Tile: Unsaid

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King

NG: ...so I hope this will go as well as Need coz I had been more or less in the same zone as I was then. Anyways...PLEASE REVIEW!

Story

I sighed, closing my eyes against the cool breeze stroking my face. The inn was silent…Anna must have already gone to sleep…surprisingly I couldn't.

Pulling my headphones down my head, I stared at it flaccidly. Its not like I want to do anything in particular, but I just feel so restless. Sitting here alone in the dark is sort of soothing…but for once I wish someone would accompany me. Like Anna usually did. It wouldn't be much. Neither one of us would have anything to talk about. But it would still be consoling, even if we were sitting several paces apart.

As I continued to gaze at my headphones, I started thinking about my battle outfit. Anna had worked hard on them. One would think she bought them ready made…but that was impossible. They looked exactly like what I had worn when I was eight. And those were made by my mom. I wonder if grandma had sent her a photo…

I smiled, marveling at the orange color. Anna would never admit to anything like that. She would work hard to the point of perfection, and never take credit. But she would take credit of working me into a Shaman King.

I smirked, not like that wasn't something to be proud of. She accomplished something my grandfather, the so called head of Asakura family couldn't do.

The sliding sound of my bedroom door tore me off my thoughts, my smirk instantly vanishing from sight. Anna stepped in, closing the door behind her. I gaped. She was holding a small tray with two steaming cups of tea.

…why am I surprised again?

"Yo." I grinned, my voice coming out softer than usual as she came towards me, setting down the tray on the floor in front of me and seating herself near it, looking at me expectantly.

Without another thought I slid off my perch on the balcony, sitting down beside her in silence.

We both gazed at the starless sky quietly, feeling the chilled wind creeping into my room.

"Are you cold?" I asked, letting a glance fall on her form. She was as still and expressionless as ever when she answered.

"No."

I smiled and looked back at the sky. A few minutes later I saw her pulling the blanket on my futon around her. I decided not to comment.

"You knew I was up." A stupid statement.

"You can say that."

I looked back at her, ignoring a chill running up my arm, "why aren't you asleep?"

She looked back at me, deadpan, "why aren't you?"

My smile faltered a bit as I turned my gaze at the cups, "I don't know…"

She continued to regard me quietly before letting out a small sigh.

I stiffened as she moved closer to me, unwrapping herself from the blanket and placing it around me. I looked at her silently as she leaned over, tucking the blanket over my shoulder before settling back beside me.

"Anna-"

"I won't kill you if you talked nonsense." Anna cut in, taking hold of her cup before pulling it close to her, clasping it between both her hands, "just this once." She added as an after thought.

I smiled, "I know…you need me to become the shaman king."

Anna paused, her lips close to the brim of her cup before nodding curtly, "Yes."

I laughed, leaning back on my hands as I gazed at the sky. The shaman tournament was still a mystery for all of us. No one knew what would happen if they became Shaman King. Would they even stay human?

I sighed; I didn't want to think about that. But no matter what I did, it always came to it.

"Yoh."

I blinked, looking at Anna. Her voice was too soft, like she didn't want me to hear and at the same time she did. I tilted my head a bit, regarding her, trying to read her. Usually it was easy for me. Even though I never knew what she would think of next, I usually knew what she was thinking of then. Anna wasn't prone to mystery. She didn't need to be. She was one in her full form.

Anna finally lifted her eyes from her cup, looking at me steadily. I lowered my eyelids, staring back.

There was a moment of silence when Anna spoke again, her voice not laced with her usual icy dominance.

"Your tea is getting cold."

I smiled, "sorry…"

Anna nodded, going back to sip her tea. I continued to gaze at her quietly, before imitating her. I clasped the cup between my hand, feeling its warmth run through my fingers, making a silly grin form on my lips.

"Do you want to talk about it, "Anna began softly, looking at her cup, "or do you want me to figure out."

This time my smile didn't falter as I took a sip, feeling a surge of gratitude and affection towards Anna for bringing the tea with her.

"…where do you want me to start?" I asked, noticing I had said the same thing she just asked me before I left for America.

She didn't reply for a moment, and I started feeling she wouldn't. We sat in silence for a while, each lost in our own thoughts before Anna broke the stillness again.

"Hao."

I started, looking up at her.

She looked back, her eyes unwavering as ever. I averted my eyes from her's.

"What about him?"

"You don't plan to kill him."

"I don't." I replied shortly.

To my surprise, she smiled and closed her eyes, "even if I ask you to…?"

I felt my heart still at her question. I looked at her, unable to think of a reply.

She wasn't smiling anymore, but not frowning like I expected either.

"You know how to save him."

I chose not to answer, looking at her silently as she finally opened her eyes to look at me. I knew Anna long enough to know she didn't bother with doubts. She knew exactly what I intended to do.

With a small sigh, she placed her cup back down, pulling the blankets more securely around her.

"I will kill you…" she whispered, pulling her knees close to her chest and settling her chin atop them, "if you changed…"

I blinked and smiled, "you know I can't promise that…"

She stiffened slightly, but gave no further response.

I continued to look at her as she gazed ahead, her eyes clouded.

My smile wavered a bit as my eyes fell on her hands. Without thinking, I slipped mine under her fingers clamping it gently. Not bothering to keep my lips stretched. Forcing a smile at Anna never gave its purpose anyway.

She looked up at me as I traced my thumb over them, marveling at their smoothness. They were soft. No matter how many times I touched them, it always struck me.

"It's been six years ne…?" I asked quietly, looking at my thumb circling her fingers, "since you shut the shoji doors between us, at grandma's."

Anna didn't reply, watching me impassively as I continued.

"I won't forget what I promised you." I said quietly my thumb coming to a stop at her index finger before leaving her hand at its place, "my duty is to Matamune first."

She lowered her eyes to her fingers, still where I left them on her knee. She didn't reply.

"I won't fail you."

She narrowed her eyes slightly at her hands, "Of course you won't." She replied back, curling her fingers around the blanket, "I won't let you."

I smiled at her before handing her my cup.

She looked up at me in surprise. I grinned, "Mine is warmer, and you seem cold."

Her eyes softened as she took it. I watched her look at it, before placing it against her lips.

My heart skipped a beat as I gazed at her. Just as she pulled her lips away, a sense of warmth filled me.

I grinned sheepishly as she looked up, frowning.

With a sigh, she leaned over me again, pulling the blanket back over my shoulder before pulling back.

"Sorry…" I murmured, unable to tear my eyes away from her.

She didn't reply, frowning at the cup.

Finally she sighed and glared at me, "Your family won't approve."

I flinched slightly. Not because of her words. But because I knew she was expecting me to tell her I was sure I was doing the right thing. Sure that everything will be alright.

To tell you the truth I wasn't. Not really. Merging with Hao I don't know what I would become. Would I be the Hao from thousands of years ago with my thoughts? Would I feel complete? What would feeling complete be like? I don't even know if I would even be human. Or some freak. A hybrid. My family was another matter. Everyone I knew would flinch at the prospect. Either behind my back or before me. It didn't matter. People always have. But now shamans would start to as well. I don't know what my friends would think. I don't know if they'd support me.

I sighed, scolding myself for even thinking such things. They didn't so much as bat an eye when they found out Hao was my brother…but still…this was different. Hao would be a part of me. And not a little part.

"Idiot."

I blinked, looking up as Anna unwrapped the covers from around her before placing my cup on the tray. I watched her pick up the tray and stand up, looking down at me expectantly.

What now?

For once I didn't know what to do. I fidgeted nervously under her glare. What did I do now?

Anna sighed before walking off. I looked at her leaving for a while, before deciding to follow her. I didn't felt sleepy anyway, might as well watch some TV? I needed distraction.

We passed Tamao's room. She was sleeping soundly with Ponchi and Konchi sprawled in weird angles around her. I felt a smile tug at the corners of my lips. She looked cute.

"One of these days I will send those two spirits to hell." Anna said, breaking into my thoughts.

I grinned sheepishly at her. She glared back, "And stop eyeing her."

"Hai Hai…" I sighed walking towards her.

She waited a moment as I drew near before making her way back down the stairs. I was a bit surprised. I expected her to hand me the tray and go off to bed. Guess she wasn't feeling tired either.

The inn at night looked scarier than it did at waking hours. But then we were shamans. What would we be scared of? Ghosts?

"Ne, Yoh?"

"Hmm?" I asked looking up at her. She was in the kitchen already, rinsing out the cups. I guess midnights did weird things to my fiancée.

I blinked. My fiancée?

She paused then shook her head, "Nothing."

I frowned. It wasn't like Anna to not speak her mind once she started. But I decided not to ask. I leaned against the kitchen wall, watching her put the cups in their place. She turned to look at me, her face not betraying anything she was thinking.

To anyone walking in on us, we'd seem insane. I mean, it was four in the morning and all we were doing was standing in the kitchen having a staring contest. Really brilliant.

But…I don't know. There was nothing to do. And just staring at each other…staring at her was comforting. Anna had always held these sorts of things better than I did. When she first came to Funbury to tell me about the shaman tournament; slowly helping me get used to the idea. When she stayed by my side , making me train during the battles, slowly helping me get used to the difference between the world of Shamans and battles, and school and homework.

Every time something drastic happened. She managed to put them in place for me. And when I moved on my own, losing myself not knowing what to do, she and Amidamaru placed me on my path again. Like the time Amidamaru convinced me to join the shaman tournament again. And then she had come, just making things fall back into place. Leaving me to wonder what I had been doubtful about?

I wished she'd do the same then. And as I gazed at her, I just sort of…waited.

The last night at Funbury, she had made me realize of the change. She had admitted she didn't want me to go.

Suddenly I wanted to know what she thought about what I had to do. I had to save him. Hao may be Hao but he was my brother. Did she think I was doing something stupid? Would she feel uncomfortable with me? Would she want to stay engaged?

"Anna-"

"It's late. We should head for bed." She replied shortly, advancing towards me.

I didn't move. It didn't felt right. I couldn't read her. Normally when I didn't it didn't bother me much. But for some reason then it did. Joining Hao I could lose my friends. And my family. And if I lost Anna too, where would she go? Back to Kino? And then what? Would I really be that disgusting?

"Anna." I started, looking at her, "about Hao-"

"I'll go to Izumo this weekend to find out how you can merge with him." Anna interrupted looking at me impassively, "your family would find it suspicious if you go and I have no time to take care of all the fuss you leave behind these days."

I smiled sheepishly and apologized.

She regarded me sternly, arms crossed before letting off a sigh.

"Kids these days."

I looked at her silently, "Anna…"

"You realize what you're doing don't you?" she asked, her voice stern.

I sighed and nodded, "Hai…"

"And what impact it could have on your friends and family."

I winced but nodded, "yeah."

She was silent before continuing, "It's going to be hard."

Yeah…that's one way to put it.

"Would…" I started, hesitating, "Would you-"

Anna raised her eyebrow skeptically.

I sighed, what was I expecting anyway? Anna never bothered to make things easier.

"Why are you helping me?" I asked instead looking at her and forcing myself to stay calm, "I mean-"

"Don't ask me stupid questions in the middle of the night." Anna said, glaring.

I bowed my head, "Sorry."

"Idiot." Anna snarled, still glaring at me, "You and Hao were once one and the same person. What difference would it make to unite back into one?"

I blinked, Eh?

"All Hao has to make him different from you is the memory of his and your past lives. And an unnecessarily large ego. You have a fresh outlook on humans. And the laziness that never ceases to give me a headache."

I sweat dropped, feeling my eyes twitch. Lazy? I did all the chores!

"Nevertheless when you merge you will acquire all the memories of your past life." Anna went on, "And possibly hate for all humans."

I frowned, opening my mouth to speak but Anna interrupted me again.

"But you won't lose the memories of this life. Or the two humans who helped you."

Ah. Manta and Colonel.

"And Amidamaru and Mosuke. Along with all the spirits who were humans before." Anna continued, as though reading my thoughts, "However you will acquire Reishii. That could prove to be a problem."

I blinked, "Why?"

Anna glared, "All thoughts aren't pleasant Yoh. And you can't stop reading other people as easily as you think."

I blinked again before my eyes widened. Souka! I could read Anna!

"No you can't." Anna interrupted me again, glaring hard, "I can block you out of my mind."

I laughed sheepishly, images of fleeing before Anna had a chance to give me the training schedule for the day instantly vanishing.

"Daijobu Anna. Everything will be alright."

"Hmph. Like that makes things easier."

I blinked, dotted eyed, "Why?"

She glared, "Didn't I say not to ask me stupid questions?"

I sighed, "Sorry. But…does that mean I can block you too?"

Anna lowered her lids, clearly unimpressed. "No."

I stared, "Why not??"

"Because if you did I would kill you." Anna replied simply

To argue would be stupid. Only a fool would think she was bluffing.

But I wasn't particularly smart that night.

"But you would block your's!"

"That's because men don't have any right to read a women's mind."

I gaped, "Why?"

"Because its improper."

"Its improper to read anyone's mind."

"True. But being the wife of the shaman king, I have rights."

I decided not to comment on that. Somehow Anna always win with that comment. And I had the feeling going on would be pointless. Not to mention painful.

Just as she turned to head back, I felt a small sigh escape my lips. Even if I was once part of Hao, or vice versa, we were two individual beings now. Would it really be saving Hao? But if I don't I would have to destroy him.

I sighed, deciding to stop thinking for that night and rest.

Anna was right. This was going to be hard.

When I turned about to go back upstairs, Anna was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

I blinked, "An-" I started, stopping short when I got a glimpse of something flashing in her eyes.

"If you and Matamune hadn't saved me, I might have been another Hao." She paused before looking at me directly in the eye, "If you falter and fail, I won't let you near this property again."

I smiled, "I know."

Giving a short nod, Anna turned back towards the stairs, slowly making her way up.

I guess I should have contemplated more about that night. It did strange things to my fiancée. And it started doing strange things to me.

Without thinking, my hand reached out to her, grasping her's gently. She turned about as I took a step closer to her, bringing her hands to my lips.

"Everything will work out." I whispered against her fingers, not daring to break eye contact.

She wasn't convinced. I knew it would take a lot more than just a little assurance to get her used to the idea. But, as I watched her going back to her room, closing the door without any word, I knew that that had been a start.

"I feel like I'm disappointing her…Amidamaru." I whispered as the startled spirit appeared beside me.

"Yoh-dono…"

I forced a smile, hating to worry Amidamaru.

"Never mind. I guess I just really shouldn't have taken that coffee." Tearing my eyes away from Anna's door, I grinned sheepishly at Amidamaru, "maybe I should go and rest."

Amidamaru offered a weak smile before nodding. As soon as he disappeared, my smile fell. Guess I really was tired.

Just then the sound of sliding door jerked my attention. Anna was coming out of her room again, wrapped in her brown jacket.

"Going somewhere?" I asked half curiously. It was too late for a stroll after all.

"I couldn't sleep." Anna replied shortly, making her way to the stairs. Not bothering to look at me.

"I'll get my jacket." I said before entering my room.

When I got down she was waiting for me at the door. Her usual impatient frown absent from her face.

I gave her a grateful smile which she didn't bother returning. Not that it really mattered. I was used to it.

"So…where do you want to go?" I asked, closing the gate behind us.

She shrugged, walking ahead. Catching up to her, both of us fell into a silent pace. It wasn't like there was nothing to say. But…there was nothing to start with.

The wind was chilly, and not a soul out. Except maybe rouges and robbers. Or a couple of insane termed people like us. I wonder who was scarier…

"Yoh."

I blinked, looking at Anna questioningly. Her voice was too soft again, I was almost sure I was imagining it.

For a while she didn't say anything. I was almost convinced I had imagined it, but then just as I was about to turn around again, she lifted her face and without looking at me, spoke again.

"It wouldn't matter." She began, her voice growing stronger with every word, "You and Hao were once one and same…" looking at me, she lowered her eyelids, "but you're not the same."

Blinking, I nodded.

"When you merge with him, I'll try to keep you from changing…but" pausing, she looked at me impassively. But somehow this time, something about her struck me. She was tired. Even though she had claimed she was doing all she could to become the first lady, Anna had never stepped forward to stop me from doing anything I had to do. She didn't hide her anger, but she hadn't forced me to re-enter the shaman tournament. Not until it was apparent it became necessary. She didn't stop me from going off to save Ren, even though she had disapproved from the start. She stayed quiet when all of us decided to let Hao be crowned shaman king, when I let Tokagero control my body and when I let all of my friends attain Hao's power from his manuscript.

"Daijobu." I grinned, "There's no point in worrying about it right? We have to do our best when the time comes."

The corner of her lips twitched slightly before she covered them with a glare, "I'm not worried. If you changed I'll make you do electric chair for the rest of your life."

I lowered my eyelids, smile still in place, "Really? You'd hate it that much?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself." Anna replied shortly, turning her face impassive.

I laughed, feeling something heavy lift from my shoulders. We were nearing the house again. I looked up and blinked. The sun was about to come up.

"Ne Anna," I said, still staring at the purple inked sky, "Lets watch the sun rise"

"No."

I blinked looking back at her and whined, "come on I never saw it!"

"Oh, then remind me to increase your training so it would start at dawn." She replied testily, walking towards the inn.

I sighed, following her. Guess I'll have to watch it alone. I couldn't afford to go to sleep now. In an hour or two I would have to get up again to make breakfast for Anna. Usually Tamao would insist on doing it. But she always over did it. And it made me a bit guilty to make her go through so much trouble. Believe it or not. Maybe all of Anna's training was beginning to make me realize how hard everyone else really worked.

My room was still cold when I entered it. Taking my blanket, I choose a good corner and settled down, feeling a little sleepy. Remind me to take a walk next time I feel restless and sleepless.

A few minutes went by, and I waited. Finally, the doors to my room opened, and Anna came in holding another tray, this time of warm milk.

I tried not to smile too much, but guess she saw the small smirk dancing about at the corner of my lips.

I could never manage those serious faces like she could.

"Don't be too proud of yourself, I just wasn't feeling sleepy."

"Really?" I asked, hoping my voice sounded as innocent as I tried to make it.

Giving me one final glare, she settled down beside me, pulling the blanket around her.

I felt something warm seep into my heart. It chased away all the stress I had been feeling merely hours ago, and made me want to smile for no apparent reason.

We waited for Kami knows how long for the sun rise. It seemed to take ages. Or maybe it seemed to us. None of us spoke, yet felt comfortable by it. Slowly the chilly air started numbing my senses. I didn't feel Anna's head falling against my shoulder. I don't even remember the first rays of the sun seeping on us. And I definitely don't remember holding her close as we slept through the morning. That was perhaps why I was, to say the least, shocked to find us the way we were in the morning. But that's not a story worth telling. All I can say is; I'll definitely remember to lock the room next time. Konchi and Ponchi just never learn.

Nightglider: Kay so explaining the last scene is going to ruin it a bit so whoever didn't get it can review about it and I'll reply back k? K!

So? How'd you like it? Nice ne? Please leave a review. Honestly people there are more than hundred people reading fics every day and only a few within ten bother to reply. Have some dignity!

…ok so scratch that. Still a review is in order to a fic a person has worked hard on people!