:: Chapter 4 ::
Raiha looked up in horror at the fearsome apparition he had helped create. The flame angel blazed with a violent fury. Fuuko's wings beat about furiously, causing the air around her to fill with streaks of violet flame. She writhed around as though she was in great pain.
"Kurei-sama? What's happening? Why does it look as though it's hurting her?" Raiha asked his master frantically. He felt scared. What had he done to Fuuko?
For the first time, Kurei seemed genuinely puzzled too. "This… Doesn't usually happen," he gasped. "She's fighting me. It's hard to control her. She's trying to break free."
Suddenly, the flame Fuuko stopped and seemed to calm down. She seemed disoriented and slowly, she hovered lower.
:: Why am I here? :: she demanded. :: I was in a tunnel… and then the flames came… it pulled me out… I… :: she paused. Raiha? You're here too? What's going on? And Kurei? ::
Raiha was at a loss for what to say. He intensely regretted his rash decision yet seeing Fuuko – and hearing her- even if she was in the shape of a flame, made him feel that it was all worth it too. She seemed unaware of the state she was in and he wondered how to break it to her. What should he say? That she was now the flame of Team Hokage's arch enemy and that she had to obey his every command? He gazed up at the awesome being blazing with power and didn't know what to say.
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Fuuko felt strange and light-headed. Everything seemed so surreal and part of her wondered if she was lying somewhere knocked unconscious having the weirdest dream of her life. She seemed to be floating high above the ground but she could see Raiha and Kurei looking up at her with gaping mouths. Well, not Kurei, she thought. A gaping Kurei just isn't right.
Suddenly, from somewhere deep inside of her, she heard a soft, almost dreamy voice.
:: Fuuko, don't be afraid. :: the disembodied voice said so softly that it was like the slightest breath of a whisper.
:: Who are you? :: Fuuko asked suspiciously. :: And where are you for that matter? ::
:: My name is Kurenai. :: said the voice.
The name sounded familiar to her. She had heard this name before. :: Wait a minute… Isn't Kurenai the name of Kurei's lost love or something? ::
The voice tinkled with unexpected laughter. :: Yes, that Kurenai. Glad to know I have a reputation. ::
Ok now THIS is weird, Fuuko thought. I'm speaking to a disembodied voice with a sense of humour. She was beginning to think that she might be schizophrenic.
:: Urm… so uh… Kurenai, aren't you like, dead? ::
:: Hmm, funny you should say that Fuuko. I have something to tell you and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't like it. But it's important that you know. All I can ask is for you to keep calm, ok? :: the voice pleaded.
Fuuko didn't like the way things were sounding one bit but she nodded, before realising that maybe the voice couldn't see her and could only hear her. :: I'm ready. Just hit me with it. ::
Raiha glanced anxiously at Kurei who seemed to be deep in concentration. Up above them, Fuuko had mysteriously stopped thrashing about, floating as though she was suspended in space.
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"Kurei-sama, I'm sorry to interrupt but can you please tell me what is happening right now?" he asked his master haltingly.
Kurei frowned and knitted his eyebrows in annoyance. "What I am doing now, Raiha, is that I allowing Kurenai to speak to Fuuko since you are too afraid to break the news to her yourself," he said matter-of-factly.
Raiha felt a stab of guilt and self-loathing. He felt like such a coward. What happened to the brave ninja who had fought even Fuuko just to absolve the guilt of his ancestor's cowardice? He had subjected Fuuko to a fate that she would have never chose all because he felt guilty for killing her and wanted to see her again. All these, all because of his selfishness. And here he was, not daring to say one word to her. He felt like such a failure.
But a sudden flash of violet flame broke him out of his self-reflection. Heat fanned around them, causing the air to spark violently.
:: RAIHA! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! I SWEAR I'LL KILL YOU RIGHT NOW! I WILL NEVER, EVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS. :: Fuuko screamed in fury as she swooped downwards towards him, her wings streaming behind her like a splendid, deadly cape.
Kurei lurched forward in surprise, his eyes widening in shock. This was the most taxing flame he had ever experienced and he had to use all his will-power to rein her in. He could even feel Kurenai trying to restrain her too. Yet the flame Fuuko still blazed towards Raiha, a beautiful angel of death.
Raiha stood stoically, not budging an inch and gazed up sorrowfully in welcome of the woman he loved.
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A/N: Hey everyone! Since I got round to updating the other fic I thought, what the heck, might as well update this one too! It feels weird though, writing again. First of all, there has been some changes in the format of the story. Now Fuuko's "flame speak" will be in bold with the two "::" thingies. It's been so long since I've written here that I still haven't gotten that editing tool thing figured out so most of the symbols I use don't show up. Ah well. It looks ugly but it'll have to do for now!
Once again, thank you very much to everyone who read this fic and left such wonderful comments. Sorry to keep you all waiting and I'm very honoured that you guys still continue to look forward to a new chapter. I'll really try my best to complete this fic and once again, my heart-felt thanks. You guys rock!!