"The farther back you look, the farther forward you can see." - Winston Churchill

"And now that I'm stronger I've figured out

How this world turns cold

And breaks through my soul

And I know, I'll find deep inside me

I can be the one

I will never let you fall

I'll stand up with you forever

I'll be there for you through it all

Even if saving you sends me to Heaven"

-Guardian Angel-Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Chapter 17

Slap!

"It's not him," Anna said after slapping the two girls.

"Yes it is!" Nadeshiko cried. "It's him, his hair's just shorter then-"

"It's. Not. Him." Anna said forcefully.

"But-"

"Look at his eyes, it's not him."

Nadeshiko frowned but looked at Yoh, who fidgeted uncomfortably.

"His eyes are kinder…" she whispered. Then her eyes widened and she started pulling her hair. "DAMN IT! I USED ONE OF HIS TRICKS! URGH!"

"Whose Hao?" Yoh just noticed that HoroHoro and Tamao were there also. "And how do you guys know each other?"

"Kyo Yin and Shiki Nadeshiko; they were my guards that I thought were dead," Anna said.

"And Hao is…?"

"No one that concerns you," Anna said, her voice like ice. She went to sit down beside in an empty chair.

Tamao walked over to the two girls, her eyes wide in disbelief. "Yin-San, d-did you two, h-how are you-"

"Still alive?" Yin smiled. Tamao nodded.

"We'll explain later," Nadeshiko said. "I want to eat first."

Yoh sat beside Anna. She was starring at the table, her brow furrowed.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "I thought you'd be happy to see them alive."

Anna let out a hollow laugh.

"Happy?" she repeated. "I don't remember how to be happy." a pained look came to her eyes. "Get me something to eat."

Yoh looked at her before doing as she said.

Yin and Nadeshiko's eyes followed him.

"Yin," Nadeshiko said, glancing at the petite girl.

"I know," Yin's smile from earlier was replaced with a frown. "I don't like it." she closed her eyes. "I really…don't like it."

xXxXxXx

"So, you used to guard that crazy woman?" HoroHoro asked once everyone had their food. Anna, Yoh and Ren sat at one table, HoroHoro, Tamao, Yin, and Nadeshiko at the one beside them.

"Hime-Sama isn't crazy," Nadeshiko glared. "And if you say that again I'll rip that tongue out."

"Please do," Ren called from his table.

"Shut up!" HoroHoro yelled before turning back to the black haired girl. "So you saying there's nothing wrong with her mental state?"

"She's not crazy," Nadeshiko repeated, not looking at him.

"We lived in a temple that was between Aomori and Mt Osore," Yin said. "And because Hime-Sama is so important, she needed us to guard her."

"Why?"

"So idiots like you don't get to her and try to kill her just because she's an Itako," Nadeshiko said.

"Who're you calling an idiot?"

"You seem glad to see them," Ren said to Anna. She didn't say anything. She put her hand on her forehead.

"I don't have time for sarcasm Ren," she said. "Just tell me who're their Escorts."

Ren raised an eye brow but answered. "Tamao doesn't need an Escort anymore so HoroHoro will be that Nadeshiko's and Ryu will be Yin's."

"Ryu? He finished his training then?" Yoh asked, shocked.

"I guess." Ren shrugged.

"H-Hime-Sama?" They looked up to see Yin standing there. She was blushing slightly, looking down. "Um, can…can I come to your room later? T-To talk about…" her voice trailed off.

Anna gave her a bored look. Sighing she stood.

"Come now, I need to lay down anyway," she turned to her Escorts. "That is alright isn't it?"

"I don't see why not," Yoh grinned.

"I don't know," Ren smirked. "How do we know you won't plan something together?"

"If we do it'll be how to flatten that spike on your head," Yin smiled innocently.

"Why you…"

"See ya Yuri-Chan," Nadeshiko called.

"Yuri? I thought her name was Yin?" HoroHoro said, confused.

"Yuri is her real name," A sly smiled came to her lips. Yin's face went bright red. "After she met Anna she changed it to Yin because-"

"Nadeshiko." She stopped at Anna's voice. It had a warning tone in it.

"Gomen, Hime-Sama," Nadeshiko stood, bowing.

"Just come along," Anna said, leaving.

Yoh, for some reason, couldn't help but notice that she was acting differently. It would be hard for anyone else to notice, but after spending as much time with as he was he could tell. She seemed stressed, like she was about to fall apart.

"You see it too, huh?" Ren said.

"Yeah," Yoh frowned. He looked over at HoroHoro, who slammed his head on the table.

"That girl…she's as bad as Ren!" He yelled. "And I have to be her Escort?"

"N-Nadeshiko-San is actually really nice," Tamao said to him.

"Yeah, to you. She's like a female Ren…Hey, where's Ryu?"

"Probably talking to Mikihisa about something." Ren said.

"Marco, are you sure we should be doing this?" Lyserg asked.

"Of course. It's the only way to bring peace in this blood stained world," Marco told him. "Why do you ask?"

Lyserg looked down, a frown on his face. "It just feels…wrong."

Smack

Lyserg fell to the ground as Marco punched him.

"I don't think you have right to question our actions Lyserg Diethel." the X-Law said coldly. "Especially after your little stunt you pulled with that Itako and her guards."

Lyserg didn't say anything.

"Marco, it is cruel to bring up past mistakes that he had already been redeemed for," A soft voice said.

Lyserg looked up, shocked, to see a girl in a Victorian era styled dress that was white and black. She had long, wavy silver hair and red eyes. Around her neck was a necklace with black beads and dark purple crystal at the end.

"Jeanne-Sama, you should be resting," Marco said, also shocked.

"I know, but I needed to see what was going," Jeanne said. "Marco, enough punishing Lyserg. He was already been granted forgiveness for his actions. There's no need to hold them against him."

"Y-Yes, Jeanne-Sama, forgive me." Marco kneeled down in front of her. "My emotions clouded my judgment for a moment."

"You are forgiven," Jeanne nodded. She looked up at Lyserg, who stood.

"I-I'm sorry Jeanne-Sama," he said, bowing. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have-"

"Stop Lyserg," Jeanne interrupted. "I choose to forgive you because of your kindness. That is what gives you strength." she smiled. "I hope you understand that."

"Jeanne-Sama…"

Jeanne's eyes widened. She swayed on her feet a bit before falling. Marco caught her before she hit the ground.

"You too weak to walk around yet, Jeanne-Sama." He lifted her up in his eyes. She looked like a doll. "I'll take her back to her room. Lyserg, go check on Dingbat."

"Hai."

"I see," Anna said, opening her eyes. She was standing on her balcony while Yin and Nadeshiko were sitting on her bed. She had changed into her white kimono with windmills at the bottom. "So the X-Laws are planning something still."

"It's probably why they released us when they did," Yin said.

"Hime-Sama, your not really gonna do whatever they want you to, are you?" Nadeshiko asked.

"No," Anna shook her head. "I don't make deals unless I know I get something out of it. You know that."

"True," Nadeshiko frowned. "But what did four eyes say he would do?"

Anna looked at her, eye brow raised.

"Uh, sorry, just curious."

"Hime-Sama, whose that boy?" Yin asked.

"Yoh, he's the Asakura heir," Anna said.

"What is he to you?" Yin's hands were together, her head bent.

"Just an Escort," Anna closed her eyes as a breeze came. "Nothing more. So you can calm down Sukoshi."

Yin's head went up at her nickname. She nodded, a small smile on her lips.

Just before they left Nadeshiko said, "Oh yeah, two Itako's were released with us."

Anna's eyes snapped towards her. "How many?"

"Three. One was ten, one seven, and the other eight. That Mikihisa guy sent them straight to one on the villages since their so young."

Anna nodded, almost to her self.

When they left Anna went to lay down. She replayed in her head what happened earlier that day.

"Come with us," Marco pushed his glasses higher on his nose. "Come with us, and we'll release all the Itako's we have in custody, and will have nothing to do with them anymore."

Anna's eyes widened slightly. She dropped her hand to her side, turning to face the X-Law fully.

"Why should I believe you?" she said quietly.

"I will have something's delivered to you that should help you consider your choices," Marco said, a smirk on his face. "For now, we will be leaving. Lyserg, Dingbat. Let's go."

Dingbat got up stiffly, sending Anna a look of pure hate. As Lyserg went to follow Anna said, "How's your back Lyserg?" Lyserg blinked, shocked at the question. "I expect Marco gave you quit a punishment for what you did." the colour drained from Lyserg's face.

An image of a whip, salt, pain, filled Anna's head. She closed her eyes.

'And I was considered the demon' she thought.

When they left she leaned against the tree.

"I'll burn this tree if you keep hiding up there, Mikihisa," she said.

There was a pause.

"Your powers never cease to amaze me," Mikihisa said, as he jumped from the tree landing in front of her.

She didn't say anything.

"Are you going to consider what he said?" there was a hint of worry in his voice.

Anna didn't answer. She walked passed him, down the way she came.

"See Pirika? I told you some shopping would cheer you up!" Jun said.

"Yeah," Pirika smiled. She was feeling better after spending the day with her two friends. Too bad Tamao didn't want to come. "Hey, where did Melin go?" now that she looked around, her best friend was missing.

"Right here!" Melin came running over. She was carrying four bags, two white, a pink one, and blue. "Sorry, I, uh, had to pick out something for my brother, since he's gonna be resting for awhile."

"What is it?" Jun went to peer into the blue bag. Melin pulled in closer to her.

"His eyes only," she said teasingly.

Jun lifted an eye brow. Her and Melin didn't get along at all. They only put up with each other because of Pirika. So for this girl to talk like that with her was…weird.

"Well, let's head back, it's getting dark out." Pirika said.

It was late out, everyone else asleep so Anna took the opportunity to go outside by the lake and think with no one bothering her. She sat down, dipping her legs into the water. It was a warm night so it felt nice. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as a small breeze came.

'Their alive' she thought. She didn't know how to feel about it. She was always in control of her emotions. Being able to read minds, it helped prepare her to keep a poker face for whatever situation came at her.

But this? There was no way she could have prepared for this. It took all her strength to keep from breaking; no wonder she was so exhausted.

"You okay?"

She closed her eyes.

"I don't know," she admitted. She listened as he sat beside her.

"Aren't you glad to see your friends again?" Yoh asked her.

"Their not my friends," Anna said quietly, starring into the water. "They were ordered to protect me, so that's what they did. It's their job."

"Hmm," Yoh leaned back on his hands. "It may be their job but…when they saw you…I could tell they were happy. They were relieved to see you were okay. And I think you were also. That's why you ran to see if it was really them when you heard their thoughts."

'Relieved? Is that what I feel?' Anna frowned.

"I don't…"

"I think I figured out something about you," Yoh said. He had a slight smile on his face. "You've been trying to control your emotions for so long, that you've all but forgotten how to express them. And…I think it scares you when you start to feel them because your not used to it."

Anna didn't say anything. She pulled her legs out of he water, wrapping her arms around them.

"Your…really annoying," she said.

"Am I wrong?"

"Your not right."

"But am I wrong?"

"…"

"Thought so."

"What did I say about acting like you know me?" Anna snapped.

"You said not too," Yoh shrugged. "But I can't help it. If you'd prefer I could get Ren to talk to you, since he knows you better then I do."

"Why would I want to talk to him?" Anna muttered.

"You guys are engaged right?"

"No we're not!" Yoh winced. Who knew someone who was usually so quiet could yell so loud? "It was never official. Why would I marry someone just because I was told to, and to someone I barely remember?"

"Well, that's good," Yoh grinned. "It…bothered me for a bit, thinking you and Ren were going to get married."

Anna felt her cheeks warm. She was glad it was dark out.

"So whose Hao?" He suddenly asked. Anna stiffened.

"Just…someone we met while in hiding," She said.

"And I look like him?"

"I wasn't kidding when I said I'd kill you if you got near me," Anna said. She had a distant look in her eyes. "Every time I looked at you…I saw him. And it mad me angry."

Yoh remembered when Anna was in the infirmary.

"I was wrong…you don't look alike." she had said.

"It's your eyes," Anna said, reading his mind. "Yours are kinder, warmer. They make you easy to read most of the time. Hao's were dark, mysterious, aloof…you could never tell what he was thinking."

"You couldn't hear his thoughts?" Yoh asked, surprised.

"We had the same power," Anna's voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes full of sadness. "I couldn't read his mind and he couldn't read mine. It was…comforting in a way. I could be around someone without knowing what was in their heart. It didn't cause me pain."

"You loved him" It was a statement, not a question.

"Maybe," Anna said. "But now…whenever I think of him all I can think about is how much I hate him now, and how he betrayed me."

"How did he betray you?"

"He gave me up to the X-Laws. That's how they found us." Anna felt the corner of her eyes begin to burn, her head started to hurt as she remembered how he had smiled when they took her.

She stiffened as she felt Yoh's hand cup her face. He rubbed his thumb under her eye.

"Your crying," he whispered. Anna's eyes widened. She was crying? No, she can't.

"I don't cry," she slapped Yoh's hand away. "I'm not allowed to cry, if I cry then-"

"Then it means your human," Yoh smiled gently. "It's alright to cry once in awhile Anna."

"Your really annoying," Anna whispered.

"I know, you've told. a lot. " Yoh leaned his forehead against hers. Her lips twitched and before she could top herself she smiled. Just a small one but it was enough for Yoh's pulse to quicken.

"Well, it's pretty late, we should get some sleep," Yoh stood, stretching. He held his hand out to Anna.

She looked at it, considering something before taking it, letting him help her up.

Yoh felt his breath catch in his throat. He just noticed Anna wearing her white Kimono with pinwheels on it. The moonlight made her pale skin seem to glow. Even her golden eyes seemed to shine in the light.

She looked…beautiful. Like a Princess.

Slap!

"H-Hurry u-up, I'm-I'm cold," Anna stammered. Her face was bright red now.

'She must have read my mind' Yoh realised. His face was also red.

"O-Okay, Anna."

They walked in silence.

"Um, Anna?" Yoh said as she opened the door to her room. She paused.

"Yes?"

"You…you really do look beautiful." Anna's face went red.

"Go to bed Yoh." she said.

Yoh chuckled. As he turned around Yin's words repeated in Anna's head.

"What is he to you"

"An Escort. Nothing more."

"Yoh," Yoh paused, looking over at her. She just shook her head. "never mind, good night."

"Good night Anna."

"Yoh?"

"Yeah?"

"…Thank you…"

The wind blew harshly through the tress, dark clouds covered the sky, blocking out the stars. Just outside the village of Sekinebashi, was an old temple. One would think it were abandoned if not for the lone light the shone in the back.

A girl, no older then ten, wore a grey, gothic Lolita like dress, her long black coloured hair brought into a side ponytail with a dark blue ribbon in it. She smiled softly as she moved her laced glove over the flame of one of many candles in the room.

"I wonder how she's doing," She said.

She turned around a looked into the floor length mirror. She touched the glass with her right hand, frowning as it flashed. As though it had become a window, it showed a girl of sixteen laying in bed, sleeping peacefully. "She looks so peaceful in her new environment, though she probably won't admit it due to her pride and stubbornness."

She lifted her left hand. A dark shadow surrounded her arm, wrapping around her arm. Slowly, it took form into a giant snake.

"That just make things a bit easier, ne, Tsumi?" she smiled at the serpent, her green eyes flashing.

I really liked this chapter, it's very important to the story. It's like the breaking point for Yoh and Anna because in the last chapter in a flash back Hao asked Anna if she trust him and she says no. when Yoh asks if she trusts him she says who knows and she lets him see her cry in this one and actually opens up to him a bit. That's why I picked this song to go with it, cause Yoh's like her angel that helps her after what she's been through.

Fictiongurl3553: Yeah but remember they haven't seen Hao in a while so he could have cut his hair for all they knew. Thanks for your review, and I'm getting better each day!

Helen Wang: okay, scared me there for a sec that there was actually someone who liked her. Thanks for reviewing!

Cat-so-curious: maybe, I'm not sure yet for both Pirika and Anna. But sorry to say their both mine, I just like Hao a bit more. And yes, Akuma does mean devil.