Summary: Mimori and Ryuho are a little rocky due to Mimori's free will to do as she pleases. While out on a medical expedition Mimori saves a toddler during a battle between Ryuho and Kazuma. This girl strangely enough, looks as if she would be the daughter of Ryuho and Mimori. Ryuho tells Mimori not to get attached but what about himself? Can the little girl crack Ryuho's cold shell? Or will she make things even worse? Rated T for Lang.
Ok so this is my first S-Cry-Ed story with multiple chapters! I decided to continue writing S-Cry-Ed stories out of inspiration from my reviewers who sent reviews to my other S-Cry-Ed story "Always" I hope that everyone will like this story as much as they liked my Oneshot story! If you're interested and haven't done so already, after reading this you can go and read my RyuhoMimori Oneshot story which is titled "Always" it was my very first S-Cry-Ed fic as well as my very first Oneshot so I hope you guys like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own S-Cry-Ed or any of the characters, but I do own a character that will appear later in the fic.
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"Don't Give Up Hope"
Chapter 1
It's been three weeks since Mimori Kiryu; the Kiryu heiress first arrived at HOLY and not one conversation she's had with Ryuho Tarien has been a pleasant one. Though she doesn't let his cold façade bring her down too much, she can't help but wonder what happened to her childhood best friend.
So here she sits, staring out a window of HOLY headquarters, with a seemingly blank expression on her face. Though she may have most of HOLY fooled, a certain blue-haired Alter user can see right through her blank expression and knows exactly what she's thinking about; or rather who.
"You worried about him?" a voice asked from behind the Kiryu heiress, startling her a bit.
As Mimori turned her head away from the window to see who had asked such a question she wasn't surprised to see the young blue-haired Alter user of Eternal Devote Scheris Adjani standing there waiting for a reply.
"No." Mimori said as she turned her attention back to the scenery outside of the window. "It's just strange how time changes people so much."
"You know he has his reasons." Scheris said as she took a seat next to Mimori.
"I know." Mimori agreed quietly. Once she heard no response from the blue-haired girl next to her she took that as a sign to explain. "His father told me about what happened to his mother. I know I don't completely understand what he went through, but the knowledge of her death hurt me, she was like a second mother to me and I loved her like she was my own."
Scheris sighed. "It's not the same Miss Kiryu. She was his mother and she was taken from him right before his eyes. Everything Ryuho held dear was taken from him in just one night. That can't be easy to get over."
"I suppose you're right, but he has a choice to either stay cold and dwell on the past or move on and-"
"Miss Kiryu, listen to what you're saying." the blue-haired Alter user said cutting her off, "If your mother was taken from you at the age of 10, right before your eyes, how would you deal with it? You wouldn't be able to just forget about something like that, you would want revenge too. Deny it all you want but you know it's true."
"I know. You're right, but I can't quite grasp the fact that he's changed so much. He's the complete opposite from the boy I met 7 years ago." Mimori said with a saddened look now taking over her once blank expression.
"Well I can't help you with that one. Time changes people whether the people around them like it or not I guess." Mimori frowned. What else could Scheris have said? That may not have been what Mimori wanted to hear but it was true and she knew it.
"You know, sometimes…" Mimori hesitated, "Sometimes I feel at fault for Ryuho's cold attitude…"
Scheris just sat there, wide eyed. She was completely dumbstruck at what the Kiryu heiress had just told her. Why was she telling her something so personal? And why would she even feel at fault for something she had no control over? What was happening? Mimori and Scheris were pretty much rivalries, much like Ryuho and Kazuma. Though their fights were more on the girly side; no never punch throwing or slapping, just arguing because of Ryuho and always wanting his attention. But here they were, calmly talking to one another without fighting or threatening each other.
Surprisingly enough, neither of them minded talking about all of this. Mimori was glad she could talk to someone about Ryuho and Scheris was glad to be of at least some help to the Kiryu heiress. After all, Scheris knew being with Ryuho was just wishful thinking on her part and she knew it hurt to be rejected by him. But in the end, Scheris was still Scheris and she wasn't going to give up on him so easily, she was still determined to win him over before Mimori even if the attempt to do so was in vain.
Finally regaining her composure the 15 year old Alter user asked, "Why…?"
Mimori let a sigh escape her lips. Did she really want to tell Scheris, of all people, something she's never discussed with anyone?
Then again, it's not like she can back out now right?
The Kiryu heiress sighed once more before answering, "I wasn't there for him when he needed me most, Scheris. I was told the event of his mothers' death took place not long after I left for the Mainland. If I would have never left, I could have helped him through it."
Scheris quirked and eyebrow and the ebony haired women, "So you blame yourself for his cold attitude because you weren't there to help him?" she asked purposely stating the obvious.
Mimori nodded. "Miss Kiryu, even if you were there it wouldn't have changed anything; he would have still wanted revenge." She said turning to face the ebony haired women.
"Yes but I could have helped him through everything, instead he had to go through it alone. Earlier you asked me how I would deal with it… well in the first place I would want someone there to help me through it, to help take some of the pain away." Mimori said as she shifted in her seat avoiding Scheris's gaze.
Scheris frowned. "He made it through didn't he?"
"Yes but look what it did to him." the ebony haired women spoke softly, "He's not the same boy I fell in love with."
'Fell in love with? But they were so young…' Scheris thought. "You and Ryuho were in love?" she asked.
'…This girl is slower than I thought. I always imagined the subject was obvious.' Mimori mused. "Yes Scheris, Ryuho and I were very much in love. When my father told me we were moving back to the Mainland I threw a fit. My father had to get help from my mother to get me in the car, I kicked and screamed saying I didn't want to leave Ryuho while I continuously tried to reach him, but it was no use. My tears and pleas didn't affect my parents enough to let me stay with him so they eventually forced me into the car and drove away. Ryuho was just as bad; his parents had to hold him back with everything they had as he tried to get to me. I remember hearing Ryuho screaming my name as my parents continued to drive farther down the road." Mimori paused as a tear silently made its way down her cheek but she quickly whipped it away. It wasn't as easy as she thought it would be to think back on that moment. The screaming and crying was still echoing in her head as she spoke again, "That day, I made a promise to myself and Ryuho that one day I would come back to the Lost Ground to see him. And here I am." She said with a small semi-watery smile.
"Wow…" Scheris murmured. "He really has changed. I never thought Ryuho could even show any other emotions other than rage and hatred."
"I never thought it possible for someone to only show such fierce emotions at all times it's just unbelievable."
Scheris nodded. "Yeah come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen Ryuho smile a true smile."
"See what I mean?" Mimori asked. "How someone can go all day with out cracking the slightest smile is beyond me."
Scheris shrugged. "Same here, I can't go two hours without smiling." As if to prove her point the 15 year old cracked a huge smile.
The Kiryu heiress chuckled. It wasn't so bad talking to Scheris, she's a good listener and she in a way understands what Mimori's going through. "What surprised me the most about him when I first got here was how he wasn't even happy to see me; I had looked forward to seeing him again for 7 years… I was really hurt when he didn't even acknowledge me."
"I imagine I would feel the same way if I were you."
Mimori sighed. "I just don't see how he could have changed so much."
"Well like I said before, he has his reasons but we're going to have to continue this little chat later because the subject is on his way over and he looks pissed." Scheris said quickly glancing over to the other side of the room.
"You're kidding?" Mimori asked afraid to look. Mimori knew if Ryuho was angry it was better not to even make eye contact with him.
"Nope and he's not looking at me with that pissed expression either. Well, have fun!" Scheris said with a cocky smile before getting up to leave.
'Leave it to Scheris to bite you in the ass at the end of a conversation…' Mimori thought bitterly as she watched the young girl retreat. 'Maybe I can escape before Ryuho gets-'
"Miss Kiryu may I have a word with you?"
'Damn.' She mentally scolded herself. "Sure Ryuho."
As Mimori got up to follow Ryuho to only god knows where, she had a feeling she knew what he wanted to talk about and god help her if she was right because she'd be so dead.
About two weeks prior to today Mimori had accidentally let a Native Alter out of his cell while trying to speak to him about his options. Thus letting him escape and cause all kinds of mayhem throughout HOLY and the city. If Ryuho knew it was Mimori that was the cause of his escape she'd be on the next flight home for sure.
"Miss Kiryu," Ryuho started as they came to a halt on a secluded balcony outside. "Did you not learn anything from the last medical expedition you went on?"
"I don't understand Ryuho?" Mimori said. 'At least he still doesn't know about that Native Alter.'
Ryuho narrowed his eyes as he clutched the railing of the balcony. "You're not going on that medical expedition tomorrow Miss Kiryu." He said trying really hard to contain his anger which was obvious as he spoke.
"What?" Mimori asked wide-eyed. "Ryuho, the commander said he would have Tachibana accompany me."
"You're not going Miss Kiryu; you're going to get yourself killed." Ryuho was furious; this girl just never listened to a damn thing he said!
"No I'm not, Tachi-"
"Tachibana failed to defeat MP3228 last time, what makes you think he can protect you this time?" Ryuho asked cutting her off.
"You're the one who got Commander Jigmar to reconsider letting him go, but now you doubt his abilities? He's been training a lot harder now, I've watched him, he's stronger now Ryuho." she said still managing to keep her cool even though she was fuming inside. Asuka Tachibana had become a close friend of Mimori's over the past few weeks and she didn't like the fact that Ryuho had just talked down on him. No matter if it was by intention or not she didn't like it.
"That doesn't mean he can defeat him Miss Kiryu, therefore he cannot ensure your safety. You're not going." Ryuho said sternly while giving her a side glance.
"I can't believe you. I'm going on that medical expedition tomorrow whether you like it or not." Mimori scowled as she began to walk away but Ryuho quickly grabbed her wrist before she could make it two feet away from him and spun her around to face him. 'Just like last time…' Mimori thought angrily.
"You're not going." Ryuho said through clenched teeth. With every word Ryuho spoke his grasp on Mimori's wrist tightened tremendously.
"Ryuho let go of me." Mimori demanded trying to pull away but Ryuho only jerked her back towards him tightening his grasp once more.
"You don't get it! What happened on the last medical expedition you went on was nothing!" Ryuho screamed while backing her into the wall behind her.
"You're hurting me…" Mimori whimpered as his grasp got tighter.
Ryuho ignored her cries and continued to scold her, "You don't know of the dangers the Lost Ground has! Every corner you turn is basically a death trap for you!"
"Ryuho you're hurting me! Please! Let me go!" she pleaded but to no avail.
Ryuho was glaring daggers at her as he spoke again his voice like ice cutting through her veins, "You are not an Alter user, you cannot protect yourself, therefore you do not belong out there." Ryuho eyes were burning with fire as he glared at the Kiryu heiress he was scaring her more than he would have liked but he didn't notice.
"Let go of me Ryuho!" Mimori screamed as the pain in her wrist became unbearable but Ryuho didn't let go of her or loosen his grasp.
Mimori panicked he was cutting off the circulation to her wrist and she was on the verge of passing out from all the pain. She didn't know what to do so she quickly did the only thing she was capable of in such a state.
'SLAP!'
Ryuho was shocked; Mimori had slapped him with her free hand. Now he was even more pissed (if possible.) He glared at her once more but once he saw the tears streaming down her face he quickly let go of her wrist.
Ryuho just watched as the Kiryu heiress fell to her knees clutching her wrist as she continued to cry. He did feel sorry for her, he didn't mean to hurt her he just lost control but he wouldn't dare let her know that.
"If you won't listen to me then go back to the damn Mainland." Ryuho sneered before turning and walking away.
That was a hell of a slap in the face for the Kiryu heiress. First he almost breaks her wrist and doesn't even apologize then he tells her to leave? What the hell?
"Sometimes I think it's safer out there than here with you, you miserable bastard." Mimori mutter to herself as she whipped her tears away and got up making her way to her room for the night.
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Ryuho was pissed when he found out Mimori was going on another medical expedition. Once he found out he had gone straight to talk to her about it but it didn't run out as planned. He didn't mean to lose control like that he was just angry and it just happened.
After that episode Ryuho had with Mimori he knew he had to do something because Tachibana just wasn't enough. Well at least not in Ryuho's mind he wasn't. He knew Mimori wasn't going to listen to what he had said, she was too stubborn, and he knew that for a fact. She would go on the trip protection or not. That's what angered him most.
Mimori was always the idealistic, kindhearted type. It's not that Ryuho didn't like her kind-hearted side, he did, but it pissed him off every time she would treat Native Alters and criminals with as much respect as she treated him with (which was a lot.) They didn't deserve such amounts of respect in Ryuho's opinion. What Ryuho did hate though was her idealistic side. People in the Lost Ground can't be idealistic, if they were, they would have a slim chance at survival.
Mimori in Ryuho's opinion doesn't have what it takes to survive in the Lost Ground with out protection. If she was out there alone and Inners found out she was a princess, Heiress to the Kiryu throne, they would have a field day. That's why he hated the fact that she insisted time after time on going back out there no matter how dangerous it was.
But what could he do? It's not like he could even go to the commander and demand that she be removed from the expedition. The only way she could have even snagged a spot on the expedition is through her father and Ryuho knew there was absolutely no way the commander could keep her from going. If Mimori's father found out that Commander Jigmar kept her from going he would definitely fire him and stop funding HOLY altogether. There was only one other option…
Ryuho would have to go with her.
With that decision being made Ryuho began to make his way to the Commanders office.
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Mimori sighed as she reached her room. 'Maybe I should go back...' she thought as her door slide open and she walked in, the door promptly shutting after her. 'Maybe Ryuho's right…maybe I should go back to the Mainland where I belong.'
"It's not like anyone wants me here anyway." She said bitterly as she made her way to her bathroom. Maybe a nice long, hot bath will do her some good.
'If leaving makes Ryuho happy then why not right?' 'No!' she mentally scolded herself, 'I won't back down just to make him happy! He's not the only reason I came here so I'm not leaving with out a fight!' Mimori chuckled she could just imagine that, Ryuho would kick her ass in less than a minute then put her on the next plane back to the Mainland. Though that was just her imagination she knew no matter how cold Ryuho is now he would never hit her, he may have changed but that would go against his morals even now.
Mimori pulled off her pants and winced as she pulled off her shirt. There was already a bruise on her wrist from where Ryuho had grabbed her. Now free from distractions Mimori noticed the throbbing pain still surging through out her wrist even now. "Ryuho… what happened to you?" she questioned to no one in particular as tears began to fill her eyes once more.
Mimori quickly turned the faucet to the tub on and made her way to her kitchen. Once there she opened her freezer and grabbed an ice pack carefully placing it on her wrist as she walked back to her bathroom. She winced at the cold sensation on her bruised wrist it hurt more than she expected. 'Ryuho you don't know your own strength…' she mused as she turned the faucet off and stuck her hand in the water to check the temperature.
"Just how I like it." She said aloud as she stripped the rest of her clothes off and got in the tub. "Tomorrows another day." She said quietly as she rested her bruised wrist on the side of the tub.
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"What brings you here Ryuho?" Commander Jigmar asked as Ryuho walked in.
"It's about the medical expedition tomorrow, Sir."
"Yes what about it?" The commander asked quirking an eyebrow at the emerald haired boy in front of his desk.
"I was wondering if maybe you could switch me to that unit. I think Scheris and Cougar can handle going out without me at least once, Sir."
"Is there a reason as to why you would like me to switch you Ryuho?"
Ryuho stiffened. He couldn't tell the commander it was because of Mimori. "Uh Tachibana is the only Alter user going with that unit, he may need some help, Sir." 'Nice save.'
"Good point. Alright then I'll transfer you to that unit."
"Thank you Sir." That was a huge relief; Ryuho thought he would say no for a minute there.
"The medical crew is due for departure at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning." Ryuho nodded in understanding.
"Dismissed." Commander Jigmar said signaling Ryuho to leave.
Once Ryuho stepped out of the Commanders office he was met by a smiling Scheris. "Hey Ryuho," she said happily, "What were you talking to the commander about?"
"He's transferred me to the medical unit going out tomorrow." Ryuho said in a monotone as he walked past her.
"What? Why?' Scheris asked in disbelief as she followed him. Ryuho was supposed to be going out with her and Cougar tomorrow!
Ryuho's eye twitched. 'Does she always have to follow me?' he thought angrily. "That is none of your concern."
Scheris frowned. "When will you be back?" she asked softly.
"I'm not sure but the most we'll be out there is a week."
"Oh." 'I bet it's because of Miss Kiryu! She always gets her way with him!' she thought sourly.
Ryuho stopped walking as he turned to Scheris. "I have to get some sleep if I'm going to be up in time tomorrow. I'll see you when we get back. Goodnight Scheris." He said as he began to walk once more.
"Goodnight Ryuho." Scheris called after him.
End of Chapter 1
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So how was it? Good? Bad? Ok? Please review and tell me what you think! I know it may not be the best first chapter but I hope it was a least a little interesting for you guys! Please don't forget to review k? Mk, thanks for reading and I hope you keep a look out for the next chapters I promise it'll get better! REVIEW! (08.19.06)