Okay, so I can't help myself. While searching my brain to write "Young Love," another idea flashed in my head. I had to write it down, then the next thing I knew, I found myself writing this story.
The Taiwanese drama "Silence" gave me the idea to make Sakuno mute. I love Sakuno, I really do. I like the idea of RyoSak but for the life of me, I hate it when she stuttered. Don't you? Admit it, I bet it annoyed you too. So in this story I made her mute but not deaf. Like the drama "Silence" I'm currently watching.
If you are looking for a humor story, you're in the wrong place. This will be based on drama and tragedy, completely AU. Will it be a happy ending? I don't know. I haven't decided on this yet. Who doesn't want a happy ending? But also, keep in mind that in reality, not everyone's life get the happy ending they wanted. You know what I mean?
Before you continue on beyond this point, there are few things you need to know:
" " - speaking to each other
' ' - Sakuno is using her sign language
" " - Sakuno is using her notepad to communicate.
Hakone Onsen Resort - I've never been to Japan and don't know which resort is the best, so when I did researched, I chose Hakone city/town as the location in the story. Please don't send me hate message if I got my information wrong about this town/city. But I do welcome any info you have for me about this town/city or resort.
Meino Inn - is the hotel Sakuno is staying at. I completely made up this place.
Ryokan style inn - is a type of inn with traditional japanese housing style that originated in the Edo period. It features tatami-matted room, communal bath, public areas, and visitors can wear yukata.
I guess that is all I need my readers to know before reading this story. I am 90% close to being done writing it. So look forward to the ending, ok? ^_^
Once again, please excuse my grammars. Grammar is not my forté with english being my second language and all.
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis. Credit to Takeshi Konomi.
Well, enjoy!
Chapter 1: The Beautiful Stranger
"Sakuno, what do you think of the resort?" Her grandmother eagerly asked.
Sakuno Ryuzaki stopped unpacking and turned to her grandmother. 'Give me a minute, Grandma. We just got here an hour ago, we haven't really tour the resort yet.'
Sumire leaned against the door of the ryokan style room.
'Is your room as large as mine, Grandma?' Sakuno asked.
"My room is the same size as yours. I just want to be sure you're happy with everything first. No use staying here if you don't like it."
Sakuno shook her head, controlling her urge to tell her grandmother to stop worrying so much. Although, Sakuno is considered mute, she can still hear and understand people when they conversed a conversation with her.
'The Hakone Onsen resort seems promising. I'm sure I will like it here.' She said. 'The hot springs, the fresh air, great view of the ocean, and plenty of tennis courts. Did you see how blue the skies are out here? The Mt. Fuji in the distance is so beautiful.' Sakuno asked.
"Sure it's great, but I miss the Tokyo's skyscrapers!"
'Oh Grandma, Tokyo's isn't the only place in the world. I'm actually glad to be here, I'm tired of the Crowded street, the loud noises, and never seeing the sky. I've always wanted to come to a place like this my whole life.'
"If you have a good time, I'll have a good time." Sumire assured Sakuno. Sumire watched Sakuno for a few minutes longer then asked, "Do you want anything? Can I help?"
'Grandma, don't worry about me, I'm eighteen. I think I can manage to unpack a suitcase by myself.'
"Alright, you're a big girl now, I will stop pestering you with questions."
Sakuno dropped her hands, glancing away, unable to tolerate the look of sadness on her grandmother's face. Sakuno didn't want to be sad. She only wanted to finish unpacking and take a tour of the resort and the inn they're staying at. She is totally looking forward to her summer here. Sakuno once again moved her fingers to speak to her grandmother.
'Did you see the tennis court when we walked in? I want to head over there and get a good look at it.'
"I thought you were unpacking."
'I can always do it later.'
"Meino-chan said the dining hall will be close at nine pm tonight. We have three hours before it close, I am starving my dear."
'I promise I won't be out long, Grandma.'
Sumire gave Sakuno a slight nod then left her room as Sakuno changed into her pink blouse and matching pink skirt. Once Sakuno changed, she left the suite that she will be sharing with her grandmother and she hurried outside.
Outside the ryokan room, she breathed the fresh air while admiring the beautiful koi pond and the little bridge in front of her. This ryokan style inn is sure beautiful.
It was nice indeed. Her grandmother had suggested Hakone Onsen resort to Sakuno few weeks ago. The air was sweet, wonderful and intoxicating to Sakuno as she breathed in the fresh air.
Quickly, she jogged pass the other ryoken suites, pass the main dining hall where guests and workers shared meals, to a tennis court that is insight just over a little hill behind the Meino's inn. The court was nothing like the tennis courts Sakuno has seen on TVs or encounter in the city. There was no line or boundaries and no fence around the court! Sakuno find it oddly strange to see a court like this.
She loved tennis. She used to play when she was younger; it comes with a Grandmother that coach tennis team throughout her middle and high school period, but Sakuno had deteriorated herself from tennis when both of her parents passed away when she was 10 years old.
Sakuno came closer to investigate the court better.
"What do you think you're doing?"
The harsh male voice startled Sakuno, and she almost lost her balance when she was about to take a step onto the dusty court. She whirled around to face an angry-sounding young man with broad square shoulders, tinted green hair, and hazel eyes. "Don't you know this premise is off-limits to you tourists?" He pushed his white hat back on his head and gave her a withering look.
Sakuno's mouth opened, about to say something but then she quickly remembered that she couldn't. She bites back her lips. So, she just stood there, in silence.
He gave Sakuno a questioning and irritating look as he watched her un-flinched from her position few feet from him. Is she ignoring me?
Noticed that he is watching her, Sakuno's face redden. She bite her lips together. She continued to stand there and observed the boy in front of her. The angry voice belonged to a handsome face. His polo white shirt, with hint of red on the side of the sleeves, was soaked with perspiration, and his black shorts looked dusty and well worn. He wore tennis shoes, caked with dust. His red racket held against the side of his body with his arm.
"Saw what you like?" He broke the silenced.
Sakuno's face reddens from the insinuation. Great, not only did you get yelled at Sakuno, but you also got caught for staring. She fiddled with her fingers nervously.
"This is a private court." He added sharply. "Outsiders are not allowed here."
Sakuno definitely didn't like being yelled at by someone who looked close to her own age. Considering that she is mute and unable to speak to the boy, she figured it would be a good idea to just leave. Sakuno took a step backward, but only to be stopped when she felt a hand grasping her own. The sudden movement from the stranger startled Sakuno.
"It's rude not to respond when someone is speaking to you and here you are trying to run away?"
Me? Rude? Who does he think he is? He was the one being rude to me first. Sakuno thoughts to herself.
His hand was gripping her wrist tightly, causing her pain. She tried to yank her hand away from his grasp. With one swept move, her wrist was free. She rubbed her sore wrist, with her chocolate brown eyes cast away from him.
His hazel eyes swept over her arrogantly. "What, are you mute? Why aren't you speaking?"
Sakuno's emotion started to rage with frustration and anger. So much for being calm. Just then, at that moment, Sakuno dug into her cross-body bag, pulled out her notepad and pen. Quickly, she jot down a few words before lifting it up to show him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." The notepad read.
"So you are mute." He said sharply, not caring if he offended her.
Sakuno continued to be unresponsive to his rude remarks.
"My grandmother and I just got here an hour ago from Tokyo." Sakuno didn't know why she was explaining anything to him. He was acting so unfriendly.
"Well, Tokyo, the public courts are on the other direction, on the far side of the inn. You'll be able to do whatever you want there."
He made it sound like she was foolish. She dribbled in her notepad furiously.
"Well, Hakone, I'll use my compass next time so I can navigate to the other side of this place."
She gave his mouth a twitch at the corners. He crossed his arms and held her gazed, "Mada mada dane," he said. "It's Ryoma Echizen."
"As in "Dragon" and "Horse?"" Her note read.
He looked surprised that she knew the meaning of his name. Not a lot of this generation knows the translation of names these days. "That's right."
"The name fits you well!"
Sakuno snapped. She dropped the notepad to her side. She spun and trooped off toward her suite before her insult had time to register.
She hadn't gone far when he caught up with her. Sakuno felt his hands grasp hers once again. "Ne, I am responsible to make sure the guests at the inn follow the guidelines." Ryoma said, while stepping in front of her, blocking her retreat.
Sakuno noticed that his tone didn't sound quite so condescending and that she'd become a "guest" instead of a "tourist."
"I didn't mean to go into a restricted area. I just got here."
Ryoma stared at her until she began to grow uncomfortable, and then he asked, "What's your name?"
Sakuno wanted to ignore him, step around him, and return to her room. She didn't have much experience with boys, and he seemed unpleasant in her opinion.
"Why? Are you going to tell on me?"
Ryoma scanned her notepad. His curious expression gave way as he sarcastically added, "Forget it, Tokyo, I really don't care who you are, just remember there are guidelines and rules here at the inn."
Sakuno watched him turn and marched back toward the restricted tennis court. She wanted to slug him. He was arrogant and rude, and she hadn't come more than a thousand miles to be insulted by some cocky tennis player. This is supposed to be her special summer with her grandmother. A summer with no thought of what lay ahead of her.
She had said yes to her Grandmother when she suggested Meino Inn in Hakone Onsen resort. The idea sounded perfect. Why should she let a rude boy ruin it for her? Sakuno turned her face skyward and took several deep breaths to calm herself from the frustrations and embarrassment. The smell of the summer air made her throat feel dry and parched but was strangely exhilarating.
With a sigh, Sakuno welcomed the warmth of the sun on her skin, the feel of the breeze in her long, auburn hair. Then, with a start, she realized that the beauty surrounding her, the quiet of the June afternoon, even the encounter with Ryoma, had distracted her completely. Just for a little while she had completely forgotten that she was…
Dying.
So, what do you guys think? Please let me know, won't you? ^_^