Disclaimer: Shaman King belongs to Hiroyuki Takei and Shonen Jump, not me.

-

-

-

The first thing Yoh realized when he woke was that his entire body ached. He blinked groggily. His body was crammed and contorted into the wooden rocking chair. Gingerly he tilted his neck from side to side, working out the kinks.

The second thing he noticed was the weight in his arms. He cracked his neck again and vaguely remembered falling asleep holding Anna. Yoh looked down. "Anna," he whispered.

He wasn't holding a toddler, but a beautiful girl.

Anna snuggled in his arms, nestling her cheek against his chest. Her slender arms wrapped around his waist, and her small thin legs folded up against the arm of the chair. Yoh's heart nearly burst out of his chest. He hugged her tightly, burying his face into her golden hair.

Anna's face squinched up. "Yoh," she murmured.

"Hi, baby," he said, clutching her. "Hi, sweetie. Are you feeling all right?"

"You're squishing me," she mumbled.

"Oh, oh, sorry," he said, readjusting so she could get comfortable. "Are you feeling better?"

Anna rubbed her forehead. "I…I don't know," she said. "I can't really remember anything."

"You woke up sick last night," he explained.

"No, no, I can't…I can't remember much of anything," she said. She looked up at him, hazy and confused. "Was I…no, I couldn't have…"

"Been a toddler?" Yoh finished.

Anna started. "You mean I was?"

"You were," Yoh said. "It's childhood…childhood avoidance…'

"Childhood avoidance regression," Anna sighed. "I hoped I would never do that. I knew I was at risk…I should have warned you."

"No, no, it's okay," Yoh said. He couldn't help but beam- Anna was still in his arms, and she wasn't pulling away. It was a miracle. "I'm just glad I could help you."

Anna looked up at him, her eyes soft. "You did help me, didn't you?" she whispered.

Yoh looked down at her. She was right there, soft and warm and even smiling a little bit. He stared at her for a moment, thinking. And then he took his chance.

He took her into his arms, hugging her tightly. "I told you I wasn't ever going to leave you, and I won't," he whispered. "I won't leave you. I promise."

Anna buried her face in the curve of his neck. Her arms wrapped around him tightly. And that was answer enough for him

-

-

-

Author's Notes:

Uh…the end!

Thanks to everyone who stuck by me and reviewed, despite my mental drought and lack of updates. I hope you enjoyed this story!

This is one of my top three stories, along with "Wedding Bells" and "Moonlit Mirrors."