I excuse myself in advance for the strange way to go around Saki's limitation. It takes a little from the canon one but I didn't want to copy past has Touka is not Hisa.

BabyBearOnline: Thank. The idea came to me while writing an other fanfic. I remember that Moment when Hisa talk about "Katengecchi". That's where the name comes from. As for Saki, There is time before the start of the tournament so yes I will probably show a little of her new life and school is a part of it. But Ryuumonbuchi is a school for elite girls and Saki is still very shy so.. Wait and see.

Disclaimer: I do not own Saki or her universe, but I still owe her a lot.

A Garden under the Moon

Heavenly blossom's road

Saki woke up when the sun finally got into her eyes. At first she tried to shake it off , before turning away from it. But it was too late, she was already awake.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked around. This was not her room, where was she again?

She could see her Flower pots in order so she had come here on her own but she was pretty sure her bed had never been this big.

While trying to remember what had happened yesterday for her to be in this great room she stumbled her way to the washroom she could see next to the bedroom. She had her watering can next to her bed and had to water her flowers.

Once it was full she started the loving care of her treasures. Once she got to the ones on the window's side she saw the Big house in front of it and it came back to her.

Her father had died and she was taken in by Touka, the owner of the mansion she in now. In exchange she was to be the maid of her cousin, one Amae Koromo, and to play Mahjong with them and the other maids in the house.

She also recalled that she had already played with them yesterday , and even so they had been impressed with her skill, a thing she was quite proud of as she had not played since that match in grade school, there had been a problem had she couldn't get herself to win and that had irked her new mistress.

That was why she had to tell them oh her story, of the reason why she couldn't get herself to win. Because if she started to win again, ... She was sure they would reject her too. Just like her Mother. And still , losing was not an option for her. Now less that ever.

Now that she had watered the flowers, she had to go to Touka's office, She had said yesterday she would find a way for her to win again, and even so she doubted it would be so easy she had to try. She did not want to deceive her.

She also wished to help Touka's cousin, Koromo. And if what Touka had said was true, or if what she could feel from the house when the girl lived alone, Saki would need to recover.

Saki putted her new uniform and got out of her room. She just hoped she could find the good room before lunch.

As she strolled on the hallway she believed to be the one she took last evening, she thought about what she could do here. They were taking her to play mahjong. "No" she rectified to win at mahjong. That was something she knew she could do, but she had forgotten how, and it also afraid her.

Each time she had to much win against someone, something would happen to that person.

First her step-father. He came one week to see his was the customs he and her parents played mahjong with Teru, But Saki had learned Mahjong earlier that year and had wanted to play with them.

They reluctantly accepted. At the end of the week she had totaled more than 75% of the win.

The next day, her stepfather had hanged himself in wood next to their house.

Still they continued to play for time to time. With her sister's help she even taught her cousin who had been hospitalized how to play so that they could enjoy their time together.

One month later, a fire took her cousin life.

The last straw had been when her mother lost her job after she had invited her boss in the house one day. Soon after, it was found out that he had stolen a good chunk of his own enterprise's Money.

That day, when her mother came back, She had started to rant. And in that rant she accused he daughter, and mostly Saki, to be responsible for the loss of her Job. And while she was at it she also put on her the death of her former husband and her cousin, among other thing.

And because it had only happened against people she had won at Mahjong, she added that by beating them, she used them, stealing their luck.

Since that day, she decided that she wouldn't win, That if her blossom was making other wither, her petals would remain close. But she didn't like to lose, so she started to play her own game, to not play but to not lose, And it had worked.

At least during a time. She really had like that game, so she secretly got in her grade school mahjong club, only telling her father that was far more understanding. And she got selected for the team.

But in the team she had to win. And once more something happened. The day of the competition they should have all gone back on the bus, But her mother found out and had come herself to scold her. When they got home, they got a phone call. The bus had gotten in an accident . Fortunately, there was no death, but all would remain scarred for life.

Once more, her mother put on her shoulder the misfortune of others.

But this time, her father couldn't take it anymore and defended her.

Two months later she was getting a new job in Tokyo and took Teru with her. Saki had been very sad as she really Loved her sister. But for reasons she couldn't phantom Teru, who had been so kind to her even when her father had died, had now become distant.

Still the young child that she was had decided she would not play mahjong anymore if it came with the sorrow of another.

"Nonono, I mustn't, That's why I accepted Touka's offer, because Like this I can , for once make someone happy by playing" The possibility was slim but she had to believe in it. She was 15 now and not has naive , but the word of her mother, and the stare of her sister, still weighed on her, holding her back. She would have to win for that, she would have to feel it once again.

She had absolutely no clue about how she would do that.

"... I hope miss Touka found a way"

Finally out of her thought, Saki looked around and found out she was out of the mansion, near a pond."awawa, I got lost again, I should have asked one of the other to show me the way." She desperately looked around.

Apart from the pound she could only see the cousin mansion. Had she really wandered that far?

She had somehow felt drawn to that place but it wasn't where she was supposed to be. Saki started to panic." Where I am?"

And worse, the sun in the sky indicated she was probably already late. "Is there someone to help me?"

"Ha, miss Saki , you are here," Saki turned around and saw Touka's Butler coming from behind the three "I though miss Touka wanted to see you that morning."

".. Yes .. I am sorry but I couldn't find my way back to her office" Saki dithered, It was her first day and she was already late.

...

" ... How did you get here from your room" The butler was agape, even if it didn't show off her face, In fact Saki's room was two rooms away from the office , how had she gotten lost? Then he remembered what he was doing here and it tilted.

'Could she have followed miss Koromo presence?' That girl could really get interesting He turned back to the girl, She still had that last look on her face. ."Never mind, I will accompany you there" He started to walk, saki following him closely

"But... Thank you" She looked had him sheepishly.

"Don't mention it,It's my duty. I should have made sure you knew your road before letting you alone yesterday" She was not the first person with a twisted sense of direction he had encountered, he should have thought of the possibility.

"But, I am late, Touka might be angry" The girl seem to be on story of yesterday came back to him.

"Don't worry, nobody will get mad at you for something like that here" He tried to reassure her.

" ...Really?" She really lacked confidence in others, and if he was any judge of character, she did not have confidence in herself either. An other thing he would have to talk with his mistress.

"I assure you. Now, let go more quickly, we should not make them wait too much." He took her by the hand.

".. Hi" She smiled a little.

...

Touka had almost lost patience.

Saki was new here, and it being her first day she had let her the time to get up but when ten o'clock came ringing she had sent Hajime to bring her Saki. She slept two rooms away from there so it should not take long and in fact Hajime had quickly come back.

But she was alone. From what she said, Saki was awake has her flower had been watered and she had changed in her maid uniform, But she was not in the room.

Touka couldn't ask Hagiyoshi has he had to take care of Koromo for today, to prepare for her meeting with Saki, so she asked the three others to search the Mansion.

It took one full hour for Jun to find her. And it had been because she was checking the entrance when Hagiyoshi had brought her back.

When the butler told her she found Saki next to the pound he was with Koromo, she couldn't believe it. "How can someone get lost to this point..." she was deadpan as Saki got even more flustered, bowing apologetically.

"I'm Sorry... I got lost in my thoughts and..." she tried shyly "I tried to follow my feeling and I got lost"

"Your feeling? Do you mean you felt something there?" Touka asked her intersterd perked up by what could not be a coincidence.

"Yes, ... I don't know the house at all I sort of let my feet guide me" She was still very shy, but her voice was more audible .

Saki was technically right, but it was the reason why she had given her the room two away from here, Saki had no choice but to pass next to the office if she wanted to get anywhere so how did she missed it was beyond anyone in the room.

Touka was getting an other headache from Saki and it was only the second day.

"Does this happen often?" Jun asked, getting everyone's attention.

"..?" Their new teammates cocked her head, not understanding .

Seing she didn't get her question she asked again."I mean, getting lost like that, does this happen often to you"

The brown haired girl immediately blushed."Yes... It always happens in places I'm not use to. And this mansion is really huge"

'I don't think I will ever get used to it' was written broadly on her face as she shacked there sliglty ashamed.

"Ha... Well , do not mind, until you get used to the manors there will always be someone with you from now on." Touka declared.

"But..." Saki was surprised.

"Today, you will remain here .And starting tomorrow when you are not with Koromo I will make sure there is always a mean to find you. I should have thought to ask you if there was any problem yesterday so it is also my fault" Touka decreted getting a sigh from the stressed girl.

"Thank you" She once more bowed, more energetically this time, and with a cute smile that almost made blush every of her new comrade. "So... Why did you ask me to come this morning, I don't know anything about what I am supposed to do."

"Do you really need to ask?" As if on cue, Jun and Hajime sat around Touka's desk, opening it to get the Mahjong table "Mahjong of course, You still need to be able to win. And I , The great Ryuumonbuchi Touka, found a way.

"HEEE... Are you sure?... I mean, I would be happy but...I" Saki was once again panicking getting a small chuckle from the other.

"Do not worry, I am sure..." Touka started, before seeing Tomoki up behind Saki .

The seemingly emotionless girl delicately embraced Saki whose story was still fresh in their mind and calmly reassured her." Do no worry, nothing will happen to us, so just enjoy the game" Her voice was still monotone but it still carried a lot of gentleness and concern for her junior.

She then took her hand an guided her to the game table.

Saki sat herself and looked at the players eyed.

"She is right" Touka nodded as Tomoki had said what she was about to.

"Yep, nothing gonna happens, so calm down" Jun continued. Saki was slowly calming but the shakiness was still there.

Hajime took her hand and finished with the thing no one had ever said to her. "And even if something happens, It won't be your fault... So please Saki, let us see you win"

"Thank you, I will, but I don't know... If I can get the feel of it again" her smile was weak but it was definitely there.

"And that's why I am here, Get ready for the high speed marathon game. You won't get the time to count your point. The rules are easy, It's like going below 0 doesn't count, We play non-stop until the Sun is down. We will eat at the table. Game start." Touka said speedily punching on the dice roller.

"What?" Saki jumped, surprised. But she didn't get the time to get some more subtle at the table gave her tail. One of the change Touka had made to the table was an automatic draw for the starting hand, To be sure the game chained without the time to remember their scores as the games went on.

It was to be sure that to win that long game one had to get a lot of massive win along with getting hit as little as possible. To go along the score were of course not displayed on the table.

The only one who knew the real score was Tomoki behind her computer.

...

And so the game started, At first they could still somewhat remember theirs scores and for the equivalent of the first 4 hanchan Saki still managed to get around +/- 0.

When Tomoki showed it to her along with getting them a little tea Touka really got shocked . She couldn't remember her score by the middle of the third.

But Saki seemed to show trouble around the End of the fifth and she hit them with a counted Yakuman when a Baiman would have sufficed.

And that had been when all hell got loose. From that moment the three new it was there clue and start targeting Saki whenever they could.

It worked as intended, as Saki hit back more and more, not knowing where her score stood anymore as the hand became shorter .That little game was to go far beyond Touka's expectation.

As it only remained two hours, hitting Saki became impossible, only little tsumo getting to her points, and even then when they got lucky.

And as Saki talent showed throughout, The rinshan they had seen the previous day showed itself even more, Along with A lot Kan. But the kan did not mean Rinshan as they learned painfully.

The pressure of the games had really became like one against Koromo.

The culminating point of that game went three go around before the stop as Touka's presence suddenly disappeared. And along with it her skills came those of their new friends.

'Cold Touka' as Hajime had come to call that strange and rare state. Her awakening put the game to a new level but it had a side effect no one had saw possible.

Saki reverted back to playing +/- 0, Like she had stated a new hanchan, And even that state didn't manage to get her out of it, proving that even in front of a greater foe, her +/-0 territory was absolute.

And the end of those three goes-around however, Touka collapsed.

"Touka. Hagiyoshi bring the blanket please, Jun, the water" Hajime ordered, knowing the usual consequence enough. The both obeyed even the butler was her superior.

Then she turned to Saki and the girl was in shock, unable to move.

"... so... sorry..It's.. my... Sorry.. I knew it... I shouldn't..." Saki babbled, And Hajime understood, they should have predicted the possibility.

"Calm-down Saki. It's not your fault!" Hajime shout at her, not that she was angry but because she wanted to be sure she got her attention

"But... I played for the win and then she.." Saki was badly shaken, and Hajime could almost imagine her seeing images of her past now.

"She is well, she just tired herself too much" Came the gentle monotone voice of Tomoki behind Saki. Hajime did not know her teammates well as Tomoki talked little and Saki was new. But she knew their common point.

Both had been rejected by a parent and lost the other, And both felt guilty for it. As such the former shut-in was probably the one with the most in common with Saki more even than Koromo who lost both, if not for the mahjong skill.

So Hajime decided to let Tomoki take care of Saki while she nursed Touka.

"... But.. It still is.." Saki continued with her trembling voice, tears in her eyes.

"She knew the risk,... She doesn't like it but it was the only way" Tomoki continued.

"The only way?... do you mean" Saki turned and looked desperately in her eyes.

Tomki nodded"Yes, it is not the first time it happens to her, nor it is a last . When she gets heat-up... let say that have a sort of split personality"

"Split... personality" Saki swalowed the word, trying to make sense of them "But then why... why did she collapse?"

"That state put too much pressure on her mind, that's why she needs to recover from it, don't worry" She explained while embracing her kindly.

"So why? Why playing too much if she know it happen?" Saki asked again, her mind grasping at straw to go out of the pit it was in.

"Because she wants you to play for real, and even if there was a risk it happen, We needed it" She explained while guiding her on one of the sofas.

"So it was my fault... I shouldn't have" Saki slumped back.

"NO!" Tomoki suddenly got her voice up " It's not anyone's fault, and if you want to feel guilty remember that it was so that you could win anew. Don't get the effort she put in you to be for none."

"Sorry.. It's just that." Saki tears were flowing slower. "Did it work at least?"

"It's alright, I know how it can feel. Tomoki turned the Computer and showed Saki the final result of the multiple game they had played.

"... Wasn't there only one game? Why does it that I won a lot of games, By putting them under Zero even?" amidst the tears, hope showed throughout. Saki didn't understand put she seem to have managed to win.

"Because those were not only one long game. No game is that long, we just Said to do as if to get you to break the floor so as not to sink. And it works. Look you won every match but the first four an the three Touka was 'awake',"

Saki beamed a smile, she had managed to win. She had felt she was going to far in her hand when playing, but she somehow couldn't stop, the shear force of not knowing her score anymore making so that all remained to do was to win.

And it had somehow felt great, and natural. Was it what it felt like to win." So I won?"

"Yes , Saki , You won. And, by the way, you also won the Marathon game +674 300" tomki informed the young girl, smiling back to cheer her up a little more. But there was something that bugged the analyst."By the way , why did you revert back to +/-0 at the end?"

"... That... It was because I was not sure to win if I didn't defend myself...And I also felt that if I didn't Touka would have more trouble" Saki answered sheepishly.

" I admit she is strong like that... But wait, you said she could get worse? Did you know she was going to.." That could have great meaning Ttomkin saw as she got cut by a panicked Saki.

"Nonono. If I knew, I would have stopped the match right away. I just felt that something was not right and was waiting to see how to stop that feeling , that's all" She apologized.

" I see. Well... Touka won't be up for a few hours so I think we should go the Koromo now."

"Now?, Without waiting to see if she is alright?" Saki knew she had to go, but she was worried about her Mistress, She couldn't shake off the feeling she was still a little guilty.

"She will be, but we must get sure you play against Koromo tonight, That's Touka's order..."She explained, before interrupting the tallest one of them as she got back in the office "Ah Jun! Will you come with us?"

"Where.." Jun asked, thens he saw the Moon in the sky and it can back "hum.. Koromo, I suppose I have no choice, You and I are the only available one , Seing that Hajime an Hagiyoshi won't go anywhere till Touka's up"

The tall woman opened the door and Tomoki followed, pulling Saki along."Still , I will need a good sleep tomorrow, chaining so much desperate game like that."

"Touka said everyone could sleep in tomorrow" Tomki answered her worry" Apart Hagiyoshi of course"

"Of course, I usually think the man has it hard, but today he is having the easiest job" Jun joked bitterly while they strolled to the back door.

As the two chatted, Saki remained mute. She could feel that even if there were joking they were sweating fear. And before they even got to the door she knew the source of their fear must be coming from the secondary house.

And for some reason, during the whole walk to it she couldn't stop her heart to beat faster. Not out of fear, no, But out of excitation and anticipation.

After all, it was the last test to prove herself she could do it. She was about to meets a kindred spirit, Someone who was as plagued as her by both luck and misfortune. Someone as feared as she.

She was about to meet her lifelong partner.

So why should she feel anything but what she was feeling? Monsters could tear at each other all they wanted after all. And now that she was remembering the feeling that was to win, she would need a real challenge to get it back again in full.

As they crossed the Door to the inside of Koromo's House, she felt the power wash over her and flinched slightly. But even so, she knew she had to go, for if Koromo was as Touka had said, she too was feeling hurt and lonely. And in that, maybe, she could help her.

With the hope of finally getting to help someone like her, And the image of her smiling "onee-chan" at the back of her mind, She opens the door she knew to be Koromo's room.

...

Koromo had felt that a new person had come to the house but had at first dismissed her as a new maid her cousin had taken pity of.

But that had quickly changed had she felt a change in the air around the time Touka usually trained with the other. And it was coming from the new one.

It was interesting, but she could wait. After all she didn't seem to be great enough to warrant her coming personally.

That and she wanted to sleep as she knew sleep would be impossible the next night.

The day after Hagiyoshi had come to prevent her of that new coming. She wondered why Touka had sent him but he them explained that the new addition was to be her maid more than Touka's. And because of it would sleep in the room next to hers in her "prison".

Did Touka find someone she wanted to torture? Now that wasn't possible. Did she want someone to get her eyes on her. Maybe, but unkikly, Touka was not like her uncle, and even that one had stopped after the last Spy had chosen to become a monk.

So what did Touka intend to do with that Miyanaga Saki?

She got her answer when Hagiyoshi suddenly got in the forest. She too had felt someone approaching and so followed them. It was the fist time she saw Saki. And in her eye she could feel she was at the same as her. And she had gotten lost following her aura.

Most of the time people were going away from her because of it, But not that girl. She came to her because of it.

For the first time since she has seen the final of last year, and that itself was the first time since she had met Touka, She really felt excited.

Maybe she could get a challenge for once.

The afternoon had only been a confirmation as she felt what she supposed was Saki Aura growing, reaching for her even. And Koromo had past the whole lot of it arranging and rearranging her mahjong table .Waiting for her next game with unknown exitation.

And so, soon after the moon became the sole real aster in in the sky, when she felt that aura coming to her, she unleashed her own, guiding her. For the first time, she had even prepared the table in advance, and was already seated. She had even reread the rule to be ready to face her first worthy opponent ever if the feeling she got was true.

When Saki finally passed her Door , Koromo greeted her.

"So, Miyanaga Saki , will you be my friend, My sacrifice, or just a mere dinner?" Koromo said in her most menacing tone.

"I hope it will be the first one, Koromo as I would finally have someone I can call a friend" The girl answered with a smile, bowing sliglty.

The game was really going to be a great one, Koromo taught as Saki sat in front of her.

Too bad for the two sacrifice tough.

...

"Touka, are you sure it's a good idea to get them together so quickly?" Hajime asked worriedly.

They were now back in the office as Touka had waken faster than usual for a reason they could not understand. "I hope"

Touka had to admit it was a risky gambit. Then her eyes caught a small moon ray slowly drifting till it got to a particular point near the window.

In the flower pot Saki had left here, a Lone white flower suddenly blossomed beautifully. It was the first time Touka had seen a flower blossom like that.

The ray of moonlight seemed to get stuck on it, unable to go away and subliming the Flower.

"Now I am sure, It will work" Touka said with a smile. Sometime signs couldn't be wrong.

...

Until next time

Please review, it gives me the spirit to fight off laziness.

As You probably guessed, the next one is the first real interaction between Koromo and Saki. I have plans for them and it will be cute,... From a safe distance.

The grammar of the two preceding chapters was corrected. Thank you for reading.

Fragment of Ring