A/N
Here's chapter two! I just really felt like typing this much before seeing what everyone thought of it. Hope it's good!
Chapter Two: Questions
"Fuuko," called Kagero, as they headed towards the Urabutousatsujin-dome, "Where'd you get that bruise from?" Fuuko slapped her hand over the bruise on her neck wincing as she did so, and mentally berated herself for not wearing something that would have covered it.
"Well…er, like I said, I fell and knocked my neck against…against a pole," she said, crossing her fingers behind her back. She could tell that Kagero didn't believe her, but was relieved when the older lady simply nodded.
"I see…" she said, "But…if it happens to be…the result of some outside fight or the other – "
" – It's not, Kagero-san," interrupted Fuuko, hurriedly.
"I know, but if that does happen to be the case…there's no reason for you to hide it from us," said Kagero, before she turned to stare at the rest of the team, who were walking ahead of them, "I sure hope that those two manage to sort out their differences…"
"Eh?" Fuuko growled when she saw Recca and Mikagami yell at each other – or rather, Recca yell and Mikagami retort icily. "Those two…" Scowling, she stomped up to them and whacked them both on the head.
"What the – "
" – What the hell was that for Fuuko! I was just trying to teach the perverted, blood-sucking fridge-boy over here that – "
" – Excuse-me?"
"You have a problem with what I said!"
"Yes, I think I – "
" – What is wrong with the two of you! We're about to start the third round of the tournament, and you're arguing like a pair of three year olds?" asked Fuuko, glaring hard at the two men, "Look, I don't know what happened to start this rivalry again, and I don't even want to know," she added as she saw Recca glance at Yanagi, "But all that matters is that you two are teammates and you have to learn to get along with each other if – "
" – I can't get along with him! He's just a – "
" – Oy, Hanabishi, Mikagami, stop it will you?" asked Domon, sauntering up to them and looking slightly worried. "Didn't you two see what that gorgeous Neon woman did to Genjuro? We really need to be careful in this round…"
"I think I can handle Neon perfectly well," said Recca, crossing his arms across his chest, "Maybe you should worry about him. He might not be able to handle whoever he has to face."
"There's no need to worry about me, thank you," said Mikagami, icily, "I assure you that I will do my part well – I'm not emotionally unstable like you are…"
"WHAT! MIKAGAMI – "
"Minna, we really should get going. We don't wanna be late do we?" called Koganei, stopping a concerned Yanagi from going to attempt to stop the quarrel, "There's no point, Yanagi-chan," he said to her, "Let them go at it…hopefully it'll calm down enough during their matches…"
"Fine, fine, let's get going," growled Recca, stomping ahead, "Let's not waste time talking to fridge-boy over here…"
"Why you – " Mikagami stopped when he felt someone tugging at his arm. Turning around, he saw Fuuko standing right behind him, shaking her head slowly.
"It's not worth it Mi-chan," she said quietly, her green eyes serious for a change, "Let's just get this over with…and then you two can rip each other apart, OK?" Mikagami roughly brushed her hand away from his and walked ahead without saying a word. Fuuko stared after him, a small frown on her face.
"This doesn't look good, does it…?" asked Domon, seriously as well. Fuuko shook her head.
"Come on, let's just go," she said, hoping against hope that the two rivals would at least behave themselves during the course of the third round.
Kagero watched as Neon and Miki stood in the ring, looking pretty smug as they stared at the Hokage. She didn't like what was happening. The moment she heard Neon's proposal for a two on two battle she figured out what the orange-haired lady was trying to get at.
"Recca! Mikagami-kun! Don't accept – it's a trap!" she yelled, stepping forward hurriedly. Neither of the two men even turned around to acknowledge her.
"No way!" said Recca, laughing as he reached out and pulled Fuuko towards him, "I'd rather fight with Fuuko as my partner!"
"Same here…" said Mikagami, quietly. Fuuko glared at Recca and turned to Neon. The mixed expression of hatred and confusion on Neon's face scared her – especially when she saw that it was directed at her.
"Kirisawa…Fuuko…" hissed Neon, her blue eyes slits in her face as she stared at the younger girl. Recca moved away from his friend somewhat warily.
"You…know her, Fuuko?" he asked, not missing the look Neon was giving her, "…Did you like…do anything to upset her or something?" Fuuko shook her head as she continued to stare at Neon, the beating she had received the other day still fresh in her mind. And I even tried explaining to her that I didn't hurt her precious 'Kurei-sama'!
"Nope…I've never seen her before in my life," she said, unconsciously raising her hand and touching the bruise on her neck. Kagero, who had noticed the slight change in Fuuko's behaviour when Neon and the rest of her team had entered the dome earlier, noticed what Fuuko was doing. Her brows furrowed, she turned to look at Neon. I wonder…was she the one who gave Fuuko that bruise? If so…does that mean that she and Fuuko had a fight sometime before this?
"If either of you want to use her as your partner, go ahead! But hurry up and make up your minds!" said Neon, still glaring at Fuuko.
"Onesan," said Miki, surprised, "I thought the plan was to get Mikagami and Recca-san to – "
"Aa, that was the original plan…" agreed Neon, interrupting her little sister, "But…I have a score to settle with that girl…" Miki glanced at Fuuko in surprise, before turning back to her sister. She had a score to settle with Hokage's Kirisawa Fuuko? But…her sister had never even met Fuuko before this…had she?
"Alright then, it's decided – Fuuko will be joining – "
" – She'll be joining me." Fuuko sighed heavily, pushing aside all thoughts of Neon out of her head, as she watched Recca and Mikagami glare at each other. So now they both wanted her to be their partner…
"God dammit, will you two stop this?" she asked, as the crowd began jeering at them, shouting out a few insults as they went along, "You know, they're right…are you two just cowards? That's why you don't want to go together and face Neon and Miki?"
"Say that again Fuuko and I'll – "
" – Listen, Recca, I'd love to pair up with either of you for this fight – yes, you too, Mi-chan – but it's quite obvious that neither of you can decide who pairs with whom, and I sure as hell am not going to pick one of you two," she paused, "If you don't hurry up and decide…well, we all might as well leave, and forfeit this round…"
"What are you doing, Hokage! Hurry up and decide! We don't have all day," said Neon, "Either it's Recca and Mikagami, Recca and Fuuko, or Mikagami and Fuuko. Hurry up."
Kagero saw the dark look that Neon gave Fuuko again, and bit her lip. She had no idea what kind of madougu this woman used, and when she paired that up with the fact that she somehow seemed to dislike Fuuko…she didn't think that it was wise to send her with either Recca or Mikagami. Besides, Fuuko wouldn't be able to control her anger towards her either. Yes, Mikagami and Recca were not on good terms either, but…Mikagami was completely emotionless, and wouldn't lose his cool…and Recca, well, Neon was the Captain of the team…so it was only fair that Recca fought against her…
"I don't think that either of you should pair up with – "
" – Are you two not man enough to make a decision!" called out Neon, interrupting Kagero. Kagero was only slightly relieved when she saw Mikagami and Recca step out onto the ring, Recca glaring, and Mikagami expressionless as usual.
"Say that again Neon!"
"We'll see who wins this…maybe then you'll find out who's man enough…" Neon stared at the two men in the ring, somewhat disappointed. If only…Kirisawa Fuuko had come out…
"Very well! Let's see, shall we?" she asked, straightening, "I guess that Kirisawa Fuuko was the coward here…not willing to come out and fight…"
Fuuko growled, causing Yanagi and Koganei to look somewhat worried. "If you have any queries about my courage, why don't we have an extra fight after your battle with Recca and Mi-chan?" yelled Fuuko, clenching her hands into fists, "Or do you just like attacking people outside of the ring? When they're not expecting it?"
"Humph…" was all that Neon said, as the referee announced the start of the match. She shouldn't think about fighting Kirisawa Fuuko. Not yet, at least. She had more important things to think about – like making sure that the Hokage were defeated.
"Fuuko-chan…is…everything alright?" asked Yanagi, noticing Fuuko's clenched fists. Fuuko nodded, unclenching her fists and smiling.
"Hai…" she said, "Don't worry about me…we should worry about those two idiots…"
"You're right…I hope they get through this," mumbled Koganei, chewing his lip nervously.
"Have a little faith you guys! Of course they will!" exclaimed Domon, "Sheesh! They'll pull through…just you wait…"
Passing the Urabutousatsujin-dome as he headed towards the mansion he stayed in, Kurei had caught sight of the large screen on one of its' walls and had stopped, slightly curious to see how Hokage's match with Uruha Oto was going. As he watched the last fight on the screen, ignoring the crowd of people who were murmuring and gasping each time one of the fighters got hit, Kurei smiled to himself. It was quite clear that Recca and Mikagami were at odds with each other…and that they weren't going to be working together in this fight. Maybe Neon did have a chance after all…
As he stared at the screen, he caught sight of a mop of brown hair and he found himself focusing his attention on the Fuujin-user standing beside her other teammates as they all watched the fight that was taking place. Without knowing why he did it, he gripped his left hand, fingering the handkerchief that he had found there the night before.
A number of questions formed in his head, just like they had done earlier when he had found the handkerchief. If it had been Kirisawa Fuuko – he still couldn't be sure, he might have had that handkerchief on his hand by some other means, although he doubted it somewhat – why had she bothered to tend to him? Wasn't he her enemy? Wasn't he the one that was endangering the lives of her friends, especially one particular friend? He stopped and glared coldly at one of the spectators who had accidentally poked him in the ribs. Squeaking as she saw the glare she was receiving, she bowed hurried and mumbled an apology before moving away.
He frowned as a bothersome thought struck him. What if she had seen what Mori Koran had done to him? He didn't know how long Fuuko had been there, in the forest, but…what if she had been around long enough to hear everything that Koran told him? What if – his face paled here – what if she had gone and told all of that to the rest of the Hokage? The last thing that he needed was Recca finding out about him and his life…
"Something wrong, Kurei-sama?" He started when he heard the familiar soft voice from behind him. Immediately ashamed of his behaviour and glad that his new mask was covering his face, he turned around to see Raiha standing behind him, his eyebrows raised.
"…Recca and Mikagami don't seem to be doing well today…" he said, turning back to the screen. Raiha looked at it as well, silent.
"Hmm…but you never know. I've come to accept that with the Hokage, you never know what'll happen, whether they'll suddenly use some hidden power they have within them…or do something unpredictable like that…" he said, thoughtfully. As he moved forward so that he was standing in line with his master, Kurei, glancing at him out of the corner of his eyes, saw him his attention fixed on the corner of the screen. Looking at the particular corner, he was not too surprised to see the Fuujin-Wielder standing there, cheering her friends on.
"You sound as though you've analyzed everyone's behaviour, to make a statement like that," he said, smirking, "Or maybe you've just analyzed Kirisawa Fuuko's behaviour and just think that the rest of her teammates' should probably be the same?"
"K-Kurei-sama…I haven't analyzed their behaviour in any way…" said Raiha, flushing, "I…just assumed that they're that kind of people…" Shrugging, Kurei turned around and walked away.
"Whatever the result of this match may be…it wouldn't matter. I'd just be happy if the Hokage got through to the finals, so I can face Recca…" With that, he was gone, blending into the crowd as well as he could. Raiha stared after him, thinking about what his master had said. He flushed again. Had he implied…what he thought he had implied.
Everyone in the Hokage was relaxing that night, pleased with the outcome of the day's fighting. All three of the members that had taken part had won their matches…and not only did that mean that they had defeated another member of the Jyushinshuu and her team…but that they had also advanced into the semi-finals. Even though they had been stunned by the way Uruha Ma had managed to defeat Jisho – the man who Neon and Koganei both had said was extremely strong – and had been nauseated when they saw what the madougu the Houmashin did to Jisho, they had all silently agreed not to talk about that again. It gave them the creeps to even think about it, much less to talk about it. And yet, even though they remained silent about what they did, they knew, deep down inside, that they would have to train hard and really do there best in the next round.
Recca and Yanagi had disappeared somewhere, Recca saying that he wanted to train for the next round, and Yanagi saying that she wanted to go with him. In reality, everyone knew that she just wanted to be there to stop Recca from thinking too much about what Neon had told them all about Kurei's past. Mikagami had been left with his adoring fans, signing autographs even though he wanted nothing more than to be as far away from these strange people as was possible. Fuuko, Koganei, Domon and Kagero were walking away from the Urabutousatsujin-dome, talking animatedly.
"Ne, Fuuko-neechan, is there something on your mind?" Fuuko looked up at the dark-haired boy walking beside her, taken aback.
"Eh?" Koganei smiled cutely up at her.
"I may be small, neechan, but I'm not stupid," he said, "I know that there's something on your mind – something's been on your mind ever since you came back from your 'walk' last night…" He paused, "What's up?" As Fuuko debated on whether or not she should make up some lie or the other, she remembered that Koganei was once a member of the Uruha. If he was a member of the Uruha…surely he would know at least something that'll answer my questions… Try as she might, she had not been able to get the incident she had witnessed in the forest out of her mind, and it hadn't helped when Neon had told them about Kurei's past.
She snuck a glance at Domon and Kagero who were walking behind them, Domon apparently telling Kagero all about his match against Aki and his feelings as Aki's madougu worked on him, even though Kagero had been there when he had been fighting with her, and Kagero was being nice and listening to him, smiling or nodding whenever she deemed it was appropriate.
"Ne, Koganei…this is going to sound weird, I know, but…" Fuuko paused unsure of whether she should ask him or not.
"But?"
"Er…what do you know about Mori Koran?" She saw Koganei's eyes widen as he stared at her and felt rather uncomfortable, "It's just…well, I'm really curious…you know? We've never really seen him until now…and he sounds like he had a great influence over everything that takes place here…" She didn't know whether Koganei bought her excuse or not, but whatever it was, he started talking.
"I don't know too much about him except that he's really, really rich…and that he has strong ties with the underworld…and can be linked to most of the crime that takes place in these places," he said.
"What? Strong ties with the…underworld?" echoed Fuuko, surprised, "But…but what would he want with…with madougu then?" Koganei shrugged.
"Maybe…to get more power?" he shrugged again, "I don't know. All I know is that he's basically an evil, corrupt guy who should not be allowed to live any longer…" Fuuko frowned. That didn't really answer her questions…
"What does he have to do with Kurei?"
"What?"
"What does he have to do with Kurei? Why…does he call him 'Chichiue'?" Koganei stared down at his sneakers.
"Uh, he was part of the family that took Kurei in…you know, like Recca-niichan's father took him in," he said.
"Oh…" Fuuko was silent for a while afterwards as she thought about everything she had learned from last night until that moment. "That Neon…she's awfully loyal to Kurei isn't she?" Koganei grinned.
"Yep! We all used to tease her about being in love with Kurei," his smiled faded, "And…it's true…"
"Hang on…wasn't Mori Koran the one who killed Kurenai?" asked Fuuko, as she stopped walking suddenly. She didn't notice how uneasy Koganei was getting as she continued to ask him questions. "Wasn't he?"
"According to Neon…yes," he said.
"Then why the hell does he still listen to him? Why does he obey every command that he gives? Why does he do all of that even when he gets beaten up and – " Fuuko scratched the back of her head sheepishly as she saw Koganei giving her a weird look. "Ahaha…never mind! I'm just going on and on about nothing!"
Koganei frowned as his mind processed Fuuko's words. "…You were talking about Kurei weren't you?" Fuuko gulped.
"Me? Uh…heh, Koganei – "
" – He gets beaten up?" He frowned at Fuuko, "What do you mean?"
"N-Nothing, I wasn't – "
"Fuuko-neechan, what did you mean when you said that Kurei gets beaten up? By Mori Koran?" asked Koganei, a note of urgency entering his voice, "How do you know? Did you see something that – "
" – Ahaha…you're an inquisitive one, Koganei!" interrupted Fuuko, reaching out and ruffling his hair affectionately. Koganei pouted.
"Yeah? But you're the one who was just asking me so many questions…" he said. Fuuko grinned.
"Heh, well, yeah…but I was curious too," she said. She sighed when she saw the serious expression appear on the younger boy's face again.
"Neechan what did you mean when you said that about Kurei? If you know anything…please…tell me will you?" he begged. Fuuko averted her gaze from him, uncomfortable. She wasn't sure why…but something told her that it would be best if she didn't tell anyone about what she had witnessed.
"Well, I'm really confused…and I'm up for a long, tiring walk," she said, looking back at him with a grin on her face, "I'll see ya around, Koganei!"
"Neechan - "
" – Nothing to worry about, I'm just going for a walk!" Waving, she sped off ahead, hoping that no-one would follow her. She vaguely heard Domon exclaim and shout out something along the lines of 'Fuuko-sama, don't leave me!' Shaking her head, she quickened her pace a bit.
"I'm sorry…Kurei-sama, I should have defeated the Hokage…" Neon was humble as she spoke to her master. He didn't budge from his place gazing out into the garden through the large window he was standing in front of.
"Yes, you should have…" said Kurei, coldly. Neon flinched, her head bowed. "But it doesn't matter…in fact I find it rather interesting…" He smiled. "They've defeated Uruha Maboroshi…and now Uruha Oto…" He paused, "The next test for them will be Uruha Ma." Neon looked up at that moment.
"That's right, Kurei-sama, I was going to ask you about them…" she forced the tears in her eyes to stay there, instead of rolling down her cheeks, "That…that Magensha…do you – do you know what he did to Jisho?" Her master stiffened, before he nodded.
"Yes, I…heard…"
"How could they do such a thing Kurei-sama! They had no right to kill…to kill Jisho!" exclaimed Neon. Her master's answer stunned her.
"Accidents do happen sometimes, Neon," said Kurei, coldly, "It is a pity that Jisho was killed…but…sometimes, we have to accept what happens…"
"But Kurei-sama – "
" – That's enough Neon," interrupted Kurei, sternly, "You have no right to judge anyone. Are you forgetting your place?" Neon stiffened.
"I'm sorry, Kurei-sama…I – I didn't think about what I was saying…" she mumbled, bowing her head. Kurei turned around slightly, so that he was able to see Neon and the garden he had been looking at.
"I asked you to come here Neon to ask you about last night," he said, serious, "You were the one who found me…in the forest, am I right?" If Neon was surprised at the change of topic, she didn't show it.
"Yes, Kurei-sama," she said.
"Did you…see anyone else there?" asked Kurei, carefully, "When you arrived, was anyone else there?"
"…Yes…" whispered Neon, bowing her head as fury rose in her again.
"Who was it?"
"Hokage's…Kirisawa Fuuko…" said Neon. Kurei said nothing for a while as he turned back to stare out of the window. So, he had been right… "If…if you don't mind me asking, Kurei-sama, did she…was she the one…who attacked – "
" – You think I am so weak as to let the still inexperienced girl attack me?" asked Kurei coldly as he spun around to look at Neon again. "Neon?"
" – Kurei-sama I didn't – "
" – The other reason why I called you out here Neon, was to talk to you about what you told Recca and the others…" Neon stared in alarm at her master as he advanced on her, "…What you told them about Kurenai…and about my past…"
"Kurei-sama I – " Neon was thrown backwards when Kurei punched her hard.
"Have you decided to betray me too, Neon?" asked Kurei, his voice dangerously low as he lifted her up and punched her again.
"N…No, Kurei-sama!" gasped Neon, shocked, "I'd never – "
" – But you told Recca about what I would have preferred to keep private. That's sort of like betraying my trust, Neon…" Unaware that the tears welling up in the orange-haired lady's eyes weren't due to the physical pain he was putting her in; they were there as a result of the emotional pain he was causing her.
Fuuko was seated cross-legged on the ground, leaning against one of the thick sturdy trees that lined the pavement, her thoughts far away from that present time. Her mind was practically exhausted after processing what Koganei had just told her, what Neon had told them all, and with what she had seen yesterday. In fact, her mind was so exhausted that it was begging her to stop thinking about the whole thing. But…she couldn't do that.
"Let's see…last night, I distinctly saw Mori Koran holding up some kind of…console…" she said aloud, to no-one in particular, "…And he said something about Kurei losing someone that he loves dearly, if he didn't listen to him…" She frowned, "But Kurenai's already dead…what other person could he be 'loving dearly'?" She clutched her head as more questions swirled in it. "Aaargh…why – " She stopped in mid-sentence when she saw the tall figure walking down the road, towards her.
She frowned as she caught sight of a familiar mane of orange-hair. She stood up and called out to her just as she reached her. "Neon." When Neon looked at her, she was not successful in muffling her gasp, as she took in the bandages that covered the lady's face. She was sure that she hadn't received those injuries from her battle with Recca and Mikagami.
"What do you want?" asked Neon, scowling at her. Fuuko sighed as she remembered the she thought she was the one who had attacked Kurei.
"Look, Neon, you have to believe me, I wasn't the one who beat – "
" – I know…I…recklessly blamed you and I guess I should apologize for that," interrupted Neon, sighing.
"W- what?" asked Fuuko, amazed. Neon nodded.
"Yeah, you heard right, I'm sorry," she paused, "It's just that…when I saw Kurei-sama lying there…with you there as well, I just thought that…you had attacked him. I should have asked you what happened…" Fuuko smiled in relief as she raised her hand to her neck.
"No problem! I'm just glad that you realized that," she said, relieved, "But you sure do kick well…" Neon smiled back at her, grimacing as pain sped through the injuries on her face. "Neon…what happened? Recca and Mi-chan didn't do that to you…did they?"
"As if I'd have let them!" said Neon, scornfully. She sighed heavily. "No, this…just happened…" Fuuko raised her eyebrows but didn't question her. It was none of her business if she didn't want to tell her. Besides, she had a more important question to ask her.
"Oh yeah…I wanted to ask you…" Neon looked up, surprised, "Remember when you told us about Kurenai?" Fuuko wondered why Neon had flinched, but brushed it off, "And when Mori Koran set off the bomb inside her? Well…what did the thing look like? The thing he detonated the bomb with…"
"I…I don't think I…should…"
"You don't think you should tell me? You've told us all of this so far, so why not just tell me this small detail?" asked Fuuko. Neon fidgeted uncomfortably, unconsciously raising her hand to gingerly touch the bandages that covered a whole side of her face. This was what she had got for telling them all that she had told them…she didn't really want another punishment…
"Fuuko, I really don't – "
" – Was it a long console kind of thing?" interrupted Fuuko, "With a single button at the top?"
"What! How…how did you know - ?" Neon realized her mistake at once – and even more so when she saw the somewhat triumphant expression on Fuuko's face. "I – why do you want to know?" Fuuko just grinned.
"No reason…I was…just curious," she said, her mind already digesting what she had just figured out. It didn't take her long to guess that the console she had seen Mori hold up probably meant that…there was someone else with a bomb implanted inside them. She frowned. What the hell? What is going on here? So there IS someone else that Kurei cares about?
Staring at the younger girl, Neon figured that she wouldn't get an answer out of her. Sighing, she cleared her throat, "Well…I should get going now…good luck for the semi-finals…" she said, nodding at her before continuing to walk down the road. Fuuko stared after her, before letting out a deep breath and plopping herself back down on the ground. She needed to think some more about this…it was just getting so confusing!
Kagero frowned as she listened to Koganei. What he said really bothered her. It wasn't that she didn't trust Fuuko – no, she knew that she was Recca's best-friend and that she would never betray them – but she was really worried about the girl's welfare. She was a naturally curious person, and she was worried that she might stumble upon something that could get her into trouble. Like asking around about Kurei.
"I don't know, Koganei-kun," she said, sighing as she watched Recca, Domon and Mikagami argue about something or the other. She leaned back in the couch she was sharing with Koganei. "It's just…strange. She's been acting strange as well, hasn't she?"
"Hai," said Koganei, frowning, "I – I just hope that she doesn't get into trouble…I mean, not all of the Uruha are nice, you know…" Kagero nodded.
"That's what I'm worried about…" she suddenly looked around her, "She's not back is she?" Koganei shook his head.
"Nope. She told me that she was just going for a walk…" he said, before looking concerned, "Should we go and look for her?" Kagero looked thoughtful for a second or two, before she shook her head.
"No…we'll wait some more," she said, "It's no point worrying the others unnecessarily."
"If you say so…" said Koganei, still frowning. Fuuko-neechan, please be careful about what your curiosity lands you into…
Fuuko stretched her arms out in front of her as she stood up and walked for a bit, her whole body numb after sitting for so long. She had to admit that she was rather tired…even though she hadn't been fighting since she fought Fujimaru. She had just…been through rather surprising things. First it was falling into that trap and then being rescued by Raiha…and then she had seen Kurei being beaten up by his father, which was soon followed by being informed about Kurei's past…and then finding out that there was someone else who had a bomb inside them.
She ran a hand through her hair and shook her head hurriedly, trying to clear her mind, and only ended up hissing in pain as her neck screamed at the sudden movement. "Itai!" she moaned, rubbing the side of her sore neck. "Mou…that Neon…" Sighing heavily, she looked up at the now dark sky. "Che…what the hell is going on with Mori Koran…? Aargh! And why am I even thinking about this in the first place? It doesn't even concern me!"
"What about Mori Koran doesn't concern you?" Fuuko yelped as she spun around upon hearing the cold voice. Her green eyes widened slightly as she saw the masked figure standing there, looking at her out of deep blue eyes that shone coldly. She gulped.
"K – Kurei…"
"Well? What about my father doesn't concern you?" repeated Kurei, still staring coldly at her. Fuuko fingered the Fuujin that was thankfully on her right arm. "Are you planning on using the Fuujin on me?" asked Kurei, seeing her touching the Fuujin. Fuuko gulped.
"…If and when you attack me…yes, I'd have to…" she said, trying to keep her voice level. She couldn't see whether he had his bruises anymore as he was wearing his mask. Kurei took a step towards her, and it took a lot of self-control for her not to take a step backwards.
"You were in the forest last night, weren't you…?" he asked, quietly. "Neon told me…" Fuuko managed a weak grin.
"Yeah, I just went there for a walk…what about it?" she asked. Kurei was still moving towards her.
"You saw me…" he stared, simply.
"H-huh?" asked Fuuko, deciding to play dumb, "I saw you? When?" She cocked her head to a side, "Yesterday? Are you…sure?" She gasped as Kurei's arm moved forward in a flash to close around her throat. "W – What are – y-you doing…"
"What did you see?" hissed Kurei, moving his masked face closer to hers so she could see the lack of emotions in his blue eyes. Fuuko shook her head.
"I – I d-didn't s-see – " she tried to scream but couldn't as his hand tightened around her throat. "L – Let me g-go…" He was unknowingly applying pressure on her sore neck – and that was the last thing she needed.
"Tell me…what did you see?" Fuuko gave up as her neck continued to scream in pain.
"Your – your father…he – he and his men were – were beating you up – " she gasped, not caring about what he might do to her afterwards, "I – I waited until they were gone b-before – ch – checking to see if you were…OK…" she squeezed her eyes shut as she ran out of breath. "L – Let me go – "
"Was anyone else with you?" Fuuko didn't answer, her stubbornness kicking in and only causing Kurei's grip around her neck to tighten even more.
"N-No!" she gasped, "O-only Neon…and – and she at-attacked me…thinking that I…attacked you…" She heard the masked man snort.
"Yes, she asked me that as well," he said, scornfully, "As if you'd be able to hurt me…" Desperate, Fuuko raised her right arm and prepared to shoot a gust of wind at him. Unfortunately for her, her movements were rather slow…and he managed to grab her wrist before she could do anything. "I wouldn't try anything funny if I were you," he growled.
"J – Just lemme go…d – dammit!" Kurei shook his head.
"Who else did you tell about what you saw?" he asked.
"W-what?"
"Did you tell Recca or anyone else about what you saw?" Fuuko shook her head – or rather, she tried to.
"O-of c-course not…w-why would I – d-do that?" She didn't know what made the leader of the Uruha believe her, but it appeared that something had happened, as he released his grip on her neck. She sank to her knees, clutching her neck as she took a couple of quick, deep breaths. She winced as her fingers touched the bruised area on her neck. She was going to be extremely sore now…
"I'm warning you, if you tell anyone about what you saw…" Kurei paused as she raised her head to look at him. "You will regret it, do you understand?" Fuuko scowled at him.
"Are – you threatening me?" she asked, her voice slightly hoarse, "Because if you are – "
" – Yes, I am threatening you," interrupted Kurei, "And it would be sensible of you to take heed of that threat." He turned around. "If I were you, I wouldn't be wandering around alone at this time of night…who knows which opponent of yours will try to incapacitate you…?" He let the full meaning of his words sink in, before he started walking away. He had not taken more than three steps forward when he was stopped.
"Wait." He stopped walking. "Why do you do it?" asked Fuuko, standing up.
"…………"
"Why do you continue to call him Chichiue?" she rubbed her neck gingerly, "Why do you still obey him, even after everything that he's done to you?" Kurei stiffened. Damn you Neon…
"Why do you care," he asked, icily, "Would it be a nice story to…spread rumours and talk about with your friends?" Fuuko scowled once more.
"As if," she said, "It's not like I don't have better and more interesting things to talk about. No, I just…wanted to know…" She stared at his back, "I know that I wouldn't have continued to call any man that did those things to me 'father.'" Kurei grinned behind his mask. How naive you are, Kirisawa Fuuko…if only you knew…
"It's none of your business Kirisawa Fuuko…" he said, coldly as ever, "So stop poking your nose around in other people's – "
" – Is it because he's threatening you? Is it because there's someone else that you love with a bomb implanted inside them?" Kurei did not stop himself in time, as he whirled around to stare at the girl standing behind him, still clutching at her throat.
"………How – "
" – I saw the console thing that Mori threatened you with last night," interrupted Fuuko, "And…Neon told me that that was the same thing he used to detonate the bomb inside of Kurenai so – " She stopped when Kurei reached forward once more and grabbed the front of her t-shirt. "H-Hey – "
"Why are you so concerned?" he spat, his voice low. Fuuko met his steely gaze with her own stubborn one.
"I just want to know why you're obeying the orders of someone you clearly don't respect…and who clearly doesn't respect you," she retorted. The 'staring contest' continued for a while longer, before Kurei abruptly released his hold on her shirt. He stared at her for another brief minute, before stepping back. She stared back at him, not willing to turn away first. As it was, it was he who broke the gaze, turning around and walking away – in the direction he had come from.
"You wouldn't understand…" she heard him whisper, before he disappeared. She stared at the spot he had been standing in, her brows furrowed as she straightened her shirt and raised her hand to her neck once more. Now she was more confused than before…and she was more determind to find the answers to her questions.
A/N
Heh, well, I hope that was satisfying! As you might have noticed, I changed a few things so that it fit with my ideas. Heh, well, chapter three will be up soon – I hope.
Reviews will be welcomed!
See ya soon!
Siriusgirl1
