Fuuko sighed. Today is the day. What happened last night totally didn’t count. She forgot all about it. She’s going to enter that church and held my head up high. And she’s going to say I do faster than anyone could say “Hokage”.

 “Fuuko!” Yanagi cried out, tears in her eyes. “Oh God, Fuuko! You look absolutely fabulous!”

 “Thanks,” Fuuko said, blushing. Her veil was rearranged and arranged itself :) (Is that weird or what?) She felt like sweating, but that would make her wedding dress wet, and she doesn’t want to be a stinky bride.

 “You looked nervous,” Ganko said, observing Fuuko.

 “You think?” Fuuko said, laughing. “Yeah, well. I feel nervous.”

 “Don’t worry. Like what I told you before, it’ll come easily,” Yanagi said, smiling.

 “Oh. I’ll take your word for it,” Fuuko said. She began sweating.

 Yanagi laughed. “Come on. It’s almost time.”

 “Oh, right.”

 Yanagi just smiles and ushered Ganko out of the room. “Good luck, Fuuko-san.”

******

 Fuuko walked down the aisle, all the time keeping eye contact with Mikagami, who’s positively beaming. She’d never seen Mikagami so happy before. And she never felt so happy before—maybe once, but that was over. Now she has a new life. And she’s going to live that life to the fullest.

 Fuuko was trying not to stumble with her wedding gown when she finally reaches the altar. Heaving a sigh, she faces the priest, an old man—probably in his 40s—wearing a priest suit. He looks at both Mikagami and Fuuko before launching into his “speech”.

 “Do you, Mikagami Tokiya, take Fuuko as your lawfully wedded wife?”

 “I do.” Mikagami grasped Fuuko’s hand tightly, and Fuuko returned the squeeze.
 “Do you, Kirisawa Fuuko,” the priest said, turning to Fuuko, “take Tokiya as your lawfully wedded husband?”

 Fuuko take her breath and answered breathlessly. “I do.”

 Again Fuuko felt Mikagami squeezing her hand, now tighter than ever. Fuuko felt like crying—the barrier’s been broken down. The wedding’s going to end soon, and she haven’t had a nervous breakdown yet. Better not soon.

 “If anyone oppose to this marriage for his personal reasons, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

 Fuuko squirmed and tensed up when this was said. I hate this procedure, Fuuko thought. Come on, get it over with. No one’s saying anything. But the reason no one’s saying anything is probably because a man just stood up from the back of the church, not saying anything.

 Fuuko and Mikagami both turned to see who it is.

 Fuuko’s stomach dropped. There’s only one way to describe how she’s feeling: empty. Raiha. Why did he do it?! Why did he—stupidly—stood up when he knew he should’ve sit down and get it over with?

 Mikagami was, as Fuuko imagined, shocked and angry. “What’s the meaning of this?” he hissed as Raiha closes in at both of them.

 Fuuko looked at the Hokage team, her face white. She could see Yanagi, Recca, Domon, Koganei, Ganko and Kagero. Koganei. He looked pale—he probably had seen this coming. Why didn’t he say anything to her about Raiha and the rest of the Uruha members? Why did he shut his stupid big mouth up? Fuuko flushed.

 This is exactly how her nightmare was yesterday. She had a nightmare about this, and she never thought that it would come true. She wouldn’t have thought it’s a vision.

 Fuuko angrily looked at Raiha. “What are you doing, Raiha?!” she hissed. Mikagami just stared at him, his face showing disbelief and hatred. One couldn’t possibly say he wasn’t mad—this wasn’t the first time, of course. When Mikagami had found out that Meguri Kyoza killed his sister, he almost killed himself.

 “I’m sorry, Fuuko,” Raiha said softly but urgently. “I just can’t let go of this chance.”

 “What chance?!” Mikagami snarled. “You’ve had your chance—and it’s over. You failed to make Fuuko happy. You’ve had yours, now let me have mine!”
 Fuuko was seething. “How could you do this to me?” she said. “This is a nightmare—a déjà vu! Raiha, you know I don’t want this to happen—yet you still do it! Why? Why?” She was afraid she was going to act this way. She’s not some whiny girl who just loves to cry every time Bad Luck looks at her in the face.

 “Because…” Raiha couldn’t find a word he was searching for, unfortunately. “Because…Fuuko. Can’t you see we’re made for each other? Can’t you see that I love you more than anyone else could?”

 “Nanii?!” Mikagami bellowed. “You—you son of a *tut*, what do you think you’re doing?!”

 “I love her, Mikagami, I’m sorry,” Raiha said. “This is what I do. This is what most people would do for love.”

 Fuuko watched Mikagami and Raiha argue at each others’ throat and she couldn’t help wishing that she was somewhere else. This is giving her a headache. By now, the Hokage team had gotten up to break the fight. Even Fujimaru got up to help.

 Fuuko just stood there, almost lifeless, watching two of her favorite men (to say the least) argue with each other. Both of them doesn’t seem to notice her—both doesn’t notice that she’s almost crying, that she’s in pain over this.

 Saicho, however, noticed this. He hurried up to the altar and got between Mikagami and Raiha. Both refused to give up, however. Saicho looked mad enough to kill someone. “What the *tut* do you think you’re *tut*ing doing, trying to *tut*ing destroy a marriage?!” Saicho cried over everyone else. “You two son of a *tut*, you *tut*ing brainless monsters! Can’t you see what you’re *tut*ing doing to Fuuko? She’s *tut*ing embarrassed!”

 This, of course, was enough to shut everyone up. Saicho was red in the face—never had he lost control until he had to curse… “Eh-heh…sorry Fuuko-sama,” he said timidly, almost shyly.

 “Hmm, what?” Fuuko said. “I’ve gone temporarily deaf while you were speaking, Saicho-san.”

 Saicho looked embarrassed. “Right.” He looked at Fuuko and then at Mikagami and Raiha. Composing himself, he continued. “You two should be ashamed—both of you. None of you are right, neither you are wrong. Think of Fuuko—think of what’s best for her.”

 Mikagami just looked at Raiha, hatred flashing in his eyes. Raiha returned the stare.
 Without another word, Mikagami pushed everyone out of his way and walked out of the church, not glancing backward. Fuuko, needless to say, was shocked by his action. Mikagami, running away from a fight? This can’t be possible. It would’ve been highly amusing had it not been about something serious.

 Raiha just looked at Mikagami’s retreating figure, open-mouthed. He didn’t expect this, did he? Fuuko thought bitterly.

 The tension in the church was palpable. The Hokage members and everyone else’s attention was returned to Fuuko, who doesn’t want all the attention they’re giving.

 The priest pinched his forehead, heaving a heavy sigh. “*Tut* this, I need a drink.” He took out a bottle of wine and drains it until the last drop.

******

 If the marriage wasn’t so damn serious, Fuuko would’ve laughed at all the people—the Hokage, Fujimaru, Saicho, the priest. They all acted out of the ordinary, and who could possibly blame them? (Blame me, ne? :p)

 Fuuko walked slowly to Mikagami’s apartment, knowing that she owes him some sort of an explanation. Only she hasn’t got any. All she knows is that it wasn’t her fault that Raiha’s such a stupid idiot not to marry her before. This really isn’t her fault.

 Fuuko knocked on Mikagami’s door, hoping that she would find Mikagami in a fine mood. Knowing that was impossible, she braced herself for him.

 Mikagami calmly opened the door, and from the looks of it, he hasn’t been having a good time. (As if anyone is. Saicho’s killing himself for swearing out loud in the church) “Fuuko,” Mikagami said, sounding kind of surprised. “What do you want?”

 He doesn’t look good for once… “I’m sorry about what happened, Mi-chan,” she said softly. “I know you’re mad at me. Though I don’t know why.” His face was pale, and his eyes were sunken.

 “Me? Mad at you?” Mikagami said, laughing harshly. “How can that be possible?” he raved sarcastically.

 Fuuko felt insulted, but she wanted to mend this. “I’m really sorry about all that unpleasantness, Mi-chan,” she said. “It was uncalled for. I think everyone’s a bit surprise of that…incident.”

 “You know what, Fuuko?” Mikagami said, glaring at her. “Forget about it. I don’t care about it anymore. I should’ve not cared from the start, should I?”

 “Mi-chan, let’s discuss this,” Fuuko said. “You looked terrible.”

 “You think?”

 Fuuko sighed. “You’re not making this anymore easier, Mi-chan.”

 “I know. I love doing that.”

 “Mikagami, you idiot, stop acting so childish and listen to me!” Fuuko cried, desperate. “It’s not anyone’s fault that it happened last night. It’s not a coincidence either. I think it’s just a sign to tell us that we shouldn’t back out despite of anything we’ve been through!”

 “Oh no, a sign from God,” Mikagami said, rolling her eyes. “Sorry Fuuko, but I can’t really trust you anymore.”

 Tears swelled up in Fuuko’s eyes. She remembered that words so well. She had said those to Raiha before the morning she was supposed to marry Mikagami. “Mi-chan, are you going to give up our relationship because of yesterday’s incident?”

 “Stop calling it an incident, Fuuko,” Mikagami said. “Both of us know it’s not just some incident, or a coincidence. And trust me, I don’t think it’s ‘uncalled for’.” Mikagami was mocking her.

 Fuuko looked at those eyes. The eyes had returned to its usual cold trance. Mikagami had become the old Mikagami who wanted revenge for his sister so much that he would kill. “Mi-chan.” Fuuko sighed. “I know you’re disappointed. So am I. Let’s clear this up. I think…we should start all over again, and this time, we’re going right past those ‘speak-now-or-forever-rest-in-peace’ or something, okay?”

 “It’s not okay, Fuuko!” Mikagami said, ready to slam the door in Fuuko’s face. “Once a failure, always a failure.”

 Fuuko felt her heart burn with anger, and she knew that she can’t contain it anymore. “Fine!” she spat out. “Fine! Be angry, for all I care! See how you like it if I was supposed to marry Raiha and you’re supposed to be chasing me!”

 Mikagami gave Fuuko a cold stare. “I’ve been there once, Fuuko,” he said. “And it’s hell.”

 “Fine!” Fuuko turned on her heels and walked to her home.

 Mikagami, angry with himself rather than Fuuko or Raiha, slammed the door as hard as he could. “Aargh!” he cried to the empty apartment. He kicked a table and broke the legs. He could still feel the emptiness. Guess kicking some things doesn’t help.

******

 Entering her apartment, Fuuko muttered some unmentionable words (think “angry Saicho”) and slammed the door, kicking off her shoes. She wasn’t angry at herself, she was angry at Mikagami and his inability to communicate his feelings toward her. Haven’t the years they spent together mean anything to him?

 Fuuko entered her kitchen and throw her purse to the floor.

 “Ouch.”

 “Aaaiiiieee!”

 Fuuko stopped screaming as she saw who it is. To her amazement, she’s not surprised anymore. She’s actually smiling bitterly. “Coming to ensure another fight, Raiha-kun?”

 Raiha just sits there. “I’m sorry.”

 “I already forgave you a long time ago, Raiha,” she said. “You’ve no need to say sorry to me. But since you mentioned it: What the hell are you thinking?!”

 “Ah, your tongue’s as sharp as ever,” Raiha said, chuckling guiltily.

 “Stifle it,” Fuuko said, glaring at Raiha. “You know that was my special day. I already forgave you. I thought I specifically warned you not to mess with me anymore.”

 “You didn’t, actually,” Raiha said. “But I take it you would.”

 Fuuko throw her hands in the air. “Aaah!!!” she shouted. “I cannot believe I went out with two different weirdos!!!”

 Her frustration showing, Raiha knew better than to make Fuuko angry again. “Fuuko, I wish you would forgive me,” he said. “But I don’t think that’s possible, seeing how angry you are now.”

 “Wow!” Fuuko thought. “You’re psychic! Okay. Um, oh wait, okay, I’m thinking of a thing now… guess what?”

 “You hate me?”
 “Ah!” Fuuko exclaimed. “Psychic and handsome! How could I resist this man?!” Fuuko rolled her eyes and stormed into her room, yelling “get out of my house!” before she slammed the door to her room.

 Raiha just looked at Fuuko’s door sadly. “I’m really sorry Fuuko. I know I’m crazy.”

 “Tell me about it,” he heard her mutter. “I’ll see you in, oh, perhaps a few years.”

 Raiha sighed. “I’m sorry.”

******

 Fuuko looked at the shattered mirror at the feet of her bed. She’d vented her anger toward a piece of non-living thing. How despicable is she? Fuuko looked and stared at the mirror for a long time.

 Yes. Perhaps it’s the best way. Everything would be so well. Everything would be so simple. And she would get her peace. They would stop bickering soon.

******

 Yanagi’s scream echoed in Fuuko’s apartment as the other Hokage team, including Raiha, Mikagami and Saicho (even Fujimaru), rushed toward her into Fuuko’s bedroom.

 On the bed, lay Fuuko, almost lifeless, her wrist cut and bleeding. Her eyes were half-opened.

 “What the hell?” Mikagami said as he rushed towards Fuuko, picking up her hand (the one not cut) and feeling her pulse. “She’s still alive.” Anyone who’s not blind could see that he’s crying. “But she’s dying.”

 Raiha stood at the other side. “Oh my God.”

 Yanagi was trembling, her face pale. “I…I think I can heal her.”

 “No,” Fuuko croaked, much to everyone’s surprises. “No, Yanagi-sama. I don’t want you to heal me. What I want you to do is stay with me until I blew my last breath.”

 Mikagami buried his face in Fuuko’s bed. “I’m sorry, Fuuko…” he was muttering. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to… You didn’t take any of it seriously, do you?”

 Fuuko smiles. “I’m not deaf, Mi-chan. I heard what I heard, and I took it very seriously.”

 Raiha knelt beside Fuuko’s bed. “Fuuko…”

 “Raiha-kun,” Fuuko muttered, smiling. “I thought you couldn’t make it. Hey, why are there three of you?”

 Raiha burst into tears too, along with the others in the room. Yanagi especially. “Why Fuuko?” he said. “Why did you do it?”

 “I don’t know, Raiha-kun,” said Fuuko. “Instinct, I guess.”

 “I’m sorry, Fuuko,” Mikagami continued. “I didn’t mean the words—I didn’t mean anything I said. I was frustrated—at myself. Not at you.”

 Suddenly realizing that both of them are there, Mikagami threw Raiha a glare. Seeing this, Fuuko pulled both of their ears together and knocked their heads.

 “Aah,” Domon said, chuckling a little, with tears in his eyes, “you still pack a pinch, Fuuko…”

 “Ahh… my Hokage friends…I’m sorry I have to resort to this. You know I wouldn’t, have I had a choice,” Fuuko said, resentful.

 “But you do have a choice,” Raiha said. “Fuuko, your choice is to live through it, or die. Why did you have to chose this?!”

 “I’m sorry Mi-chan, Raiha-kun…” Fuuko said softly. “I don’t want to do this, but believe me, I don’t think I can live through a day with both of you hating each other…and hating me.”

 “But how can anyone hate you?” Recca said, not smiling.

 “That’s the truth, isn’t it?” Fuuko uttered.

 “Now, before I go…” Fuuko coughed. “I want both of you to be nice to each other… I don’t want to die knowing that both of you are still at each others’ throat. And Saicho, may your curses stop.”

 Saicho blushed at this.

 Fuuko smiles. “I’m sorry, again, my friends. Mi-chan…I hope you will forgive me for this,” she said, crying. She kissed him lightly on the lips. “I know you will forgive me, but the question is only when…”

 She turned to Raiha, who’s sobbing.
 “A ninja mustn’t cry now, must he?” Fuuko whispered, giving Raiha a quick kiss. “Be nice. You guys can stop fighting now that I’m out of the way. I hope you guys would be well. I’ll be watching over you.”

 “I love you guys.”

 And that was Fuuko’s last words before she finally blew her last breath.