Blood-Bound
by kawaii-witch181
Synopsis: In a world wherein a Magical Society does exist, Sakuno Ryuzaki finds herself knotted to a dilemma of which ability to harness. Ryoma Echizen, who is already dead, suddenly finds himself brought back to life. These two, albeit different individuals, are soon locked with each others' fates. And what's this? They have a past together? Oh, gee. Alternate Universe, RyoSaku.
Italics are thoughts, flashbacks, emphasis, etc. You can distinguish.
Disclaimer for the whole story: I do not own anything except the plot bunnies. TeniPuri belongs to Konomi-sensei. All rights reserved.
Cover: I do not own anything. The art belongs to its respective artist. And please disregard Ryoma's cat ears. *insert hysterical laughter here* No, he won't be a cat person in this fic. Sakuno is a witch. That, on the other hand, is true.
Chapter I
Winter
The tale started in a winter afternoon, wherein a family just moved to a huge manor in the far country of America. The family came from Japan and would be staying here from this day onward. Really, moving wasn't so fitting with the current season. It was cold and freezing outside. Staying indoors was much preferable; you'd be warmed by the glowing fireplace and you could curl under friendly thick blankets for as long as you want. There was no danger of ice blisters and shivers. It would all be cozy. However, there was always a reason for doing something, wasn't it?
The head of the house, Shintarou, was the sole reason why the family had migrated to America. He was suffering from a neuron disease and was advised to take medication at this far away land. Though leaving the Land of the Rising Sun was kind of saddening—their beloved home was there—, it can't be helped. Shintarou badly needed an antidote and it could only be found here in America.
The change of atmosphere will also do him good, the doctor had said.
Shintarou was accompanied by his family, of course. What's the use of medication if your moral supports wouldn't be around? It wouldn't work, I guess. Maybe at first but later on…it wouldn't. Those aside, Shintarou Ryuzaki's family was quite moderate in number. As stated earlier, he was the head of the family. Therefore, he was the father. He had auburn hair, the same color of shadowed twigs at spring—pale yet somehow considered natural, and a pair of silver eyes which glistened like dew drops under the cool silver moonlight. Shintarou was a strict man when business was involved, but very tender and affectionate on his own family.
His wife, Shiori Ryuzaki, was the perfect mother figure one could think of. She was very caring and thoughtful; having ebony black hair and brown eyes with a hint of chocolate hue in them. The little breathing treasure of the family was the one and only daughter of the household, Sakuno Ryuzaki. This little girl inherited the auburn color of her Dad's hair and the chocolate brown hue of her mother's eyes. Her hair was always kept in a twin braided style, managed by her grandma, Sumire Ryuzaki. Sumire was the mother of Shiori. She was once a regular in her school's tennis team during her younger years.
"Oh, it's snowing already." Shiori said, looking up at the cloud covered sky.
"Waaaiii! Snow!" Her daughter cheered, twirling in excitement. The white presents of the sky were finally falling. She really loved winter. People could make those circular large balls for fun. Even if you fell to the ground, you'd be caught by softness. Satisfying, wasn't it?
Shintarou smiled. "It's winter, Shiori. Snow is ineludible at this time of the year."
"Daddy! Can we play? I want to build snow dummies!" Sakuno pulled the hem of her father's coat. "Snow dummies!" She repeated with a big smile on her face.
Sumire suddenly lifted her granddaughter by her waist. Sakuno gently rested her arms on her grandmother's shoulders. "Maybe later, sweetie. We need to familiarize with our new home, remember?" Sumire smiled at her.
Sakuno pouted. "B-But…snow dummies…" She looked crestfallen.
Shintarou patted his daughter's head. "Snow dummies will be greeting you first thing in the morning. Daddy's promise."
Sakuno regained her big grin. "Promise!" She wiggled out of her grandmother's grasp. Sumire let her go and she ran to their home's front steps.
"Sa-chan will be good! Sa-chan's promise!" She giggled, covering her mouth with a hand.
Shiori chuckled at her child's cuteness. "I already told you, Sa-chan. Snow dummies are called snowmen."
Sakuno tilted her head to the side. "Snow dummies are snow dummies, Mommah. Snowmen are different. Snowmen are much uglier."
Shintarou walked to where Sakuno is standing. "You heard her. Snowmen are uglier." He winked at his wife, twisting the door knob of the front door. "Let's come in? Before snowmen attack Mommah and Daddy and Grandma."
"Alright! I'll protect Mommah and Daddy and Grandma!" Sakuno proudly declared, puffing out her chest. "Sa-chan's strong!"
Shiori pulled up the handle of her trolley. "Hurry, hurry! Snowmen are coming! Hide, Sa-chan!" And she dashed up to the doorway, expression reflecting humor and amusement.
Sakuno's eyes widened for a fraction. "NO!" She screamed before running inside the house, obviously frightened.
What happened to the strong part?
Sumire chuckled. "Don't overdo it, Shiori."
Shintarou laughed. "Oh, c'mon. Let them play, Mother."
In the distance, the sun started to set.
The dawn arrived. Little Sakuno eagerly threw her bed covers aside. Snow dummies! Her snow dummies were waiting for her! Her daddy said so yesterday! Oh, she couldn't wait!
"Daddy!" She yelled, running in the long hallways of the manor. She rounded around a corner and soon found herself on the stairway. She excitedly ran down to it. She was sure her Daddy was in the living room, waiting for her.
When lumps of sofa greeted her vision, she called out a "Daddy!" but no one answered. She stopped. Was no one home? Now that she listened to it, the house was silent. There was no sound of a single plate when this should be the time when her Mommah prepared her delicious breakfast.
"Mommah?" She tried. No one answered. She slowly walked to the living room. No one. The room was empty.
"Sakuno?"
She turned around. Oh, her grandmother. Sumire had come from the opposite direction she had took.
"Good morning, Grandma." She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.
The ex-coach looked worried. "Is something the matter, sweetie?"
Sakuno lightly shook her head. "Where are Daddy and Mommah?"
"Oh, they went into town earlier this morning." Her grandma said. "For your Daddy's check-up,"
But the snow dummies…
"Sakuno?" Sumire called after noticing her granddaughter's silence. But when she called her name, Sakuno just smiled at her and raised her cheery voice.
"Grandma, cook me pancakes." She said.
Sumire lifted her to her own arms. "Sure, anything to make you feel better." She ruffled the child's hair.
There were no escaping Grandma's instincts. She knew her so well. Not that Sakuno wanted to hide it; she just wanted others not to worry. She knew she was a cheerful girl so hiding her disappointment can always be a failure. Maybe she should practice concealing her emotions. Hmmm…
The days passed like that. Her parents always left early in the morning. There were times they stay 'til noon, though; but only at times. It was always like this: she would wake up with them gone. Her snow dummies were forgotten.
Sakuno sighed. It was another day to spend. But what could she do? There's nothing much. She didn't have any playmates here, more or less, a friend. She idly wondered if isolation was her birth right. She was always left alone.
Her grandma spent hours in their backyard, gardening. Besides, she couldn't just ask Sumire to play with her. It would be difficult for Grandma to keep up with her mischievous self at her old age. She understood her grandma was an adult. Adult, huh. That's the main factor needed to be crossed out. Do adults had some written law to stop playing with children? If they had, they should rethink it and do some changes.
"That's fresh from the cow, Sakuno." Sumire told her, gesturing at the pitcher of milk.
She smiled up at her grandmother. "It's delicious, Grandma. Thanks."
Sakuno really did too much smiling these days. Her jaw didn't feel relaxed anymore. Somehow, her muscles felt too tense. Maybe she did forcefully smile every time that it didn't come naturally to her anymore. When was the last time she was not wearing a mask? Four days ago? Three? Not really. The question should be…when was the last time she naturally smiled? Now, that's the one question she didn't want to answer. Why? It was obvious. Thinking about it would only bring negative emotions surface from deep down. She smiled in front of her parents. She smiled if they asked she was okay. She smiled even if they said they couldn't come with her to build snow dummies. She smiled at everything, even if it was supposed to bring a frown to her face. Why? She wasn't sure either. Perhaps, to please her parents? She didn't want to burden any of them. She knew they would be hurt if they knew their daughter was feeling all lonesome. She didn't want that. Her Daddy was taking medication. Oh, she knew he had a disease. She knew how her parents avoided that topic when in front of her, much less bringing her with them to the doctor. She observed all of it. So she kept her act.
She just wanted to be a good girl. That maybe, just maybe, being a good daughter would speed up her Daddy's medication. And that meant she would be able to play with her parents again.
'Til then, I have to endure it.
Sakuno's attention was caught by the falling snow outside. Three weeks hadn't even passed yet but the neighborhood was sure turning into a Winter Wonderland.
Ah, that's right. Snow.
If she remained like the good girl she was, perhaps, snow dummies would finally decorate their front yard.
Until then, she had to smile.
A/N: Hi there, reader! Thank you for reading this far. I'm flattered. You'd given this piece of mine your time. Flowery words aside, I'm going to tell you that for the first six chapters, it will only be a flashback. It is a must to know the RyoSaku's past before moving on to the present. After all, our past is one of the factors shaping both our present and future, correct?
I just wanna share a crumb of random data. I got the idea for Blood-Bound right after brushing my teeth before I slept. It was the time when I looked up at the starry night sky, got a good view of the hiding moon behind whitish clouds, and thought of how much of a pleasure riding on a broom at a night like that would make me feel beyond joyful. It's fun being a witch. Look at how random I am. *laughs* My friend thinks so, too. She said my ideas would always appear at the most random moments.
Oh, and as for the update, it will be once a week. Yes, PER WEEK. Got it now? No, I'm not kidding. I think I'm actually developing enough industrious cells. However, my updates are still dependent on my mood. If all odds are against you, it will be sporadic. Let's just hope I'm always in a good mood for an update. If not…*shrugs* I'm bipolar. No questions.
Since we're talking about updates... Paralleled will be in hiatus. I know it's already obvious, without me updating and stuffs. *shrugs* I only said it for official clarification. I'll be focusing on Blood-Bound. *smiles creepily*
Ah, and before I forget, the arrangement of names is in Western order. First name first, followed by the last name.
That's all. You know how all works. Drop a review and the authoress will be happy.