A/N- There is some major OOC-ness in here. Actually, I just realized that I unconsciously start typing OOC. Gah. Got to control the urge. I just wish Ryoma was more lively and Sakuno was more outgoing. Che- like that's ever going to happen…
Disclaimer: I, Special Circumstances, do NOT own PoT or any of its characters/plots/settings/etc…
Except for this story's plot, of course.
This chapter is longer than any chapter I have ever typed. I think someone requested me to write a longer chapter, so here it is. I was originally done with it long ago, but I basically added another chapter to it, so my original 7 page document turned into a 13 page document.
And Yet
Special Circumstances
"One…"
"Are you sure about this, Ryoma? I really don't want you getting hurt."
"Two…"
"Ryoma?"
"Three. Come on, Sakuno."
Ryoma led Sakuno into the mall. He wrapped his hand tightly around her wrist, just to make sure he didn't lose her.
As the two entered the mall, Sakuno was surprised that nobody had noticed them.
She knew this silence would only be for a moment, so she took a second to inhale the fresh scent of linen and fabric coming from the stores surrounding her. She could smell the newly waxed tiled floor and saw how it glistened from the lights hanging above. This was the biggest, most expensive mall in all of Japan. And of course, this was the mall Ryoma took her to.
Sakuno continued her musings as she observed every sparkle and reflection in the windows. She spotted one of her favorite stores and tugged Ryoma towards it.
"This way." She murmured.
Sakuno pulled Ryoma and slowly crept into the store. She immediately dived behind a rack of clothes, yanking Ryoma along with her.
"You're supposed to be shopping, Sakuno." Ryoma muttered.
"I know, but look at all these people! They're going to tackle you and suffocate you and you're going to be sent to the hospital and you'll be in a coma and I don't know what I would do without you and the funeral—…" Sakuno was too busy being pessimistic to realize that Ryoma had already left her side.
"Here." Ryoma came up from behind Sakuno, holding a sundress in his hand.
Sakuno jolted and let out a soft shriek. "R-Ryoma…" she said, putting a hand to her heart to make sure she was still alive. "You—I—Oooh. That's really pretty." Sakuno began stroking the sundress as the material gently slid between her fingertips.
Ryoma shrugged. "My cousin wore something like this once. Try it."
"Arigatou, Ryoma… but is it really okay for you to be here?" Sakuno whispered, still feeling a little paranoid.
Ryoma just shook his head and let out a sigh. He tugged Sakuno in towards him and gently placed a kiss on her lips. "I will be fine."
Shocked, Sakuno stared into Ryoma's warm, yet fierce orbs. She realized that maybe she was being a little over reactive about Ryoma being in a mall again. She just didn't want random girls coming up to him, asking him to sign their bras.
Jealousy.
Sakuno reminded herself that Ryoma loved her. And she loved him. And if Ryoma said that he was going to be okay from freaky fan girls, well, he was going to be okay. But just for in case…
Sakuno took one courageous step to the changing room, sundress in one hand, Ryoma's hand in the other.
"I don't think I'm allowed in the woman's changing rooms, Sakuno." Ryoma pointed out.
Sakuno stopped. "Sooo." Sakuno kept her hold on Ryoma's hand, and seeing that he didn't try to break away, she just continued heading towards the changing rooms.
Bad move.
"Hey! Look—its him!!!"
Soon, a crowd was beginning to gather round Ryoma and Sakuno. Ryoma could see their faces, drooling with excitement. Egh. This was probably one of the reasons why he chose Sakuno. There was never a time where she would just stand there, staring at him. She understood boundaries. These girls had no sense of space whatsoever. And they obviously didn't have a life either. Ryoma could even see guys—gay guys, gaping at him. Ryoma just didn't get it. What was it about him that made him so likeable? He really didn't understand. Maybe he could ask Sakuno later.
"Are you his girlfriend?"
"Ooh. I love that dress."
"You're Sakuno Ryuuzaki, right?"
Ryoma noticed how the majority of eyes were now targeted on Sakuno. She was their victim now. Ryoma was surprised because for once, he was free, but Sakuno wasn't, which was still a problem.
Ryoma felt Sakuno reach for his hand and she squeezed it, hard.
"A-Are you pregnant??"
"Oh my god. I think she is!"
"Ryoma-sama!! Are you the father??"
"I, eto—uhm." Sakuno was speechless.
"SAKUNO-CHAN!!!" A girl with a unique volume of voice greeted her best friend with a life-threatening hug.
"T-Tomo-chan… What are you doing here?" Sakuno managed to squeak out. Her friend obviously hadn't figured out that she was pregnant or that she had just squeezed through an angry mob of anxious fans.
"Oh. Sakuno-chan… what have you been eating? You look like you gained a few extra pounds." Tomoka said, poking at Sakuno's stomach.
Ryoma glared at her and swiped her hand away.
"Hey! What was that for?" Tomoka returned Ryoma's glare with an even fiercer one. Sakuno didn't think that was possible, but Tomoka had always been the talented one. Though, glaring wasn't exactly a talent either.
"Sakuno-chan? Can I call you that too??"
"Me too!!!"
"Whoever actually had sex with Ryoma-sama must be special. Can I get an autograph?"
Ok. Now, this is getting really uncomfortable. Sakuno was speechless as the crowd began answering their own questions and making their own assumptions.
"Oh my god. You just have to give me your autograph. Like, can you sign each of my toes?"
No. Not again.
"Shut the hell up!" Tomoka roared at the crowd.
"What are you even doing here?" Ryoma asked Tomoka coldly.
"Oh wouldn't you like to know." Tomoka rolled her eyes.
"Stop it, you two." Sakuno stepped between Tomoka and Ryoma. "First, we need to get out of here," Sakuno stared cautiously at the crowd, "and then, Tomoka, I'll explain."
"Sign my shoelaces!!"
"Fine." Tomoka said, giving Ryoma one last glare. Its not that she hated Ryoma-- she just never got along with him. However, she did admit that he was attractive, and that she was obsessed with him in middle school. But that's middle school. Sure, he was still attractive, but she was definitely over him. Not that she ever had any real feelings for him. Not like Sakuno, who cried day and night when he left for America. Not like Sakuno, who would never get angry at him for ignoring her. Not like Sakuno, who loved him.
"Just leave this crowd to me." Tomoka whispered into Sakuno's ear, and turned to face the fans. They were all staring intently at the three of them, awaiting their next move.
"Now listen up all you fat nosed pig brains. If you don't get out of here right now and leave us alone, we'll call the authorities and have them personally escort you out of this mall. You hear???" Tomoka yelled.
Like mice running away from the biggest and angriest cat they've ever seen, all of the fans scurried off to their own businesses.
"Who was that girl?"
"Yeah! She's so loud!"
"And how does she know Ryoma-sama and Sakuno-chan?"
"Do you think she's just PMS-ing? I mean, seriously… who does she think she is?"
"Should we tell the manager?"
"No, because then Ryoma-sama might get in trouble too."
"So," Tomoka smirked at Ryoma and Sakuno, "as you were saying…"
"Tomo-chan, that was mean. I think you went a little too far." Sakuno murmured.
"Doesn't matter. They wouldn't have listened if I asked nicely." Tomoka explained.
Ryoma stared at Tomoka. How could Sakuno ever become friends with this girl? It's basically impossible.
"Sakuno, you were going to tell me something." Tomoka reminded.
"Oh. Tomo-chan, just promise me you won't start screaming. And don't hurt me either." Sakuno said carefully.
Ryoma winced. What exactly was this Tomoka girl capable of?
"Okay, okay." Tomoka said hurridly.
Sakuno sighed. She knew she would have to tell Tomoka sometime. Either that, or Tomoka would find out from Horio. And she definitely didn't want that to happen. Knowing Horio, he'd probably bend the rumor and stretch it to the extent that Sakuno was actually pregnant from an elephant and she would have "ele-man" babies. (A/N- Odd? I know. Gross? I know. Are you doing to have to deal with it? Yes.)
"Tomo-chan. I'm pregnant." Sakuno whispered.
"WHAT?!" Tomoka screamed. She began to shake Sakuno vigorously.
"T-Tomo-chan. Y-You p-promis-sed." Sakuno said, between shakes.
Ryoma quickly grabbed Sakuno from Tomoka and slapped a hand over the loud girl's mouth. "Shut up." He said, coldly.
Ryoma sat Sakuno down onto a bench. (A/N: Yes, there is a bench in a store.) "You okay?"
"Uh huh." Sakuno said, feeling a little dizzy.
Tomoka ran over to Sakuno and kneeled down in front of her. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me!"
"It's okay. I'm fine." Sakuno replied gently.
"But, Sakuno… are you really, you know…" Tomoko asked.
"Yes, Tomo-chan." Sakuno replied.
"Oh. Well, congratulations." Tomoka said, hesitantly. "But Sakuno-chan… who's the father?"
"Ryoma." Sakuno replied, smiling.
Tomoka's eyes widened. Then she realized what a stupid question that was. Who's the father? Who else could possibly be the father. "Uh—"
"Tomoka?!?! Where did you go?" A voice almost as annoying and loud as Tomoka's called from across the store.
Horio.
"Over here!!" Tomoka called back and she waved at the boy running towards her. Tripping over a few pieces of air and clothes pins on his way, Horio finally made it to Tomoka.
"Oi! Echizen! What are you doing here?" Horio asked, as he walked up to the bench Ryoma and Sakuno were sitting at.
Sakuno could see his thick unibrow from a mile away. Also, the way his hair was always gelled to the right into a tip, bothered her. But, being the tactful perosn she was, Sakuno never pointed out those features. Still, something else did bother her. The fact that her best friend was dating this kid was odd. Tomoka always shot for the highest classes of men, yet she still went out with Horio.
Horio-- one of the lowest classes of men.
Ryoma rolled his eyes. "Come on Sakuno. Let's go." He pulled Sakuno up from the bench and began to make his way past Horio and Tomoka.
"Wait! Sakuno, I still haven't finished talking to you yet." Tomoka contradicted.
"But, Tomo-chan," Sakuno glanced over at Ryoma, "I really need to go."
"Echizen! I need to talk to you too!" Horio said.
"About what? Your two days of grocery shopping experience?" Ryoma snorted.
"Sugoi! Are you psychic or something?" Horio said in amazement.
Ryoma sighed. "Sakuno, come on."
"Yeah." Sakuno said, following Ryoma to the exit.
"Wait! Sakuno-chan!" Tomoka grabbed Sakuno's hand. She smiled when she saw Ryoma holding her otherhand, trying to tug her away, gently. "Nevermind. Just call me. Please."
"Ok." Sakuno waved goodbye to Tomoka and stepped outside with Ryoma. The sun loomed right over their heads, showering rays of light upon their faces.
"Well, at least from now on, we know that we have to avoid the mall." Sakuno said, optimistically.
"Hn." Ryoma uttered. "Tell me one thing, Sakuno. How did you ever become friends with that girl?"
Sakuno giggled. "The same way you became friends with Horio-kun."
"I didn't become friends with Horio. He became friends with me." Ryoma corrected.
"Exactly." Sakuno smiled.
A small breeze blew and ruffled the cherry-blossom trees planted at the entrance of the mall. Slowly, petals floated to the earth, departing from the safety of their branches and venturing into their own journey. A full blossom floated down and Ryoma picked it up. He moved Sakuno's soft auburn hair behind her ear and settled the blossom in the crevice.
"Gomen, Sakuno." Ryoma suddenly said.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Ryoma." Sakuno said, confused. But her cheeks began to burn a deep red at what Ryoma was doing.
"I basically ruined your life, didn't I?" Ryoma frowned and he fixed the blossom a bit. "You can't even step into a mall anymore…"
"Nah. It's okay. I'd choose you over a mall any day." Sakuno leaned in and whispered I love you before bringing his lips in for a tender kiss.
"Kawaii!!! Sakuno-chan is kissing O'chibi!!!"
Quickly, Sakuno broke apart and looked over to see the whole once-Seigaku team, with the exception of Ryoma, who she could've sworn had smoke coming out of his ears.
"You guys—," Ryoma clenched his fists.
"Did we interrupt something? I knew we should have waited in the car." Oishi exclaimed.
"So young, so young. Man, I wish I had a girlfriend." Momoshiro smirked.
"Impossible." Kaidoh hissed.
"Oh yeah. Well, the only girlfriend you'll ever have is that life-sized-cardboard-sad-excuse for a stripper laying in your room!!" Momoshiro retorted.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY WAS IN MY ROOM?!" Kaidoh screamed. And how the hell did he find out? I specifically hid that thing in my closet…
As Kikumaru and Oishi struggled to make peace, Tezuka decided to speak. "Echizen."
"Hai." Ryoma replied.
"Gambare." Tezuka somewhat smiled, and headed towards the nearby train station. "Work." He muttered, before turning the corner.
Ryoma smiled. If there was anybody he was worried about not supporting him and Sakuno, it was Tezuka. Ryoma didn't want to admit it, but, he still looked up to his old captain. Even though he beat him before, Ryoma had the feeling that Tezuka was always going to be the superior one. (A/N- No, this is not inferring any yaoi.)
"Echizen, I heard we are going to be legal guardians." Fuji said through his usual closed eyes.
"Hn." Ryoma replied reluctantly.
"Wonderful." Fuji smiled.
A cold chill ran up Ryoma's spine. He fought back from shivering at the creepy smile Fuji was giving him. Ryoma knew Fuji's smile. He knew that Fuji's sinister curve of the lips signified only a cruel beginning.
"We should set out a time to sign the papers. I know Sakuno-chan has an appointment tomorrow and Eiji has to go to a.. eto.. where was it you said you were going, Eiji?" Oishi tilted his head towards Kikumaru and saw that Kikumaru's complexion was probably the same shade, if not darker, as the hair on his head.
Kikumaru chuckled nervously. "Eto— I-It's okay, I-I canceled t-the appoint--, I mean thing already."
"Oh. I see." Oishi continued to ask what the rest of the group was doing.
"You have a what?"
"A dinner with my grandma on Friday."
"Oh. And what about you, Kaidoh?"
"Who said I wanted to be some guardian?!"
"Do you ever shut up???"
"Do you ever stop interfering with my fucking life?!!"
"EXCUSE ME?"
"…guys, --."
"Hey, Eiji." Fuji motioned towards Kikumaru to come.
Still a little embarrassed from the predicament he was in earlier, Kikumaru slowly trudged towards Fuji. "Yeah?" he asked, head still bowed.
"Where exactly were you going?" Fuji questioned.
Kikumaru's head suddenly sprung up and he starting taking baby steps away from Fuji. "Oh. Nothing really. Just something with my sister."
"Oh really? Then how come my sister said that a certain someone named Kikumaru Eiji arranged a time to get a manicure and pedicure at her shop?" Fuji said suspiciously.
Kikumaru's eyes bulged right of their sockets. "I—ano."
"Mada mada dane, Kikumaru-sempai." Ryoma smirked.
"O-O'chibi! Why I oughta—," Kikumaru frowned as he fought back the crimson blush engulfing his entire face.
Fuji just smiled. Tormenting people really is fun.
"Fuji-kun. Are you busy any time this week?" Oishi asked, completely oblivious to the ready-to-burst Kikumaru.
"Yes. On Wednesday." Fuji simply replied.
"Okay. So if I put everyone's busy days together, the only day that is free is Sunday." Oishi concluded.
"OH YEAH BABY!!! WHERE ARE WE MEETING??" Kawamura hollered. Suddenly a branch snapped from his fist and fell onto the sidewalk. "T-to sign the papers, of course."
Everyone sweatdropped at the dramatic change from Kawamura.
"The hospital, I think." Oishi said. "Fuji? Do you know?"
Fuji smiled. "Hospital."
"Okay. Then it is settled. We all have to meet at the hospital this Sunday at seven. Is everyone okay with that?" Oishi asked.
Everyone nodded.
"I'll tell Tezuka." Fuji offered.
"Sure." Oishi shrugged.
"Arigatou Minna-san." Sakuno bowed. She kicked Ryoma's foot, hoping he would suddenly remember his manners and thank his sempais.
"Ne, Sakuno. Why are you kicking me?" Ryoma asked, confused. He didn't remember doing anything to hurt Sakuno. And just a few minutes ago she was kissing him too.
Sakuno sighed and stood back up. "Nevermind."
Momoshiro broke out into laughter and fell to the floor.
"What's up with him?" Kawamura asked.
"Che. Who knows." Kaidoh answered.
"Hoi Hoi Sakuno-chan! Don't forget to call all of us about the gender! You're appointment is tomorrow right?" Kikumaru reminded. He had returned back to his normal jittery self and was glad Fuji and Ryoma had kept their mouths shut about the "appointment."
"Hai, Kikumaru-sempai." Sakuno smiled and was about to bow when Ryoma stepped on her foot.
"OW. What was that for?" Sakuno said through clenched teeth.
"That's what you did to me." Ryoma smirked.
"You know, if it wasn't for the fact that I loved you, you'd be slapped silly by now." Sakuno glared.
"Oh? Is that so?" Ryoma smiled. And if it wasn't for the fact that our sempais were staring at us right now, I'd be kissing you.
"Young love…" Momoshiro sighed, as he regained his composure from those random fits of laughter. Well, not exactly random, but apparently no one else had understood the humor in Ryoma and Sakuno's little conversation.
"I agree with Eiji. Call me about the gender too." Fuji chimed in.
"Sure." Sakuno smiled.
Ryoma rolled his eyes. He knew it would come down to this. First, the team. Then, the team's families. Then, the team's families' friends. Then the team's familys' friends' friends. Then, before you know it, the world. Secrets really do spread like wild fire.
"And me! Oh and Kaidoh too. I bet he's dieing to know the gender as well." Momoshiro pointed out.
Kaidoh rammed a fist into Momoshiro's right cheek and stalked away.
"HEY!! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?? GET BACK HERE!!" Momoshiro ran after Kaidoh, which seemed to start out as a normal chase and grew into a "you die or I die" hunt.
"Echizen, Ryuuzaki, I have collected all my data and have come to the conclusion that your child will be a –mmph-." Inui's mouth continued to move behind Fuji's hand, but only mumbles could be heard.
"Syuuske!!" A car pulled up into the parking lot. Fuji's sister waved cheerfully at her brother.
"…I have to go. Inui, don't say a word." Fuji pushed Inui into the backseat of the car and slid in beside him.
"Nyahh! I wanted to know!" Kikumaru puffed.
"Now, now Eiji. We'll find out tomorrow, right? Sakuno-chan? Echizen-kun?" Oishi searched desperately for the couple, but they were no where in sight.
"Taka-san?" Kikumaru called. Kawamura seemed to be missing, as well as the pieces of the branch he had broken.
"Where did they go?" Oishi wondered aloud.
"Hoi Hoi! SAKUNO!!! O'CHIBI!!! TAKA!!!"
Silence.
"HORA HORA. BURRRNING!!!" Kawamura rounded the corner with a bike and seemed to be headed in the direction of the sushi restaurant. Kikumaru noticed a thin piece of wood sticking out from under his hands.
"Taka-san!!!" Kikumaru called.
"NANI?? CAN'T YOU SEE I'M LATE? I HAVE TO GET BACK TO WORK!!!" Kawamura replied.
"Where's O'chibi and Sakuno-chan?" Kikumaru asked.
"GOTTA GO!! BYE!" Kawamura zoomed off and was gone in a second.
Oishi sighed. "Maybe they just went home. You know how Echizen gets."
"But they didn't even say goodbye!" Kikumaru whined.
"I know. I know. Hey. How about I bring you to that ice cream shop you really like. I'll pay." Oishi smiled.
Kikumaru's face glowed with greed and hunger. "YAY!! Let's gooo!"
"Alright. Wait up." Oishi ran after Kikumaru.
It was already pretty late in the afternoon. The sun was just about ready to emit its tender rays of orange-pink hue across the dim sky. As nature's daily process was beginning to unveil its greatest feat, a boy was kneeling in front of a girl, asking for marriage. Tears rolled down the girl's face as she wrapped her arms tightly around her soon-to-be husband. The boy rested his head on her shoulder as he breathed in the happiness that surrounded the park they were resting in.
But, mother nature gets bored sometimes. And mother nature needed a few laughs now and then. So, as the girl's face turned from pink to green, mother nature smirked, as the girl's lunch came spewing out of her mouth.
And –SPLAT-.
Luckily, Mother Nature wasn't that mean. Which is why the gooey substance had landed only centimeters away from the boy's back.
Phew.
A/N- Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
And I know that in the previous chapter Inui predicted Ryoma to be attacked by fans, but Inui's predictions usually aren't correct. In the series, there have been many times where the opponent was able to surpass Inui's data. I think.
Okay, just wanted to make that clear in case you were confused as to why Sakuno was being attacked… and not Ryoma. -.-;
OH. Review too. Hopefully this chapter didn't drag and cause you to fall asleep. .