Disclaimer: I know I did not, do not and will never own Flame of Recca. Actually, I do not even know its owner.

Author's Note: Please read and review.

Burn my soul

Book 1: Sacrifices

for a new beginning…

Chapter 1: Warmth of the Rain

~ How come? ~

It sure was a tough fight. Kurei was standing proudly as his wound dripped red sticky blood to the ground, while on the other hand his half brother, Recca whom he had been fighting for almost an hour was on his knees, trying to get up.

The history of their fight was from 500 years ago, the time when Hokage, a clan of ninjas that was known to have the ability to create powerful weapons that could destroy the world, still existed. Now, the Hokage weapons were being collected and this was the reason why they considered each other an arch enemy, or there were something else… that Recca did not know…

Yanagi Sakoshita was Recca's princess (accdg. to Recca). She was Recca's inspiration, the reason why he had reached that level and was able to fight another flame master like himself, Kurei. He had secretly loved her and he was going to propose to her some months after the fight.

Love, the ultimate power one could have. Recca regained his energy and knocked down Kurei in the most impossible way. Kurei's whole body was attached to the ground that became a pool of blood. He was crawling, reaching desperately for his enemy but his wounds were severely bleeding causing his body to numb.

" But why? How come he could make impossible things, possible?"

He reached for a rock and carried his body with all of his might. He was unstable. His knees were shaking from insufficient stamina. Then, with all the curses he could think of, he ejaculated the words of curiosity and confusion.

" You're a CHEATER!!! Just a minute ago, you have no energy left!"

Recca laughed a bit. It was something he had in his life that he knew Kurei wouldn't have in a million years. Then, he pointed his thumb to his friends, princess and mother. He paused for a moment, thinking of the most appropriate words to describe them.

" They are the crystals of my energy!! They are my loved ones- the most precious gems in the world!"

Then, he looked at his friends, smiling proudly at him. Kurei couldn't hold the fact that he was trained not to love anyone. He could still remember his punishment for violating that. It was still clear in his heart- the death of his first love, Scarlet.

Almost a year changed them. It was on a cold night when an ordinary rain arrived. Everybody was rushing to a shed nearby. Buses could be clearly heard running at a high speed through the street. A young man with black wet hair was walking so slow that the shed was crowded even before he could step a foot in. And on his face, was a scar and the clashing rain penetrated his soft, white skin as if he had invited all of the rain in Japan to moisten it.

Then, he heard a very familiar scream. When he turned to the direction of the noise, he was shocked to see Yanagi all by herself, without any Recca protecting her. He wanted to kill her, the source of his' enemy's energy, so badly that he wished the drug addicts surrounding her would torture, rape and burn her very soul into hell.

However, it was different. Something was different in her at that moment. Then, without anymore hesitation, he blocked all that was going to hurt Yanagi. Punches, kicks and more pain were thrown to him physically. Yanagi closed her eyes so that she would not witness the act of killing. After knocking down all the guys, creating craters to the very cement of the street, Kurei lifted Yanagi in his arms. It was something unlikely to happen. Yanagi turned her head to Kurei.

" Kurei…"

Her carrier did not respond and continued on walking instead. It was dark and the lights were sparkling on their way. Yanagi did not know what to say. Her head was beside Kurei's chest and her ears could hear the melody of his heart. She was fine with that- no malice- until she remembered her date with her boyfriend, Recca.

" umm… Kurei, would you please put me down now? Don't worry I'm all right now. You were on the right time when you saved me. Also, I would be late for my date with Recca. You know he will come back tonight right? And-"

" Recca, again. It was almost a year…"

He cut Yanagi's line. It was the voice of jealousy. His muscles tighten and were ready to punch any wall on his way, but did not dared to. They were soaked in the rain. Their clothes were sticking to their skin, resulting to the exposure of their form. The raindrops from Kurei's hair were dropping at Yanagi's hands on her chest. It was a lie they could never tell. It was the lie of their betrayal.

The light burden in Kurei's arms would definitely do anything to meet Recca because she knew that their date today was something important, like a proposal. It was unclear to Kurei so she wanted to explain, to bring them back again in the stage of hiding.

" Kurei, but-"

" Why…?"

She was between truth and lie. She did not have any guts to explain because her reason was not the reason. Yanagi closed her eyes and faced the other way. She collected all the reason she could think of, was ready to give her answer, and tried.

" I'm Recca's girl now… It's different…"

" But…"

At last, she was able to find a reasonable reason. Instead of happiness, her smile faded away and her bangs went down to her eyes.

" We both know that at that time, I was only possessed by Scarlet. It's different now."

Kurei put her down carefully. His face was facing the ground. His mind was full of unexpected confusion and no reason would dare to fade it.

" How come it's different now?"

" Kurei…"

Yanagi held her caring hands from touching Kurei. It would only make the problem worse.

" How come it is always Recca? Don't you-"

" Please, Kurei…"

She swayed her head the other way. Then, her eyes suddenly changed. She was again possessed by the passionate soul of Scarlet, Kurei's long lost girlfriend from before who was now his flame. She slowly fell to the ground until Kurei's delicate hands broke her fall. There they are again, together. Her eyes opened and at the sight of Kurei, she smiled and was delighted as if it was the first time she could take a glimpse of him after a very long journey. She touched the burn in his face, the mark of their love.

" Kurei…"

It was again; her loving charisma that he had fell for. It was something that had never left her even in the other world. It was her mark, a thing only she could do.

Then, she looked straight in Kurei's eyes and their lips met, ignoring the fact that she was in Yanagi's body. It was the passionate kiss they have shared a long time ago. They ignored all the stares and whispers. They were happy at that time, a moment of paradise for the two lost souls.

Unfortunately, Recca was on the other side of the street, waiting for his princess whom he breathtakingly saw kissing Kurei passionately, as if they have been doing that with confidence.

" No, it can't be…"

He was in confusion. He assumed that it was only someone, that the rain only blurred his sight. He was obviously denying the truth. His eyes narrowed and a ring fell from his hands. He absent-mindedly ran as fast as he could to avoid witnessing her girlfriend's betrayal…