chapter eight..
I'm so sorry for being so slow! I would blame in on festive season vacation and not being home at all and coming back to routine euphoria! but not excuse is good enough for taking so long. A thousand apologies!
On another note I have FINALLY edited the OTHER chapters. My microsoft word is gone to the mental asylum and I don't have a spell checker and could not be bothered to edit stories the LONG way! :P but I finally did it!
Lots of little lines and other things have been added into the story line! I hope if it interests anyone to take a moment... or a while (since it's so long!) to read again it you want! thank you everyone for your support!
And please if you have the time, please Review, I am extremely happy you have taken the time to read it, it is my first ever series and story on the net, I really appreciate it all! :) thank you!
Yes this is the second last chapter people!
In the next chapter i will be thanking EVERYONE who has reviewed before the next chapter comes out and that will probably be pretty soon since it's already started!
Disclaimer: Gosh it's weird how one line can get so annoying to write. Ok I don't own Flame of Recca at all, but i can always dream :P
ON WITH THE SHOW!
_______________
"…… Raiha…"
She stared at him for a while looking up from the ground to who had spoken to her.
Because of who he was and who she was… one would have expected her to add more emphasize on his name. Even Raiha was a little surprised.
He was expecting a RAIHA?! Or YOU?! Or something more lively.
The man showed her a friendly smile. Fuuko just looked at him for a while. She had no words to say really… she knew who this man was and she knew what she was to him...
He was Uruha… and she was Hokage. She was the Fuujin master and he was the Raijin master. Two opposing forces. But yet, he had saved her life that other time when he did not have to. Though his reason was, they were destined to fight, saving a life is saving a life...
She was not wearing the fuujin today. So she knew… there was something that made her know there was no need to worry. He was not after her today.
"What do you want Raiha?" she asked as she sat idly on the swings.
Raiha smiled a little. She did not seem at all surprised to see him. He had always admired the Fuujin master. Most people would think it was a romantic interest… but it was not like that. It really was not. He had not known her long enough to feel that way. He had admired her spirit at the Urabotousatsajin. It was her fight that had made him decide to want to protect the Hokage and the Uruha.
Her tenacity, her abilities, her instinct... her compassion. She was the perfect master for the Fuujin… and a perfect rival for the raijin. He had decided that he would look out for her as well as the Uruha and Kurei-sama.
Well…till the day came that their elemental weapons would fight.
But that day was not today…
"I was in the area. I sensed your presence, rather, raijin drew me to its rival… fuujin's master." He admitted. He was a bluntly honest man, but he still had a strange friendly presence. She felt no fear when he mention his own raijin. She looked at him and smiled a little.
She had no ill feelings towards the man, of all the Uruha, he was the only one that seemed to have his priorities in check, the only stable 'non-psychotic' one anyway. Anyway above all he still had saved her life no matter what the reason. There was something about the guy that made her feel at ease, it was the complete opposite feeling she got around Mikagami. With him she had to be on guard at all times whether to poke fun at him or something a little more serious. Raiha… he was like an old friend even though he was not, God forbid the older brother feeling about him. That was not the right phrase to describe him, but given time and another lifestyle, they would probably be on the same team rather against each other. But for the time being what side each one was on was not an issue.
They had only one real meeting, but the way he had treated her, and the feeling she was left with… she could only smile at his memory. She felt her feelings for Mikagami being betrayed a little. But she shook those thoughts away. No matter the situation… he was Uruha, she was Hokage, he was raijin, she was fuujin. Nothing could change that… and she had no intention in making her life any more difficult than it already was.
They could just spend this time together pretending they were close friends. Even though that was impossible.
"How… is Kurei?" she could not help but ask. She knew of his devotion to the man. She respected such loyalty… even if it was against her own team She still admired his personality.
"We are still looking for him, the Uraha is lost with out him, Neon is also missing, chances are find Neon, find Kurei-Sama…" he looked at Fuuko with a smile. He ventured over to the swing next to her.
"May I?" he asked politely.
"free country…" she sighed a little as she said it, there was obviously something heavy on her mind. She was I her own world even with her future rival and potential enemy next to her.
He sat down and looked at Fuuko. Her eyes have become so solemn. What drags my dear rival down so? Well everyone has their days… He felt it nice to come talk to her. His Raijin had felt her presence and he was led to her unconsciously. He laughed inwardly. It was not a good idea to converse often with a future opponent, but he remembered Fuuko's brightly personality and decided he wanted to meet her again. She had still left an impression on his mind. She would definitely be a good opponent in the future. Perhaps even good enough to beat his own Raijin…
Though he knew it was him who kept her from advancing, he had something she wanted… needed for Fuujin. Fuujin was weak now… it needed something he could give her. But by the look on Fuuko's face… today was not the day. Perhaps another day… no matter how much raijin longed for the battle, today was not the day…
The Kaze' Crystal would remain in his hands for now…
"A strange question you ask of me. I did not think Kurei's welfare was of any concern to you." He said. She shrugged a little. In truth it did not matter too much to her what had happened to Kurei. It had been a topic opener at first. But she could really understand why Raiha would still be looking for his friend… or leader. Raiha struck her as an extremely good friend type and loyal. She half wished her circumstances were different… He would have made a great boyfriend type. She laughed inwardly. Thought she was sure she would have to fought off most the girls in school to get to a guy like him. He was the exact opposite to Mikagami…
Two extremes… that's probably would helped make them so appealing.
She sighed a little.
"I understand you must really care about Kurei… he did try to kill us and take away my friends… but strangely enough, I can understand he's not completely mad… he had his reasons… everything happens for a reason." She said, as if trying to convince herself of her own circumstances. She looked at Raiha for a little. He smiled a little.
"You're much smarter than I originally thought."
"uuhhh… right…" back handed compliment anyone? She thought to herself.
"So tell me Fuuko Kirisawa… what weighs so heavily on your mind that you are here in a children's play ground, sitting with a former enemy with out so much as lifting an eyebrow?" he inquired slightly humorously.
She shrugged a little. She honestly did not know what answer to give him except, 'oh, you just don't seem as psychotic as the rest of them?'. If it had been any other of the Uruha, she would have taken defensive position immediately. But Raiha was different. He displayed a different personality to the rest of them. She could not help but trust him. Koganai had spoke of him often when they talked of the Uruha. He always spoke highly of the Raijin Master. She had decided if anything bad happened while he was here, she would beat Koganai up for making her falsely trust him.
"It's a little bit of a long story." She said gripping on to the swings a little more tightly as she thought about her situation.
"Are you sad?" he asked sincerely.
She immediately shook her head. Why did this man care about how she felt? Perhaps he was just the caring type. Mikagami would never ask such a thing. She paused heavily. She suddenly realized why he would not ask that sort of question. Mikagami's way of helping someone feel better was to push them on, not to wallow on what had happened, even if he did not know what it was. That was how he had MADE her move on, and why she liked him. She was that way as well.
Opposite to him, Raiha would actively ask what was the matter and take the time to listen. Two men, with different ways of helping one move on. The only thing was why was Raiha asking what was the matter? She then remembered that Koganai had said he cared about even prisoners who had been kidnapped by them, he just had a caring personality, he was not big on the killing… but even so, if Kurei-sama asked it, he would still put his duty over his feelings. She knew she was one of his duties, but not today…
For today, he obviously would care about her.
"Not really. I've been through a lot. I don't look than I have, well maybe today I look it, but usually I don't. Well… things have been pretty hard the last few weeks… this situation compared to everything else… seems so insignificant… but even so… I still feel a little dreary about it. But I'm also proud of myself." she admitted with a sad smile.
Raiha blinked a little puzzled. He laughed a little. She could not help how wonderful and comforting his voice was.
"Enlighten me, because I have no idea what you are talking about." He said scratching his head goofily. Fuuko looked at him and could not help smile. This guy was kind of fun. Constantly she thought of, if only circumstances were different…
"I know it's going to sound childish… but today I admitted how I felt towards someone…"
Raiha's face grew into a smile as if he thought it was cute, or funny. He immediately put his hand on her shoulder. She almost gasped when she did that.
"That's wonderful, tell me, who was the lucky man." He said completely innocently and oblivious to the idea that she was here because he had not returned her love? Or was he? She wondered. She looked at Raiha, he seemed genuinely happy for her. She could not help but smile. He reminded her of a guy Yanagi in a way, but with more forwardness and more strength in his voice.
"Well… you probably know him, I dunno, it's kinda hard to talk about." She found herself saying sheepishly. She started to go red in the face. What was she doing?! Here she was Fuuko Kirisawa acting girlish in front of a guy! In front of her future arch rival (Recca was beginning to fall second.) Raiha was second only to Kurei, this guy was dangerous and she was being so relaxed around him!
She immediately got off her swing, the determined lively girl instantly returned into her eyes. She put her hands on her hips and looked at Raiha.
"I don't know what you're really doing here Raiha, but I have not got the Fuujin with me right now. If you want a fight it will have to be another day." She declared. He just looked at her with a smile.
"That's not why I'm here of course, or I would have done something already." He could not help but smile. The girl was truly an interesting one… she had the kinda of personality that made him want to smile when he saw her. So much life, so much to live for… he hoped he would not have to take that away one day…
"So… what are you really here for Raiha?" she asked. He shrugged.
"Like I said I felt your presence in the area… plus, when I saw you, you looked very down. Please, tell me what is on your mind." He said more sincerely than Yanagi could ever pull off. Fuuko just stood there for a while. Is that why he was really here? She could not help but admit to herself, she really wanted to talk about what had been happening the last few months with someone. She had not talk to anyone about the full story. She really wanted to tell someone about Mikagami. She had only told Yanagi of vague possibilities that might like. She had every intention in asking her what to do. But if somehow Recca found out, she would never hear the end of it. Raiha's offer was extremely tempting.
She scanned the look on his face once again. There was not one lie on his face that could be seen. He was hear… only to see her. To listen…
"You… really are here to see me today… aren't you…" she said almost softly as if she was touched. He smiled a little goofily.
"Of course Fuuko Kirisawa… I do not mind looking out for you, till the day that we fight comes. After all I had told Kurei that I would look over both the Uruha and the Hokage… you are no exception." He said honestly.
Fuuko wondered if there was any attraction happening between them. Is that why he has here. She looked into his eyes... there was nothing but sincerity in them. He had to be here just to wonder about her today.
She sat back down on the swings. She sighed a little.
"So go on, tell me what is on your mind. Who was the lucky man, and how did it go?"
She shot him a little glare, but not directed at him.
"Ah! If I'm sitting here so down looking, do you really think it went well??" she said exasperated. He smiled a little.
"Oh, I'm sorry, i was just waiting for you to tell me first before I made any assumptions." he said with a shrug.
She sighed.
"If you need to know, I told Mikagami Tokiya, the jerk himself, that I liked him..." she started to trail off. She felt her cheeks go red as she opened her mouth to finish the sentence, she did not want to see the look on his face when she finished the sentence.
"... that I.... love him..." she almost whispered. She was silent for a little while then groaned heavily.
"Hey, aren't you going to say anything, like oh that's so nice, oh I'm so sorry for you?" she asked expectantly with a twist of sarcasm. He smiled.
"Begging your pardon, but I don't think Mikagami Tokiya-san is the type of young man who would submit himself to love, even if he felt the same way." he admitted to her. Fuuko's eyes went up. What?
"What? H-how do you know something like that about Mikagami? You... you don't even know him." she said softly. She started to feel an uneasy feeling in her stomach. How did he make such an observation??
"Believe it or not, Mikagami-san and I share a lot in common, he may act different to me, but I can tell by the way he was in the tournament we share the same conviction. The same unbiased view on things. He does not strike me as the type that would choose to be with someone. If he really cared about you, he would choose not to be with you."
Fuuko sat there blank.
".... what?? What do you mean? Please explain this to me." she looking longingly for an answer to her rejection. She was almost sure he would at least show some sign of affection to reciprocate her own. But he did not. Why had he spent so much time with her if he did not at least care.
"Perhaps he is afraid. Someone with such a attitude as he, does not submit to a lover so easily." he explained.
"You mean... he's afraid of being with me? But why?" she was getting closer to shaking the guy for answers, this was the first exciting news she had heard in ages.
"Are not the two of you good friends?" he asked. "Please explain your relationship to me so I can understand."
"Well..... how long have you got?"
Fuuko spent the next half hour relating her story of the last few weeks to him. And he had sat there listening intently, never losing eyes contact with her. She seemed so passionate and devoted to speaking with him about her situation that he could not look away.
"... when I told him how I felt... he did not return it, rather he rejected me entirely. But... but I'm kinda happy."
She looked down slowly breaking his eyes contact with her.
"I'm happy that I've told someone I love them... Even if they didn't return it. I'm happy that I at least told them, other wise I would have gone crazy... at least compared to everything else that has happened... this isn't so bad..." she was solemn for a moment. Raiha suddenly got up from the swings and turned away from her.
"Raiha?" she wondered what he was doing, he was leaving now? Without giving her a comment?
"... I would not be too worried about this issue Fuuko Kirisawa-san, things will eventually turn out your way."
She got up from the swings and faced Raiha's back.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Mikagami-san... he would not have done everything that he did if he did not at least care something for you. He did all those things to be there for you, even if he does not realize it he loves you in some form of way... and I has nothing to do with how he feels about his sister." he said referring to the idea that he may love Yanagi because she reminds him of his departed sister Mifuyu.
"That is a greatest compliment of all, that he can put his feelings for his sister and her look-alike, to spend time with you Fuuko-san... like you said, he does not show his feelings through words, rather through actions." he stated with out looking at her.
"... you... think so..."
"Don't worry Fuuko-san... he will come around... I bet my life on it." he said with a soft confidence. Fuuko just stared at him for a moment. She then heard him laugh softly as he started to walk away.
"Well so long, Fuuko-san... It was nice meeting you again." he admitted as he turned to look at her. She smiled a little. She felt a little sad he was going so soon.
"You... too." she almost regretted saying that, she was not meant to say that towards the man who was to be her future rival. He laughed a little again.
"You know... if things were different and we weren't rivals." he smiled.
"I would have given Mikagami-san a run for his money." he admitted. She just stared at him.
"Unfortunate, perhaps in the next life." he smiled and turned away to leave. She just stood there and wished him farewell. She then smiled a little, she had tingling sensation in her heart and she could not help but watch him go.
He was right... if things were different and if 'worlds were upside down' and there was not Uruha and Hokage... she would have fallen for him easily. But it was never to be... her heart belonged to another. And she was reminded once again of who she was.
She was Fuuko Kirisawa... she was a tomboy, though still quite female, loud, but compassionate, optimistic... and tenacious.
Definitely tenacious! She suddenly looked determined again.
Why was she wallowing here about someone she cared about. She suddenly started off home to ready for the next day.
It was obvious to her that Mikagami cared about her in some way, so even though he did not show it, she was going to get it out of him. It was not like her to sit her drowning it self pity.
"I'm gonna make you admit you love me!" she laughed to herself, she suddenly started to laugh out loud, a way only a girl like Fuuko Kirisawa would. As she walked a long she could not help but feel a little apprehensive. She hoped with all her heart that Raiha was right about what he said about how Mikagami felt.
Was she wishing against reality?
She smiled and entered her house and flopped on to the couch. The silence of the house did not seem to bother her anymore. It was not going to be hers for very long anyway. She was going to move out eventually, she had decided the house was too big for just one person and too spacy for her. But even so, for the first time in a long time she did not feel sorry for herself, rather she felt the mental will, and strength that only Fuuko Kirisawa could attain return to her.
She held one of the couch pillows and smiled.
"Thank you... Raiha..."
--
I'm so sorry for being so slow! I would blame in on festive season vacation and not being home at all and coming back to routine euphoria! but not excuse is good enough for taking so long. A thousand apologies!
On another note I have FINALLY edited the OTHER chapters. My microsoft word is gone to the mental asylum and I don't have a spell checker and could not be bothered to edit stories the LONG way! :P but I finally did it!
Lots of little lines and other things have been added into the story line! I hope if it interests anyone to take a moment... or a while (since it's so long!) to read again it you want! thank you everyone for your support!
And please if you have the time, please Review, I am extremely happy you have taken the time to read it, it is my first ever series and story on the net, I really appreciate it all! :) thank you!
Yes this is the second last chapter people!
In the next chapter i will be thanking EVERYONE who has reviewed before the next chapter comes out and that will probably be pretty soon since it's already started!
Disclaimer: Gosh it's weird how one line can get so annoying to write. Ok I don't own Flame of Recca at all, but i can always dream :P
ON WITH THE SHOW!
_______________
"…… Raiha…"
She stared at him for a while looking up from the ground to who had spoken to her.
Because of who he was and who she was… one would have expected her to add more emphasize on his name. Even Raiha was a little surprised.
He was expecting a RAIHA?! Or YOU?! Or something more lively.
The man showed her a friendly smile. Fuuko just looked at him for a while. She had no words to say really… she knew who this man was and she knew what she was to him...
He was Uruha… and she was Hokage. She was the Fuujin master and he was the Raijin master. Two opposing forces. But yet, he had saved her life that other time when he did not have to. Though his reason was, they were destined to fight, saving a life is saving a life...
She was not wearing the fuujin today. So she knew… there was something that made her know there was no need to worry. He was not after her today.
"What do you want Raiha?" she asked as she sat idly on the swings.
Raiha smiled a little. She did not seem at all surprised to see him. He had always admired the Fuujin master. Most people would think it was a romantic interest… but it was not like that. It really was not. He had not known her long enough to feel that way. He had admired her spirit at the Urabotousatsajin. It was her fight that had made him decide to want to protect the Hokage and the Uruha.
Her tenacity, her abilities, her instinct... her compassion. She was the perfect master for the Fuujin… and a perfect rival for the raijin. He had decided that he would look out for her as well as the Uruha and Kurei-sama.
Well…till the day came that their elemental weapons would fight.
But that day was not today…
"I was in the area. I sensed your presence, rather, raijin drew me to its rival… fuujin's master." He admitted. He was a bluntly honest man, but he still had a strange friendly presence. She felt no fear when he mention his own raijin. She looked at him and smiled a little.
She had no ill feelings towards the man, of all the Uruha, he was the only one that seemed to have his priorities in check, the only stable 'non-psychotic' one anyway. Anyway above all he still had saved her life no matter what the reason. There was something about the guy that made her feel at ease, it was the complete opposite feeling she got around Mikagami. With him she had to be on guard at all times whether to poke fun at him or something a little more serious. Raiha… he was like an old friend even though he was not, God forbid the older brother feeling about him. That was not the right phrase to describe him, but given time and another lifestyle, they would probably be on the same team rather against each other. But for the time being what side each one was on was not an issue.
They had only one real meeting, but the way he had treated her, and the feeling she was left with… she could only smile at his memory. She felt her feelings for Mikagami being betrayed a little. But she shook those thoughts away. No matter the situation… he was Uruha, she was Hokage, he was raijin, she was fuujin. Nothing could change that… and she had no intention in making her life any more difficult than it already was.
They could just spend this time together pretending they were close friends. Even though that was impossible.
"How… is Kurei?" she could not help but ask. She knew of his devotion to the man. She respected such loyalty… even if it was against her own team She still admired his personality.
"We are still looking for him, the Uraha is lost with out him, Neon is also missing, chances are find Neon, find Kurei-Sama…" he looked at Fuuko with a smile. He ventured over to the swing next to her.
"May I?" he asked politely.
"free country…" she sighed a little as she said it, there was obviously something heavy on her mind. She was I her own world even with her future rival and potential enemy next to her.
He sat down and looked at Fuuko. Her eyes have become so solemn. What drags my dear rival down so? Well everyone has their days… He felt it nice to come talk to her. His Raijin had felt her presence and he was led to her unconsciously. He laughed inwardly. It was not a good idea to converse often with a future opponent, but he remembered Fuuko's brightly personality and decided he wanted to meet her again. She had still left an impression on his mind. She would definitely be a good opponent in the future. Perhaps even good enough to beat his own Raijin…
Though he knew it was him who kept her from advancing, he had something she wanted… needed for Fuujin. Fuujin was weak now… it needed something he could give her. But by the look on Fuuko's face… today was not the day. Perhaps another day… no matter how much raijin longed for the battle, today was not the day…
The Kaze' Crystal would remain in his hands for now…
"A strange question you ask of me. I did not think Kurei's welfare was of any concern to you." He said. She shrugged a little. In truth it did not matter too much to her what had happened to Kurei. It had been a topic opener at first. But she could really understand why Raiha would still be looking for his friend… or leader. Raiha struck her as an extremely good friend type and loyal. She half wished her circumstances were different… He would have made a great boyfriend type. She laughed inwardly. Thought she was sure she would have to fought off most the girls in school to get to a guy like him. He was the exact opposite to Mikagami…
Two extremes… that's probably would helped make them so appealing.
She sighed a little.
"I understand you must really care about Kurei… he did try to kill us and take away my friends… but strangely enough, I can understand he's not completely mad… he had his reasons… everything happens for a reason." She said, as if trying to convince herself of her own circumstances. She looked at Raiha for a little. He smiled a little.
"You're much smarter than I originally thought."
"uuhhh… right…" back handed compliment anyone? She thought to herself.
"So tell me Fuuko Kirisawa… what weighs so heavily on your mind that you are here in a children's play ground, sitting with a former enemy with out so much as lifting an eyebrow?" he inquired slightly humorously.
She shrugged a little. She honestly did not know what answer to give him except, 'oh, you just don't seem as psychotic as the rest of them?'. If it had been any other of the Uruha, she would have taken defensive position immediately. But Raiha was different. He displayed a different personality to the rest of them. She could not help but trust him. Koganai had spoke of him often when they talked of the Uruha. He always spoke highly of the Raijin Master. She had decided if anything bad happened while he was here, she would beat Koganai up for making her falsely trust him.
"It's a little bit of a long story." She said gripping on to the swings a little more tightly as she thought about her situation.
"Are you sad?" he asked sincerely.
She immediately shook her head. Why did this man care about how she felt? Perhaps he was just the caring type. Mikagami would never ask such a thing. She paused heavily. She suddenly realized why he would not ask that sort of question. Mikagami's way of helping someone feel better was to push them on, not to wallow on what had happened, even if he did not know what it was. That was how he had MADE her move on, and why she liked him. She was that way as well.
Opposite to him, Raiha would actively ask what was the matter and take the time to listen. Two men, with different ways of helping one move on. The only thing was why was Raiha asking what was the matter? She then remembered that Koganai had said he cared about even prisoners who had been kidnapped by them, he just had a caring personality, he was not big on the killing… but even so, if Kurei-sama asked it, he would still put his duty over his feelings. She knew she was one of his duties, but not today…
For today, he obviously would care about her.
"Not really. I've been through a lot. I don't look than I have, well maybe today I look it, but usually I don't. Well… things have been pretty hard the last few weeks… this situation compared to everything else… seems so insignificant… but even so… I still feel a little dreary about it. But I'm also proud of myself." she admitted with a sad smile.
Raiha blinked a little puzzled. He laughed a little. She could not help how wonderful and comforting his voice was.
"Enlighten me, because I have no idea what you are talking about." He said scratching his head goofily. Fuuko looked at him and could not help smile. This guy was kind of fun. Constantly she thought of, if only circumstances were different…
"I know it's going to sound childish… but today I admitted how I felt towards someone…"
Raiha's face grew into a smile as if he thought it was cute, or funny. He immediately put his hand on her shoulder. She almost gasped when she did that.
"That's wonderful, tell me, who was the lucky man." He said completely innocently and oblivious to the idea that she was here because he had not returned her love? Or was he? She wondered. She looked at Raiha, he seemed genuinely happy for her. She could not help but smile. He reminded her of a guy Yanagi in a way, but with more forwardness and more strength in his voice.
"Well… you probably know him, I dunno, it's kinda hard to talk about." She found herself saying sheepishly. She started to go red in the face. What was she doing?! Here she was Fuuko Kirisawa acting girlish in front of a guy! In front of her future arch rival (Recca was beginning to fall second.) Raiha was second only to Kurei, this guy was dangerous and she was being so relaxed around him!
She immediately got off her swing, the determined lively girl instantly returned into her eyes. She put her hands on her hips and looked at Raiha.
"I don't know what you're really doing here Raiha, but I have not got the Fuujin with me right now. If you want a fight it will have to be another day." She declared. He just looked at her with a smile.
"That's not why I'm here of course, or I would have done something already." He could not help but smile. The girl was truly an interesting one… she had the kinda of personality that made him want to smile when he saw her. So much life, so much to live for… he hoped he would not have to take that away one day…
"So… what are you really here for Raiha?" she asked. He shrugged.
"Like I said I felt your presence in the area… plus, when I saw you, you looked very down. Please, tell me what is on your mind." He said more sincerely than Yanagi could ever pull off. Fuuko just stood there for a while. Is that why he was really here? She could not help but admit to herself, she really wanted to talk about what had been happening the last few months with someone. She had not talk to anyone about the full story. She really wanted to tell someone about Mikagami. She had only told Yanagi of vague possibilities that might like. She had every intention in asking her what to do. But if somehow Recca found out, she would never hear the end of it. Raiha's offer was extremely tempting.
She scanned the look on his face once again. There was not one lie on his face that could be seen. He was hear… only to see her. To listen…
"You… really are here to see me today… aren't you…" she said almost softly as if she was touched. He smiled a little goofily.
"Of course Fuuko Kirisawa… I do not mind looking out for you, till the day that we fight comes. After all I had told Kurei that I would look over both the Uruha and the Hokage… you are no exception." He said honestly.
Fuuko wondered if there was any attraction happening between them. Is that why he has here. She looked into his eyes... there was nothing but sincerity in them. He had to be here just to wonder about her today.
She sat back down on the swings. She sighed a little.
"So go on, tell me what is on your mind. Who was the lucky man, and how did it go?"
She shot him a little glare, but not directed at him.
"Ah! If I'm sitting here so down looking, do you really think it went well??" she said exasperated. He smiled a little.
"Oh, I'm sorry, i was just waiting for you to tell me first before I made any assumptions." he said with a shrug.
She sighed.
"If you need to know, I told Mikagami Tokiya, the jerk himself, that I liked him..." she started to trail off. She felt her cheeks go red as she opened her mouth to finish the sentence, she did not want to see the look on his face when she finished the sentence.
"... that I.... love him..." she almost whispered. She was silent for a little while then groaned heavily.
"Hey, aren't you going to say anything, like oh that's so nice, oh I'm so sorry for you?" she asked expectantly with a twist of sarcasm. He smiled.
"Begging your pardon, but I don't think Mikagami Tokiya-san is the type of young man who would submit himself to love, even if he felt the same way." he admitted to her. Fuuko's eyes went up. What?
"What? H-how do you know something like that about Mikagami? You... you don't even know him." she said softly. She started to feel an uneasy feeling in her stomach. How did he make such an observation??
"Believe it or not, Mikagami-san and I share a lot in common, he may act different to me, but I can tell by the way he was in the tournament we share the same conviction. The same unbiased view on things. He does not strike me as the type that would choose to be with someone. If he really cared about you, he would choose not to be with you."
Fuuko sat there blank.
".... what?? What do you mean? Please explain this to me." she looking longingly for an answer to her rejection. She was almost sure he would at least show some sign of affection to reciprocate her own. But he did not. Why had he spent so much time with her if he did not at least care.
"Perhaps he is afraid. Someone with such a attitude as he, does not submit to a lover so easily." he explained.
"You mean... he's afraid of being with me? But why?" she was getting closer to shaking the guy for answers, this was the first exciting news she had heard in ages.
"Are not the two of you good friends?" he asked. "Please explain your relationship to me so I can understand."
"Well..... how long have you got?"
Fuuko spent the next half hour relating her story of the last few weeks to him. And he had sat there listening intently, never losing eyes contact with her. She seemed so passionate and devoted to speaking with him about her situation that he could not look away.
"... when I told him how I felt... he did not return it, rather he rejected me entirely. But... but I'm kinda happy."
She looked down slowly breaking his eyes contact with her.
"I'm happy that I've told someone I love them... Even if they didn't return it. I'm happy that I at least told them, other wise I would have gone crazy... at least compared to everything else that has happened... this isn't so bad..." she was solemn for a moment. Raiha suddenly got up from the swings and turned away from her.
"Raiha?" she wondered what he was doing, he was leaving now? Without giving her a comment?
"... I would not be too worried about this issue Fuuko Kirisawa-san, things will eventually turn out your way."
She got up from the swings and faced Raiha's back.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Mikagami-san... he would not have done everything that he did if he did not at least care something for you. He did all those things to be there for you, even if he does not realize it he loves you in some form of way... and I has nothing to do with how he feels about his sister." he said referring to the idea that he may love Yanagi because she reminds him of his departed sister Mifuyu.
"That is a greatest compliment of all, that he can put his feelings for his sister and her look-alike, to spend time with you Fuuko-san... like you said, he does not show his feelings through words, rather through actions." he stated with out looking at her.
"... you... think so..."
"Don't worry Fuuko-san... he will come around... I bet my life on it." he said with a soft confidence. Fuuko just stared at him for a moment. She then heard him laugh softly as he started to walk away.
"Well so long, Fuuko-san... It was nice meeting you again." he admitted as he turned to look at her. She smiled a little. She felt a little sad he was going so soon.
"You... too." she almost regretted saying that, she was not meant to say that towards the man who was to be her future rival. He laughed a little again.
"You know... if things were different and we weren't rivals." he smiled.
"I would have given Mikagami-san a run for his money." he admitted. She just stared at him.
"Unfortunate, perhaps in the next life." he smiled and turned away to leave. She just stood there and wished him farewell. She then smiled a little, she had tingling sensation in her heart and she could not help but watch him go.
He was right... if things were different and if 'worlds were upside down' and there was not Uruha and Hokage... she would have fallen for him easily. But it was never to be... her heart belonged to another. And she was reminded once again of who she was.
She was Fuuko Kirisawa... she was a tomboy, though still quite female, loud, but compassionate, optimistic... and tenacious.
Definitely tenacious! She suddenly looked determined again.
Why was she wallowing here about someone she cared about. She suddenly started off home to ready for the next day.
It was obvious to her that Mikagami cared about her in some way, so even though he did not show it, she was going to get it out of him. It was not like her to sit her drowning it self pity.
"I'm gonna make you admit you love me!" she laughed to herself, she suddenly started to laugh out loud, a way only a girl like Fuuko Kirisawa would. As she walked a long she could not help but feel a little apprehensive. She hoped with all her heart that Raiha was right about what he said about how Mikagami felt.
Was she wishing against reality?
She smiled and entered her house and flopped on to the couch. The silence of the house did not seem to bother her anymore. It was not going to be hers for very long anyway. She was going to move out eventually, she had decided the house was too big for just one person and too spacy for her. But even so, for the first time in a long time she did not feel sorry for herself, rather she felt the mental will, and strength that only Fuuko Kirisawa could attain return to her.
She held one of the couch pillows and smiled.
"Thank you... Raiha..."
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