Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King.

"I feel so stupid." Yoh scratched his head.
"You are stupid." chimed in Anna. She's still bitter about what happened yesterday - the thing with Yoh having cancer and all. "How could you not check the name on the file first before going all dreary?" Her voice was anything but calm.
"It was my name on the folder Anna. I assumed whatever's inside was mine as well. Does that make sense?"
"Sure it makes sense, Yoh. But does it make sense too, to wait for your doctor to actually check the data first instead of you just snatching it off like some thief? And did it ever cross your mind the slightest possibility of files getting mixed up?"

Yoh had no rebuttal for that. He should've definitely waited for the doctor.

"So," He started to change the subject, "What shall we do today? I mean Hana won't be back for a few more hours, I'm done with my chores, I'm happy I'm not sick, I'm alone with my beautiful wife.." He grinned widely, waiting for her response.
"I think you should continue with your training."
"Annaaaaa-"
"Not another word Yoh." She raised her index finger along with her brows. Yoh had no chance of winning - and he's not sure if he could find the same confidence he had when he kissed her the night before. "Oh and while you're at it, make sure to drop by the hospital and return those papers."
"Yes, Anna."

Make no mistake - I love Yoh. But sometimes I just want to strangle him for the darnest things he does that makes me worry a lot. And by a lot means I could suffer from a nervous breakdown - though I'd never tell him that. I like the way he persuaded me to do his bidding - though it only happens when something is about to occur or had occurred. I kinda wish he'd do more of those... gah! What am I thinking? Geez.

Anna is blushing despite of herself. She wants Yoh's affection more than anything but the guy is too afraid - rather terrified of her to make another bold move. She couldn't forget what happened...

He claimed her lips once more after her reassurance that she'll be by his side no matter what. Anna made no objection. If this is his way of confiding to her- so be it. If it'll make his burden lighter, she's up for it. She'll do almost anything for him.

"I guess I deserve this punishment," Yoh muttered as he made his way to the hospital and got hold of his own file - a clean bill of health. His wife didn't have to tell him - it was evident in her eyes that she was very concerned. It's one of those things that Yoh finds flattering. He's used to Anna beating him to pulp or beating him senseless to show him how much he means to her. For other people, it's extreme, but for them, it's normal and as morbid as it sounds, he wouldn't have it any other way.

Two hours of running around town would've been tiring for Yoh. Nevertheless, the years of training had paid off as he's barely exhausted and was just plain bored.

"Ah, screw this. Even if she gets angry, I just have to take the hits since it's my fault anyway."

He decided to go back to the inn.

"Anna? Hello?"

He made his way to the TV room to check if she was there. He peeked and found her lying on the couch, sleeping soundly. Quietly, he closed the door and headed upstairs to give himself a nice shower.

After a few minutes, he went back to the TV room to transfer his wife to their room because the couch looked uncomfortable. (Well, he knows it is uncomfortable. He had his share of couch-napping when Anna does the shopping on rare occasions).

Before slipping his arms under her head, he stared at her for a few seconds with both hands under his chin.

I'm so lucky. He smiled at the thought. She may not be the girl of his dreams (more of the girl that caused him nightmares) but she's definitely meant only for him.

Carefully, he slipped his arms beneath her head and her thighs and carried her in a bridal fashion.

"Where are you taking me?" Anna spoke half-asleep.
"Upstairs. The bed is more comfortable."
"Hmm." She murmured.

Her arms went around his neck as she moved her head closer to his shoulders.

"I'm really sorry about the other day..."
"Sure.." She whispered.

Yoh laid her down on the bed as gently as possible.

"What time is it?"
"Six. Sleep a little longer while I prepare dinner."

Him brushing his lips to hers and saying "Love ya, Anna." before leaving the room, has left Anna smiling.

~ash~

"Hello Mom!" Hana greeted after swallowing his food.
"Hey there sleepyhead. I was just about to get you." Yoh said as he led her to a chair.
"When did you get here?" She asked her son who was still busy chomping his meal.
"Hmm, I don't know. I don't know how to tell the time. I was here before dinner though."
"Ten minutes to seven PM" Yoh answered.
"How was it?" She inquired.
"It was good! I got to see different kinds of animals and sea creatures!"

I guess it's really amusing for him. She thought

"What else?" She probed.
"Ugh, lots of stuff... but I'm so tired I just want to go to sleep after eating. I hope it's okay Mom."
"Sure, you do that."
"Oh and yeah! I've got souvenirs for both of you!"

Hana ran upstairs to retrieve his present from his bag. "Here you go!" He handed his gift to his Mom first.

"A keychain. Thanks." Anna rewarded him with a very generous smile. "But why is it a ..."
"A snowflake? Well, it was snowing when you and Dad first met right? I'm a pretty good listener."
"I guess you are."

How thoughtful of him.

"It's a cat. Nice." Yoh commented when Hana gave him his souvenir.
"I recall from the stories that you were really good friends with a cat..."
"Yeah. Well, thank you."
"Okay. Parents, I'm really tired... see you tomorrow?"
"Yep kiddo. Have a good night." Yoh said.
"Come here for a sec." Anna coaxed.

She gave him a peck on the cheek and a warm hug. In that split second, he managed to tell her "You're the best mom one could ever have."

Anna was rendered speechless for a brief moment but gave Hana a slight nod.

"Love you both!" He exclaimed, midway in his steps towards his room.

"We did good." Yoh said.
"Yeah."
"With that, is there any chance that we'll have another child?"

The cricket's chirping tapered the already awkward moment. Anna's facial expression remained blank. Yoh gulps down his orange juice, bottom's up before saying another word.

"I-I'm just saying. Please don't get angry.. I mean, Hana should have someone else to play with in the near future and uh-"

Yoh was stunned when Anna swiftly made her way to him and pressed her lips to his.

"So this means, yes?" Anna was nibbling on his lower lip that he barely got the words out.
"You're an idiot." She answered.

Isn't it obvious?

"And that's my Mom and Dad's love story." Hana's teacher applauded together with the other children in class.
"That was wonderful Hana. "

It's Anna's turn to pick up Hana at school. She always comes in ten to fifteen minutes early, to question the spirits lurking in the school grounds. She started doing this routine about two months ago, after coming back from their long journey.

For the most part, she'd asked them how Hana's been doing in school. She did not threaten them or anything - in fact, she offered to pray for them the minute she found them so their souls could rest, but they wanted to stay earthbound. They insisted on waiting for a certain person to come. Anna, couldn't of course, summon someone who isn't dead yet so in exchange for letting them stay, they are to look after her kid when he's in school. Zenki and Kouki would attract attention if she had them guard him.

"Got any news for me?" She asked them casually.
"You'd be happy to know Miss Anna that your son didn't play truant today."
"Good. I know I've asked this for like the nth time now, but would you like me to help you find that person?"
"It will be helpful, yes. But we wanted him to come here on his own accord and not because someone told him."
"Is he aware of your passing?"
"Regardless if we were dead or alive, we're supposed to meet at this place after a couple of years. We still have until tomorrow afternoon."
"If he doesn't come..?"
"Then we'll move on Miss Anna. For not banishing us, we are very grateful."
"You have my thanks as well. I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yes. Good day!"

She knocks on the door of Hana's classroom and was acknowledged immediately by Erin Takeda, the sensei she nearly 'killed' when Hana sprained his ankle.

"Mrs. Asakura!"

This time she shook the hands of the educator.

"Where's Hana?"
"Oh, he just went to the restroom. By the way, your son just told the whole class about your love story."
"Really."
"It's amazing. But I guess he tweaked a few of those stories, yes?"
"Why would you say that?"
"For one, participating in a Shaman Fight? No idea what that is, but your son has a very creative imagination."

Anna scoffed at this "Let me tell you something Miss Takeda, my son is telling the truth about shamans, ghosts and oni-s. They're real, but not as real for a normal person like yourself."

Miss Takeda's face looked terrified but she held her ground as Anna continued, "Don't worry though, I have no grudge or whatsoever against you. For what it's worth, I think you did a great job teaching these kids. As a reward, I have a message from your mother..."

Miss Takeda gasped yet made no objection. "She said, 'You have my permission to sell my ancestral home in Hokkaido, so you can take care of my grandson outside of the hospital.' "

"Mom?"
"Let's go Hana, we still have things to do." Anna held him by the hand and left Miss Takeda standing there, hand against her mouth.
"Did you make Erin-sensei cry?"
"I guess." She answered him coolly.
"Ugh, Mom! She's my favorite teacher!"

The next day at school...

"We're ready to go Miss Anna."
"He didn't come after all, did he?"
"He did!" They said cheerfully.
"Then..."
"We wanted to bid you goodbye."
"It's not really necessary..."
"He explained why he couldn't come. His son was in the hospital for the past month and he couldn't leave. His wife is a teacher here in this school and she's the only one providing for them." He paused for a bit then continued, "They recently got the funds to get a personal nurse to take care of their son at home so.."

Realization dawned on Anna. "Tell me, is his wife's name Erin?"
"Yes indeed."

Anna smiled. "Good. Thanks for everything."
"No, it's thanks to you."

They vanished into thin air.

The Asakuras went on with their daily lives.

Hana still skips school once in a while but not without consequence.
Yoh is still (and will eternally be) doing chores around the house and on occasion, exorcise bad spirits.
Anna is still Anna - watching soap operas relentlessly, preparing impossible training regimen, bashing on people and things that has either annoyed her or just for the heck of it and carrying another offspring for the Asakura line.

Hana hopes that it would be a boy.
Anna hopes that it would be a girl.
Yoh doesn't have any preference.

In the end, they got both - fraternal twins.

Author's Note: Yey! Done with this story. There, I was able to write something a bit longer and yes, it really took me a while. Thank you for the reviews and the favorites, those things are what kept me going. Thank you for all the support and hopefully, you'll read my next work (if I get the time to write again). And yeah, I wanted to give the twins a name but couldn't think of any. :)

P.S. I would love to hear your thoughts on this story. Thank you!

xoxo
~ash