Ay Yi aY i ay, I'M a LeeTtlE buTteRfly...

The music was at full blast. A large group of people were beginning to gather. Fuuko Kirisawa hit the dance pad keys expertly . Her timing was perfect. It was a Monday morning. There were no quizzes for the day and her tutorials with Mikagami were still later on in the afternoon. She prayed to every deity she could think of to please not let anyone she knew see her do something this demeaning. She couldn't let anyone stop her. She was on a winning streak. Just a few more moments, then she would be finished with this song and could go on the semi finals.

Ey aY i Ay I aY...

EY ay I ay I yAy...

Ey ay I Ay I aY... WAsTe oF sUmMer ...

" Wak! "

Something grabbed her from behind. She dug her heels on the ground to prevent from being dragged away from the dance pad. Fuuko looked down to see what seized her. An arm was wrapped tightly around her waist. Boy, was she mad. This pervert really had some nerve, grabbing her like some piece of property. He picked the wrong girl to tangle with and just when she was almost done with ...

" MIGAKAGAMI! " Fuuko had tilted her head upwards in order to look at his face. Her eyes went wide and lips parted slightly with surprise. She relaxed a little upon recognizing him and stopped trying to break hold of his grip.

" Fuuko. You are coming back to school. Right now ". Mikagami frowned. He was a bit caught off guard when she tilted her head. Her face was too close. But if he released his arm now, she would run away.

" I can't leave now! The semi finals!-- "

The song ended and a buzzer rang. An announcer's voice screeched in the microphone telling the next contestant to step in. Fuuko sagged against Tokiya's chest. He instinctively tightened his arm hold on her thinking she might faint.

" Tokiya. I can't believe you did that. You blew my one chance I had ". A corner of her mouth twitched upwards in an amused smile. Tokiya let go of his hold. Maybe now that she was calmer she would explain what she was doing here, and why. And then they would go to school, explain to the teachers somehow and he wouldn't have to tutor her anymore.

Instead, she ran up to the announcer and demanded she have another chance since some weirdo had prevented her from finishing.

---O

Tokiya Mikagami had never been so embarrassed in his life. Not only had Fuuko yelled like she was about to be bloody murdered, it was what she said that made it even more humiliating. The obscenities he could handle. But without her even realizing it, she had made it seem like he was some sort of sex slaver. She pleaded that she would be good to him, to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. And in not some cutesy tone. Oh noooo. It was said in either a totally submissive tone or in a completely seductive one. And when her pleading didn't work she shifted into threatening demeanor. Then it made him seem like he was a total pansy. It didn't help that she was squirming the entire time.

Students and teachers were staring. Well let them. Fuuko was too furious to care. Tokiya had no right to do this! He was just supposed to tutor her! What the hell did he care if she missed a few classes here and there! As long as she passed he could stay in school for free. And what enraged her even more was that she couldn't seem to get away. His grip on her waist was like iron. The delicate turd had more strength than she gave him credit for! She had already dug her heels on the ground the entire time and he had still dragged her. Her shoes had even left a trail from the arcade. And no matter what she said it would not make him stop.

They finally reached the empty classroom used for tutoring. Tokiya plopped her not too gently on the chair. He put one hand on each of her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes accusingly. Here he was, honestly thinking that maybe she had a really good excuse as to why she was always absent. Instead he had found her wasting her time, money, and intelligence on some arcade game. And this, for God knows what reason, aside from the embarrassing scene caused earlier, riled him up.

Fuuko glared back at Mikagami. No way was she going to stand down in this glaring contest. Who did he think he was!

He suddenly found himself admiring her. This act of stubbornness had to add points for his respect. But it also bothered him to no end that he found himself getting attracted to the fire in her eyes. Damn it, he was not here to admire her, he was here to get an explanation!

" What were you doing wasting your time in that arcade! "

" I don't see how that's any of your business! "

" Tell me why you were there, otherwise I tell them exactly what you were doing! " Tokiya banged open the door to reveal her friends, the principal , and a whole bunch of other students intently eavesdropping on their conversation. They scrambled in all directions once found out. Fuuko looked to her side, unable to meet Tokiya's gaze.

" I .. I wanted to get some money "

" By dancing in an arcade! "

" It's a contest, okay! It seemed like the quickest way to get cash , but they only held it during weekday mornings until noon. "

Tokiya sat opposite her.

" What exactly did you need it for? "

" Uhm.. To buy this necklace for my mother ". She twiddled with her own necklace hanging from her neck and still didn't look at him. Not good. She was hiding something. Tokiya narrowed his eyes.

" How big a fool do you take me for? Moesama Kirisawa is a widow. "

" I don't take you for a fool at all! I was telling you the truth! "

" Then how... " Why was she so angry? He was the one supposed to be mad !

" I ... " Her voice trailed off. She didn't want to tell him. She didn't want to tell anybody. Especially not him. Well she didn't have to tell him anything, so why bother? She faked a bright smile and faced her friend " Nothing, I just thought it would be nice ".

" What! That doesn't make sense! You aren't telling me something. What are you hiding? Is it really so bad for me to know? " Tokiya asked her the latter question in the most gentle voice he could.

" Careful Mikagami, you're starting to sound like you care. " To sound like he cared... Too late. She couldn't take her words back. Fuuko winced when she saw Tokiya flinch at her words. Why did she always say the wrong things at the wrong time?

So what he got for asking nicely was a sharp rebuke. So be it. It was totally illogical to continue this conversation any longer. He would meet Fuuko for tutorials as usual...

" No, wait! ". Fuuko stood in front of him, blocking the doorway. He had no time to accept apologies, it was his own fault for getting involved with someone. He had already forgotten his golden rule of never getting too close to anyone. She still stood in front of the doorway though, preventing him from leaving .

" I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! I was just mad, that's all! "

He still edged towards the door. She would not move. " Please! I know you care! You're a very good friend, even though you try so hard not to show it... You've risked your life time and time again for Kaoru, and you would protect Yanagi with your life, and you... " Why the heck was there a lump stuck in her throat all of a sudden? She couldn't get a word out anymore. And why in the world did her heart feel like bursting!

Tokiya Mikagami did not know what to do. The Fuuko Kirisawa he knew had never, ever, been seen without a happy smile on her face. This one seemed to be on the verge of crying. ( not quite though ) . She looked so upset and Mikagami was too stunned to even move. But something clicked in his mind and in the pressure of the moment he had cupped her chin to raise her face in level with his own, a smile of amusement starting to form across his mouth.

" Did you know that you are probably better than me in masking your feelings? I at least show that I am constantly upset with something. You, however, hide behind a smile... "

She froze in place. This wasn't supposed to happen! Why now? Why him? Why not him! He's not going to kiss me, is he ! It's not like he's moving closer! I wouldn't know what to do! I've never been kissed in my entire-

" Watch out! " Fuuko pushed Mikagami away from the window with enough force to make him fall to the floor. Lucky for him. Unluckily for Fuuko, she absorbed the brunt of the bullet. The last thing she saw before getting in contact with the ground was Tokiya's expression of pure horror.

---o

" Mikagami... It wasn't your fault ". Yanagi Sakoshita tried her best to lighten Tokiya's spirits. She didn't know if it was working though. His expression didn't change. He had his arms folded across his chest, eyes staring at Fuuko who lay unconscious on the hospital bed.

" C'mon Mikagami. You should get some sleep. It's been a long day for all of us. " Recca hoped that maybe Tokiya could get some rest. But Tokiya did not move an inch. And he still had not blinked. Recca kinda wondered how exactly that was achieved.

" Recca. Leave us ". Kagehoushi appeared out of nowhere giving Recca a fright. But he recognized her tone of seriousness and the need for privacy, so he took Yanagi by the hand and left. Along the way he stopped an unfortunate Domon who just arrived in the room. Kagehoushi went to stand beside Tokiya.

" Tokiya. I know you know this, but I have to say it anyway. Getting your revenge will not bring your sister back ". Tokiya still stood where he was. Kagehoushi expected no change in his behavior and continued on.

" And it may not make any difference to you, but I can understand what exactly you are going through. And I can understand how painful it is to love again after seeing someone close to you die. "

Tokiya did not take his gaze off Fuuko but answered like a man in a trance. " How would you know ? "

Kagehoushi's eyes softened. " I know. I have seen my entire clan die, and my beloved husband perish. I have had ...393 more years than you to regret my folly, and live with my grief. But I found a reason for living. My son. And believe it or not... " Kagehoushi paused to brush away a stray lock of hair that fell on Fuuko's face " Fuuko has gone through the same type of suffering. And like you, she is slowly learning to love and let time heal her wounds. "

Kagehoushi turned to exit. " Tell me Tokiya. Is revenge really what your sister wanted? Once you get your revenge, then what will you do? "

With that she let the door close as gently as possible.

---o

He was ten again. With his sister, Mifuyu. They were so happy. He loved his sister more than anyone else in the world. Running in the fields for the first time, and he accidentally tripped. But his sister kissed his knee and made the pain go away. A present. She gave him a present from his father on his tenth birthday . It looked like an odd shaped rock. It didn't look like much, but his sister said it was a great toy. He should keep it with him no matter what. It would protect him. He clutched it to his chest and smiled at her . She smiled back and ruffled his hair. They were so happy...

Relaxing at home. His sister was teaching him his multiplication table. 1 x 1 is 1. 1 x 2 is 2...Some men barged their way in. They took hold of Mifuyu. He got up and was instantly knocked down by one of them. His sister was crying... pleading with them for his life...

The men only shoved her away. She fell to the floor with a thud. Everything else was a blur after.. They aimed a gun to his head. Demanding an item he did not know he had.. Something that started with an ' en '.. He didn't have it! They insisted he did . No he didn't! Yes he did! They would not listen. He waited for the gun to go off. He would not close his eyes but face death openly. And this part of the scene he knew well. His sister stood in front of him to take the blow. But as she fell her long flowing brown hair was replaced by a short rose colored boy cut that looked strangely familiar. And her lustrous green eyes replaced by that of cobalt blue...

Tokiya awoke with a start. A nightmare. That was all it was. He must have fallen asleep after all. He was still in Fuuko's hospital room. A basket of flowers were on the side table. From her father it seemed. The principal must have visited while Tokiya dozed off. Fuuko was still unconscious. He should be going home, it was getting late. The men who shot Fuuko were targeting him. His staying here would only bring her danger. The last thing he wanted was someone dying for him all over again. No one was going to die while he was around. Not Kaoru, not Domon, not Ganko... not even that nincompoop, Recca. And especially not Yanagi.

He took one last look at her before standing up. It should have been him in her place. Twice death had presented itself to him and twice it was deprived of its spoils. Her expression asleep was one of peace. Peace. What inner turmoil stirred her so? What made her hide behind false beams of happiness? He did not know the answers to those questions. But that fact made them more alike than they were both willing to admit. He really should leave. Strangely enough, part of him wanted to stay beside her. He shook his head. No, it was not so strange. He could put a name to these feelings he felt for her. He took her hand and squeezed it. Reaching down to her face, he kissed her forehead farewell. Like any good friend would.

---o

Why exactly did he find a stronger bond with Fuuko out of all the others? It was a mystery to Tokiya and he pondered on it while taking the long walk home. Yes, she could be as annoying as the other Hokage Team members, Recca being the most irritating, and yes, he did wish she would not force her company on him. Or maybe it was because of those traits that made him fond of her. She was the only one at first who had treated him no differently than others. He could not help but stare at her when she made him feel like they had known each other for a long time.

To be accepted. It felt strange. For 7 years he had never had it and never asked for it. How did she seem to feel so at ease around him when no one else was? Even Yanagi would look scared of him. And it hurt more than he was willing to admit. She looked so much like his sister that, had she been alive, it felt like his own sibling feared him. Tokiya snorted . How ironic then that the one person who could see through him probably could not even see herself...that the most cheerful person he knew hid her feelings the best and was probably the most torn out of all of them. Out of the Hokage Team, Fuuko had warmed up to him the fastest. And out of the Hokage Team, she was probably the most distant. Next to him of course.

" Well you certainly took your time ". He looked up to see a figure emerge from the shadows under the lamplight.

" Fuuko? "

Tokiya thought it was his eyes playing tricks on him. What was she doing here? She was supposed to be in bed. As if reading his thoughts, Fuuko spoke.

" I got out on good behavior ". Tokiya took a step closer. She was wounded and should be in the hospital. He would knock her back unconscious if need be. Fuuko saw him step nearer and shooed away his concern like one does a fly. " Yanagi healed me, okay? Ya happy? "

He still did not speak. Like he doubted she was really there in front of him. She puffed her cheeks out and exhaled a deep breath. "Those dinks that did this to me. You know who they are, don't you? "

Silence.

" I want to get back at them Mikagami. They would have killed me. Heck, they would have killed you ! It was you they were aiming at, wasn't it ? "

Silence.

" MIKAGAMI! "

" How .. did you reach my place so fast anyway? "

Fuuko felt like hitting the wall repeatedly with her head. " I took a cab! I thought you would be home by the time I got here. But the lights were all closed, so I figured you must have walked. "

She wanted to get back to the subject at hand. " You were planning on going tonight, weren't you ? "

He slowly nodded. She tried again to get him talking.

" Who were they anyway? "

No good. She tried again.

" So where are we headed? "

That did it. She saw his eye twitch for a split second.

" WE are going nowhere. YOU are going back to rest. "

" Please! Like one dumb bullet is going to stop me! "

" It's too dangerous for someone in your condition and .. "

" Danger ! Hah! I thrive on danger! Danger is my middle name ! ".

" No, your files say your middle name is Hane. And you are going back right now! "

He moved closer. Fuuko took out her Fuujin.

" Tokiya. Step one more inch closer, and we're gonna have to fight ".

Her jaw tightened with determination. There was no changing her mind. He stopped advancing and Fuuko lowered her arm weapon.

" Now. Shall I go get Recca and the others to help us out? "

Tokiya shook his head slightly. " No. You already going is more than enough ".

" Don't mind putting me in danger, eh ?"

" I thought you thrived on it ".

" Darn right I do ".

----O

That IDIOT ! How could he have missed the target ! And after all that waiting! The targets took so blasted long in coming to the classroom! What kind of kids were these, delinquents! Did they always come to school so late? Bah!

Musuko Kyoza dismissed the hired assassin and plopped on the nearest chair. His flawless plan of eliminating Tokiya once and for all had been wrecked. Tokiya was the reason for his father abandoning his mother ! Well, no, actually Kai was the reason for that. Meguri then abandoned Kai for Tokiya. But in a transitive way, somehow, Tokiya was a reason why Musuko was not chosen to be his father's pupil for the Hyoumen Ken technique. And besides, Kai was dead. So that left Tokiya as the only existing student of his father that had to be exterminated. Musuko would have his revenge on the people that took the father- son relationship that so rightfully belonged to him! That and the mere fact that Tokiya was handsomer than him was driving him insane. He did not anticipate Mikagami's girlfriend to jump in like that. Hmm.. since when did the Fridge Boy ( Musuko snickered at having thought of such an original nickname for Tokiya ) get a girl? Ah well, no matter. All he had to do was sit and wait for Tokiya to come.

----O

" Are you sure this is the place ? " Fuuko looked the at dojo a little uneasily. She turned to Mikagami whose mind seemed to be somewhere else. Like he was remembering something from long ago.

" This is the place of the man who killed my sister . "

Tokiya said it more to himself than to Fuuko. She kicked herself mentally. She shouldn't have made him remember that. Now he was back to his brooding self. It was to be expected anyway. If she recalled correctly on their talk before entering, Mikagami told her that his teacher was responsible for Mifuyu's death. And then his teacher was the one who took care of him after that. Fuuko didn't know what kind of sick mind was at work. But she did know that this place held so many memories for him and she probably should keep her mouth shut before saying something stupid again.

" ah- hAAHAhahhHAHAH! Go no further Tokiya Mikagami and girlfriend! "

What the hell! Where was that voice coming from! And what girlfriend was he talking about? It didn't mean... Arggggh! Fuuko realized that it was implying her and let loose a stream of darts from her hikuu at the general direction of the voice.

" ah- HahahHAHAHAHA ! My, my... temper, temper. I thought you went for the more gentle ones Mikagami. "

Musuko revealed himself from the shadows. " Tsukaeru! Show yourself and deal with this impudent girl while I fight with Mikagami ". He snapped his fingers and the hired assassin came out.

" You're the guy that shot me! " Fuuko tightened her fist into a ball. She could feel her blood nearing boiling point. " Tokiya. Go ahead. This guy is all mine ".

Mikagami nodded and disappeared along with Musuko into the training hall. Fuuko flashed her most evil grin at Tsukaeru. Tsukaeru looked back at her with the big frightened eyes of a puppy. He looked completely distraught and twiddled with his thumbs.

" Errrr. Terribly sorry about that mistake. About shooting you and all. I was aiming at someone else, and you just seemed to jump in.. Bad timing it was.. "

He looked at her with the most pitiful face she had ever seen . " Terribly sorry. It won't happen again. "

Fuuko was taken aback. She scratched the back of her head. What was this man doing apologizing? He sounded sincere.. maybe she should just let him go. Such a shame, she was all psyched for a good fight and-

" Wuff! "

In a mere moment Tsukaeru's pitiful expression changed to one of pure cruelty. He hit her stomach with everything he got.

They stood blinking at each other in surprise. Tsukaeru looked panicked . She was supposed to faint real ladylike into his awaiting, masculine arms.

Fuuko felt like she had been punched by a baby. She only let out a gasp out of being startled more than anything else. Guess this guy wasn't so tough without his gun. She covered his face with her hand and blew him away with enough force to send him to India.

---o

" So Mikagami. Here we are. Doesn't this place bring back such pleasant memories for you ? " Musuko baited Tokiya. He wanted to make Mikagami mad.

Mikagami took out his Ensui. He was not the type to be swayed by emotions so easily. Musuko readied his Hyoumaen. Tokiya looked at it warily.

" Where did you get that? "

oh hHoohoHoHo. So Mikagami was scared. Musuko smirked. " I got it from the dead body of Kai ".

" Do you even know how to use it Musuko? "

" Well I know a bit, and... sh.. SHUT UP! I know how to use this thing! I've seen you and I've seen Kai practice a million times in the dojo! Of COURSE I know how to use it! " Musuko gripped his weapon tighter.

" Where is your master Musuko? I must talk to him. "

" You'll see him in hell Tokiya! " No, must keep calm. Mikagami's just trying to make me angry. Yes, he should focus on Mikagami.

" Mmmm.. Where did you get that dishy friend of your's ? Once I kill you, maybe I should give her the same treatment as I did your sister ? "

" You killed her? " Tokiya had been misguided before as to who his sister's killer was. He was not going to believe so easily again. Kai had told him it was Meguri Kyoza. Musuko could be a possibility however. He was Meguri's trusted servant. Musuko grinned.

" Yes, I was the one who killed her. Father told me to. He said that once she was dead then he would make me his sole heir to the Hyoumen Ken. ".

" Father ? Meguri Kyoza was your father? " It was making more sense now.

Mikagami narrowed his eyes. Musuko tapped his chin thoughtfully.

" But then he said that you were more deserving of the technique than I...Even after doing his bidding. It wasn't fair! I was older than you! I was his son! I should have been the one! Not Kai! Not you! "

Musuko suddenly rushed forward and stabbed with his sword, his earrings dangling with a bell like noise. Tokiya easily blocked it with his own weapon and jumped back a little. Musuko looked at Mikagami with purely exposed hatred. Tokiya stood where he was. Musuko charged again and Mikagami dodged. But Tokiya didn't see that Musuko's other hand was made into a fist and it hit him square on the face.

" Tsk tsk tsk... underestimating me Mikagami? " He waggled a finger mockingly in Tokiya's face. " Don't you know you're not supposed to - WAUGH! "

Tokiya connected his knee with Musuko's midsection. If it was a fight Musuko wanted, it was a fight he was getting. " You talk to much ".

Musuko wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth. " You'll pay for that Mikagami ".

---o

Fuuko sighed. She should have known by now to never let her guard down. Especially with pitiful types. You'd think she would have learned her lesson with her fight against Fujimaru, the pervert of the Kuu team that tried to rip her clothes off in the Uroubatousatoujin. In any case, they were both wimps who belittled females. She should be checking up on Mikagami.

Running to the training hall Fuuko slid open the door just in time to see a Water Snake headed straight for her.

Mikagami instantly turned his back on Musuko and rushed to where Fuuko was... Move faster ! Oh god, he might not make it in time...

Musuko licked his lips with anticipation . How delicious! He did not think that evading Tokiya's Water Snake would kill off the girl. Two birds with one stone. The emotional agony it would bring Mikagami would be a tasty treat. And here Musuko thought he was the playing the bad guy. Guess Mikagami was capable of making his own life hell.

Fuuko's battle instincts kicked in when she saw the Water Snake right in front of her face. Raising her Fuujin arm she prayed that she could gather enough wind to alter the wave's direction...

Mikagami saw that Fuuko had everything under control. But it was only in mid air tackle that he realized that.

The water snake dissolved. Phew. That was too close. Hey, why was Mikagami lunging for her?

Tokiya only intended to collide into Fuuko in the desperate attempt to shield her. But since there was no Water Snake, it looked quite laughable really. To see Mikagami knock Fuuko down once the present danger had passed. He got up quickly and muttered an embarrassed " Are you all right ? ". Aside from getting the wind knocked out of her ( pun unintended she assured him ) Fuuko said she was fine.

" Now , Now, kiddies. Why can't you just get a room? " Musuko was really having a fun time. The expression on Tokiya's face! That was priceless! It was almost as good as seeing it when Mifuyu died!

The room suddenly went pitch black . What was going on? A blackout? What's this? Fog... inside! Musuko gripped his sword. It must be Mikagami's doing... Ow! Something hit him from behind! Pain! And again on his side! He couldn't see! What was happening?

Tokiya let Musuko have it. This man could have killed his friend! He already killed his beloved sister! For seven long years Tokiya searched for this person and the killer was right under his nose! All that time and he could not avenge his sister! For once in those seven years Tokiya would sleep in peace! The nightmares of Mifuyu's death would stop haunting him!

" Tokiya! Stop! That's enough! " Fuuko never saw Mikagami like this before. There was so much hatred and rage in his eyes that Fuuko could feel her blood freeze upon looking at it. Musuko was being beaten so badly that she feared he was already dead. She held Tokiya's fist from hitting Musuko again.

The fog cleared. Tokiya blinked. He still held Musuko's collar and Fuuko was refraining him from hitting Musuko again. Musuko slid to the floor when Tokiya calmed down and let go.

" Musuko. If your father treated you so badly, why did you do it? "

Musuko looked up at Tokiya. " I did it... because I thought it would make him love me.. Kai was treated better... like his own son... then when Kai was abandoned, I thought I had a chance..."

" Where is your father ? "

" You will find him... In the bed room. ". With that Musuko fainted. Very undignified.

Fuuko looked at the pathetic man slumped on the floor." Who was that ? "

" That was my teacher's...no, Meguri Kyoza's son. He always watched me train. I assumed he was some servant boy but... "

Tokiya did not finish. Without looking back, he proceeded to the bedroom.

---o

" Musuko, I told you not to barge in like that ".

Meguri Kyoza had told his son a thousand times. His heart could not take the strain of being surprised like that.

No answer. " Musuko? .. Who's there ? "

Tokiya slowly walked in. Meguri's eyes widened initially but went back to normal upon recognizing Tokiya. " So... you have come after all. What took you so long? "

Mikagami kneeled beside the fuuton of his former teacher. He did not expect Meguri to be bed ridden and sick. Thoughts of avenging his sister disappeared when he saw that the man could not even move. He would get answers first of all. Deciding what to do next would come later.

" Meguri. Why did you order me killed? "

" Killed? Hah. That must have been Musuko's doing. I told him to wait until you were to come and finish me off. "

" What about my sister? ".

" Kai should have told you about that. That one , I planned. "

" Why? "

Meguri chuckled softly. " You had potential Mikagami! You had the potential to be the best Hyoumen Ken student I would ever train! And I would be your teacher! But you needed motivation. I had her eliminated. It was much faster that way ".

" You had Mifuyu killed for your own ambitions? " This man killed his sister for the sake of personal glory! How dare he! Tokiya drew his ensui and prepared to strike. But it stood poised above the man's heart, never coming in contact with the flesh. Meguri had coughed out blood and now smiled woozily at Tokiya.

" Go ahead. It was what you have always wanted isn't it? Kill me. I killed your sister! An innocent girl! For seven years it has haunted me. I took care of you more out of guilt than of personal glory. I abandoned Kai for you! I traded my worthless son and his equally worthless mother to train you... I deserve to die . For seven long years I have waited for this day! The day my pupil would get his revenge on me ! "

Tokiya raised his sword once again and Fuuko rushed to stop him from committing something he might regret later. But he intentionally missed and hit the floor patch beside Meguri's head. Kyoza looked straight into Mikagami's eyes, remorse clearly shown in them.

" So. This is how I die. Without you at least getting your revenge... I die, without my sins being atoned...How fitting... for a man like me. " Meguri closed his eyes and breathed his last .

Tokiya bowed his head. His eyes were hidden by his hair. Meguri Kyoza was now dead. Try as he might to stop it , but a single tear fell in grief for the man who had trained him and taken care of him for seven years. The man who he would have called his foster father...And the same man who killed Mifuyu. Abandoned Kai. Severed all family ties with Musuko. All for the sake of personal gain , only to regret everything afterwards. Tokiya had the chance for his revenge and threw it away. Years of waiting and hate went down the drain in a single moment... It was too ironic, really. Mikagami clutched his ensui tightly and did something he had not done in seven years. He threw his head back and laughed.

Fuuko wrapped her arms around herself and shivered involuntarily. She saw a tear slide down Tokiya's cheek and felt like crying . Now Mikagami was laughing his head off. She didn't blame him. He must be going mad. The revenge he wanted so badly was taken away. She wanted to run up to him and hold him close and tell him everything would be all right. But it wasn't and it probably wouldn't be for a long time.

----o

Now what? Fuuko was sure that the question was running in Tokiya's mind right now. His only reason for living was to kill his sister's murderer. And he didn't.. no, he couldn't do that. They had left Musuko unconscious in the training hall. So what exactly was he going to do? Go on with life? Commit suicide to be with his sister? She hoped that wouldn't happen. They'd been through a lot together - her , him , Domon, Recca, Kaoru... and the loss of another person she loved would be something she might not be able to handle. She was prepared for it though- the Uroubatousatoujin did that for her. But having it actually happen was not the same as being ready for it.

" You took a bullet for me ". Mikagami turned his head to look at Fuuko walking behind him. She scratched the tip of her nose and grinned back at him.

" Yeah, well... You would have taken a Water Snake full force for me ".

" But I didn't. "

" Hey, don't worry 'bout it Mikagami. That's what friends are for right? " She still kept her smile on. Might make him feel better.

Friends. Mikagami managed to smile back. Yes. The idea of joining his sister had crossed his mind, seeing that the person behind her death had already passed on. But what was it Kagerou had said? Would his sister have wanted revenge and have wanted him to die as soon as he got it? No, he still had a purpose in life. To protect the people he had come to care about. He looked up at the stars and made a silent vow to do so. Today he would be living for himself and start thinking about the people still alive. That was probably what Mifuyu wanted.

" Say Fuuko... "

" Yup? "

" I think I'll... stick around. Until I can pay you back for saving my life ".

Fuuko gave him a hearty slap on the back. " Told ya not to worry about it! "

Tokiya gave her one of the ' odd ' looks again.

----o

" Hi Mikagami! Sorry I'm late! " The door slammed open to reveal a harassed Fuuko who was out of breath at the moment from running up the stairs.

" Fuuko, you are 23 seconds late. You know I don't like having to wait ". Tokiya scribbled something in the report to the principal.

" I'm sorry! But my teacher dismissed us a bit later than usual! " Fuuko took a seat beside Mikagami and took out her notes.

Her hand subconsciously went to the part of the forehead where he had kissed her ; when he thought she was asleep in the hospital. She started to remember imagining what he would be saying when she arrived at his place that night. What HAD she expected after that incident of him cupping her chin and later kissing her forehead? Did she expect him to say insert images of certain dark forest -haired bishounen epitome of perfection, complete with sparklies and chubby cupids flying by " Like Recca who has his 'hime ', so you will be mine ", then kneel down to kiss her hand and she would blush oh so delicately ? Ick. That would have seriously made her barf. Maybe that kind of thing would work on Yanagi or other girls, but not her. She refused to be protected by anyone.

Actually, she had been awake that night since her father came in to give her flowers. She only pretended to be asleep to give Tokiya a scare before he left. But when she peeked an eye open she saw him reach down to kiss her forehead and she stiffened up and immediately shut her eyes .

And then she started to think about when he himself was sleeping on the chair beside her bed. And how even asleep he was plagued by Mifuyu's death. He mumbled her name at least twice. But that was the only time his self defense mechanisms were down and he looked so... vulnerable. She was probably the only one to see him asleep. She was also the only one to see him laugh. Sure he sounded like a maniac, but he laughed. And she was also probably the one to see him shed a single tear. And seeing his humanity made her feel...proud to be the one.

She didn't want to lose him. No matter how many times she told herself that getting close to anyone would only bring heart ache... it was much easier to live a life of fake cheer and to pretend everything was okay. Hey, it beats living one of complete depression and having to spread that misery everywhere you went. Like Mikagami over there. Naw, but he really was showing a little of his true self each day she spent with him.. And she liked him even more and more. He might not say his good side with words, but what he did always proved otherwise .Wow, now she felt like she could really hang out with the Walking Popsicle . Ohh... she was so mean...

Fuuko turned to him and grinned. Tokiya looked up from his report and again returned the smile ( actually a corner of his mouth turned upwards. But it counts as a smile for him. The effort was there ). Oh well. It was a start. It lit up his face somewhat and he didn't look so much like Mr. Doom and Gloom.

For now, the bond between them was stronger. But not strong enough to break down the barriers long forged in their hearts due to personal loss and pain. Maybe one day they could be. But not today. Because for today Fuuko had to catch up with all the classes she missed and Mikagami had to take on the task of tutoring her.

El Fin. The end. Owari. Wakas. That's it. No more. Einde.

Comments? Think that Meguri Kyoza having a son is impossible? Email me. No flames accepted ( and no pun intended. Can't help it if there are a lot of puns that have to do with elements of nature ) , except maybe for so called ' constructive criticisms '. Those, I think I can handle. But the minute I don't like it , it gets chucked out. Sorry. I don't need my work to be down graded by others. I am already dissatisfied with it enough! ( it's a " strive to be better " thing ) Oh actually, I'm NOT sorry. But comment and suggestions are welcome.

To Jacquey, for helping me come up with the title, for reading this and telling me her opinion. Really appreciate it!
My bro for putting me down all the time, therefore making me want to finish this and rub it in his face
To the glorious person who invented chocolate. That wonderful, saccharine-loaded, fattening-agent, that has kept me awake and given me some ideas.
And Mummy dearest for pretending to be interested and being patient enough to listen to me gripe.