Broken Wings

Chapter 5: A Different Anna

Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King.

0

Anna never smiled since that faithful day. The only genuine smile that she gave was to her grandfather who never ceases to be kind and cheerful. She was tired of all the attention. She wanted to be free even if it's just an hour. Suddenly, an idea crept up to her mind. 'Maybe, I can go for a walk. Grandpa won't tell me no for an answer if that's the only thing I would do!'

"Grandpa, can I have a stroll in the woods." Anna asked. Her grandfather smiled softly as he said, "Sure. I'll tell Mika to come with you." Anna looked towards the open window. The curtains are dancing with the wind. "I was hoping that I could go alone…" Zhen, Anna's grandfather thought for a moment. "Okay…" Anna's eyes grew wide with joy. She ran towards her grandfather. "Thank you…" She quickly ran out of the room, closing the door behind her. She gracefully walked down the marble staircase. Servants bowed in respect. She wore her regular outfit that day. Particularly, the black dress and the red bandana.

She walked out of the oversized manor without speaking to anyone. "Miss Anna seems pretty down today." A maid whispered. The other maid raised an eyebrow. "How can you tell? She doesn't have any emotion! She is an ice queen! " The other maid hushed her. "Shhhh! She might hear you!" Anna could hear them. But she couldn't care less. All she could care about is getting along with the small walk that she planned on going.

Her hair swayed in the gentle blow of the wind. The soft chirps of birds seem to calm her down. She let out a sigh. "It's only been a month since I left… I wonder what they are doing." The swaying of the trees was surrounding her. She felt like crying. She wanted to go home. All these thoughts filled her mind, when she suddenly heard a noise behind her. She did not know who it was, but she did not turn around to see. She was ready. Their butler, the only person in the mansion who was close to her except for her grandfather, taught her how to defend herself. And, with a month of dedicated training, she surpassed him.

"If you missed us so much, then come back…" Anna's eyes widened. 'Yoh!' She knew that voice too well. A hand made her turn to face him. He wore a sweet smile. She missed it, along with his cute, laid-back grins. But she didn't dare show it. "Rather not." She said coldly. Yoh's smile almost disappeared. Anna noticed that his smile was now fake. It disappointed her. She turned around and walked away. "Why?" Yoh's voice stopped her.

"None of your business, Yoh." She replied, maintaining her coldness. She walked away without even glancing back. Yoh stood there for a while then walked away as well. "She's so different. She's cold and her words seem so empty. What happened to my Anna?"

Meanwhile, Anna went straight home. Her eyes are colder than ever. As she went in, Norman, the butler, came to her and greeted her. "Miss Anna, where have you been? You had me worried." Anna looked at him. No smiles, no anger. "I just went out for a walk. Nothing much happened." Norman smiled. "Miss, your grandfather told me to tell you to get ready when you came back." Anna threw a confused look. "For what?" "He said something about shopping." Anna loved shopping. "I'll go get ready." The butler knew that she was hiding her excitement and just bowed. He walked away. As soon as he left, she ran up the stairs.

She closed the door behind her and went straight to her closet. She took out a white sleeveless top with a print that says BAD GIRL and jeans that flared near the end. Her grandfather bought it himself. She never wore them because they were so important to her. Now was the perfect time to use them.

Suddenly, a soft knock was heard from the other side of the door. "Anna, dearest are you ready?" a caring voice of her grandfather echoed through the room. Anna's head quickly turned to the direction of the voice and walked towards it. "I'm done." She said as she opened the door. Her grandfather smiled as he saw Anna wearing the clothes he bought for her.

"You look lovely today Anna-chan." It wasn't her grandfather. It was a boy named Shin Amakuza. Shin is Anna's best friend when she was young. And when she had her memories as well. Shin is very fond of her. And honestly, Anna was too before the accident occurred.

Anna only nodded as a reply. With that, they left the room. The driver brought the car around as soon as the present emperor ordered. The driver was a kind man who never ceased on understanding Anna. He has a brown hair and little facial hair. He always makes a sincere greeting whenever Anna came in his view. These simple actions made Anna respect him a lot more. This was somewhat surprising considering the tragedy and the lies that she has experienced.

The kind driver opened the door for the three of them with a smile on his face. Zhen was the first to enter then Anna and finally Shin. The car resembles the one Anna and her parents used the day of the fatal accident. But of course, Anne didn't realize that. Even her grandfather didn't. She sat quietly as the car quickly made its way to the mall.

"Dan…" the voice of Zhen suddenly said. "Open the radio please." Dan, the driver, opened the radio on Zhen's favorite radio station. Soft music was heard all throughout the car. It was instrumental so no voice was heard. As the song neared its ending, the car moved along a curve, nearing the accident site of Anna's parents. Zhen's head slowly swayed with the music with his eyes closed. Shin was listening to his own music. He brought his CD player along with his Bob love CDs.

'Bob love… Yoh's favorite singer.' Anna thought to her own. 'I wonder if that 'brother' of mine still loves them.' Her thinking was disturbed when the finale of the song caught her attention. It was played in a music box of some sort. And just as she listened, the car passed through the same spot where the emperor and his wife died. A single tear escaped Anna's eyes. But she brushed it away quickly so that no one would notice. But little did she know that Shin saw her. He saw her looking at his CD player, deep in thought. And so on.

Shin's hand quickly cupped her face. He wore a sweet smile on his face. Anna's eyes gently stared into his. But this was quite involuntary. "It's okay…" was the only thing he said before he let go of his face. However, she didn't reward his sweet action with anything. Not even a simple smile. 'We're not close…' Anna thought. She looked in front, catching a glimpse of a man and a woman holding their daughter, which seemed like 5 yrs. old, in both sides.

Her eyes softened, staring at the humble little family as they drove past. She then looked ahead, noticing the large crowd that has gathered outside of the mall. "Shin…" Anna's grandfather said in a sort of demanding tone. Shin shrugged as he answered. "I don't know. I had nothing to do with this." He said in an innocent expression. Zhen sighed. Obviously, someone from the fan club of Shin had gotten the information. By the way, Shin is a handsome and very famous actor at that time.

Anna just rolled her eyes as the car was beginning to be overwhelmed by the die-hard fans of the matinee idol inside their car. Shin was still listening to his CD, ignoring both the glare from Anna and his screaming fans outside. Anna wanted a quiet day for her grandfather and herself. 'What a bummer…' she thought with a sigh.

Sorry for the extremely late update. Gotta focus on studies. But I couldn't help but making this chapter. ENJOY!

Anyone who has suggestions, please! Please! I'm kind of running out of ideas. The next chapter is the last idea I have…

puppy dog eyes