A PROMISE MADE

Genre: Romance, Drama



Anime: Shaman King



Summery: Yoh has three days until he leaves for the Shaman Tournament. Promises were made. Will they be kept?



A PROMISE MADE~



Asakura Yoh starred out his window; he would be leaving in 3 days but he was procrastinated packing.



“Yoh! What are you doing just sitting there!? You have work to do!” called a sharp, strict voice that belonged to Kyouyama Anna, Yoh’s fiancée.



Yoh grinned, no matter how much Anna yelled at him to do something, Yoh always had a grin on his face.



“What did you think you were doing?! You are leaving 3 days! To go to America,” she emphasized that last word, as if Yoh had never heard of it before.



“Yeah, I know, but I don’t want to. I know I have to become Shaman King and all that but, I’ll miss it here.” He said. ‘And you,’ he added mentally.



“Hmm,” was all she said as she cocked an eyebrow and turned on her heel. ‘That’s all you’re going to miss?’ she thought, hurt. “Don’t forget to bring me a souvenir.”



“Anna?” Yoh called out.



“Yes?” her icy tone made Yoh cringed.



“Will, will--”



“Spit it out, I haven’t got all day.” She demanded.



“Will you go on walk with me?” he said quickly.



“A w-walk?” her voice faltered and she could almost see Yoh grin.



“Yep!” Anna turned and scrutinized her fiancé.



“Why…” she was wary and suspicious.



“I dunno, I just want to catch up. We haven’t really talked since… well since ever. I want to know you, Anna Kyouyama.” He said.



Anna couldn’t help but blush. She signed resignedly. “Alright, I’ll go, but only until after you finish the dishes and the laundry, and then I want 20 laps around the house.”



“Yes ma’am!” Yoh saluted her with a smile.



His response was an eye rolling, but nothing could get him down now; he had just seen Anna stammer and then blush! Because of him. He grinned happily as he set out to do his chores.



All he wanted was to make her happy; that’s why he bid to her every need and did what she wanted without complaint.



Something about Kyouyama Anna had changed Yoh. He was no longer the same person who he used to be. Sure, he still slept through anything and listened to his music a lot, but overall, he turned into a really mature and caring guy. Well, as mature as a guy like Yoh was going to get, anyways.



He smiled at the thought of his fiancée. She was beautiful, none could deny it. She was scary, and demanding, but she was beautiful.



Only around him did that cold mask of hers fall. Only around him would she show emotion, and caring. But only when he was asleep. Or when she thought he was.



Yoh quickly finished the dishes and set off to do the laundry when he heard Manta come in.



“Hey! I haven’t talked to you in a while. How’s it going?” Yoh asked.



“Oh, fine I wanted to remind you to pack and get ready to go to America.” Manta answered.



Yoh smiled. “Don’t worry about that. I won’t forget, I have Anna.” ‘But do I? How will I know she will wait for me?’



His doubt must have shown on his face for Manta smiled gently and said, “Ask her.”



‘Manta must be more perceptive than I give him credit for.’ Yoh thought.



“Oops, I have to go! I still need to do the laundry and then do my 20 laps! Bye Manta! Come again soon!” Yoh then turned after waving and walked to the laundry room.



Yoh completed the laundry and walked into the kitchen with an armful of clean, pressed clothes.



“Why did you take so long? You were talking to Manta again weren’t you? You should be out running!” Anna spoke harshly.



“Yeah, I know, but I just wanted to see you.” He grinned happily.



Anna was dumbfounded. “What kind of an excuse is that?” she demanded. “Go do 40 laps instead of 20!”



“Sure. Just one thing, don’t forget about our walk tonight, ok? Dress warmly, the weather man said it would be a bit chilly.” Yoh smiled gently as he went upstairs to put the laundry away.



Anna pressed one hand against her cheek, and found it burning. ‘Why does he care so much? He said he wanted the best for me and did everything i told him to do, too. Well, everyone else did too, but Yoh seems—happy—when he complies to my every whim and need.’ She smiled as she thought of her fiancé. ‘He’s always so considerate.’



Too late, Anna heard footsteps coming down from the floor above. She silently willed her cheeks to turn to their normal colour and make all emotions drain from her face.



“Ok, Anna, I’m going out now. 40 laps, I know!” he called as she opened her mouth to remind him of how many he had to do.



Yoh smiled as he stretched. He had seen her blush and smile softly. ‘She’s so beautiful when she smiles.’



‘Ok, 40 laps and here we go…’ Yoh started running around the house.



“1…2…3…4…5…6…7…”



Around the 35th lap, he noticed Anna come out of the house with a stop watch.



“34…35…36…37…38…39…”



“Ok! I’m done!” Yoh panted in front of her and smiled widely.



She only looked at him with eyebrows raised.



“Hmm… 1 lap every 20 sec. [a/n: iunno the rate! I'm guessing that’s good, or the house is REALLY big! ^^;;]



“20 sec? I thought it was longer…” Yoh said as he caught his breath.



“Ok, go take a shower.” Anna commanded.



“And then we’re going on a walk, remember, and wear something warm!” he called to her as he entered the house.



“Yes, yes.” She muttered, wondering what he had planned.



After a few minutes outside, Anna realized that Yoh was correct it was a little cold out. She went inside to get a jacket and to find Yoh. ‘Why was he talking so long?’ she thought.



Anna went up to her room and got a coat. Then she went to Yoh’s and found him on the futon. Sleeping.



‘Aw, he looks so cute when he’s sleeping.’ She thought, and then shook her head. ‘What am I thinking? I-I don’t like him…’



‘Come on! You’re just fooling yourself’ a voice in her head said. ‘You know you like Yoh, a lot.’



‘No! I don’t! I-I- can’t… he doesn’t like me…’



‘So? What does that have to do with anything?’ that voice was cool now, and spoke with authority and guidance.



As Anna battled with her inner voices, Yoh woke up.



“Anna? What are you doing here?” he sat up and rubbed his eyes sleepily. “Oh, wait… did I fall asleep?”



“Yeah. But it’s ok; we can take our walk tomorrow. You look tired.” Anna said softly.



‘Admit it! You like him!’ that voice wouldn’t leave her alone.



“No, no I’m not tired! We have to talk that walk today! Right now!” Yoh jumped up but was slightly dizzy and almost fell over.



“No, you’re tired and dizzy, sleep a bit more,” Anna’s voice coaxed and Yoh caught himself almost falling asleep but he shook his head and got up once again.



“Come on! Let me get my jacket and I’ll go meet you outside.” Yoh said.



“Are you sure you’re stay awake?” Anna asked skeptically.



“Unless you want to see me dress, wait downstairs.” Yoh said with a smile. His grin grew bigger as he saw the lightest tint of pink settle on her features.



“Alright, but hurry up.”



“Yes, Anna.” Yoh said, grinning.



‘Ok, so I admit it. I like Yoh!’ she thought. ‘He makes me blush so easily and his smile is so contagious. It makes me smile, too.’



‘Ah-hah! I knew it!’ Spoke that voice, the one that knew “everything”.



Anna made her way downstairs and waited. Soon, she heard the footsteps of Yoh.



“Come on! Let’s go!” he said, excitedly. She just followed him, bored.



The two put on their jackets and walked for a bit in comfortable silence.



“Anna! Come on!” Yoh was ahead of her by a little and was motioning for her to hurry up.



‘Ugh, the things I do for him…’ she thought.



Anna ran to catch up with him but as soon as Yoh saw what she was doing, he started to run faster, ahead of her.



“Hey! Wait up!” she called.



“Catch me if you can!” he yelled.



“Asakura Yoh! Stop right there!” she commanded.



He stopped and shook his head at her, then proceeded to run faster.



“Yoh!” Anna was growing impatient. Where were they going?



“Come on! Just a little bit more!” Yoh smiled and continued to run.



Anna sighed and followed him. He came to a stop onto of a hill, panting slightly.



“You’re out of breath from that run? I think I need to train you more,” Anna said.



“Sure, sure, I just wanted you to see this.”



“See what?” Anna asked, turning to Yoh.



He just smiled and pointed to the sky.



Anna gasped. It was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen; the northern lights or the aurora borealis.



Flashes of pink, blue, green, and every colour imaginable, over head, were shimmering in a beautiful pattern.



Anna couldn’t find her voice. It was so beautiful. And to think, that Yoh brought her here to see this. He did all this for her.



The curtain of lights flickered, dancing across the dark sky. It was a celestial phenomenon, Anna knew, and here she was watching it.



“Oh, Yoh…”she paused as Yoh turned to her with a happy smile on his face. “Thank you.” Anna smiled softly as she turned her head back to the amazing spectacle in the sky.



They stood there for a while just watching the wonderful sight. Yoh sighed, “Anna, I just wanted to remind you, I’m leaving in two days.”



Anna’s throat tightened; she had forgotten about that. “You don’t have to remind me, I know.” Anna lied.



Yoh just smiled. “I’ll miss you.” He said gently.



Anna gasped as tears threatened to cloud her vision. She blinked them back furiously. “I – I –I‘ll miss you too.”



Yoh smiled again. “That’s all I wanted to hear.”



“Yoh,” Anna spoke up. She swallowed nervously.



This was the first time he had seen her so nervous. “Yeah?”



“I just want—I want you to… to promise…” she trailed off.



“Yes?” Yoh prompted her.



“Promise… that you’ll come to me.” Anna spoke quietly.



Yoh felt his grin grow wider. She wanted him to come back! She cared!



“Only if you’ll wait for me.” He said.



“Of course.” Anna sighed and turned. She walked into his arms and laid her head on his shoulder.



“I don’t want you to go, Yoh.” She murmured.



Yoh was surprised by the sudden show of affection. First she wants him to come back to her, and then she hugs him, saying that she didn’t want him to go.



“But, I thought you wanted me to become Shaman King.”



“I do, but do you have to leave me?” Anna’s voice was soft and she sounded near to tears.



“I’m not leaving you Anna,” Yoh said, stroking her hair and holding her gently. “I’ll come back, I promise.”



“I trust you.” Yoh could hardly believe what he heard. He smiled and held her tightly. “I know.” He said.



Yoh sighed inwardly. She had said three words, three words so close to the words he so desperately wanted to hear.



Yoh continued to stroke her hair as she rested her head on his shoulder.



‘I don’t ever want this to end.’ He thought. ‘It’s just too peaceful. Anna, in my arms.’ Yoh smiled blissfully.



“Yoh, if that’s all, I think we should go back before you get sick.”



“Me? What about you?” Yoh asked.



“Oh, don’t worry about me, I can take of myself.” Anna smiled.



She pulled away and started to walk. “Well? Aren’t you coming?” she asked.



Yoh smiled. This was his Anna.



They walked back home slowly, hand-in-hand. [A/n: AWW!!! KAWAII!!! Gomen, I just couldn’t resist ^^;;]



Only when they heard the crack of thunder and saw the flash of lightning, did they speed up.



“Anna!” Yoh called to her, “let’s go!”



“Ahhh, I’m going to get all wet,” she said, running after Yoh.



He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Anna couldn’t help but laugh. Here Yoh was standing in the rain, sopping wet and just starring at her like she was some kind of alien.



Yoh was shocked. Anna laughed. Anna. ‘She’s so beautiful when she laughs…’ he thought, ‘heck, she’s beautiful all the time.’



“You should laugh more often,” Yoh said.



Anna blushed and muttered something under her breath.



“What was that?” Yoh asked.



“I said, bet you can’t catch me!” and then she went off running.



Yoh stared at her dumbfounded. Who was this and where was Anna?



“Come on Yoh!” she called. “Are you going to let a little itako like me beat you, a great shaman?” she grinned widely.



Yoh couldn’t move. Things were happening too fast, she was changing too fast. ‘I don’t know if I like her better commanding and cold or happy and fun…’ he thought.



“Ugh! Yoh, you’re so slow! [A/n: Lol that rhymes!] Just for that, when we get home, you have to do 50 laps!” ah, there was the Anna Yoh loved.



He froze. Loved? Where did that come from? He didn’t love her, did he? His pulse quickened when she was near and his breath sped up at the sight of her smile, but he didn’t love her. Did he?



“Anna! Wait up!”



Yoh didn’t want to think of when he had to leave. ‘I’m going to miss her so much.’ He thought. ‘I guess I’ll admit it; I’m in love with Anna Kyouyama.’



Yoh smiled gently before running up catch up with his fiancée. She was smiling. “You’re too slow!” she teased.



“Come on, we’re soaking wet!” Yoh said, smiling.



“Alright,” she sighed resignedly. “But I love the rain.” She stared out into the blackness and smiled.



“Ok, well, I had fun and I’m completely soaked. But I had fun. Thanks Yoh.” She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “Good night.”



[A/n: AHH! KAWAII-NESS!! Lol couldn’t help it... ^^;;]



Yoh starred after her, a hand pressed to the cheek where she had kissed him. “Anna,” he whispered.



“Yes?” she turned with a happy smile on her face.



“Good night.” He spoke softly.



“Good night Yoh. Don’t forget to make breakfast tomorrow.” She nodded at him and smiled again.



[A/n: let’s see… who should I depict thoughts from? Why Anna is feeling this way, or how Yoh is feeling after she kissed him on the cheek? Hm…. I wonder… I’ll do both, ok? So don’t get confused!]



> Anna



‘Why did I do all of that? I feel so strange… Yoh must have realized that I was acting different. Of course he will! Today I was… happy, fun… I laughed and smiled… so much different from how am I naturally. But, maybe this is how I am naturally. I was deprived of a childhood, and maybe, if I wasn’t, this would be how I would act like all the time.’



Anna sighed. ‘It was fun today. And the look on Yoh’s face! Priceless… I wish he wouldn’t go, but I want him to become shaman king. Everyone does. I trust him, he will become Shaman King. He’ll make me proud.’



‘But I can’t believe I kissed him! That’s so unlike me… but I haven’t been myself since I met Yoh. He’s so considerate and kind. Always smiling, and listening to that music of his’ Anna smiled.



‘I, I think I might have fallen… in... love… with Yoh… somewhere, on this journey…’



Anna frowned. ‘Should I tell him? Before he goes? What if he loses? What if I never see him again? I would want him to know how I feel, right? But that won’t happen. Yoh won’t lose. I trust in him.’



‘Still…’



“Ok, that’s it; I’ll tell Yoh I love him tomorrow.” Anna smiled and prepared for bed.



> Yoh



‘Anna was so different today… like she was someone else. But I can’t get over the fact that she kissed me. Even if it was on the cheek. Maybe she cares for me? Just a little bit? I don’t give up hope. She tells me she trusts me and I tell her that she will lead a good life, she will grow up happy and will never be lonely again. But I think she doubts me and my abilities. That’s one of the reason I want to become Shaman King. So Anna will be proud. And of course, ‘cause she’d probably make me train even harder if I didn’t.’



‘I don’t have to hide it anymore. I love her. I love Anna Kyouyama. And I’m going to tell her tomorrow.’



> Normal



Anna tossed and turned on her futon, but no matter what, she couldn’t get to sleep. She silently debated with herself and made a decision. She got up and walked out of her room, in front of another one. She took a deep breath and entered.



Yoh woke up to a door creaking and light shining through the door. “Anna? What are you doing?”



“I-I can’t sleep… can I sleep with you?” she asked.



“Sure.” He said, grinning. He moved over to make room for her and smiled.



She lay down beside him and took a blanket to cover herself. But even with that warmth, she shivered.



“Are you cold?” Yoh asked worriedly.



“No, I’m fine…” Anna asked, still shivering.



“No, I don’t think so.” Yoh said and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her towards him.



Anna gasped and Yoh murmured into her ear, “is this ok? Or are you going to slap me?”



“I should. But I’m warmer. Thank you.”



“No problem.” Yoh answered.



Now, with the warmth of Yoh’s arms around her, Anna could fall easily and quickly into a peaceful slumber.



But Yoh was a different matter. ‘My heart, it’s beating so quickly… Anna’s so close… I could probably kiss her…’ he shook his head to clear that thought. His movements caused Anna to stir and open her eyes a bit.



“Yoh, don’t do that.” She said, sleepily.



“Yes, Anna.” Yoh smiled.



This time, the two fell asleep at exactly the same time.



>



Yoh woke up to bright sunshine on his face. He grumbled and tried to go back to sleep. Then he realized that there was something on his futon, other than him. Anna.



He looked at the beauty in his arms. He smiled and kissed her on the forehead. ‘She’s precious…’ Yoh thought.



He carefully withdrew his arms and untangled the sheets. He got up and was about to go the bathroom to freshen up when Anna awoke.



“Yoh?” Anna rubbed her eyes and sat up sleepily.



“Ohayou, Anna.” Yoh said cheerfully.



“Oh-ohayou yooo-h” Anna yawned.



“Go back to sleep. I’ll wake you when I make breakfast.” Yoh said.



“No, I should get up.” Anna protested.



“You should go back to sleep,” Yoh persuaded her. He walked over to the futon and pulled the blanket up to her chin.



“Thank you Yoh…”Anna fell back asleep.



‘She’s so beautiful…’ Yoh thought. He brushed the hair away from her eyes and smiled tenderly.



“I love you…” he whispered softly.



Anna fast asleep didn’t hear…



>



Yoh quickly made breakfast and put it on a tray. He scribbled a note and folded it. He then brought the tray, note and flower he had picked up to his room. He lay it down beside Anna and walked out the door.



Anna woke to find the room empty. She sat up and noticed a tray. There was a note it read:



Dear Anna,



I’m going out with Manta now, we spent the yesterday together and I want to say good bye to my friends. [A/n: wait. Don’t his friends go with him?] I’ll be back around 5 ok? Here’s your breakfast, I’m sure it’s edible.



-- Yoh



P.S. I picked that lily for you. Isn’t it your favourite flower?



She smiled and picked up the white flower. Anna held it to her nose and breathed in its fragrance.



‘He’s so thoughtful,’ Anna thought. ‘I love him so much.’



Then, she began to eat her breakfast.



> Fast-forward



“Anna! I’m home!” Yoh called from the door.



“I’m in here!” came her voice in the direction of the living room.



“Hey,” Yoh sat down and looked at his wife-to-be. He wasn’t Shaman King yet, but he would do everything in his power to become Shaman King, for that was what Anna wanted most.



“Did you finish packing?” she asked him, not looking at him.



“I haven’t even started.” He answered sheepishly.



Anna rolled her eyes. “Then go and get started.”



“I don’t want to leave you.” Yoh said quietly.



She paused. “Well, then, you’ll just have to win quicker and come back to me right?”



Yoh smiled. “I guess I will.”



>



Anna had again slept with Yoh and woke up first this morning.



[A/n: not like that, you hentais!]



She wanted to get up, but didn’t want to disturb him. Unfortunately, in the position they were in, she couldn’t really move without waking Yoh.



His arm was over her stomach and his other one was under her head. Anna had her arm around his neck and had slept on her back. Yoh had slept towards the side, his breath tickling Anna’s chin.



“Yoh, Yoh, wake up.” Anna gently shook him awake.



“Hmm..?” Yoh woke up and rubbed his eyes. “Anna, ohayou.”



“Good morning, Yoh.” Anna spoke pleasantly but there was a shadow in her eyes. Yoh didn’t miss it.



“Today, I’m leaving.” He whispered.



“Yes, and you’ll become Shaman King.” Anna spoke with such certainty, it made Yoh wonder.



“Why do you trust in me so much?” he asked.



She just shrugged and turned towards him. But in doing that they were almost nose-to-nose. Anna blushed.



‘Kiss her!’ an inner voice said. Yoh wanted to, but he would probably ruin the moment.



“Yoh, let me go I----”



“No, I don’t want to. This is too comfortable.” He snuggled even closer to her.



Anna blushed an even darker red.



But eventually, even comfortable Yoh lets her go because, well, she is Anna. And you don’t mess with Anna.



After breakfast and all that, Yoh came up to Anna, “What do you want to do?”



“Iunno, when do you have to leave?” she asked him, the shadows growing longer.



“Around 3.” [A/n: iunno when he actually leaves I haven’t seen that part yet. So if I get anything wrong, gomen nasai!!]



“Ok, well, we can…” she paused. “Have you finished packing?” Yep, the shadows practically consumed her beautiful eyes.



“Nooo… but I can do that any old time. I want to be with you.” Yoh made her blush once more.



“We can be together after you pack.” She said firmly. It was funny, she never commanded him to do things ever since that day when they went to see the northern lights.



She smiled more, and laughed more often. Yoh really liked the new Anna.



“Ok…” he dragged himself up the stairs to his room and grabbed a suitcase.



“Here, give me what you need and I’ll fold them.” Anna offered.



“No, no you go do whatever you want to do, I’ll finish by myself.” He told her.



“But you’ll forget, or you’ll fall asleep.”



“Don’t worry, I won’t. Now, go relax. Onegai?” Yoh pleaded with her.



“Fine…” Anna muttered.



The clock chimed two o’ clock and Anna was growing sadder by the second.



‘Soon, he’ll be gone, for who know how long.’ I have to tell him.



Yoh heard the chime of the clock and sighed. In an hour, he would be gone, gone from Anna and their house, from the town he knew as home. ‘I need to tell her’



“Anna? I’m done packing.” Yoh came down the stairs timidly.



She smiled as she saw him. But the smile seemed forced. “Ok, let’s go then.”



The two hailed for a taxi and went to the airport.



Once there, Yoh turned to Anna.



“Anna, I have something to tell you.” Yoh began but was interrupted by Anna.



“Yoh, you have to listen to me.”



“Yes?” he said.



“I need to tell you something, before you go to the Shaman Tournament. You could be killed and I have to tell you before that.” She paused.



“But, I won’t die.” Yoh smiled. “I thought you trusted in me?”



Anna smiled slightly. “I do, but – oh, what am I talking about. Of course you wont die! Now what was it you wanted to tell me?”



“Boarding now, flight to America.” The speaker sounded.



“Uh... That’s my flight. I’ll tell you when I get back ok?”



“But Yoh!”



“Bye Anna! Don’t forget to miss me! And remember our promise!” Yoh waved cheerfully. That is, if it weren’t for the tears in his eyes.
.
“Of course not... Good bye Yoh…” Anna smiled sorrowfully and waved back.
.
He was on the place, window seat. He pounded his head against the window in frustration. Why hadn’t he told her? Yoh sighed. Now, it would just have to wait.
.
But she wouldn’t get out of his mind. She was always there, smiling. And Yoh would feel his heart break…
.
Halfway to America, Yoh fell into a merciful sleep, with her name on his lips, “Anna…”
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