:: Chapter 3 ::

Cold…

So cold.

And so dark.

I can't see anything.

Where am I?

How did I get here?

Where's everyone?

Recca… Domon… Yanagi… Tokiya… Kaoru… and…

Raiha.

I hate this place...

I hate being alone.

* * * * * *

Kurei remained expressionless, showing no trace of the inner turmoil he was feeling. He was surprised, shocked, and not to mention worried. He had never seen Raiha reacting this way. Usually, the ninja was as calm and composed as he was. Now, he was hysterical with grief, and of all things, had asked him to turn Fuuko into a flame. If Raiha was in his right state of mind, he too would find it completely absurd.

"Raiha, listen to me. I simply can't do that."

"Why not?! Don't you get it? I killed her! For YOUR sake! I've done so much for you! The least you can do is to grant me just this one request!" Raiha screamed.

"I can't," Kurei replied calmly.

Suddenly, and most unexpectedly, Raiha leapt forward and grabbed Kurei by his collar so that they were eye to eye.

"JUST DO IT!! Is it so difficult?!" Raiha shouted angrily.

Kurei coolly loosened Raiha's grip on him and took a step back. He should be seething by now, yet all he felt was pity.

"I'm sorry Raiha. If Fuuko were to become a flame, she would be one forever. Not only that, but her soul would be under my control, as a flame. Can you bear that? Can SHE bear that?"

"Kurei-sama, I don't care. She can't be gone. I can't lose her just like that. Bring her back. Please," Raiha whispered, tears welling up in his eyes again. He gently fingered Fuuko's cheek and stroked her hair. "You know what it's like to lose someone you love. I love this girl. I love Fuuko very much."

Kurie sighed. He remembered how he felt- no, still feel- about losing Kurenai, his only love. The pain, the grief, the sadness… and worse of all, the guilt. He remembered the horror of the fact that never would he be able to see her again. Never to hear her bubbly laughter, see her sparkling eyes, never to feel the soft, warm touch of her hand. What Raiha was going through, Kurei could understand perfectly. Still… Should I do it? Should I turn her into a flame. For his sake? To ease his pain?

Kurei gazed at Raiha sadly, at the man who was more like a friend to him than just a subordinate. He would regret this. He knew he would. Heck, he didn't know whether what he was about to do was right. For once, Kurei was at a loss at what to do.

* * * * * *

Fuuko was floating in a tunnel. She didn't know how she knew this since it was too dark to see anything. Yet, she simply knew. It was so cold in the tunnel, a chill that permeated her very being and caused her a feeling of overwhelming weariness. She felt so tired, so drained. She wanted rest.

Suddenly, she saw a tiny pinprick of light like a star, beckoning to her. She went towards it, realising for the first time that she was floating. Closer and closer she went, faster and faster. The light grew brighter until she saw that it shone a hazy gold. She became aware of a slight sound breaking the silence. It sounded like… bells chiming in the distance. Their music soothed her, welcomed her.

As she drew nearer to the light, she could feel its golden glow surround her, driving out the chill. She felt warm all over and felt as though a burden was being lifted from her shoulders. Nearer still she floated towards the light, craving for the comfort it provided her. All fears, all doubts vanished from her mind. She *had* to get there. The bells grew louder and the light consumed her when suddenly…

WHOOOSH!

The whole tunnel was set alight by a stream of violet flames which travelled along the tunnel walls. Fuuko tried to move faster, away from those horrible flames. However, the flames were too fast. They snaked around her body and she felt cold all over again. The flames were dragging her back, the golden light becoming smaller and smaller, the chiming fading into nothing.

"NOOOO!!" she cried as she desperately tried to wriggle her way out. "NO NO NOOOO!!"

* * * * * *

Very abruptly, a violet flame hovered above Fuuko's body. The flame was in the likeness of Fuuko, with the exception of a pair of magnificent wings growing out of its back. However, its mouth was opened in a silent scream.

NOOO!!

Raiha jerked in surprise when he heard Fuuko's scream in his head. A scream full of agony and despair. Kurei's eyes widened slightly. He must have heard the scream in his head too.

Flame Fuuko thrashed her wings wildly, all the while screaming.

Raiha stared at her, his heart wrenching with pain. Kami-sama, what have I done?

* * * * * *

A/N: Ok, I finally got round to updating this fic. Now when I think about it, I'm not sure how the plot will work out… I guess I'll just see where my imagination takes me! Heheh… Anyway, this is a pretty boring chapter, not to mention short… I'm trying to think of stuff to write. Still, I hope that you've enjoyed the story so far… and please review if you can! =)