This I Promise You

A fan fiction by Aoi Kitsukawa

Disclaimer: Joker Game belongs to Yanagi Kouji and its related committees; I only borrow the characters in the manga/ anime (or related sources).

Author's Note: After first chapter and my worst nightmare begin: THE WRITER'S BLOCK COME AGAIN! Not to mention just having Eidil Adha Celebration and helping the HQ organizing program (the whole org needs to come for help), so busy!

If anyone notices, I did send this story into two site; FFN and AO3. My AO3 and FFN version is different; FFN will mostly have words while AO3 will have picture links as well at the end of the notes. FFN not allow any links to be post, so any of you FFN readers can go to my AO3 story to see the links. However, sorry for the colouring though, I am not that good… X)

Summary: During one night of heavy rain, Miyoshi went all the way deep into a green forest alone, single and pregnant. Wandering without any aim, the youngster was at the edge of collapsing when he met again with the person who made a promise with him, long time ago…

Chapter 02: Sakuma's Thought

Never underestimate the pain of a person because the truth is everyone is struggling.

It's just some people hide it better than others.

-Somewhere in Fudomae General Hospital, Fudomae Ward, Tokyo, Japan; Human World -

Sakuma sat next to the bed where the unconscious Miyoshi was lay. He closed his eyes, in deep thinking before open and saw Miyoshi, lying on the bed looking so weak and pale. Two bags of water were attached on the stand with an IV inserted into Miyoshi's left hand. His face was pale with some red complexion still visible on his skin, yet the expression was no longer in pain.

After Miyoshi's sudden break down when Sakuma found him near the Dark World's forest, the said man had fainted causing Sakuma and his companion sent him to the hospital in the Human World. Taking Miyoshi's luggage as well, both of them waited for the doctor is before the companion had to leave due to personal matters. After waiting for how long times, Sakuma did not know, he finally managed to see Miyoshi who was placed in private VVIP room at Fudomae General Hospital. He was wondering why Miyoshi was put into a private room (and VVIP of all rooms!). Until one of the staffs, which actually his companion as well, told him the news:

Miyoshi was pregnant.

Sakuma felt his breathe stopped for seconds.

Knowing that Sakuma was from the Dark World, the doctor –named Yuge Tohru or commonly known among their circle as 'Alex', had decide to take care of Miyoshi. It was during the treatment that Alex found out that Miyoshi is expecting, a condition where only people from the Dark World would possess. Therefore, Alex decided that Miyoshi will be put under 'special case' and only he and selected people were allowed to treat Miyoshi.

He noted that Miyoshi was breathing less roughly and unevenly unlike when he passed out after his breakdown, yet his face was still red. Sakuma was sure that Miyoshi had caught a fever despite already receiving treatment. Although he could see the red, swollen left cheek that he believed, he knew who gave Miyoshi such injury.

It was not that strange if it was Miyoshi's father –Maki-san –who gave him that horrible swollen; it was known among their circle –known as D-Class during middle school –that Miyoshi's father can be abusive if he was in bad mood. However, he mostly ignored the said teen and his mother but rarely hit them, unless if Miyoshi did something that triggered his anger.

Something big must be happened that enough to trigger Maki-san's anger towards his son.

Sakuma sighed; no wonder the instinct he felt the day he met Miyoshi was right. That day, despite it was raining since morning plus his day off as well, he felt that he needed to go out and returned to the Dark World, his original world. He left the said place right after he finished his middle school and came to the Human World along with his childhood friend Odagiri Hiroyuki and his classmate Hatano Ryousuke. The said man was working that day, instead, and Hatano was hanging out with his friends. Sakuma just let Hatano went out for a while since it was spring break and nothing was wrong for him to do for his own enjoyable.

Except for Sakuma Yuuji, who was gifted with strong intuition –his sixth sense that he recognized when he was 8 years old, even before his parents passed away.

When his feelings were getting stronger, he contacted one of his superiors in the newly established Hunter Division –Ajuro Tatsuya, and told him about what he felt. Sakuma never felt awkward when it comes with Tatsuya, since the said youth was a calm and gentle person, despite rarely talking unlike his two brothers who were also the superiors (and Tatsuya was barely 17 years old as well). Tatsuya just said that they just go there together, and after some times finally reached the forest that served as the border between Dark World and the Human World…

…And found the source of his feelings.

It was Miyoshi.

Soaking from head to toe, alone…and crying.

It was enough to surprise the young adult, as Sakuma remembered very well what kind of person Miyoshi was. Miyoshi was a condescending narcissist with a sarcastic attitude, with his body language is often conspicuous, and he constantly looks down on his peers including Sakuma (unfortunately). He was sly and cunning, but possessed a rare beauty for a young man like him, combine with his highly intellectual. He usually loves to annoy Sakuma, sometimes Odagiri since both of them were straight-forward men, but he loves to tease Sakuma the most. His teasing constantly irritated Sakuma and it was not helpful when their homeroom teacher Yuuki-san just smirked or pretends to ignore Miyoshi's attitude, much to Sakuma's chagrin.

Despite that, Sakuma knew Miyoshi kept a very dark secret from everyone that he knew Miyoshi would dare to kill someone who tried to mention it openly.

His annoying attitude was his sign of rebellion towards his father's family who never treated him and Nao-san fairly, just because Nao-san was an 'Omega' and the second wife of the family. Moreover, his father simply ignores him even if the family beat him for just small mistake, but Sakuma was grateful that he rarely hit Miyoshi unless something that angered him happen. Even that was not good enough to find out; when the aftermath was, Miyoshi came to school with swollen cheek or bruises. Added with the constant discrimination he faced because of his mother's status, it usually fueled Miyoshi's determination to be better than any groups or people especially those who were looking down on him. That was why Miyoshi hated to be an Omega due to the discrimination people face. For Sakuma, he never saw someone was strong as Miyoshi, who determined to change his life for better no matter what people say to him; something he really respected on Miyoshi.

He did not know what happened to Miyoshi and others after he left the Dark World due to certain incidents that forced him to leave his motherland, along with his childhood friend Odagiri Hiroyuki and fellow classmate Hatano Ryousuke to the Human World.

When Sakuma was 14, he was presented as an 'Alpha', followed by Amari and Fukumoto who was the same age as him. The others did not present during their middle school time or so what he heard after he left the Dark World after finishing middle school. Odagiri, who was born in February but in the same school year as him, presented as a 'Beta' when they were freshmen of Fudo High School. Hatano, who was 14 when he followed Sakuma and Odagiri to the Human World, presented as an 'Omega' when he was 17. Hatano was lucky that he presented when he was in the Human World therefore whenever he undergoes a 'Heat' he can camouflaged it as 'sick leaves'. They did not know what had happen to their other friends –Kaminaga, Jitsui, Fukumoto, Amari, Miyoshi and Tazaki until last spring, when Sakuma's instinct went skyrocket so sudden that it disturbing him so much he had to return to his homeland in hurry…

…And brought a very depress and vulnerable Tazaki back to Human World, much to Odagiri and Hatano's shock.

Then they realized Tazaki had presented as an 'Omega'.

From Tazaki's source, they found out that except Kaminaga and Tazaki, everyone was scattered to different high school. Fukumoto went to a school specialized in cooking and cuisine, Amari went to one of boarding schools to be a teacher, Jitsui went to a military school (much to everyone's shock) and Miyoshi went into one of the outstanding academies with his close friend and neighbor Johan Bauer. Tazaki said that Kaminaga presented as 'Beta' and the said person complained about it, while Jitsui was an 'Alpha', (Sakuma and Odagiri shuddered as they remember how 'scary' Jitsui was). Miyoshi still not presented by the time Tazaki told them their friends' status. It made Sakuma felt worry about the lad, although he already left his homeland, the brown-eyes boy always been in his mind.

Sakuma glanced at Miyoshi, face still pale with swollen left cheek. He was worried if something bad happened to Miyoshi, with mix feelings that made him relief but it also sends him into conflict.

Was it more intimate?

Alternatively, was it just a feeling for a friend?

However, he knew it was more than that…

A knock on the door jolted Sakuma from his taught as he turned around and saw a woman in late 20s, long black hair and eyes with half-frame glasses stood at the door. He recognized the woman as the doctor in charge on Miyoshi, Isuzu "Hanamura" Aoi.

"Did I disturb you?" She asked. Sakuma just shook his head.

"How's his condition Aoi-sensei?"

Aoi picked up the clipboard at the end of the bed and flipped through the papers attached on it. She read as fast as she could before looking back at Sakuma, "It's been three days and he's still unconscious. It's the side effects of hypothermia since he was under the rain when you find him, but I detect signs of him being under stress as well."

Sakuma sighed as he slowly grabbed Miyoshi's hand, "Is it because of the pregnancy?"

"…You seem worry…" Said Aoi after long pause.

Sakuma did not answer.

"Might be, but mostly due to emotions and stress from outside; means he must be under pressure from someone or family. The baby inside him is still unstable but I found no sign of harm from the child, so the factor might be outside," Explained Aoi. She leaned down that enough to close her space with Sakuma is, earning a shock from him.

"You know something, don't you?"

"…"

"In case you're forgetting something, I'm also the Guardian," She said as she rose from her current position. "As a Mizutsukai (1), I can use my ability just like any Nature keepers."

"I also have the psychic ability as well."

Slowly raised his head, Aoi could see the worry and concern expression on Sakuma's face. Immediately she knew how much mean Miyoshi was to Sakuma. Aoi sighed as she pushed her glasses; everything is very complicate now.

"Did something happen?" Asked Sakuma, carefully. He was aware of where this conversation was going.

Something was not right.

"The 'Leader' won't be happy to know what had happen to this young man," She said as she took a chair and sat next to Sakuma. She could feel that Sakuma was tense upon the words 'Leader' being mentioned.

"What do you want?" Asked Sakuma, half whispered. "If you want to use Miyoshi as an experiment subject, I won't allow it!"

"As if I want to do such things, silly Sakuma-kun. You know how much wrath those scientists from the Magic World had to face from Leader when she found out that your friend Tazaki had been used as a 'Patient X' (2) in their experiments. Despite their intention was to know the people from the Dark World better, they didn't ask permission from her," Said the doctor as she glanced at the unconscious Miyoshi. "So I've inform her about Miyoshi, and she asked me to tell you that she left him in your care, like the others."

Sakuma smiled a little; of course, it would turn out like this.

Sakuma should know that the Leader would definitely place Miyoshi under his care, since him also from the Dark World. The world where she and the other Chosen Guardians had fought with their flesh and blood, putting their lives on the front line and countless times almost died because of the battle that finally released them from the iron claws of Kurokaze, the evil regime that destroyed the last ruler more than 1,400 years ago. It was hard to believe that the group of Chosen Guardians was only between 13-17 years old, and the leader was the same person who led 10,000 people in the Battle of Sakura Yuuki two years ago of Human World Timeline (3).

It was the worst fight he ever had, that he accidentally dragged Odagiri into that battle that resulted with him having the same trauma as he had.

Sakuma knew why Leader wanted him to take care of Miyoshi.

The Dark World was a closed world during the rule of Kurokaze, and mostly its people weren't able to escape themselves from the said regime. Therefore, the recent records and information regarding Dark World and its people were unknown. Having even just one person from the said world to participate in Magic World's researches about the said world and people is enough to cause excitement and focus from the researchers as well as the scholars. Even though they knew some of them had escaped to the Human World (and some to Magic World), most of their descendants did not know what had happened to their original homeland after their ancestors left the said world. Therefore, the curiosity and concern about the said world had let many scientists and scholars to conduct experiments and researches for the sake of protecting the history and information.

However, some of them indeed used some exaggerate methods that sometimes can caused the people who were involved in the experiments or researches suffered from fear and trauma of being force by these zealous people, and some even were kidnapped or taken illegally before being used as patient X. Some even tried to catch and sell the people in the auction or through black market by saying they were like some sort of exotic creature worth as a pet or slave.

Tazaki was one of them.

Tazaki went to the Human World (by Sakuma) last spring much latter than Hatano who followed him two weeks after he left with Odagiri four years ago, and when Sakuma brought him back, he was already in weak state, suffering from depression, stress and emotionally unstable. Being the only Alpha in the group Sakuma realized that Tazaki had presented as the 'selected Omega' based from the scent he managed to sense from Tazaki. At the same time, there were dark rumors about some people or organization that responsible for kidnapping and selling people from Dark World to zealot researchers or rich people as an exotic creature. The priceless and expensive would be the 'Omega', thus causing Tazaki exposed to the danger of the said people. These had made Sakuma and others on guards and made sure Tazaki was not disappeared from their sight so suddenly.

Sakuma and others' nightmare happened when Tazaki suddenly went missing after he took a leisure walk not far from their home, a week after Sakuma brought him home. He went out and never returns after one hour as his promise, and when Hatano, Odagiri and Sakuma went searching for him, they only found his left shoe and signs of struggles before he disappeared. Police report was made and with the helps he received from the people of 'Special Kind', they managed to find Tazaki a day after he went missing. Even that was almost too late for them, as when one of the doors at the warehouse was forced open by Hatano, they saw the most sickening scene in front of them.

Tazaki almost got violated by one of the researchers who wanted to know how exactly the reproductive system of an Omega work, and tried to force himself on Tazaki. Tazaki suffered from hits and slaps made by the said researcher, on top of that almost being sexually violated, and had caused him into terrible trauma that he went hysterical during the rescue. Odagiri managed to knock him out by pinching his back neck, and he went limp after that. What the others had found was not good either; aside from Tazaki, apparently, almost 25 people were kidnapped, male or female, and the researchers already violated some of the Omegas. When they managed to catch the mastermind and his men, they were surprised it was one of their old teachers during middle school. The said incident had caused Tazaki unable to trust people other than his friend, suffering from nightmares, unable to sleep in the dark or alone and even refused to go out from the house for almost one month and half.

That was probably the reason why the Leader asked Aoi to tell Sakuma to take care of Miyoshi as well, for fear he might got involve in the same incident as Tazaki. After the incident at the warehouse, orders from the Sun Queen of Magic World –Kirishima Leona –and the Lunar King of Dark World –Shinguji Muramasa –were released and made to protect the people of the Dark World from human trafficking and cruel experiments, and the Guardians who's on duties or not, need to take action against these people. Thus the Guardian with nicknamed 'Leader' had entrusted Sakuma to take care of Tazaki, as well as Hatano and Odagiri. Because later that summer after the said incident, Hatano presented as 'Omega'.

Aside from being the same person from the same world, she also knew Sakuma had been in the Human World longer than his other friends who lived together with him. Therefore, she knew she could rely on him to take care of his friends whom suddenly go to the Human World. Besides, Sakuma himself was a unique person compared to the ordinary Dark World citizens, because his father was an 'Alpha' from a noble family…

And his mother was a Guardian from Human World.

That was one of the factors that caused him to leave his homeland despite being an 'Alpha'.

"She also knows that you're hiding something from us," Sakuma looked up at Aoi, as he tightened his grips on Miyoshi's hand. "That's why…"

"She wants you to be the one to explain everything to Miyoshi-kun, and tells him whatever secrets you have in your heart."

Sakuma jolted as he looked at the doctor in front of him. He was shock to know that Leader had known already, what kind of secrets he had. Yet, she decided to leave everything to Sakuma despite her could be the one to reveal everything about the Human World, the lives…as well as his secrets…

"Do the others know about Miyoshi-kun?" Asked Aoi after a long pause.

"Ah…I did…"

"They won't come here to visit?"

"Odagiri is working, he can't come early to visit so he might be here in evening, Hatano's hanging around with his friends since he already made promise and Tazaki…"

"…Is caring, right…?" Sakuma nodded his head, and Aoi did not say anymore.

Sighed slowly, Aoi walked away from Sakuma but not before saying to him, "Oh, before I forgot, she said that you have to inform Iorry-kun and our Arbitrators about Miyoshi so that he will be on list of those who went here from the Dark World. Miyoshi-kun will get some government assistance after that."

"Government assistance?" Asked Sakuma before he widened his eyes. "Oh…"

"Yes, the money given from the rulers of Magic World as financial supports to those citizens of Dark World who came to the Human World or Magic World, but usually for those who came here. Given by his current condition and family background, Miyoshi-kun should get the highest grant possible like Tazaki-kun."

"Do you think I should apply as his Guardian as well? Since Miyoshi is a minor (4)…"

"Oh, good thing you mention about this. I'll ask Vina about this matter, but if you want me to assist you in Miyoshi's matters I can help you with that," Said Aoi as she looked at the said youth. "Besides, it's better if we inform Yuuki-san about Miyoshi too…"

Sakuma made a small grin as he remembered his former homeroom teacher of middle school. During that time, Sakuma was chosen into the D-Class, which is a special class under the supervision of Principal Yuuki who was also the founder of the said class. It was a class where special curriculum was introduced into the learning and no restriction on age for its students. However, the qualification of the class was very extraordinary and so far, only nine students –including Sakuma –were able to attend the said school. The class however, was dissolve when the last batch of students –Miyoshi, Tazaki, Jitsui and Kaminaga –graduated from school and Principal Yuuki resign from his position and moved to Human World. Despite him leaving for Human World much later than Sakuma, it surprising the latter when he met him as one of the high-ups in Hunter Division. The said organization was newly introduced to Japan last November, and Sakuma worked as one of its members alongside with Keishichou in crime investigation.

"Take your time with him, as much as you need Sakuma-kun. Right now, Miyoshi-kun needs you more than anyone else," Said the doctor. "I'll go and ask the things we need to consider for you so don't worry about it."

"Yes, thank you Hanamura-sensei," Said Sakuma gratefully. Aoi just smiled before she closed the door, leaving behind the two people inside the room.

Closing the door of the room, Aoi sighed before she took a glance at her side, and said, "Are you satisfy now?"

"Mizuno Izumi?"

A young teenager, no more than 17, was standing not far from where Aoi was standing. Short black hair with long bangs cut in the middle, but right eye was covered with bandaged had left only her left black eye that shone with mystery. Wearing blue coat and yellow scarf around the neck, the said teenager looked up and smiled.

"Yes, I'm a bit relief now. At least Sakuma-san managed to find him before it's been too late," Upon saying those words, it was revealed that the teenager is a young girl. Her appearance however, almost likes a boy that people could easily mistake her as one.

"Do you know what exactly happen between them?" Asked Aoi as she walked along with Izumi.

"I'm not sure about that, but I think whatever happened between them might be something serious," She said. "Besides, wasn't it last month when he went back to the Dark World to search for the suspects in the borderline incident with Tatsuya? I heard from Tatsuya that he met with his former classmate at bar."

"At all places, why there!?"

"Beats me, but Tatsuya said that his former classmate was horribly drunk, so he told Sakuma-san to deal with him and he left search for the suspect," She put a finger on her chin as if she was in deep thinking. "Come to think about it…the current problems we had to face might be related with the citizens of the Dark World…"

"The human trafficking issues? I thought it's already been deal…!"

"Unless the murder cases that the Hunter Division is facing currently weren't related at all!" Said Izumi as she turned to face Aoi. "Aoi, do you think an illegal broker would kill any of pregnant women so easily despite knowing they can make money from both the mother and child?"

Aoi widened her eyes as she realized what exactly the meaning of Izumi's words.

"I don't think this is just a random case, something bad is going on and we should take precautions against it! This could be dangerous!"

Nodding her head, Aoi quickly walked down the pathway along with Izumi…

Knowing that something dangerous was lingering in the dark, waiting for its perfect timing to raise above.

Sakuma closed his eyes as he held tightly the cold hand that belongs to Miyoshi, before slowly brought to his lips and kissed it. He stroked the cold hand with hope it will get warm, perhaps managed to wake him up as well. Sakuma chuckled a little, realizing what kind of hopeless dream he had.

A strand of hair fell on Miyoshi's forehead and was poking his eyelid. Gingerly, Sakuma reached out and carefully placed it back behind his ear. He then caressed the swollen cheek, placing his hand a bit longer. Miyoshi's faint breathing was barely hear, yet it was the sign that he is still alive…

And made Sakuma look up with determination burning in his eyes.

…

..

.

A decision has been made.

End of Chapter 02

Hints or Explanations:

(1) Mizutsukai –Master of Water, a person who can control water through psychic ability. It is said the power is almost or equally as strong as Nature-keeper. (X/1999 series and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle fans should be familiar with this term).

Isuzu "Hanamura" Aoi, the doctor-in-charge of Miyoshi was a Guardian with the ability of Mizutsukai.

(2) Patient X –An anonymous participant in scientific experiment and usually the details of the participant was not revealed at all. Tazaki was mentioned being a 'patient X' in unknown experiments done by scientists from Magic World and as the consequences, facing a very horrible wrath from the 'Leader'.

(3) Human World TimeLine –What does Sakuma mean here is that the timeline between the Magic World, Human World and Dark World (as well as other dimensions) is different with each other. Mostly the Human World would be catching up with the Magic World's timeline if the Guardians want to go there and vice versa. However, usually the Magic World would try to match their time with the Human World since most of the Guardians are coming from the said world.

Dark World had different timeline because of the invasion made by Kurokaze, the former regime that ruled the world. It's timeline was faster than the Human World, and somehow if someone went to other world they had to cast a spell where their time would flow consistently with the Dark World (or vice versa). One day in the Human World equals to three days in Dark World, sometimes can be as long as three months.

(4) Since Miyoshi is a minor – In Japan, children are considered as minors and can't marry without parental or guardians consent until they turn 20. Miyoshi was still considering as minor (age 19) despite he has already graduated high school.

I'm having writer's block regarding this chapter because I couldn't find suitable continuation after Miyoshi's break down in last chapter. But I won't make it just for romance only, there will be something dark happened that already raising the awareness of Sakuma and made him worry more about Miyoshi. And before I forgot, the Hunter Division is indeed the same from my first story –Dark Soul Hunter but with different background. There will be characters from DSH appear in this story but with very different storyline and background for them than the former story.

I tried to post the picture for this chapter's preview, but it seems like it's only available on mobile version. Is there anyone that knows how to upload a picture in this site? Regarding the said pictures links, I decided to put them here:

marrylissa. tumblr image/ 150575637727(Miyoshi and Sakuma's meeting) and marrylissa. tumblr image/150576219582 (Chapter 02 preview). FFN wouldn't allow me to post the links so I hope my dear readers could forgive me for posting the real link in AO3.

I'm sorry for the sudden revelations. Thank you for those who read this story, I really appreciate it.

–Aoi Kitsukawa.