A/N: First, let me warn you that this chapter is full of spoilers for Raiha and Fuuko's battle in vol. 30. The beginning is based entirely on the manga but the last part is my own of course! ^-^ So, if you don't really mind being spoiled, do continue reading!

:: Chapter 2 ::

Fuuko instinctively raised up her arms to shield herself. A futile attempt against this deadly missile. She closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the searing impact that was to come. The crackling static made her hair stand on its ends and she could feel the increasing heat preparing to overwhelm her. This must be the end.

She stood there for what seemed like hours awaiting her doom, yet nothing happened. Gingerly opening one eye, she saw a shimmering translucent shield in front of her, still crackling with the remnants of Raiha's lightning bolt.

"Fuu- Fuujin-chan?"

The fluffy little white ball of a creature that was Fuujin bobbed near her head. So he was the one who had created that shield!

Come on out Raijin! I know you're in there! Fuujin called out.

Suddenly, Fuuko grabbed him by his head affectionately. "Stop appearing like this! Trying to be like Grampa Kokuu?"

Wind shield! Fuujin called out, just as another bolt of electricity flew from Raiha. Pay attention, Master!

An aura of death seemed to surround Raiha. He looked like he was out to kill. Which is a huge possibility, Fuuko thought sadly. Out to kill me.

Raiha raised his arm again and Fuuko expected another bolt to fly her way. Instead he said, "I allow you to enter me."

Forgive me, Fuuko, for what I have to do. For releasing this beast, this evil. Yet it is calling me, coaxing me, seducing me with all of its great power. Raiha steeled his mind. He could feel his heart growing heavier and heavier. Fuuko… I'm sorry.

Fuuko was puzzled. Who the hell was he talking to? Air? The Raijin's  "tail" lashed around more fiercely and the word "rai" appeared on the kaku, glowing brightly. To Fuuko's horror, the "tail" lingered near Raiha's neck before piercing right into it. Blood spurted out of his mouth in a fine shower and his eyes widened with pain.

"RAIHA-KUN!?"

Raiha wanted to cry out from the agonizing pain. He could feel the evil touch of his Raijin entering him, tainting his thoughts, entering his mind. It was as though a dark, choking cloud was gathering in it.

Remember Raiha, a voice eerily familiar commanded in his head. Kill her.

Fuuko took a step closer to him but Fuujin halted her. Be careful Master, he's about to appear now!

"Who's appearing?" Fuuko asked agitatedly.

As if in answer to her question, there was a brilliant flash of lightning and a huge, monstrous creature appeared in front of Raiha, looking like a cross between a wolf and a lion, with a shaggy mane and a large menacing horn on its forehead.

How nice… finally I can come out into the open, the beast rumbled before laughing manically.

Fuuko could feel her hairs standing on their ends. "Ok, is that a wild boar or what? Please don't tell me that's Raijin."

That's the Raijin's true body, Fuujin informed.

"And to think that you look so cute and harmless…" Fuuko muttered.

Long time no see, Fuujin. Just seeing you makes me insane with rage, Raijin growled.

I think you were already insane from the start, Fuujin retorted. Wow, since when do madougus have smart mouths, the thought idly popped into Fuuko's mind.

You should keep your mouth shut, Fuujin. Don't you agree, Master Raiha?

Raiha just stared blankly ahead, his eyes dull and empty like a puppet.

"RAIHA!!" Fuuko cried out worriedly, impulsively dashing forward. Once again, Fuujin halted her.

No, Master! Raijin has entered him. Now, Raiha is under Raijin's control. You won't be able to reach him! That isn't the Raiha you know anymore!

Fuuko glared in frustration at the huge beast as memories of a goofier, friendlier Raiha came flooding back to her. How can it be, that Raiha would let this evil thing make use of him? There must be some way to get through to him!

Without warning, electricity began building up as Raijin unleashed a storm of electrical energy. In the process, the strong attack burst the large water tanks around the room. Fuuko jumped in surprise as a splash of cold water hit her.

"Oh crap!!" she cursed as she realised how vulnerable she now was to electrical attacks since she was wet. Now she was really getting worried. If this were any other enemy, she'd be blasting him merrily to who-knows-where with Fuujin. But this was Raiha. Fighting him would be as bad as fighting, say, Recca. So what the hell should I do!!??

"Ugh…" Raiha groaned before slumping on the ground. His whole face was pale and he was breathing raggedly.

Are you tired, Raiha? Then rest first… we can fight later, Raijin laughed.

Abruptly, he released Raiha, withdrawing his "tail". Raiha tried to catch his breath while his eyes slowly returned to normal. Finally, he could feel his head clearing. He held his katana in a battle-ready stance, pointing its tip towards Fuuko.

"For Kurei-sama's sake, I will defeat all of you… including you, Fuuko-san," he said between sharp intakes of breath.

"Why Raiha-kun? Why must you protect Kurei to this extent?" Fuuko asked softly. "Answer me, Raiha of Jyuushinshuu!!" she shouted angrily. What is Kurei to you that you'll kill for him??

Raiha gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. A drop of blood dripped onto the ground, gleaming dark red against the grey metal.

"It's because of blood. In me flows the blood of the cowards of the Hokage."

Fuuko was more confused than ever. "Blood?"

"Many years ago, when Nobunaga attacked the Hokage village, many fought but there were some who ran away. Cowards. In me, flows the blood of these cowards and I am so ashamed of it… I am a Hokage descendant… a descendant of the cowards!" he said angrily, clenching his fist.

"Yet, a flame master acknowledges me as a comrade, as someone to fight with," he continued, gazing into the distance. "To me, that's something that brings me much joy."

With a slight smile playing about his lips, he took out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket with Neon, Jishou and Raiha's name on it, written in blood.

"This pact, signed by the three of us… to protect Kurei-sama… even till death. Jishou fights on as his flame, Neon risked her life for him. Now it's my turn," he said smiling goofily once more.

A few shurikens landed at Fuuko's feet.

"I must try to dispel my past so I won't run away now! Fight Fuuko, please fight."

Fuuko stood there silently. Finally, she raised her head, a defiant look in her eyes.

"It's tough Raiha, to fight you. But you know what? You're not the only one with someone to protect. I have to protect Yanagi-chan too. So we're even!" she said with a confident smile on her lips.

"Fuujin!" she called as she hurled a large gust of wind at Raijin.

Puny attack! I can easily- argh!! Raijin groaned as Fuujin's attack hit him squarely.

:: Wow, what a cool castle, Fuuko thought excitedly. Time to explore!

Turning around, she ran right smack into a tall, long-haired young man in a ninja's outfit.

Holding her by her arm, he grinned at her cheerfully.

"Are you ok, miss?" ::

With Raijin temporarily stunned, Fuuko jumped at Raiha, Shinryoshintou (the sword-like madougu ) in hand. Raiha easily parried her attack with practiced accuracy. Fuuko somersaulted in the air, narrowly avoiding Raiha's counter attack.

"Fuujin!!" Fuuko called out.

Coming! the little furball replied, hurling another wind attack towards Raiha.

This time though, Raijin was there to block it.

:: Fuuko was in the park practicing for her match the next day. Suddenly, Raiha popped out of nowhere.

"Hey Fuuko-san! Let's have another bout!"

"Don't be crazy! Go practice by yourself!" Fuuko replied gruffily.

Raiha turned to her with a hurt look on his face.

"How cold… I just wanted the two of us to be together!" he said softly. ::

All these memories… it's making fighting him so difficult, Fuuko thought in irritation.

Raijin looked ready to pounce on her but Fuujin was ready this time.

Take this! he called out, throwing a net of wind energy at the god of thunder.

The attack hit and Raijin roared out in pain. However, Fuuko was severly taxed too. Kneeling on the floor in exhaustion, she paused to catch her breath.

:: Raiha knelt in front of her, smiling that familiar smile.

"Your prince is here to save you." ::

"This isn't easy…" Raiha heard Fuuko say softly. "Since the prince who always rescues me will never come."

Her words tugged at Raiha's heart. Suddenly, fighting her was becoming nearly impossible. Yes, he was her prince! He had told her that. Yet today, her prince was the one fighting her! He gazed at the strong, beautiful young woman in front of him. She was so young, yet she was so much braver than most people he had met in his life. Just like him, she was risking her life for her friend. How can I continue this fight?

Without warning, Fuuko came at him again brandishing Shinryoshintou.

Raiha was caught completely by surprise and he responded as he was trained to do. With his katana, he parried her attack once more and this time, his counter attack connected. It was a mistake trying the same thing on him twice.

To his horror, his katana slid into soft flesh… and a feeling of déjà vu overcame him. He felt the expected rush of warm blood and the familiar coppery smell.

Exactly like his dream.

He was going to watch Fuuko die. Again.

"FUUKO!!" he screamed as he caught her limp body.

Blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth and she was gasping in pain. "Raiha… you…" she choked, tears streaming down her face. She clenched his arm tightly.

"No Fuuko, not now! You can't die now!!" Raiha cried as he desperately tried to stop her blood from gushing out.

Fuuko's eyes filled with pain and… fear. The cold realization that she was dying hit her and she suddenly knew the very cold and acute fear of death. "Raiha, I don't want to die!" she whispered weakly.

Neither do I want you to, Raiha thought in frustration. "Hang on Fuuko! I'll… I'll think of something. Just hang on!"

"It hurts, Raiha… my heart is hurting too… why did you…" before she could finish, she let out one last tortured breath before her eyelids slowly closed.

* * * * * *

Kurei whirled around with his arm raised when he heard the loud, pattering footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. When he saw who it was though, he lowered his arm. Behind his mask, he let out a small gasp of surprise.

Raiha stood before him, eyes red with crying, tears still streaming down his cheek. In his arms, he tenderly carried the lifeless looking body of Kirisawa Fuuko. Raiha knelt in front of him, trying desperately to control his tears.

"Kurei-sama, I beg you. Turn Fuuko into your flame. Please!"

* * * * * *

A/N: Whew, this chapter is waaay longer than what I'd usually write. Ok, I know I'm probably a bit morbid since I end up killing my characters a lot. What to do… all my school compos also have death as a driving force for the plot! Still, I really hope you've enjoyed the story so far and will continue reading it. Thanks once again to all the reviewers… I really really appreciate your reviews A LOT!! =)