Heart's Treasures Chapter 26: This Time, a flame of recca fanfic

A/N: Hey! I hope you all didn't hate Raiha so much, even though he really didn't know the meaning of the word 'NO.' He gets a bit dark and obsessive here. Anyway, here's another chapter with a song. ;-) I just really thought it fit this part of the story. I don't own 'This Time' by Pia Tuscano. And try listening to it before you read this chapter.

Chapter 26: This Time

"Finished." Tanya said softly to herself.

It was nearing midnight, and the younger Mikagami was still awake, barely being able to sleep from the events of the day. Her nightmare bared its ugly fangs again, and she still woke up screaming. Lucky thing she didn't wake anyone up...

She lifted up her sketchbook and took a good look at her latest creation: a drawing of Fuuko in her 'date outfit'. From the way her brother was gaping earlier, he totally loved her in those clothes...

She sighed. Why do they always say that growing up complicated things? From her point of view, it was simple, really. If you like someone, tell them.

If only she could have gotten Tokiya to do that a little earlier, Fuuko wouldn't be out on that stupid date...

She tore out her latest drawing from her sketchbook. She'd give it to her brother in the morning.

Fuuko swiped in the keycard to the girls' suite, feeling frustrated. Why did he have to ask that question? Start over? Geez! Being with him felt even more wrong by the second!

She swung the door softly closed and finally kicked off her heels. Boy, did the carpeted floor feel great on her aching feet!

To her surprise, the kitchen light was on... and there was a little figure huddled on one of the breakfast nook chairs.

"Tanya?" Fuuko came over and put her hand on the little girl's shoulder, making her lift her head up. "What are you doing here? You should be in bed, asleep."

"I tried. Honest!" Tanya protested, groggily. "I wish my nightmare would leave me alone!"

"How long have you been up?" Fuuko helped Tanya down from the chair.

"Since half past ten." Tanya replied, quickly hiding her new sketch and scooping up all her drawing materials.

"It's past midnight! It's way late for someone your age to still be up." Fuuko led her out of the kitchen and turned off the light.

"I know." Tanya whimpered miserably. "But you can't possibly make me sleep now... I'm too scared."

"Well," Fuuko winked, put her clutch down and led her to the beautiful upright piano in the living room area of their suite. "We'll have to fix that. Do you know how to play the piano?"

The door to one of the luxury suites of Green Fir Mountain Resort Hotel opened with a sudden movement and closed with a slam. Raiha shrugged off his blazer and unbuttoned his shirt. He quickly made his way over to a divan where a crystal decanter and a few liquor glasses were held. Disregarding the selection at his disposal, he pulled open the decanter's stopper and drank three huge swallows, reveling in the fiery sensation that pained his throat.

'She doesn't want me back.'

In a fit of unsuppressed rage, he threw the decanter across the room where it broke, spewing crystal shards and whiskey everywhere.

His hands moved to the right-hand pocket of his jeans where he pulled out a key. Fumbling his way through unlocking one of the drawers on the divan, he finally yanked it open to reveal his prized madougou: the Raijin.

'Our elemental weapons were meant to fight, but you were MEANT to be with me! ME!'

Raiha took a few deep breaths to calm his anger, bracing himself on the divan for support.

'I'll get you back, Fuuko Kirisawa.' he thought.

'Because if I can't have you... no one will.'

Fuuko turned on one of the living room lights before sitting down next to Tanya on the piano chair, watching the little girl play a few sweet notes on the instrument.

"My parents taught me how to play. One of the only times I ever got to spend with them before my madougou training had to come first." the little firestarter brushed away a tear threatening to fall from her cheeks.

Fuuko took out a piece of sheet music from her wallet. It was very creased but still readable. She had torn it out of a book of songhits.

"'This Time' by Pia Tuscano." Tanya read aloud. "I've never heard this song before..."

"The one who sang it is one of the contestants on American Idol." Fuuko smiled. "And I've been keeping a copy of it with me, waiting for a chance to finally sing it freely."

"What do you mean?" Tanya looked up, confused.

"If you can play it for me, you'll see." Fuuko's smile widened.

Tanya looked over the sheet music, mumbling the cords under her breath. A grin spread over her face.

"I can play this for you, but hold on a minute."

She ran back to their shared room and brought back her digital camera and a hairbrush.

Fuuko raised an eyebrow. "What are those for?"

"A microphone." Tanya handed her the hairbrush. "And documentation." she set up the camera on top of the piano.

Fuuko laughed at the spontaneity of it all. "We're making a music video in the dead of night?."

Tanya nodded, the familiar look of mischief lighting up her tired silver eyes. "Ready?"

"Yes." Fuuko stood up as Tanya angled the camera towards her and pressed 'REC.'

The younger Mikagami keyed in the first notes and nodded her head to cue Fuuko to start.

Well I'm mad as hell
I ain't gon' take it no more
My bag is packed up at the back of your door
'Cause I don't know who I am no more
You won the battle but you lost the war
I've been in denial, now I'm living the truth
Been down for a while, now I'm standing up to you

Tanya had to focus on the notes to keep in time, but it was hard to, especially when she heard Fuuko's beautifully melodious voice.

'I didn't know she could sing like that!' Tanya grinned in wonder, watching her friend dance barefoot around the room, singing her heart out.

This time, this time I'm gonna do it my away
This time, I'm finding out the hard away
This time, I'm gonna go back to the girl I was on the night you found me
No more, holding back the real me
Just wait, in a minute you'll see
This time, this time, it's my time
Getting back to the real me

Fuuko sang as loudly as she dared, her pretend microphone in her hands. It felt so free to finally sing this song and feel it to be truth! She spun in a circle and belted out the words louder.

Don't try to stop me with the words you say
'Cause I'm sick and tired of the games you play
I'm gonna free myself, gonna make a change
And like a butterfly, I'mma spread my wings
Been crying for too long, now I'm drying my eyes
Grounded for so long, now it's time for me to fly

This time,

This time I'm gonna do it my away
This time, I'm finding out the hard away
This time, I'm gonna go back to the girl I was on the night you found me
No more, holding back the real me
Just wait, in a minute you'll see
This time, this time, it's my time
Getting back to the real me

Fuuko danced back to where Tanya was seated and continued to sing. Her little pianist was frowning in concentration. Fuuko grinned and sang the last few stanzas.

I'm mad as hell
I can't take it no more
My bag is packed up at the back of your door

I promise you, this time!

Tanya keyed in the last few notes and reached up to end the recording on her camera. Turning to her friend, she exclaimed happily. "I didn't know you could sing like that!"

Fuuko laughed. "It's not a talent I usually advertise."

"Well, the only one who knows how I sing is the shower!" Tanya grinned widely and began to scroll through her camera. "You have a gift, Fuuko-san! You shouldn't try to hide it."

Fuuko smiled back and put an arm around her. "Thanks, sweetie. Now come on. Time for bed."

"But-" Tanya protested.

"No buts." Fuuko held up a hand to silence her. "Don't be scared. I'm right here. Nothing will hurt you."

Tanya looked dubious, but followed her to their shared bedroom and allowed herself to be tucked into bed.

"Goodnight, sweetheart."

"Technically, it's already morning." Tanya mumbled.