Title: As Swift As the Wind

Author: Haze

Disclaimer: I don't own Flame of Recca so don't sue me…

Chapter 5:

(Mikagami's POV)

      Another month had passed and Amethyst is still not back. It's been strange. Two months of being awake, and Fuuko still hadn't even asked a single question. It's not as if she has amnesia as the doctors did not mention about it.

      Is it possible that she knows what happened? But who would tell her?

      "Mi-chan, she's thinking about you too."

      "Huh?"

      I looked at Fuuko, trying not to look too confused. What was she talking about?

      "Goodness!" She said, slapping a hand on her forehead. "Mi-chan, you are so dense you know."

      "Excuse me?"

      She giggled. "I was talking about your girlfriend. She's thinking about you too so don't go zooming out on me all the time. Jeez. You're so into her that you're still thinking about her even when you're babysitting little Fuuko-chan."

      "I do NOT have a girlfriend. And if you spread that news to the other monkeys–"

      "Yeah, sure. You'd kill us." She said, grinning widely at me. "Mi-chan has a girlfriend. I'm sure I'd go rich for that news. Imagine, the ice man of the century finally melting! Did she throw you to the sun to make you go so soft? I mean you're even going soft on me. Babysitting me and all. Not like I'm your baby but. . ."

      Here she goes again, talking continuously. Not that I mind. It's better to have her like this instead of feeling so insecure because of her failure in fighting against those men. Yes, it's better for her to be this way. At least it is an assurance that she is coping up. But I'm still bothered.

      Since Amethyst went away, Shane had been more busy with I don't know what. Koganei and Ganko had always been doing their disappearing acts and comes back more jumpy like they know something the rest of us don't. When I tried to confront them, they denied having a secret. But I doubt their denials.

      They may know something important concerning Fuuko. I have to find out. But how?

      "Oi! Are you listening to me?"

      "What?"

      Fuuko grinned at me. "Mi-chan is really in love! Thinking so much of the lucky girl of the century! The world must be going upside-down. Hey, can you help me to the windows? I need to see if pigs are flying."

      "You don't need to see that proof. Just the fact that a monkey like you could talk is enough."

      "Ahahahahaha. Mi-chan is still so cross. Ahahahahaha. I think your children's name will have to go with the theme grumpy. Just like you. Ahahahahaha."

      I'm glad she's still like this. I don't mind her noise and childishness at all. It's better than seeing her assume a different type of person. Because knowing how stubborn this wind goddess could be, I would probably have to do the impossible to change her mind.

      "Where is it?" General Proxima asked in a cold voice.

      "We still don't know, General. We couldn't get near her for the past two human months."

      "Useless fools!" Her voice rose. "Kill all those who protects her if needed be. Just get her!"

      "But General–"

      "Enough! The Council of Light had started to move. They know that the Essence is missing. If we do not get to it before they do, we will be obliterated!"

      "It is difficult to obtain information. Her friends–"

      "Get rid of them if they interfere, as simple as that. We need to know where the Essence is before the Council of Light locates it. Now go!"

      When they had left, the General looked at the glass she was holding and realized that it was near to breaking. She gritted her teeth and crushed the glass, not even flinching as her blood trickled from her palms.

      "Wind brat, do not even wait for me to go to you."

(Fuuko's POV)

      Why wouldn't it go away? Why?

      I'm trying to go back to being the Fuuko I had gotten used to. But why is it that the emptiness and pain wouldn't leave? I had accepted that I am now an orphan and am just an ordinary person without the Fuujin. But why are they still here? Why wouldn't they leave me alone?

      Is it because I am still resuming my staged life that the emptiness and pain are haunting me? Is it because I am still running away from my loneliness even when I came back?

      I don't understand why. I don't want to be sad. . . but I suppose that's what I have always been. But I can't stop my charade now. Not when my friends are around. Not when they are happy seeing me with this mask.

      "Look, there are so many websites concerning Meia Summers." Ganko noted as she and Koganei stared at the monitor.

      "Maybe we should try this one." Koganei suggested, clicking on a link. "Let's see. Ah here, comments."

      Koganei clicked on the comments' button and was surprised at seeing from the counter that there are more than a hundred pages of comments.

      "She's THIS popular?" Koganei asked looking at the comments.

      "Obviously. I mean look at the comments. Best in sports. Best in academics. Best in conduct. Best looks. Best in everything. It even says that she's everyone's best friend or something. Is she an angel or what?" Ganko said disbelievingly. "I mean I can see that both boys and girls are so impressed by her. She could have a fan club you know with members ranging from oldies to youngsters. Look at this, even her instructors are commenting on how brilliant she is and sports persons are also commending her for being the best."

      "I don't think she is human at all. She's too good to be true, Ganko. No human can be as perfect as that."

      "But if she's not human, then what is she? Some fallen angel or something?"

      "What if she is?"

      "She's Amethyst's sister AND Fuuko-neechan's sister. It means. . ."

      "No way."

      Koganei and Ganko looked at each other with pure disbelief.

      With a slash, the blue-haired man ended his opponent's life. Amethyst stared at his companions and then turned back.

      "Where are you going?" A pink-haired girl asked.

      "I have no time for fighting with immortals that cannot even put up a good fight." Amethyst shrugged.

      "Amethyst, we may be far stronger than our current opponents but we cannot be sure about the next they will send."

      "I don't care about whether they send stronger people. We can't find it by fighting them."

      "How then do you propose we find it?"

      "Whoever they are after must know of the Essence's location."

      "Are you suggesting that we wait?" The blue-haired man asked. "And interrupt them when the location is revealed?"

      "Do we have a choice? We can kill them all and still not find any clue."

      "Kill them all? You didn't even help us dispose of them." A raven-haired female interrupted coldly.

      Amethyst's eyes turned from its cold look to an even more frozen state. "They're all dead now, aren't they? Am I still obliged to whine with you about not bothering to help destroy those who from the start are not even capable of killing one of us?"

      The raven-haired girl's eyes reflected suppressed rage. "You act imperturbable, Amethyst. But I'm sure that within that serene stance is a turmoil you cannot stand."

      Amethyst shrugged coolly. "Am I supposed to break down and admit that, Psyche?"

      Psyche clenched her fists. "I can't understand why you are with us when it is clear that you do not care about our missions."

      "Stop it, Psyche." The pink-haired girl interrupted. "We cannot fight each other. Doing that is the greatest treachery we can do."

      "Is that your reason for interrupting, Locke?" Psyche countered. "Or is it because you harbor a secret desire for Amethyst that you are stopping all this?"

      "Enough!" The blue-haired man cut in. "Whatever our differences are, we cannot afford to let it destroy our purpose of being a team."

      "Tell that to Psyche. She's the one who's always picking a fight." Locke reasoned, eyes turning colder by the second. "Not with Amethyst alone but with the rest of us."

      "Psyche, I did notice that Locke has a point. I will give you a warning. If you do not stop rivaling everyone negatively, I will have to petition for your suspension."

      Psyche narrowed her eyes on Amethyst who was standing indifferently near Locke.

(Fuuko's POV)

      Someone is still after me. I just know it. I'm scared. What if they were the ones who attacked me? What if they're still trying to find whatever it was that they called the Essence? What if they take more than my life like before?

      They took away my parents and my Fuujin. And now I am still trying to build back the life that they shattered. But they're coming again. What else are they going to take? I have nothing left except my friends. . .

      No. This can't be. Would they take away my friends just as they took away my parents and my Fuujin? Would they?

      Is this why the emptiness and pain wouldn't leave? Are they foreboding that I will once again be so shattered that I would seek shelter even in the darkest and most empty place there could be?

      I am scared. Not for me alone but for everyone who has connection with me.

      Why am I such a trouble?

      I can't do this anymore. I can't pretend to be a hero when the truth is I am not. I can't. I just can't. I need to stop. I need to before it is too late. Before I bring more pain to those who are important to me.

      I need to stop all my pretend. I need to find myself. Perhaps by then I would know what to do so I can protect everyone. Perhaps by then, no one would suffer what I need to suffer alone. Perhaps by then, no one would experience the fate of my parents who died because I have something important that I am too stupid to remember. Perhaps by then, I wouldn't need to pretend to be strong, to be happy, and to be a person I really am not.

(Mikagami's POV)

      As I entered the room, I noticed the heavy atmosphere that seemed to hang around Fuuko as she sat on the chair near the window. She did not notice me at all like she was in her own world. I walked towards her and stood at her back and still she did not notice me. She is obviously thinking about something very, very important.

      "Fuuko." I said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

      She almost jumped and when she turned her head to look up, her eyes told me that she was petrified and not just surprised. It took a few seconds before the fear was gone. . . or were they?

      "I'm sorry, Mi-chan. I was just thinking."

      I pulled a chair and sat beside her. "Do you want to tell me what it is about?"

      She shook her head before she smiled the fake smile that she obviously had staged since she was young.

      "Are you sure?"

      She turned to me with a look of disbelief – genuine disbelief. "You know, I think you really have it bad for your girlfriend. You seem to care more of other people."

      "Is that supposed to be bad?"

      "No. But I'm just surprised. I never thought that someone would have that much effect on you to make you so nice even to a monkey like me. You were only nice to Yanagi before."

      She looked serious. Too serious to be the Fuuko she had pretended to be. So this means that this is more of a product of her observation. Does this mean I have been too cold with everyone else?

      "You look confused, Mikagami."

      Mikagami. She never calls me that unless she is serious.

      "Never mind. So, why are you here? Are you here to look after me again?" She smiled, her eyes crowding with the fake happiness that only she can perfectly make.

      I still have a class in less than half an hour. So technically I'm here to just check on her. But. . .

      "Obviously. How would I know that you plan to escape and go back to the zoo?"

      "Ahahahahaha. You're still so grumpy. You know, maybe I should change your name from Iceman to Grumpy then to Mr. Zookeeper."

      She kept laughing and I was wondering whether it was staged or not. But when I caught a glimpse of her eyes, I was sure that it wasn't fake happiness I saw. Then, she looked at me – eyes gaining the expression of amazement. I wonder why.

      "What?" I asked, trying to sound irritated.

(Fuuko's POV)

      I shook my head and smiled at him. I think he didn't realize that he was smiling openly, warmly – and to me of all people.

      Looks like the Iceman did have a change. I used to wonder if there is someone who is capable of changing him, of making him come out of his shell. I suppose over the time that I ran away from reality by hiding in myself, he had found the girl who he could love so much.

      The girl must be a goddess to be able to affect him like that. I wish I had been that girl. At least she had managed to help my comrade when I cannot, when no one in the Hokage can.

      When will I be able to help people with my own strength and personality? When will I stop bringing them pain? When will I be strong enough to protect them?

      Who am I now? Without my Fuujin, I am not the wind goddess anymore. And without my parents, I am nothing but an orphan.

(Mikagami's POV)

      She's having doubt about herself again. The darkness that crowds her eyes scares me. It was the very same darkness that haunted me when my sister died.

      "Fuuko." I called as I put a hand on her arm.

      She looked at me, apparently startled out of her musings.

      "Do you want to go out?"

      "I don't think the doctors would–" She began.

      "I could ask them for permission."

      She looked hesitant as if she was afraid of what's outside her hospital room.

      "I'll be with you." I assured her.

      Moments later she nodded. "Okay. But only if you promise."

      I tried to suppress a smile. She's still as human as she should be instead of pretending to be the invincible all the time. "I promise."

      "Uh, Mi-chan?"

      "What?"

      "Won't your girlfriend mind?"

      How stubborn could she get? I've always told her that I've no girlfriend but she insists that I have. There is no use in denying as she wouldn't take it anyway. As of the moment, she doesn't need any more arguments and so do I.

      "No, she wouldn't."

      "Oh okay. If you say so. I'm just making sure. I wouldn't want her to barge in here and accuse me of trying to steal you away." She explained, grinning widely at me.

      "Whatever you say."

      She began laughing. "You really have it so bad that you even surrender before a friendly argument can start."

      I just shrugged to end the discussion or whatever it is.

      "That's the girl." A shadow whispered to another shadow.

      "We must get to her soon."

      "Yes. Especially now that I do not sense any non-human around her."

      The three shadows stared at their target as she chatted and teased a silver-haired bishounen already waiting for the proper time to strike.

(A/n: I'm making it longer so please be patient ^^ )

(Fuuko's POV)

      What am I doing in this place again? Why am I floating in this dark and empty place again? This can't mean that something bad will happen again, can it? I have always had this dream some time before those people came to the house.

      Will they come once more and take what I have left? My friends? But without the Fuujin, I wouldn't be able to protect them. I know that the Hokage is not strong enough to fight them. They are just too strong. They may not even be humans.

      But why me? Why are they searching for something that I don't know I have? Or am I just too stupid not to know that something important is with me?

I'm scared. I can't even protect those people I love. Why? Why am I so weak?

      "I just hate this." Recca mumbled as he stared at his math book.

      "Recca-kun, you have to concentrate. Here, let me help you." Yanagi offered.

      Domon shook his head as he pocketed his hand phone. "Well, looks like Mikagami's the only one who can go there today. Koganei and Ganko said they were doing an important research. You, Recca, have a load of quizzes for this day and so does Yanagi. I can't go because I have to pass my major subjects and I can't exactly do that if I'm not going to take the long quizzes bound for each major subject today."

      "Well, maybe we could just drop by tonight."

      "And disturb Fuuko-chan? Recca-kun, I think it'd be best if we just go tomorrow. How I wish Kagerou-san isn't very busy on her research on things that are so dangerous."

      "By the way, did Shane give any of you a call?"

      Domon shook his head. "Not a call."

      "Same here, Recca-kun."

      "I just wonder what Fuuko's brother is up to. Shane said that he'd be back after a month. And it's past the deadline and he hasn't even made an appearance."

      "Yeah. You're right. But I think that the kid has something very important in his hands. I doubt he'll leave Fuuko for nothing. He may have not spent the longest time with her, but Amethyst is a good kid." Domon then looked at his watch. "Well, I got to go. I can't afford to miss my first quiz for the day."

      Yanagi stared at Domon's retreating figure as he left the canteen. "You know, I think Domon-kun is right."

      Recca raised a brow. It's not that he didn't trust the amethyst-eyed bishounen. But there is just something about the kid that bothers him although he couldn't exactly put his finger on it.

(Mikagami's POV)

      It has been a long and tiring day in school, not that academics is something tedious but because of those girls who kept on trying to make me go out with them. Just when are they going to stop bugging me? It's too unfortunate that Fuuko is still in the hospital. Perhaps she could help me make those girls stay away from me. . .

      I stared at her door wondering if she is awake or not. But then it wouldn't matter because I just wanted to know if she was alright. I just wanted to make sure that I don't make the same mistake again.

      When I opened the door, I was drawn by her figure lying so peacefully on the bed. She looked more ethereal than usual with the moonlight highlighting her features with such gentle suitability. The wind was blowing gently from the open windows and as it caressed its wielder, some of her hair covered her face slightly, gently.

      She is a picture of unearthly beauty.

      I closed the door with my eyes still glued to her figure. She looked peaceful enough but I didn't want to go just yet. I walked towards her and sat on her bed, looking at her as she slept.

      For a long time, I just sat there gazing at Fuuko. Then I noticed that the corners of her closed eyes were wet with unconscious tears. I ached for her. Even till her sleep she is facing pain. I couldn't do anything but just run my fingers on her cheek and whisper to her ear.

      "I will not leave you no matter what happens."

      I drew back slightly and before I could stop myself, I lightly touched her lips with mine.

      Before I left, I closed the window and looked at her, making sure that she's going to be just fine.

      Unknown men entered the house without opening any door or window. They just appeared in the middle of the living room, looking around composedly for their target.

      A woman came to the living room and upon seeing them, she screamed. Seconds later, a man came to the woman's rescue. However, he found his wife standing there – frozen with fear as a dagger hovered on her forehead, threatening to plunge through her head should she make any move.

      Before the man could do anything, another dagger moved towards him and stopped just before his neck.

      "Make one wrong more and both of you are going to be dead." A girl around seventeen warned.

      The man and woman stood there petrified for their lives and for the life of their daughter. But then their daughter, a purple-haired teenager, came running towards the living room. Attempting to save her parents, she summoned upon the powers of the wind.

      The controller of the dagger raised a brow and informed her companions that she would play for a while. A fight ensued and the wind-wielder soon discovered that her opponent's power does not only consist of telekinesis but she can manipulate the wind as well although with much more ease.

      The purple-haired girl could not protect her parents well and soon, a blast of wind from the opponent sent the girl's parents slamming to wall leaving them unconscious as they fell to the floor.

      Blood was everywhere and the purple-haired girl was feeling weird from the blood loss she had been experiencing from numerous wounds.

      "What do you want?!" The purple-haired girl screamed.

      "Tell us where the Essence is." A boy around eighteen said in a cold, demanding voice.

      "What essence?!"

      "We have no time for games! Tell us where it is before we lose patience!"

      "But I don't know what you're talking about!"

      The intruders laughed. "Then we'll just have to obtain your memory stones which would mean that we would have to kill you."

      The purple-haired wind wielder prepared to fight them although there was only less than a percent of her winning with their number and strength and her state.

      Before she could attack the intruders, one of them moved with the speed of light and attacked her from the back. The attack had been the last one her body could tolerate.

      She fell but before reaching the ground a very bright light appeared and a strong arm wrapped around her waist.

      "Blast it!" General Proxima exclaimed as the wine glass she was holding shattered in her hand. "So, it's him who interrupted."

      "Who?"

      General Proxima rose from her seat and bowed down as Lady Taurus, a light green-haired beauty, entered. Seconds later, Lady Taurus turned to her and gave her permission to stand. The Lady's eyes traveled over to a certain giant crystal and saw a movie-like event played again and again.

      "So, he's actually the girl's protector." Lady Taurus noted as the crystal zoomed in a certain blonde-haired bishounen.

      "Don't worry, Lady Taurus. I'll take him out of the way."

      "Good. Just remember, General, you cannot maim him permanently. The King would not be too pleased if you did otherwise nor would I be too pleased."

      "I understand." She answered, but sensing that the Lady would need privacy, she ordered her men to leave.

      Mikagami walked towards the hospital with girls' eyes following him. That day was a weekend and fortunately for him, his instructors didn't give much work. But then again, he would still go to Fuuko even if there are tons of school works given to him.

      Before he opened the door, he could already hear the voices of Yanagi, Recca, and Domon. He almost smiled at how the Hokage would flock together stubbornly.

      When he opened the door, he saw Yanagi perched on Fuuko's bed, chatting happily with Fuuko. Domon and Recca were arguing about the food Yanagi had brought along.

      "Oi, Mi-chan!" Fuuko called, grinning at him. "What are you standing there for? Oh yeah, did you bring along your girlfriend?"

      Recca and Domon's ears perked up upon hearing the word girlfriend and they turned to Mikagami with an impish smile. Yanagi looked at Mikagami happily.

      "Ehem. What was it that you said again, Fuuko?" Recca asked, still smiling impishly.

      "I asked Mi-chan if he brought along his girlfriend."

      Domon grinned. "Boy, Mikagami sure makes the swiftest move on the girls."

      "Yeah." Recca agreed, nodding. "You never even told us that you have a girlfriend, Mikagami."

      "Yeah, Mikagami-senpai."

      Mikagami rolled his eyeballs. Fuuko sure had a big mouth to spread something that is very untrue. If he's lucky, this news would be around school next week and not that afternoon.

      "So, where is she, Mi-chan?"

      Mikagami glared at Fuuko.

      "Ohhhhhhh. Mi-chan is so shy now that he can't even bear to introduce his girlfriend and be teased about her."

      Recca and Domon broke into a fit of laughter whilst Yanagi giggled along with Fuuko.

      Amethyst stared coldly at the black sky. "What is it, Locke?" He asked, not even turning back.

      She hesitated for a moment. "I'm really sorry about my sister. You see, her best friend died in the hands of one of your kind. And she is very mistrusting since then."

      "I know. I have always felt her suppressed fury directed on me."

      Locke flinched at the ice that always laced the voice of this amethyst-eyed angel.

      But she could understand that because she knew that beneath the very innocent and calm face is one soul consumed by so much negative emotion. It makes her wonder at times how he manages not to lose his composure.

      An image flashed in her head. It was that of a very, very beautiful angel of either the Light or the Dark. It was the very angel that brought Amethyst to their side. And is probably the only reason why Amethyst is still working with them.

      Her heart ached. Why did she have to fall for Amethyst anyway when it is obvious that he'll love no one else except those he considered his family? Why does she continue to love him when he'll never take notice of her?

      "Psyche wouldn't like the idea of you being near me."

      She snapped out of her thoughts and realized that Amethyst had left. She looked around but there was no sign of him anywhere.

      "I would give anything to feel your warmth." Psyche whispered unconsciously.

      From a distance, Amethyst's eyes became even colder as he turned away from her figure and blended with the night.

      "Are you sure?" Shane asked calmly over her hand phone.

      This was a very bad day compared to the others that passed. There was a problem in the company and now, there was a problem regarding the most important thing that Amethyst had mentioned about.

      "Yes, ma'am." The informant answered, feeling a bit uncertain.

      "How is she?"

      "She's fine. But there are problems with the hospital staff and even the media."

      "Please elaborate."

      "The hospital staff is afraid to keep Ms. Fuuko because of the incident. They feared for the other patients as well as for the reputation of the hospital."

      "And the press is swamping the hospital to get a scoop of the story?"

      "Unfortunately, they are."

      "I need you to keep those nosy people out."

      "Yes, ma'am."

      Shane ended the call and sat calmly at the office chair.

      "So, they are finally back." She stood up. "There are things that need to be settled."

      "But Ms. Remmington–" The chairman of the board of the hospital committee argued.

      "I understand your plight." Shane said coolly as she sat at the office of the chairman. "However, you must also understand that if you refuse to keep Miss Summers here, the company would withdraw all support from the hospital and your other business."

      The old man paled. Shane almost smiled but she didn't. She kept her neutral look.

      "Think it over." Shane stood up. "One more thing, I do expect that the entire hospital population would keep their mouth zipped regarding the incident."

      "What if we can't?" The old man countered, feeling annoyed at the young girl's way of taking care of the business.

      "I believe you just made your decision at this exact moment."

      The old man paled even more and he cursed himself inwardly for letting his tongue slip. "Wait–"

      "I understand that my men were even trying to convince you to stay at bay. And I even came here to offer you chances. However, you wasted it. I'm sorry. This will mean the end of our support."

      Shane left with her bodyguards and she headed directly to Fuuko's new room which outside was swamping with bodyguards.

      Yanagi, Recca, Kagerou, Domon, and Mikagami were inside with a Fuuko who has just been tranquilized to sleep.

      "I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Shane began the moment she entered. "I will handle the press and Fuuko's transfer."

      "You mean the hospital is afraid to keep Fuuko-chan?" Yanagi asked hesitantly.

      "Yes. But not to worry, I will just have a medical team with her around the clock." Here, she turned to Mikagami. "May I speak with you privately for a moment?"

      "I will go directly to the point." Shane crossed her leg and looked at Mikagami seriously from across the table of that posh restaurant near the hospital. "The men who had attacked Fuuko years ago had come back. And they happened to have tracked her down. I cannot afford to keep her with me as they would expect that. So I would have to ask you to keep her."

      Mikagami raised a brow. It's not that he didn't want Fuuko around. It is more like he was wondering. "Why me?"

      "Your emotional frame is far stronger than that of the rest. You are calm enough to know what to do at certain circumstances."

      "I see."

      "There is something else, Mikagami. I would have to move you both out of Tokyo. The press would be after you as well with this arrangement. By the way, you would have to halt going to school to be with Fuuko. Do you accept?"

      "I think you know my answer."

      Shane smiled. "Good. I will have you both smuggled out of the city tonight. As for the hospital people as well as the media, they are my problem."

      ". . . it was said by Miss Remmington that they were sent by those who wished to sabotage the famous hospital. It was further said that it had something to do with Mr. Summers' rivals in business and the like that they wished to permanently destroy the hospital thus the explosion in a certain part of the hospital. According to investigation, it was a bomb. . ."

      Mikagami switched off the television. Shane had obviously done quite a job in clearing up a mess. Though he wondered why none from the hospital had commented, he just concluded that it was one of Shane's doing.

      It had been a little more than a month since the 'bombing' in the hospital. The story was still hot and obviously, it wouldn't fade until the following year knowing how huge the name Summers was.

      The rest had just left from the day's visit on Fuuko and Mikagami was the only one left with a still noisy Fuuko. They had been very glad that she was coping well.

      Fuuko had continuously bothered him about his so called girlfriend and it was already night. Visiting hours would have been over normally however, because of Fuuko's brother's influence, there was an exception for them.

      He had just retorted at Fuuko when the window was suddenly shattered and soon the wall came exploding to bits. Instinctively, he had covered Fuuko. When the dust cleared, there were three shadows floating inside the room.

      He was about to attack. But one of the shadows waved a hand and at that, they heard explosions from the other room and soon the walls of Fuuko's room were reduced to debris. They were strong enough to do that much damage with just a wave.

      Mikagami calculated and realized that it was not very good for him and Fuuko to stay and fight. So he grabbed her body from the bed and was about to run away when objects from the room came crashing on them. He managed to evade some but the rest had hit him perfectly, making him and Fuuko tumble on the floor.

      Fuuko's head was bleeding from one of the things that hit her. Mikagami was more injured however with his broken bones at the impact of the things on his body. It was like a toothpick could do as much damage as a giant hardwood could do once it was used to hit one's body.

      Mikagami urged himself to stand and escape with Fuuko who was now unconscious from the hit she had on her head.

      One of the shadows approached. When everything seemed lost, a force shield had engulfed them and Fuuko's body was glowing. The light expanded and Mikagami turned to look back. He managed to get a glimpse of yellow hair that disappeared with the shadows because of the blinding light.

      The next thing was that they were in another floor of the hospital with Yanagi hovering over Mikagami to finish healing him. And then, they were informed that at least thirty-eight people had died and many more injured.

      It wasn't only Fuuko's room and the ones beside it that was destroyed. It was more like the whole section of the hospital where Fuuko's room was in was destroyed.

      Mikagami sighed and stood up. He had to check on Fuuko one more time. He checked at least half an hour ago, but he had to make sure.

      But the moment he opened the door to Fuuko's room, his heart raced.

      Fuuko was missing.

~tbc (soon)~

Author's Note: I am really sorry if this is too long for your liking. It's just that I'm thinking of this as a Christmas gift to those who continued to support me. Yeah I know it isn't really anything but this is all I have for now. I am absolutely lost on what to do with 'Dunked Confession'. I don't know the pairing there anymore. I still need the votes or something. And yeah, I'd be without the pc for a long time so I'm condensing two chapters into one. Anyhow, I'm sorry for anything displeasing or confusing or whatever in this chapter. Before I end this rant, I would again give special thanks to those who have reviewed this.

My Answers to the Reviewers:

Melyan The complications would keep coming although as much as possible, I am trying to release them gradually. Anyhow, there isn't much ToFu here so I apologize for that. *bows*

hyper_shark Good thing you were nice enough to not flame me. And I sure do expect that I'd get a negative one from this chapter. ^^

Dream Nope as she has not been informed yet about them and as she had not asked anything concerning her family. And with the Hokage being protective, I'm sure you know what to expect, right? ^_~

Ranka *hugs Ranka* you're always telling me to keep up the good work even though there isn't really any good work.

bishounen lovah *grins evilly* I am so sorry about the Essence thingie. Anyway, I made the chap longer so hopefully by the next update, answers would be there.

eiLeEn *scratches back of head* Well, you might find this dragging but I sure hope you also find some nice twist here to keep you interested.

Kurei Sorry about Fuuko being pitiful here. I need that for the story. *smiles reassuringly* So don't worry. About the idea of the 'Essence', it's been in the story I used to tell to my sister to make her fall asleep or something or just to have a talk with her and keep our bond which is not that strong since we stopped the long-running story.

Yanagi I'm really sorry about the last one. But anyhow, I did try to lessen the POVs here *winks* for you. There isn't much ToFu here but in the next chapter perhaps there'd be an improvement.

Extra Note: Just for kicks ^^. Those who had continuously helped me out with their review, I might give you guys the leakage to the questions you have but I would make an effort not to spoil the fun of this one ^^ Anyhow, I'd do that the next time coz I really need to go. Thanks ^^