Dear Recca,

They say that time heals all wounds. Do you think this is true?

Like the wound that Kurei inflicted on you when you were a baby, all wounds will eventually leave a scar, becoming a part of us. Healed? Possibly. Forgotten? Never.

I remember the day we first met. You saved me from that… creep, and got beaten up badly in the process. At first, I thought you a weirdo, though I was happy that I had the inspiration to draw Flameman (I know it's not that good). But as time went by, something about you attracted me. If you asked me exactly when I fell in love with you, I would say I don't know. It's probably a gradual thing.

In a sense, you embodied your element. Fiery and passionate. You can be quick to anger, but only for the things that you strongly believe in. Like the flame that sputters but is not extinguished, your determination and never-say-die attitude defined your life. Though I accepted it, I never really agreed with your decision to be a police officer. But I am glad that you found something that you could believe in.

Though it took you away from me.

And therein lies the problem. How can I just accept that you are truly gone? Without any warning whatsoever? It seems like yesterday that you rescued me from H&H. You said that we would travel the world together, with all our friends. You said you wanted to find out what happened to Kurei and Koganei. You said you wanted to help out at the kindergarten where I work. You said you wanted to meet my parents to ask for my hand in marriage when you had the capability to start a family. You said that we would be able to live happily together.

None of this will happen now.

At the very least, I am happy to have known you, to have loved you these past few years. Thank you, Recca, for showing me what life can be like.

For the final time,

Yanagi

27th July, 2001

It was a somber day.

The funeral hall was a large one. Yanagi walked in, supported by Fuuko, now a wildlife photographer, who rushed back from Africa when she heard the news.

"Thank you Fuuko, but I can manage alone," Yanagi said calmly. "You should go help Domon and Ganko."

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Fuuko asked, voice full of concern for her friend.

Yanagi nodded. "I would like to pay my respects to Recca alone."

"All right," Fuuko replied. "I'll be at the entrance if you need me."

With that, Fuuko turned back and walked to the entrance of the funeral hall where Domon and Ganko were. Since Recca's family was small, the Hokage chipped in to help. Ganko's job for the day was the receptionist, taking care of the registry book for the guests to sign as well as noting down the condolence money, or koden, collected, to be presented to the family after the funeral. Fuuko and Domon were to greet the people who came to pay their respects.

"Where's Mikagami?" Domon asked.

"His flight's delayed. Don't worry, he won't miss it," Fuuko replied.

"I still can't believe that Recca's gone," Domon sputtered out, wiping away a tear.

"Yeah. Imagine how Yanagi must be feeling. I'm really worried for her," Fuuko answered.

Domon sighed and turned to look at Yanagi, now in front of the altar.

Yanagi stood in front of the table where the altar was, staring at the photograph of Recca. There was really nothing much that she could say or think, still too stunned by the abruptness of it all. She bows, rings the altar bell lightly and offers incense. That being done, she walked to where Kagerou and Shigeo sat, dressed in black. Kagerou, though her curse was lifted, still looked relatively young.

"Shigeo-san, Kagerou-san," Yanagi greeted.

"Come, sit with me," Kagerou replied, calm. This was in direct contrast to Shigeo, who was bawling his eyes out.

Obediently, Yanagi sat beside her and took Kagerou's hands into her own.

"Kagerou-san, I… I don't know what to say…"

"I've lived for 400 years. Every single possibility has crossed my mind, including that of finding my own son dead," Kagerou replied in a dead voice. "I watched my husband leave this world before me. Now my own son is taken away from me too. I have no choice but to accept it."

"Recca once said he wanted all 4 of us to live together as a family after we got married…," Yanagi started to reply, then tearing up as she realised that this was never going to happen. "I'm *sniff* sorry... that *sniff* I can… *sniff* no longer be… *sniff* your daughter-in-law…"

"I've always treated you as my daughter, Yanagi," Kagerou said, smiling. "A cute one, too."

"Kagerou-san, I…," was all that Yanagi could manage to utter before hugging Kagerou and letting it all out, crying into her shoulder.

It is said that there are only two events that are most effective in bringing people together. First is a wedding. Second is a funeral.

Visitors kept coming. Practically all those who joined the Hokage's fight in H&H turned came. Neon turned up with her two sisters, Aki and Miki. The (former) Uruha Ma trio turned up as well. Hiruko and Kamui arrived with Aoi, having finished his chores at Domon's flower store. Kukai, Saicho and Misora came with an entourage of Kuu, who had regained their reputation as a respectable school. Tatesako-sensei, their former high school teacher came as well. Kirin and Rasen, now married and living abroad, were unable to come but sent their condolences. Only Raiha, who disappeared after the conclusion of the Tendou Jigoku affair, did not turn up.

Kukai, as the priest responsible for the wake ceremony, walks to the altar and bows, signifying the start of the ceremony. Lighting incense, he prepares to recite a sutra but pauses and abruptly turns around, facing the seated audience.

"I know this is not common, but I just wanted to say a few words in memory of the deceased," Kukai announced. He looked around and received a few nods of encouragement.

"Recca taught me, an old man many years his senior, what true strength was. He wanted to fight in his own way, and proved that a satisfactory resolution can be found even without killing. Though I thought he was an idiot when he challenged me, I'm glad he proved me wrong," Kukai concluded to a few chuckles from the audience.

"Is there anyone who wishes to speak?" Kukai asked, looking around the room. "If so, please raise your hand and step forward."

A hand went up. Interestingly, It was Neon. Now a professional flautist, the years had been kind to her. She still looked the way she did in H&H. The black dress she wore accentuated her shapely figure and her hair colour made her stand out.

There was silence as she walked forward. Though she was no longer an enemy of the Hokage, she was at best ambivalent towards them. Neon walked to the altar and bowed, then turned around to face everyone.

"I once lived only for Kurei. I would obey every command he gave me. I fought for him and was prepared to lay my life down for him. And I almost did, until Recca managed to prevent me from being impaled."

Neon then looked at Aki and Miki.

"To me, loyalty was the most important thing in my life. But I missed out on something equally important: my sisters. I had forgotten that my family was dear to me. Because of Recca, I can now live peacefully with Aki and Miki."

With that, Neon walked back to her seat.

Ganko, now 15, took her duties seriously. Domon and Fuuko had already went in to take part in the wake ceremony, giving Ganko instructions to remain a while longer just in case there were guests who were delayed. As she was preparing to pack up, a black car with tinted windows pulled up. It even had a flag of Japan on it.

Ah, a diplomatic vehicle. Ganko thought. Recca-san must be more important than I expected.

The door opened and a tall young man dressed in a black suit stepped out. With his sunglasses and short hair nearly slicked back, Ganko thought that he was rather cool in a government-secret-agent sort of way. He walked toward her.

"Hello," the young man said after taking off his sunglasses, "I presume that this is the wake for Hanabishi Recca?"

"Yes," Ganko replied and gave a polite bow. "The ceremony started not too long ago."

He looks rather familiar.

A flash of recognition. Taking a closer look, Ganko's eyes went wide as she realised who this person was. "Aren't you…"

Many people spoke about Recca. One of his fellow officers spoke about how Recca influenced himself and the younger officers around him. Another recalled how once, during a raid, Recca pushed him out of harm's way, endangering his own life in the process. Some, like Saicho and Menou, spoke about his penchant for justice and fighting spirit. Domon and Fuuko, having known him the longest, spoke about how Recca was a friend and companion to them.

"Is there anyone else?" Kukai asked. "If not, then…"

"Wait, please," a voice called out.

Kukai noticed that the voice belonged to a young man that had just entered. He quickly walked to the front and stopped in front of Kukai. "I would like to speak, if I may," the young man said.

Kukai smiled. "Of course, Mikagami. We have time for one final speech."

"You cut your hair! I couldn't recognise you!" Fuuko exclaimed.

After the wake, the Hokage decided to gather together for drinks. It was their first reunion for years, with Mikagami having been overseas most of the time. After graduating from high school, he was able to secure a scholarship to a prestigious university overseas. After completing his undergraduate degree (with first class honours), Mikagami was then offered a junior position in the Foreign Ministry. Now an aide to a diplomatic official, he was mainly posted overseas.

Mikagami raised an eyebrow. "Do I really look that different?"

"With long hair, you actually look more like a girl compared to Fuuko… at least from the neck upwards," Domon stated, glancing at Fuuko, who gave him a death stare.

"I really don't think that's the point, Domon," Yanagi said, trying to defuse the situation.

Mikagami smiled, enjoying the antics of his friends. Unfortunately, things were not the same without Recca around, and he was saddened by the thought. Raising his glass, he said, "To Recca."

Domon followed suit. "To Recca."

Fuuko raised her glass. "To Recca."

Yanagi was the last. "To Recca," she said in a soft voice.

They drank quietly in remembrance of their friend - no, their comrade in arms with which they have been through so much together. As they were reminiscing, five men entered the bar. Their yakuza tattoos were clearly visible.

"Now, what do we have here?" the punk said to the rest of them, grinning. They sauntered over to where the four friends were sitting.

"Two chicks, a gorilla and his trainer," another punk answered, smiling evilly.

"Oooh, look at them boobs!" another said, leering at Fuuko.

"Hey, you wanna do a video? The money's good," the first punk, probably the leader, asked Fuuko, eyes on her cleavage. "With that body you'll do just fine."

"I'm not interested. Now go away," Fuuko answered, not even bothering to look at them.

"Now ain't that a shame," the leader snarled. "Perhaps you're new here, so you don't know who we are."

Domon shot them an angry look. "Go bother someone else. Just leave us in peace," he said.

The leader gave a signal and all 5 of them immediately spread out, trying to surround the Hokage. Slowly, Domon and the others stood up, facing them. Many of the patrons, sensing that something bad was going to happen, quickly paid and made their way out. The bartender merely sighed and prepared to call the police and the insurance company.

"I don't like repeating myself. You gonna come with us, or do we make you?" the leader asked, clearly annoyed at the situation.

"Bugger off, assholes," Mikagami replied, sounding bored.

The leader, angry now, decided that enough was enough. "Grab the girls! You know what to do with the rest!" he ordered, advancing on Fuuko.

All hell then broke loose.

One of the punks aimed a punch a Domon's face. Catching the punch with his left palm, he grabbed the fist and pulled hard, taking a long step backwards with his left leg. The over-balanced punk fell forward only to meet Domon's rising knee. The punk doubled over in pain and Domon used this opportunity to bear-hug the punk from behind.

"Oooorrahhhhhhh!" Domon shouted, german-suplexing the punk into a chair with a mighty crash.

Fuuko, facing the leader and another punk, was having a slightly harder time. Dodging a punch by weaving slightly to the left, she pulled off one of the dirtiest tricks in the book. She slammed her knee right between the punk who was trying to punch her. The punk let out a high-pitched squeal that a soprano would be proud of as he bent over clutching his family jewels, tears in his eyes. Fuuko, not one to show mercy, clasped her hands together and smashed them down at the back of his neck. The punk fell and did not rise, totally knocked out.

A loud smash echoed out. Fuuko instinctively turned to the direction of the sound and saw Yanagi holding a mug that she had evidently just smashed into the face of a punk. Grinning, she gave her a thumbs-up. Stunned, the punk staggered back only to be clotheslined by a charging Domon, smashing him so hard the punk actually flipped 270 degrees to land on his front.

The leader paled visibly as he saw his men fall. He fumbled around in his leather jacket and pulled out a switchblade, thumbing a switch, revealing the blade. He pointed it at Fuuko. "I'm gonna cut you up for what you did to my people!" he snarled.

"You mean you can try to cut me up," Fuuko replied, with an emphasis on the word 'try', bracing herself for the incoming stab.

Roaring, the punk leader reared his arm back and thrusted his knife towards Fuuko, who dodged easily. She then counterattacked, punching him three times with a left-right-left combination. As the leader staggered back, Fuuko used her right leg as a pivot, spun to the left and delivered a roundhouse kick with her left leg, connecting with the leader's chest and smashing him to the ground, where he groaned weakly.

Fuuko then turned toward Mikagami to see if he needed help.

Apparently not.

Mikagami was calmly sitting down on a still intact chair, an unconscious punk with half his body through a table lying beside him.

How the heck did he manage that? Fuuko thought, mind-boggled, eyes wide.

"Everyone all right?" Domon asked.

"What a mess," Mikagami muttered, looking around.

The punk leader groaned in pain lying on the ground. He was not going to take this lying down. He still had his knife. Gritting his teeth, he raised his knife and threw it at the direction of Yanagi. Fuuko noticed this out of the corner of her eye.

"Watch out!" she yelled, pushing Yanagi away.

Yanagi could only stare, surprised and horrified as the switchblade buried itself in Fuuko's shoulder.

"Aargh!" Fuuko screamed,falling to the floor, grimacing in pain.

"Fuuko!" Yanagi cried out in panic. Domon roared, walked over to the punk and elbow-dropped him right in the stomach, finally knocking him out.

Mikagami came over and knelt down beside Fuuko. "It's a flesh wound," he said, inspecting the would. "It's pretty deep, we need to try to stop the bleeding first."

Together, he and Yanagi managed to pull the switchblade out and put together a makeshift bandage using a tablecloth. Just then, the police arrived.

"What the hell is going on here! Hands up, all of you!" a police officer roared.

"I'll handle this," Mikagami assured them, then walked up to the officer. He pulled out his identification and they spoke together for a few minutes. Apparently satisfied with what Mikagami said, the officer ordered his men to round the thugs up.

"What did you say to them?" Yanagi asked, amazed.

"I told them that these Yakuza were causing trouble and we merely acted in self-defense. My diplomatic status helped quite a bit," Mikagami answered. "Oh, an ambulance is on the way as well."

Taking charge of the situation, Mikagami continued on. "Domon, why don't you take Yanagi home? I'll stay here a while longer and ensure Fuuko's taken care of."

Domon nodded. "All right. Let's go, Yanagi."

Domon and Yanagi didn't talk much on the way home. Yanagi just wanted to be alone. Though she was a stronger person as compared to the past, she still found it difficult to accept that Recca was just gone. As for Domon, he was worried for Yanagi more than anything. She was a pleasant, kind-hearted girl who deserved better than this.

"Domon-kun."

"Yeah, Yanagi?"

"I'm almost at my place. It's late, you should get going. Thank you for seeing me home," Yanagi said, bowing to Domon.

"Huh, oh er… have a good rest. Take care, ok?" Domon replied, slightly surprised. Had they reached Yanagi's place so soon?

Yanagi turned around and walked down the path. Domon watch her for a few seconds, then called out, "Yanagi!"

She turned around. "Huh?"

I um… don't really know how to say this… but…," Dommon stammered. "If you need someone to talk to, you could come to me. Or Fuuko. Even that ass Mikagami. We're your friends, remember?"

Yanagi smiled. "Thank you, Domon. I will."

With that, she walked back home, leaving Domon to look at her departing form.