Diamond on Ice!
Because of a severe injury to his elbow. Sawamura Eijun must find inspiration in a sport he left behind two years ago. Thanks to a supportive cousin, his talents may still prove to be a Diamond in the rough Ice of a skating rink...
"My apologies Sawamura-kun, but with this tendon tear in your elbow. As a doctor I cannot allow you to continue with baseball..." A wince escaped the young southpaw's lips, teeth nervously biting his lower lip, quivering tears gathering at the bottom of his brown eyes. Sawamura Eijun, knew all to well this would be the end of his high school career as a baseball player, he would need to transfer back home to Nagano. And say goodbye to his now former team mates, his body shook with surpressed shudders of his very reality crashing down on his conciousness. A comforting squeeze pressed down on Sawamura's right shoulder, tear brimmed brown eyes looked into those of the assistant coach. And Recruiter Takashima Rei, a forlorn and apologetic smile went toward the young Southpaw she had recruited nearly a year and half ago.
"We should head back to Seidou, Sawamura-kun." Before his doctors appointment to have a look at his injured tendons, Sawamura would have raced straight back to the car, eager to get back to play some more baseball. But now it was sort of pointless, even when he was still down after their last practice game. His sneakers slouching along the hospital tiles, and without protest, and a silent journey back to Seidou began. At Seidou, specifically in the second year classroom of Kuramochi Yoichi and Miyuki Kazuya. "Oi...Captain Miyuki, how do you think Bakamura will be once he comes back? " Kuramochi whispered hurriedly, as their teacher was occupied writing equations upon the blackboard. Miyuki adjusted his glasses while he held his own eyes toward the notebook laid across his desk, at first glance one could assume it was math equations, however for the more trained baseball eye. It summarized a game strategy for their new game set up. "Probably demanding to have me catch some of his pitches, as soon as he steps out of the I reckon he would need some time to he will only need some weeks off more intensive practice, and then be back as our Southpaw."
Kuramochi nodded, and turned to face his own desk again, albeit not overly focused on the equations waiting to be solved. Heavy rain clouds had gathered over Tokyo, as a red car parking infront of the Seidou High School. "Do you have the documents from the doctor Sawamura-kun?" "Ha..hai Takashima-san, ill just head back to my dorm room and pack my things, then head down to the club room and notify coach Kataoka.." Takashima Rei did not like that dejected look upon the usual sun that had brightened up the entire team, even when defeated they had been given immeasureable strength. To persevere and continue with the game. Sawamura Eijun was not happy at all, usually he would have settled into at least a shaky smile but now. His spirits had been crushed, by the judgement of a torn tendon. Sawamura, heaved a sigh as he sauntered over to his dormroom, swiftly unlocking the door. As he slid down against the door, gathering his legs and huddled near his bed. Eijun allowed his shoulders to shake with sobs, between his tears. His pocket began vibrating, as shaky hands took out his phone, Eijun absently rubbed away the soft rivers of tears. That had made their mark upon his cheeks, unlocking his screen and seeing a text from none other than his third cousin Yuuri.
"Hi Ei-chan I did it! I gained a personal best in the regional championships!? I can barely believe it, I have learned so much from Victor. How did your doctors appointment go? " ...A weak smile faltered over Eijun's mask of sadness...he knew his third older cousin had been in a slump for awhile. And he was happy for his cousin, however something else tugged at his heart at the thought of thay clear ice, under his feet. Gliding and free of worries... "Th...the doctor told me, he could not allow me to play baseball anymore, as I could risk permanently damaging my left arm further. I feel like a wreck Yuuri-nii!, baseball has been my solefocus since early elementary...and..Im glad that you are able to reach your dreams truly!...its just... " his thumb ghosted over the send button...a light tap and his text was sent. The lights brightened upon a smartphone screen, within the haze of the skating championship. After the official revelation of Katsuki Yuuri's theme of Love, the skater in question slid his thumb over the touchscreen, to view the text from his younger cousin. "Not allowed to play more baseball huh.." Yuuri mumbled more to himself at that, he knew how much Ei-chan adored baseball. Even if there was 8 years difference between them, Yuuri had been captivated with his younger cousins optimism, and knew from his own experience that his cousin did have talent elsewhere. And not only in baseball. "Ei-chan, cheer up! We will always have the ice, but before that..you should wait till your arm has recovered", tapping a swift slide to the send button. And on it went..while Yuuri packed his equipment for the train ride back home.
Deeper in thought than he expected, as suddenly he felt the familiar weight of two supporting arms around his shoulders. "Yuuri! Why such a frown when you won this championship!?" A faint blush covered Yuuri's cheeks, at the proximity of his coach invading, his personal space yet again. "Merely trying to cheer up my cousin, he is feeling a bit down after a recent injury" "Your cousin will recover yes?" "Ah...I hope so, I taught him how to skate when was younger, just before I left for America that is...but he quit right after his third regional championship when he was 13." Victor could not help but ponder this little tidbit of information, that his little katsudon, of a student had a cousin whom also used to skate. "What was the reason for you cousin stopping his career as a skater?" Yuuri gave a sad smile and chuckled lightly. "Well the reason he told me, was that baseball seemed a lot cooler..But I believe there was a few more facts, that he did not intend to share with me nor our intermediate family." Yuuri glanced up at the thoughtful depth of the blue eyes of his coach Victor Nikiforov, he recognized that determination. So similar to the same look Victor had given him once he declared he was going to be Yuuri's coach from now on, and to make him win the Grand Prix Finale. "Do you have a dvd of your cousin's skating Yuuri?" "Ah yes my mom probably has them among my old regional competitions" A sly grin swept over the Russian skater, and he squeezed his student into a firm hug, and absently blew upon his earshell. As they left the rink, and their way toward the train station that would return them to Hasetsu, a permanent tint of red was visible across Yuuri's cheeks. Eijun smiled fondly at his Yuuri- nii's reply..."Always have the ice huh...yeah maybe the cold ice will help me chase away this hopelessness.." Eijun, stood up and stretched his stiff muscles from being on the floor for to long, he sighed once more as his smartphone was hidden under his pillow covers, absently sorting through the documents he had to deliver to the headmaster's office, and the ones to be delievered to Coach Kataoka.
The rain kept continued with its steady downpour as Sawamura made his way toward Kataoka's office. "Ah Sawamura, Takashima-san was adamant about telling me how the doctors appointment went." Kataoka could see the lack of smile and dejected gaze, which made him wonder how bad the results might turn out. What surprised him more was that Sawamura bowed formally infront of his desk, holding out some documents, a steady gaze at the usual cheerful first year. Patiently he took his time to read through the Doctor's notes, and that confirmed it..I regret to inform that Sawamura-kun will not be able to pitch his fastballs in the near or far future. It would be in his best interest to quit baseball, and that he will focus on at least returning to a normal high school routine. And to not overly strain his arm and elbow. Kataoka put the documents down as he absently began to rub his temples, out of all the possibilities he had not anticipated this outcome for the southpaw. But now the boys dejected and awfully formal stance made a lot more sense to the coach. "I guess this means, you will no longer be staying at Seidou?" Sawamura nodded quickly, "Yes Coach, my family is not wealthy enough to afford the tuition. Especially not without the baseball scholarship to help me along. I'll have to transfer to another school back home" Kataoka rose from his office chair and went to stand infront of Sawamura, the teens back straightened at the action, as his former coach held out his hand. Sawamura cautiously took his hand, and a firm handshake was given. Sawamura felt like a bit more strength returning to his spirit. "It has been a privilege, to coach you Sawamura, be proud in what you were able to achieve." the former southpaw absently nodded in awe at such a compliment from Kataoka.
It did make him feel better, before Sawamura gave him a quiet thanks, before he left the office. And swiftly returned to his dormroom to pack the remainder of his things. This was the sight Kuramochi, came upon once he entered the dormroom...and saw neatly packed bags lined up within his kouhai's bunk bed, Kuramochi could not help but stare at the empty spot near the foot of the bed closest to the door. Vacant of his roomates shojou manga, no notebooks, and homework laying around. No all appeared to be neatly packed into the offending two bags. "What is that idiot up to...thinking he can just escape simply because of a doctors appointment!?" Kuramochi fumed silently at the nerve of that first year, that was until the second year slumped down on his own bed...and saw a post it note attached to his pillow. Im sorry Kuramochi-senpai, but the doctor gave me a NO return to baseball because of my torn tendon, my things are already packed and im ready to go back home to Nagano early tomorrow, I can't afford to stay at Seidou without the baseball scholarship. And please do not tell the others!? Coach Kataoka will inform you guys at practice tomorrow morning. This was so unlike his kouhai and room mate, that Kuramochi did not know what to say. Even if he felt like teasing Sawamura about it..this was not something to tease about at all, so he honoured his room mates wish. Of not telling anyone else.
The news of Sawamura's unfortunate tendon injury, and strict admission of his doctor. That he would no longer be able to play baseball, however the the amount of shocked outrage among the fellow members of Seidou High School's baseball team the next morning at breakfast, was met with shocked outrage. But that Sawamura had somehow forgotten to tell them this at supper yesterday evening, a settled and steely gaze fell upon the leery smirk of the soon to be coach of Seidou Baseball club. Miyuki adjusted his glasses before he was caught glaring, he knew things would be difficult for Sawamura under the new coach. But for that Ochiai...to show such disrespect of an injured member of their team. What had surprised Miyuki further was that not even the southpaw's friends had been aware of his sudden transfer. Skating knives glinted against the blank surface of ice as...a lazy figure eight took place upon the ice. A quick zig zag to what seemed to be a brown eyed and brown haired teen, arms held behind his back as he glided, eyes thinking toward this choregraphed routine known as Eros, his cousins recent success in the China cup as a reminder, the tantalizing surface of a smooth ice rink had returned to Sawamura Eijun, not for baseball but for figure skating. And the magic he could weave with some well placed movements, preparing his body to jump into a lutz, and then landing in an arched toe loop...Eijun's cheeks red from the cold but somehow..satisfied with his progress. Albeit needing to work out some kinks in his muscles, it had been two years since he set foot on the ice...yet it did not feel like that long at all.
AN: Hi to those of you who are reading this fanfiction is my very first fic in over 6 years. And my absolute first crossover ever...with Yuri on Ice! and Ace of Diamond, this story is unbetaed and most likely rough round the edges. Hope you enjoy!