni" symbol just like mine tattooed on the man's left arm. I guess that mark proved you're a member of the Black Oni. Or a victim of theirs, in my case.

He smiled crookedly, pointing his gun at me. I narrowed my eyes, trying to make sure the bullet was going to hit any part of my upper torso, where the metal was.

"A bullet to the heart," my attacker said softly. "Very dramatic."

I wanted to scream triumphantly. A bullet to the heart…to the chest! Yes! Everything was going just as planned.

He set his finger on the trigger. "Goodbye, Takeshi Himura." The gun went off.

I felt the bullet hit the metal on my chest. The sudden force made me gasp in pain—I still had my old gunshot wounds after all—and I stepped back and fell into the sea behind me.

Before I fell, I saw the man smiling victoriously at me. In a split second, he swished his cloak and just like that, he vanished. Looked like he didn't want to make sure I was really going to die. Good. What a dope. If I were the Black Oni, I would've punished him severely for his stupidity. But I guess his stupidity is good news, seeing as it worked towards my favor.

I suddenly felt water envelop me. I took a deep breath before I totally sunk into the sea. I fell backwards into the water, so it was a bit hard to maintain good form below.

But there was one thing I didn't anticipate. The rocks underwater.

I gasped in pain, bubbles of water gushing out of my mouth. My head hit a big rock and I felt like I was going to faint. The last thing I saw before blacking out was a girl. She was swimming towards me and she grabbed my hand, pulling me up. That was all I saw.

***

I woke up by the side of the pier, soaking wet. I was shivering. My head also hurt terribly. And I couldn't see very well.

I suddenly felt a warm, fuzzy towel wrap around my body. I looked up. There was a girl standing over me. I tried to make her out more clearly, but my vision was just too blurry for that. I sneezed loudly. I heard the girl giggle. What the hell's so funny?

I looked up, squinting. Who was this girl anyway? I was sure she was the same one who dove into the water after me and saved me from drowning.

At first, I thought it was Anna again coming to my rescue. (I know; I sound pathetic.) But it wasn't her. The girl was taller and had long, flowing black hair. Anna's blond. Obviously, this wasn't her.

"That was a dangerous stunt you pulled," the girl suddenly said.

I found myself answering back. "Well, what else was I supposed to do? I had no other choice."

"I suppose you're right." I heard footsteps walking away from me. The girl was leaving. "But it's a good thing I got to you when I did. Otherwise, someone would've lost you, and you're the only one she has left."

I wasn't really listening. I just wanted to know who the girl was.

"Who are you?"

There was no answer. Still groggy, I passed out again.

***

I don't know how many times I've woken up today. It seemed I'd repeatedly pass out, wake up, pass out and then wake up again. Frankly, it's starting to annoy the crap out of me.

This time, I woke up with Ryu crouched down beside me, shaking me awake.

"Takeshi-sama?" He sounded worried. "Are you alive?"

Annoyed for some reason, I pulled the towel around me away from Ryu's grasp. "Of course I'm alive; what made you think I'm not?"

"Uh…you weren't speaking?"

I sighed. I refrained myself from calling him an idiot. He was receiving too much verbal abuse from me and he didn't really deserve it. He was helping me, after all. I sighed again, more deeply this time. Anna's rubbing off on me.

"What happened?" he asked, concerned as hell.

I rubbed my head, trying to gather my bearings. "Some psycho from the Black Oni came and tried to kill me again. I barely managed to survive."

"But why're you drenched? Did he push you into the sea or something?"

I shook my head. "No, he shot me."

Ryu looked absolutely horrified. "You were shot?! Again?"

I laughed. I waved my hands in front of his face, trying to calm him down. "Yes, I was, but I was wearing this." I opened my wet jacket and revealed the metal "breastplate" I had underneath. There was a deep dent in the area where my heart was supposed to be.

I guess the man really was a sharpshooter then.

"A bullet-proof vest?" Ryu mouthed, amazed. He chuckled. "You've been watching too many movies lately, Takeshi-sama."

I smirked at him. "I know, and they saved my life."

Ryu then helped me up, with my towel still snugly wrapped around me. Suddenly, I wondered where that towel came from. I tried to remember things before Ryu came to wake me up, but most of it was a blur. I couldn't even remember why my head was hurting so much.

"So what's next?" Ryu asked.

Popping back into reality, I began looking around cautiously. I quickly pushed my hair down, desperately trying to look different from what I usually look like.

"The Black Oni thinks I'm dead," I whispered to Ryu haphazardly. "And we have to keep it that way. If they find out I'm still alive, they'll hunt me down again and try to kill me for the third time."

Ryu stared at me, terrified. "Well, we can't have that!"

"That's right, so I need you to hide me, Ryu. Change my name, my look…and my identity. They mustn't know that I'm still alive."

Ryu quickly shielded me from the streets and he immediately took off his big, white jacket and forcefully made me wear it. He grabbed a big trucker cap from his knapsack and pushed it down my head. Then, he shoved a pair of shades into my face.

"There!" He grinned down at me, satisfied. "We'll have to make do with that for now. I'll fix you up in my place later, so don't worry too much about style, Takeshi-sama."

"I'm not worried about that; I'm worried about my life!"

Ryu quickly hopped on his motorcycle and I sat just behind him. He put on his helmet. "It's a good thing you're sopping wet, otherwise it would've been easy to recognize you. But we can't take our chances, right? Let's just get out of here."

I put on my own helmet and grinned gratefully. "Thanks, Ryu. Dunno what I'd do without your help."

I could almost picture Ryu smirking lightly. "Always glad to be of service, Takeshi-sama."

---

Okay, first off, after Ryu found Takeshi all soaking wet by the side of the pier, there was nobody spying on them or anything. I just wanted to make that clear; some of you might have some crazy ideas about another member of the cult watching Ryu and Takeshi as they conversed. No; if that were the case, I would've said it myself.

Secondly, that black-haired girl is not someone from another anime. No; this time, it's all Shaman King, and well, some new characters I made up, I guess.

Also, I'm not really that satisfied with how I wrote under Anna's POV. I hope I did fine. It's my first time to write under Anna's perspective, so do take it easy on me.

And yay! I wrote a YohxAnna moment! You must be happy! Well…that was only a small YohxAnna moment, but come on, at least there's one! Better one than none! (Hey, that rhymes!)

And furthermore, there will be less chapters about Anna and Yoh, and more of Takeshi and Ryu. I know; you'd say I'm taking away the original "Shaman King" part of the fic (because Takeshi is not an actual character of the series), but no, that won't turn out like that. Some familiar (and fan favorites!) SK characters will show up and the reason why I can't give too many chapters to Yoh and Anna is because the action is in Takeshi's side. You'd get bored if I just wrote pointless YohxAnna chapters with no meaning and just for the sake of publishing a YohxAnna moment.

And remember; Anna and Yoh are completely unaware of the "big thing" that's gonna happen and it's only Ryu and Takeshi who are going to make that "big thing" known. Because Anna and Yoh are constantly kept in the dark, there's really nothing for them to talk about.

Anyway, sorry, long post-chapter notes…I wanted to explain some things…y'know, shed light on some confusing stuff.

Thanks again for reading. Review, okay? ;)