- To Japanese speakers. I apologize profusely. I don't speak Japanese, I just translated stuff literally.
- People who like the Raiha and Fuuko couple, do not read. Repeat. Do. Not. Read. I will not be held responsible for any urges you have to go and kill me.
- Look. I am not good with battle scenes. You are going to have to imagine gratuitous scenes of violence yourself. I'll try to cheat. Best I can do.

So here goes:

" Autumn Winds Suck "

Fuuko Kirisawa was stuck in a perilous situation. Never before had she faced anything as deadly . THEY were hot on her trail. She tried to slow down her heart from pounding too loudly with fear. She had to get away from this place before THEY found her. Fuuko prayed fervently that THEY would not see her hiding place. She had no choice but to hide from their cruelty . She was breaking out into a nervous sweat. Her hands were cold and clammy... THEY were more vicious than all the other opponents she had met before. THEY were the reason why she was quaking in her shoes.

" Are you sure this is the place Fuuko is working in, Domon? I don't see her anywhere…And besides, this doesn't look like a very nice establishment that Fuuko would work in… "

Yanagi tried hard not to stare at a waitress who was wearing clothes meant for an eight year old.

" Where is that new trainee?! There's a table that needs cleaning ! "

The manager of " Cuteﾍ Honey Pies: Va Va Voom " yelled at his subordinates to find the new girl they just hired.

" Someone in school said they saw Fuuko serving drinks and waiting on tables here. Maybe they made a mistake " .Domon searched around for any sign of his rose- haired friend, letting his eyes take little pit stops of other scantily clad women.

" Hey! Don't look at her like that, you little pervert! " Recca blocked Kaoru's eyes from the waitress in front of them.

Fuuko held her breath. Just a few more moments and then they would leave and she could get back to work.

" Fuuko. There you are ". Mikagami caught sight of her trying to hide when he entered in with Recca and the others. He only came along because Yanagi had asked him. And partly out of curiosity ( which he would never admit ), to see what Fuuko was up to after school now that she attended her regular classes and he didn't have to tutor her anymore.

She froze in place. Her heart lodged in her throat. Recca squinted his eyes to check if it really was her behind the cashier's table.

" What are you doing behind there? "

She gulped and stood up slowly. There was no more using in hiding. She tried to pull down her nasty little mini skirt that was WAY too short for even her standards, in the futile attempt to cover up whatever was not already exposed. All eyes turned to look at her.

Recca burst out laughing.

---o

" Thanks for nothing ". Fuuko grumbled for the umpteenth time to her friends as they all walked home.

" We're sorry Fuuko. We didn't know we would get you fired…." Yanagi really felt bad that Fuuko lost her job because of them. " But it wasn't a very nice place for you to be working in anyway… " She wanted to make Fuuko see the good side of things. Then she covered her mouth and had to stifle a giggle.

" Yeah,... mmpfh.. real sorry… ". Recca tried to stop from laughing again. But he couldn't help it! Fuuko looked so different from what he usually saw her as!

Domon was about to say something about how nice the outfit fitted her, but then he too exploded in laughter. The sweet and innocent look didn' t suit her. That ribbon in her hair! The light pink heart print on the dress! It was too much ! His girlfriend, Kanojo, elbowed him in the ribs, giving an apologetic smile to a sullen Fuuko.

" Um... you really did look cute Aunt Fuuko ". Kaoru meant it sincerely . But he leered. It did not help at all.

" Nothing from you Mikagami? " Fuuko said sourly.

Tokiya looked a little startled at the attention being focused on him. What was he supposed to say? How the waitress costume hugged her lithe body in all the right places, even with the overload of lace and ribbons? Or maybe how the shortness of her skirt was lesser than necessary to show off her long coltish legs? Yes, that was what he should say… if he was ever in a good masochistic mood. A scowl formed on his face for even noticing such things. He had already seen her practically naked once, when she was fighting Recca and got taken over by the madogou of madness. And she was down to her underwear in her fight with Fuujimaru. So what was his problem with seeing her in that too tight get- up ? It was better to remain silent and not get into trouble. He managed to answer " No " with a straight face.

" Huh. How did you guys find me anyway? I made sure none of you knew where I was to avoid this. "

Fuuko looked over her shoulder to her friends. They were still laughing. Even louder this time. It took all the willpower she could muster to not strangle each and every one of them.

---o

Jerks! Creeps! She was still fuming by the time she got home. Just when she started working there last week, they had to show up and get her fired. Did they have any idea how hard it was for her to wear that stupid waitress costume and try not to beat the daylights out of each guy that hit on her? But ah, that's what friends are for. She couldn't help feeling just a bit happy. They were concerned enough to check up on her.

Fuuko lifted the doormat to get her house key placed under it. She locked the door once inside and went to the living room. Her father was snoozing on the sofa. A few empty bottles of whiskey were carelessly strewn on the floor and a photo frame was placed face down on his belly. Every year it was the same.

" Iz' zat you, Pfu-ko ? "

" Yeah dad. It's me. "

" You go sleep,' n ' crose rlites 'n' mrffl .. rrflp…brrap "

The rest got absorbed by the pillow he was talking into to. Fuuko carefully picked up the photo frame lying on his stomach.

" Yeah dad. I will ".

Her beautiful mother. Fuuko traced the long black hair with her finger and stared into the eyes of ocean blue twinkling with laughter. Tomorrow would be her 7th death anniversary. And the day her brother mysteriously disappeared. Dad would always get ahead of himself and start to drink until he passed out . It brought back too many bad memories for him. The sentimental old goat… It was hard for her too… why didn't he see that?! Clutching the photo to her chest, she sank down to the floor slowly and quietly rocked herself to sleep.

---o

Ahhhh.. there was nothing like the brisk morning air to calm her down. Fuuko sat on the rooftop with her feet dangling over the edge. This was her favorite place in to sit . She even etched her name on the brick. It was a fine morning and school would not start for at least another hour or so. She thought it would be nice to get to school early and enjoy the breeze there for once. Eh? Someone else was here. She just heard a cough.

Getting up and brushing off any dust left on her skirt, Fuuko walked to the other side of the rooftop towards the coughing sound she just heard. It was the familiar figure of Mikagami hunched over reading a book. He looked too engrossed that he didn't seem to acknowledge her presence. A mischievous grin played on the corners of her lips. Just what the doctor ordered. A healthy dose of bothering someone would surely get rid of any depression. Slowly she crept… careful... silent… stealthy…

" Don't even think about it ".

Tokiya had already seen her before entering the roofdeck. She seemed to be deep in thought and he decided not to disturb her. Apparently, she was not so courteous.

" What'cha got there Tokiya ? ".

Fuuko stood opposite him and lowered the book from his face. Tokiya was not very happy at having his sight of reading material be replaced by her curious gaze.

" It's a book you'll have to read when you get my class next year ". He tried to get back to reading. She lowered the book again.

" You always come to school this early? "

" Yes. Now leave me alone. "

"We-heeell. Aren't we snippy this morning ". Fuuko still stood near him but not near enough to invade ( what she considered would be ) his personal space. Tokiya sighed and closed his book.

" Did you want something? "

" Nope. Nothing. Can't I stay with a good buddy for awhile? " .

Mikagami looked at her face closely. Something was wrong with her eyes. There were eye bags underneath… Her face looked like hell!

" What happened to you ?"

" Uhhh..nothing. Why? "

She just lied! Now he knew something was wrong. He regarded her with even closer suspicion. Fuuko figured it was her cue to exit before he started asking more questions.

" Well seeing how you don't want to be bothered… I'lljustleavenowandseeyoulater, bye! "

She said the last sentence very fast before he could get a word in.

----o

" Have you seen Fuuko around? " Mikagami caught sight of Recca and the others before they entered school.

" No. We checked her apartment but no one was answering " Yanagi was worried. This was the first time Fuuko was not there. They usually had to drag her out of bed every morning. Yanagi hoped this didn't have anything to do with Fuuko losing her job.

" Hmm.. isn't it usually this time of year that Fuuko acts all weird for a day ? " Recca directed the question at Domon. They both knew Fuuko for the longest out of anyone else.

" Hey yeah. Maybe it's that ' time of the month ' again? "

" If that were true, then Fuuko would be acting weird every once a month, not once a year! " Kanojo rolled her eyes up at Domon's ' keen ' observation.

" Ha ha! No, but… if I remember right, today's her mom's death anniversary… She always looks like she hasn't slept a wink and her dad doesn't come to school either…. and now that I think of it… every time you try to ask her to talk about it , she'll just laugh it off and change the subject … "

Recca knitted his eyebrows together. Yea, there was something fishy going on…and Mikagami was interested…. Recca inched closer to Tokiya, one eye slanting with suspicion.

" Why you worried Mikagami? Could it be...you're over your sister, and are looking at brighter prospects? "

Tokiya tightened his lips into a thin line. " Don't be stupid Hanabishi. My sister is the only female I will ever care about. "

" Yeah, but… bet your sister never had knockers as big as Fuuko's ! "

" Yeah, you can say that again Recca! For a butch chick, she sure has nice …" Domon stopped abruptly after seeing the dagger looks Kanojo was giving him. Ohhhh…If looks could kill….

" Humpff. I can see where this conversation is going and I want to have no part of it! " Kanojo stalked off.

Domon shuffled after her. " Aw c'mon baby! I didn't mean it that way! Size doesn't matter! It's not like your's aren't.. no, not that I look…. "

Recca sniggered at how pathetic Domon looked.

" Pfugh. I can see that I am going to get no help from you ". Tokiya walked away completely disgusted, dissolving all thoughts of concern for Fuuko's well being every step he took.

" Gosh big brother Recca. I never knew you were THIS big a jerk… "

Koganei hitched his school bag over his shoulders and ran off to his school before Recca could get ahold of him.

Recca shrugged. " Guess it's just you and me, ' hime ' "

He turned around to face an upset Yanagi.

" Recca… I thought you called yourself Fuuko's friend. How come you never did anything before even when you knew she was in bad shape? ".

Yanagi was disappointed at Recca's insensitivity. She proceeded ahead into the school building leaving her poor ninja-protector all alone.

----o

Hey mom. Sorry. It looks like I couldn't get enough money this year… I wanted it so bad for you….I'm sorry.. I'll get it next year. I promise!

Fuuko brought a bouquet of fresh roses to her mother's grave. What's this? Weird. Someone else brought flowers. Lilies. Recently it seems…Maybe dad visited? But he never did. Ah! There's something behind the bouquet of lilies. A piece of paper? No, a photograph… Of mom? And dad? Who? …. Who's the kid on mom's lap? He looks familiar. Is that my brother when he was younger? Who the hell put this picture here?! Is this some kind of sick joke?!

She stood up quickly and searched the area for any sign of the person who left it. The only response she got was the delicate sighing of the wind.

---o

They're not big…

What am I talking about ?!.. That essay is due tomorrow!

Well, maybe that waitressing outfit she wore made it seem bigger..

I have an essay tomorrow that I really must finish! I have no time to waste on thinking of…

But they were always the same size whenever she wore anything else… Not to mention the rest of her…

Oh God, why am I thinking of this?!

For the past 5 minutes Tokiya Mikagami had been debating with himself over Fuuko's cleavage and his essay assignment. ' Damn Hanabishi for tainting my mind like this!' He thought. And he let Recca get away with insulting his sister! Mikagami knew for sure that there really was something wrong with him. It must have been something he ate…

---o

The photograph was old. It was taken three years before she was born. Her mother held a black haired boy with gray blue eyes. They looked so much alike. There was not doubt that they were mother and son. Her father was beside them, arm around his wife, dazzling smile on his face. Fuuko needed to know. What happened to her brother? Who put this picture at her mom's grave? Was it him? Did her father know where his son was ? Dammit! She needed answers!

And she had to wait for them because her father was too drunk and just passed out on his bed.

---o

She let the winds play with her hair. Knots and tangled strands were the last thing on her mind. Fuuko gazed moodily at the scene before her. It was actually very breath- taking up on the rooftop of school. Cherry blossoms fell lightly from the trees and flew around without a care… How she wished she could be like that.

But she wasn't. Her knees were drawn to her chest and her arms were wrapped around them. She sunk her chin deeper into her arms. Fall was approaching. It was her favorite season. She should be more happy. It wasn't like her to get all depressed… her dad never told her anything yet. She didn't want to ask. Maybe today she would. But what was wrong with her? So what if she found out her brother was still alive? Wouldn't it be great? She'd have a someone to be with at home! They could have normal sibling rivalry…help each other with homework… Ganko would have an older brother too!

No, she was only fooling herself into thinking that. And she knew it . It was not really the fact of having a brother that made her gloomy. It was the probability that she knew who he was and what would happen once she found out. That was what made her so depressed.

" Class starts soon. "

Fuuko looked up to see Mikagami standing in front of her.

" 'Ey Tokiya. Don't worry 'bout me. I'll haul my lazy butt to class soon ". She attempted a smile and failed. Miserably.

Tokiya knew it was serious. " You look even worse than yesterday ".

Fuuko's "smile " froze in place. Trust Mikagami to always come up with ways to make her feel better.

" Do you need to talk to someone? "

Was he offering to listen? Guess he wasn't so bad after-

" Because I could go get Yanagi to come up here ".

Fuuko searched his face for any sign that he was joking. There wasn't a change at all. She answered " No" in a very strained voice.

Tokiya really did not want to stay any longer. He didn't know what to do. But he couldn't just leave her. She was a friend. And besides, Recca and the others were just down the stairs. They saw Fuuko in low spirits and Tokiya unfortunately passed by. They grabbed him just as he was about to head to class and told him to go cheer Fuuko up. Otherwise… Even a guy like Tokiya had to shiver at the tortures in store for him if he did not make Fuuko feel better.

" Is this about money ? You've been trying to raise money ever since we got back from the Uroubatousatoujin ".

" No… well.. at first it was , but it doesn't matter much anymore though…"

" Explain that. For the past two days you haven't been acting like yourself. It has something to do with your mother's death anniversary's, doesn't it? ".

" I'm just exaggerating my troubles… Ah, it's nothing. C'mon, the bell's going to ring ".

" Let it. This is more important ".

" Hey, don't worry about it! Now c'mon! Bell! Ring! Now! Let's go! "

Tokiya was just about to give her a lecture on how she should stop changing the subject when he heard a growl. From Fuuko's direction. He narrowed his eyes.

" When was the last time you ate ? "

" uhh.. a while ago…"

She was lying again!!! Mikagami blocked the doorway leading downstairs.

" You haven't eaten for the past two days, have you? "

She looked at him sheepishly. Mikagami folded his arms across his chest.

" We are going to eat. Right now ".

" And skip school? "

" Yes. "

" You? Skip? "

Tokiya shrugged." I figure it's due to me. I'm hardly ever absent anyway ".

----o

So here they were again. Eating together. But this time it was a nice diner, not some cheap Ramen House that could be found in the shady part of town.

" Wow Tokiya. My first date with you! " Fuuko teased Mikagami, but she inwardly hoped that no one saw her with him. People might misinterpret it as exactly that. A date. She did have a reputation as a tomboy to keep after all.

Mikagami said nothing but kept his scrutinizing gaze on her. He was doing that for the past 10 minutes. Fuuko put the spoon back in her ice cream glass.

" All right. I'll tell you…"

" Finally ".He was getting tired of looking at her and for a minute there thought his intimidating act was not working.

" Mmm… Do you want some of this ice cream Tokiya ? It's really good…" She offered it to him in the most convincing tone she knew.

' Ugh, and get germs? ' He shrank back despite himself. " No thanks. Quit stalling and tell me ".

Fuuko inhaled deeply. " The reason why I wanted the money… is to get this necklace for my mother ".

" Yes I know. You told me that before ".

" Ya, well… and you thought I was lying. I wasn't " Fuuko wet her lips from getting too dry. " Before my mom died…I promised her I'd get her this necklace we saw at a shop one day. It was real pretty… It was a diamond pendant shaped in a flower pattern, and a pure gold chain laden with some tiny studs, and it came in this nice box that had a really nice picture of the store, and… "

Mikagami tapped his finger on the table to signify his boredom. " Why the sudden desire to get it now? "

" Um.. well… you see…" she cleared her throat. " Out of guilt really ".

" Guilt? "

" Guilt. " She turned to stare out the diner's window. " During my mom's funeral…I never cried. Not once. Even when I found out she was dead. Even as they were shoveling dirt on top her coffin and burying her. Or even as they were saying her last rites. I knew her for nine years. She took care of me and loved me… and all I felt was numb when she passed away ".

Tokiya remained silent. Fuuko's eyes were glazed over.

" But in the Uroubatousatoujin, when I thought Domon had died… my heart hurt so much that I thought it would be better to rip it out. That was the first time I did cry over someone…I didn't cry over the woman who was my mother. I cried over what I thought was the loss of a dear friend, and that realization…was what drove me to try to make things up to her…."

She looked over at Mikagami. His face was still the same. Fuuko put her spoon back into the cup.

" Ha ha.. I know… buying that necklace won't do anything but… I just thought that maybe if I got it in time for her death anniversary.. oh I don't know what I was thinking…It's not like she can use it or anything… "

" How much more do you need ? "

" What? " Fuuko looked up from fiddling with her ice cream. Did she just hear…?

" You heard right. How much more do you need ? " Mikagami really didn't know why he was saying it. His money was precious. It shouldn't be squandered. His reason though was that he knew Fuuko would pay back a loan, so…

She beckoned him to come closer and whispered in his ear.

Tokiya rarely ever changed expression. But he sure did now. She just told him an amount that could rival China's population!

" Are you out of your mind?! "

Fuuko stuck her tongue out at him and laughed. " I was just kidding! I wanted to see the how you would react! That's all! "

" Well you got my attention. How much is it really? "

She filled her spoon with some ice cream " Not much. I almost have enough. Just a few hundred, and I can go buy it ".

" Is that a fact? "

" Yup, sure is! " To emphasize her point, she waved her spoon at him. Ice cream splattered all over his face.

Tokiya regretted ever knowing her.

---o

Domon hoped Tokiya was doing okay with Fuuko. The strongest member ( physically speaking ) and most sensitive of the Hokage Team first offered to be the one to talk to her since he knew her better than anyone else. But Mikagami passed by and then they all decided that he should be the one instead. Recca argued that Kanojo would be jealous, which she wouldn't be because she was right there and even told Domon to be the one to talk to Fuuko. But they were all trying to get Tokiya and Fuuko together. Which would be nice, but if he knew Fuuko… she would not be pleased at being set up. Tokiya wouldn't be either. The last thing anyone wanted was people meddling in their love lives.

Domon should know. Fuuko did it to him. But it all turned out for the best. He had to admit, Kanojo was a cool girlfriend. He was getting to feel more at ease around her. She couldn't fight, but she had a good pair of lungs to order him around with.. Whenever he expressed his feelings to Fuuko, she would always hit him or think he was joking. Regardless of what anyone thought, it hurt a little when Fuuko thought he never meant anything. Then again, maybe he knew in his heart that there was something missing and didn't mind most of the time. He wasn't in love with her. He confused respect and friendship for it. He knew that now. And he wasn't in love with Kanojo either. Maybe with time he would be. But the important thing was that Kanojo liked him. It didn't really matter who he loved, but more on the fact that someone loved him.

Domon was starting to get a little worried. Fuuko hadn't shown up for class yet. And Tokiya didn't seem to be the sensitive type. Or maybe Tokiya was a bit too sensitive? The guy did carry a huge weight on his shoulders, wanting to get revenge for his sister and all, taking on a personal vendetta. Domon knew that, somehow, maybe Fuuko could help ease the pain Mikagami must be feeling. In any case, he hoped that she would be happy, either single or with another. After all, she was the reason for him being with Kanojo.

Ouch. He was getting a headache. He should concentrate on class. Now let's see. The capital of the United States is…a) Lexington b) Washington c) Alberqurque. D) none of the above. Hmmmm… a toughie.

---o

" Ack! I 'm sorry! Lemme wipe it off! " Fuuko was leaning towards Tokiya who was sitting opposite her in one of the diner booths. She was trying to get the ice cream off his face by cleaning it with some napkins. But the guy wouldn't stay still enough for her to scrub it off.

" No, it' s fine . I can do it myself ". He snatched the napkin from her hand and wiped off the sticky substance.

" I'm really sorry about that Tokiya… " Fuuko apologized again. But part of her found it pretty funny. Mikagami never changed expression even when the ice cream hit him. All that ice cream going to waste…Too bad she couldn't lick all of it off his face. What… What kind of thought was that?! Blushing hotly, she picked up her spoon and zeroed in on finishing her dessert.

She must really be embarrassed about throwing that ice cream around. She's blushing. Tokiya wiped off the remaining splotches and crumpled the napkin in his hand. Fuuko was eating with obvious gusto. She was probably very hungry… Who wouldn't be for two whole days. Her lips were stained a darker shade of scarlet from the cherry she just nibbled on. His eyes had absent mindedly stumbled upon them. The fruit brought out the playful curves of her mouth that were constantly upturned in whatever mischief was on her mind. Looking so soft…so warm and so terribly tempting.… He should really get going now !

" Are you almost done Fuuko? "

" Uhh.. yeah.. just about - "

" Then let's go ". He left some money on the table and stood up.

She caught up with him outside the diner. " Hey Tokiya… "

" What? " His job was done! He found out why she was depressed and cheered her up. Case closed! What more could he do?

She shifted around in unaccustomed shyness. " I just wanted to thank you... For everything… "

He stopped dead on his tracks, bewildered look already flashing across his face. She just gave him the sweetest smile he had ever seen.

---o

" Dad? "

Fuuko reached home just in time for dinner. The lights were on and her father was reading the newspaper on his favorite La-Z Boy™ recliner. His back was turned to her.

" Dinner's on the table, hon. "

" I'm not very hungry right now… "

" You sure, hon? All right, put it in the fridge ". He turned a page of the newspaper.

" Dad… could I talk to you for a sec? "

" Sure. What's the problem? " Moesama Kirisawa put down the paper. She sounded serious. He would listen to her patiently. But if it was about that Mikagami fellow that everyone was talking about, and that guy hurt his daughter…

Fuuko walked around the chair to look straight into his eyes. " I went to visit mom's grave ".

" Oh that's nice. Did you tell her I said hi ? "

" Dad. Someone left flowers there ".

" Well it wasn't me…Maybe one of her friends ? "

" Dad. How come we never have any pictures of my brother? "

Moesama's face darkened. " I told you. He was sent to boarding school and we just never took any pictures of him. "

" Not even during holidays when he came to visit, or before that? "

" Fuuko, you don't need to know this... "

" Yes I do!! Look at this! " She produced the picture from one of her pockets and showed it to her father.

His eyes clouded over. " Where did you get this?! "

" Take a wild guess who left it at mom's grave ".

Fuuko clenched her hands and apologized mentally for causing her father any unnecessary pain. But she needed to know.

Moesama sighed. " Yes, this was your mother. And me. And that is your elder brother ".

" What's his name? You never told me ".

His eyes pleaded with her. " Fuuko.. don't make me.. maybe when you're older.."

" Stop using that excuse! I need to know! Daddy…please…What is his name? "

Moesama closed his eyes. All those years… He should know by now that the past would catch up eventually… " Raiha. Your brother's name is Raiha ".

Fuuko's legs wobbled and she had to take a seat. So it was as she suspected…She would have to fight her own brother…" Why… "

Moesama shoulders sagged in his chair. " When you were 4 years old, your mother and I sent Raiha to boarding school. We thought if for the best. The school was one of the most prestigious and we thought it would be good for him. The only holidays were for summer and winter. But he never wanted to come home. We asked him once and he said that the sooner he finished, the sooner he would be able to pay us back… Yes, he was that thoughtful at that young age. That's why you never saw him and don't remember him. We never talked about him much in front of you, just that you had a kind and smart brother "

Moesama stood up and walked to the fireplace. " When my wife… your mother died, he was so heartbroken. He loved her so much… He ran away. I looked all over. I neglected the company that I inherited and depleted all my resources to find him. But I don't know what's become of him ever since."

Moesama opened a hallow brick and took out a box of old pictures. " Here Fuuko. These are all the pictures I kept, as a reminder of my failures. These are the ones of Raiha. I thought that by keeping them away, you and I would only have to remember the loss of one family member, instead of two. Forgive me…"

The figure of her father covering his head in his hands was enough to make the stout hearted Fuuko go teary eyed. She threw her arms around him and hugged her father for all he was worth.

" You don't need to apologize. I love you very much! And I don't think you failed in anything! " She wiped her eyes and picked the box up. " I mean, look at me ! I came out all right didn't I? "

No answer.

" Daaaad! "

Moesama smiled gratefully and held his daughter close to him.