Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters here except for Misora and assorted hospital staff.
Tenshi's Notes: Well, I couldn't help myself here. It's been so long since I wrote a nice angsty ONE-SHOT fic and strangely enough, I was set off by a made for TV movie called "WW3". It has *nothing* to do with the plot but it got me going.
Now, on a more serious note, since my one-shots are getting more reviews than any of my chaptered fics, I probably won't continue any of my existing series (like Again) unless something changes. If I even remotely made you feel *anything* in this fic, please review and let me know! It would be greatly appreciated ^_^
Btw, apologies to those who keep receiving update notices from me. I thought I had caught all the occurrences of 'niisan' but apparently I didn't ^_~
Music Inspiration: "First Love" by Utada Hikaru (it inspired me THAT much)
Dedications: As always, Angel-chan (aka Eternal SailorM) whose wonderful talent I can never come close to for being such a supportive fan of my work, and a wonderful friend. Au-chan for always being there, Alex-chan for constantly cheering me on, and Xu Xin! I can't forget Elise-chan either, and I know I've forgotten a bunch of people, but thanks to all of you who have supported me since day one!
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First Love
Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful girl. She lived in the village with her family. She was very happy because she had her family around her, and friends who loved her very much.
One day, she was in the forest when she found herself caught in an animal trap. She was frightened and in a lot of pain. Then, out of the blue, there came a man who saved her. As he set her free, she found herself falling in love for the very first time. He was kind and a handsome man, and he smiled wonderfully at her before pushing her to get away. It wasn't until much later that she realised she had met the fearsome general of her country.
Still she believed in him, and for the first time, the man had been struck by a need to protect someone. She was beautiful and sweet, and she never failed to make him laugh. As his need for power grew, his visits became less frequent. Time went by, and the young girl's hopes died.
When he finally had the power he had always yearned for, he came back for her. He arrived in the village in all his glory, surrounded by finery and wealth unimaginable. All he found that day was his love's grave. The young man broke down for she had never told him. He only wanted the best for the both of them. But she would never know of his love and he would never understand how he could've sacrificed her for the money that could never bring her back to life. He left the village a broken man, and several weeks later, he simply vanished. It was rumoured that he was a lost soul, forever searching for his other half, for the girl he once loved, and still did.
That was the story her mother had told her when she had been young. Closing her eyes, Usagi could still remember the sound of her mother's voice. Light and lilting, it had been filled with life.
Then one day, the stories stopped.
Usagi could feel the hot tears streaking down her cheeks as she reminisced about a past that still caused her much pain. Sometimes, if she thought about it really hard, she could almost feel the warmth of her mother's arms around her. She never did understand why her mother always looked so sad whenever she recounted that story.
"Miss Tsukino? It's time for your medicine."
The nurse's voice managed to pierce through her thoughts. Turning her head, she glanced at the pills and choked back bitter laughter. Giving a brief nod, she waved the young woman away. She picked up the paper cup containing all the pills that could not give her the only thing she had wanted in her life. Ever since the day her mother died, she had stopped living, and believing.
She didn't want to wallow in self-pity. She had never believed in that. She had kept to herself, and avoided relationships. While other children were playing happily upon the swings, she was being shuffled around from foster home to foster home. No one ever took her in, except for that one family. Crushing paper cup harshly, she flung it to the ground, cursing her current state for making her the emotional wreck she was now.
"Medicine makes you all better right?"
Usagi snapped her head up to find the eyes of a young girl peering at her.
"Ne, oneesan, shouldn't you take the pills?"
She watched as the young girl picked the pills that had scattered everywhere before walking over ever so carefully. Swirls of bright golden hair surrounded her cherubic face, and her blue eyes sparkled with life and laughter. Usagi quickly dashed away her tears and stared curiously at the child. She was a dead ringer of who Usagi once was.
"Sometimes, ojichan makes me take medicine that tastes yucky, but he promises it makes me all better, and it does!" she chirped brightly before scrambling by Usagi's side.
Tiny hands outstretched with the multi-coloured pills rolling about, there was such a hopeful look upon her young face that Usagi could not bring herself to disappoint.
"Saa, your ojichan sounds like a smart man."
She bobbed her head enthusiastically, and Usagi found herself laughing for the first time in a long time. It sounded so unused to her ears. Then again, she never had a reason to believe there was anything more to the life than the hell she had experienced.
"Thank you young lady," Usagi said with a smile as she took her medication. Wouldn't the nurses be surprised that a five-year-old had somehow managed to get the most difficult patient in the hospital to finally take those pills?
The young girl beamed at her. "I'm Misora. What's your name?"
"Usagi."
She scrunched her brows adorably. "Doesn't that mean bunny?"
"Hai. You're a smart girl, ne?"
"Are you sick?" Misora asked innocently.
She had been sick for so long, but not in the way anyone could ever imagine. The illness was in her soul, the loneliness that would never go away, the hurt that could never be erased.
"Don't worry. You'll get better," Misora pronounced confidently. There was something so enchanting and breathtaking about a young child's faith. Had there been any darkness clouding her own childhood back then?
"Misora?"
A strong masculine voice sounded from outside the hallway. The younger girl's eyes brightened before leaping off the bed, nearly sending Usagi flying off it.
"Ojichan!"
Usagi could hear the murmured chastisement and she could almost imagine the guilty look upon Misora's face. It was strange that after so many years of solitude that it should only take one young child to take it all away.
"Gomen nasai, Usagi-san."
What she saw nearly took her breath away. There was an unmistakable resemblance that left no doubt in her mind of their familial ties. If she hadn't known any better, she would swear that this man was Misora's father. His blonde hair curled at the nape of his neck, looking as if it hadn't seen a cut in about six weeks. His blue eyes seemed to stare deep into her soul, and for the first time, she felt the stirrings of an emotion she struggled to repress, and had found so easy to do so until now. He was tall and lean, dressed in a deep blue sweater and charcoal pants. Beside him, Misora stood with a sheepish expression upon her face.
"Daijoubu desu," Usagi said finally, blushing slightly when she noted that the man was still staring at her.
Misora giggled as she observed the exchange between her uncle and her newfound friend. She didn't know how she knew this but Usagi-neesan was a very sad woman. She had been angry at something when she threw her pills down. Maybe she hadn't liked how bad they tasted, but Misora knew that it would make her better.
"'jichan, aren't you going to …" Misora frowned as she tried to remember the word. "… 'troduce yourself to Usagi-neesan?"
"My name is Tanaka Yuushi." He bowed his head in her direction, not before she saw the stain upon his cheeks too.
The deep timber of his voice was making her insides do somersaults and Usagi wasn't too sure if she could deal with it.
"Doozo yoroshiku," she replied in return, inclining her head slightly.
"I'm sorry if my niece disturbed you. Misora-chan has a way of eluding me," he said wryly as the young girl in question giggled.
"That's cos' you're slow, ojichan!"
Yuushi let out a mock growl. "Are you implying I'm old?"
"He's really nice though!" she piped up mischievously while giving Usagi a look.
Usagi took in a deep breath. If she didn't know any better, she would've sworn that five-year-old imp was trying to play matchmaker.
Yuushi looked at the bedridden young woman in concern. God, he had never met a woman who made his head turn twice. He had left Japan a long time ago to study in the US, and had actually set up a successful business there until the day he received the news about his sister. He had given it all up without hesitation to take care of Misora, who felt like his own child. For the first few years, he had been pre-occupied with trying to take care of a baby girl, and for a confirmed bachelor, it was easier said than done. His life in New York was a far cry from what he was doing at the moment. But he never regretted a single moment of his decision.
It had never been difficult for him to find companionship. Though he wasn't arrogant, he knew that he wasn't too hard on the eyes. He had kept himself in good shape, though running after an extremely energetic child tended to do that. For some reason, he had never wanted to settle down ever. He had concentrated all his time on success, and now, a family that he never asked for but would never give up.
It made him happy, or so he had believed till he had set his eyes upon blue eyes the colour of the sky, and hair streaked with sunshine. Despite her frail stature, there was a strength Usagi emanated that one could not deny. She was used to being independent. Around her bed, there was no vases filled with flowers or cards written with love. She was alone. Just like he was.
"We should let Usagi sleep, ne? She's tired, and not feeling well."
For one so accustomed to being by on her own, she found herself with an irrepressible urge to have them stay.
"Won't you please stay and keep me company? It's so… quiet here."
Both man and child found themselves struck by the wistful note they heard in her voice and could not help but respond to it.
"Only if you're sure we're not disturbing you…" Yuushi said hesitantly.
She nodded her head and was about to turn around to prop the pillow so she could lean against it when she found a warm hand touching her shoulder. The contact seemed to burn through her hospital gown and both of them blushed furiously.
"Here, let me help you."
Yuushi winced at how his voice had nearly cracked. Never had such a simple touch upon a woman's skin… iie, he only touched her gown for god's sake and here he was behaving like some sort of adolescent with nothing but hormones racing through him. Where had the cold businessman on Wall Street gone?
He watched her attentively as she rested against the pillow he had propped up for her.
"Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu, Yuushi-san."
He noted with an inward grin that she refused to meet his gaze, and the rosy flush upon her once pale cheeks. Surely that was a good sign?
As he was being distracted by his thoughts, Misora took fate into her own hands. Her uncle, normally so friendly with everyone, was being really quiet. Climbing up onto Usagi's bed, she sat herself beside her new friend.
"Usagi-neesan…"
"Hai, Misora-chan?"
"Why are you here?"
Yuushi gave his niece a startled look. Embarrassment flooded his cheeks as he chided, "Misora-chan! Where are your manners? I brought you up better than that."
The blue eyes staring back were unrepentant, and he swore he saw a glint of mischief nestled within.
"I was in an accident…"
Usagi immediately felt guilty as soon as those words came out. While it wasn't exactly a lie, it wasn't the real reason why she was here either. Suddenly, a pair of tiny arms went around her waist and squeezed tightly.
"You'll be okay, Usagi-neesan. The doctors will make you all better!"
She smiled at the young girl as Usagi awkwardly patted her shoulders. It had been years since she had voluntarily touched someone. How could she have forgotten the warmth and sensation that accompanied such a motion?
Quirking her head, Usagi stared at the young girl curiously. As if Misora could somehow discern her thoughts, she began speaking again. "We're here cos' ojisan was here to visit a sick friend. 'jisan, didn't you promise me ice cream?" Misora pouted.
"We'll get some when we get back to the store, okay?"
A store owner. Somehow, Usagi could not picture him as that. The clothes he wore screamed of money, and visions of him in a business suit began assailing her mind for some odd reason. Power and wealth… she could see him being surrounded by all that. But he seemed content, even happy with what he was doing now.
"I run a grocery store," he explained to Usagi, who had a strange look upon her face. She seemed distracted as if she were lost in her thoughts. He had hoped that when he had volunteered that information, she would tell him what she did as well. He wanted to know all about this young woman.
"Where is it?" she asked softly, unable to fight the urge to know more about him.
"Not too far away from here actually, about five blocks away."
"Where do you work?" Misora spoke up, arms still around Usagi. On the one hand, Yuushi was mortified by his niece's behaviour. On the other, he was going to get her the biggest tub of ice cream in the store.
Usagi smiled, not minding Misora's questions. Normally, she hated talking about herself, but from a child, there was nothing but innocence and a boundless curiosity to be fulfilled.
"I don't work too far from here either. I'm a business consultant."
"What's that?"
Yuushi nearly groaned at his niece's inquisitive nature. Usagi caught his eye and gave him and smiled, making his heart race about a mile a minute.
"Well, I help people make plans so that their business will succeed."
"What plans?"
This time, Usagi couldn't suppress her laughter. "Okay, let's say I was helping your ojisan open his store…"
Misora shook her head. "Ojisan has lots and lots of money. He's a smart man!" she announced.
Two pairs of blue eyes widened to stare at her in shock. Yuushi wished he could crawl in a hole somewhere and bury himself. Misora would be the death of him yet. For once in his life, he wanted to meet a woman unconcerned with the wealth and status he possessed. Was it that hard to love him for who he was? He wasn't a bad man, just determined and single-minded when he knew what he wanted.
"It's just an example, Misora-chan." Usagi finally spoke up, and he could hear the uncertainty in her voice.
"What's an example?"
Usagi giggled, and without thinking, she reached out and stroked the silky golden hair. "Saa, you're full of questions, aren't you? Let's see if I can explain this to you… an example is something, which is the same as something else. Remember how I was trying to tell you what a business plan was?" At the young girl's nod, Usagi continued. "When I mentioned helping out your uncle so the store can make lots of money, that is an example."
Yuushi watched as Usagi patiently explained to Misora about her job. Business consultant. Odd, but he somehow couldn't imagine her being that. To be successful in the world, especially where she lived, she would have to be cold… for some reason, he could see her laughing, wearing a well-worn deep blue kimono as she twirled around, giddy with life.
His eyes widened in astonishment. Where had that image popped up from?
For someone as used to silence and solitude as she was, Usagi found herself unable to stop the chatter. Misora would laugh delightedly at her from time to time, and never once did that young girl ever let go of her grip, and never had Usagi felt so happy in all of her life.
************
Yuushi and Usagi found themselves talking as Misora, weary from all the energy she had expended, fell asleep. He didn't miss the way her blue eyes softened as she gazed at the form leaning against her. There was something maternal and so sad about the look upon her eyes.
"I think we should go. We've kept you up long enough, and she should really get to bed," he said apologetically.
Surprising even herself, Usagi leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss in the girl's hair.
"Oyasumi nasai, Misora-chan."
"'yasumi, Usa-neechan…" Misora murmured sleepily as Yuushi extricated her from Usagi's side.
Tucking her securely against him, he stared at Usagi, whose eyes were glittering with unspoken emotion. He had felt the bond when they had talked. For the first time in ages, he found a kinship with her, and a strong emotion that he could not bring himself to name. It was too soon, but he knew it was something far more powerful than he had ever experienced.
"When you experience true love, otouto, it will knock you off your feet and render you breathless."
His sister had told him that once, and he had scoffed at her. And now, he found himself believing.
"Thank you for being so patient with her."
"It was no problem. I'm glad to have met her."
Once again, there was that strange undertone in her voice that he could not quite understand. But then, he had all the time in the world to know her, and know her he would.
"Can I see you again?" he asked softly.
She gave him a beautiful smile, making his heart stop beating for just one moment. "You will."
If he wasn't mistaken, it sounded awfully like a promise. "Sweet dreams, Usagi."
"Sweet dreams, Yuushi."
Usagi stared at his departing figure, and for once in her life, she began believing, and everything made sense again. She realised how she had deprived herself of feelings. Without darkness and sadness, happiness would mean nothing. All it had taken was an enchanting young girl and her uncle to show her that. Closing her eyes, she wondered briefly about Yuushi who had seemed so familiar to her, and how she would've instinctively known what she did about his personality. Then, right before her dreams claimed her, she knew why.
*********
"Excuse me, nurse?"
Yuushi couldn't keep the frantic edge off his voice. He had wanted to come back earlier, but business had been unusually busy and Misora had been a bigger handful than usual. It was only with threats of never seeing her Usa-neesan that he could get her to behave.
"Hai?"
"Do you know what happened to that patient in that room?"
He held his breath, knowing that she probably had left and that he would never see her again. Yuushi would never know how true those words were.
"Sir, she passed on three days ago," she answered gently.
He was assailed by a sudden stabbing pain in the region of his heart, and he staggered backwards. Three days ago? That would've been the day after he had met her…
"Masaka. She looked fine when I last saw her!" His voice had risen dramatically at the end, reflecting the anguish flooding him.
"Surely you must've known… she was a terminally ill patient. She had an incurable disease and had been at the hospital for some time now."
Glancing at her watch, the nurse gave the stunned man an apologetic look. "I'm sorry for your loss."
Yuushi never even heard her leave. How could she? Flashes of her smiling beautifully at him darted through his mind. Images of happily-ever-afters that would never be died abruptly, and he knew… oh he knew now why she had seemed so familiar.
"Doushite, Usagi? Why did you never tell me?"
The grief became all-consuming and he buried his face in his hands. Harsh sobs wracked his body and he cried for the loss of something that could've been.
"I could've made you happy in this life, Usagi… I could've" He repeated the words over and over again, and he didn't know how long he sat in the chair. He heard nothing of the concerned hospital staff that tried to console him. How could you possibly comfort a man who had lost something that could've been?
When Yuushi finally left that night, he left a broken man. The stars glittered above, reminding him of her eyes somehow. "I'll find you again… I promise."
**********
"Ne okaasan, what happened to the general?"
Usagi's mother only smiled down at her beloved daughter. "He promised her he would find her again."
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Tenshi's blurb: Did anyone guess who the guy was in this ficcie? (Here's a clue in case you didn't get it: Yuushi, a character I made up, is a reincarnation of the general) Review/email if you do!
Oh yeah, Misora means beautiful sky, and Yuushi means brave warrior. ^_^
And the possibility of a sequel to this fic has occurred to me as well. If you're interested, lemme know!