A/N: Aww, look! Kira Seijirou isn't an antagonist anymore! He's a good dad here! Also, remember when I said this isn't gonna be romance-centered? Well, scratch that! I'm enjoying writing romance atm (I just hope I wrote it successfully)! Lastly, I'll be using Kiyama Tatsuya as his name instead of Hiroto.
= Fairytale Soccer Stories =
Chapter II
Adapted from: Bearskin from the Grimm's Tales
Summary:
Kiyama Tatsuya, one of the most formidable soccer player of his Kingdom, was forced to retire in the name of peace. As he seek for a new reason to live, he stumbled upon a demon named Garshield Bayhan and was tricked to have made a deal with him. Even with his now hideous form, he helped people in need anyway he could. So when fate led him to meet a broke Kira Seijirou with his three adopted children, he did not hesitate to lend a hand.
Pairings: Kiyama Hiroto/Tatsuya X Midorikawa Ryuuji
Other Characters: Garshield Bayhan, Kira Seijirou, Suzuno Fuusuke/Gazelle, Nagumo Haruya/Burn, Kira Hiroto (mentioned)
= Chapter II: Bearskin =
Once upon a time, wars broke out between Kingdoms and blood were lost — both innocent and vile.
In hopes of preserving life, all the kings of the land made a decision of letting sports that they have all agreed on playing to be used to conquer lands. They have chosen that of which showed strength, technique, teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship the most. The sports now known as soccer.
In those times of darkness, all Kingdoms honed their own soccer players in turn of their family's security and called them soldiers. Some said no army had training regimens that were similar to the other and each person was inclined to succeed. Yet one shone the brightest among all: the courageous, kind, and talented Kiyama Tatsuya.
Kiyama fought bravely amongst the other teams and would turn out victorious despite the hardships that came his way. In the end, their Kingdom conquered all the lands and their King proclaimed peace, and then soccer to be a simple sports to be played by everyone who wished to do so.
One fateful day, Kiyama Tatsuya was called by his King.
"You have been of great service to this Kingdom, Kiyama," King Kudou, sitting confidently on his throne, said with stern in his voice. "Starting this day, you are now relieved of duty. Take this gold as payment for your bravery and live your life as you wish," he said in kind contrast of his facial features to the man with his head bowed and only one knee touching the ground and the other cradling his own arm.
"Yes, my King," Kiyama, wearing a white casual long-sleeved clothing under a dark blue slightly ragged coat and comfortable white pants that was accentuated with a black cloth around his hip, answered as he kneeled. He took his reward and left.
With no remaining family left, he made a decision to venture away the Kingdom and help anyone in need. Yet his generous nature was to be his downfall for the gold that he only had was all now given away to the poor and to the ill. The only thing left to him were the clothes he wore and a worn out soccer ball that he brought in his journey.
Without a gold to rent him a place to stay, he went to the forest that ensured better accommodation than the streets. Once he was there, he laid down where trees surrounded him and talked to himself like a madman.
"I have no money and thanks to the war, I have learned nothing but play soccer," he looked at the monochrome ball he had on his person. "Guess I'm gonna starve to death now with no one but a soccer ball to miss me. Well, I've had a good run. I helped people, I served my Kingdom well, and I was even acknowledged by the King himself. No complaints here."
Before he close his eyes he heard rustling from the leaves and stood up to observe what was to show up.
There emerged a tall slim man with a red coat. His face was covered in purple hair while there was glass on one of his eyes. "I know already what you are in need of," he said in a dangerously low tone.
"You do?" The soldier asked completely baffled.
"Gold and possessions shall you have, as much as—"
"Whoa whoa whoa, buddy," Kiyama interrupted the man. "I'm going to stop you there. I just got over the whole gold thing. That's pretty much the reason I'm here now."
Yet the man paid him no mind and continued to speak, "Gold and possessions shall you have, as much as you can make away with do what you will, but first I must know if you are fearless, that I may not bestow my money in vain."
Upon hearing the word fearless, the soldier perked up. He might not wanted gold but he was a man of challenge. "Okay, I'm listening," he bid the red coated man to continue.
"Look behind you," the soccer player turned around and saw a large bear. "As proof of your bravery, you must kill the beast first."
"I may not be my teammate Fubuki yet I am able to kill a bear myself," he said with a smile.
He took the soccer ball and shot the bear with it, "Tenkuu Otoshi!!" He screamed as the place he kicked transformed into a dashing part of the universe. The bear fell and Kiyama was victorious with one lone strike.
"I see that you are not wanting in courage, but there is still another condition which you will have to fulfill," said Redcoat.
"I'm good with it as long as you're not going to ask me to kill a person," said Kiyama quite intrigued.
"I promise you that I will not," the red coated man said with a villainous grin.
"Although that smile is making my instincts scream with suspicion, I wish you to carry on," the soldier said, bobbing his head unmindfully to the sides as he did.
"You shall for the next seven years neither wash yourself, nor comb your beard, nor your hair, nor cut your nails, nor say one prayer. I will give you a coat and a cloak, which during this time you must wear. If you die during these seven years, you are mine; if you remained alive, you are free, and rich to boot, for all the rest of your life," said the man.
"I did not expect that," Kiyama said a bit surprised. "But you're on. Deal," he added with confidence. Truly, the task was not going to bring any harm to anyone and he didn't have anything much to do anyways. And so, challenge accepted.
The man then removed his red coat and showed his true form: a Demon with red tail and horns.
"That I did expect," Kiyama said plainly, not at all baffled.
"Good. Less explanation, the better. My name is Garshield Bayhan," he said as he hand Kiyama the coat. "If you have this coat on your back and put your hand into the pocket, you will always find it full of gold," he then pulled off the skin of the dead bear. "This shall be your cloak, and your bed also, for thereon shall you sleep, and in no other bed shall you lie, and because of this apparel shall you be called Bearskin," and before Kiyama could even say anything, the Demon vanished.
"Okay. First of all, rude. And secondly, there is gold here," he said pleased as he slid his hand in the pocket of the coat that he just wore.
From thereon, Kiyama put on the bearskin after the coat and went forth into the world. He enjoyed himself anyway he could and refrained from anything that caused his money harm. The first year was passable yet the second one made him look like a monster. His red hair covered his whole face and his nail grew as claws. There was so much dirt in his face that he was hardly recognizable. Most people he met would run away from him out of fear of being eaten. Yet even with that, he did his best to help the poor and gave out gold only to those deserving.
The fourth year came and he went to an inn. The owner almost did not give him a place to accommodate himself but then he gave them gold. The persuasion worked and he was given a place to stay on a little hut outside with the promise of him not going out of it for he might scare the other customers.
When Bearskin was sitting alone in the evening and wishing as much for the seven years to be over, an old man came knocking at his hut. Bearskin's good nature led him to let the old man in. The moment the door opened, the old man screamed and almost ran away.
"Wait!" Bearskin called after the old man who seemed to have ears with long earlobes that it reached his chin.
"Y—You're human?!" The short tan-skinned old man said incredulously.
"Yeah. It's a long story," Bearskin said sheepishly as he led the old man inside his home.
The man then introduced himself as Kira Seijirou, a former king of a faraway kingdom. He told the tale of how he was in the brink of insanity when his wife died and wanted to marry his own daughter who looked as beautiful as her. When his daughter disappeared, that's when he realized his mistake and chose to change himself. He found another wife and marry and had a son. Yet the woman turned out treacherous and she planned to banished the King and put their son to the throne. The plan was successful without anyone and even their son, Kira Hiroto, knowing the truth.
As he was forbidden to go back to his kingdom, he went to venture and found lost children in the streets. He found a way to earn gold and raised three children as his own. Yet the heavens might have truly wanted him to suffer for his source of income was torn down, leaving him and his now three children almost starving.
After hearing Kira's tale, Bearskin gave him tremendous amount of gold. The old man thanked him with all his heart yet thought it was not enough.
"Come with me and choose one of my children to wed. These children are miracles of beauty and shall be delighted to live with you for you have helped us in our time of need," Kira said bowing his head.
"Then, let's go!" Kiyama said merrily. Truly he've thought of a family more than once and even before he became a soldier. Yet because of his busy soccer-filled life, he never had the chance to even look at a bride-to-be. Now, he finally had a chance and he found himself delighted at the idea. Hence, the start of their journey.
Both travelled together and formed a strong bond on their way to Kira's home. Like that of father and son.
When they arrived, the three children greet their father and was told of what is to come to their fate before seeing Bearskin himself.
"They're all… males…" Bearskin said, blinking both eyes in surprise at what he could see from the window outside.
"Yes, but they are the most beautiful ones you would ever meet. Even more dashing than actual females themselves," Kira said with a comforting grin as he went outside and overheard Bearskin talking to himself. He gestured for them to get inside wherein Bearskin followed.
"This is Nagumo Ha—"
"Gaaahhh!! What the hell are you?!" Before the old man finished his sentence, the redhead screamed in terror and ran away.
"Ehem, pardon him. He's a bit… uh… shy," Kira excused.
"Right. Shy," Bearskin allowed with a raised brow of which no one could see because of his hair-covered face.
"Well, he's Nagumo Haruya. We call him Burn because of his… personality," the man said of which Bearskin nodded.
"This other one here is Gazelle. His real name is Suzuno Fuusuke," the old man pointed to a petite feminine looking white-haired male. He walked nearer to them as soon as he heard his name.
"Pfft. This is the guy?" He crossed his arms and taunted, "A bear would be better than this red creature excuse of a human," he said as he flitted his hair and walked away.
"I— um. Forgive him. It's not you. He's like that towards anyone," Kira bowed sincerely to Bearskin.
"I can see that… but no worries," he reassured the old man, already used to the insults directed at his appearance.
"And this is my last child," he gestured to one green-haired. "He is Midorikawa Ryuuji. We call him Reize."
Bearskin was surprised as he saw the other man clearly. For the first time in his life, he have seen the most beautiful green-haired in the land. His long bouncy locks was tied in a ponytail but leaving his bangs on the front. His black eyes sparkled like a brilliant pearl and his soft features showed him warmth and home.
Midorikawa bowed gently, shaking Bearskin out of his musings. He then looked at Kira. "Dear father, that must be a good man to have helped you out of your trouble, so if you have promised him a person to wed for doing it, your promise must be kept," he smiled at Bearskin, that caused the beast-like man to feel the undescribable warmness on his chest.
The former soldier then smiled in delight and took his hand and excused themselves from Kira who was to take care of their finances.
They went on the back of the house where a single tree was planted along the wonderfully trimmed grass and talked there.
"Reize—"
"Ryuuji," Midorikawa corrected with a gentle smile making the other man blush.
"Ryuuji," Bearskin said as he scratched his cheek. "Why is it that you are different from everyone. Do you not fear my form? Do I not look like a monster to you?" he asked looking down, looking for something interesting among the grass.
"My father have told me a saying that goes like this: 'Never judge a book by its cover'!" He winked as he showed him his index finger. "For that reason, you are no monster for no monster would help complete strangers."
Bearskin let out a joyful laughter for he have not felt happy for a very long time. Midorikawa laughed with him and he showed him the soccer ball that he have still kept. To his surprise, Midorikawa knew soccer and they ended up playing with each other until the sun settled. And when they got tired, they sat under the tree and talked once again.
"Ryuuji, I must apologize for this but I still have three years left to wander about the land," Bearskin saw how Midorikawa's eyes solemned and took his hand. The greenet looked at his eyes and gave a sad smile.
Bearskin took a ring from his pocket and broke it in two. Midorikawa watched him write their names on each, giving him the one with the redhead's name.
"Kiyama—" Bearskin put a finger on his lips in a hurry.
"You shall not call me by name until the three years have passed for I shall only be called Bearskin," Midorikawa nodded. They suddenly realized they were inches from each other's face. Bearskin moved back in response with a hidden tint of red on his face — unable to be seen by anyone. Midorikawa, however, had a more obvious one despite trying his best to hide it.
"Keep it," Bearskin said after he composed himself, locking eyes with Midorikawa once again. "If I've not gotten back after three years, accept that I've died but do pray for my safety for I want nothing more but to go back to you," Bearskin said.
Midorikawa focused on his eyes and saw nothing of the dirt nor steeled hair on his features. Instead, what he saw was the light and sincerity in his eyes.
"I know you'll make it," Midorikawa answered, deeply looking at his soul.
With that, Bearskin kissed his hand and gone forth to the world once more.
Bearskin spent the three years helping others and thinking of his bride… groom… the man he loves.
Midorikawa, on the other hand, spent everyday dressed in full black complete with a coated clothing and pants and every night in tears. He never once looked at anyone else but his family for a second. He vowed to keep his form as is until Tatsuya was ready to be called Tatsuya once more.
On the last day of the whole seven years, Bearskin went to where he met the Demon and sat on the middle of the trees once more and waited for him to arrive. After a while, the wind whistled and there the creature showed himself, completely angry at the former soldier.
The Demon threw Bearskin's old coat to him and said, "It is time for you to return mine."
"Not yet," Bearskin said. "The agreement will not be complete if you will not help me clean."
With a grunt, he was forced to fetch water and wash Bearskin. He combed his hair and cut his nails. After this, he looked like a brave soldier, and was more handsome than he had ever been before.
"Must be because I'm 21 already," Kiyama mused as he looked at his reflection on the water.
"May I never see you again!" Garshield said as he disappeared again.
"Again, rude. But thankfully I saved some money of my own," he opened the soccer ball that he had always had in his person. It was full of gold — the ones he took from his pocket yesterday to hide.
With that, he went to a store and bought a magnificent velvet coat, seated himself in a carriage drawn by four white horses, and drove to his betrothal.
When he arrived, no one recognized him. Kira Seijirou invited him inside under the impression that he was a general or one of the King's personal guard. Kiyama was pleased to know that the small family was doing good financially and was rather shock of hearing about Burn and Gazelle's romantic relationship. In the end, he could not be anything but happy about it.
He ate with the three and their father on the table. Burn would ask him about his travels and Gazelle would not as much as talk yet still glared at him fiercely. His attention, however, was focused on one Midorikawa who looked dashing wearing black and had held his head down ever since.
Without anyone noticing, Kiyama put the half of the ring in Midorikawa's wine and when he drank it, he felt the object and held it in his hand. In his surprise, he raised his head and locked eyes with a pair of teal ones that he knew so much.
"Tatsuya!" He exclaimed as he stood and run beside the now handsome and pale redhead.
"Ryuuji, I've come back," he said with a sincere smile before hugging Midorikawa tightly.
The other people on the table gasped in unison. They didn't realize that they were dining with the same red bear-like man that helped them years ago.
With another moment to think of the situation, they accepted him with open arms in their small family — with Gazelle mentioning something about 'at least there wouldn't be hair all over the place anymore' — and they organized a double wedding immediately for the two pairs. With that, they all lived merrily on each others' arms.
= End of Fairy Tale Soccer Story 2 =
A/N: Quite honestly though, I didn't think I'll be bringing King Kudou again here and actually connect chapter one with this one but why the hell not, eh?
Thanks for the follow, favorite, review and most importantly, for reading! Special thanks to The Real Runey, the review really helped me to continue this story! I wasn't even thinking of updating this anywhere this month xD
Next Chapter: Adapted from the Grimm's Tales' 'Blue Light'
Pairings: Fudou Akio X Sakuma Jirou