Title: As Swift As the Wind
Author: Haze
Disclaimer: I don't own Flame of Recca so don't sue me…
Chapter 2:
"When is she going to wake up?"
I heard Yanagi-neechan whisper as we entered the room.
"Soon, Hime."
"Yeah, you know our Fuuko. She's brave."
Recca-niichan and Domon-niichan assured Yanagi-neechan when they heard what she whispered. My eyes traveled around the room and fell on Mikagami-niichan, sitting by the window and looking out.
"We're here." Recca-niichan announced the obvious.
Mikagami-niichan merely nodded to tell us that he heard but he didn't even move to look at us. He just continued to slump there, motionless as he looked out.
I sighed. How long has he been like that? I shook my head and looked at Recca-niichan as he and Domon-niichan set up the flowers that we brought.
Yanagi-neechan was now sitting by Fuuko-neechan's bedside, as she always does every time we come to visit.
Ganko and Kagerou-san would be here a little bit later as they were out buying something for Fuuko-neechan's room.
I slumped on the sofa and let my gaze travel around the room. It's peaceful in a gloomy kind of way.
I sighed again. How long has it been? Four years. That long has passed since the incident that changed us all. This year is Fuuko-neechan's fourth year in coma.
So much had changed since then. Recca-niichan and Domon-niichan became unusually quiet. Yanagi-neechan would always be touchy whenever Fuuko-neechan's condition would be mentioned. Ganko was depressed most of the time. Kagerou-san was always anxious about us. I may not be the closest to Fuuko-neechan, but still I treated her like a sister so I've been a whole lot less cheery. And of course, Mikagami-niichan would always slump near a window and stare outside for long periods of time without moving or talking.
Sure, we tried to be cheery. And being the Hokage, we did succeed although I have to admit that the success wasn't complete. After all, Fuuko-neechan's fun disposition was still amiss. But it's better than being really so gloomy. We still believed that Fuuko-neechan will wake up. We know.
I looked at Fuuko-neechan's still figure. Her hair had grown long showing she had grown older. But aside from that, every changes she had showed otherwise. Her looks never aged. Or perhaps they aged backwards making her look younger. She was almost like those princesses in fairy tales who fell asleep and remained young forever.
Maybe it's just me or maybe not. Fuuko-neechan looked more beautiful now than ever. She looked almost so beautifully unearthly like a real goddess who descended from the heavens only to sleep and forever hold the world marveling at such beauty.
I sighed. For someone who is almost like a living corpse, she sure had too much asset on probably every inch of her. I've actually never seen anyone having a glowing skin that it looked like she had a fluorescent light somewhere within her. And for someone who's had nothing but liquid medications and liquid body supplements, she sure had the reddest lips I've ever seen.
Somehow, I wouldn't blame anyone who'd fall in love with her by just looking at her still figure.
I shook my head and sat near her bed to reminisce what had happened in the past.
The incident left Fuuko-neechan in a coma and her beloved Fuujin destroyed. And after Fuuko-neechan's parents died, it was only then that Recca-niichan decided to tell Kurei-niichan. Then, a few days later, Kurei-niichan and Raiha-niichan came back from America to visit Fuuko-neechan.
Raiha-niichan looked so sad. And there were times where I would catch him talking to Fuuko-neechan when I sneak a peek. Kurei-niichan had been so kind as to pay for Fuuko-neechan's stay in this hospital.
At times, I couldn't help but thank the fact that Mori came back with his Ura Uruha after the UBS. At least his return brought the Hokage and Uruha together.
The changes in us started almost instantly after Fuuko-neechan's first month of coma. But Mikagami-niichan stayed pretty much the same. It was only after six months of Fuuko-neechan's coma that he began his slumping hobby.
Not that I blamed him or anything. At least he lasted that long before getting really affected unlike us. Even though we're all still keeping up our hopes that Fuuko-neechan would wake up, I know that doubt and despair are beginning to eat us.
I mean it's been this long. Four years and still, Fuuko-neechan is still showing no sign of waking up. And the worst part is that, up until now, we still have no idea on who did this and why.
"I'm leaving."
Mikagami-niichan's voice interrupted my thoughts. I watched him as he got up and walked out of the room without as much as looking at Fuuko-neechan's still body or looking at the others.
I sighed again. He's been like that too. Announcing his leave and leaving without looking at anyone.
I decided to follow him. I had no idea on where he went whenever he leaves the hospital. So, after Mikagami-niichan had left, I said my goodbyes and followed him.
I kept my distance as not to be noticed. He walked calmly – coldly. And as I followed him, I noticed many girls were looking at him with heart-shaped eyes. Some things just never change.
He entered a flower shop. I decided to wait outside. When he came out, he was carrying a bouquet of flowers. He proceeded to walk and I followed him the best I could without getting noticed.
He entered a cemetery and before he walked any further, he spoke. "Come out."
I stopped moving and didn't say anything. Maybe he thought the person was someone else.
"Koganei, I know it's you."
I sighed and walked away from the tree I was hiding in. How embarrassing. I've been following him around thinking that he didn't know only to find out that I've been busted from the start.
I followed him. He stopped at a grave and placed the bouquet gently. I stared at the tablet.
Mikagami Mifuyu
"You still miss her." I bit my lips. I had no intention of letting those words slip, but they just did.
"Of course. She was all that I had back then."
To that reply, I stared at Mikagami-niichan's back. It made sense all of a sudden why he was slumping near a window whenever he comes to visit, and why he never looked at any of us at the hospital.
He had accepted us as his family long ago. Our pain hurt him too. That's why he couldn't stand to look at us and see our sorrow. But then, he still continued to visit even if it hurts him because he wanted us to feel through his presence that somehow he is still with us – grieving but hoping.
I looked at his back steadily, trying to fight back the stinging sensation in my eyes. For crying out loud, I'm already eighteen. I'm stronger now and I wouldn't cry. It was a good thing that I succeeded somehow.
It was only when I was alone in my room that night that I entertained the thoughts I had back at the cemetery earlier that day. I looked at the picture of the Hokage after the UBS and the stinging sensation was there again.
Who cares about being eighteen? Who cares if I give in to this?
For the first time in four years, I let my tears escape my eyes. It felt good to cry like a heavy burden had been lifted off my chest.
I cried myself to sleep, trying hard to shut out this knowledge that even if we're trying to believe things are just the way they were everyone is still hurting and that there was nothing I could do about it.
Disappointment once again. And that is something I hate so much.
I looked at the bowed figure before me. I had given him a chance. But this is enough.
"I did mention the punishment that awaits those who fails." I said coldly.
"Yes, General Proxima. But she has the protection of–" He reasoned.
"Enough!"
With a wave of my hand, my guards beheaded him. His men stared at him, fear evident in their aura.
"That will happen to all of you if you do not succeed in obtaining the Essence!" I warned with contempt. "Whoever is protecting her is not important! Obtain the Essence or suffer the consequences of failure!"
"Yes, General!" They chorused and bowed, before mingling with the shadows and disappearing.
I turned to the figure sitting on the throne behind me. "Lady Taurus. . ."
"No, I don't think the Council of Light knows that the Essence is in the Human Realm."
"But Lady Taurus, it is impossible for them not to know. It has been five human years since the Essence disappeared."
"True. But the Council of Light thinks that we only captured the body of the Essence. They haven't known the fact that we managed to kill her body and that her Essence disappeared."
"But wouldn't they know soon?"
"We have no time in our Realms. The Council wouldn't notice it before we obtain the Essence."
"But Lady Taurus, no one knows how to control the Essence."
"True. But as long as the power of the Essence stays with us, the Council will surely be eliminated with the same power they tried hard to suppress."
I smiled. "You are right. I apologize for the hesitance."
"You are pardoned. But Proxima, I would have to ask you to search the Human Realm for any possible interference that would arise from the girl's protector."
"As you wish."
I left after my bow. As I was walking down the high-ceilinged hallway, the guards bowed to pay their respects.
If those men fail once more, their families would be bowing down to pay last respects on their decapitated bodies.
Disappointment and Failure would mean Death. Even I am subjected to that rule like everyone else. I will make sure that we get the Essence. I would do anything to fulfill this mission even if I have to annihilate everything that comes in my way.
He stared at the picture of a girl with purple hair who was grinning. He looked up to me. I was the daughter of his father's secretary and trusted adviser. And now, I am his secretary.
"She's in Japan."
"Oh. Does she even know?"
"I don't think her parents told her." I said, shaking my head slightly. "And I don't think they had the chance."
"What do you mean?"
"Four years ago, they were murdered in their own house."
He shivered slightly. And by looking at him, I knew what he was thinking. After all, I was with him since I can remember. And right now he's most likely thinking thoughts like: How can humans do this? Sure, every living thing has fangs – instincts to protect oneself. But does murdering someone make them feel protected? Perhaps it could but then morality of humans speaks so differently about such things.
This teenager sure is really mature. But then again, after all he's doing and the responsibilities he has, I could hardly expect less.
"Why?" He asked, staring back into the picture.
"The reason is still unknown. But just for information, she can control the wind."
"She can?" He asked on a tone not expressing any surprise.
But I expected that. It doesn't surprise me either. "Yes, with the help of the psychic device Fuujin."
"I see. Perhaps they were murdered because of it."
"Quite possible. Her adoptive parents did have a clean record."
"Did she fight in the UBS then?"
"Yes, she did, under a team called Hokage. They were pretty good for beginners. And months after, they did manage to end Mori Kouran's crazed dream of immortality."
He shook his head slightly. "Mori-san is a very powerful and influential businessman. But too much power made him deviate from sanity. He does deserve his fate. I suppose people who knew of what he really is think the same."
"As a matter of fact, they do. I have acquired this information from them."
"What happened after Mori-san's final termination?"
"They went back to normal, with Mori Kouran's son in the side of the Hokage. A year later, Kirisawa Fuuko's family was attacked which left her parentless and without her madougu."
"How is she coping up with this?"
"She can't. She had been in a coma since she was brought to the hospital. That was four years ago. Until now, she still hasn't shown any signs of waking up."
"I'm sure her friends also have psychic devices or have knowledge of such. I'm surprised they haven't tried waking her up."
"Perhaps there isn't any madougu that can help her."
"As a matter of fact, there is one. The Mind Touch. But it is a very dangerous psychic device. As far as I know, no one has managed to come back after using it."
I couldn't help but raise a brow. "What do you mean?"
"It's like this." He said, probably deciding it would be better if he explained. "When a person sleeps, he will have an astral projection. That is when the spiritual body is projected out of the person's physical body. A spirit can cross dimensions and time. The places and events it has seen or experienced during the time it had left the body become the dreams of the person. But the body can only last for a time without the spirit. So, when the spirit has failed to locate the body and return to it, the person will die."
"And I suppose that it is how the Mind Touch works?"
"Yes. Only, it will guide the astral projection of your spirit into the spiritual dimension of a person where his spiritual body is kept. But the problem would be that of the vastness of the spiritual dimension and its constant change. Once you get lost, your spiritual body may never find a way to return to your physical body. And you know the rest."
"Perhaps you would like to try on the Mind Touch?"
"I doubt my father will allow me. You know how he is with matters concerning life and death."
"Then, what are you planning to do about this?"
"If my father wanted me to know, it means he is aware of possible actions from me. So I would have to ask you to arrange for me to fly to Japan to visit her."
I nodded. "I'd be going then to do what you asked for."
"Thank you, Shane."
He was smiling slightly. And I'm pretty sure that girls would swoon to see him right now. As I left his study room, I smiled to myself.
Amethyst Summers. Bluish black hair and amethyst eyes; fair and smooth skin; tall and well-built; rich and famous; powerful but restrained; and certainly a being close to perfection.
I am sure Mori Kouran would've wanted to have him had he been aware that Amethyst is much more than just a son of a business associate. He would've given anything to have him follow his wishes. Though I seriously doubt if Amethyst would, I know Mori Kouran wouldn't have given up if he had known that Amethyst has something he would and could never have.
And as for Kirisawa Fuuko, whether you wake up sooner or later, you'd be in for a bigger surprise than that of the madougu business. I am sure of it.
~tbc (soon)~
Author's Note: My apologies for the late update. Problems. Anyway, I am certain that this chapter is a bit obscure but probably by next chapter, answers would start coming. Thank you so much to those who reviewed. Don't worry. The questions will be clearing out soon. And for possibilities, this could turn out to be a ToFu fic. Someone I know suggested and I thought that as long as it doesn't bother with the main plot, I might as well give it a shot. ^^
My Answers to the Reviewers:
hyper_shark If the browser problems won't persist, I will. Just stay tuned, k?
Dark Phoenix I suppose this has enough events not like the last one.
Kurei I hope part of this chapter answered some of your questions.
bishounen lovah Well, I think the next chapter would do the answering for me. I wouldn't want to spoil the fun.
Rei-Leviathan-chan Yes, the dream is the mental trauma. 'Essence' will be explained soon. And Fuuko is alright so don't worry.
