Sanctuary on Ice

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Chapter 1: Reconnecting Pending

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The first rays of sunshine grazing over her cheeks had jolted Sana awake from her restless slumber, drenched in sweat and panting heavily – the aftermath of a nightmare that seemed horrifyingly real. She darted into seating position, confused about her unexpected surroundings for a few moments, different than the usual suffocating walls. It didn't take long for last night's events to clear out the fog in her mind.

Sana started to softly laugh and tear up, cupping her face into both her hands, attempting to control her breathing and the extreme pounding of her heart. 'I can't believe it...', she lowered her hands, dragging them on top of her chest like a prayer, looking around in pure amazement.

'This is real.'

She was back at her grandparents' house, more exactly the guest room where she used to stay in as a child during summer holiday. Sana wasn't aware of such details the night before, exhaustion having taken over the youthful girl as soon as she greeted the elders, in a reunion her dreams couldn't have made sweeter. She could now visualize many memories just by gazing at the numerous items and furniture scattered around, which made it seem that time had stilled for all these years apart.

The entire room was one large memento of the past.

Her eyes eventually landed over the small brown dresser in front of the bed, where a small toy collection was sprawled on the light crochet cover. Getting out of bed, Sana reached for the nearest plush toy resting on top: the sunflower lion, which was an all-time favorite of hers, the girl's mother having bought it after her first skating competition.

It witnessed many failures and successes in her life... In less than a year, the toy had shifted into a type of trademark mascot for the girl, representing her attitude on the ice rink – maintaining a bright and innocent aspect on the outside, when it came down to business though, Sana would become a fearless and powerful competitor on the ice, never backing down a challenge. She would always carry it around, until she was forced to 'grow out of it'.

Father hated it for he believed that champions didn't linger such silly sentimentality over toys: this is not how they were made! If the girl truly wished to prove that all his money hadn't gone to waste on her training all these years, she should take things seriously or he'll end it once and for all! Such words always came at the worst of times, her performance acts suffering as a consequence...

It used to spark many arguments between her parents. The man had never bothered to hide his dislike for his daughter, or at least he never showed proper support about anything she did, unlike mother. She was the support the girl most needed at times, especially in crisis moments when her father would be in his moods. Father's yelling was similar to breathing air for a human – so natural, she didn't even feel remorseful anymore or hurt by the words. It was his 'discussion voice', he didn't see anything wrong with merely trying to aggressively persuade others that his methods and beliefs were correct and everyone else was in the wrong. Nevertheless, he would be very much annoyed when others did not share his views and felt he needed to have a more overwhelming voice to nullify faulty opinions.

His attitude would clash against his wife's, who would drive him to the brink of madness.

...

'Poor Raioncchi...', the girl thought, hugging the plush. It was a bit worn out and color faded in time, but it remained in pretty good shape... considering the high amount of torturous squeezing, sobbing and drooling the lion went through.

'Hm... It isn't dusty at all.', she sniffed it.

"Come to think of it... this room is spotless too...", Sana observed, a soft smile greeting her features. The elders had kept these memories intact and alive – she was grateful.

So very grateful...

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~oOo~

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Many things were left unspoken on purpose yesterday.

The talk at breakfast was similar, people gathered at the table doing their best not to mention anything specifically tragic. Even so, allusions towards it would scratch the surface, making Sana shudder anxiously. But the elders really wanted to know what the girl had been doing all these years they had lost connection with her... after the accident, everything darkened.

"Father."

One word.

Sana didn't think more was needed, pretty much self-explanatory. Her grandmother gave a long painful sigh, the girl appearing troubled by the reaction... she should have responded in a gentler manner.

The woman once approved of father, as part of the family, but Satoru-kun was always a troubled spirit.

"He... lost control.", was all the child could mutter, not wanting to get into many details.

"Sato-chan said you went on pursuing other activities that made you happier and were firm on this decision.", grandfather whispered. "And you couldn't set foot here anymore because it reminded you too much of Nanae-chan."

"... He said that?", the girl placed her chopsticks back on the plate, eyes narrowing down.

"We stopped insisting. He wouldn't have picked up the calls anymore if we continued.", he added, grandmother quickly grabbing a napkin and tapping it underneath her eyes as emotions rushed over her again. It was obvious that father had been lying to them and the hunch was finally confirmed by Sana... The woman should have done so much more, then... maybe they could have taken her into their own care much ear-

"He would have opposed it.", the young one added bitterly. "Or found ways to prevent it..."

The only reason she was even here was because of her planning, which had unexpectedly good results – he thought she was too weak to think of such drastic measures. Also, at this point in her life, there really wasn't much that man could do about her leaving the house. Sana was legally an adult and able to make her own life decisions, whether he approved them or not.

Sana no longer lived underneath his roof so his rules were void.

"But enough about that~~~~!", she grinned widely, laughing loudly however it didn't reach her eyes. Sana wanted to know more about the elder's life... and more about the town~!

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~oOo~

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Her grandparents still owned the clothing store and were in business even after the official retirement. Their long-time seamstress and family friend, 'Rose', was taking care of the activities on-site since their retirement. She had more modern approaches to the outfits, making them more accessible to youngsters – partly the reason why the store was still hanging and making profit. "That's nice!"

The onsen business was no longer flourishing like it used to in the past, many places in Hasetsu suffering this fate. "The Katsuki family is the only one who runs one in the district anymore. Many others have sold the land, being turned into real estate buildings or other compounds."

"Oh..."

"Speaking of Katsuki, I haven't seen Yuri-chan in such a long time... I wonder if that boy is healthy and well.", grandpa mentioned, trembling hands gripping the tea cup, sipping some of the warm liquid.

"I hear he's become quite the popular figure in town.", Sana replied, remembering all those posters she had passed by, which... reminded her... she had pictures to show them! "I've never thought I'd see him on so many trash bins, though...", the girl giggled lightly, sweat drops tainting her face... actually, that wasn't really a good spot to put someone's profile on.

"Ah~! Minako-san's work. That woman... Incorrigible."

Grandmother couldn't stop shaking her head disapprovingly as grandpa was having a healthy laugh. Then her eyes darted towards Sana, sporting a much more serious expression. "She's still asking about you."

"She... does...?"

"Every time we meet, she is wishing us that you're doing well."

"..."

"But now that you're here, you will be able to pay her a visit~!", the woman suggested with a wide grin, grandpa patting the young one's back. "Who knows, maybe she'll finally have a student this year."

"Finally?"

"Children these days aren't interested in sports anymore, not with those electronic devices they keep carrying in their hands. Just like this darn thing on the table.", grandpa pointed to the phone with touch-pad, which Sana quickly removed forgetting about it there. "And parents don't consider the lessons important enough for their future, so they do not sign up the children."

"Oh... if that's so then...", the girl scratched her head. What was Minako-sensei doing for a living then?

"Bartending her own pub."

"Oh... my...", Sana's eyes turned into really thin slits... she couldn't help recall the woman's unhealthy alcohol issues, unable to suppress a few drowned laughter sounds. 'Was it even that wise to have her running such a place...? It didn't feel safe at all... for her wallet.'

"She's doing quite well actually~!"

"She'd have fared even better had Yuri been champion like she thought he could be. Always yelling – this year is his year!", grandmother interjected.

"And it's never his year.", the old man said boldly, Sana hissing painfully because of it... that had been far too honest...;;;

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~oOo~

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Now that breakfast was over, Sana did not wish to waste any more time in purchasing a new phone. For that, she needed to have money and she wasn't keen on resorting to begging her family for it.

No – she needed a proper job. Sana's first choice was her grandparents' shop, thinking she could kill two birds with one stone this way, helping to ease even more of their burdens with the clothing business – were they in need of more help around?

"I don't mind one bit, you can give me any task and I won't complain~!", she offered excitedly and, for a while, the elders fell into a pensive state bringing hope to the girl. However... the outcome was not completely favorable, avoiding the answer for a later time.

For now – she should go greet people in town~!

"And! Before I forget...", the woman pressed a piece of paper onto her niece's hand, a couple of phone numbers and addresses scribbled on it. Between them she recognized Minako's info and a few more nostalgic names. A particular couple made Sana yelp out of shock.

"No way... they got married~?!"

Sana was so certain that Yuuko had a closer relationship with Yuri... and that they'll eventually end up together – he was always red in cheeks when speaking in front of her. It was adorable...

Seeing this fact though about Nishigori...

"Indeed. And had triplets in the meantime."

"NO WAY!"

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T-The shock was t-too much! Suddenly... Sana felt so old... ;;;

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And infuriatingly out of touch about her former friends' lives... she pondered whether they even remembered Sana at all or not. Not that they had to... she didn't bother to reconnect with them in years, being only 12 years old when she switched continents to move to Toronto.

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It really wasn't a good excuse...

Reminiscing about those joyful days through her current filter was always odd – like re-watching a movie in front of her eyes, only this one had her as protagonist, bringing forth many nostalgic waves. Sana wasn't aware where she was going, mixing up her room with her grandparents' one.

The door was left opened when she barged in, freezing on the spot.

"Oh...", her eyes immediately picked up many details, especially on the walls, her mouth hanging slightly. Countless medals decorated granny's bedroom, having replaced the big old painting of a cherry tree scene she remembered them having above the bed.

"..."

Those didn't even feel like Sana's achievements anymore... they were pretty worthless now...

*feels a gentle tug*

The girl's heart made a sudden leap, turning her head to see into her grandmother's eyes. "Since you're here, I need to give you a present.", the elder made heavy steps towards the closet, gesturing towards the girl to follow swiftly. She stopped inside the storage closet, pointing to the girl to move along. Then she pointed towards the top of the cupboard, requiring Sana's aid for this last step.

She curiously entered through the doorway, noticing an array of large boxes there. "Take the black one with the red writing on the side."

The girl nodded in understandingly, following the request. She struggled a bit with it – the box had quite a heavy load, throwing it onto the bed, making it bounce slightly. Before she opened it, her grandmother added. "When you're ready, child. Not now."

"Umm... Ready?", the girl was confused, but understood once the woman pointed towards the wall with the medals. Her expression softened, but it wasn't a happy one – she didn't know if she wanted to be ready. She might never will be... It wasn't as if Sana hadn't attempted to try after the accident.

It was difficult to focus and concentrate on her steps without falling down, aching everywhere. Despite no threatening physical pain, most of the injuries having healed entirely, her skin would remember the sensations too well, turning even a slight bump into something more terrible – ghost pain was a real thing, caused by severe mental stress to name just one of the causes. It lingered to this day even...

Not to mention, whenever she attempted to rejoin the ice skating activities, her father would blow up in anger, nearly having a breakdown. He never approved of these sessions in the past and since the accident, there was nobody who could stop him from influencing his beliefs for many years.

One day, he nearly placed Sana in a hospital after he discovered about her 7 a.m. 'hobbies' while lying about her duties at work – she started much later during those days. The only difference between then and now was...

... this freedom to exercise her choice without fear of corporal punishment.

She... was tempted... really tempted to retry and see how well it goes this time. But... it's been such a long time she did a proper training or even a complete program...

"..."

Wasn't it too late for Sana anyway...?*feels a hand caressing her back*

"Regardless, keep it in your room."

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~oOo~

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In the end, all Sana did for the day was to walk around the town aimlessly, passing by more buildings and photographing things that would be eye-catching or interesting. She had done it for half a day, ignoring any cravings for feed she may have, before receiving a call from her grandmother. Dinner would be ready soon and since she skipped lunch in their home, she wanted her to join them – like a good granddaughter would~!

Maybe she would like to eat something there at home. If not... there was always an alternative.

'What would you say about an onsen night with us?'

"Erm... I don't think I want tha-"

'They have single rooms if it makes you feel more comfortable. Furthermore... You haven't met with Minako today. Her voice was especially louder on the phone today, after I asked her about your visit at her place.'

"... O-O"

"Y-You did that...?", Sana wanted to facepalm badly... she never actually agreed to do this today.

"Don't have me repeat the experience with the Katsuki's too... my old hurt bones can barely take it anymore..."

"...", the girl's eyes narrowed down, cheeks painted in red. T-This... Sana forgot how much guilt-tripping the woman did!

"I'll consider it...", the girl sighed deeply, her mood souring. "I won't promise-"

"Okay, I'll call them to schedule us a table and a room for a few hours."

"W-Wait-!" *Ends call*

"..."

Sana did slap her face in the end, leaving a more permanent red on her cheeks while she groaned upset. Public baths gave her anxiety – even taking a shower could take a nasty toll on her, having to keep her eyes shut constantly because there were things about her body she could not face without bursting into tears. Injuries go away, they heal – but remnants linger on the skin no matter how hard you want to wash it away.

'Father hated my tears as well... any suspicious sounds would make him flip.'

Water was no longer her friend.

Thus, the girl tried to avoid returning back to the house in a timely manner, constantly looking for things that could be of interest to her in terms of photography. In no way was she an expert, this should be made very clear... it was just an outlet, for the girl to escape her own reality by capturing scenes in front of her, from a reality that didn't necessarily belong in her existence or could be influenced in any way by her.

The sky, the buildings, the animals, the trees...

Landscapes were especially beautiful this time of year and Hasetsu had many architectural gems she liked in this old part of town. Plus, she was close to the base of the Hasetsu Castle, her favorite spot in the entire city so the excitement was tenfold.

Unknowingly though – or just plainly ignoring it before it was too late – the Ice Castle was just around the corner, its sign becoming quite the glowing blue beacon in the evening, the lights turning on the exterior. Sana stopped for a few seconds, moving her phone's camera to it and snapping another photo.

"..."

She should have turned away quickly...

Her feet did not listen, coming closer to the building, using the stairs to reach the entrance level. It was surely closed at this hour of the day, right...? The light wasn't turned on inside and, from what she could remember, not a lot of people came after 6 o'clock – only the professionals and none were in Hasetsu anymore. 'Well... none actively competing.'

Sana prompted her body next to the glass door, squeezing her eyes. The little she could tell by using the phone's flashlight was that the interior of the ice castle had changed – a lot. It was more modern than what she remembered.

'Hmm... Maybe she could...', she thought, looking at the door handle and trying to give it a little push-

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"THIEF! ATTACK!"

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"AGH!", Sana bumped her head hard into the glass door, brushing her hands over her pained forehead and nose... i-it hurt so much~! She rubbed the pained areas carefully, narrowing down her teary eyes in frustration. Three pesky little children were yelling too loudly for her own comfort, frightening her and angering her at the same time.

'T-Thief? Who were they calling t-thief?! She was just in the area! Minding her own business! Sort of!'

The children were in formation, weapons ready to jump on her – one carried the camera to record video, another to take pictures and the last one had the voice of ear-deafening. Immediately, Sana turned to them, flustered and upset, her hair no longer covering her reddened face as she massaged her forehead.

The children went silent.

"You little bra-", the girl started, but a sharp female voice came from within the darkness, pretty far away though. "I-I'm so sorry for them!", it almost felt like an echo.

"M-MOM!", the more courageous of the twins called after her, Sana's heart leaping suddenly from the noise.

"Tch...", Sana didn't like this situation any longer – what if the mother was also crazy?! She quickly grabbed the phone she dropped – thankfully, not breaking the screen – and wanted to leave the area rapidly, when she nearly fell down the stairs after the brats called out her name without a hitch. "HUH?", she experienced the shock of her year.

Sure, she expected older people to remember... not children though.

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'NEVER CHILDREN!'

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The trio yelled in unison, their hostile attitudes switching to an even more frightening paparazzi mode. The phones were flashing non-stop from the amount of pictures they were taking; also, a large booklet was suddenly shoved so hard inside her stomach, Sana fell down on one knee in pain. It was to sign an autograph for them~!

Also, since she was down..."Say 'Victoooooor'~!"

"..."

Selfies... happened.

'W-WHAT IS THIS?!', Sana's eyes were wide as saucers, tackled in a strong hug by all three when their mother had finally reached the stairs, having run out of breathe from chasing the girls. She had been yelling after the triplets so much, her throat was hurting and... she nearly cried for real, appalled by her kids' actions. The mother could never control their actions no matter how much effort she put into it... She bowed down, wanting to apologize for her children's actions when...

"..."

...she froze, her eyes becoming an even bigger watery mess.

"S-Sana...?"

"..."

The girl should have noticed from the start. It wasn't common to see three tiny beasts around this place – triplets nevertheless. It was very much uncommon to give birth to them, especially in such a small community area.

"Sana, is it really you?!"

The girl clicked her tongue. She wasn't ready to meet anyone from the group... but she tried to offer a smile, albeit strained.

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"Heya... Yuuko-senpai."