Symphonic Lie(s)
It was a normal day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and Kazami, Shun was training under the watchful eye of his grandfather. In fact, the only odd thing is how strict Shun's grandfather has become during training. Shun doesn't question his grandfather though; he still remembers that Bakugan he faced once Skyress had been injured. He knows that he needs to be ready if ever one of his Bakugan becomes too injured to fight again.
His grandfather on the other hand, is thinking of far different matters. It had been years since that day. The memory haunts him more than he ever let on. He looks back at Shun and counts the days. He knew, he always knew, but she had never listened to him. She hadn't, at least not until she was hospitalised. Through it all she kept that mask on that he wore; the one that Shun had never seen through. If their luck, and will, holds out, he never will know. However, he has a feeling that their luck might just be running on empty.
He casts his eyes to the sky. A storm should be fast approaching if the news was correct, but they never really had been before. He shakes his head, grumbling to himself.
"Gramps, are you alright?" Shun calls out.
He should yell at him, like he usually does. "Shun, when was the last time that you saw those friends of yours?"
Surprised by the uncharacteristic question he answers warily. "It's been nearly a week. Why?"
He huffs, making his way back inside. "Get them round here. Isn't that what you young folks do these days, whittling away your time with others?"
Shun can only stare on, but he knows that something is wrong. His grandfather is never so lenient as to let him have friends around the house. His grandfather isn't the kind to feign something so he can tell people off either. Shun frowns, trudging further into the grounds so that he can continue his training.
"Shun, get them round here!" his grandfather roars.
"Wow, I still can't believe the size of your house…" Runo murmurs.
"It's smaller than Marucho's," Shun reminds them as he leads them through his house. "The winding hallways make it seem much bigger than it really is."
They soon reach a door amongst the hundreds of halls that seem to lead only to more halls. Shun moves to open the door, but his grandfather beats him to it. He looks over his grandson's friends speculatively before letting them in. They pile into the rather large living room, still gaping unabashed at the surroundings. The first to break the awed silence is Dan.
"Alright gramps, what's going on?"
"I don't know what you mean,"
"Yea," Runo mutters, disbelievingly. "You never let us come to visit, and suddenly you're asking Shun to invite us round. I don't know about you guys, but I think something's wrong."
For a minute Shun's grandfather gapes and tries to speak. He doesn't find any valid excuse and sighs in resignation. Even if he had come up with something he couldn't possibly fool them all. He frowns muttering all the way to a seat. He waves them over to start explaining the situation. With every step he takes a sense of failure washes over him. He's been dreading this moment for years, and there will be no relief to finally expose it as reality.
He seats himself as comfortably as he can. His head lowered, he stares at the floor as his guests seat themselves. He doesn't know how to say it. Each word feels like a poison barb, and no matter how he phrases it, they always will. The impatience in the room grows palpable. He groans; the game is well and truly up.
"A lot of women panic after… If they have a…" the words aren't flowing very well. "Shun, we've lived out here for generations. Your mother lived here with me very happily, and then… Then that day came."
The silence is heavy, but it isn't enough to diffuse the curiosity in the room. Shun's grandfather looks at him apologetically and he's suddenly filled with a deep-rooted dread. His grandfather looks back at their guests, determined to tell the truth – no matter the consequences.
"Your mother was out in the forest; she liked to go walking there. That day she found someone lying on the ground, injured and bleeding," he takes a ragged breath, knowing that the line needs to be drawn. "My daughter struggled to bring her back here. We decided to do the best thing and we tried our best to heal her. Shiori was good with the herbs and plants, and she knew what she could do."
"What does this have to do with Shun?" Julie frowns. "It's really very interesting, but I don't get the connection."
"Shun, that woman is the very reason why we're having this conversation in this first place! Without her, you'd… She was bleeding a lot, and we didn't think that we could save her-"he tries to explain.
"Without her I'd be what?" Shun growls.
"You wouldn't…" his grandfather replies tiredly.
"Don't," a voice says.
"Who're you?" Dan snaps.
He leans forward, tensing for a Bakugan brawl. The rest of them follow in his lead, their Bakugan readying themselves too. The stranger standing in the shadows doesn't make a move.
"If anyone should be telling him this, Mr Kazami, it should be me," she says.
Author's Note: First of all I want to clarify two points.
If you see a story titled 'Symphonic Death' or 'Symphonic Dance', and my username, then yes, they are mine. This is a S.A. –S, as I like to call it. It means Stand-Alone Sequel. So yes, it is like a trilogy, but it doesn't necessarily read like one. You do not need to have read the others to read one.
The other point I want to clarify is that this is a Cross-Over because of a person. You do not need to have seen Yu Gi Oh 5ds to read this, so, if you like my story, you can pass it on, or not - whatever suits you. This person will not be making an appearance in the early chapters of this tale.
Disclaimer - I own only the plot, Koori, and some entities which should soon make themselves known. Yu Gi Oh 5ds and Bakugan Battle Brawlers and their spin offs and various other series are not owned by me. I have no part and say in them. This is purely fan-made.