Aoi to Akai
(Blue and Red)

A Recca no Honoo fanfic

By Tenshi no Ai

No, I do not own Recca no Honoo. No, I am not making any money off of this. Yes, I am just a mere fan...

Summary: On the school roof on a warm May day, a conversation between former foes changes a perspective once again.

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I'm starting to wonder if I might explode after all.

The figure of a female high school student laid on the rooftop of the school. Arms were splayed out at the sides of the comatose body. Thick royal purple bangs haphazardly covered a delicate face with closed eyes. The legs were modestly closed, as the blue plaid skirt of the summer uniform only covered halfway down muscular thighs. White socks snugly reached up to about mid-shin. The school shoes, white with black tipped slip-ons, were neatly placed next to the feet of the body.

Before, I compared myself to a deep-water fish that had been genetically altered by Mori's cells. They were stronger, more vicious, more able to survive than any other breed of fish, but if they dared to rise towards the shining light that reflected off of the very top of the water, they would immediately combust due to the displacement of organs in their body. So, the fish would always be immersed in the depths, never seeing the light that other fish could enjoy.

The sun shone, basking the figure in its indiscriminating warmth.

Power at a price, you know.

Aoi liked these kind of days. It was another nice May day that promised warmth and relaxation. It was the kind of day that flirted with students and workers alike, convincing them to skip class and work for just one day, this day. It would be worth your while.

He compromised with that teasing voice and decided to enjoy the gentle weather whenever he could.

I didn't think I really minded. The only thing on my mind since I was born' was how much I wanted to receive praise from Mori Kouran. I wanted to be respected. I didn't want to be called a failure!

It was a reprieve from the anxiety he had felt as of late. The sun distracted his mind from worrying, from thinking, from remembering.

I just wanted my existence to be validated by the man who created me.

The sun caressed his bare limbs and whispered that, just for this short time, stay with me and forget.

But I was just a failure. Only useful for the menial jobs. Kill this person, manipulate that person.


Kidnap that girl.

It was hard to forget.

With each successfully completed job, I was sure that this' would be the time where I would be complimented. This' would be the time where I would be respected for all my hard work.

From the back of his mind, he heard the stomps and shouts of several rowdy students coming up in the stairwell. The door opened and the noises were suddenly out in the open.

This' would be the time that I would be called a success.


He could hear worried whispers over his current state. Tentative footsteps neared his head, but a male voice called for that person to stop and leave their friend alone. The sounds of advancing steps halted, and then retreated.

Recca-san forced me to rise above that way of thinking. He told me that I was human, that I could swim up to the surface and bask in the sun. It was then I realized that I could do things on my own free will.

The only person that could validate my existence is myself.

It's a wonderful feeling.

Feeling a bit bad about lying to his friends, Aoi opened his eyes and sat up, lazily waving hello to his friends. Yanagi, who he suspected was the one who had tried to come over to him, cheerfully waved back, then motioned him over to where their group was eating. With a regretful smile, he shook his head, slipped on his shoes and walked over to the bars that surrounded the edge of the roof.

Floating at the top of the water does have its own complicating factors, however. No longer could I live as a cold warrior with no will of my own. I had to breathe for myself, and depend on others emotionally. Friends' instead of allies'.

He sat down in front of the bars, and tried to reclaim the thoughts he had while the sun had shone its purifying rays on him.

I have to deal with new emotions, ones I never thought that someone like me would ever have to work with.

Instead, the thoughts that had plagued him for about a month now came back to haunt him with a vengeance. Those thoughts, those ponderings, that aching to know just what he meant to other people. To other people from his past.

I haven't exploded yet from the stress of all these new emotions. I'm sure that I can still stay afloat.

To a person who lingered in his past, present and future.

I want to stay afloat.

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Lightly, almost hesitantly, Aoi reached forward with his calloused hands and grasped the bars. He lowered his head, a movement made with equal parts confusion and exhausted. If there were a kami floating on the other side of the bars, he would have appeared as a weary prisoner, resting on the very thing that separated him from society.

From everyone.

He knew that, if nothing else, he had erected those bars. He was the one locking himself away from everyone. With Hiruko's call last month, he really didn't feel like being the happy tomboy everyone knew.

He couldn't help but brood over what that call meant.

What...what did it mean?

Aoi scooted up so that his forehead could rest against the cool metal without straining his neck muscles. At the thought of that call, those strange feelings began churning in his chest.

He didn't know.

He heard the footsteps of another person approaching him. Unlike the last pair, the steps did not sound at all timid. Hey, what's wrong with you? A brash, masculine voice sounded to his right.

Aoi smiled darkly. Hello, Recca-san, he raised his head and tilted it slightly to the right, knowing that his bangs covered his entire face in Recca's viewpoint, what brings you here?

Just felt like walking, y'know? It was a nonchalant response from a person who was anything but. Now Aoi turned his head to look at the ex-ninja directly, his smile not reaching his coffee-brown eyes.

Without your girlfriend?

An eyebrow arched above a storm-blue eye. Yanagi's worried about you.

The coffee-brown eyes lingered on Recca's fairly irritated expression for a moment before being directed downward. Is that so?

The bland question only served to irritate Recca further. he said through gritted teeth, in fact, your attitude's getting to all of us.

At this, Aoi sharply looked up and noticed the sincerity in his former enemy's eyes. He seemed to consider something for the briefest of moments before looking away. Let's have a man-to-man talk, Recca-san.

Recca's eyes inadvertently wandered down to Aoi's tanned, bare legs, I don't think I can have a man-to-man' talk with someone wearing a skirt, he raised his eyes up to Aoi's face, and a padded bra. What do you do, anyway, shave your legs? Recca inwardly shuddered at the idea of any man doing that to himself.

Aoi grinned. I wax my legs, actually, he waited until Recca stared at him in unbridled horror, then shook his head, just kidding! Actually, I don't have very much in the way of body hair, so I don't have to worry about shaving or waxing. Besides, you could tell I was a, his voice lowered to a dramatic whisper, man, so why would talking man-to-man with me like this bother you?

Alright, alright, whatever, Recca wasn't too pleased, but I thought you would want to talk to Yanagi about whatever's bothering you. Why me?

Because last time we talked like that, you told me to walk.

At this, Recca plopped down onto the hard cement of the school roof. That's true, he agreed, smiling, so, you can't evolve and walk futher...why?

Aoi secretly marveled at the spiky-haired boy's sudden willingness to talk, as well as his memory. Although, he supposed, he was the living reminder of that particular conversation. Something from my past is making me wonder why I went through all the trouble to try and live...there were some things in my past that made living bearable.

Someone, anyway, he added to himself.

Breathing deeply, he continued. I like living a normal life...I really like Yanagi-chan and everyone, but lately I...

I don't really want to keep walking forward.

Oh, is that it? Aoi looked up into Recca's inexplicably bland face.

You know, the purple-haired boy said slowly, if I wanted that sort of response, I would've gone over to Mikagami-san first.

Well, I don't mean it like I don't care, or something, Recca looked almost insulted, it's just that everyone thinks like that. Everyone has something they liked that was in the past. So I don't see what you're really complaining about is all.

Aoi blankly stared at his one-time opponent. Is it really like that? Everyone has something they prefer in their past, but...

Does this mean...I'm normal?

Of course you're normal! Recca smiled, You go to school, you have a job, and you have friends...that's like everybody else's life. That's how everyone else lives.

Nodding, Aoi beamed at Recca. So, what about you?

--Everyone has something they liked that was in the past--

What about me...what?

What do you like that was in the past?

the spiky-haired teenager scratched at the back of his head, well, ah...I didn't mind fighting, cause it was all for Hi...ah, Yanagi. I liked being with all my friends, especially in the Urabutousatsujin III...y'know, just kicking it up in the hotel suite and having game tourneys against Saichou, Domon, Mikagami and Koganei. And the poker nights were awesome, too! Now he sniffed, but the best thing was seeing Yanagi everyday. Yeah, that was the best.

At this, Aoi sighed. You still do see Yanagi-chan everyday.

Unless she's with you.

Yes, well... Smiling faintly, Aoi lay back, tucking his hands underneath his head as a makeshift pillow, would you do it all again?

Recca shifted around so that he could lean back against the metal bars running along the perimeter of the roof. Hell yeah...well, if I had the choice I wouldn't have done the whole turn Yanagi into a flame angel' thing. That sucked.

Mahogany brown eyes closed. I would like to say that I wouldn't have kidnapped Yanagi-chan, but... An image of Renge appeared unwittingly, and Aoi was unable to continue.

Recca mumbled, we still would've saved her anyway.

It was silent as the conversation fell into a lull. For either of the two it wasn't as comfortable as sitting with Yanagi, but there were worse people to sit next to.

For his part, Aoi was brooding over something in his mind. Recca had told him that he was normal. Normal. Just another ordinary student, albeit one who wore the wrong school uniform and held exemplary grades despite the hours he worked.

He wondered if he deserved it, this gift of living a perfectly ordinary life.

The acceptance of friendship from the very people he had hurt.

The reassurance that he was human, not just a constructed human made only for the purpose of harnessing fire, but something more.

Not even Hiruko had said anything like that.

Have I truly risen from the depths...? He sighed, a look of melancholy creasing his normally gentle features.

Recca, never one to pass up a moment where he could speak bluntly, gave Aoi an annoyed look. Geez, don't think so hard about it. Just live and enjoy life. Isn't that what you wanted to do in the first place, Aoi?

The feminine boy simply smiled.

It was true. He had wanted to live the incredibly mundane life of a human. That desire stemmed from the fact that he had wanted to delude himself into thinking that he was like everyone else, not just a living weapon.

He was beginning to understand now that he had been like everyone else from the start, no matter how different his past was.

It had never been a delusion.

For a brief, almost tangible moment, he wondered what Hiruko would've said about the last few thoughts. He imagined that the older man would've said something halfway insulting, but not really, and twitch the corner of his lips up in that infuriating smirk.

That was his way of showing he cared.

Then the moment faded away, and what was left was that strange crush of feelings inside him. Those feelings that he was starting to build up the courage to accept.

Even if he wasn't sure what they were.

You awake?

Aoi opened one eye at this, effectively putting on a dazed expression at Recca's inquiry. Are you in love with Yanagi-chan?

Recca sputtered, only his indignity at being asked such a question getting through. Why do you care!? he finally managed out. Aoi noted that he seemed more flustered at the randomness of the question than at the question itself.

Aoi grinned. She is my best friend, and I am simply looking out for her best interests.

Sure you are, the spiky-haired boy looked wary, you're just like those girls in Yanagi's classroom. All scary-like an' always making fun of me about her.

Right hand propping up his upper body, left arm draped over his stomach, Aoi's smile seemed almost predatory in a way that struck Recca as purely feminine. Oh, Ojisan, I just want to know if Yanagi-chan will be my new obasan!

Recca seemed to turn an unhealthy shade of green. Don't...call me...that...

Sorry, sorry, Recca-san, this was said in an unrepentant tone, but I just wanted to know how you feel about Yanagi-chan.



A gentle smile returning, Aoi fell back against the concrete. Just humor me.

Recca was considering if there was something devious behind the other boy's intentions. Finally he just sighed and slouched down even more. Yanagi is...Yanagi is...she's just...special, he smiled lightly, I just like being with her, y'know?

The delicate-looking boy closed his eyes. he said slowly, I do know...

Is that who's holding you back? Recca said almost gently, the person you like?

Holding me back...Hiruko...because I like him?

Aoi sat up with a start. What do you mean by that? he demanded.

Now Recca was puzzled.

What do you mean when you say

I mean...someone you like being around. Someone that you can't stand to separate from. Someone who you can't help but think about, especially when they're gone. That sorta thing, I guess, the scarred boy looked away, almost bashful.

Aoi didn't notice. Instead, he was unknowingly tracing katakana onto the ground with his left index finger as he mulled over what Recca had just said.

Someone I like being around...

Hi

Someone that I can't stand to separate from...

Ru

Someone who I can't help but think about...

Ko

The person that I like...is that what these feelings mean? Is that why his call bothered me so...?

What's wrong? Aoi's head snapped up to meet his questioner's gaze.

I think, he started slowly, that you've given me a lot to think about.

These weird feelings mean that I like Hiruko?

Recca had a strange look on his face, indifference warring with something that could be construed as worry. Whatever. I'm going to go back over to Yanagi for whatever's left of lunch.

You sacrificed lunch for me? Aoi was bemused, even as those strange feelings churned inside him. Recca nodded.

Yep, and even spending time with my...with Yanagi. You owe me, y'know, he quickly flashed the purple-headed youth a boyish grin, then stood up and left. Aoi didn't watch him leave. They did share the same class, after all.

Slowly, almost achingly so, he stood and walked over to the bars. He peered through them, seeing faraway buildings and blue sky. He raised his head up in the direction of the sun. Those strange feelings seemed to have calmed down in light of his realization of what they truly were.

A nice warmth, like the sun's, spread inside his body.

He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to meet Hiruko as he was now.

Then the school bell rang, signifying the end of lunch, and Aoi turned his back on the sun and headed for the stairs. Humming a nameless little ditty as he opened the door and took the steps two at a time, he felt more relaxed than he had been in a month.

He felt he understood a bit more about what it meant to live. He felt that he could accept those strange feelings. Those wonderfully strange feelings that were a part of mundane' living.

This feeling of especially liking someone.

Aoi smiled, wondering as the strange feelings fluttered.

What happens after you decide you like someone?

He couldn't wait to find out.

-Owari-

Yes, one final down, one to go! I had to write two essays, so that's why I was late with this installment of Aoi to...'. This was a bit annoying to write, because this is a G-rated fic, so I had to tone down Recca's language. I've always wanted to have a G-rated fic series. Tiny, tiny notes:

-Aoi was created from Kurei's DNA, hence his use of ojisan' (uncle) to Recca. I don't exactly know if it was Kurei and Kurenai's DNA, like Renge, or just Kurei's.

-The beginning in this chapter is the one I like the most out of this series. I felt this one touched the core of Aoi's character the most.

-Today (5/3) is my birthday! I'm now 19! And, yes, this doesn't really count as a story note, but I had to talk about this somewhere...

Reviews!

Hello, JadOo! It's doesn't notify me when you review one of my stories. -- Anyway, I wish there were more Aoi stories, or Aoi/Hiruko stories, but only if they do justice to them. I hope I'm portraying Aoi alright...

Hey, rhiannon! Well, even if you don't know much about Aoi, I really hope that you can get the gist of him throughout this series. I feel that he is one of the better Tendoujigoku Arc characters. I'll try my best to finish this story, as well as Shidareyanagi...progress of stories are in my author's profile.

Yoroshiku, Sarri-chan! This isn't my normal way of writing...3rd POV is still a little awkward for me to write, but I'm glad you like it! No, no one else, except for Recca and Hiruko, know that Aoi is male. This is because, in RnoH's epilogue, Aoi was still shown with breasts, so I inferred that he decided keep up the pretense of being a girl. I hope you like this part as well!

Thank you all for reading this far, and I hope you're enjoying it!