Let's Make This Last - Chapter 5

Title: Let's Make This Last

~MNH

Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer!

Summary: Shaman fight finally ended and the gang decided to celebrate the victory of Yoh Asakura as the new Shaman king. However, there is another fight hat should be won: LOVE.

Will Yoh and Anna try to make it last or will they just let it end and let it pass...?

Recap:

"Where's Anna, oka-san? Please tell me. I'll bring her home."

"She'll be back at home after a month Yoh. So just wait. Kay?"

Yoh sighed and glared at his family. "I never thought that you would be the one who'd betray us." With he stalked out of he room and run out of the house.


AaAaA
A/N: It's been a long time! Hehe. As in so long that I don't think someone is still reading LMTL. Hehe. But I'll probably be able to update now and then because I have a new computer now and my net is back. Whoo hoo! Finally! But it's too slow. Anyways, this is the fifth installment of let's make this last.

Oh and big Thank You's to HPCS2, majrocks, cookie29, narutoshamanking and karinna for reviewing! And to the people who also read but reviewed and added the story to their alerts and faves! Kamsahamnida, ne?

I was supposed to post this on Sunday but I dozed off and forgot to finish writing it. I already have plans what I will write for the remaining chapters of the story but I didn't know how I would end this chapter so I ended up writing a different storyline at the end. So I would have to revise the plot all over again. T.T

So here it is. I hope I won't lose any readers in this chapter. ^_^

AaAaA

Chapter 5

A Month with the Kyouyamas Part I

"Where is he?" Yohmei asked his daughter. "Is he not back yet?" Keiko nodded, probably worried sick about her son. "Don't worry, he'll come around." Yohmei turned and saw her crying silently.

"We shouldn't have done it, otou-san." She wiped her tears while boring her eyes on the floor.

"You know that this is something that is needed to be done, Keiko. It's for Anna." Mikihisa put his arm around his wife's shoulder and hugged her.

"Yes, but we should've asked them about it first. Did you see Anna's expression? I am sure she thinks that we betrayed her." She said in between sobs.

Kino cleared her throat to grab their attention. She didn't really want to do what they had just done. Keiko's right, they should've asked their opinion first, but she won't admit it. What's done is one. It's no use crying over spilled milk. "They are not children anymore. Yoh should understand that. Although Anna always says that she does not want to see her family, it is actually the opposite. She's just denying it because of her anger and pride. In order for her to find happiness, she should set things right first, starting with her family."

Our future, one way or another, is always affected by our past, whether we'd like to admit it or not. Let Yoh have some time to think. I am sure he'll be back with a clear head."

AaAaA

As much as he would like to see her and grab her away from those people who abandoned her and hurt her, he didn't have any choice. They were nowhere in sight and he had no idea where they went or what direction they followed. He walked on and on in a daze, not really knowing where to go and not wanting to go back. He couldn't take it that his family decided on this matter without consulting him. Anna trusted them yet her trust was totally wasted. Even his trust faltered because of this hasty decision. He passed on blocks and blocks of houses, shops, parks and apartments, schools, clubs and arcades. Some girls and some guys were eyeing him with curious eyes. He knows why that is, aside from the obvious reason that his eyes are all red and puffy and that he was sweating and wet all over, in short he's a total mess. Pity and disgust. Their eyes held those while they eyed him. But he didn't care. Didn't care at all. Why would he? Their opinion of him is nothing compared to the disgust he's feeling for himself.

He knows that it's not his fault yet, somehow, he still managed to put some blame on him for not going with her and preventing all this issue. He stopped and looked around the place. He's now at the school they once attend to before Shaman fight started. Memories of their once peaceful and happy life started to flood his mind and he found himself smiling at the said memories. "I would give all I have to turn back the time to where all is just simple and we're happy. " He stared at the gates of the school. "Those times that you're with me."

He didn't even have the chance to give her the ring. He reached in his pocket and opened his palm, revealing a small velvet box.

"Staring at that engagement ring wouldn't bring her back." His body stiffened, hearing his father's voice.

"If you didn't give her to them, I wouldn't even have to bring her back." I answered back.

"Son, we had to do it."

He whirled to look at him. "And what reason could it be that pushed you to give her away to those people? You all knew she feels about them. You shouldn't have done that!"

"Even if Anna hated them and always been so clear that she didn't want to hear anything about them nor see them, you know that she needs her family. She needs to clear things out. It will always haunt her. Her nightmares would always hang around."

Yoh flinched. "How did you know about her nightmares?"

"Just." Mikihisa said briefly. "We know many things Yoh and we know that Anna needs this." He hopped on a nearby tree and looked up to gaze at the now full moon. "Don't worry she'll be back in no time. It's just a month. You won't even realize she had been gone."

One month? He knows that it's just a short period of time. True. But still, they had been together for so long. They had lived under the same roof since forever and just the thought of not having her around for days in the house sounded weird to him. And somehow, he knew that he would miss her.

"You have to try and do your best as the new shaman king for her, Yoh, so that once she's back you can tell her that you've not been idle all those months that she's not with you. She'd appreciate that."

"OR she wouldn't." he answered. "Once she realized that I didn't even try to look for her or to have her back."

"You tried. I just stopped you, for her and for you too."

"I don't know. Maybe."

"I'll ask Oka-san if she can bend a few agreements. For the meantime, just go home and tell your friends that you're still alive. That Tao boy is really scary." He said, shuddering at the thought of the young shaman. "Could you do that?"

"Sure. But I want to talk to Oba-san, otou-san. I really wanted to know what happened and if there's a chance that I could see her."

"Deal. We'll be waiting."

AaAaA

"I've already asked him to go back home…"

"You should've forced him to come with you. What id something bad happens to him? You're son is so upset, you shoul…."

"Mom, stop it." Yoh opened the door and saw the whole family in the room. "I am here. I'm ready to listen." I sat and waited for one of them to explain everything to me.

"This morning, Anna's parents came and asked about Anna. We refused, knowing how Anna felt about them.

They asked for a chance and for us to hear their reason for leaving her. That's all we promised. To hear them out. They told us the reason why they left Anna alone. Do you know that Anna has siblings?"

"No…"

"She has an older sister and a younger brother. Her mother and father tried to hide Anna's ability to her siblings. At that time, they saw that Anna's Oni is trying to break out again so they looked for their eldest daughter and asked her to go find a shelter somewhere with her little brother. They told her that Anna is sick and that they might catch it if they would stay with them. When they got back to their house, the villagers are already there and they saw how they set afire their house.

They thought Anna's in there and thought that she's already dead. But you know Anna's story. She ran out of the house when she saw the people and ran towards the forest and stayed there. But all in all, her parents thought that she's already dead."

"How about her siblings?" Yoh asked.

"They didn't tell us about her siblings. We didn't ask. If they wanted to tell us about their other children, they would've done that. But since they did not, then we are not in the position to ask."

"Of course, we are. We've been Anna's family for so long. Although I might say that they do have a reason for abandoning her, they should've not given up looking for her…"

"They did not. That's why they went here to see Anna and have at least a month to be with her. So please don't look for Anna anymore. She needs to have a chance to be with her family. Although she hates them, I know that deep inside her she still longs to be with them. To know them."

Yoh nodded. "But, may I know where she is?"

"No. You might go and see her. Just wait, Yoh."

How about a phone number? I just have to make sure she's okay."

"They don't have…" Yoh looked so down. They were all aware how important Anna is to him, and vice versa. They were always fighting and bickering with each other but they do love one another. Aside from being engaged, they were also friends. Bestfriends. "I'll see what I can do, child. But for now, just be patient and wait."

"Thank you, Oba-san."

AaAaA

She could feel the warm rays of the morning sun smiling down on her, as if teasing her to open her eyes, poking her to wake up and start the day right. But she's afraid to do so. She wished that what she remembered that happened last night was all but one of her nightmares. But it's not, so she couldn't push herself to open her eyes and see what awaits her.

Slowly and slowly and slowly, she fluttered her eyes open and tried to see the whole room, without opening her eyes wide, just enough to close it again if someone goes inside. Unfortunately someone's already watching her.

"Hi! Good morning, Anna." She whipped her head to the other side of the bed and saw, sitting on the couch leisurely, was a lady, she thinks not older than her for a few years. She didn't answer, just stared at her with her cold black eyes. Normally, people would cringe at the sight of those indifferent eyes. But this particular girl didn't even flinch at the unemotional stare she's giving her.

She's just smiling sweetly at her, never fading and never wavering. She should've given her a warm smile too, only she didn't feel like doing so. Her smile was kind of bothering her. It seemed fake, like she's being forced to be cordial and happy in front of her.

"You're awake already, sweetheart!" A voice from the doorway exclaimed. "Kazuko, what are you doing there, help me in the kitchen. Anna, go get dressed and go down. Your sister and I will prepare our breakfast." She said, taking the girl named Kazuko with her.

What's with them? Pretending that all is well and happy. I don't like it here. I want to be with my family. My real family. And surely, they are not here.

Then she saw him, a little boy, staring at her innocently through a small space on the doorway. He blushed and ran away when he saw that she saw him staring at her. He's so cute. Just like Yoh.

Could it be him?

"Anna…" she trailed the boy's step not really knowing why she's following him. Maybe if I try to know them they'll let me go back to funbari. With that thought in mind, Anna went to the kitchen and joined her "family" to breakfast. I don't have any choice anyway.

Anna tried hard tried hard not to look at the people around him, but was feeling their eyes on her. "Here, eat more, dear, your so skinny. I would have thought the Asakuras are starving you if we don't know them already."

"They are not."

"Ah… yes. They are not." The woman answered. "But do eat more. It's your favorite."

"It is not."

"When you were youn—"

"I am not young anymore. I am different. I am not the kid you abandoned before. You don't have to pretend. Just end this charade because I want to go back to my family."

"We are also your family. We are tryin-," but her mom cut her off.

"No it's okay. Kazuko, your sister still needs time." She whispered.

Yeah. Time. I have my fill of waiting. And I already gave up. "Kino-sama called earlier, and Yoh demanded to see you. But we can't allow that."

"Why not?" she snapped. "He's my fiancé!"

"But we will just be together for month. Please give us a chance." The man beside the woman who claims to be her mother said.

"Only a month?" she asked raising an eyebrow at the couple.

"Yes, a month dear. So if you decided that you really want us out of your life, it's okay with us. At least, we tried to reestablish our relationship. And we won't feel any regret."

Anna didn't answer. Maybe she should really give them a chance. But then, she should not lower her guard down.

"These are your siblings. Kazuko, your elder sister, and Jinko, your little brother. Do you still remember them?" her father asked.

How could I not. "Yeah." She stared at the young boy seating across her and frowned. "I don't remember Jinko having a light brown hair." She saw her sister tensed a bit. Anna thought that she's going to answer her but her mother spoke first.

"Oh, Kazuko decided to dye his hair because his classmates are picking on him when they were still away from us, hiding from the people. We just had them back a year before. It's really difficult putting our family back." She said in a sad tone. "We didn't know where to start looking or where to go next. We have no idea that you're still alive, but we still didn't give up. Finally, when we had your siblings back, Kazuko told us that she had been looking for you too, she knows where you are but when we went to where she said you are staying, no one was there."

Of course we are at the Patch Village that time.

When Anna did not say anything, her father continued his story. "So we thought you moved to another place and that started our search for the family who adopted you. It was almost impossible to trace where they live. People won't say anything about them. But now, we convinced them to have at least a month with you. To keep up and to try to make amends. "

"I'll stay for a month, without seeing Yoh." Her father and mother smiled.

"Anna, I know you have such a good heart. We really are-," her mom started but she silenced her.

"Wait I am not finish yet." They nodded and wait patiently for her to continue. "I want to at least have one communication with Yoh. A phone call maybe or a letter. Anything that would keep us in contact."

"Are you worried that your fiancé would cheat on you?" Kazuko smirked.

She decided she's not really liking the girl that much. There something off about her. It was clear that she means something else, but it sounded like she's teasing to everyone else in the room.

"Of course not. I trust Yoh. I am and will always trust him. He would never cheat on me."

"What if he did?" she taunted.

"I would skin him alive." She answered indifferently. "Then I'll kill him slowly and painfully. After, I'll haunt the woman and burn her alive." She said this like it's the most obvious thing that a woman would do once her lover would decide to hurt and cheat on her. It made Kazuko's fear for the life of whoever that woman is.

She laughed nervously. "Whoa. Don't be so serious Anna-chan. I am just joking. It's just a hypothetical question. No need to be so brutal you know."

"Sure. I am also just saying it hypothetically. That's what I'll probably do."

Her family looked at each other with is she-for-real look.

AaAaA

Here he goes again. From the very first day she stayed with them till today, which approximately four days now, the little boy kept on following her around. But once she looked at him, he would run away from her. She found it cute but irritating as well. One time, she's sitting leisurely under a big oak tree near the house they were staying in when he felt him on the other side of the tree watching her sleep.

"Come out there, little boy." She said, eyes still closed. "Come out or …" but before she could even finish her sentence, the boy stood in front of her like a soldier, ready for the morning inspection. "Why are you following me around?"

"—I- I'm s-sor-rry…" he murmured, looking above her head, still as a statue. He looked so adorable that Anna couldn't help but smile a bit. It didn't go unnoticed by the little boy. He stared at her in wonder.

"What?" she snapped. The poor boy trembled before her. Seeing this, Anna stood up and walked toward the now stiff and tense Jinko. Her eyes gentled and spoke in a voice she rarely uses, "Why are you following me around? Do you want to ask something?"

He nodded hesitantly. Anna waited for him to ask his questions. With a small voice, he asked her, "Are you really my Anna-onee-chan?"

"Yes, I am." she said. She allowed herself to sit with Jinko and have some time with the little boy. She knows that he had nothing to do with her family abandoning her. He's just a newborn baby that time. "How old are you now?" she settled the little boy on her lap.

The sky is clear and they can feel the cool breeze brushing them playfully, the tree bestowing them shelter from the scorching summer sun. "I am seven."

"Are your classmates still bothering you?"

"Not anymore."

"…" she didn't know how to prolong the conversation. It has always been Yoh who's good in that, so right now, she's totally clueless of what to say next to the timid boy.

"Onee-chan."

"Hn?" she peered down at him, curious. It's kind of weird to hear someone calling you onee-chan when you've live your life in isolation I like it. She decided. He mumbled something but Anna couldn't hear it for it was so soft. "What?" the little boy's face turned a pretty shade of pink and mumbled again. "Jinko, I can't understand what you're saying."

"you'resobeautifulanna-onee-chan!" he said in one go, not looking at Anna.

"Really? Uhm, maybe it's because it's the first time you saw me." The boy shook his head. "Well, you are also cute and adorable. I am sure you will grow up to be a really fine young man. It runs in our blood, ne?" she teased the boy.

"Well, well, well, Look who's having some bonding moment here. Why didn't you call me, Jinko? We could have had a lot more fun" Kazuko was walking towards them, the smirk not living her face.

"Kazuko-Onee. I was just," Jinko stammered. Anna noticed that the boy's form trembling. Is he afraid of her?

"Let's go. Mom and dad was looking for both of you, lunch is already set." Jinko followed Kazuko immediately and Anna couldn't help but wonder at his attitude towards the eldest daughter. There is really something off about her. Maybe, I should be more careful.

End of Chapter 5

R&R ^^. I would appreciate it so much! Thank you!