Disclaimer: I don't own Flame of Recca or any of the characters. I'm merely using them for my own pleasure. Please don't sue me. Thanks.
Chapter 1: Encounter
(Tokiya's POV)
Dancing flames stare at me, crackling cheerfully. A glass of red wine was resting, cupped in my hands. I was reclined in my favorite chair --- a velvet chair of deep mauve perfectly blending with red. Save for my image and eyes, the hues would have been said to be harmonious. There was a cold chill about, but I was warm. I was comfortable in here. My lonely mansion served its purpose very well. I took a sip of my cocktail and savored its sweetness.
I heard footsteps approach me.
"M..Master."
I set back my glass and smirked. It was about time he returned. I didn't bother turning my head anymore. I knew his voice. "Yes, Fujimaru? Oh, right on time." I remarked, glancing at the wall clock, hovering above the fireplace. "Did you get what I asked of you?"
"Yes, master." He bowed, presenting me with a white envelope.
I took it gracefully and he stood upright. "Perfect. I am pleased."
The usual blubbering idiot had done well, for once. He was stupid, yes. But he followed my commands without objection. It was too easy for him, actually. 72 months since I last saw the man in my hallway, soaked and lost. He was lucky that I wasn't hungry at that time. I don't regret not turning him into a vampire. He does the job pretty well.
"Did you get the details?"
"Yes, master." Came a nod. "The party is set for 4 o' clock in the afternoon tomorrow. It will be held in Kirisawa Akiko's residence sir. It is in honor of her granddaughter's 18th birthday. Everyone is invited to come, though I managed to snag this from another person."
"I see. We can alternate the names on this envelope quite easily." I played with the parchment inside. "She has a granddaughter?"
"Yes."
I flexed my fingers and straightened up. "You've done very well today, Fujimaru. You will get your reward soon. But now, we must set up a plan to thwart that old lady's life. Tomorrow, we shall proceed to that party. After all, it would be rude to decline." I smiled ironically. "And when the time is perfect, you shall snatch the birthday girl and bring her back here."
He looked confused. I rolled my eyes. The man did have an empty shell for a brain. I should have known better. "What I mean to say is, we shall hold that girl captive in this castle of mine until that Kirisawa comes for her. And then, what do you suppose we do?"
"Why...kill her of course."
"Right. I shall sink these fangs into that horrid neck and end her miserable life at that very moment. She may have killed my sister, but I'll get the better of her this time." I said, slowly and firmly, casting my pale blue eyes into the fire.
"M...master?"
"What is it?"
"If...if it is possible, do I get to keep the granddaughter? After you kill the slayer?"
Why on earth did he want her? I raised my eyebrow. "What for, Fujimaru? I might get hungry after and decide to finish that girl off. I can't possibly imagine why you'd want her. But seeing that you have been working for me for 6 years now, I'll take your request into consideration..." I said. "But enough of that. We must prepare for this thing tomorrow. I don't want anything to go wrong."
After a few more seconds, I heard him bow and leave the room. I settled back into my chair and drank my wine once more. "Here's to me, Akiko Kirisawa." I mused silently. "You and I will get what we both deserve --- only I get the better half this time." I smiled, and crushed the goblet, not minding the mixture of blood and wine trickling down my wrist. In fact, I lifted my wrist and licked the trails of red. "I relish the thought of tasting every drop of your wretched blood..."
(Fuuko's POV)
I'm late, I'm late, I'm late. Mother and grandma are going to kill me. I was already running as fast as my nimble legs would take me Damn. It isn't my fault that Recca challenged me to another fistfight. He won again, as usual. But it wasn't that easy tackling me down. Fuuko Kirisawa never gives in without a struggle. I'll get him next time, I say to myself wordlessly as my right hand pushed the strands of stray hair from my eyes.
Recca was acting differently, though. He seemed to be a bit preoccupied. What in heaven's name is he up to now? I hope it isn't that Yanagi girl he was forever talking about. Something about his hime or his destiny as a ninja. I laughed my head off. Crap. I did get to meet Yanagi on one occasion. She was pretty and the complete opposite of what I was. Still, I didn't mind that my friend finally found a sweetheart but I wanted him to be MY slave.
"I'm here!" I yelled, skidding right in front of two ladies who looked very much surprised, but at the same time, relieved to see me. I had a few more milliseconds to compose myself. It didn't work that well. My mother gave me a scrutinizing look. Her eyes grew wider at the sight of my tattered shirt and shorts covered in mud. I bit my lower lip.
"And just where have you been, young lady?" she asked me, her eyes flashing dangerously.
I smiled nervously. "Uhh...uhh...out in the fields. I took a bit of a run."
"And I suppose you fell down every 10 minutes?" My grandmother inquired, indicating my dirty clothes.
"I...I..."
My mom held up her hand and motioned for me to stop. "Never mind. I don't want to hear about it." She sighed, exasperatedly. "Honestly, Fuuko, when will you refine your rough ways? You're getting to be more like your rugged cousins by the minute."
Mother and grandmother never liked it when I went out to have a bit of rough play. It makes them crazy to see me tumbling across the fields with Hanabishi. Though my mom knew Recca since we were kids, I'm not sure she approved of the 'competition' between us. She met Yanagi at the same time I did, and I remember her commenting on how Yanagi kept her clothes neat and she talked like a lady, etc, etc. I got tired of it.
"I'm sorry, okasan." I muttered. "I'm sorry grandmother, for making you wait."
"Try not to do it again next time, will you dear?"
I nodded, with two fingers crossed behind my back. Over my dead body. I won't give this up until I take down ninja boy. "What's going on, anyway? Why'd you call me here?" I asked, carelessly changing the topic. My mom would faint if she found out that I managed to pin a guy down, recklessly. I'd also get another bout of her sermons. Honestly, she would have been Ms. Manners II.
"You're turning 18 tomorrow, dear. Don't tell me you forgot now..." Grandmother explained.
"No, I haven't forgotten." I replied. "I was going to spend the day with some friends, as a matter of fact."
"Well I'm sorry dear. That won't be taking place," she smiled grandly as my face fell. "...for your mother and I are holding a ball for your debut tomorrow, as part of the celebration. There'll be a lot of guests, dancing and an excellent banquet filled with your favorite dishes. Now, we called you in here because you're to fit your gown. The dressmaker called me up this morning and he was glad to report that---"
Somehow, that didn't sound too appealing to me. "Wait, wait a minute." I exclaimed, cutting her. "A gown? For me?"
My mom nodded, smiling benignly.
I didn't feel that good. A dress? Please. I rolled my eyes.
"Look," I began, "I appreciate the thought...but the dress? Err...I'm..."
"It's high time you started acting like a lady, Fuuko. Remember that you are 18 and no longer a child." My mother warned me. "Besides, here it is." She said, gesturing to a long dress of a lavender shade. "It looks perfect, doesn't it? It complements your hair and eyes. Try it on, for your grandma and me. It's a beautiful gift from her."
"But..." I trailed off as my mother gave me another one of her piercing glances. There was no use arguing with her because my grandmother was there. I hesitated before taking the dress into my arms and proceeding to the nearest dressing room. The gown was lovely, I had to admit, but would it look that lovely on me? I doubted it. Maybe for Yanagi, or some of my other friends...but not on me.
I sighed. Why does this have to happen to me? So what if I wore my hair in a short mop? And what if I prefer jeans/shorts to skirts and blouses? I was more comfortable in them than in those frilly stuff. There were times I wished that my father were here. He never seemed to mind if I was a rough girl. I guess those times are nothing more but memories now. I still missed my father's embrace.
Both women gasped as I made my way back to the room, with great difficulty.
"Fuuko, you look lovely!" My mom's smile widened as she took me by the hand and led me in front of grandmother. "A perfect fit too!"
I bit my inner cheek. Whatever.
"Now, now...Fuuko," my grandmother remarked, "this is what your mother means by dressing in more appropriate clothing. You have an ideal figure that most people would envy. It's hidden under those rags you insist on wearing. This suits you and makes you look more like a young woman."
I nodded, trying hard to smile.
The dress was tight. Well, maybe not too tight...but it hugged my whole body. Ridiculous! How am I supposed to move around like this? Plus, it's the most daring thing I've worn in my whole life. Thin straps? My upper back is exposed? I'm liable to be eaten by perverts. Yet seeing how happy my grandmother looks, I could very well object to anything else. I might as well wear the thing and dispose of it the minute the party finishes. I would probably last that long.
*******
I was biting my lip as I peeked through a small crack by the door. I didn't expect this much people! Did grandmother really plan such a big thing? It looked like the whole country was in here. I was nervous and I certainly didn't want to go out to the crowd. I was more uncomfortable than ever. I spent two hours at my room, with 3 or 4 people trying to find a way to dress my hair with my mom hovering about. Finally, they settled for just blowing it dry and fixing a small ornament of my choice.
Not too bad. I looked simple. Just the way I liked it. Mother would have gone on putting pearls or whatever but I insisted on keeping it like this. I wasn't going to allow anyone to dress me up like some doll. I was human after all.
"Fuuko? Fuuko! There you are! Where on earth have you been?" My mother appeared from the back and pulled me by the wrist. "Come on, the party's starting and everyone's eager to see you. I've invited your friends, Recca and this girl Yanagi and this boy Domon, who seems quite interested in you..." she smiled mischievously at me.
DOMON?! I would have fainted, if not for the strong grip on my wrist. "That...that...guy?" I asked disbelievingly. "Mother...how could you? I mean, he's going to slobber over me this evening..."
My protests were cut short as I was presented in front of a thousand guests.
(Tokiya's POV)
"Thank you," I nodded gracefully at the man at the reception. "Come Fujimaru." I beckoned to my servant, bowed low behind me. Getting in was quite easy. I simply waved my hand in front of the man and I had him under me. My prowess in hypnotics proved handy. "Now," I said quietly to him, "try not to do anything foolish. I want you to find the girl."
He set off, looking about as I walked around. Not bad, Kirisawa. Not bad. She had done well for herself. I was pretty sure she had retired from her business, with enough money to spare. This, was certainly proof of what she had. I caught a glimpse of her standing beside a few men, probably talking politics. I resisted the urge of crushing her at this very instant.
Keep in control, I told myself.
"Master," Fujimaru's voice came from behind. "She's over to your right, a few meters away."
I took this time to shift my vision to a girl Fujimaru was indicating. That must be her. She had the same deep set of blue eyes as her grandmother. A lily of magenta and crimson lay perched on her dark violet hair. A lighter shade of the same hue made up her gown. She wasn't elaborately dressed, but the thin straps on her shoulders suggested enough elegance. I made my way towards her group.
"Good evening," I bowed. She looked moderately surprised as she saw me. I smiled inwardly. "You must be Kirisawa Fuuko. It is an honor to finally meet you."
"Yes, I am." She nodded, smiling. "Do I know you, sir?"
"I don't think so." I smiled back. "But I've heard so much about you from your grandmother."
"You know my grandmother?"
I nodded. "Yes, I do know Akiko Kirisawa. She and my older sister are good friends. I happened to receive an invitation to this party of yours. Unfortunately, my sister couldn't make it for she is quite sick. She would have wanted to see you." How ironic. My sister was dead and it was all because of that woman. "Anyway, do you enjoy dancing, Kirisawa-san?"
She shook her head politely. "Please call me Fuuko. And I believe I'm not that good at dancing, sir."
"My name is Tokiya." I answered. "Call me that if you wish."
"Tokiya-san, I'm sorry to say that I'm not a dancing expert. I'm very clumsy when it comes to those things." She laughed weakly. "You'll have to find yourself another person, though I appreciate the invitation."
She was charming. A complete innocent image. I could tell that she knew nothing of my past, her grandmother's past or anything else. I wasn't going to let her brush me off that easily. "Do you believe in quitting, Fuuko-san?" I asked.
"Of course not."
I smirked playfully. "Then you wouldn't mind if I ask you to try." I said, taking hold of her hand and gesturing to the wide space where a few more guests were enjoying themselves. "Don't worry," I said, looking at her sincerely, "I won't embarrass you in front of these people."
She resisted for a few seconds, but decided to come with me. "I don't know any steps." She admitted as she and I took our places. A waltz was just starting as some lights dimmed. I took her other arm. "I can see you've never tried dancing before."
Fuuko nodded shyly. "It's just a waltz." I said. "A moderately slow dance and I can teach you the proper footing. Trust me."
"Alright." She smiled, nervously.
Inside, I was already enjoying my triumph. Getting this girl was easier than I thought. She was innocent. She knew nothing, suspected nothing, and hardly doubted me. Victory smiled upon me and soon, death would sweep across the floor to claim Kirisawa's soul.
(Fuuko's POV)
I can hardly stop my heart from pounding. Here I am, in the dance floor with an absolutely good-looking guy! The look on Recca's face was impossible to describe as Tokiya-san approached me. Plus, he didn't look like one of those dumb guys I encounter at school. He was...mysterious, in a way. I didn't know grandmother had connections with him. He looked a couple of years older than me but he acted to maturely, smoothly. And he was with the number one klutz of dancing.
Man, I'd be so humiliated if I tripped or did something silly. I felt my palms starting to sweat.
"Why are you so nervous?" he asked me, smiling.
I tried to smiled back. "No...um, it's just my first time to do this..."
"To dance or to be held this close by a man?"
"Both." I laughed faintly as he drew me closer. I swear, I saw his smile grew wider at that comment. Way to go, Fuuko. That must have been stupid. Ugh, stupid me. Mother was right. I didn't know how to act around men properly.
"The key is counting to three." He told me. "Follow the beat. I'm leading, so all you have to do and go along with me."
I took a deep breath. "Okay." I started, tried, but failed. A few seconds later, I nearly came crashing into him. Luckily, his grip was firm and it appeared to everyone else that I was leaning on him. "Yikes." I muttered. "I told you I wasn't any good at this."
"You expect too much of yourself." He remarked. "We can try again." He gestured as another meter began. "You are quite good for a beginner."
"Really?"
He nodded. "Really. And I promised not to make you look bad in front of others, right?"
He was right about that, but people were starting to stare at me. Recca, Yanagi and a broken hearted Domon had their eyes practically bulging out from their sockets. I was meanly glad that Recca and Domon could see this. But I caught sight of my mom from the corner of my eye. She looked very pleased and more guests were starting to leave the floor. Soon, it was only Tokiya and I left. I flushed red as I overheard a few comments, whispered among the guests.
"Um...don't you think we should stop?" I asked.
He had the most amazing eyes. I had to take note of them. Pale, pale blue that they reminded me of ice. "Why?" he asked. "Are you getting tired?"
"It's not that...but, everyone's stopped dancing already..."
A stray strand of hair fell across his eyes. Was it colored gray or silver? Or a combination of both? Whatever it was, he was stunning. Absolutely stunning. I didn't want to stop, actually. I wanted to stay like this. It was one of those fairy tales father used to tell me about. A charming prince and his princess dance until midnight...
His princess?
"You're blushing." He noted.
I bit my lip even harder and forced myself to look down.
"We can stop, if you want." He said gently. "I understand completely if you don't want to..."
"No, it's not that." I interrupted, "I do enjoy dancing with you Tokiya-san...it's because so many people are staring at us and they might be thinking..."
"Thinking of what?"
Damn! What was I going to say now? I'm making a complete fool out of myself.
"They're probably staring at you, because they find you attractive."
I coughed. "Me? I don't think so. If you take one look at me without the clothes, makeup or whatever, then you'd probably see me as a plain girl."
"I don't think you're plain." He assured me. "I find your beauty quite captivating."
Was he flirting with me? I had no idea. That last comment of his was...well, my voice got caught and I was sure my heart leapt up a few steps higher. No one ever said such a thing to me before. Not even Recca or that buffoon Domon. I knew the others only said it to get me to go out with them. However, this guy in front of me looked really sincere. I flushed a deeper shade of pink.
"You're very charming," He smiled. "I have to ask you one thing, though... Do you mind if we step outside?"
I shook my head. The next thing I knew was we were sitting outside, overlooking the garden my mom decorated with lights and fountains. I stared at my hands placed on my lap, not knowing what to say. Right then, I felt his hand cover one of mine.
"I'm glad I got to dance with you tonight," he said, taking my hand and kissing it. "I wish you a happy birthday, Fuuko-san. It was an honor meeting you."
If it was possible, I turned redder than ever. "I also enjoyed...dancing with you." I stammered. "I mean, I've never had a chance to do so and I was glad I did it with you. You're very kind, Tokiya-san."
"Kind?" he laughed. "You could say so. You'd have to really get to know me before saying anything like that."
My hand remained in his, but I had no problem keeping it there. "But I really think you are," I insisted. "Not to mention fascinating and attractive and..." I trailed off. There was something in those eyes of his that kept me staring at them, no matter what I did. I felt dreamy, sleepy...
"You don't know me, Fuuko." He smirked, getting closer until I could hear him breathing, and feel his breath against my face. I was stuck. My arms were rendered useless, my face was already warm and my eyes were caught. Stuck.
I would love to get to know him. He was tempting. "But I would really like to---" I softly admitted but I was cut as I felt lips pressing on my own. It was only this time that my heartbeat raced like it never did before and I could do nothing but fall...and let myself get captured.
The last thing I saw was his smile.
~Tsuzuku
A/N: Hello minna! That was kind of short, considering my other chapters in other fics...but anyway...I do apologize for leaving this story out for such a long time. Please forgive me. ^^ I got stuck with a cold, cough and then had a bad case of writers' block. I know I'm supposed to finish Isolation first but I'm stuck with the storyline. Expect a few more chapters of this before I can finally get on with my first fic. I really have to finish this before school starts.
I'm sorry if this chapter sounded a bit fast paced. Tell me what you think and I might revise a few things here and there. And yes, Akiko Kirisawa is Fuuko's grandmother who happened to kill Tokiya's sister. Boy, I did make Tokiya sound sooo evil. For those who are wondering, Fuuko happens to live in a really big house (which explains the big party) with her mom, grandmom...
Fujimaru as Tokiya's slave does sound a bit off. I was considering Domon, but I had other plans for Fuji. BTW, in this story, there are no madougu's, no Kagerou, no Uruha and off course, no Kurei. The whole story is going to revolve around Tokiya and Fuuko only.
'Nuff said. Send in those reviews please! I need to them to improve, and I greatly appreciate those who took time to comment on the prologue.