Disclaimer: Shaman King belongs to Hiroyuki Takei, not me.
Why aren't you shaking?
Step back in time
Graciously taking
Oh, you're too kind
And if the answer is no
Can I change your mind?
-"Change Your Mind" by the Killers
December 31, 1995
Pale winter sunlight had been streaming through her window for a few hours by the time she forced herself to get up. Her head felt thick and fuzzy from lack of sleep, but there was no way she could rest. Her mind had been too awake and her thoughts too restless.
You know what you have to do, she told herself severely. Your mind has to be made up.
It took another hour of wasting time- tidying her room, rearranging her dolls, packing away her sewing supplies- before she could work up the courage to go downstairs. But finally she snuck out of her room, the door creaking loudly in the silent, vacant inn.
She peeked into the kitchen and frowned. Kino sat alone, sipping a cup of tea. "There you are, child," the old woman said. "I was beginning to wonder if you would ever come out."
"Where is he?" Anna asked.
"You mean Yoh?" Kino said. "He went into town. He wanted to find gifts for his family in Izumo. Such a thoughtful boy."
Anna dug her ragged fingernails into the doorframe. There's no way I can go into the village again, she thought. I went yesterday. Isn't that enough torture?
"He waited for you," Kino said mildly. "He wanted you to go with him, but I told him to let you sleep." The old woman set her teacup down on the table. "Anna, he truly does seem to like you. Why don't you pay him a little attention, eh?"
Anna spun around and stormed back up to her bedroom. She grabbed her coat and scarf and pulled them on. I'll show him, she thought bitterly. That'll make him leave. He'll have to leave me alone.
She slid into her shoes and let herself out the side door, only to find the cat spirit waiting for her.
"Ah," it said. "Anna."
"Leave me alone," she said sharply, twining her scarf around her neck.
"Going in search of Yoh, are you?" he asked.
"It's my business," she said. "Not yours, cat."
The cat didn't seem to be fazed. "Kino has told me about your gift," he said.
"Leave me alone," she repeated, her voice rising, and she ran down the street towards the village.
It was freezing outside. She pulled her scarf tighter around her neck as she wove in and out of the busy sidewalks. The people seemed more cheerful than usual; the streets were busy and noisy. She peeked into each shop, looking for the boy.
He was easier to spot than she had expected. He was in the corner of a souvenir shop, poking through the various knickknacks and talking to himself. "Souvenirs have to be chosen carefully," he mumbled. "Plus, Grandpa's really picky. What would he like?"
Anna frowned as he paused in front of a display of picks in the shape of naked women. He flushed.
Ponchi and Konchi might like those. They're dirty old men at heart.
What on earth is he talking about? she thought. Without catching herself she blurted out, "What are you thinking about, you pervert?"
He leaped back, nearly dropping the cup. "What?" he shrieked. "I mean- nothing!"
"Who would like those naked girls?" she accused, her eyes flashing. "They're disgusting."
He stared at her, mouth agape, as he slid the cup back onto the shelf. Then he took off running. "No, I didn't-"
He halted. She waited patiently for his realization. "What? Wait, I didn't say that out loud!"
"That's what I asked what you were thinking," she said, slightly annoyed. "So who are they?"
His eyes widened until she thought they might pop out of the sockets. His thoughts seeped into hers and she saw things clearly. "Oh, I see," she said, half to herself. "They're animal spirits that guard your house. But they do look disgusting. Especially the raccoon dog. I'd like to slap his face."
The boy tensed up. "How did you know?" he asked. He took a step towards her. "And how did you know who I was if you'd never seen me before? And why didn't you speak to me when you got home yesterday?"
His dark eyes flashed. He's getting angry, Anna though glumly.
"And the demon!" he said. He lunged, grabbing her by the shoulders. She flinched, too startled to move. "What's going on? Who are you?"
His face was inches from hers, his dark brown eyes sparking. "Did you send that demon after me?" he demanded.
The only thing she was aware of was his hands on her shoulders. He gripped her tightly, his fingers closing easily over her. She panicked, and without thinking she drew back and slapped him across the face. He tumbled backwards onto the floor.
"I told you," she said, her voice quiet and fierce. "Don't talk to me like you know me."
He hunched on the floor, tears smarting in the corner of his eyes. "Ow!" he yelped, scrambling to his feet with his hand pressed against the red mark on his cheek. "What was that for? Didn't you come here to talk to me?"
Something was stinging her eyes; she resisted the urge to rub them. "Don't get close to me," she warned him. "It'll only bring you grief."
"What?" he sputtered.
She turned her back on him. "I came to say goodbye," she said quietly. It was easier if she didn't look at him, but she could still see his thoughts clearly. She saw him with his pretty dark-haired mother, with his blustering yet proud grandfather, with a little girl with a sweet face who seemed to worship the ground he walked on. That hurt the most.
"There are other girls out there. Pick yourself out a nice one," she said bitterly. "If you want to be happy, go home to Izumo. Goodybe."
She started to leave the shop; the bells above the door chimed discordantly. She paused. "But thanks anyway," she whispered.
Anna walked back onto the street, the cold air whipping her hair and stinging her face. The bells jingled and the door slammed, and the boy ran after her. "Wait! Wait a minute," he protested. "I don't get this. It doesn't make any sense!"
She kept walking. He kept running, hounding at her heels. "Help me understand," he said. "Who are you?"
She paused, struggling to find an explanation. "I..I'm…" she whispered.
I'm a freak.
I destroy everything around me if I don't keep myself.
I'm the person everyone finds easy to dislike.
I'm so unlovable that even my parents didn't want me.
She felt the sharp popping of shikigamis materializing around her, preparing to take their form. Just as well, she thought unhappily, and she made no effort to stop them.
"What are those?" the boy breathed.
The shikigamis formed an oni, taller and broader than any she had created before. She heard the boy step backwards and trip over his own shoes, falling hard on the pavement.
"I told you to go home," she said.
I don't understand.
The boy didn't move. It was as if he was frozen the ground.
I'm scared!
He scrambled to his feet, yelling in terror as the oni lunged for him. She heard the lightning sound of glass windowpanes shattering, but she didn't bother to turn around. This won't last long, she thought. He'll run away and go home. It didn't make her feel better.
"Help me!" he shouted.
"It's always like this," she said.
Why isn't she doing anything? Isn't she scared too?
"Whenever I go outside, demons appear," she explained tersely. "They do bad things and then they disappear. That's why I stay in my room."
"What? You mean you're not doing this?" he hollered.
More glass shattered. Even from her distance, she felt tiny shards shower into her hair. "If you're not doing it, where are the demons coming from?" he demanded.
The store owner bolted from the shop and started yelling at him. Of course the old man's angry, she thought. He can't see the oni.
This wasn't going to end well. The oni would continue its rampage until she removed herself. In the meantime, the boy would get in trouble with the shopkeeper, and he'd be so angry with her he'd go home immediately and leave her alone.
That'll work, she thought, and found herself unexpectedly disappointed.
A voice cut through her thoughts. "Hey! That's a real sword, boy!" the shopkeeper warned, shouting over the crash of shattering glass.
She couldn't help herself. She turned around, only to see the boy standing in front of the oni, brandishing a katana. A sword? You've got to be kidding me, she thought. Yoh Asakura…you would dare fight a demon? Aren't you afraid?
Her chest tightened. The boy was nothing compared to the demon. The oni could destroy him in the blink of an eye if it wanted to. And she knew it did. Why don't you run? she thought.
"Anna!" he shouted. "Run!"
She took a step back, surprised. "What did you-"
"I'll take care of the demon," he shouted, gripping the sword handle so tightly she could his knuckles turning white. "Run back to Grandma's house and get Matamune!"
She looked down, her breath coming fast and her mind racing. That sword won't do any good, she thought. Only another demon can destroy a demon. Run away!
She tried to talk, to tell him to go, but her throat was dry as paper. "R...run," she whispered, the words barely making a sound.
Run away, Yoh Asakura!
The oni raised its massive arm to strike. Her heart stopped beating. "Get out of its way, Yoh!" she screamed, high-pitched and panicked.
Yoh looked at her, distracted. She braced herself for the oni's final blow, but it was gone.
She glanced around wildly. It had vanished. Completely.
Yoh slumped to the ground, breathing hard, the sword falling beside him. Anna stood frozen in the middle of the street. Curious villagers milled around, buzzing about the broken glass and helping up the old shopkeeper.
She backed away slowly, blending into the crowd, and when she was far enough away she turned and walked as fast as she could back towards the inn. Her heart raced. All she wanted to do was go home and hide.
She heard the steady rhythm of running footsteps behind her. She didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
Author's Notes:
I know I know I know I know I know...you are all mad with the lack of updates. Well, I have an excellent reason: my laptop, my beautiful shiny blue Spock, is no more. I'm pretty mad- he was only a year old! But P and I have been discussing things, and we're going to sell both laptops and buy a desktop for the family and a netbook for me. And ergo, dear friends, I'm writing this on my brand new little netbook. His name is Wilbur Robinson, and he's darling.
Hopefully updates will come faster. Just bear with me! And don't be afraid to leave comments. I love those bad boys
JessicaArgueta12: Hao may very well pop in again. I'm not entirely sure. But I am sure that the story will go all the way to Funbari no Uta.
carameL: I'm glad this story makes you smile. :)
Reddragon13x: I tend to paraphrase the manga so that it flows smoothly. I used to compare the Viz translation to the OneManga translation...but now it's gone. Sad day.
A Nightmare You Love: I hope you like the song that goes along with this one. And thanks for the lovely comments!
yehey: Now that Yoh's here, I hope you enjoyed his adorableness in this chapter.
the terrorist: I really appreciate how you pick up on all sorts of little things in my writing! It makes me feel loved. :)
zaza98able: I'm glad I'm stretching your musical horizons! I listen to all sorts of things while I write...my taste in music is a bit...um...eclectic.
cm21: YAAAAAY FOR YOOOOH!
Emumoon: Yoh is still not quite a focal character...but I hope you enjoy seeing more of him!
majrocks: Ozoresan Revoir is my favorite part of the manga too. I wore out my copies of 19 and 20!
Hopefully the next chapter will move a little faster...I hope people are still interested in this!