Shards 2
Shards of the Past
Chapter II

I shook my head. That was not Kirisawa Fuuko standing there in some hooker's outfit. The Fuuko I used to know did not do such things. She was a warrior for as long as I knew her, and a prideful one at that. She wouldn't let Dennis touch her like that without giving him a sock in the jaw.

And yet it was Kirisawa Fuuko standing on front of our table in the Tiger's Eye. She wore a tight black dress that clung onto her figure and her violet hair tumbled over her shoulders, looking tangled. The makeup she applied to herself was done in a way that made her look sultry and ravishing, yet she only looked strange in the getup to me. Spiky boots completed her ensemble, the strings riding up her legs, contrasting with their pale color.

She looks so different. Formerly bright hazel eyes were now dull and flat, with a tinge of what seemed to be pain. Her face seemed to have aged quite a bit. Maybe it was New York but I didn't know. Her nimble and lithe body now seemed frail and weak, probably not getting enough food. Her cheekbones seemed to show prominently like she was being starved, but then again, maybe it was the makeup.

She clenched her fist and started to raise it to meet Dennis' drunken face when she met my stunned gaze. Her mouth parted slightly, and she whispered my name, as if she had never seen me before. Her fist relaxed, and she seemed to be just as stunned to see me.

Dennis nudged me, "Oooh... bro! Looks like I hafta tell on ya! Vic's gonna be so pissed you've been hitting on a waitress at a bar."

The fist tensed again, and she seriously looked as if she were to clobber Dennis that very second when the bartender yelled for her, calling her 'Missy'.

She whisked away to another table, and I gazed after her, until Dennis poked me. "You know," Dennis mused philosophically, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Vic's a sensational girl all by herself. You shouldn't go around a break her heart like that. She'll be crestfallen once she knows about this."

I snorted. Victoria Alexander, crestfallen? That'll be the day.

I checked my watch and stood up. "Hey guys, it's been great. But I gotta go now." Before they could reply, or I don't know if they could, I grabbed my coat and left the bar, giving Fuuko one last glance.

I stepped out into the street, coughing as the fog rose to meet me. I wasn't used to this. It was only now that I've been to this part of New York. I usually kept to Manhattan, as it was easily accessible bye cab. Owning a car in New York was fatal.

I slung my coat over my shoulder, and walked down the street. The dim streetlight flickered, as I saw several hoodlums eye me. I wasn't afraid. After facing Kurei, hoodlums were like gingerbread men. I fingered the Ensui in my pocket, my fingers gripping the handle, ready to pull it out when necessary. However, the icy glare I sent them was enough.

I sighed. New York wasn't the best place to live. I knew that. But that was exactly what I needed. The risk, the adventure, the thrill that was not to be found in Tokyo, was what I found in New York. That was part of the reason I left in the first place.

The second part was because I wanted to relieve myself of the demons of my past. Mifuyu, Meguri Kyoza, Kai... Yanagi... I had indeed fallen in love with her. She was everything I wanted. She was everything I needed. She was my sister reincarnated. I just knew it. If I had her and my sister back, all in one, that would have made me the happiest man alive. But I loved her for more than my sister's face. She was truly kind and gentle and treated everyone with love and respect.

Unfortunately, a certain ninja found her first.

I used to curse the Fates for such terrible timing. Had I found her first, I would have had her. But I didn't and I don't. She loved him, I had spat out, him and not me. And that was that. When he had proposed and she had accepted, that was my breaking point. I knew I had to leave.

When I arrived in New York, I felt myself lighten up for the first time. I don't know, but maybe the Big Apple got to me. I got a job at a law firm and quickly rose through the ranks as one of the top lawyers, along with Dennis and Johnny. I had learned how to smile, how to laugh, and I felt the burden on my heart disappear.

I dated quite often, in order to forget about Yanagi. Some clients, some acquaintances, others colleagues. My latest girlfriend was Victoria Alexander, a savvy businesswoman who needed help with a customer suing her store. I settled the case and she and I had a few dates since then. I couldn't say I was in love, though the way Dennis says it, I seemed to be head-over-heels for her.

But I wasn't. I can honestly tell you that. No one could match the feelings I had for Yanagi.

Seeing Fuuko tonight somehow brought back those demons of the past. Thoughts I had carefully locked away came rushing forward, striking my heart with pangs of pain. But I didn't blame Fuuko or anything. I couldn't deny it, but I had missed her and her bizarre sense of humor. Seeing her tonight had definitely surprised me.

And when she looked at me, it was plain in her eyes she didn't expect to see me either. Her mouth had parted slightly in surprise and she looked as if she wanted to approach me and talk. And I wanted her to.

I wanted to know why she was here, where she lived, who she knew, what she knew, how she got here... and about Recca and the others. How were they, I had often mused. When I had left three-and-a-half years ago, they were all content and happy with their lives. I knew Recca and Yanagi were to be married, and Fuuko was a promising Meteorology student. Domon was attending the local college for Physical Education, and Kaoru and Ganko were still the kids they were.

They were my family, my only family.

After all these years, I have never thought about going back. I couldn't even think of facing them, after leaving without saying goodbye. I knew they were all furious at me, and I couldn't blame them.

But I really did want to see them again.

I turned on my heel and started walking briskly back towards the answers to the questions I had.