Ok so I know you guys probably want to kill me for this but you see I have a very logical explanation to defend myself honest! You see I actually forgot we had a softball tournament up and for the entire week our coached trained us from sunrise to sundown. Actually it was more like "go and run laps like the dogs you are." TTTT evil smock! I have no freetime and I was practically dead before I even reach my room. I did however write during my free time in the dugout. I actually got so engrossed that when it happened to be my turn to bat my coach and the others were looking at me funny. Then I realize I was actually carrying my notebook and pen to bat. I WAS SO EMBARRASSED! So yeah here is the result of it. DON'T KILL ME!

WINTER WHITE

Recca had about an hour until the alarm clock goes off. He was already dressed in his school uniform and was just waiting for the sun to come up. He could not sleep. And that is all because of an incident he had witness not so long ago.

He could not remember a time when he had acted so stupid. He did not know why he just bolted off after seeing his brother with Kaoru and even after he made a promise to Yanagi that he would not act like a depressed schoolgirl who just lost her boyfriend. But when he saw the brunette latched himself on his brother's arms he felt his insides burned. Kurei is his niisan damn it! He already prepared himself to march right up to them and threaten an explanation but when he saw Kurei smile back at the kid he stopped in his tracks. The uneasy feeling he had a while ago turned into something sad. Kurei did not show a serene smile to anyone but him. He always thought that it made him special but when he saw his brother's smile directed at the brat he could not help but run the opposite direction.

Recca grabbed a pillow and stuffed it in front of his face to muffle his scream. 'Pull yourself together damn it!' he scolded himself. He got up and folded his futon. 'It's been a while since I trained. A warm up wouldn't hurt. It might even clear my head.' He thought.

…………………………

"Kaoru wake up. You'll be late for school." Kaoru snuggled further under the covers of his futon. "Don't wanna." He mumbled. Kurei sighed. ' What is it with kids nowadays and their unwillingness to get up on time.' (A/N:You have no idea) With one swift movement Kurei pulled the covers up exposing the brunette to the cold air. The cold immediately greeted the young boy and he curled himself to conserve heat but unfortunately his plan did not work.

"Get up Kaoru. I do not like telling people twice."

"tch." With a huff the preteen made a slow pace to the bathroom.

Kurei shook his head and smiled. Both of those boys acted exactly the same on early mornings. But his expression slowly turned into a solemn one when he remembered just who he was comparing Kaoru with.

…………………………….

"Western breakfast!" Kaoru's eyes were as bug as saucers. What lay before him was freshly cooked bacon and eggs.

'Ting'

He heard the toaster pop and the smell of buttered toast filled the air.

"The food will not eat itself up you know. What is the matter? Is it not to your liking?"

Kaoru immediately shook his head. Kaoru instantly shook his head. "No. That's not it. I love buttered toast! It's just that it has been a long time since I had one." He looked down at his lap. "I suppose." Kurei started. "You have always been fond of the Western style breakfast back at the mansion." The brunette looked at the older man in surprise. 'Kurei knew about this?' It was true. He used to beg the chef to make him toast and eggs in the morning. He was a nice old man and was eager to do his culinary job to the best of his abilities. Kaoru smiled. Kurei did actually pay attention to him though he did not openly show it. "I also did not expect that you can cook…"

"…At all ." he added.

"I shall take that as a compliment. An unexpected person taught me a few pointers." Was the solid reply.

" Huh. And who is this iron gut person that was able to survive your scary-oh-so-mighty presence may I ask." Curious cat like eyes stared at the pale man.

"It's…" he paused. "No one."

………………………………

After breakfast Kaoru began to fold the futon while Kurei made some last minute organizing with his files. Kaoru suddenly remembered that he wanted to ask Kurei a question but was too tired the previous night.

"Neh. Kurei-niisan." He started.

"Hn?"

"How come you got a futon already before I came?" He again saw the older male's body stiffen and hesitate his answer. "An emergency sleeping spot for unexpected guests in case they need to spend the night."

Kaoru knew that this was definitely not the case. Kurei was vicious and definitely direct (in a well delivered manner). Even though he kills steals he would always give a straight to the point answer.

"Kaoru, please make sure that you got everything ready for school I have to go ahead." He picked up his briefcase and coat as he announced "Itte kimasu" to the younger when the other announced "Itte rasai."

Kurei traveled at a slow pace towards the station and wander on his thoughts. In truth he actually bought the futon for Recca. His chest once again felt like it was being squeezed. He wanted a place for Recca to sleep unconsciously wanting the other boy to send more nights there. When he moved out of the Hanabishi household he felt that it was indeed a start of a new life. He did not need to intrude anymore but most of all for the first time in many years he get to have a private time which he never experienced with Kouran's security cameras all over the place. Recca's house was not bad but having two grown males share a small spaced room had gotten a little uncomfortable. At first having a studio apartment seemed like a good idea but as weeks passed he started to feel lonely though he would not admit it to them. Suddenly those nights where his brother would unconsciously go near him was not so bad at all. The whining was slowly becoming something he needed to hear. He also missed the times when they would go behind the backyard to spar and only stopping when Recca's father practically goes into cardiac arrest when he sees the flames on their arms. It was a fireworks workshop after all. No it was not a you never miss water till its gone case but more like having the same desert for the past months before finally deciding to stop buying the damn thing only to realize months later that it was your favorite food and your appetite can't be satisfied without it.

"This may sound exaggerated but I your actually late. By three minutes but actually late, Takehiko-kun." The female at the reception joked. "I wanted to take the long walk here and enjoy the weather. It would be snowing soon." Kurei replied as he took off his coat.

"Hitori follow me." The chief who was suddenly stood behind him walked towards his office silently requesting the younger male to follow. The chief sat behind his work desk and he motioned the pale man to sit opposite of it. The middle aged man paused for a moment and turned his tired eyes at Kurei. "There is a man that came here late this evening looking for the kid you got." He waited for the other's response but when he got none he continued. "I told him that one of our fellow officers took him in for the night. He asked who but I refused for security reasons and told him to comeback in the morning." He looked at his so-called nephew once again and added "What can you say about this."

"I would like to know who this person is but if it's no trouble could you be the one to entertain and I will be at the other room looking through the one-way mirror?" Kurei's tone didn't give a clue of what he was thinking but the man agreed.

……………………….

"Recca what happened. You looked like you ran a marathon." There history teacher Tatesako commented. Recca indeed looked like he ran allover the city district. "I got a little carried away with morning exercise." He laughed nervously. The teacher sighed and asked him to proceed to his desk which he did without question and thankful that he did not get punished for it. Tatesako was an enthusiastic history teacher that shared many interests with Recca. They where not in acquaintance for that long but the two seemed to understand each other well. And his lessons always made Recca forget that he had problems.

Lunch break came soon and he met Fuuko and Domon at the rooftop. The sun was at it's peek so the weather was just fine. "Recca over here." The girl shouted and gestured the clothed she and Domon sat on. Recca took a quick view of his surroundings then asked. "Hime?"

"She dropped by my class earlier and said she couldn't make it. She had to meet with someone today. And as usual Mikagami-san has something important to do so it's just the three of us kike old times." The fujin user answered. Recca smiled and sat down in between the two. He took out two bento boxes filled with different assortments of fish. "Wow Kagero-san sure outdid herself this time." Domon's mouth was literally watering.

"Yeah I guess she did." Recca would rather die than admit that he was the one who prepared the food. It was embarrassing he would rather keep his secret inside his home. The only person who knew about this was…

"Recca what's wrong?" Fuuko asked in concern. "You where grinning from ear to ear a while ago."

"Ah…well…" Recca shook his head then smiled "It's nothing. It's just me being silly again." He began to hand his bento to Domon. "Here. Ka'san said that you like fried octopus."

"Oh that's reminds me. Christmas is just three days away. You guys better not forget to buy me presents" Fuuko said in excitement. Both boys paled trying not to make it obvious that they indeed forgot to do their Christmas shopping.

"Yeah but no sign of snow." The pierced boy replied.

"It always snows late here. Heck I can't even remembered the last time we had a white Christmas." The flame caster joined the conversation.

"What's so great about a white Christmas anyway? The snow becomes unbearably cold you know."

"Because it's romantic." Fuuko and Recca turned to Domon. They could not believe what the lage man had just said.

"What?"

………………………………………

"Please put this ear piece on. It will be of great help." Kurei handed the Chief the small instrument. They went there separate ways. Kurei to the room behind the one way mirror while Asato to the lobby to meet up with the man who was asked for Kaoru.

Kurei sat patiently looking through the one-way mirror. He could not afford to be found and if that man was indeed working for Kouran that he would not only put him in deep trouble but the station as well.

The door in to the interrogation room opens he was greeted first by the site of the chief but he could not surprised the gas when he saw the person Takehiko-san was escorting to the room.

"Raiha." He whispered to himself.

"I'm sorry for this inconvenience but it is a standard procedure." Takehiko started as he gestured a seat for the longhaired man.

"I understand." The man replied.

"Ok. First I would like you to state what businesses you have with the boy."

"I was an acquaintance with that boy a while back. A friend of mine took him in from the streets. I heard what happened so I decided to take responsibility for it."

"What about your friend? The one you said took the boy in."

"Unfortunate events happened that lead him not being able to come." The tone was to flat for comfort.

"I see." The chief rubbed his chin in thought. He stared at the mirror hoping his expression revealed enough for Kurei to understand his silent question. 'Raiha was m comrade back then. He was loyal to me more that Kouran. But we cannot afford to be careless. His motives are vague. It is unlike him. If you can uncle, please do not reveal me to him. And offer him a reason as to why he cannot take Kaoru' Kurei spoke through the earpiece. The chief nodded.

"Well Raiha-san I have some good news and some bad news." The man nodded in understanding.

" I am afraid that we can not grant you the child's custody if you were planning to take him. Without proof that you are a legal guardian the rules simply won't allow you to take hold of the child."

"I am aware of that and that is why I brought this." Raiha handed the man an a4 envelope. "Please open it." Takehiko opened the said document and was surprise to see Kaoru's birth certificate in it.

"I'm sorry Raiha-san this would still not be enough evidence. You could be anyone that can endanger the child. Please understand we are a bit protective of him because of the case." If Raiha was disappointed he did not show it.

"Well then I hope I would like the good news."

"The boy is being well taken cared off. He seems at home with one of my entrusted fellow officers. If things don't work for you rest assured that he is in safe hands."

"I see." Raiha got up from his seat and stared through the mirror. "Is he here I would like to meet him."

"No he is on duty out on the streets."

"I see." Raiha offered his hand to the chief. "I would really like to meet him. To ease my mind perhaps next time but for now I must take my leave." Takehiko took the offered hand and shook it. The long haired man left but not before glancing at the mirror.

There was something not right about Raiha. He was usually carefree and sometimes aloof. Kurei heard the door opened. He knew who was behind him without even looking. "That went well." Takehiko announced.

"Indeed. I have to talk to Kaoru. Mori Kouran is dangerous. We need every information we can get."

"Geez. For a young man you sure are uptight. Relax. I just watched the news on my way here. He's somewhere in Germany supporting a University that involves some kind of cloning research." Kurei went rigid. "I told you to relax. Tell you what I'm sure you haven't done any Christmas shopping right? I'll give you an early not off. You wouldn't want to disappoint your brother now would you." He teased.

"I got the point." The raven haired man went his leave.

…………………………………………………………

"Recca we need to hurry." Domon dragged the flame caster towards the school gates. The larger male was frantic. He stopped for a moment when Recca appeared to be less enthusiastic about last minute shopping. "Fuuko is going to beat the crap out of me for actually forgetting to shop for presents and…whoa." Domon paused when he felt something cold on his nose. He then felt it again by his cheek. He looked at the sky and to his delight soft pure white snowflakes started to fall. He looked at Recca who seemed to be spaced out with a grim expression on his face. " Aw common Recca! Bring out the holiday cheer. How can you expect to buy nice presents with that mood? What would your hime say huh?" He intended it to be a light teasing but Recca's face looked like it swallowed a nasty bug. He followe Recca's line of vision and could not help but gasp.

There behind the school's fountain was Recca's princess her face buried on Mikagami's firm chest while he caressed her hair. It seemed that they thought they were the only ones in their world as they openly displayed a warm affectionate hug snow flakes where gathering around them as the winter wind blew. Mikagami just held her tighter.

Domon shook himself out of his stupor and immediately turned his attention towards Recca. He waited for an outburst but the boy just murmured to himself a barely audible "She would say that it was going to be a white Christmas after all." and continued to walk silently outside the school gates followed closely by his companion.

TBC

Hoorah hoorah! You see I actually finished!

I'm sorry if I couldn't reply to all of your reviews but thank you so much! Especially to Tsuzuki Yuki thank you for your personal message. It was awesome! And to all of you who still read this fic despite how much of a crappy author I am TTTT you build up my determination to rite more Kurei/Recca fics! I hope that this fandom will rise against the ashes from the flames! Whoa I got carried away…to those of you who I did not mention FORGET YOU I DID NOT! Thank you Eli, Silent Sage, Makkura Arashi, Kag321(what does this name mean?), Chibi, Ms. Prodigy, shadowcat, Itsuko-chan, dark ninja neko and last but not the least Kodachi

Thank you LOTS!