A/N- Okay, because the flames are beginning to make me crack up randomly and people are beginning to stare, here’s an alternate ending to Guilty Pleasures. Comment on this if you like this ending better. I promise you won’t be disappointed to an extent.

Anna was so tired. She just wanted to let it all go and fall asleep but she knew. She knew if she fell asleep, she would never wake up. She had to stay awake. She had so much for her, even if it was all blurred and blending into the background. She wasn’t a fool and she knew that her weakness was clouding her judgments but she couldn’t bring herself to stand up. She couldn’t find the energy to lift herself from where she lay and continue on like she always had.

Thoughts came to Anna in a jumble, none of them making sense over the roar of the rain and her own heartbeat in her ears. Naan was nowhere in sight and for that, Anna was grateful. She knew she was extremely vulnerable and would probably believe anything that came out of her other side’s mouth.

As she lay, Anna suddenly felt the presence of another near her. Her body tensed for only a moment, before it relaxed, too exhausted to fight whomever may approach her. She sighed, resigned to whatever fate this person brought.

“Anna? Anna, where are you?” Anna’s eyes shot open when she recognized that voice. Her body moved on its own accord, pushing her up to her knees. Her mouth opened to call to him, but no sound came out. She heard him call out again, this time fainter, as though he was getting farther and farther away.

“Y…oh,” she managed to croak out, faint to her own ears. She swallowed hard and tried again, this time managing a louder sound. She heard him rustling and it suddenly stopped, as though he heard her. A faint smile crossed her lips and she tried once more. This time, the shuffling came closer. Her hope was rising.

“Anna, is that you?” Yoh’s voice sounded closer than ever and she was sure he was just inside the forest.

“Yoh!” she managed to shout loudly. The shuffling became crashing and Yoh burst from the forest, wide-eyed and obviously worried. His eyes fell on Anna almost immediately and his trademark smile cracked open his face. Anna barely comprehended that he had moved before she found herself in his arms, pulled into a tight, almost smothering hug.

She had never really been one to stop and think about the little things, but Anna suddenly appreciated the way Yoh smelled like home. He smelled like evenings watching soap operas and him listening to SOULBOB. He smelled like everything Anna associated with comfort. Home, family, him.

“Kami, Anna, I was so worried about you,” His voice was soft in Anna’s ear and it relaxed her, reminding her that everything was all right now. Yoh had her and Hao was nowhere in sight. Reality crashed in around her, however, as coughs began to wrack her small frame.

“Anna?” Yoh pulled away, looking down at her worriedly. She couldn’t respond, her coughs getting worse as she felt blood rising in her throat once more. The coppery taste gathered in her mouth for only a moment before she spit it out in pure disgust. As she stood, she felt herself trembling, cursing her previous illogical reasoning.

Her thoughts were cut off quickly as she found herself being swept up and carried away. She blinked dumbly at Yoh for moment before her eyes narrowed into a glare.

“I can handle myself you know,” Her voice was no longer cracked and broken and for this, Yoh was glad. He didn’t think he could take the guilt he felt if she was still so broken.

“You’re hurt and it’s about time you relax.” His voice was firm and Anna could tell there would be no arguing with him. Resignedly, she sighed and allowed herself to be carried. He was right though. Her body was screaming at her to rest. She had pushed to hard and she was feeling the consequences. The rest of the short journey was silent, all mistrust put aside for the time being. To Yoh, Anna’s safety came first, because despite what she had done to him and to herself, he still loved her.

When the En Inn swam into view through the rain, Anna was surprised to see a very familiar figure standing at the entrance.

“Ren?” She sent Yoh a confused gaze who blushed sheepishly. Despite this, she pulled herself from Yoh’s hold and nodded to her guest. Even broken, she still had manners. He nodded back, turning his steely gaze to Yoh.

“I see you found her. I believe it’s time I take my leave so you two can work things about amongst yourselves.” Anna started and turned a seething glare at Yoh who cowered. He had promised her he wouldn’t tell anyone and here Ren knew everything that had happened. Ignoring his transgression for the time being, she once more nodded to Ren before stepping defiantly inside the inn. Yoh didn’t follow her, choosing instead to say good-bye to his friend.

“I want to than you Ren. I would have panicked and never found Anna if you hadn’t come.” Ren scoffed, waving his hand dismissively.

“I did what I had to.” Was his short reply and Yoh smiled. He was truly glad he had Ren to back him up. In a moment of maturity, he stuck out his hand for Ren to shake. It was a firm handshake and it was all the good-bye they needed. Ren left without a word and Yoh returned to the inn.

“You told Ren?” Yoh froze at Anna’s casual voice. He knew he was in big trouble. Anna never used that voice unless he was in for serious punishment.

“Maybe,” his voice was an octave higher than usual and Anna allowed an amused smirk crawl onto her features as he scrambled to explain himself. “Anna, I was worried about you. I was panicking and Ren was the only person I could call who could help me with this.” True, Anna mused to herself. However, she schooled a glare onto her features. He had broken his promise.

“I should slap you,” she said in a dangerously low voice that made Yoh shudder, “However, I am in dire need of sleep. If you need me, I’ll be in our room.” With that, Anna disappeared up the stairs and out of Yoh’s sight.

Dumbfounded, he merely stared for a second. He had gotten out of punishment? His shock was quickly overridden, however, when what she had said clicked in his mind. Our room, she had said. Yoh’s eyes lit up as he took off up the stairs after Anna. He threw open the door in glee to find Anna already asleep in bed. He winced slightly as the shoji door slammed against its frame, but relaxed when it didn’t wake Anna.

As he stood in the doorway, Yoh noticed something. She looked innocent when she slept. The hard look she normally kept schooled on her face was gone and was replaced by a soft look. She looked utterly at peace and Yoh was happy.

As quietly as he could, Yoh shut the door behind him as he took a step into the room. He slipped out of his sandals and approached the futon they now shared. Before he could reach it, however, he was stopped by a pained whimper.

His gaze was drawn instantly to Anna. Her once calm face had disappeared, replaced by one of twisted agony. There was another whimper and Yoh was immediately at her side, kneeling over her worriedly.

“Yoh… help me!” Yoh grimaced as her voice was cracked and laced with terror and misery. Helplessly, he stared forlornly down at her, hands ringing themselves together. A pained cry made Yoh flinch. He didn’t know what to do now that Anna was having a nightmare. In desperation, he grabbed her hand, holding it tightly and wishing it all away. Her cries quieted a bit, but the pain was obviously still there.

Encouraged by this, Yoh grabbed her other hand, murmuring soothing words into her hair. She soon fell silent, only her expression giving away her discomfort. His mind groped desperately for a solution until he finally came to a conclusion.

Ignoring the threat of what might happen if Anna found them like this, Yoh slipped in beside her and released her hands, pulling her tightly to him and burying his face in her hair. Her face was pressed tightly against his shoulder and he could feel her expression softening. Sighing in his own relief, Yoh relaxed his grip slightly.

Alone with his own thoughts, Yoh meditated on the events of the past few days. His trust in Anna was still there, but it was no longer unshakable. To his own shame, he knew he would never be able to fully trust Anna ever again. Still, he loved her. If loving her meant going through this, he would gladly go through it time and time again, if only to keep Anna by his side.

He knew Anna loved him back. Her guilt over this whole ordeal proved that. While this made them both flawed, he knew it would bring them closer together. Maybe they wouldn’t have a happily ever after, but if Anna was there with him, Yoh would gladly take anything fate threw at him.

A/N- There, I finally did it. It took lots of procrastinating and avoiding it for me to write it. Hope my flamers change their minds at least somewhat about me, even though I did get a kick out of reading their reviews, glutton for punishment that I am. This is especially for JGOG132 who, despite hating how I ruined the story (according to my many flamers) still wanted to become my beta. Lots of love flowing your way man.

Crystalline Dream