"Recca," said Mori Kouran ominously. "Why hasn't your Uruha fetched my little Healer for me by now?"

Recca looked coldly at his father. "It's only been a few days," he said, turning his back on the older man. "And the Uruha have been out managing your other affairs."

Raiha quickly stepped in with a better explanation. "Mokuren and Jisho took care of those members of the Yakuza who were giving us trouble. Neon and Genjuro have done follow-up on that little group in Kyoto who was infringing on your territory. Magensha and Gashekuro have been in Kobe since last week, wrapping up on that clean-up job you ordered to have done." He glanced at Recca. "And Recca and I have been taking care of things here. Everyone's been keeping busy."

Mori Kouran gazed off into space. "See that it gets taken care of in the near future," he said, and left the room.

"Recca," said Raiha, after the man had departed. "Perhaps it would be better to move that one up on the schedule."

Recca glanced at Raiha coldly. "I do things at my leisure."

But Yanagi wasn't here.

Kurei heaved an exasperated sigh. Why would she be here, anyways, at this time of night? He mentally kicked himself for playing the fool. That prank caller must be laughing hysterically by now... he began to walk over to his car, when he spotted the girl coming towards him.

"Yanagi," he called, raising his hand. She waved back.

"Hello!" she smiled, and ran up to him. "You said you wanted to see me." Yanagi looked up at him expectantly.

Kurei shook his head. "I thought you wanted to see me," he objected.

Yanagi seemed puzzled. "No... you told me that Kurenai had left some notes with you for the study-group."

"It seems like we've both been the victim of prank callers," suggested Kurei, feigning cheerfulness. Inside, he was scowling darkly. If he ever tracked down the person who had wasted his time... "Get in the car," he suggested. "I'll take you home. I'm sorry that you got dragged out here this time of night."

"Arigatou," said Yanagi, still confused.

"NO!" came a loud voice. "Yanagi-chan, DON'T get in the car with him!"

The two turned around to see a very angry-looking purple-haired girl. She had something on her wrist. Something strange and white... it tugged at the edges of Kurei's memory, but he could not place it.

"Why not?" inquired Kurei calmly. "Come on, Yanagi, let's go." He held the door open for her.

"I said, DON'T!" exclaimed Fuuko. She raised her arm in anger, and lashed out. A blade of wind sliced out at Kurei, who stood in shock. He took the full force of it and staggered back a step or two.

"Get out of here, Yanagi," he said, pushing her to the side. "Go hide somewhere." To Fuuko, he called, "I'd suggest that you stop now, before you get hurt." The words were kind enough, but there was enough edge to them to imply that he wasn't about to hold back on her. Even if she was only a high school student.

Fuuko was past listening to him. "Fight me," she said. "If you want to pick on a poor, defenseless creature like Yanagi-chan, you've got to get past me, first." She punctuated the remark with another blast of the Fuujin Kamatachi.

Kurei dodged it this time. He found himself slowly growing angry. How DARE those people send him on a wild-goose-chase to the school? How DARE those people drag Yanagi out there, too? At this time of night? And how DARE this psychotic stranger attack him for no apparent reason at all? He was baffled by her power, yet found it disturbingly similar to his own. He felt like he ought to know why, yet the memories eluded him. This only fueled his anger as he summoned his Flame.

He didn't speak a word as he directed it towards Fuuko. He had never used it on a person before his encounter with Kage Houshi, and he would have been hesitant if it had not been for Kurenai's part in the scenario. This time, however, he didn't care about restraining himself. The girl should be taught not to pick random fights like this.

The blue Flame was blown apart by the Fuujin's power. "Is that all you have?" she laughed scornfully. "Please! Kage Houshi had led me to believe that you were actually _strong_!" She gave him a mocking smile. "I'll tear you apart," she informed him calmly. "For what you planned to do to Yanagi."

"I planned to take her HOME!" growled Kurei, shooting out another Flame. The mention of the name of Kage Houshi had inflamed his anger even more. The Flame was bigger this time, and not as easily disposed of. Kurei noticed this with a certain amount of grim satisfaction. The more he used this power of his, the stronger it became.

I wonder what it would have been like, if I'd spent my life training, he mused absently. His attention was roughly drawn back to the situation when he noticed Fuuko gearing up for another attack. He tried to meet it head-on with another Flame. It glowed intensely as the two met.

Outside the school gates, Domon stood speechless. Kage Houshi had informed him that Kurei had made an attack on Fuuko's life, and he had made all haste to get here. He hadn't expected the situation he was now confronted with.

With a bellow of rage, he charged towards Kurei.

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