**Disclaimer! I do not own S.A. or any of the original characters! I really hope you enjoy this fanfic as I have enjoyed the many I have read.**
Ryuu was always the nice guy. Everyone knew they could count on him, as long as they didn't interfere with Jun and Megumi. He, and they, made a point to show who Ryuu's most important pair were and they were okay with that. The two were quiet and sweet enough, not to mention their parents were gone so often they had no one else to look after them. Ryuu was more than happy to protect them in any way that he was able to. Jun and Megumi both loved him as if he were their big brother, mother, and father all wrapped up into one lovable bundle of a good guy.
As time passed and high school approached, Jun and Megumi didn't need Ryuu as much as they used to. Soon enough, they both found their own romantic partners, and Ryuu didn't have anyone else to take care of with the exception of his animals. That didn't mean he quit watching over them, only that he found himself spending many a night alone with worried furry, feathered, and scaly friends. They provided a comforting, loveable companionship, but he had to admit the human side of conversations was a tad bit lacking.
One night Ryuu decided to take a walk for a change of pace. All homework had been promptly finished before he even left the classroom as was usual and the animals had been fed before Jun and Megumi had left on their daily evening dates. He had no destination in mind really, just a pass through the city. Maybe he could check on his friends from the S.A. class. It wasn't stalking if he just happened to be passing through the neighborhood right? It was really more like and even friendly patrol. That's right, a patrol.
He considered checking up with Jun who should be at a nice restaurant nearby with Sakura-chan, but decided against the idea. Jun had been going through a phase where he wanted to seem manlier in Sakura-chan's eyes without the assistance of Dark Jun. Kei and Hikari would be fine alone, putting aside the fact Ryuu didn't care for the idea of Kei ripping his head off in retaliation for walking in on their date he knew was today. Later he might visit Tadashi and Akira, their stay-at-home-movie date night was tonight. Those two would be the least likely to mind his presence though Akira might not be able to speak past her blush. Maybe he should leave them alone after all. It is rude to intrude on other's homes without an invitation first and though he and Tadashi were friends, Ryuu knew he wouldn't feel right about dropping in on them. Megumi and Yashiro were the last couple, even if he wasn't pleased about the thought. That pair would not be one he would ever be able to simply drop in on. He knew for a fact that Yashiro would not appreciate his interruption of their date. Or worse, he would pretend the bad guy role—probably out of habit—and leave a furious Megumi angry at him. Ryuu couldn't stand when Megumi was upset in anyway and it was the absolute worst when he knew he was the one who caused her pain.
He remembered once when they were about toddler age playing in the sandbox with her and while rough-housing with Jun, in the way little boys do, he had accidentally kicked sand in her long hair. She was furious with him for committing such an atrocious and humiliating act for such a young girl and wouldn't forgive him for a solid week even after he apologized a billion and one times. Ryuu felt so guilty that he even offered to brush her hair as many times as she wanted him to without complaint. Boy did she take advantage of that. Since her hair long thick and wavy, brushing was quite a difficult task even when it was wet. She had Ryuu brushing her hair for months before she finally gave in and forgave him, but he still felt guilty about it to this day.
Ryuu never forgot mistakes that made a difference. A few problems wrong on a test? No big deal. Not helping Jun or Megumi study when they asked him to? Big deal. He would flip the world upside down for them if he could. All they had to do was ask.
Already deciding it wasn't such a good idea to visit anyone tonight, Ryuu decided to just wander around the city. He planned to visit a nice park that was about an hour's walk away. Sure it would take a while to reach his destination, but he knew for a fact that was the most well-kept, animal friendly park around. A fenced off pond for ducks and cranes that needed a rest, nice tall trees with plenty of protective branches, bird baths and houses and some residents were kind enough to put out feeders and corn. Even the name is nice, Dōbutsu Ōkoku which translates to Animal Kingdom. There was a different grassy area next door that was a fenced in dog park.
Ryuu used to go there regularly when he was little before Jun and Megumi really needed his support and care. He liked the thrill of sneaking out (after leaving a note on his pillow if his parents got worried) and exploring the park at night like some kind of safari adventure. He had gone to that park so many times that the animals began to recognize and approach him. They soon became great friends so he started bringing them gifts of food and learned how to heal them when wounded or sick.
It had been so long since he last visited those happy little critters! So, with a grin he stepped into the super-market to buy animal feed and took off jogging in the direction of the park he couldn't wait to see again.
After a decent jog, about four miles, Ryuu finally made it to that oh-so-familiar place. Everything was just as he remembered it. The pond of sleeping ducks, trees with gentle human-friendly birds fluffing themselves up to bear the cool night as they hunker down for sleep in their nest, pigeon bench, forever stained in bird poo... ah the memories.
Well, now was a good a time as any to start secretly laying down corn, bread, and seed for the park's furry and feathered residents. Using his his classic whistle for food, all formerly dozing eyes were on him as a huge, adoring grin flashed across his face.
This was his favorite part. Tiny grins matching squeaks of gratitude. Joyful chirps between delicate yet ravenous pecks for food. Obnoxious squawks of glee while feathers fly in a feeding frenzy. He loved to see the primal passion these creatures showed as they indulged in his simple act of food giving. Such a small act of giving brings so much happiness to them that it could warm the coldest of hearts. Even Kei would smile gently to himself if he could see this from Ryuu's eyes. The moment was just so surreal... peaceful... and exiting at the same time. That wonderful rush one gets when you do a good deed.
While caught up in the moment, Ryuu missed the startled quack of a soon to be angry duck near the pond he only heard the screaming of a young girl who sounded as though her she was facing her worst nightmare.
He couldn't stop himself from running to her. He didn't know who she was, not even what she looked like, but there was no way he would just sit back and do nothing while she sounded so terrified. Even though he was still a little out of breath from running so far without a break carrying heavy bags of animal chow, his legs carried him to the source of the scream.
Crouched into a well practiced fighting stance, Ryuu was ready to fight off any predator be it man or beast. What he was unprepared for was her...
Thanks to those of you who were curious to begin reading! I really don't know how long this will be and I'll try to update fairly quickly after each chapter. Please rate and review! I would deeply appreciate the feedback! Until then... ja na!