AN: hahaz! Finalli!! I've FINALLY updated this story. I am so sorry for this late late late update but my mum banned me from the computer yeah and like I wrote out the whole last chappie onli to lose it so I reali was so pissed and I cudn't be bothered to re-write. Stupid. Ok. Personally, I think I wrote this in the worst of moods AND without any inspiration so yeah this chapter kinda sux. I'm serious.this chap in a way is just here to let y'all noe how I wanted it to end and I'm reali sorrie if u dun like it. This chappie is quite draggy and boring and reali I dunnoe how to write action scenes so the vocab and grammer and basically English cud be reali bad. And its not beta-d. Criticise me if you want. But no flames. Constructive Criticism would be great tho. At least it'll put me off adding sucky chapters to a fic. Oh and there's a thank-u list at the bottom check it out ya all u previous chappie reviewers? Thanx for the support all this time btw, really love all u pple who reviewed. Hope this chappie doesn't disappoint u as much as it did me. I'm real sorrie if u hate it k? I'm sad depressed tired and really stressed out. Sorrie… hope u guys dun hate me after this ya? *weak grin*
Disclaimer: nope, I dun own FoR so yeah, forget abt suing me. sue me for loving FoR so much I hafta write fics abt it instead.
……+r|a9|e oF d0ub+……
The forest was shrouded in the darkness. A calm breeze swayed the leaves and the air was fresh and cool.
Fuuko drew her hand through her ruffled hair. The fuujin rested gently on her wrist and the main ball glowed in the darkness.
Quietly, she caressed the Fuujin. It had been nearly a week since she found the main ball. No, a week since she was given the main ball. Maybe less. But it felt long, very long.
For days without much food or rest, she practiced hard with the fuujin. Finally, she had mastered most of its power. But was this power enough? Enough to defeat Raiha? Or, was she to lose? And… die?
She recalled that day. That day that Raiha decided that their destiny was inevitable.
*flashback*
"Aishiteru… Mi-chan." She whispered to the wind; Mi-chan was gone.
Bitter, anguished thoughts clouded her mind, and she walked back towards her apartment. Unconsciously, her fingers moved to her lips.
"Tokiya…" she whispered again. His name… So beautiful. So him.
She pushed aside all those meaningless thoughts of him. He was gone, this time forever. And the crack upon her heart would remain forever too.
She walked into her apartment. Raiha was not there, to her slight surprise. Perhaps it was better, she guessed. At least she could avoid questions about her tears.
By the time Raiha returned, Fuuko had found enough strength to force on that ever-there grin as she welcomed him home.
"Fuuko." Steely determination glinted firmly in his eyes.
"Raiha?" That look in his eyes… How long had it been since she saw it? Weariness, resignation and a hint of coldness.
Wordlessly, he thrust the main ball of Fuujin into her hands.
"Next week. At the Forest. Destiny's battle would take place then. Master the Fuujin, Fuuko-kun, as I will master my Raijin."
"Nani?"
Sadness seemed to prick in his eyes. "It is time Fuuko… At first I thought this battle would never be but now I know. I've been running away from it all this time, and yet. And yet, it still caught up with me."
With no more explanations, he turned and left.
*end flashback*
Why was this battle so important to him? She'd lose another loved one if she won, but neither did she want to lose. No, she didn't want to fight him. No!
"Fuuko…" She turned towards the sound of Raiha's strained voice.
"Why? Why, Raiha?" She asked softly.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
-Mikagami-
I took quick steps towards the Forest. Dammit! If it weren't for those stupid drooling girls with IQs of negative one I'd probably have been there like an hour ago! Raiha had said he'd be fighting Fuuko there. Damn I have to get there soon.
*flashback*
"Mikagami."
The quiet tears disappeared almost immediately as I turned towards the caller of my name.
Raiha. Great. Perfect. Just the person I wanted to see. Oh how I love this guy.
I looked at him meaningfully. Or perhaps, glared. Did it really make a difference anyway?
"I overheard."
He was there!? How could I not have noticed. Oh kami if he's gonna snigger or tell me to stay away I'm gonna slice him in half with my ensui and I don't give a damn if Fuuko gets upset with her darling Raiha's death. Maybe I should dress in red at his funeral. Yeah. Wait, why the heck would I go for his funeral anyway?
"So?" I answered coolly. Perfect. Just the right amount of 'Like-I-care'-ness I guess that's another plus point to being able to mask my emotions so easily. But yet... in front of her I just can't. I just lose it. She reads me like a book and I can't stand it. Yet in a tainted way, I actually like it too...
"She loves you doesn't she."
I shot him an icy look. "I have to repeat what she said to you? I don't think so."
"I heard her say she loves you. Aishiteru. Yeah. That's what I heard."
"I suggest you buy new batteries for those hearing aids Raiha." Did she say that? I didn't hear that. Was it I who heard wrongly? No... I can't have… Could I? But... why did she kiss me then? Unknowingly my fingers touched my lips.
He cast a soft glare at me.
"You know it too. Why would she have kissed you otherwise? Look, just shut up. I'm not here to crap with you."
"What do you want."
"I… I have the Fuujin. I had it for a very long time now. I was using it to keep my raijin under control, because my raijin is more powerful than I am. And more evil... I feared its evil, so I used the Fuujin. Now, I shall have to overcome this anxiety."
"What has that gotta do with me."
"I'm gonna fight Fuuko next week. At the forest."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because. It is time."
"Don't bullshit with me Raiha. You wouldn't know when the *right* time is." I glared again at him.
He frowned slightly at me. With much hesitation, he finally answered.
"Fuuko… would be happier with you."
And he turned and left.
*end flashback*
Gawd, that guy sure knows how to give an explanation.
So what if she'll be happier with me? She wouldn't be with me in the first place.
Unless… Oh Christ! He… No. He wouldn't! Would he?
Heart beating wildly against my chest, I ran to the forest.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Why? Why, Raiha?"
"It was unavoidable Fuuko…"
"Who died and made you judge of life's path?"
"You caused it Fuuko."
"Nani?"
"You caused it Fuuko."
"What do you mean?"
Without another word, Raiha launched into attack.
With slight surprise, Fuuko dodged it. And dodged another ten blows.
Was dodging all she could do? No, impossible. Arching her body in every possible way, Raiha's cold sword sliced through thin air.
"Stop Raiha!" She gasped. All she got in reply was cold and determined silence. She had to then? She had to finish this battle… to the very end? For a slight moment, she hated everything. She hated Raiha, she hated Mikagami, she hated her damn life!
No. She wasn't like that. She was tough. She was strong. She'd do this… For Raiha and Mikagami's sake. For her own.
"I'm so sorry Raiha." Her mouth making no sound. If he wanted this fight, he'd get it. Unless there was a way around. Could she avoid death? More importantly, could they both live even after this? For she hated death.
Her eyes flew wildly around; no, Raiha was too fast, she couldn't possibly gain enough time to counter; could she?
"Aaaaah!!!!" her mouth opened in a wordless scream; his sword had cut deep into her left arm.
She noticed a slight hesitation from Raiha and bearing the pain ever so strongly, she started her own attack.
"Kaze no tsume!"
*
Raiha lurched back as one of the many wind claws hit him. They were faster, more accurate, and inflicted a lot more damage. If this was the extent of the Fuujin's power, he had expected better. Could Fuuko not have mastered it properly? No, he knew her better than that. She was too strong not to have mastered it fully. Her capabilities were nearly as good as his own. Wasn't it?
Yes. That was why of all people, the Fuujin chose her. That was why, of all people, she could master the fuujin in a very short time.
That was why, of all people, Raiha fell in love with her.
He countered. It hurt him so much to do this. But he had to. For Fuuko. For him.
Again, he slashed his sword viciously, and it agonized him as he heard Fuuko's yell of pain.
And again, as he hesitated, Fuuko struck back.
He had to learn to control his emotions better. Like Mikagami.
Mikagami. Envy, jealousy, nearly even hatred surged up his spine. This was all his doing. This fight, this pain, this loss.
Fuuko…
It was best for Fuuko.
He jumped back suddenly and the raijin took control.
*
It was an unearthly glow, almost godly.
What the hell was happening?
As if on cue, a scorpion-like god-knows-what emerged from Raiha's hand. Or rather, the Raijin.
Unless… Was that the monster the Raijin contained? Why did it emerge only now?
An aura of evil snaked into the Forest. Was this… thing that powerful? It scared Fuuko to the very bone.
"Fuujin… Come to me… This lifelong awaited battle shall finally be."
And then came her own.
It was an aura so different from the Raijiin's; it was pure, innocent, and perfectly good. It brought peace to Fuuko and calmed her, even with the initial shock of a strange light blasting its way off her arm. Was this her strength?
"Raijin… Yes. It is time."
A fierce battle started, the madougus attacking wildly and the owners supplying energy.
It was a battle of the madougus.
-=-=-=-=-=-
-Mikagami-
Power. Strong power. I can feel it.
No, Fuuko and Raiha, they've started.
The opposite madougus… they must've taken control.
Fuuko and Raiha can't have such enormous power… Can they?
Have I underestimated Fuuko, who has amazed me time and time again? Enough for me to love her?
Maybe I have.
It's time to get there, and quick.
I hijacked a passing car and raced towards the Forest as though my life depended on it.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The battle raged on, and Fuuko felt herself tiring slowly. She and Raiha had begun their own battle too, kunai against sword, agility against speed.
Fuujin against Raijin. Bruised, battered, scared and scarred, they fought on desperately.
Why, though?
Why don't I just give up now?
Would death be good for her?
Why not? Wasn't Mikagami gone already? And after this, she'd lose Raiha too.
She felt her fighting spirit leaving her as her attacks got weaker and weaker. And yet, and yet, as she valiantly defended herself, she felt someone, or something pushing her on, cheering her on. Could she really just give up like this?
No, she couldn't. For Hokage, she had to be strong. For Ganko, For Kaoru, she must not die. For Rekka and Yanagi, she must live to the fullest. For Mikagami and Raiha, she must not die, so as not to hurt them once again.
She reeled back in surprise and agony as Raiha lashed out with the blunt end of his sword.
-Raiha-
It is time then.
-Fuuko-
My mind screamed silently as I felt my lungs being ripped away of any air. For a moment of anxiety and fear, I struggled to breathe again.
I was unfocused, giddy. Where was Raiha?!
Whoosh. My head snapped up of its own accord. I only saw Raiha leap from a tree, into the air, straight above me.
Clutching his sword.
No! Was I to lose already?
I gasped in cold fear.
Before I could register anything, Raiha dropeed his sword.
My arms flailing wildly, I caught its handle.
Was that deliberate? I barely had enough time to think.
Oh no!
Raiha fell, down towards me. He hadn't even bothered trying to break his fall.
And the tip of his sword, held by my sweaty hands, pointed towards the sky.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
-Mikagami-
Finally!
I rushed in every direction.
Twigs scratched against my arms, leaves poked at me mercilessly. Fresh blood leaked through my loose-fitting clothes, but nothing mattered anymore.
Nothing mattered to me, except… I have to be there for Fuuko. When Raiha breaks her heart.
I ran towards the sounds of metal clashing and sliced through the bushes.
For the first time in my life, I couldn't move. Not a single finger.
And I stood, shocked, watching Raiha's seemingly lifeless body fall straight onto the sword, held by that petite Fuuko, and the sword pierced its endlessly through his chest.
"Noo!!! Raiha!!!" Fuuko's strangled voice screamed out.
But it was too late now.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
-Fuuko-
Tears brimmed in my eyes and flowed freely down.
What has this sword done? What has Raiha done? What have I done?
Unable to support the weight of Raiha, my knees weakened and I dropped to the ground.
I stared into Raiha's warm, beautiful eyes that reminded me so much of Mikagami's loving own, and I managed a soft whisper,
"Why?"
He smiled gently and raised his bloody hand, wiping away my tears.
"Please… be happy now, Fuuko-kun."
Mikagami strided over slowly and carefully. He was here too then?
I didn't understand anything anymore, but it didn't matter, nothing made sense since that fateful day anyway. I stared at Raiha's now lifeless body, and I cried like there would be no tomorrow in Mikagami's arms.
*
I must've fainted or something.
Why am I back in this dimension?
My dream world.
It has been 2 weeks since Raiha's death. The Hokage and the Uruha held a quiet funeral, far far away from that evil forest place. We threw his ashes into the sea and everyone cried.
Except me.
Raiha wouldn't want me to cry.
Please… be happy now, Fuuko-kun.
I'm listening to you, Raiha. I'm trying so hard to live with this guilt and be happy, but it's hard.
Mikagami's helping me you know?
He's here for me, just like you had been.
I love him. And I love you.
Do you know Raiha? Have I ever told you of my dream world? This special, magic world?
You know, it's different now.
It's still as beautiful as before, but there isn't that strange empty feeling there anymore.
And I know why.
It's because, You and Mikagami have become a part of it.
You, who always cared, and Mikagami, who always loved.
You'll be in my heart forever, just like Mi-chan.
Aishiteru…
Forever.
-=-=-=-=end=-=-=-=-
sobx that's a terrible ending I noe the ending's dumb I'm sorry I really couldn't figure out who fuuko would love more. Hehz. Sorri all you Raiha fans pls dun flame me its how I wanted it to end. Please r/r!!
Niwaez, here's a thank-u list (it has evry single review no matter how long ago coz I kept putting off doing a list. Heez~ I'm a slacker.) :
Isilwen Nyx Silverstar Chap 6:
Hehz~ sorri~ glad u found it ok tho~ hope u like this chappie too~
anonymous Chap 6:
Hehz~ sorri~ glad u found it ok tho~ hope u like this chappie too~
Rmoon3000 Chap6:
I'm sorrie~~ I'm more of a tokfuu fan as u can see from mi previous ficcies~ sorri dun kill me ok???? Hope u like it tho
Haze Chap6:
Hehz~ in a way I ges Raiha did fix things~~ thanx for reviewing~ hope u like this chap.
Bishounen lovah chap6:
Haha I'm sorrie~~ this chapter's a bit confusing as well ya~ I think I kinda forgot that fuuko doesn't love raiha, but hey~! U dun appreciate things till they're gone ryte? Hehz. Sorrie I noe, that's stupid. Heez~~ thanx for reviewing~ hope this chap is ok.
Kurei chap6:
U got it~! Tokfuu rulz… although… this ending's weird…review again ok?? Heez~~ thanx 4 ur support.
Fuuko mikagami chap6:
Haha… hope this story and its ending doesn't disappoint you.
_eiLeEn` chap 6:
Sorrie for taking forever!! But it's all explained on top ya?? Heez~~ hope this chappie is ok~ review again ok?? Hehz luv ya~~
Ranka chap6:
Thankz~~~ hope this chap is ok??
Dark Phoenix Chap6:
Hehz sorrie for taking foreva…couldn't really help it…aniwae, I really luv ya~!! Thanx for supporting me all this way, really really thanx a lot. I hope this chap doesn't disappoint u pls review again nez?? *grinz* thanx~!!
Jinxed chap1:
Thanx~~ I visited yours did the review come up??
Dark Phoenix Chap5:
This chappie is quite long nez?? Heez~ thanx again
Dark Phoenix Chap4:
And again.
Dark Phoenix chap3:
Haha… I forgot to change the rating~ well, once again thank u!!!
Lafine Chap4:
Hehz. I update slowly yeah. Sorrie~~ hope u like this chapter.
Darke Angel Chap4:
Hahaz…. Thanx for reviewing, it is tokfuu…
Mentalangst chap4:
Hehz~ thanx shaun. Ilu. Tc~!
Rage...I'm too lazy! he he! Chap4:
Heez~ thankew~~ pls continue to support me?? hope u like this chap
Yinyinhoney chap4:
Thanx hope u like this chap pls r/r!!
Amakasu toko chap4:
Hahaz~ thanx a lot~~~~ hope this chappie's ok!
Kurei chap3:
Yepyep!! Its weird alrite. I dun understand some parts myself. Hehx. I'm an idiot. Well thanx and pls continue to review me ya? Hope u like this chap.
Mentalangst chap3:
Hahaz… ur a pig hun.
Kreuz4eva chap3:
Thanx~ please r/r hope this chap's up to expectation!
Dark phoenix chap3:
Heez~ once again me fave reviewer~!!! Thanx for all ya nice reviews nex???
Fuuko-chan Chap3:
^^jealousy's all there. Hehz~ hope this chaps ok please continue to supoort me!
fuuko mikagami chap3:
They're together now, aren't they?? Heez~~~~~~
Melyan chap3:
Hehz thanx for ur review hope u liked how the story turned out~~
Raijin chap3:
Yay~ I've continued… finally… heez~~ please r/r again! Hope u like this chap…
Bishounen lovah chap2
Oh… haha… thanx… sorrie hope this chap's ok~
Jin Chap2:
Thanx~~ I love mi-chan pls continue to support me yeahx??
Anonymous Chap1:
Continued~! Thanx~~!
p.s me wanna sae I just changed it to an easier-to-read thank-u list by editing the story, so yeah, I'm sorrie if ani reviews get deleted wheni edit k? I din mean to…. *blur*… heez~ love ya all reviewers u rawk!!!!!