Chapter Two of my first shaman king story. Thanks for those who reviewed because of you I felt guilty and started making a chapter 2.
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My heartfelt gratitude to the following:
Hpcs2 - Suprema Onmyoji Isah
Nightglider-star
yehey
djyxa
XxblackwingsxX
egamtaerg
-OO-Infinity-OO-
Munz
bitter-raindrops03
Vampire Kitty Of Doom
elpatolocosisi
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If anyone has a similar plot just tell me and I'll revise this.
Disclaimer: I'm just borrowing the characters from Shaman King.
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Recap of Chapter 1
Those things were facts he knew beforehand but there was one thing he didn't know. He didn't know that his life would lose direction without her. The burning feeling inside him kept taunting him to do something or he might just explode with sadness and longing. It was a strong feeling of wanting to see her right then and there, to apologize and promise yet again, that for her, he would attain the title shaman king.
He couldn't help wonder how it would feel like to pull her into a tight hug, never to let go. A single hug from her was worth the thousand slaps that would follow. This was how much he longed to have her back again by his side, always supporting.
Before, it was his dream to become shaman king and have an easy life afterwards, but right now, his dream had been altered.
He now wanted an easy life together with the girl he cared for so much.
Realizations Hit Hard
By:
TwilighT DovE
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"As you left and said your good-byes, you forgot to tell my heart how to live without you."
-Anonymous
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"220 -huff- 221 -huff- 222 -huff- 223" Yoh counted wearily as he continued doing push-ups while Amidamaru watched him, half-sympathetically, half-proudly. Manta was there too, feeling slightly guilty for meddling in Yoh's affairs and bringing him back to the training he disliked.
"Yoh, do you really have to do this?" He inquired anxiously. "This isn't what I meant with what I said."
Yoh paused from his training for awhile and collapsed on the ground, breathing deeply. "You told me... yesterday that I ...should do something. This is...the only way...I know."
"Does your training mean you're going to join the shaman fight again?"
He nodded. "Grandmother said that she'd be the one to find Anna and all I have to do is focus on my training and on the shaman fight once it starts."
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--
"Yoh!"
Consecutive calls of his name distracted Yoh from his training. He directed his gaze towards a mass of familiar-looking shamans who were standing on a cluster a few yards from him. A surprised expression flashed on his face once recognition dawned on him. "You..." he trailed off, weakly, "...all of you."
"Yoh what is it I hear that you're quitting?" His ever-so arrogant rival and friend questioned him furiously.
"Well, Ren, actually..." Yoh was about to answer, if only he wasn't interrupted by another one of his friends.
"Yoh, you can't do this!" Horohoro whined childishly. "You can't just quit after everything."
Yoh could only fake a chuckle as he anticipated more assault.
"Master Yoh, what happened?" It was obviously Ryu. And geez, was he crying? "Did you break your leg or what? Oh, Master Yoh, it must be a hard decision. But if that's what will make you happy, I will support you against my will."
Ren and Horohoro's hands suddenly made their way to Ryu's head, and he stopped his blabbering.
"If that's the case," Faust stepped forward with a grim expression that sent shivers down Yoh's spine. "I'll be glad to take care of your leg, or whatever it is you've broken."
Yoh sweat-dropped and gave a nervous shake of his head.
"Oh, Yoh--my Yoh," Chocolove started singing--off-keyed. "I never knew you have a sense of humor. Now come 'on why don't you say it's all a joke. Don't worry, Chocolove here will make sure to laugh."
"Shut up!" Both Ren and Horohoro said instantly, as if it was their sworn duty to suppress their friends' insanity.
As the two were berating Chocolove, Lyserg approached Yoh. "Is it true?" He was the only sensible one to ask a serious question. At this, everyone fell silent, anticipating his answer.
"Uh," he started awkwardly. "I changed my mind. I've decided to join again."
"What?" Everyone chorused, with the apparent exception of Lyserg. Each of them bore a bemused and a slightly irritated look that made Yoh wonder if perhaps, they were actually rejoicing when they thought he really did quit.
"Is that so?" Lyserg gave a small smile, but with a hint of weariness. "I guess we wasted our time going here, then."
"I knew it!" Horohoro proclaimed triumphantly. "I knew it wasn't true."
Ren glared at Horohoro as though he spoke the greatest lie of the century. "What are you saying? It was you who overreacted and insisted we go here today."
"Uhm well..." Horo stuttered, red-faced in embarrassment. "I just wanted to confirm--that's all."
"It's okay," Yoh intervened before another round of useless quarreling could start. "Do you all want to go inside for a drink since you're already here, anyway?"
"That'll be great, Master Yoh," Ryu said and walked over towards the house---and stopped. "Hey Master Yoh, where's Anna. By now, she should've gone out to meet us, what with all the noise."
That--rendered Yoh speechless for a few momentary seconds. "She's not here today," he replied casually and walked off towards the house. The others stared at his back, sensing that something was definitely wrong, but couldn't quite guess what exactly it was.
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As it happened, the gang did not merely stay for a drink. They've been hanging out at Yoh's living room for the past several hours before they decided to sleep in one of the rooms. The sky was already painted in darkness when Yoh sneaked out to get some fresh air. Silence reigned as he stared up at the gleaming stars above.
"Master Yoh," Amidamaru appeared warily at his side. "Someone's coming."
"I know," he breathed calmly as a shadowy figure suddenly appeared before him. "Who are you?"
"So, this is the famous Yoh Asakura," the unknown intruder said patronizingly and with a sneer on his face. "Let me introduce my name. I'm Akuma, the future shaman king."
"Be careful, Master Yoh," Amidamaru suggested cautiously. "Be alert. I don't trust his face. I think he's going to attack any minute now."
"Future shaman king?" Yoh echoed. "And what brings you here?"
"No reason," Akuma replied smugly. "Just here to beat you. That's all there is to it."
"We'll fight during the tournament," Yoh stated. "This is no time for useless fighting."
"Oh I don't mind if you won't fight," he answered maliciously and wielded his spirit ally. "But I will."
Yoh prepared his stance, but even before he could put on a great defense, he felt a strong force drive him backwards. He went flying towards the house and ended up lying on a disintegrated wall.
"Master Yoh are you okay?" Amidamaru anxiously asked him while at the background, Akuma laughed sadistically.
"I'm okay, Amidamaru," he replied as he stood up limply. He felt several bones fractured upon the impact, and blood dripping down his hands. "Don't worry," he said. He grabbed his Harusame and was about to perform his over soul, when all his friends came to his rescue.
"Yoh!" Several voices called him but he couldn't quite distinguish one from the other. His head was swimming in pain and before he knew it, darkness overwhelmed him.
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"He's awake now," Yoh was pretty sure it was Manta's voice that greeted his consciousness.
He sat up straight and saw the faces of his worried friends. "What happened?"
"Oh Master Yoh, you fell unconscious after getting hit by that psychotic Akuma," Ryu stated half-angrily, and half-worriedly. "Are you feeling okay now?"
Yoh nodded.
"Thank goodness," Horo said with obvious relief. "We were surprised to hear a loud banging outside and when we went out to check, we found you barely hanging on."
"Well, we already took care of him," Lyserg noted gravely.
Yoh bowed his head low. Somehow, it felt wrong. He felt weak. He was supposed to be the future shaman king, but he managed to get himself beaten even before the tournament resumed.
"I don't understand you, Yoh," Ren said with folded arms. "How could you allow a weakling to beat you?"
"I'm not really sure how." Yoh answered with a chuckle.
Manta watched Yoh's unchanged look, knowing that it was only a facade. He, too, was surprised to know that someone had actually beaten Yoh. He--the one who managed to defeat the world's most wanted shaman--was defeated by a nobody. It was utterly unpredictable. Still, based from Manta's readings, he knew that a shaman's strength relied not only on physical strength, but also on his spiritual and emotional stability. Perhaps, that's what Yoh was currently lacking.
"I think Yoh needs to rest," Faust declared and stood up. "We should all go home now."
All of them assessed Yoh's condition and hesitantly bid him farewell before they piled out. Yoh could still hear Ren and Horohoro's discussion of the possibility of why he lost. Only Manta was left with him inside the room. He laid back down again.
Both of them were silent. No one dared to say a word for a single word seemed too hard to utter. Yoh was consumed by his own thoughts while Manta was inwardly fighting the urge to again meddle in Yoh's affairs. They were friends, but friendship has limitations. Sometimes, even if it's hard, one must leave a friend alone with his problem, if only for him to learn.
Manta stood up resolutely. Yoh glanced at him. "Yoh, I'm going now," Manta said. "I'll leave you to rest."
Yoh nodded with a small smile. "Thanks for coming, Manta."
Manta was silent for a second. "It's nothing, Yoh. See you at school."
Afterwards, without looking back, Manta exited the room.
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His whole body was already aching by the time Yoh finished fifty laps of running. He collapsed on the ground and breathed heavily. "Master Yoh, don't you think you're overdoing it?" Amidamaru asked him concernedly.
Yoh shook his head. "The shaman fight is about to start in a few weeks. I can't afford to slack off."
"But Master Yoh, Faust just said you need to rest." The spirit tried to reason out.
"I'm really okay, Amidamaru." Yoh assured him as he continued to heave deep breathes. "I can do this."
"If that's what you say..." the latter trailed of uncertainly.
"Uhm, Y-yoh?" Tamao timidly came with a cup of tea. "Y-your grandmother t-told me to bring t-this to you." She told him while stuttering and blushing evidently.
Yoh sat up from his position and smiled at her, which further turned her red. "Thanks, Tamao."
"I-is there anything y-you need?" She asked him as she handed him the tea.
Yoh shook his head without a word. After drinking his tea, his whole attention was then focused on the sky. The sunset fascinated him.
Tamao stood a distance away from him, observing him secretly for that's all her confidence could afford. 'He's thinking of Ms. Anna.'
She was quietly watching him, when to her surprise tears began sliding down his face. She gasped in shock and confusion. His face bore the same calm look on it whenever he would stare at the scenery. There was no hint of sadness or whatsoever; he might as well not know he was actually crying. "Y-yoh...?" was all she could say. But it was enough to bring him back to reality.
He casually wiped the tears off his face with a single hand motion, and glanced at her with a smile. "I'm sorry," he said, "did I surprise you?"
She was indeed surprised--shocked more like it--but she found herself shaking her head.
And silence once again began. "Yoh," she whispered, "take care of yourself. Please do," she said and walked away with the empty cup.
"Master Yoh," Amidamaru appeared again. "What was that about?"
"I don't know."
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Yoh woke up early the next day. He started training again, twice the amount Anna used to give him. Amidamaru, though worried, contented himself with watching his master. After all, if there was anyone to stop Yoh from tormenting himself, it was definitely not him.
Yoh was doing push-ups for three straight hours already. Sweat trickled down his forehead, but he persisted. He could feel every muscle on his body ache as his bones strained to keep on moving. Resting did not even occur to him. At first, his mind was reeling with the memory of Anna's last words, but eventually, he stopped thinking because his mind was too busy to keep him from fainting. If it wasn't for his mounting determination, he would've gone unconscious by now.
"Master Yoh..." Amidamaru glided towards him in spite of himself. "Aren't you going to rest?"
"Not yet," Yoh struggled to reply. Even talking took so much of an effort.
Amidamaru sighed in defeat. "You sure of--" he was instantly cut off by a sharp, cold voice.
"Acting like this--it's very irresponsible of you, Yoh."
Yoh froze. "A-Anna?" He muttered and stopped doing push-ups. He was afraid to look because it would hurt so much to see an empty space. He didn't want to know he was just hallucinating.
Still, he mustered his courage and averted her gaze from the ground. What he saw made his eyes wide and his heart flutter.
She was standing away from him with a displeased look on her face. She was wearing her usual black outfit, matched with her red bandanna. And her hands were folded tightly at her front. Even so, she was the most beautiful girl for him. The only girl he would ever love more than anything else—more than life itself.
Yoh stood up and faced her. His heart swelled in delight, although in reality, she was just berating him, as was the usual. She didn't even bother with a proper greeting. But how much had he longed for this reunion? No words could explain. Slowly, hesitantly, he approached her, afraid that in any instant she would disappear. He couldn't take that. Not again.
"Anna, is that really you?"
He didn't know what he was expecting to hear, but he almost chuckled at the sight of her isn't-it-obvious look. He reached her and without a word pulled her into a gentle hug. Her body contacted with his, and pleasure surged into his body. He held her for who-knows how long, savoring the warmth of her presence and basking at the joy of having her back. He was too happy that he felt like he'd never been more alive.
"Yoh, what are you doing?" She asked him, but she didn't give a single protest, which was a good sign.
"I missed you, Anna," he told her instead. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those. I promise I'll be the shaman king."
They stayed like that in silence for several moments before they parted. It was then that both their feelings synchronized as one. No words were needed. Simply having each other in close proximity, already quelled their love for each other. It was their hearts' idea of making up with their separation. Amidamaru watched them, teary-eyed.
Eventually, they parted. But their eyes spoke of so much love and longing.
"I'm rk, eally glad you're bacAnna." Yoh said with a bright smile.
Anna stared at him. Her face was stiff. He was almost scared to hear that she only came back to get something she left behind. "Yoh--to your room now."
"What?" he asked her, taken aback.
"Do you really think that overdoing your training will help you?" Anna asked him matter-of-factly. "Yoh, I haven't been away for that long and you're already doing something stupid. You could kill yourself."
"B-but--" he was about to assure her that he was okay until he realized that she was not advising him to rest, she was demanding him. She was worried of him. As that thprought crossed his mind, he couldn't supess a goofy grin to spread across his face.
"What are you smiling at?"
"N-nothing!" he answered guiltily and brushed the back of his head.
A part of him didn't want to tear his gaze from her, but he knew he must obey her command. He was about to go to his room when Anna covered the distance between them, and uncharacteristically kissed him on the cheek. Amidst the frenzy of his overwhelming joy, he heard her faintly muttering a thank you.
What for? He didn't know.
He was so caught up in a trance that he didn't even notice that she had already walked towards the house. His mind desperately recalled that moment when her lips touched his face. It was heaven for him. He didn't even need to rest. He felt so good, he forgot about the fatigue his self-imposed training brought him.
"What are you standing there for Yoh?" Anna's voice snapped him back. "Take a break, and wake up before dinner. You still have to cook."
"H-hai!" He had never been so pleased to hear her demands.
End
And that's where this story ends. How was it? Fair enough? I hope you leave a review. This is my first shaman king story and I can only hope you enjoyed reading this. Thanks for reading.