Disclaimer: I hope someone could convince me to bring them back to their owner… but I know I will, someday…

Chapter 2: Blowing out the candle

There was splashing of water, which was getting even faster. Then, it disappeared, not because it stopped, but because it's speed scaled very high that it's object need not to step a foot on the ground. Kurei pulled away when he noticed that Yanagi's cheeks were suddenly full of flowing tears, dashing, racing for the ground.

" Scarlet"

" Until next time, honey…"

Yanagi's fading voice could not be heard anymore and Yanagi became Yanagi again. In less than a second, Yanagi was gone and Kurei's eyes narrowed when he saw her catch a diamond ring at the other side of the street, the street were she should be meeting Recca. She was on her knees as she wailed and Kurei was by her side.

Kurei, not knowing what words to say, paused. He never felt guilty until this very day when Yanagi was reaching out her hand trying to hold on to something and he was the only one present, who could help her. He kneeled, held her hand and put it on his chest letting it feel the warmth of his heart. He held it tightly and then, hugged her as if he could sympathize with the burden he made in her heart.

" Yanagi, I-"

" Recca…"

" Yanagi, let's go", Kurei murmured when he stood up with Yanagi on his arms. He did not expect any response for Yanagi was already asleep in his arms. " Maybe she cried herself to sleep", he said, looking at Yanagi's face as he walk toward his apartment.

His apartment was warm and cozy and it was full of his hidden taste- lavender and red- the very typical one, which he had arranged, for at least a month with Yanagi who had been close to him these past months as Scarlet. He laid her on his bed, the only bed in his unit, and took a bath in his bathroom, the only bathroom in his unit.

It took him 30 estimated minutes to finish washing his soft hair and when he stepped out, he was greeted by her diffusing perfume. Ignoring the fact that he was on his bathrobe, he absently followed the scent and saw his self on his knees, beside the bed where she was peacefully sleeping. His hands were shaking when he attempted to touch her as if she was a sleeping bear that would kill anyone who disturbs her sleep. Her soft and silky hair was cold from the rain and her calming aroma calmed him. However, when she moved a little, his heart almost stopped, but to his relief, she was still asleep. However, when he sighed, he was unalarmed that she was already awake. His heart stopped when he noticed two balls of crystal blue, blinking, staring at him. He swallowed all the fantasies in him and felt nervous.

" (Gulp) hehe…"

" Kurei?"

" Umm…"

Then, with few views of her surroundings, she was perfectly sure that she was in Kurei's room, the room where she spent almost all her time. She was surprised by how he managed to fix it all by his self since Recca came. She danced admiring each curtains, lamps, mirrors (etc) and stopped when she took a glimpse of a picture, with the fanciest frame design she imagined, and picked it. It was her dressed in an accident abstract painting all over her body- red paint partly on her hair, blue and lavender mixing on her jumper-pants. Then, she looked at Kurei who was almost hiding his face with embarrassment.

" Kurei, I don't remember you took a picture of me when the paint showered at me."

He started to brush the floor with his shoes and scratch his cheek with his index finger. He looked the other way, a sign of embarrassment and a secret.

" Well, actually you really don't know, and you were not supposed to know."

" You mean this was supposed to be a secret that I was not supposed to know. But I was just trying to say that I would like to have a copy of this."

His face burned red and a white smoke suddenly burst out of his ears. He was abashed in front of her.

" What were you thinking?"

" This."

With its rays, the sun kissed the lad on the bed. He was half-awake and he sensed that Yanagi was already out an hour ago. After preparing himself for the day, he drove his car to the supermarket where he would always wait for Yanagi with her groceries.

The rays of the sun sparkled at Kurei's new shiny car. The breeze dried his hair and the day was a bit sunnier today. Then, he saw Yanagi walking at the sidewalk so he stopped the car and she turned to him.

" Need a ride?"

She took a deep breath and then sighed. After that, as accustomed, Kurei would open the door for Yanagi and assist her with her groceries. When he returned to his seat, he did not bother asking her, her destination because as he assured himself, it would be home. But even before he started the engine, she ashamedly asked, " Umm… I had a promise to you right?"

Recollecting his memory, he paused for a minute but when he could not get himself to remember one, he asked, " A promise?"

" A date, remember? I promised to date with you for giving me free rides, right?"

He started the engine, and looked blank and then, turned crimson red right after he remembered the whole thing. His companion started chattering about something that he was not sure was necessary to say. Then, he made a chuckle that made her stop. She was completely observing and at the same time, enjoying this view until she instantaneously realized he was laughing at her. She formed an arc when she held his waist, and raised an eyebrow at him.

" And WHO are you laughing at, Mister?!"

He could not stop laughing, his words were skipping in his mouth that could not bag all his words anymore, which made her angrier until her cheek fattened, and smokes puffed from her ears.

" You- ta-talk too-much"

" So, you want to laugh? Then, take this!"

Yanagi dove her hands, which made Kurei burst in laughter until tears of laughter were forming in his eyes, dropping on his exploding cheeks. He could not breathe properly, and forgot that they were in a car and the traffic was building up because of them. The atmosphere turned into angry horns from the vehicles surrounding them, and a traffic enforcer was knocking on the window.

It took them almost an hour before they could arrange the incident, resulting an insufficient time for their date so instead, they went straight to Yanagi's home.

It was a house with a bamboo yard, which full of the scent of fresh flowers. Kurei pulled slowly the door in row with his. Then, he carefully assisted Yanagi out of the car and carried her groceries for her.

" I'll carry this."

" You don't need to. I can manage, besides, you told me you have a ball to attend tonight. I think you must get ready and fix yourself."

" How about coming with me? I know it would be fun!"

" Coming with you? But-"

" Pretty, pretty please! With sugar and ice cream on top."

Then, with a chuckle she said, " All right, all right, I promise. Besides, you need someone to fix your tie." He joined her for a little laugh before handing Yanagi her groceries, and drove his car.

She was about to enter the house when she saw Recca leaning his back at a wall. He did not greet her as he always does but instead he closed his eyes and smiled sarcastically. She hugged him tight and kissed him as her tears dropped.

" How's the Hokage weapons'? Finish with it?"

He stood erect, picked up an apple from the fallen plastic bag of Yanagi's groceries and started to juggle it with a hand.

" Yes, I am almost completing them. A man with a Hokage weapon was said to be here so I decided to come pass by."

With disappointment, she murmured to herself, " oh…" Then, she started to peel an apple at a table near by. She was sad but she kept up her usual face and started to smile, thinking of a good idea to change the subject.

" Good, then. How about visiting Tokiya and Fuuko tonight? They would sure be happy to see you."

" Yes, I'm sure they will. How about you?"

She stopped when he started to walk to her, and hugged her. Then, he whispered, " I don't want you to miss the ball…" before walking out of the door and shouting, " If there would be any day you are free I would want to reschedule our date!"

Her hands were shaking from the coldness and guilt she had felt. Then, she kneeled and hugged herself as if she could protect herself from 'it'. Recca could no longer be seen from the door when Yanagi collapsed in tears.

Author's Note: Thank you sooooo much for the reviews!!! Chapter 3 will be coming umm… soon. Well, actually, I don't know. My mom is ALWAYS getting angry when she sees me writing stuffs like this. ^__^ Why? Read my Bio.