Author’s Notes:
Ugh, I hate the subtitles.  Don’t they suck?!  Well anyways, just wanna tell ya, that if this fic’s crappy, I am so sorry.  I’m not very good at English.  Oh, BTW, I got the title “Rebel Heart” from one of The Corrs’ instrumental from the album “In Blue”.  Thank you!!

Damn it, thought Fuuko.  That reminded me about him, AGAIN.

“HIIIMEEEEE!!! LETMEGOLETMEGOLETMEGOOOO!!!!!!!!” yelled Recca.

“Recca-kun, please calm down!” Yanagi tried to yell too.

“Oi, Hanabishi, you better calm down, or else I’ll calm you down with the ensui,” threatened Mikagami.

Recca did what his sempai told him.  “Why did you cover my mouth like that, hime?  You want to make me sleep with some sleeping powder?!”

“No, you baka, Yanagi would never do that.” Fuuko sighed.  Recca IS a true baka.

“Then why?”

“Uhm…it’s something you better left not knowing, Recca-kun,” Yanagi forced a smile.

Recca blew up, “HIME!!!  Mikagami knew it, then why can’t I know?!”

“You can’t keep a secret, now shut up,” Mikagami stood up.

Koganei twinkled to Yanagi.  “Yanagi-neechan!!  O dear Yanagi-neechaaaaaan!!!” He pointed at himself with his madougu.

“Yes, Kaoru-chan?”

“Tell me, will ya?!”

“Well, Kaoru-chan, can you keep a secret?”

“Yeah, yeah!!  Sure I can keep secrets!!  Like the one when you were still in Kurei’s mansion…you know… the one when I walked in when you were changing…”

Yanagi sweatdropped.  Recca was already preparing Setsuna and Nadare.  Mikagami already found a water source for his Ensui.

“Oops…” Koganei grinned, then he disappeared.

“COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE BRAT!!!!” Recca chased Koganei, followed by Mikagami.

Yanagi giggled.  “Aren’t they funny, Fuuko?”

“Yeah, sure.” Fuuko answered without excitement.

Ganko showed a worried expression, “Fuuko-neechan, it seems that something’s wrong.  What is it?”

“Nothing, I’m just not feeling good, that’s all.”

“Really, Fuuko?  C’mon, tell us, you know we can keep secrets, not like those guys.” Yanagi was also worried.

“It’s nothing, Yanagi.”

“For God’s sake, Fuuko!!!  You were drunk!” Yanagi screamed in a HIGH (when I say “high” I mean HIGH) pitch (is “pitch” the right word?).

Fuuko froze.  She was drunk?

Recca and Mikagami burst to the door, with a BLACK-BLACKIE-BLACK-BLACK Koganei.

“Ouch, what happened to him?” Fuuko frowned.

Recca sweatdropped while Mikagami sighed.

“So, first, we chased him.  Right, Mikagami?” Mikagami nodded.  “Koganei didn’t seem to see where he was going, and he fell into a pond.” Recca continued.

Mikagami corrected, “BIG one.  More to a lake than to a pond—and the depth was also more to a lake than to a pond.  And I used the water to power my Ensui, so…not a drop of water was left…”

Recca continued, “The worse thing was, Mikagami’s Ensui was turning to water again…  We both slipped because of it…”

“Don’t remind me, it sucks.” Mikagami said.

“Anyways, I fell, and a few firecracker balls slipped from my pocket.”

“Not ‘few’, Hanabishi.  It was more like ‘a lot’.”

“Yeah, a lot.  And unfortunately they could explode even if they only get a SLIGHT touch.  Well…they rolled…and they sort of SLIGHTLY touched the ground near Koganei…”

“And some TOUCHED Koganei, without a doubt…”

“Thank you, Mikagami…and they exploded.  BOOM!!!  All we found was this.” Recca pointed to the solid black Koganei.

The girls sweatdropped.  “Uhm…better heal him!!” Yanagi hurried to Koganei, then with a zip-and-zap he was free from the black thingies.

“Gee…Recca-niichan, you have some VERY strong explosives, ne?” Koganei said sarcastically.

Recca apologized, “SORRY!!!  SORRY!!  But…but…Mikagami’s Ensui made us fall…so blame him!!” Recca pointed to Mikagami.  And soon he was tied up by the Water Snake—courtesy of Mikagami’s Ensui—which was already in full power.

“Anyways, Fuuko, let’s get back to the point.  What happened?” Yanagi stared to Fuuko.

“Hey, I thought it was Mikagami who’s responsible of Fuuko?  OUCHIESSS!!!!!” Mikagami made the snake’s grip stronger.  “AWWWW!!!!  Mikagamiii!!!”

Yanagi’s brow twitched.  “Yeah, you’re right, Recca-kun.  Mikagami-sempai, we’ve got to go!  C’mon, you two!” Yanagi pushed Koganei and Ganko out.  Then she and her ninja made their leave.

“Mi-chan, tell me what’s going on?” Fuuko frowned.

“They’re worried about you.”

“Well, what does it have to do with you?”

“You ask me.  I’m clueless.”

They were quiet for a few minutes.  Fuuko sighing now and then.  Mikagami sat on the chair, arms fold in front of his chest and he was staring at the ceiling.  It was him who broke the silence.

“Well…you told me you didn’t know you wanna go to this party or not earlier, right?  Now tell me why.” He didn’t move his gaze from the ceiling.

“Uh…I’m afraid I’d see him again.” Fuuko said with a small voice.

“Well…you haven’t seen him, right?”

“Do you even know who this guy is?!” Fuuko was sick at Mikagami’s I-know-everything talk.

“Raiha.”

“HOW?!!!!?!!”

“Look at you.  Your expression changes whenever we mention ‘Raiha’.”

Fuuko was silent.  That’s true…her heart answered.  But…why must it be Raiha?  Couldn’t it be someone else who’s very far away from her…so it’ll be easier for Fuuko to forget?  This is Raiha.  He’s so close to her…but they weren’t fated to be with each other.  Instead, they were fated to battle each other.  Fuuko tried to close her eyes.  She wanted to rest.

“Why bother worrying about him?  Don’t you guys belong together?” Mikagami moved his gaze.

Fuuko shook her head in despair.  “We don’t.  We’re supposed to battle each other, not be with each other.  Still, I have a different feeling…it seems very hurtful to think that he’s beyond my reach.”

“I think he’s interested in you.” Said Mikagami without changing an expression.

“Really?  I think he’s not interested in ME.  The ‘me’ inside, for what I am.  He’s interested in everyone with the fuujin.  Look, Mi-chan, I’m very grateful that I can share this with you, but I need some rest.  That’s much better than talking.”

“Good idea.  When Yanagi-san ask you what did I do, at least say I did SOMETHING.” With that, he disappeared from her sight.

When Yanagi saw Mikagami closing the door, she dashed to ask him.  “So?!  So?!  What is it?!!”

“Raiha.”

“Just like I thought!!!!!  But he belongs to the Uruha, right?”

Mikagami nodded.  “Koganei, you can just come out.” He gestured his finger to a moving bush.

“Dammit, Mikagami-niichan!!!  You just have to spot me!!!  Gomen nasai…sorry…I’m so sorry…Yanagi-neechan!!!!  I just want to know what’s going on, that’s all!” Koganei begged for Yanagi’s mercy.

“It’s okay, Kaoru-chan.”

Koganei grinned WIDELY (I mean…WIDELY).  Then he continued, “Raiha-niichan does belong to the Uruha, but he’s different from the others!  He’s nice, kind, and loving!!  I know him, heck, he was my mentor!!”

Yanagi smiled, “I know!! I know that…isn’t it sweet????  Two star-crossed lovers all over again…flowers blooming…just like Shakespeare’s!!  Raiha-kun’s Romeo and Fuuko’s Juliet!” She seemed to be lost in her own world…a world full of fairytales.  She spent too much time with kindergarten school’s books.

Mikagami smirked, “Raiha as Romeo—that I can understand.  But, hold on a second.  Fuuko?  Juliet?  Give me a break.”

Koganei burst into a maniacal laughter.  “MWAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!  YOU’RE RIGHT, NII-CHAN!!!!!  Fuuko-neechan?!!!!  Julieeet?!!!!  The sky’s falling down!!!!  The end of the world!!!!!!!!!”

“But I still think it’s kind of *romantic*….” Yanagi stated her mind.

“Fuuko is not a romantic kind of girl.” Said Mikagami.

“You’re right, niichan!!!” answered Koganei between his laugh (it had not stopped).

The door slid open, “I can hear that, you know!!!!!” Fuuko!!!

It all happened in a mere split second.  Yanagi could barely see the scene.  The next thing she saw was…a little Koganei with shredded clothes—thanks to Fuuko’s kazetsume (poor Koganei…he was burnt black and now this…).  But, where’s Mikagami-sempai??  Oh!!  There he is!!  Up in the tree…must be blown by the Fuujin…

“I didn’t need such exercise, you know.” Mikagami came down from the tree with a quick jump.

“Really??  Well, I was in such craving of some exercise.” Fuuko grinned.

“I thought you needed some rest.” Yanagi was confused.

“I did.  But since I couldn’t stand the noise Koganei made…I thought I need a bit of exercise instead.” And then Fuuko twirled on her tiptoes, and disappeared to the ballroom.

“I thought she was sick, and drunk, and also lovesick?!” Koganei snarled.

Indeed, she was.  Fuuko went to the ballroom to think.  She is a thinker, but a problem with her was she couldn’t think without loud noises in the background.  Weird.  She was trying to explore her heart deeper, to understand her true feelings, to discover what she wanted.

“Hey,” Mikagami took a seat in front of her.

“Oh, hi, Mi-chan.  What’re ya doing here??” Fuuko smiled.

Mikagami shrugged his shoulders.  “Oh, nothing.  It’s just that I’m bored…”

“You HATE the crowd.”

“I just want to order some drink.  Waiter, hey, hey, waiter!!!” He waved his hand while his other hand rang a small bell.

“Yes, sir?”

“Uh…could I have…a glass of Armagnac please?  And…Fuuko…what do you want?  My treat.” He checked the menu (I think Armagnac is: French brandy, similar to cognac).

“Thanks.  I’ll just have some Banana Split, please.”

When the waiter made his leave, Fuuko’s eyes searched the big ballroom.

“Raiha’s at his room.  He and the Uruha are having some games.” Mikagami said in a carefree tone.

Fuuko smiled, “Thanks again.  But I think I’ll just stay here.”

Mikagami’s brow twitched.  “Really?  You do love the crowd, don’t you?” Mikagami stirred his drink with a straw.

Fuuko wiped the small spoon with a tissue, while mockingly snorted, “Oh yeah, you bet I do.  I’d really like to join them, though…de mo…”

“You have to keep the reputation as a ‘crowd lover’?” He poured some more from a bottle.

Fuuko hesitated in her mind.  Okay, okay…what’s going on???  Mikagami may NOT know more than this.  He’s no guardian of mine…why is he bothering this anyway?  Change the topic, Fuuko Kirisawa!  Change it, change it!!

“I don’t know, hey, what are you drinking anyway?  It looks weird and icky!” Fuuko pointed with her spoon…unfortunately some of the ice cream bounced off…and it landed on Mikagami’s perfect (okay, it ain’t perfect anymore…since it had some ice cream on it) face.

Ouch!  Okay…I did a mistake… Clumsy me, clumsy me!!!!  “Gomen nasai, Mi-chan!!!!”

Mikagami wiped it off while his mouth was murmuring something Fuuko didn’t quite catch.

“It’s something you don’t really have to know,” answered Mikagami between his murmurs.  “But something I’d like to know is why are you refusing to join them?  It’s not like you’re joining the Uruha bad guys, just join the games.”

“It’s just that…I’m not sure.  I don’t know what to say and when.  It hurts…you know…when you are in love with someone and you also know that his heart doesn’t belong to you…” she said, and suddenly regretted saying it.  No, Fuuko Kirisawa!  You must keep your reputation as a tomboyish girl who is tough, not soft!!!  You may not fall in love.  You may not tell someone that you’re in love.  Especially not Mi-chan!!!

Mikagami could see Fuuko hesitated in her mind.  “I know the feeling, believe me.”

Huh?  Now Mikagami’s also being soft.  What’s going on??  “Yanagi, eh?”

Mikagami didn’t answer.  And he wouldn’t have the chance, because all of the sudden, Raiha himself appeared.  Raiha, and Saicho.  Fuuko blushed to death.  She covered her face with her palms and she turned her back, not letting the guys see her.

“Raiha?  Saicho?  What’re you doing here?” Mikagami covered her.

“Oh, you know…just checking on you guys.  Hey, you wanna play some board games with us?” Raiha smiled.

“Board games?” Fuuko quickly turned her face.  “Sure!!”

“No thanks for me.  I’ll be in my room if you need me.” Mikagami stood up, but Fuuko’s hand kept him still.  “Let go.”

Fuuko didn’t do what he said.  Instead, she gave him a malicious gaze.  It’s her come-with-me-or-you’re-gonna-get-it sort of look.  Mikagami also give her his why-must-I-come-with-you.  Fuuko returned it with cause-I-want-to-be-with-Raiha-but-I-won’t-know-what-to-say-and-I-will-feel-weird-around-him stare.

Raiha and Saicho could only sweatdrop because of the abrupt staring contest.  “Uh…you guys…?” Saicho called, “Are you going?”

“Sure, Saicho!!  C’mon, I can’t wait to play with you people!!!!” Fuuko grabbed Mikagami’s arm and blasted through the door.  But then her head popped out again, “Eh…where are we playing?”

The game was called “Valentine’s Day Special Board Game” and almost all of the FoR cast wanted to play.  The players must sit in a circle, boy-girl-boy-girl.  So, the circle was formed like this.

Raiha-Fuuko-Mikagami-Yanagi-Recca-Ganko-Koganei-Kagerou-Domon-Aki-Kai-Miki-Kurei-Neon-Joker-
Mikoto-Mokuren-Tatsuko-Kuukai-Misora-Saicho-Enma, then back to Raiha.

“Gee, Recca-kun, I wonder what kind of game is it!” Yanagi smiled.

“It’s some kind of Truth or Dare.  But we don’t decide the truths or dares.  The cards decide.” Answered Neon.  “We have groups of two here.  A male and a female.  Okay…just take a look at the one beside you, okay?  To make it realistic…Recca must be with Yanagi and Misora must be with Saicho.  Okay, that means Raiha’s with Enma and so on.  Start with you, Raiha-Enma!!!” She passed them a dice.

Fuuko looked disappointed.  Oh well, let’s just forget Raiha for a moment and concentrate on the game.

Raiha and Enma got a two.  Enma moved their pawn two spaces forward.  “Hey…Raiha-kun, look, we’re supposed to pick card number #3.” Said Enma.

“Okay, pick it.”

“Uh… ‘You must tell the others…who’s the real guy/girl for the person across you--if you’re wrong, the person has the rights to do anything to you’.  That means…Kurei-san.” Enma read the instructions.

Kurei’s eyebrow twitched.  “Who do you think suits me the best?” He said in a calm voice.

Raiha said with victory, “Of course Kurenai-sama, Kurei-sama!”  Enma whispered, “Raiha-kun, if you’re wrong he’s gonna flame us…”

“Right.” Kurei nodded.  Enma and Raiha heaved a sigh of relief.  Neon sighed—without relief.

Mikagami got the dice, and the dice showed a three.  “Pick the card number #8.” So he did.

Author’s Notes:
More to come!!  Curious?  Read on.  Sorry, but the next part will tell about the game more than the main conflict.  I’m beginning to love this fanfic-writing business!  Oh, why did I pick only Tatsuko and Enma as the referees?  Coz I like Enma (I think she’s rather cute) and Tatsuko is the most popular referee of all, ne?