Mata POT Ryosaku!! Yoroshiku ne!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own no nothing, really!
Chapter 10
The three Ryuuzakis sat down in the living room for the card reading. Mayu asked Sakuno to shuffle the cards in a particular way before she dealt them out in a formation.
"Let's see now, Sakuno-chan will Change within this year, when there is a full moon. That would narrow down the possibilities considerably," Mayu read the cards in a soft voice, and then turned to study the wall calendar. "Earliest it would be is this Sunday, followed by 2 other days at one-month intervals."
Oh no!! Sunday was only 2 days away!
"Mayu ba-chan! Can you tell me what to expect during this Change? It sounds scary," Sakuno held a clenched fist over her lips.
"It will just be the Premonition Dream that you have had a few times already, so don't worry. After this your gift will be released into your control, and all we need to do is teach you to command it." Mayu said carelessly, as though such a thing was a daily occurrence. "What's more important comes after." And here, she smiled secretively, her eyes twinkling in amusement.
"This Sunday hmm, we better start packing then. Sakuno, go pack a week's worth of fresh clothes. Mayu, I trust you have suitable accommodation for Sakuno at your place? If not I can ask a friend of mine for a room, she stays near your home in Osaka." Sumire was once more mapping out the actions to be taken.
A-re! Pack fresh clothes? Accommodation in Osaka?
"Obaa-chan, am I supposed to leave our home? Why?" Sakuno anxiously questioned her grandmother.
"Ah. You have to study the craft, and learn from Mayu. We can't disrupt her life for an unknown period of time by keeping her here. And I am sure she has books and equipment at her home that you will find useful as you learn. I hope to see that you have settled nicely into your new status when you come back."
"But-but, how long will I be away from you, away from school ……," and away from Ryoma-kun!?
"That will depend on how fast you learn. I will settle your absence with the school, you will just have to repeat this academic year if needs be. Right now, it's more important to concentrate on the craft. Finding out about yourself, and your new powers, is more important, Sakuno. It will affect you for the rest of your life," Her grandmother replied gently.
"Obaa-chan, please can we decide on a fixed time? I don't want to leave you, not knowing when I can come back," Tears were spilling from Sakuno's eyes.
Mayu sighed, "Oba-sama, let's give her two months as a tangible deadline. I believe I can teach her the basics by then. The rest of it, she can work out on her own. No two witches are exactly the same anyway, Sakuno has to find her own path."
"Sakuno-chan," Mayu looked at the weeping girl," there are many things I need to share with you, to help you understand the magic, but as soon as you can demonstrate that you understand, you are free to strike out on your own."
Ryuuzaki Sumire had already decided to put Sakuno's magic training in Mayu's capable hands, hence she was agreeable to Mayu's suggestion.
Sakuno cast grateful eyes upon her aunt. Her indefinite exile from school had been shortened to eight weeks, maybe less! She resolved to work very, very hard, so she could come back to Tokyo as soon as possible.
That night, when the house was quiet, Sakuno lay awake in bed, her mind filled with many confusing thoughts. The only certainty she could hold on to was that she would do her best to learn the way of magic, and come back to Tokyo, to her friends and to a certain tennis prodigy.
She finally fell asleep way after midnight, and again found herself alone in the darkness.
It was scarier, now that she knew more about the meaning behind this darkness. However, this time, she woke up to the concerned faces of her grandmother and her aunt, and she even spotted a long black tail nearby. So it turned out quite alright, in spite of her finding herself soaked in warm water while still in her pyjamas.
Saturday past in a flurry of action; Sumire had a long task list for Sakuno to complete, and Sakuno had to finish it all before night fell, in case she had to leave with Mayu after this weekend.
Saturday night, she went to bed apprehensively, but she did not dream when she finally fell asleep.
Sunday morning came, and Sakuno was a bag of nerves. Her grandmother stayed by her side, while Mayu told them stories about Kurokuro's exploits. It seemed that black cat had no qualms "influencing" people to feed him snacks, even though Mayu kept him well fed twice a day. Mayu was waiting for the day when some clever soul would sneak laxatives into Kurokuro's snacks, or when Kurokuro grew too fat to move, whichever came first.
They then decided to go shopping to while away the afternoon, and abandoned Kurokuro for the stores. Mayu happily snagged two new straw hats for herself at a good discount and spent a long time picking and trying out dresses. She had Sakuno try several different outfits, claiming it was absolutely natural for girls to love clothes. All that activity took Sakuno's mind off what might take place that night, and time passed quickly once she relaxed and started to enjoy herself.
It was late evening when they got home, having settled the evening meal at a ramen place as well. Mayu went to put away her shopping, while Sumire ran a bath for herself. Sakuno stayed in the living room and watched some TV, with Kurokuro for company.
She was rather tired from the shopping spree, and since no one was watching, she decided to stretch herself out on the sofa while watching the evening news. She was so comfortable in that position that she gradually slipped into a light slumber, lulled by the soothing voice of the newscaster… …
Mayu came running into the living room when she heard Kurokuro scream for her in a high-pitched meow. She found Sakuno on the sofa, looking very pale and it didn't look as though she was breathing. Mayu quickly touched her hand to her niece's face and confirmed that Sakuno was already lost in her Premonition Dream.
This may or may not be Sakuno's time to Change, Mayu could only wait to find out. Meanwhile, she really should try to keep her niece's body warm ……