Forgotten Memories

By Elle Pellano

Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King.

A/N: Thanks to complicatedmind21 for the review. =)

I had planned to write my first ever fanfiction years ago but have only found time just now. Hope you'll like chapter 2. =)

It was getting dark when Anna reached the place. As she slowly trudged on the stony trail, she couldn't help but ponder on how she had missed the holy mountain so much. Osorezan had been a refuge to her and she felt like she was home again. It was here where she was found by old Kino, Yoh's grandmother. It was here where she had spent her training days as a young itako. It was here where she had her first encounter with Yoh as a child. Moreover, a recurring dream kept on telling her that it was here where he had abandoned them…

Her feet seemed to have known the way because she had just stopped in front of a big slab of stone on which the lady in her dreams, her past self sat while cradling a baby in her arms. She shuddered at the possibility of having been there before with no other than the most despicable shaman on the planet. Past emotions of grief, pain, and anger started to consume her soul. Her head began to spin as the surroundings suddenly morphed back in time. She let out a scream of agony.

Yoh jumped out of the couch with a start. The gang was playing cards in the living room which happened to be a mess of empty soda cans, potato chip wrappers, CDs and magazines.

"What's the matter Yoh?" Manta looked up at him with anxious eyes.

"I thought I just heard Anna scream," he answered.

Horo Horo slapped him at the back and teased, "You're paranoid, Yoh. Just because your scary fiancée left the inn to us for 3 days doesn't mean she employed ghosts to do the scolding for her. Chill out man. We'll make this place squeaky clean before she comes back, right Ryuu?" Horo called out to the tall Elvis lookalike washing the dishes in the kitchen.

"I'll keep my word on that Master Yoh!" Ryuu shouted back from a pile of plates and bowls.

"Whatever will happen here, Horo Horo's the one to blame," Ren let out a smirk.

"What's your problem Shark-hair?" the Ainu threateningly pointed his ikupasui at him. The Tao heir responded with a glare.

Yoh smiled as his two friends did their usual round of bickering. He actually missed it. It had been quite a while since they had gathered at the Funbari Onsen which was always like a home to them. However, the scattered chips and spilled beverages were an unholy sight to behold. He then remembered every word in Anna's note that he found stuck on their fridge.

Dear Yoh,

I'll be gone for 3 days. Kino asked me to run an errand. If your friends break anything, I will kill you.

Anna

The commotion in the living room was ceased by a loud crash from the kitchen. They all ran to Ryuu and found him sitting on the floor with broken pieces of porcelain everywhere.

"I'm sorry Master Yoh… I was carrying the pile of dishes to the cupboard where I could store them… But there was soapy water on the floor that I did not see.. Please forgive me…." Ryuu sniveled with streaming tears.

"Anna will kill me," Yoh whispered frightened.

Anna's world stopped spinning. She found herself standing across a miserable lady sitting on the slab of stone that was empty before. The poor woman who physically resembled her was begging for her long-haired husband priest not to leave them. But the man did not show any sign of remorse nor regret. He walked on until he disappeared from their sight. Anna closed her eyes as tears began to form. She couldn't bear to witness it all no matter how many times she saw it. She felt so helpless, so weak that she fell down on her knees. These images were more vivid and alive and the wails sounded clearer and more pitiful. Everything seemed so real. She even shivered at the cold wind blowing on her face. It was no longer a dream for her but an actual experience. The cries were getting even louder and closer and she felt something soft and warm in her arms. At this point, Anna opened her eyes. She was now sitting on the very stone slab, wearing the Patch-printed dress in place of the weeping wife. There was the wailing baby in her arms. Before she could even stop herself, the pleading words just came rushing out of Anna's mouth, "Hao, please come back!"

The night went still. The cries were deafened for a moment. And then there was a gust of violent strong wind.

"You called my dear?" He gave her his trademark sneer that she hated so much.

Thanks for reading!