AN: I'm not DEAD! I will be updating my other RyoSaku fic as soon as possible, but I have other ones as well. This was supposed to be a one-shot but I've decided to break it down into two pieces to save people (with short attention spans like me) the trouble of reading this long fic. The second half will be out after I update Getting Under Your Skin. Also, this fic is dedicated to/blamed on by my friend Anime AngeL, who still owes me fanart as well as giving me the plot bunny for this piece. ((smiles))
Summary: Two-Part Story. Ryoma/Sakuno. Some OOC-ness. People always walk a fine line when they dream because they may encounter another in their sleeping sequences. She was in love with a boy from her fantasies. He was intrigued by a girl in the foggiest depths of his mind. However, severe differences may keep them apart. For he is a human and she is a nymph, and the line in which they tread upon is thin. But, can one fated meeting turn to love between them at... third sight?
Caught Between Reality and You
Foggy clouds swirled upon the stone 'floor' of his dreamworld. Though it might have been a bit strange, wandering in a cloud while you slept, Echizen Ryoma found no problem. Solitude had always been welcomed. With a pervert father, who was also a monk of some sort, and two female figures always chatting in his home, quiet was always something he looked forward to.
Not that he had much to do anyway. He was of low class, which he saw no shame in being so. When you were rich, it meant sitting and looking pretty, which anyone without a brain could do. Why wish to be something so boring as being wealthy with tedious tasks to fill your day?
Ryoma was, at the tender age of sixteen, still growing and tranforming into a man. Not that he hadn't attracted women from around, due to his exotic features. But he couldn't have any, unless she was of low class. Women moved upward in the social ladder, not lower. However, Ryoma gave the opposite sex very little heed, due to the fact that he already had two that needed him all the time. One more might just do him in.
But the predatory looks of any female, in her right mind, still devoured him with their eyes. His dark hair was highlighted sea green in the right light, which made his locks quite sought after. His face had matured to a sharp jaw and rounded where it needed to be. He was also strong, due to his constant work around the village, doing odd jobs if he needed the money while sifting through different careers.
However, the most well-known part of his features were his eyes. They were often talked about for being equal to a cat's own glowing golden orbs. Sharp and quick, his eyes were strong and could easily catch what others had missed. This was probably the reason why he had decided blacksmithing over priesthood, like his no good father was. He wanted something challenging that would put something other than his patience to the test. He didn't want to sit around and do nothing forever.
But, in these moments, Ryoma had forgotten reality. He just wanted to experience blissful ignorance. After all, with a strange family like his, peace was a treasure you never seemed to keep to yourself. But the bliss was soon interrupted when his eyes caught something. His golden orbs, though weakened by the fog's interference, could see a form in front of him, a few yards away.
It was curled into a ball, looking as if it were afraid of its own shadow. It kneeled, almost to the ground, as its head was tucked into its legs. The soft sounds of whimpering were heard, and he could immediately distinguish a high pitch in the cries. It was a girl that had been sent into his dream.
Although he didn't want to help her, it was not his problem after all, he also couldn't just leave her there. She looked so helpless that even he had felt compassion, which was very rare in his case. If this had been any other time, in any other place, he would have blantantly ignored the girl. However, Ryoma wanted some peace, which meant he had to help her, if he could.
So, with a sigh, he began approaching cautiously and bowed down to the girl's level.
"Excuse me?" he asked, tentative so he wouldn't scare her away. A shape intake of breath was heard from the girl, and he noticed that her eyes went wide when she looked at him.
Large brown eyes stared up at him, her face flushed due to her cries. Her long, dark hair fell around her, while a single braid was left to fall across her cheeks. Her small, pert mouth was pulled into a pout, as she stared up at him with teary eyes. Although Ryoma wasn't the knight-in-shining-armor type, he definitely didn't want this girl left alone. She seemed so defenseless while she cried, her pretty face implanting itself into his own mind.
While he tried to approach her lightly, he didn't know that the girl had no senses or manners at that moment, unfortunately for him. Immediately, she launched herself into the stranger's unawaiting arms. Ryoma was quickly knocked to the ground, landing on his behind, while the young girl cried against his chest. Her hands balled his shirt into his hands, and Ryoma panicked for a second. He had never comforted anyone in his life! How was he going to help a complete stranger?
But, as his arms tightened around her trembling frame, he pulled her gently into him. Her cries were muffled by his shirt as she clung to him. He had a feeling she wasn't going to let go for a while. Thankfully, he was wrong, as her tears became sniffles and she eventually just relaxed against him. Cries were no longer a problem and, for a time, he just held her, a complete stranger, in his arms. This had been the longest he had ever let anyone hold onto him, but he didn't have the heart to push her away either. There was also the fact that she was so warm curled against his chest.
Feeling a slight chill slide across his neck, he looked down at the girl he had unconsciously melded against him. An uncharacteristic blush fell lightly on his cheeks, while hers were already stained red from her crying, as well as some embarrassment. She stared into the eyes that had helped her, and her gaze was also caught in its beauty. It was hard not to love much precious gems on such a beautiful face.
"Who are you...?" she asked still leaning against the dark-haired stranger. Her hands had not let go of his shirt, nor had she moved from her position between his legs. She just looked at him, the epitome of innocence staring back at Ryoma.
"I could ask you the same thing," he replied, knowing he was being his snide self. Talking to this girl put him on edge and he couldn't say he liked it. His heart was beating a bit louder in his ears, while his hands had never left her lower back. Not that he wanted them there, but because her hands wouldn't let go of him, he didn't move away either.
"Oh! Umm... Well, you see... I'm very sorry..." she mumbled incoherently, her blush, that had begun to drift away, had brightened again. Although he probably shouldn't have been proud, Ryoma smirked lightly. Her flustered face was quite amusing, so he found no trouble in provoking her if he got more chance to poke fun.
"So... Have a name?" he couldn't help but ask as she looked back up at him. She nodded slowly, and he immediately got the feeling that she was uncomfortable. But, if you were sitting near a man that you had never met and were currently sitting between his legs, I guess anyone would have a little blush crawling across their faces.
Then, as if she had just noticed where she was, the young girl immediately jumped at least a lard away. She sat, leaning on her arms to support herself up. She looked at him with wide eyes, much larger than when he had found her. She was young, only fourteen at most. Her small frame trembled out of nervousness, he guessed, as well as the cold. Her bright chocolate eyes weren't scared, as he had originally guessed, but nervous and anxious. She was probably uncomfortable in the presence of a man she didn't even know. Not surprising, considering he knew nothing about her either, which brought him to the reason why he was still with her. However, he ignored this when he heard her mumble something.
"Excuse me?" he asked, his golden eyes giving off the only light this place had, or so it seemed to her. Again, she blushed heavily, and stared at the ground again, but she repeated herself.
"Sakuno..." she said, her hands fumbling with each other, "That's umm... my name... Sakuno..."
"Echizen," he said, stating his family name since it seemed that she didn't have one of her own, "Echizen Ryoma."
"Ryoma..." she said, testing the words on her lips. For some reason, the very sound of his name was very sweet, almost entrancing. It seemed almost criminal to say anything with her parted lips, which encouraged her thoughtful look. She seemed almost heavenly, more divine, than most people. It wasn't meant to be a joke or a compliment, but there was this weird feeling that he was getting from her. It wasn't human at least.
"You're human, aren't you?" she asked, as if it was the simplest thing in the world. He looked at her, somewhat surprised at her question. He had supposed she wasn't normal, but asking if he was human? That's a bit odd.
"Yes. Aren't you?" he replied, looking at her with stern eyes. He was just a little weirded out by this girl. She was strange, but he couldn't say he didn't like her. Already, he could tell she wasn't like most village girls, who squeal and scream, mostly at him.
"Well... no," she said, shrugging a little, her cherry blush gracing her cheeks again.
"Really?" Ryoma answered, obviously curious, "Then what exactly are you?"
Her mouth opened, but just as she was about to speak, her body began to fade. She looked at him, her eyes wide once more, before she completely left the place she sat. Nothing was left of her. Confused, and slightly disappointed, Ryoma didn't notice that his body was also beginning to fade into the fog. The dream that was once shared was now broken by the day.
Awakening to the dawn's beams, Ryoma raised himself off his mattress. The sleep still stung his eyes as he brushed it away with his hands. His mouth was in a pout due to his unwillingness to get up. However, he had work to do with his friends at their apprenticeships. Getting ready, he thought the moment he awoke, the dream would dissapitate, the girl leaving him alone. But the more he thought about the dream, the more he couldn't get it out of his mind, her face in his thoughts for the day.
Even during breakfast, he remained dwelling on the girl, not that anyone noticed. He had always been quiet, so no one asked him what was on his mind. He left in a half-daze, trying to keep himself on track and out of other people's ways. He couldn't be like this when he was at work, where his friends might try to make something of it. It was bad enough he was the youngest and shorter than the rest of them, but another reason to be picked on was not on his list.
Ryoma's thoughts kept him busy well along his way that he hadn't even heard Momoshiro, a man of seventeen and large stature, make his way to him. Only when he was within a few feet of Ryoma's space did the young man actually hear his older friend.
"What's wrong, Echizen?" he asked, quick to analyzing the boy's even more distant self. Ryoma shrugged it off, again not really paying any heed. He had always been fond of personal space and business, but it seemed everyone wanted to know his.
Even though the boy was not willing to give up any information, Momo kept poking fun, hoping to cajole something out of Ryoma. Questions and quirky comments had no effect but add annoyance to his already irritated mind. Anymore and he'd probably have to kill someone, most likely his friend who couldn't take a hint.
"Oi! Momo! Ochibi!" came a call, having snapped both out of their staring contest. A bouncy redhead stood with six others at his sides. They all gave a sign of recognition, whether it was a nod or a smile; it was all just daily practice and habit rather than politeness.
"Eiji, do you have any idea what's wrong with Echizen?" Momo said, causing the group to look at their youngest member. However, Ryoma remained impassive as he walked forward and past his team of friends. There was nothing to say or explain because it was his dream and not theirs. However, he knew that avoiding them would be impossible due to their more than inquisitive nature.
"Ochibi," the redhead said, loving the nickname he had given the boy, "What's up? Something the matter? Not sleep well?"
"Something like that," he replied, only speaking the half-truth. He wasn't as rested as he had been a night before but it was mostly because he was distracted. Right now he didn't want to hear anything from his best friends, especially if it was annoying taunts and teases. But keeping things from them was hard since they knew him so well, though he hadn't figured out how they were able to.
"Hmm... Distracted and even more edgy. Likeliness to remain quiet today... ninety-five percent..." Inui mumbled, his notebook in hand and his pen scribbling down unreadable notes. His glasses hid the eyes that travelled along the page that added data on Ryoma's attitude, making the irate teen a little more than pissed.
"Echizen, if you're not okay, then maybe you shouldn't go today. We don't want you to get into any trouble while we're working," Oishi, their motherly worrier, said with a small frown. Caring for his friends was always his duty, no matter what the cicumstances.
"Oishi is right. If you're not well, then you shouldn't be coming. I don't want any accidents," Tezuka supported, his voice stern as his eyes flashed when they landed on Ryoma. The charismatic leader and most solemn, he was the one most likely to keep everyone from falling apart. And, for some reason, he seemed the most concerned about Ryoma, though he wasn't very open about it.
The rest stayed quiet. Kaidoh was hissing and mumbling something beneath his breath. Not much of a talker, but tempermental all the same, he kept his mouth shut and tuned out the others. Kawamura, a shy man of eighteen, also decided to remain silent. Although quiet by nature, once he had a tool in his hand, a fiery and intense side of him appeared and would never shut up. It was probably to make up for his calm facade.
"Is it a girl, Echizen?" Fuji interrupted, his crescent eyes complimenting his smile. His comment caused everyone, though it was mostly Momo and Eiji, to stop talking and look at Ryoma. The boy halted, but never lost face as he looked at the smilig man. However, he turned back and kept walking again. Never missing a beat, he replied with his infamous, "Mada mada dane."
"Saa..." Fuji said, confirming his understanding, even though nobody really understood. The way he comprehended was almost as if he were looking through the younger boy and into his thoughts. The way that Fuji and Tezuka understood him so well gave him goosebumps because they were uncannily good at it. Their thoughts were dead-on, which left Ryoma wondering how much they really knew about him. It was not a nice feeling to have when you're supposed to be around friends.
And, thanks to that comment, nobody left their Ochibi alone that day...
The idea that Ryoma had a female companion lit a fire under his 'friends,' who had gone all out to get anything they could out of him. However, he couldn't tell them he met 'her' in a dream and could very well not exist. Not like that would stop the teasing anyway, which left him with a migraine the entire week. He was actually hoping to meet the girl again, and repay her for giving him a taste of hell on earth.
But, no dream came that night, or several nights after. He had gone without seeing the young female for some time, which caused Ryoma to deny she was real at all. That left him slightly disappointed, since he had never gotten an answer to the question he had asked. Of course, what was the likeliness that he'd meet a magical creature in his dreams? It seemed too fictional, too unrealistic, even he had to accept that he might have gone a little insane.
He promised to give up searching for the girl because he no longer remembered his dreams when he awoke after that certain night. The feeling she left was something that only she could fill it, or so he thought. However, wishing for a dream to return seemed far too strange for the ever rational Ryoma.
But, then again, the most exotic things are the ones we crave most, ne?
Sleep was a wonderful thing because he had always found time to relish the silence of the night. Though, at that moment, he did wish for some company. That of a young female who didn't seem human with an innocence almost too pure to touch. But wanting such a thing was overrated for the young peasant.
However, it had been some time since he had felt a dream like this. He hadn't remembered any since his first encounter with the maiden who had crossed into his sleeping sequence, once upon a time. Seeing her again was a possibility, but that was wishful thinkingon his part. He shouldn't want something that had made no sense, especially to him.
Wandering the deserted place, the fog crawled about him with no real purpose. A feeling of nonchalant boredom fell around the handsome boy, who had walked nowhere. Somehow, searching for the young girl made him more willing to move. Though his goal wouldn't be acheived, he might get some alone time like he had wanted. After all, with Momo and Eiji breathing down his neck even more than usual, it was starting to take its toll.
The thoughts that he had consumed himself with within the week were now in his mind again. He continued not to dwell on the girl who had invaded his head too many times. Instead, he tried to come up with ways to avoid any more interrogations and insane chases between his only friends. Outrunning them everyday wasn't exactly what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. So lost in this process, he never noticed the shadowy figure that followed him in silence, curiously following like a lost puppy. It remained so quiet that Ryoma had never even thought of turning back to look.
"Good evening, Ryoma. We meet again," the lovely pitch of the female, he had sworn to forget about, was now only too clear in his ears. He turned with the quick reflexes he had been blessed with and watched as the young girl that, had once been lost, now found him. Her same smile was mischevious and her hands remained playfully behind her back. Her coffee eyes remained sparkling as she watched him with an aura that was not familiar and yet he knew it exactly.
"Good evening to you as well," he said, keeping his tone from being rude like it had been when he first met her. Remaining neutral, and trying to keep the smirk off his face, he watched as her eyes seemed to glow when he stared. The memory of her in his arms was now back and his body wanted that heat again, no matter how crude and unlike him. It seemed that not only his head had missed her, but his body had taken her in as well.
"It seems too long since I've seen you. I never even got to answer your question," she said, as if this was a big game. She felt no burdens when he was near, which allowed her to release a carefree spirit that she had long forgotten. Although she had few responsibilities, Sakuno was very hard on herself when she did anything important to anyone else. That was how she saw herself and everything around her.
"Yes, it has. Are you still going to keep me in suspense?" he asked, forgetting the grin he couldn't help. That same gesture made the young girl blush, noticing how well it fitted his face in a seductively innocent way, if that made any sense. The smile brought her own out a little more and she seemed very open, though she was rarely so passionate whe people were around.
"Well, it wouldn't be any fun if I told you, now would it?" she asked, her attitude of absolute guileless fun. Him being near made her unexplainably giddy and somewhat bouncy as well.
"Actually, I'd like it much more if you'd just tell me," Ryoma said with a nonchalant shrug, watching her with half-lidded eyes. He portrayed an amused, but bored, look so well that it brought a smile to Sakuno's already elated face.
"Then there's no fun for me. And, as a supernatural being, I always enjoy a little fun," she said sweetly and stepped back when he stepped forward. She matched every step that he took with her own, knowing he was trying to get close. But, when he was too close, her heart stopped beating and her knees always buckled. She couldn't have that happen in the middle of their game.
"Okay then. I'll guess," Ryoma stated, though he kept walking forward as she stepped backwards with the same pace, "A fairy?"
Shaking her head, Sakuno smiled just a little bit more.
"A phantom."
"I'm solid, thank you very much." She shook her head indignantly, knowing he said it only to distract her.
"Hmm... A sprite then."
"No, but you're getting warmer." Her laugh was that of a bell's, but bells were never so pure and melodic as her own voice. Ryoma only smirk more widely, enjoying her amusment in this game. Though, he wouldn't admit that being with her was also quite entertaining. She was certainly more tolerable that most maidens.
"Let me see..." Ryoma said, only eyeing her as prey. He was out on a hunt, or so it seemed, but he kept moving with grace that remained unmatched to anything. Even she, something of mysterious origin, held no candle to his talent when it came to his natural rhythym and sway. She hadn't even noticed that his strides had gotten longer, but his skill in seeing the slightest adjustments kept her from his little secret.
So, when he had cleared all distance between them, she had noticed too late. A stumble over herself was what allowed him to fully clear the distance between them. Catching her in mid-fall, he pulled her close to him, a scene all too similar that triggeered their bodies to have a deja vu flash.
And in her ear, he whispered his answer:
"A nymph, of course."
The zero space between them caused an unconventional gasp to leave her lips. Having him so close once before caused this, which was why she kept her distance. Closeness to him was what she tried to avoid because feelings she had never felt always arrised, and something in her never seemed to calm down when he was near. Her stomach dropped and her heart wouldn't stop beating at different speeds. Such things had never gotten to her, but then again, never had such a man crossed her path before either.
She pulled herself away, enough to make eye contact, and she could tell his smirk was holding back a laugh. He was laughing at her, even though this was all his fault! However, the glitter of the mirth in his eyes washed away any ill feelings, and her telltale blush rose again. He was too good at taking away her thoughts and replacing it with him.
"Am I right?" he asked, his eyes once again teasing her. Seeing that flush on her face, he jet out the chuckle he had held in, obviously pleased with himself. Confident, even more than arrogant even, he always had the upper hand when he went into anything. Never had he enjoyed tormenting another person like he enjoyed annoying her.
She nodded, as her blush grew. Her playful air was gone now that he had control of the situation. Then again, Ryoma was never one who enjoyed losing. He loved to play with his opponents, being the cat-like fighter that he was. And right then, there was no better toy then the girl in his arms.
"Well then, what did I win?" he asked, and noticed her confused glance. He smirked, knowing that her face had gone red again, since she looked away before she made eye contact. "I won the game, didn't I? It's only fitting that I win a prize, neh?"
"But, I have nothing to give you," Sakuno said, feeling helpless again. This human was the first and only one she had ever met. However, she had never thought them to be good at trickery or mocking. Maybe he was just especially good at it.
"You don't?" he asked, faking surprise in his tone. He looked down at her curious face, wondering what he would do. Of course, being Ryoma, he was never short of an idea and he was quite proud of this one. After all, a cat always had more than one trick up his sleeve, or playing with a feline would be dull.
"I suppose I'll just have to take one then."
Before Sakuno could ask what he was going to take, her lips were caught and her eyes had gone wide. And, in a second, her first kiss was stolen by a dream and the boy whom shared her nightly sleep.
AN: I know it was supposed to be a one-shot but what can I say? I have a lot of time but no attention for it. Sorry! I'll do my best to finish both of the RyoSaku fics. Who knows when though... Please review! Also, I'm sorry for the OOCness but I'm going to use my artistic license as best I can. So please don't flame me on it (I already know).
Well, till next time!
Much love,
Adobo-chan