Justice

She sat quietly on the bench in the park as the pink strands of her hair blew in the wind. Her eyes had become puffy and adorned with large dark circles as she struggled to stay awake. She folded her arms across her chest slightly, shielding it from the cold, and stared at the fluttering grass aimlessly, "It's cold out here," she said softly.

He didn't respond and continued staring at the nearby trees. They had been sitting on the bench for an extended period of time without speaking. When she found him in the park earlier she wasn't sure what to say to him, and he didn't seem to acknowledge her presence. The wind tickled his skin mercilessly, causing goose bumps to develop all over his arms and neck, but he didn't notice. After several minutes of silence he finally spoke.

"I don't know what else to do."

"Yoh," she hesitated for a few moments, wanting to say the right thing, "You can't make someone love you if they don't."

"She loves me. I know she loves me," he frowned, closing his eyes briefly, "But I don't think it's enough."

"You can't let him win," she said quickly, biting her bottom lip, "You can't give up so easily. She needs to know you will fight for her. He can't just…" she hesitated, "…take her away from you. He doesn't have that power."

Yoh stared at her for a few moments and noticed the anger in her eyes, "Tamao?" He started.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Why did you come back?" He continued to stare at her blankly as she spoke.

"I wanted to help you," she said nervously, "I wanted you to know you're not alone."

"You're angry?" He asked.

"You don't deserve this," she sighed, "No one deserves this."

He watched the grass sway in the wind for a few moments and sighed, "I'd be a fool if I said I didn't see this coming."

"That doesn't make it okay," she sighed bitterly.

"This will work out," he said with a smile, "I just have to fight. I have to make her see what I see, right?"

"If she can't see how wonderful you are, she's an idiot," she mumbled.

"What?" He asked calmly, "What did you say?"

"It's worth a try," she said with a smile, "We should probably get back to the house."

"You're right," he said as he stood abruptly.

Tamao followed Yoh down the dirt path a few feet before he stopped and turned around. He stared at her for a few moments without speaking and held her hand.

"What's wrong?" She asked timidly.

"You're a very good friend, Tamao," he said warmly, "Thank you."

She blushed slightly and smiled, "I'm happy to be your friend," she said.

They continued to hold hands as they walked down the path back to the house. She exhaled and blinked slowly as the warmth of his hand reenergized her body. He tightened his grip gently and slowed his pace before speaking again.

"Do you think she's asleep?" His tone was weak as if he needed reassurance.

"She's probably wondering where her breakfast is," Tamao replied. Although she was serious, the comment caused him to giggle nervously and he smiled at her.

"Probably," he said jokingly.

"Um, Yoh?" She started.

"Yes?" He asked eagerly.

"I don't think I should be there when you talk to her," she said as she stared at the ground.

"But, I want you to be there," he said pleadingly.

"I'll come to the house," she sighed, "But I don't want to be in the room. This is a private matter, and you two should be alone."

She didn't want to tell him that the possibility of seeing them work out their problems and reconcile made her queasy, nor that the chance of seeing him cry was even more unbearable. As much as she didn't want to be involved, she couldn't force herself to break away from the situation. She felt he needed her, even if it was painful for her to be there.

"Okay," he said softly.

When they approached the front of the house Yoh seemed to be in a better mood. He was calm and somewhat cheerful, and he increased his pace to reach the front door. Tamao released his hand and walked behind him, staring at the back of his head worriedly. He opened the door slowly, and she held her breath when they stepped inside. Tamao darted down the hallway and disappeared as Yoh made his way to the sitting room. Anna watched television for hours in that room, and he was always able to find her there when he needed permission to do something or just wanted the company. He opened the door cheerfully when he heard noises inside, but paused abruptly when he saw her.

Anna was in the room, but the television was turned off and she was standing in the middle of it staring at him. She wore a beige dress that covered her knees, and he blond hair rested on her shoulders, covering most of her face as usual. He wasn't really staring at her, however, for the bags that sat at her feet drew more attention.

"What are you doing?" He asked with a frown.

"I'm leaving," she said simply.

"Where are you going?" He asked, already knowing the answer, "When will you be back?"

"I'm not coming back, Yoh," she said blankly. He noticed a slight look of disappointment in her eyes as she spoke. She wanted to be gone before he returned to avoid this conversation.

"So that's it? You're just going to leave?" He asked as the anger began to quickly set in.

"Yoh," she sighed heavily, "I don't want to do this with you."

"Do what?" He asked as his tone elevated slightly, "Answer me when I ask you a question? I have the right to know, Anna," He paused to exhale and clenched his hands into fists.

"I don't have to explain myself to you," she said angrily, "I told you I'm leaving. That's all you need to know."

Yoh seemed surprised by her statement but frowned when he spoke again, "I can't believe you're doing this."

"Excuse me?" She replied.

"You're throwing your life away. You're ruining your chance at happiness…our chance. And for what? For…HIM?" He paused again as his hands began to tremble violently.

"I'm not throwing a life that I want away," she sighed, "I'm doing what's best…"

"For who?" He interrupted her, "For you? You're not doing this for me!" He yelled at her suddenly, and she was visibly surprised, "I can't believe you would leave the man that loves you for a guy who wants to be entertained! How could you be so…STUPID?!"

She frowned suddenly and slapped him hard across the face. He stumbled for a few seconds and groaned. When he recovered, she slapped him again and he fell on the floor.

"I'm not stupid, Yoh," she growled.

He stood up again and stared at her without speaking for a few seconds then closed his eyes, "Are you trying to hurt me?" He asked weakly, "Do you hate me that much?"

"I don't hate you," she said as her voice began to falter.

"Why are you torturing me like this?" He asked. When she noticed the tears rolling quickly down his cheeks she looked away from him and stared at the wall.

"Please don't make this harder than it has to be," she sighed.

"You…can't just leave," he whimpered.

Anna stood still for a few moments and swallowed hard. She knew the tears were about to completely fill her eyes, but she couldn't stop them. He was making her uncomfortable. Closing her eyes made the reality worse, and they spilled over her lashes and raced down her cheeks before she could react, "I can't do this with you," she said weakly.

"Anna please," he whispered, "Please don't leave."

She grabbed her bags suddenly, one in each hand, and began walking to the door, "This conversation is over," she said sadly.

He grabbed her waist before she could reach the door, causing her to drop the bags. She groaned in frustration but did not free herself as he pulled her close to his body and held her tightly in his arms.

"Tell me what you want from me," he said, "Tell me what I should do."

"There's nothing you can do," she whispered as her lips quivered violently.

"Tell me how to fix this, Anna," he pleaded, "Please, just tell me how to make this right."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders and hugged him tightly, "I'm sorry Yoh. I never meant to hurt you; you have to believe that," she sniffed.

"We can fix this," he whispered in her ear, "I know we can fix this."

"Yoh," she sighed.

"I know we can make this work," he continued, "I love you, Anna. Please, please don't leave me!"

"Stop this!" She snapped, pushing him away from her, "I have to do this, Yoh. Just…stop!"

He watched her as she hastily grabbed her bags again and exited into the hallway, and he followed her after the initial shock wore off. Tamao had been standing in the hallway near the front door the entire time, and was surprised to see the bags Anna was carrying. She gasped involuntarily and covered her mouth, but neither Yoh nor Anna seemed to notice her.

"Anna, wait!" He called to her.

"I said I don't want to do this with you," she replied angrily.

"What are you doing, Anna?" Tamao whispered.

She carefully sat her bags on the floor near the front door and paused. Something was restraining her. She closed her eyes in frustration and tried to clear her thoughts. What was she waiting for? It shouldn't end like this, she thought to herself suddenly. Why was she angry with him? He was only doing the natural thing. He didn't want her to leave. He loved her. Why was she treating him so badly? After all, this wasn't his fault. She had set these events into motion weeks before, and had no one to blame for the outcome except…

"This is my fault," she mumbled under her breath.

"What?" Yoh didn't hear her, and was desperate to know if there was a possibility she would change her mind.

"You're right," Tamao whispered angrily.

"I'm sorry, Yoh. I was being selfish. I wasn't thinking of you or anyone else. But…I can't change that now."

"Everything is fixable, Anna. I can fix this," he said sadly.

"No, you don't understand," she paused and bit her bottom lip.

"Explain it to me," He said as he stepped closer, "Tell me what I need to know."

"I love him."

"…What?" Yoh stumbled a few steps back but regained his composure quickly.

"And he loves me," she continued, ignoring the apparent disgust in Tamao's eyes.

"No…" he wanted to say more, but the sudden pain in his chest quickly expelled his will to speak.

"I wasn't trying to hurt you, Yoh," she sighed, "But I love him."

He fell to his knees as his head began to spin from the sudden nausea.

"I'm going to marry him," she continued, "I'm going because I want to be there."

Tamao closed her eyes and clenched her teeth as Anna spoke. Yoh stared at the floor, unable to regain his footing, and his breathing slowed.

"Yoh?" Anna called to him worriedly.

Tamao crouched on the floor beside him and placed her arm over his shoulders, "Yoh, are you okay?" She asked.

"I can't breathe," he said weakly.

"Yoh!" Anna ran quickly to his side and reached out to him, but Tamao slapped her hand.

"Don't touch him!" She growled at her.

"Tamao," Anna tried to protest, but Tamao stared at her indignantly, holding Yoh tighter.

"Get away from him," she said angrily.

He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped and continued staring at the floor.

"It's okay, Yoh," Tamao said softly, "She's leaving now."

Anna was sitting on her knees in front of them with her hands resting on her thighs. She sighed heavily and closed her eyes for a few moments. Yoh knew she was there, but couldn't find the strength to sit up. Tamao remained crouched beside him and had wrapped both arms around his shoulders, glaring at Anna.

"Yoh," she started, clutching her dress in her hands, "I don't expect you to understand this. I hope you can forgive me…someday."

"How could you do this to him?" Tamao whispered bitterly.

"I guess this is goodbye," she continued. When he didn't respond, she stood on her feet and paused before turning for the door.

Yoh pulled away from Tamao suddenly, forcing her to release him and stopped Anna before she could turn around. He wrapped his arms tightly around her hips and buried the side of his face in her stomach, "Please don't leave!" He cried hysterically.

"Stop it," Tamao groaned.

Anna began to cry uncontrollably and her hands trembled violently as she ran her fingers through his hair, "Please get up," she said weakly.

"Don't do this," he pleaded, "Please don't do this! I love you!"

"Stop it, Yoh," Tamao repeated angrily.

"Please let go of me," she sniffed.

He tightened his arms and sobbed bitterly. Anna tried to pry them off, but his grip was too strong. Tamao stood in front of them with her arms crossed and stared angrily at the front door.

"Yoh, please listen to me," Anna sighed, "Just let me go."

Yoh released her suddenly and sat quietly on his knees staring at her legs. Anna was surprised by the movement, but took the opportunity to open the front door and gather her bags. Tamao stood beside him and placed her hand on his shoulder as they watched her leave. Anna turned around to look at them for a few seconds before stepping outside and closing the door behind her. When the latch connected he exhaled weakly and stared at the floor.

"What took you so long?" He asked as he grabbed the bags from her and kissed her softly on the lips.

"When did you get here?" Anna was surprised Hao showed up so quickly, but she was relieved he was there.

As they made their way quietly through the woods, she stared at his hair as she walked beside him. Suddenly all of the guilt she felt before was replaced with happiness and longing. He noticed she was observing him and smiled at her. After a few more moments of silence he decided to speak.

"What did you say to him?" He asked.

"I told him I was leaving," she said quickly.

"You really broke his heart, didn't you?" Hao asked with a smirk.

"I'm not proud of it," she said weakly.

"Well he must feel like an idiot now," he said calmly.

"What are you talking about?" She asked with a frown.

Without looking at her he said, "He decided to forfeit the tournament."

"…What?" She stared at him wide eyed for a few seconds and gasped, falling behind him as her pace slowed.

"And you still left," he continued, "What a kick in the face."

She continued to stare at him without speaking as if in shock and stopped walking completely.

"But, it would be merciless for me to kill him now," he said in a tone almost resentful. When he noticed she was very quiet, he turned around and smiled at her.

Her facial expression didn't change and she took a few steps backward.

"You should be proud of yourself," he said calmly, "You saved his life."

He continued down the path with her bags and she remained behind him, folding her arms across her chest.

"Yoh," she whispered fearfully.

THE END

Thank you for reading the story. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. Please review, if you haven't already.

Part II coming soon…

-Pulchrite