In this fic, Ryoma has gone back to America so I didn't include him. (for now anyways) I hope that I'll continue this fic... I'm usually horrible with long-fics ;; Anywho, I'd like to know everyone's input on any possible pairings for this fic!

summary: With Sakuno's grandmother hospitalized because of a critical condition, she's forced to move with in with her relatives and transfer into Rikkai Dai for a whole year. Dramatic changes haphazardly burst into her life but steadily, Sakuno becomes a stronger person. — Sakuno-centric

falling into the sky

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The chirping of cicadas is the only sound that could be heard in the silent evening of the Ryuzaki residence. Sakuno sat evenly on the sofa in the living room, trying to contact her grandmother but only to get her voice mail picking up. She shouldn't be worried; her obaa-chan is like a scary and strong bull. Maybe she's just kept up at work and turned off her phone! Yeah, that must be it… Sakuno convenienced herself to relieve her anxiety.

"Calm down Sakuno, calm down."

She repeated what her obaa-chan would tell her in a situation like this and thinks. A clever plan pops into her head and a assured smile form on her lips. She quickly dial Tezuka's number, maybe he knows something about her obaa-chan's whereabouts.

"A-Ah, hello Mitsu-nii?"

She fidgeted nervously as she asks Tezuka if he's seen her grandmother since this afternoon.

"S-Sou…" Disappointment spreads across her face.

"Hai…arigatou Mitsu-nii… Ah—yes I'm alone right now."

Her eyes widen from what she heard on the other end of the line. "M-Mitsu-nii you don't have to come over! I don't want to cause you any troubl—" Tezuka must have ended the call because all she hear is the dial tone.

"Shimatta…"

The girl rose from her seat when she heard the bell ring, surprised that Tezuka came so quickly. "Mitsu-nii you didn't have to come over…" Sakuno mumbled softly while answering the door, showing the senior panting and slightly out of breath. Did he run over? "M-Mitsu-nii…" She did cause trouble for him…

"S-Sumimasen!" The auburn haired girl quickly bows her head.

"Sakuno…" Tezuka's eyes soften a bit. "Where was the last you've seen Ryuzaki-sensei?"

Sakuno gives a thoughtful look and move aside to let Tezuka inside.

"E-Eto… at school… Obaa-chan usually comes home ten minutes after I do!" The freshman became worried again after giving it some thought. She was only telling herself what she wanted to hear moments ago so it wasn't the given truth that nothing happened to her grandma.

Tezuka lifted his hand to pet her but quickly stopped himself. "I see. I assume you've already tried to contacting her." Sakuno nodded and Tezuka continues, "Alright, I'll try calling up the rest of the regulars."

The senior flipped open his phone and quickly dial Inui's number, then Oshi's, and then Fuji's, telling them about their missing coach. He cast a glance at the freshman when her phone rang.

Sakuno jolted, fumbling with the phone in her hands and answers without looking at the caller ID first. "O-Obaa-chan?"

Tezuka stared at the girl. "Is she alright?"

"O-Oh…" Sakuno placed her hand on the speaker and tells him that it wasn't her grandma before turning back to her call. "Uh huh…? Uh huh…" Sakuno nods vigorously then her eyes went wide and eyes become glossy.

"W-Will she be alright?" The girl clasped her phone tightly to her ear. Tezuka wavered from the look of the girl in front of him. She's on the verge of tears.

"I-I see…" The call endded. "Obaa-chan…" Her voice cracked.

"What happened…?"

"Sh-She's in critical condition because of a c-car accident… Th-they think she'll be alright b-but not without long term to permanent damages…" She doesn't cry, fighting back her tears. She doesn't want to look weak in front of someone as strong as Mitsu-nii.

"…"

Tezuka embraced Sakuno, wrapping his arms around her in a warm hug. Sakuno broke down crying into his chest, trembling in his arms.

Minutes pass when she finally calmed down. "Let's go to the hospital." Tezuka stroked her head and Sakuno nodded.

The regulars arrive at the hospital halls outside of Ryuzaki-sensei's room in the Intensive-care unit. Sakuno's sitting on the chair in front of the room and Tezuka standing beside her. The captain's head shot up when he heard the team's footsteps pacing towards them. Sakuno's dull eyes stay glued to the floor.

"Ryuzaki-chan/Sakuno-chan/Ryuzaki!"

The team crowd around her and buchou. Tezuka scowled. "This is a hospital, have the decency to quiet down!"

'Scary...' Eiji, Momo, and Kaido all thought.

Fuji seated himself beside Sakuno and placed a hand comfortingly on her shoulder. "Sakuno-chan…" Sakuno felt warmth on her shoulder and gives him a glance. "… Thank you for coming senpai-tachi…but obaa-chan isn't allowed visitors."

"Hoi, hoi, Sakuno-chan we didn't come just for Ryuzaki-sensei, we came for you too!" Everyone nodded in agreement, taking Sakuno by surprise.

"Yeah, if anything happened to you or Ryuzaki-sensei, we'd come running." Momoshiro gave her a thumbs up.

"That is 99.9% true."

"Fushhh… You forgot the other 0.1% Inui-senpai."

She lifted her head up and gives them all a weak smile.

"Thank you…"

There was a bit of a quiver in her tone.

The day Ryuzaki-sensei was allowed to have visitors, Sakuno would to visit everyday. Her grandmother was like a real parent to her and is the one who raised her. She vaguely remembers her mother and father. It might be better this way because they died when she was young, too young comprehend the tragedy. But whenever she thinks of 'parents' her mind automatically went to her obaa-chan.

"What do you mean I have to stay with someone, obaa-chan?"

Sumire stares gently at her granddaughter. "I'm sorry, it seems that I'm bedridden for a year, or so the doctor estimated… I've already made the arrangements and you'll be staying with a relative in Kanegawa for a year. You understand, don't you Sakuno?"

She does. As much as she wants to yell out and throw a tantrum, she didn't want to cause any trouble to her grandma. It wouldn't be right to want to stay for selfish reasons. Her feelings towards this shouldn't matter when her grandmother is in pain like this…

"I'll miss you, obaa-chan…" Sakuno stood up and rest her head on her grandma's arm, holding the woman's forearm closely.

"I'm sorry for not telling you this sooner…" Sumire patted her grandchild.

Sakuno shook her head. "N-No, I shouldn't be so surprised. Of course something like this would happen…I should've expected as much." Sakuno masked away the sadness in her tone so her grandma wouldn't suspect that she's feeling absolutely miserable.

"I'm glad you're taking this so well… That's the girl I raised, I'm so proud I have such a strong granddaughter."

Her hands clinched.

"S-Sakuno-chan's moving!" Eiji sobbed like a child into Oshi's shirt while his partner patted the redhead's back. "We'll miss you Ryuzaki-chan," Oshi added.

Tomoka cried along with Eiji. "No, No this can't be!" She exclaimed loudly.

"Saa… I'd let Sakuno-chan move in with me for the year but-" Fuji earned a painful glare from Tezuka. "Never mind." Fuji chuckled.

"Rikkai isn't far off from Seigaku. Just a short train ride away." Tezuka reassured everyone then turned to Sakuno. "Sa—Ryuzaki…good luck and stay healthy, wherever you are." The captain gave his kouhai a rare earnest and gentle expression.

"Saa…Tezuka will miss you the most it seems."

"75% fact. 46.7% chance that Fuji's just saying that to hide his feelings."

"…Inui."

"…100% chance that was a threat."

Fuji smiled darkly.

Sakuno couldn't help but snicker at her senpai-tachi's antics. They really do always manage to brighten up her mood.

"Thank you senpai-tachi. I…I love everyone!" Sakuno announced heartedly, her cheeks reddening in a warm blush.

There was silence.

"W-WE LOVE YOU TOO SAKUNO-CHAWN!" Eiji's now clinging to her waist.

Kaido's hiding his blush by looking away.

Momoshiro went on about how sweet and beautiful youth is.

Oshi looked taken back but still happy.

Kawamura had tinted pink on his cheeks and smiles, scratching his cheek

Fuji's eyes are wide open, stunned. He went to hug her along with Eiji, making Sakuno go more red than she already is.

Inui jolted down everyone's reaction.

"E-Eto…"

"Group hug!"

Everyone, including Tezuka who was tugged along by Fuji pile onto the hug. Sakuno didn't mind the short suffocation because all she felt was warmth of her friend's love. She wished this happiness could last forever.

Sakuno spent her last week as a Seigaku student with everyone from having sleepovers parties with Tomoka to shopping with Fuji-senpai who dressed her up in the most ridiculous cosplay, going out eating with Momoshiro-senpai and Eiji-senpai, learning how to make sushi from Kawamura-senpai, helping Inui-senpai collect data from other schools, finding a box of kittens with Kaido-senpai and help him find them homes.

Tezuka however, treated her as if she wasn't leaving in the first place. Like everything's perfectly normal…

That was the most precious gesture that was done during the week that Sakuno remained a Seigaku student.

Sakuno sat in a train that's headed to Kanagawa, her new home for the year. The relative that she's staying with is her cousin that which she hasn't seen for years now.

Lost in thought, Sakuno doesn't notice a certain unruly haired junior ace seated beside her. The raven haired boy's head bobbed up and down from the motion of the train ride as he slept. "mnn…" The boy mumbled something about something smelling nice then subconsciously lean in closer to that 'nice smell'. His face falls directly onto the crook of Sakuno's neck causing her to squeak in surprise. "Eek-!" The shrill woke him up.

Sakuno's went wide when she was rudely snapped out of her trail of thought. She quickly shifted away from the boy then recognized him. "K-Kirihara-san?"

"Eh…?" Kirihara stared at Sakuno when she spoke his name, their faces merely a few centimeters away… Too close for comfort.

Kirihara IMMEDIATELY jumps back in his seat. "Sorry!" He apologized quickly; his expression as wide as Sakuno's but his face wasn't as flushed as hers. Huh. Where has he seen this girl before…? The Rikkai junior ace noticed her braids. "Ah—! Ryuzaki-san!" He doesn't know her too well aside that she was a helper at the Invitational Camp.

Sakuno blushed and nodd. "You remembered me?" She gives the boy a tiny smile. She had always thought of herself as invisible so this recognition means a lot to her.

Kirihara grinned, becoming proud for some reason. "'Course. You were nice to me and gave me extra food during supper at the Invitational Camp!" Sakuno blinked. Kirihara started to feel like he said something stupid—until light giggles escape the auburn haired girl's lips.

"You remembered that too? Kirihara-san…is kinda silly."

The boy gave her a coy grin.

They spoke with one another to pass the time. Kirihara learnt that Sakuno's transferring to Rikkai, much to his hidden pleasure. He's actually looking forward to getting to know her better.

"You should start calling me Akaya-senpai then! Kirihara is what my enemies call me."

Sakuno tilted her head. "Enemies…? We were enemies, Kiri—…Akaya-senpai." Kirihara liked the sound of her sweet voice saying his name. "No, no I don't mean it like that Sakuno-chan umm…" Kirihara took a moment to think. "It was meant as in…rival schools!"

Sakuno's mouth forms a 'O' shape. "Ah, I get it …I think." Sakuno smiled sheepishly, furrowing her brows.

"AH!" Kirihara rose from his seat as if he just realizes something orgasmically amazing, causing the girl to stare at her new senpai in surprise. "A-Akaya-senpai?" The other spectators on the train gawks at the middle school idiot.

"I didn't fall asleep again!"

Sakuno laughed halfheartedly, becoming a little nervous from Kirihara attracting unwanted attention. "Is that it?" Kirihara shook his head and stared at Sakuno. "Nope…just stay with me." Kirihara sat back down beside her. "U-Until we reach Kanagawa." Kirihara quickly continued so Sakuno wouldn't get the wrong idea.

"Alright!" Sakuno beamed. Maybe moving wouldn't be so bad after all, if Kirihara's there.

Sakuno parted ways with Akaya-senpai after they got off the train. She's now waiting for her cousin at the station. From the information she gathered, her cousin is a college student. Sakuno stands beside a pillar and glance around the station for someone around the age group of a college student.

"Sakuno?" A deep voice came from a few meters away.

Sakuno looked towards that direction. "Ah…Souji-niisan?" The older man smiled. "It's been a while." He walked towards her and took her duffle bag from her hands since it looked heavy. "…I know it must be hard, having to move to a strange place for a year but Kanagawa is nice. We have beaches."

Sakuno nodded, appreciating Souji-niisan's reassurance.

Souji smiled lightly. "Don't be so shy." He began to talk about what he remembered about Sakuno's childhood to ease the awkwardness while walking to his apartment complex with Sakuno trailing behind him.

"Mou… That's not fair Souji-niisan! I don't remember any embarrassing things about you!"

"That's because I'm not embarrassing, Sakuno-chan," Souji flashed a grin. They arrive at Souji's apartment and he unlocks the door, opening it.

Sakuno stared inside from behind Souji. So this will be her new home… It's neater and organizes than she expected from a male college student. She's impressed.

Souji brought the duffle bag inside then glances back at Sakuno. "Why don't you look around the area a bit to get used to the surroundings? I hear you get lost a lot."

Sakuno's cheeks puff out. Oh Geez did obaa-chan tell him that?

"O-Okay…"

As Sakuno turned her heel to leave, she bumps into someone. Her face crashed into their chest and her nostrils are immediately hit with the smell of green apple bubble gum.

Pop.

She glanced upward and sees bright red hair.