Chapter One

Back Home

By: Neko Mastermind

Notes: Dedicated to Alley, the one who gave me this idea, and Lexi and Persimmon, for being supportive. 3

The flight was much quieter and smoother than he'd expected it to be; probably was due to the fact that back in the states, it had to be near four in the morning. Echizen Ryoma glanced at the little girl nestled up to him on his lap, a soft smile briefly crossing his features. Tiny hands clutched at his shirt, loose yet firm, as if she knew he was still there, yet prepared to hold on should he move. He brought up a hand to gently stroke her soft, black hair, head tilting slightly to rest his chin on top of her head. Eyes shutting, he let his body slump against the chair as he finally let his mind wander to where he would not let it before.

Days ago, he wouldn't have given returning to Japan a second thought. Even if it was the place he considered his real home, his current – No, not current anymore. – His mind corrected – home was enough for him and his daughter. And her.

When he had first met Sakuno, he could not even remember her name. All he knew was that she was the old woman's granddaughter, and was trying to play tennis. She'd show up at meets with her friend and cheer the Seigaku team on to victory. He did remember during his singles debut against Ibu Shinji, how she had leapt onto the court, concerned about the injury to his eye he had paid no mind to.

Throughout the rest of Junior High to High School, she remained the same to him. Just the shy girl who would occasionally show up to watch him play, or to congratulate him in that small, nervous voice as she blushed nearly as red as the ribbons she sometimes wore in her hair.

He really couldn't recall how that had happened – a few dates, set up by her friend (Tomo, if he was remembering her name right) that eventually turned into something more serious. Ryoma had fallen in love with her.

Then they were married with a baby on the way, living back in the states. Ryoma's mind spun as he recalled how fast everything had happened, between him proposing to Sakuno one star-lit night, to the day his daughter came into the world.

For six years, he lived in what he thought was pure happiness with Sakuno and his daughter. But then…

Ryoma hadn't been expecting it. One day, after putting their daughter to bed, Sakuno had pulled him into their room, the saddest smile he could ever remember seeing on her face.

He'd asked what was wrong, and she had shaken her head, tears already falling down her cheeks. She'd reached out and grabbed his hands, holding them lightly in hers. "Do you love me?" She had asked, in a soft, even voice that was so different to him.

"Of course I do," He had answered immediately. If he hadn't loved her, would he have married her? Had a child with her? His brows furrowed in confusion as his words seemed to make her cry even more.

Shaking her head again, Sakuno's eyes met his, that sad smile still on her face. "I don't think you love me the same way I love you, or the way you love Kio-chan." She said softly.

He was confused. What did she mean? Opening his mouth to ask just that, she cut him off. "You may love me, but your heart belongs to someone else; it always has." She lowered her eyes to their hands, giving his a brief squeeze before letting go.

"Who?" He had whispered back, arms falling loosely back to his side. Didn't his heart belong to her?

"The one person who truly can make you smile." She said, choking on the words.

The next day she was gone.

And here he was, a week later, on a plane back to his home with the few belongings he had brought, and his daughter. The only thing he had left.

He was distracted by his thoughts by a tiny yawn and glanced down as his daughter awoke, freeing one hand from his shirt to rub at her eyes. Smiling softly again, he leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead.

"Are we there yet?" She asked, golden eyes so like his own yet, so different, glancing up at him.

"Not yet," He whispered back, rubbing her back. "We still have a few hours left. Go back to sleep, Kio-chan."

"Okay Papa," She whispered back, rubbing her eyes more before clutching at his shirt again. A few moments later, she was asleep.

Arms wrapping around her again, Ryoma sighed softly, wishing he could sleep as easily as she did.