Chapter Four.
SORRY! I'VE DECIDED TO KEEP GOING THANKS TO EVERYONE'S SUPPORT AND REVIEWS! THE MORE I GET THE EARLIER I FINISH SOMETHING :)
OOPSY I'VE BEEN SPELLING MI-CHAN AS MIKIGAMI, WHEN ITS MIKAGAMI, MY BRAIN MUST HAVE BEEN TOO INVOLVED IN FUUKO THAT I FELL ASLEEP ON THAT THOUGHT! THANK YOU YUNFI FOR POINTING IT OUT! PHEW! I COULD'VE LOOK EVEN MORE STUPID FOR ANOTHER FEW CHAPTERS IF SOMEONE DIDN'T POINT THAT OUT :P
Ah! Ok, I'm sorry everyone for making things really hard for Fuuko, but don't worry... it can't get any worse _
When you hit your the lowest things can go, the only way things can go is up right? I'm so glad most the sad events are
over and all that is left to do is to pick up the pieces:
I seem to be throwing out a chapter every one or two days. I hope you can keep up! and thanks for reading! If you could please review it for
me or give me more ideas (i don't actually have a particular ending in mind, agh!)
The more reviews i get, the more motivation i get to finish it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Flame of Recca.... BUT IF THE CHANCE CAME UP I'D GLADLY TAKE
IT! :P
mwahahahah...
-----------
Mikagami walked to school the next morning, and to the surprise of any on lookers... very much alone.
He could not help but look out for the rest of the Hokage. He wondered if Fuuko had told them anything. As far as he knew, he was the only one that knew the events that took place yesterday. He found that a little strange. Him of all people... he did not really see himself as fit to be Kirisawa's confidant. Though, she did not tell him to not tell the rest of the gang what had happened. Would she mind for them to know?
His thoughts were interrupted with a girl suddenly linking on to his arm. Obviously she decided to be daring today and try win over Mikagami's affections with Fuuko absent.
"Morning Mikagami-sempai! Will you escort me to my home room today, there is so much that is going around...."
At this point Mikagami was not really paying attention to her. He noticed Yanagi walk by, and he noticed Domon and Recca squabbling stupidly over some detail.
He was about to walk over to them to attempt to explain what had happened to Fuuko, but found this girl had a death grip on him. He did not want to cause a commotion by pushing her away or something like that. He then realized he would not know what to say.
'Hello, I should tell you that Kirisawa's Mother is Dead?' did not sound right in his head. He had to think about this for a while.
---
That afternoon Mikagami found himself fussing over what he should do. He was even told off by the teacher for not paying attention in class. He was Mikagami Tokiya! He had never been told off for something so stupid in his life. It was a little embarrassing but no one really thought twice about it. Finally the bell for school to end rang. He stood at the entrance of school and waited for the students to pile out.
He spotted the group easily because of Domon's huge figure and outrageous Mohawk hair cut. Someone had to tell that guy that it was definitely not a cool look.
He felt a little strange looking like he was waiting for someone. He did not know why he was even doing this. A part of him had been telling him that he should turn around and not bother. Fuuko should be the one to tell him, and it was not his problem. But every now and then his conscience would hit him and say... 'for heaven's sake the poor girl has been in down in the dumps and she has lost her mother... I'm sure you know how that...'
He immediately cut that thought from his mind. He noticed Domon and Recca bickering again. Yanagi just smiled (knowing that this was completely normal) and kept on walking knowing that they would catch up eventually.
Yanagi noticed Mikagami standing in the path they were headed. She smiled brightly and went over to him.
"Good Afternoon Sempai, were you waiting for Fuuko? She's not at school today, we have not seen her all day." she said sweetly. Mikagami paused, obviously the group had no idea what had happened. He looked at Yanagi. His heart could not help but soften.
The girl was very similar looking to his dear departed sister Mifiyu, that was a fact he could never get over. Every time he saw Yanagi, he saw a part of his sister. He had always resented Recca a little for having found Yanagi first. How strange he had not noticed her at school before... then again he did not really pay that much attention to the students around him, the school was very big. He had to shake such thoughts. It was not right for him to want someone just because she reminded him of his sister.
"Sempai?"
"I..." for the first time in his life he was at loss for words. He did not know what to say about this topic. He looked at how stupid Recca and Domon were acting. He grumbled inside. Seeing them reminded him of the thought, why was he doing this? Could not Fuuko tell them? Why was he helping the girl? They were not close... (not that he was close to anyone...), he may have picked up some respect for the tomboy over time, but they were definitely not close. Sure the girl was in serious pain at the moment... but... he did not feel it was his place to tell her friends her predicament. But still, he felt as well that he had to do it... in a way he knew how the girl was feeling...
For once in his life... he could empathize...
"... I must talk with you all urgently. This matter concerns Kirisawa." he said almost solemnly.
At the mention of her name, the group eagerly followed Mikagami to the park where they could have more privacy to talk about the matter.
When they arrived Mikagami could feel that Domon was about to pounce on him. Domon disliked the idea of Fuuko and Mikagami spending those times walking together of course. He had no idea what the two got up to away from their eyes. He could only assume of course.
"So, what is it Mikagami?" asked Recca as he crossed his arms looking concerned. He saw Mikagami's usually arrogant look drop to one where he was thoughtful he obviously did not have good news for them.
"... Yesterday... I walked Kirisawa home."
At this point already Domon was having a hard time not jumping at Mikagami for walking her home again. Mikagami only hoped the gorilla would at least hear his entire story out before coming to any conclusions.
"... when we got there, there were two people at her house." He continued. He noticed that he had their complete attention. They seemed to be hanging on every word he was saying. They must have been truly concerned about Fuuko's welfare and what had happened. He could not help but feel strange about the whole thing.
Her friend's obviously cared about her a great deal, so why was Fuuko avoiding them? Why was she forcing herself to be alone at school? She definitely had people who truly cared about her. What was she afraid of??? He looked at Yanagi's eyes... she seemed to be trembling almost. She had cared so much for Fuuko (after all she was one of the people who fought to save for from Mori Kouran's clutches.) that it had made her worry so much.
Mikagami shook the thoughts of and forced himself to tell the group the sad news.
"One was Kirisawa's mother's friend, and the other... was a police officer." he continued. Domon finally unable to stay quiet butt in.
"What?! Is Fuuko-darling in trouble?! Did her mother do something to get in trouble?!"
Mikagami growled a little under his breath. He hated being interrupted in something important.
"If you would let me finish Gorilla-san, I would tell you." he snapped back very typically Mikagami-style. Domon grumbled, but his Fuuko's sake remained quiet.
"The police officer told her that..." Mikagami paused for a moment. He had to think it over first before saying it. Should not Fuuko be telling them this not him? He wondered if she would even say anything. It had been a week before Fuuko had told them that she had lost Ganko... he wondered if she would tell them this? Maybe she did not like being pitied? Nevertheless.... he figured he should say something to explain Fuuko's absences...
"... he told her that her mother had died in a car accident."
Silence....
There was pure silence in the group for the first time in a long time. No one knew what to say for a moment. It was such... a shock...
Recca was the first one to break to silence. He seemed to be visibly upset. He had known Fuuko's mother quite well. After all Fuuko was his longest child hood friend.
"How is Fuuko?! Where is she? Is she alright?!" he blurted out. He seemed a little hysterical. Yanagi felt tears come to her eyes.
"When was this Mikagami?!" she asked louder than she usually spoke. She seemed very worried.
"... the police officer said_"
"... she died three days ago..."
The all suddenly turned around to see where the familiar voice came from.
"Fuuko!?" gasped Recca. He did not know what to do. Should he run over to Fuuko and hug her? Console her? Nothing he could do would make her feel any better. He knew how much she loved her mother, even though, she did not see her that often. It was a 'distance makes the heart miss and grow fonder' relationship...
".... on the way to the airport... coming home..." she finished softly. She looked down a moment then looked at them, she had a painful smile on her face. It was hard to tell if she had been crying or not. Fuuko never cried of course. She'd cry out in pain, but other than that, Fuuko never cried, so no one knew what it looked like if she had cried or not. She looked a little messed up though. Like she did no care what she looked like what she walked out of the house or something.
"Fuuko!" Yanagi ran over to and hugged her.
"I'm so sorry! I'm so so sorry this happened." Yanagi was crying. Fuuko held the girl as well. But she said nothing. She seemed.... monotonous. Like she was emotionless. She was not fighting to hold back any tears. She just looked blank... The group was really surprised at her. Yanagi seemed to be doing enough crying for the both of them.
The smile on Fuuko's face had been wiped away, but there were no tears, but there was no emotions there either. Just a plain serious look.
Mikagami could not help but notice how much that look, looked a lot like his own usual look. He could not believe it...
"Fuuko! Are you alright?!" Domon raced over to her. Even he was smart enough to avoid swooning over her at the moment. She just looked at him. She sighed a little.
"... I'll manage..." she said with a sigh. She looked at Recca with a look of nothingness. She did seem to have a tinge of sadness in her face though.
"... Fuuko... did, you want to stay at my place? There isn't too much room, but it will be just like the old times..." Recca offered knowing that her own house would be empty. (Not that it had not been before the incident, but it was just a thought.)
She smiled softly. Good old Recca...
"No... I'll... I'll manage by myself at home. I... just need to be alone for a while." she managed to say slowly. They group had no idea what to do. What was she doing here? she should be at home... but they did not ask. She was probably looking for them...
She sighed again.
"I... really should get going. I don't think I'll be going to school this week. I've already talked to the principal." she stated. They all nodded.
"I promise I'll visit you tomorrow." Yanagi promised with all the sincerity in the world. Fuuko paused a little.
"... alright. Thank... Thank you." she said. She truly sounded like she appreciate it. She said she had needed to be alone, but she really did not know if she could do it.
Fuuko's tired gaze slowly fell onto Mikagami.
"... Mi.. Mi-chan... would you..." she did not have to finish her sentence. He just stood beside her and nodded, he looked at the group, they all nodded and parted their ways. Though Recca had to drag an inconsolable Domon along.
--
The Sun set seemed strangely slow that late afternoon. There was a strange silence coming from the two who walked against the sunset's orange glow. Kirisawa's usual liveliness seemed to die along with the sunset. She seemed almost emotionless. As if she was tired of being sad, but not in the mood to be happy.
"... Kirisawa..." Mikagami started. With out looking at him Fuuko interrupted.
"It's Fuuko silly." she said with a sigh.
"Fuuko, I must... apologize." he said slowly. She stopped and looked at him for a moment. A sad and confused look in her eyes.
"Why?"
"I should have asked you first if you wanted your friend's to know why you would no be going to school for a while." he said. She shook her head.
"No, it's alright. I... I don't know if I could have told them... with out.." she seemed to be fighting something inside.
"... without?"
She clenched her fist a little. She seemed to be fighting emotions inside. Fighting off the tears perhaps?
"... with out crying." she finally blurted out. He looked confused. What was so bad about that? Sure, he did not cry either, but Fuuko was ACTUALLY a girl and it was alright. When he really thought about it, he had never pictured Fuuko as one of the type of people who cried. Even when they were all emotional when Recca had finally called Kagero his ka-chan (mother) she did not cry. She looked sad, but did not cry unlike, Domon or Yanagi. He and Fuuko were a like in a few ways, he figured.
"You're a girl Fuuko, you are allowed to cry." he stated a matter of factly. She shrugged a little.
"I.. I don't want them to see me cry. No one is allowed to see me cry." she stated strongly. She felt strange allowing a small part of her mind to his knowledge. He looked at her in surprise.
"Why in the world would you think that?" he asked. She sniffed a little still fighting the tears.
"You don't know me Mi-ch_ Mikagami." she corrected herself, she was in no mood to call him Mi-chan, there was not any humor in what she was feeling. She stood there against the light of the sunset with a strong resolve in her eyes. Though Mikagami could not help but notice her eyes growing moist.
"All my life... All my life I've had to take care of myself. While the other girl's had their older sisters, mother's female friends even barbie dolls to rely on, I... I had no one. In my neighborhood I grew up with boys. Mainly Recca. I had to be like them if I wanted to have friends... boys don't cry. Boys grow up to be strong. I'm not a guy but I have to be strong. Strong people don't cry. My mother would not want me to cry." she got gradually louder as she spoke on. As if she was feeling more confident about telling him her feelings.
"... but Fuuko." He did not know why he would rebuttal her... he was guilty of a lot of the same things. He had told Yanagi when he first met her that he had locked his emotions away for something, namely his sister. Fuuko was doing similar things herself. He hated to think that she was becoming a lot like him. It was like he was looking at what the other's thought of him.
"... no butts Mikagami, I... I don't want to cry, I don't want everyone to see me cry. If I make everything see me as being strong, they'll leave me alone, they won't help me, because they know I don't need help. I know I scare away some people at school. Sure... sure it gets lonely sometimes, but I can get passed it, if I distract myself. That's why I've been trying so hard to beat Recca... its a good distraction, it makes me try really hard... but... also, I've been trying to do it for more than ten years. It is shameful that I can't do what you did on your first fight with him." she seemed to be babbling thoughts out now.
"I'm sorry, I'm just spitting out random thoughts. You don't have to listen... who am I to you anyway..." she let out a long breath as if feeling relieved she had said a lot off her mind to someone.
Mikagami just stood there. She was exactly the same as him. She did not want people to get close to her. She just did it in a different way. She did it with her insane happiness and vibrant personality. People just saw her as being very vibrant and out going, with an overly happy personality. (though that seemed to have disappeared in the last month.) She hid her pain behind her vivacious smile. Just like when she was fighting Gashakura at the Urabotousatsajin when she got hit by the laser fence. They knew she had been badly injured and should have stopped fighting. When they asked if she was in pain she said...
'It does not hurt at all'
And then she smiled, though she did wince in pain a little.
It was all a lie. She refused to acknowledge her pain or show it to others...
"... it is... lonely.. isn't it." he sighed a little. He did not answer her comment about what she was to him, because right now he did not know. All he knew was he was being there for her. He really could not place a logical reason to why he had started to hang around her more recently. Sure she seemed to be the only person who was not intimidated by him in the slightest, (minus Recca and Domon, but they weren't exactly his first choice for a friendly conversation.), but there had to be more than it than that. She looked at him puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
"Not letting people get close to you... you stop people from being able to hurt you, but, it's lonely." he said as if knowing how she felt. She shrugged a little.
"If you don't let people get close to you, they don't have to know about the problems and pain in your life." she concluded. She did not want her friends to know about her loneliness, especially what stresses were happening at home at the moment. It was funny in a way that she was leaning on Mikagami of all people.
The two just headed towards Fuuko's house. Fuuko picked up the mail and looked through is as they went inside. The sun had set and it was getting late and Fuuko had offered to cook him dinner. They remained silent as she slowly looked through the mail.
As Fuuko sort through the mail she suddenly stopped. Mikagami noticed her pause. He could not help but worry about what it was this time.
"What's the matter?" he asked lifting himself off the couch he had just recently relaxed on. She felt the tears come to her eyes as she opened the mail and quickly read it.
'Dear Fuuko
How are you Big Sister, I miss you so much. I'm sorry I have not written much! I've been settling in to my new family.
I'm wondering how you and your mom are doing?
I miss you so much Fuuko, things are not the same with out you.
But the family I am staying with is great too. I have a new brother and sister. Mai is my older sister and Misao is my younger
brother. They are both so much fun. But I would really want to live with you instead still.
But it does not matter too much, because I have great news, guess what! We're moving house soon and the house just happens
to be very close to your house! Isn't that great!
That way I'll get to see you again more often rather than the long train ride!
I'll be looking forward to seeing you again in a few weeks Fuuko!
Love Ganko.'
P.S. Say hi to your mom!
P.S.S Have you beaten Recca yet??
P.S.S.S. I love you!
Mikagami read the letter with her. He suddenly noticed her choke a little. A wet mark fell on the pretty pink paper that Ganko had written on. Mikagami found himself put his hands on her shoulder encouragingly and softly. Fuuko held the letter to her chest. She seemed to choke on a few sobs slowly.
"... that's... that's nice..." she found herself say throw her little sobs. She smiled very softly. She was fighting back from bursting out in tears. Mikagami slowly turned her around him as he faced her. She looked down as if shamed he had seen a tear run down her face. He knew no matter what anyone could do, no one could bring Fuuko's mother back and make Fuuko feel better from what had happened. But this piece of news was a ray of sunshine on Fuuko's darkest moments... He could not blame her for finally breaking down.
Actually he had seen her in a new light. He had learnt a lot about her in the short few weeks they had spent time together. More than he had learnt in the 7 months he had known her. Yes he had already had respect for her fighting abilities and her good nature as he had seen at the Tournament. But now he had seen more of her heart... he could see she hurt just like he had. When he really thought about it, there was no better person in their group of Hokage that could and should be with her right now than him. Only he had really had someone very close to him taken away from him. He also had been alone at home most his life. He had lost his parents first, and then his dearest sister Mifiyu. Like Fuuko who had lost parents and in a way lost her own sister, there was no one else who could possibly understand her pain.
He had seen first hand what losing a love one could do to the soul, no matter how strong or happy the person seemed. He had been a happy child also, a long time ago.
He saw her lift her face to face his. She had forced a smile. Her deep blue eyes welling up with moisture. He looked deep into them and saw how beautiful they were. No matter what everyone said about how tomboyish she was, she was still a girl... a woman... she had feelings too, just like him. It was strange having her face so close to his. But this was not the time to think such things...
"This.. this really is really nice..." she smiled. She choked one last time in a her sobs before Mikagami realized she could hold them back no longer. He let her lean her head on his chest as she clenched his shirt tightly as she felt the tension inside of her build up.
Just this once he would let someone close... just this once.
She held on to his shirt tightly as she felt unable to hold her tears back any longer.
"I'm sorry...I..."
"It's alright... you're allowed to..."
Finally she let it all out, in the arms of the most unlikely person... Fuuko Kirisawa cried...
**********
phew...
that one was kinda long, but i did not want know where to end the chapter anywhere.. so i decided to keep going. Well there, things are starting to head up.
Should I keep writing? If I keep going it will be concentrating more on the Tofu and the rest of the Hokage! Wow so glad I finally wrote that chapter, I was starting to hit writers block, luckily i didn't @_@
anyway, please review if you have the time! I really appreciate it, when i get a review i get more motivation to write more. I wanna keep the Tofuishness going! And i was wondering if I could make Fuuko finally beat recca in a fight? who knows! depends on my reviews or what comes to mind! :P love you all!
SORRY! I'VE DECIDED TO KEEP GOING THANKS TO EVERYONE'S SUPPORT AND REVIEWS! THE MORE I GET THE EARLIER I FINISH SOMETHING :)
OOPSY I'VE BEEN SPELLING MI-CHAN AS MIKIGAMI, WHEN ITS MIKAGAMI, MY BRAIN MUST HAVE BEEN TOO INVOLVED IN FUUKO THAT I FELL ASLEEP ON THAT THOUGHT! THANK YOU YUNFI FOR POINTING IT OUT! PHEW! I COULD'VE LOOK EVEN MORE STUPID FOR ANOTHER FEW CHAPTERS IF SOMEONE DIDN'T POINT THAT OUT :P
Ah! Ok, I'm sorry everyone for making things really hard for Fuuko, but don't worry... it can't get any worse _
When you hit your the lowest things can go, the only way things can go is up right? I'm so glad most the sad events are
over and all that is left to do is to pick up the pieces:
I seem to be throwing out a chapter every one or two days. I hope you can keep up! and thanks for reading! If you could please review it for
me or give me more ideas (i don't actually have a particular ending in mind, agh!)
The more reviews i get, the more motivation i get to finish it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Flame of Recca.... BUT IF THE CHANCE CAME UP I'D GLADLY TAKE
IT! :P
mwahahahah...
-----------
Mikagami walked to school the next morning, and to the surprise of any on lookers... very much alone.
He could not help but look out for the rest of the Hokage. He wondered if Fuuko had told them anything. As far as he knew, he was the only one that knew the events that took place yesterday. He found that a little strange. Him of all people... he did not really see himself as fit to be Kirisawa's confidant. Though, she did not tell him to not tell the rest of the gang what had happened. Would she mind for them to know?
His thoughts were interrupted with a girl suddenly linking on to his arm. Obviously she decided to be daring today and try win over Mikagami's affections with Fuuko absent.
"Morning Mikagami-sempai! Will you escort me to my home room today, there is so much that is going around...."
At this point Mikagami was not really paying attention to her. He noticed Yanagi walk by, and he noticed Domon and Recca squabbling stupidly over some detail.
He was about to walk over to them to attempt to explain what had happened to Fuuko, but found this girl had a death grip on him. He did not want to cause a commotion by pushing her away or something like that. He then realized he would not know what to say.
'Hello, I should tell you that Kirisawa's Mother is Dead?' did not sound right in his head. He had to think about this for a while.
---
That afternoon Mikagami found himself fussing over what he should do. He was even told off by the teacher for not paying attention in class. He was Mikagami Tokiya! He had never been told off for something so stupid in his life. It was a little embarrassing but no one really thought twice about it. Finally the bell for school to end rang. He stood at the entrance of school and waited for the students to pile out.
He spotted the group easily because of Domon's huge figure and outrageous Mohawk hair cut. Someone had to tell that guy that it was definitely not a cool look.
He felt a little strange looking like he was waiting for someone. He did not know why he was even doing this. A part of him had been telling him that he should turn around and not bother. Fuuko should be the one to tell him, and it was not his problem. But every now and then his conscience would hit him and say... 'for heaven's sake the poor girl has been in down in the dumps and she has lost her mother... I'm sure you know how that...'
He immediately cut that thought from his mind. He noticed Domon and Recca bickering again. Yanagi just smiled (knowing that this was completely normal) and kept on walking knowing that they would catch up eventually.
Yanagi noticed Mikagami standing in the path they were headed. She smiled brightly and went over to him.
"Good Afternoon Sempai, were you waiting for Fuuko? She's not at school today, we have not seen her all day." she said sweetly. Mikagami paused, obviously the group had no idea what had happened. He looked at Yanagi. His heart could not help but soften.
The girl was very similar looking to his dear departed sister Mifiyu, that was a fact he could never get over. Every time he saw Yanagi, he saw a part of his sister. He had always resented Recca a little for having found Yanagi first. How strange he had not noticed her at school before... then again he did not really pay that much attention to the students around him, the school was very big. He had to shake such thoughts. It was not right for him to want someone just because she reminded him of his sister.
"Sempai?"
"I..." for the first time in his life he was at loss for words. He did not know what to say about this topic. He looked at how stupid Recca and Domon were acting. He grumbled inside. Seeing them reminded him of the thought, why was he doing this? Could not Fuuko tell them? Why was he helping the girl? They were not close... (not that he was close to anyone...), he may have picked up some respect for the tomboy over time, but they were definitely not close. Sure the girl was in serious pain at the moment... but... he did not feel it was his place to tell her friends her predicament. But still, he felt as well that he had to do it... in a way he knew how the girl was feeling...
For once in his life... he could empathize...
"... I must talk with you all urgently. This matter concerns Kirisawa." he said almost solemnly.
At the mention of her name, the group eagerly followed Mikagami to the park where they could have more privacy to talk about the matter.
When they arrived Mikagami could feel that Domon was about to pounce on him. Domon disliked the idea of Fuuko and Mikagami spending those times walking together of course. He had no idea what the two got up to away from their eyes. He could only assume of course.
"So, what is it Mikagami?" asked Recca as he crossed his arms looking concerned. He saw Mikagami's usually arrogant look drop to one where he was thoughtful he obviously did not have good news for them.
"... Yesterday... I walked Kirisawa home."
At this point already Domon was having a hard time not jumping at Mikagami for walking her home again. Mikagami only hoped the gorilla would at least hear his entire story out before coming to any conclusions.
"... when we got there, there were two people at her house." He continued. He noticed that he had their complete attention. They seemed to be hanging on every word he was saying. They must have been truly concerned about Fuuko's welfare and what had happened. He could not help but feel strange about the whole thing.
Her friend's obviously cared about her a great deal, so why was Fuuko avoiding them? Why was she forcing herself to be alone at school? She definitely had people who truly cared about her. What was she afraid of??? He looked at Yanagi's eyes... she seemed to be trembling almost. She had cared so much for Fuuko (after all she was one of the people who fought to save for from Mori Kouran's clutches.) that it had made her worry so much.
Mikagami shook the thoughts of and forced himself to tell the group the sad news.
"One was Kirisawa's mother's friend, and the other... was a police officer." he continued. Domon finally unable to stay quiet butt in.
"What?! Is Fuuko-darling in trouble?! Did her mother do something to get in trouble?!"
Mikagami growled a little under his breath. He hated being interrupted in something important.
"If you would let me finish Gorilla-san, I would tell you." he snapped back very typically Mikagami-style. Domon grumbled, but his Fuuko's sake remained quiet.
"The police officer told her that..." Mikagami paused for a moment. He had to think it over first before saying it. Should not Fuuko be telling them this not him? He wondered if she would even say anything. It had been a week before Fuuko had told them that she had lost Ganko... he wondered if she would tell them this? Maybe she did not like being pitied? Nevertheless.... he figured he should say something to explain Fuuko's absences...
"... he told her that her mother had died in a car accident."
Silence....
There was pure silence in the group for the first time in a long time. No one knew what to say for a moment. It was such... a shock...
Recca was the first one to break to silence. He seemed to be visibly upset. He had known Fuuko's mother quite well. After all Fuuko was his longest child hood friend.
"How is Fuuko?! Where is she? Is she alright?!" he blurted out. He seemed a little hysterical. Yanagi felt tears come to her eyes.
"When was this Mikagami?!" she asked louder than she usually spoke. She seemed very worried.
"... the police officer said_"
"... she died three days ago..."
The all suddenly turned around to see where the familiar voice came from.
"Fuuko!?" gasped Recca. He did not know what to do. Should he run over to Fuuko and hug her? Console her? Nothing he could do would make her feel any better. He knew how much she loved her mother, even though, she did not see her that often. It was a 'distance makes the heart miss and grow fonder' relationship...
".... on the way to the airport... coming home..." she finished softly. She looked down a moment then looked at them, she had a painful smile on her face. It was hard to tell if she had been crying or not. Fuuko never cried of course. She'd cry out in pain, but other than that, Fuuko never cried, so no one knew what it looked like if she had cried or not. She looked a little messed up though. Like she did no care what she looked like what she walked out of the house or something.
"Fuuko!" Yanagi ran over to and hugged her.
"I'm so sorry! I'm so so sorry this happened." Yanagi was crying. Fuuko held the girl as well. But she said nothing. She seemed.... monotonous. Like she was emotionless. She was not fighting to hold back any tears. She just looked blank... The group was really surprised at her. Yanagi seemed to be doing enough crying for the both of them.
The smile on Fuuko's face had been wiped away, but there were no tears, but there was no emotions there either. Just a plain serious look.
Mikagami could not help but notice how much that look, looked a lot like his own usual look. He could not believe it...
"Fuuko! Are you alright?!" Domon raced over to her. Even he was smart enough to avoid swooning over her at the moment. She just looked at him. She sighed a little.
"... I'll manage..." she said with a sigh. She looked at Recca with a look of nothingness. She did seem to have a tinge of sadness in her face though.
"... Fuuko... did, you want to stay at my place? There isn't too much room, but it will be just like the old times..." Recca offered knowing that her own house would be empty. (Not that it had not been before the incident, but it was just a thought.)
She smiled softly. Good old Recca...
"No... I'll... I'll manage by myself at home. I... just need to be alone for a while." she managed to say slowly. They group had no idea what to do. What was she doing here? she should be at home... but they did not ask. She was probably looking for them...
She sighed again.
"I... really should get going. I don't think I'll be going to school this week. I've already talked to the principal." she stated. They all nodded.
"I promise I'll visit you tomorrow." Yanagi promised with all the sincerity in the world. Fuuko paused a little.
"... alright. Thank... Thank you." she said. She truly sounded like she appreciate it. She said she had needed to be alone, but she really did not know if she could do it.
Fuuko's tired gaze slowly fell onto Mikagami.
"... Mi.. Mi-chan... would you..." she did not have to finish her sentence. He just stood beside her and nodded, he looked at the group, they all nodded and parted their ways. Though Recca had to drag an inconsolable Domon along.
--
The Sun set seemed strangely slow that late afternoon. There was a strange silence coming from the two who walked against the sunset's orange glow. Kirisawa's usual liveliness seemed to die along with the sunset. She seemed almost emotionless. As if she was tired of being sad, but not in the mood to be happy.
"... Kirisawa..." Mikagami started. With out looking at him Fuuko interrupted.
"It's Fuuko silly." she said with a sigh.
"Fuuko, I must... apologize." he said slowly. She stopped and looked at him for a moment. A sad and confused look in her eyes.
"Why?"
"I should have asked you first if you wanted your friend's to know why you would no be going to school for a while." he said. She shook her head.
"No, it's alright. I... I don't know if I could have told them... with out.." she seemed to be fighting something inside.
"... without?"
She clenched her fist a little. She seemed to be fighting emotions inside. Fighting off the tears perhaps?
"... with out crying." she finally blurted out. He looked confused. What was so bad about that? Sure, he did not cry either, but Fuuko was ACTUALLY a girl and it was alright. When he really thought about it, he had never pictured Fuuko as one of the type of people who cried. Even when they were all emotional when Recca had finally called Kagero his ka-chan (mother) she did not cry. She looked sad, but did not cry unlike, Domon or Yanagi. He and Fuuko were a like in a few ways, he figured.
"You're a girl Fuuko, you are allowed to cry." he stated a matter of factly. She shrugged a little.
"I.. I don't want them to see me cry. No one is allowed to see me cry." she stated strongly. She felt strange allowing a small part of her mind to his knowledge. He looked at her in surprise.
"Why in the world would you think that?" he asked. She sniffed a little still fighting the tears.
"You don't know me Mi-ch_ Mikagami." she corrected herself, she was in no mood to call him Mi-chan, there was not any humor in what she was feeling. She stood there against the light of the sunset with a strong resolve in her eyes. Though Mikagami could not help but notice her eyes growing moist.
"All my life... All my life I've had to take care of myself. While the other girl's had their older sisters, mother's female friends even barbie dolls to rely on, I... I had no one. In my neighborhood I grew up with boys. Mainly Recca. I had to be like them if I wanted to have friends... boys don't cry. Boys grow up to be strong. I'm not a guy but I have to be strong. Strong people don't cry. My mother would not want me to cry." she got gradually louder as she spoke on. As if she was feeling more confident about telling him her feelings.
"... but Fuuko." He did not know why he would rebuttal her... he was guilty of a lot of the same things. He had told Yanagi when he first met her that he had locked his emotions away for something, namely his sister. Fuuko was doing similar things herself. He hated to think that she was becoming a lot like him. It was like he was looking at what the other's thought of him.
"... no butts Mikagami, I... I don't want to cry, I don't want everyone to see me cry. If I make everything see me as being strong, they'll leave me alone, they won't help me, because they know I don't need help. I know I scare away some people at school. Sure... sure it gets lonely sometimes, but I can get passed it, if I distract myself. That's why I've been trying so hard to beat Recca... its a good distraction, it makes me try really hard... but... also, I've been trying to do it for more than ten years. It is shameful that I can't do what you did on your first fight with him." she seemed to be babbling thoughts out now.
"I'm sorry, I'm just spitting out random thoughts. You don't have to listen... who am I to you anyway..." she let out a long breath as if feeling relieved she had said a lot off her mind to someone.
Mikagami just stood there. She was exactly the same as him. She did not want people to get close to her. She just did it in a different way. She did it with her insane happiness and vibrant personality. People just saw her as being very vibrant and out going, with an overly happy personality. (though that seemed to have disappeared in the last month.) She hid her pain behind her vivacious smile. Just like when she was fighting Gashakura at the Urabotousatsajin when she got hit by the laser fence. They knew she had been badly injured and should have stopped fighting. When they asked if she was in pain she said...
'It does not hurt at all'
And then she smiled, though she did wince in pain a little.
It was all a lie. She refused to acknowledge her pain or show it to others...
"... it is... lonely.. isn't it." he sighed a little. He did not answer her comment about what she was to him, because right now he did not know. All he knew was he was being there for her. He really could not place a logical reason to why he had started to hang around her more recently. Sure she seemed to be the only person who was not intimidated by him in the slightest, (minus Recca and Domon, but they weren't exactly his first choice for a friendly conversation.), but there had to be more than it than that. She looked at him puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
"Not letting people get close to you... you stop people from being able to hurt you, but, it's lonely." he said as if knowing how she felt. She shrugged a little.
"If you don't let people get close to you, they don't have to know about the problems and pain in your life." she concluded. She did not want her friends to know about her loneliness, especially what stresses were happening at home at the moment. It was funny in a way that she was leaning on Mikagami of all people.
The two just headed towards Fuuko's house. Fuuko picked up the mail and looked through is as they went inside. The sun had set and it was getting late and Fuuko had offered to cook him dinner. They remained silent as she slowly looked through the mail.
As Fuuko sort through the mail she suddenly stopped. Mikagami noticed her pause. He could not help but worry about what it was this time.
"What's the matter?" he asked lifting himself off the couch he had just recently relaxed on. She felt the tears come to her eyes as she opened the mail and quickly read it.
'Dear Fuuko
How are you Big Sister, I miss you so much. I'm sorry I have not written much! I've been settling in to my new family.
I'm wondering how you and your mom are doing?
I miss you so much Fuuko, things are not the same with out you.
But the family I am staying with is great too. I have a new brother and sister. Mai is my older sister and Misao is my younger
brother. They are both so much fun. But I would really want to live with you instead still.
But it does not matter too much, because I have great news, guess what! We're moving house soon and the house just happens
to be very close to your house! Isn't that great!
That way I'll get to see you again more often rather than the long train ride!
I'll be looking forward to seeing you again in a few weeks Fuuko!
Love Ganko.'
P.S. Say hi to your mom!
P.S.S Have you beaten Recca yet??
P.S.S.S. I love you!
Mikagami read the letter with her. He suddenly noticed her choke a little. A wet mark fell on the pretty pink paper that Ganko had written on. Mikagami found himself put his hands on her shoulder encouragingly and softly. Fuuko held the letter to her chest. She seemed to choke on a few sobs slowly.
"... that's... that's nice..." she found herself say throw her little sobs. She smiled very softly. She was fighting back from bursting out in tears. Mikagami slowly turned her around him as he faced her. She looked down as if shamed he had seen a tear run down her face. He knew no matter what anyone could do, no one could bring Fuuko's mother back and make Fuuko feel better from what had happened. But this piece of news was a ray of sunshine on Fuuko's darkest moments... He could not blame her for finally breaking down.
Actually he had seen her in a new light. He had learnt a lot about her in the short few weeks they had spent time together. More than he had learnt in the 7 months he had known her. Yes he had already had respect for her fighting abilities and her good nature as he had seen at the Tournament. But now he had seen more of her heart... he could see she hurt just like he had. When he really thought about it, there was no better person in their group of Hokage that could and should be with her right now than him. Only he had really had someone very close to him taken away from him. He also had been alone at home most his life. He had lost his parents first, and then his dearest sister Mifiyu. Like Fuuko who had lost parents and in a way lost her own sister, there was no one else who could possibly understand her pain.
He had seen first hand what losing a love one could do to the soul, no matter how strong or happy the person seemed. He had been a happy child also, a long time ago.
He saw her lift her face to face his. She had forced a smile. Her deep blue eyes welling up with moisture. He looked deep into them and saw how beautiful they were. No matter what everyone said about how tomboyish she was, she was still a girl... a woman... she had feelings too, just like him. It was strange having her face so close to his. But this was not the time to think such things...
"This.. this really is really nice..." she smiled. She choked one last time in a her sobs before Mikagami realized she could hold them back no longer. He let her lean her head on his chest as she clenched his shirt tightly as she felt the tension inside of her build up.
Just this once he would let someone close... just this once.
She held on to his shirt tightly as she felt unable to hold her tears back any longer.
"I'm sorry...I..."
"It's alright... you're allowed to..."
Finally she let it all out, in the arms of the most unlikely person... Fuuko Kirisawa cried...
**********
phew...
that one was kinda long, but i did not want know where to end the chapter anywhere.. so i decided to keep going. Well there, things are starting to head up.
Should I keep writing? If I keep going it will be concentrating more on the Tofu and the rest of the Hokage! Wow so glad I finally wrote that chapter, I was starting to hit writers block, luckily i didn't @_@
anyway, please review if you have the time! I really appreciate it, when i get a review i get more motivation to write more. I wanna keep the Tofuishness going! And i was wondering if I could make Fuuko finally beat recca in a fight? who knows! depends on my reviews or what comes to mind! :P love you all!