Hello guys! Well sorry for the late updating...well..since i'm back home i'm having a bad internet reception so.. you for reading and liking this story!

Haruka: Is my romance here yet Angel-chan?

White-Angel94: Ouh..this one is about Ryoga..well next chapter Haru-chan..I promised!

Ryoga: NOOOOO! My secrets!

White-Angel94: Jeez Ryoga... -_-

Chapter 7 : The Great Escape (Ryoga's Story)

Ryoga, 8 years old.

"Nee…Ryoma…tell Haru that I'm sorry…" Said Ryoga while ruffling Ryoma's head.

"Huh? Why?..." Asked Ryoma.

"Just tell her will you?" He said with a big grin.

Nanjiroh quickly glanced over Rinko who was still holding the small Ryoma within her embrace while her face was glistening with tears. It is as though she was begging Nanjiroh not to let Ryoga go, letting him be separated from the, his family. Nanjiroh understood that gaze of her more than anything but what could he do? It is not within his power to do so.

"Kaa-san... Where are they going to?" Asked little Ryoma who was clutching his mother's arm around him.

"Just…back home to take some stuff, Ryoma." She said, trying to hold back her tears.

While on their way back home, both Nanjiroh and Ryoma remain silent. The whole situation itself started to turn awkward. Nanjiroh seems like he was about to say something to Ryoga but, he suddenly stop. Ryoga was staring outside of the window for the whole journey without uttering any word and suddenly…

"Oyaji…."

"Ye-Yes…" Nanjiroh replied, shocked by Ryoga's sudden approach to break the ice.

"I…could come and visits sometimes…right?" He asked without turning his gaze from the window.

"Yeah…you could come anytime that you want and as long as you want to…" Nanjiroh replied with a big smile.

"Really?"

"Yes…"

"Okay…" Ryoga replied.

It had been a month since Ryoga moved out of Echizen's house in America. He heard the news from his aunt that Haru's condition had stabilised and that she was doing just fine in California. Sometimes he would talk to her, at first all he could hear was Haruka's sobbing and sniffing rather than listening to her speaking to him. For him, to be able to keep in touch with his family in that way was enough to satisfy him. But thing is not as nice as it seems to be.

"Jeez, for how long should I take care of this child?!" Ryoga heard his aunt talking with her husband late at night.

"Calm down, honey. You don't want to wake Ryoga up don't you?" Said the husband.

" If it wasn't for my late sister's will…"

"Honey….."

"Ugh….she should just gave me the inheritance without any rules….saying that I will only get the money if I took care of Ryoga until he is 18 years old…Jeez, does she think it is easy to take care of a child. Why did she ever gave birth of that child in the first place?" She kept on grumbling non-stop.

Ryoga was shocked to hear them talking about his late mother that way. He was mad and sad at the same time. His emotions and feelings were jumbled up and he could not think straight. All he knows is that, he wanted to leave this place. He wanted to return home, to where his family is, to where everyone would smile for him, to where he could be happy.

A call from Japan had shocked the Echizen's household. Nanjiroh was informed by Ryoga's aunt that Ryoga had run away from home. As Rinko heard it, she could only cry and worry for Ryoga. Ryoga's aunt told Nanjiroh that they desperately are searching for him and asked him to inform them if Ryoga ever contact them. Nanjiroh was mad at himself for not fighting to take the custody of Ryoga.

A week had passed by, they didn't had any information of Ryoga's where about and that had worried both Rinko and Nanjiroh. Sometimes, Rinko would be waiting outside of the house if Ryoga ever came by. Whenever the phone rang, both of them would be anxious about the caller, thinking that it might be Ryoga calling for help. Suddenly the phone rang, quickly Nanjiroh answer the phone without any delay.

"He-Hello? O-Oyaji?" The familiar voice started to make Nanjiroh became weak.

"Ryo-Ryoga? Is that really you, Ryoga?"

"Oyaji…yeah, it's me…" He could swear that he could somehow heard Ryoga chuckled.

"Ryoga, where are you? Everyone is worried about you." Nanjiroh said almost screaming.

"I'm fine, Oyaji. I'm just living alone for now…don't worry…" Ryoga tried to calm the anxious Nanjiroh.

"How did you get by? Are you eating fine? Are you living well?" Question shooting from Nanjiroh's mouth one by one. When suddenly Rinko tugged Nanjiroh's yukata.

"Don't worry about me…I actually made a deal with the lawyer…he knows everything that he is the one who managed all my daily expenses and the place I'm staying right now.." Ryoga answered.

"Your mother wanted to talk with you…is it okay?" Said Nanjiroh.

"Yeah…"

"Hello? Ryoga? Are you there?" Said Rinko, who was almost sound as if she was panicking.

"Hello, okasan…I'm here.." His voice trembled.

"Ryo…Ryoga…thank goodness….thank goodness…"

"Okaasan…I'm living just fine right now…please don't worry too much…" Ryoga tries to ensured Rinko who was worried about him.

"What about your meal? Are you eating alright? Did you wear thick clothes? It's cold nowdays…Is the place you are staying safe? Is everything alright with the place?" Rinko started to shoots question at Ryoga non-stop.

"I'm fine…I'm taking balanced meal everyday…the place is nice and I'm wearing enough clothes, Okaasan…Don't worry too much."

"Well….if-if you says so…."

The conversation between them last for almost an hour. Until Rinko is satisfied with everything, Ryoga answered every question that was asked by her diligently. Nanjiroh could only be there, holding Rinko who was trembling all the time as tears were glistering on her face when she could finally heard Ryoga's voice after such a long time.

"He…H-He will be just fine right?" Asked Rinko.

"Don't worry…he will be just fine, since he is my son that is." Said Nanjiroh.

"Umm…"

"He even promised to keep in touch with us remember? He might even came by on one of the days….so, Rinko…don't worry too much…" Said Nanjiroh, it sounded quite confident but even he, himself are worried about Ryoga.

"Yeah, you are right…"

To be continued...

Next Chapter : Love Sparks?!