*************
Mirage
by Rei Himura
*************
Disclaimer: Blah. You know who they belong to right? Nobuyuki Anzai and -them-.
************
Chapter 1: With arms wide open...
************
Yanagi sipped her tea softly, her eyes never leaving the pale and shrunken girl who sat across her at the table. Her once purplish spiky hair had lost its lustre and vibrance. It now clung to her like a wig on a mannequin. In short, Fuuko looked terrible. Hagard and lifeless. Her tea was untouched, cold even. Her eyes seemed to stare into some infinite distance.
All because of a letter.
The letter was placed in the middle of the table. Folded neatly and primly. There were a few spots which seemed so similar to taht of teardrops. Yanagi eyed that also with her warm hazel eyes.
"Fuuko?"
"..."
"Drink your tea. It's getting cold."
"..."
"Fuuko. Please say something. You've been like this since... since..."
Since the funeral. Since Kagerou's funeral, at which when they returned, a note was left for her. Yanagi and the rest had watched her leave, her spirits slightly damp because of the departure of the backbone of the Hokage, but alive because she was meeting her Mr. Special. And then things changed when she returned.
Or actually when she was found.
Mikagami had found her standing on the roof of an old and dilapidated building which was scheduled to be demolished sometime soon. She merely stood there, in the pouring and vicous rain. Drenched to the skin. He came, carried her in his arms and returned.
She never protested, not a single word was uttered. She merely stayed in the room looking out the window, her lips moving in an unheard prayer.
It was strange to think that a single letter could bring about a person's misery. Ruin their life, strip them of their spirit. But that letter did. Even though its contents were not meant to do so. But for Fuuko, the word goodbye and farewell was the same as the end of the world. The end of her world.
*************
"Can't believe she's still moping because of that purple-haired freak." Domon growled and paced about the living room. Mikagami, seated comfortably in his chair, polished his Ensui. Kaoru on his left was polishing his anki. Recca was out with Ganko, something about buying tea. Mikagami looked up and eyed Domon cooly.
"Jealous?"
"Grr... no. I'm concerned for Fuuko's welfare." Domon retorted and the stopped pacing, the wooden tiles were beginning to show wear. He spun around fiercely to face the Ensui-wielder.
"What made you say that?"
"Well, we all know you're harbouring an immense crush for Kirisawa. Tanomi may be your present girlfriend. But now you see that Raiha is absent from the picture, you're thinking of swooping in and being the shoulder for her to cry on. Her listening ear. Who knows, maybe a lil' romance." still polishing his Ensui, Mikagami didn't look up to see the furious expression on Domon's face.
"Mikagami. That was the most -shallowest- thing I have ever heard from you!" the voice that spoke neither belonged to the raging Domon nor to the diligent Kaoru. Instead, it came from a rather irate Fuuko. Yanagi was behind her, her jaw agape from shock. Well, it may not sound pleasing to the ear, but that was the first thing she's said in a week.
"F-Fuuko." the girl stuttered. Fuuko turned her head sharply and headed out the door, slamming it close in her wake. The occupants of the room turned to face Mikagami who amidst the excitement, was still calmly polishing his Ensui. But perhaps with renewed vigour.
"For your information Mikagami, I'm worried for Fuuko's health and state of mind. But I can clearly see that you don't. Tanomi is my girlfriend and still is, no matter what. I don't intend to use her only because I couldn't get Fuuko. What you said was a lie. I treasure Fuuko's friendship and I would never stoop to do something as low as that!" Domon hissed through gritted teeth and left the apartment. Yanagi looked at Kaoru who looked back and shrugged before continuing to polish his madougu.
"Kaoru-chan, I think there's something to be collected at the grocer's. Can you collect it for me?" there was a questioning look in Kaoru's eyes before he understood what Yanagi wanted and stood up. He too headed for the door but turned back towards the pair. Yanagi standing at the kitchen doorway and Mikagami polishing his madougu in the armchair. His face was obstructed by his silken and silvery bangs. Letting out a short sigh, he left.
"Might as well polish in the park." he muttered as he walked off.
*************
Fuuko walked. Not knowing where. Her legs had a mind of its own and presently, it didn't wish to give her brain any idea where it was heading. But it didn't matter. As long as it was far away. Far away from them. Far away from -him-. She shut her eyes briefly, trying to blot out everything from her mind. It was a pity a computer brain wasn't more like a computer. It would have been easy to get rid of unwanted and unfavourable memories.
"I wish I had a delete."
Her eyes opened to find herself on top of a hill, under a sakura tree. The petals had bloomed and they now scattered aimlessly on the ground. Like a fluffy pink blanket on the soft green grass.
"How ironic... of all places..." ironic it was of course. *I bet you all would have guessed* It was her secret place with Raiha. Their haven and sanctuary from the real world. But for now, it no longer looked like their haven. No longer their sanctuary. It was now their grave.
"I hate you Raiha. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you..." she whispered bitterly into the lashing wind. Her hair astray, her fists clenched by her side. But the winds disapproved of her statement and whispered knowingly back into her ear.
You love him.
I hate him.
You love him.
No. I hate him.
You love him.
I want to kill him.
You love him.
Yes... I know. I loved him.
*************
"Yanagi, before you say anything, don't." Yanagi furrowed her forehead in confusion. Mikagami was confusing. That she knew. Mikagami was ambiguous. That she also knew. But what Mikagami meant now, she had no idea.
"Huh?" Mikagami placed his Ensui down on the table delicately. His movements were always graceful and delicate, like a Noh actor. She squinted her eyes a little. Somehow, in a certain lighting, he -did- look albeit like one of those Noh performers.
"Look Yanagi, my brain wasn't functioning well when I said that. I had no intention whatsoever to hurt Kirisawa's feelings nor that oaf. It's just that..." his voice faltered.
Just what?
I don't know.
What were you feeling?
Anger, hurt.
Why?
Because that baka left her just like that. Because as a friend, I couldn't do anything else. Because as a comrade, I wasn't able to beat the living daylights out of him.
Mikagami finally turned to face Yanagi. Her eyes were warm and inviting, holding a strange sense of comfort and reassurance. It was amazing and amusing to know that out of all the egg-heads in the Hokage, Yanagi seemed to be the most and perhaps the only sensible person. Next to him. It was that exact moment that she suddenly looked so much like Mifuyu.
Tokiya Mikagami leaned forward a little and brushed his lips over Yanagi's. The reaction was a soft gasp and then a shove in his chest. It wasn't hard enough to send him flying into the wall, but hard enough to push him back into the sofa. The male took the cue to stand up.
"Sumi... sumimasen. I have to leave." not looking at Yanagi, he picked up his abandoned Ensui and headed off to the door. Where a shocked Recca and an equally surprised Ganko stood waiting.
"Excuse me." Recca moved himself and Ganko while the girl's eyes stayed glued onto Mikagami's retreating figure. She turned and saw Yanagi on teh sofa, visibly shaking. She turned to face Recca, tears streaming the sides of her face. And then she stood up and ran.
***************
Author's Notes: I understand it seemed hastily thrown together. Uneven in some parts. But it'll hopefully clear out by the next chapter. In which I'll try to make it longer. Reviews welcome. A nice backrub would also come in handy. Ergh... remind me not to be some bravado and try some stunts while roller-blading.
[rei]
Mirage
by Rei Himura
*************
Disclaimer: Blah. You know who they belong to right? Nobuyuki Anzai and -them-.
************
Chapter 1: With arms wide open...
************
Yanagi sipped her tea softly, her eyes never leaving the pale and shrunken girl who sat across her at the table. Her once purplish spiky hair had lost its lustre and vibrance. It now clung to her like a wig on a mannequin. In short, Fuuko looked terrible. Hagard and lifeless. Her tea was untouched, cold even. Her eyes seemed to stare into some infinite distance.
All because of a letter.
The letter was placed in the middle of the table. Folded neatly and primly. There were a few spots which seemed so similar to taht of teardrops. Yanagi eyed that also with her warm hazel eyes.
"Fuuko?"
"..."
"Drink your tea. It's getting cold."
"..."
"Fuuko. Please say something. You've been like this since... since..."
Since the funeral. Since Kagerou's funeral, at which when they returned, a note was left for her. Yanagi and the rest had watched her leave, her spirits slightly damp because of the departure of the backbone of the Hokage, but alive because she was meeting her Mr. Special. And then things changed when she returned.
Or actually when she was found.
Mikagami had found her standing on the roof of an old and dilapidated building which was scheduled to be demolished sometime soon. She merely stood there, in the pouring and vicous rain. Drenched to the skin. He came, carried her in his arms and returned.
She never protested, not a single word was uttered. She merely stayed in the room looking out the window, her lips moving in an unheard prayer.
It was strange to think that a single letter could bring about a person's misery. Ruin their life, strip them of their spirit. But that letter did. Even though its contents were not meant to do so. But for Fuuko, the word goodbye and farewell was the same as the end of the world. The end of her world.
*************
"Can't believe she's still moping because of that purple-haired freak." Domon growled and paced about the living room. Mikagami, seated comfortably in his chair, polished his Ensui. Kaoru on his left was polishing his anki. Recca was out with Ganko, something about buying tea. Mikagami looked up and eyed Domon cooly.
"Jealous?"
"Grr... no. I'm concerned for Fuuko's welfare." Domon retorted and the stopped pacing, the wooden tiles were beginning to show wear. He spun around fiercely to face the Ensui-wielder.
"What made you say that?"
"Well, we all know you're harbouring an immense crush for Kirisawa. Tanomi may be your present girlfriend. But now you see that Raiha is absent from the picture, you're thinking of swooping in and being the shoulder for her to cry on. Her listening ear. Who knows, maybe a lil' romance." still polishing his Ensui, Mikagami didn't look up to see the furious expression on Domon's face.
"Mikagami. That was the most -shallowest- thing I have ever heard from you!" the voice that spoke neither belonged to the raging Domon nor to the diligent Kaoru. Instead, it came from a rather irate Fuuko. Yanagi was behind her, her jaw agape from shock. Well, it may not sound pleasing to the ear, but that was the first thing she's said in a week.
"F-Fuuko." the girl stuttered. Fuuko turned her head sharply and headed out the door, slamming it close in her wake. The occupants of the room turned to face Mikagami who amidst the excitement, was still calmly polishing his Ensui. But perhaps with renewed vigour.
"For your information Mikagami, I'm worried for Fuuko's health and state of mind. But I can clearly see that you don't. Tanomi is my girlfriend and still is, no matter what. I don't intend to use her only because I couldn't get Fuuko. What you said was a lie. I treasure Fuuko's friendship and I would never stoop to do something as low as that!" Domon hissed through gritted teeth and left the apartment. Yanagi looked at Kaoru who looked back and shrugged before continuing to polish his madougu.
"Kaoru-chan, I think there's something to be collected at the grocer's. Can you collect it for me?" there was a questioning look in Kaoru's eyes before he understood what Yanagi wanted and stood up. He too headed for the door but turned back towards the pair. Yanagi standing at the kitchen doorway and Mikagami polishing his madougu in the armchair. His face was obstructed by his silken and silvery bangs. Letting out a short sigh, he left.
"Might as well polish in the park." he muttered as he walked off.
*************
Fuuko walked. Not knowing where. Her legs had a mind of its own and presently, it didn't wish to give her brain any idea where it was heading. But it didn't matter. As long as it was far away. Far away from them. Far away from -him-. She shut her eyes briefly, trying to blot out everything from her mind. It was a pity a computer brain wasn't more like a computer. It would have been easy to get rid of unwanted and unfavourable memories.
"I wish I had a delete."
Her eyes opened to find herself on top of a hill, under a sakura tree. The petals had bloomed and they now scattered aimlessly on the ground. Like a fluffy pink blanket on the soft green grass.
"How ironic... of all places..." ironic it was of course. *I bet you all would have guessed* It was her secret place with Raiha. Their haven and sanctuary from the real world. But for now, it no longer looked like their haven. No longer their sanctuary. It was now their grave.
"I hate you Raiha. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you..." she whispered bitterly into the lashing wind. Her hair astray, her fists clenched by her side. But the winds disapproved of her statement and whispered knowingly back into her ear.
You love him.
I hate him.
You love him.
No. I hate him.
You love him.
I want to kill him.
You love him.
Yes... I know. I loved him.
*************
"Yanagi, before you say anything, don't." Yanagi furrowed her forehead in confusion. Mikagami was confusing. That she knew. Mikagami was ambiguous. That she also knew. But what Mikagami meant now, she had no idea.
"Huh?" Mikagami placed his Ensui down on the table delicately. His movements were always graceful and delicate, like a Noh actor. She squinted her eyes a little. Somehow, in a certain lighting, he -did- look albeit like one of those Noh performers.
"Look Yanagi, my brain wasn't functioning well when I said that. I had no intention whatsoever to hurt Kirisawa's feelings nor that oaf. It's just that..." his voice faltered.
Just what?
I don't know.
What were you feeling?
Anger, hurt.
Why?
Because that baka left her just like that. Because as a friend, I couldn't do anything else. Because as a comrade, I wasn't able to beat the living daylights out of him.
Mikagami finally turned to face Yanagi. Her eyes were warm and inviting, holding a strange sense of comfort and reassurance. It was amazing and amusing to know that out of all the egg-heads in the Hokage, Yanagi seemed to be the most and perhaps the only sensible person. Next to him. It was that exact moment that she suddenly looked so much like Mifuyu.
Tokiya Mikagami leaned forward a little and brushed his lips over Yanagi's. The reaction was a soft gasp and then a shove in his chest. It wasn't hard enough to send him flying into the wall, but hard enough to push him back into the sofa. The male took the cue to stand up.
"Sumi... sumimasen. I have to leave." not looking at Yanagi, he picked up his abandoned Ensui and headed off to the door. Where a shocked Recca and an equally surprised Ganko stood waiting.
"Excuse me." Recca moved himself and Ganko while the girl's eyes stayed glued onto Mikagami's retreating figure. She turned and saw Yanagi on teh sofa, visibly shaking. She turned to face Recca, tears streaming the sides of her face. And then she stood up and ran.
***************
Author's Notes: I understand it seemed hastily thrown together. Uneven in some parts. But it'll hopefully clear out by the next chapter. In which I'll try to make it longer. Reviews welcome. A nice backrub would also come in handy. Ergh... remind me not to be some bravado and try some stunts while roller-blading.
[rei]