Finally got this chapter out which was difficult because it is basically the set up for the next couple chapters. Not much action in it or character interaction. I was planning on having Ikeda tell Sakuno his story personally, but I have the feeling that won't be able to be worked in.
Disclaimer: I do no own Prince of Tennis all rights belong to Takeshi Konomi.
In the end this was never my story, I wasn't the star as usual I wasn't the victim like it might seem… it's sad when I think about it. My name is Ikeda I was 12 my sister 7 and at the time our (my) parent's were going through a rough patch in their relationship.
Don't be fooled, I am guilty. I deserve no sympathy.
My sister was cry again that day, like any other day after our (my) parent's fight, whenever they got into an argument and yelled at each other she would cry. As parents they feel remorse for making their precious young daughter scared and would always promise that they would never fight again while smiling a plastic smile. Those words only hold true for a couple days before one of them erupts again. I was scared too, I was sad too, but I didn't want to become a burden to them with my feelings so I never said a thing.
After their fight she cries again and I can only wonder what makes her so sad, is it the fact our (my) parents are fighting? Or is it knowing the feelings for their precious daughter aren't enough to make them put aside their selfishness and stop fighting, which shows her that their love for her isn't as strong as she has come to believe? Maybe, subconsciously she knows that she is being forgotten and put to the side, like I was long ago when she came into our lives.
With her birth came ill omens and disparity, huge dept that causes our (my) parent's stress that is the core to all their fighting and hate in our house. She brought it all and she still only wants them to look at her kindly and love her like the baby she is. She wants to be spoiled even though money is tight; she makes fusses in public even though mom and dad are tired from work. Sis never understood a thing of what was going on around her, I knew though, and I did whatever I could to be less of a burden. I never asked for clothes or money; I didn't go on field trips or hang out with friends I stayed with them to help clean. When it was just the three of us we were so happy.
I don't remember much, I say I don't but I do in reality just I don't want to remember.
One day when we were waiting for mom and dad to come home my sister turns to me.
"I hate it when mommy and daddy fight." She said bluntly for the hundredth time.
My stomach was burning and tightening with annoyance. "I have an idea on how we can get them to stop." I said.
"Really? How?" She asked curious, I was surprised she actually believed there was a way to change things that were already so far broken, it annoyed me more.
"It's a bit dangerous; I saw it on a T.V. show a couple nights ago." I replied as I tried to relax and think things through.
"What? What?" She asked more excited than before.
"Well, Get hurt and try to hide it for a while until they notice and ask why you didn't show them sooner. Then with a pained look you tell them "I-I didn't think you would care, you are always fighting!" then cry into their arms." I said then gave a small laugh.
"I can do that!" She said.
"No, you need to get hurt for real." I retorted.
"What if I fall?" She asked concerned.
"A regular scrap or bruise won't do anything." I said astounded by her idiocy.
"Don't worry, I'll figure something out! Mommy and Daddy love me most so it'll probably work, and they'll feel so bad that they'll stop fighting forever and even take me out for crepes afterwards." She said with confidence that made me swallow hard what felt like a dry lump in my throat. I think she was trying to comfort me.
We lived in an apartment complex on the third floor, and at the end of the hall lived a kind woman in her mid 40's that worked at a restaurant that we visited whenever our(my) parent's started getting too loud.
One day when our (my) dad stormed out of the house after another fight with our (my) mom we decided to visit the woman for a while to let things settled down. When we started walking closer to the middle of the hall where the stairs are I turned to my sister who was beside me sniffling.
"Do you really want to go through with that getting hurt thing?" I asked suddenly possessed by something unreal.
"Ah, Sure! For mommy and daddy I'll do anything." She said.
When we got by the stairs I told her to close her eyes, and pushed her back first down the stairs. She hit her back first, let out a yelp then hit her head and continued to tumble down until the stairs ended.
I walked down and kneeled besides her, feeling as if a demon has come out of me and set me free.
"Hey, hey, you okay?" I asked.
She didn't move, I thought she was such a drama queen a fall like that couldn't hurt that bad.
"Hey, you can get up. It's not good to be laying there." I said shaking her.
Then I noticed that her mouth parted and blood was leaking out, and her eyes were open but only slightly.
"Sis, get up!" I said, getting frantic "Don't play with my!" I thought maybe she was faking it somehow and that she was trying to trick me.
I got up and ran up the stairs and ran inside the house to get our (my) mom, she told me to stay inside while she goes to see. I sat on her bed and it got quiet I held my knees close to my body and waited. I heard a scream, and yelling for the police, an ambulance, and I sat there trying to curl up tighter and hide myself. I heard sirens and my mother whimpering and pleading to God. Then it was silent again and the kind woman we were about to see came and found me, she tried to talk to me but I wasn't listening. I was so ashamed and scared of what I have done that I didn't hear a word. She took my hand and started to take me to her place, but when we got closer to the stairs I screamed and ran away. I knew then that I was never going near stairs again.
My parents got a divorce after that.
This story I want to tell that person who doesn't look at me with pity. Sakuno, I feel like she would understand, but I can't shake this feeling I won't be able too.
For a couple weeks classes became to resemble what a normal high school student would see, regular subjects and somewhat regular people learning them. The teachers were more relaxed and weren't trying to push anyone, it felt almost normal. Sakuno chatted with her friends at lunch and was gaining her voice back little by little. Instead of denying her feelings she formed opinions, when she was asked what she wanted to eat she replied with what she wanted instead of saying "anything is fine."
The change was slow but Sakuno could tell a difference in her and strength was forming in her that she never felt before. It was a bit nerve racking because a nagging feeling was telling her to be quieter. It was probably because she was so used to being shy and humble that it sometimes choked her to speak her mind.
Old habits die hard as they say.
Friends and family around her noticed the change instantly, and the Seigaku regulars were happy to hear from her grandmother about the progress she has had. They tried meeting more often with her but Sakuno was still cautious around them, she didn't like going out places that much and only met them one other time when Takashi invited her and her grandmother for sushi.
Ryoma wasn't there, not like she minded, nor did she even think to ask why. She was quiet content with the way things were, and anymore people there and the place would be too full to be a comfortable environment. It was fun to be with the regulars but Sakuno tried not to think to much of their kindness, who knows if they are just trying to make up to her by being friendly to get rid of a guilty conscious. That was a terrible thought to think of people someone has known for so long, but it was the only way Sakuno could protect herself. She couldn't be her true self with them; she was holding a small part back.
Her friends at school she was becoming more trusting with and she started too really like them, but she still was holding back as a safety.
Tomo and Ryoma taught her that two years ago, and it hasn't left her since, no matter how much Sakuno likes someone she feels that she will never completely trust them.
"Okay class! I have an important announcement to make! We are going to have an in school camp out for one week! All your parents have already signed the papers and it is mandatory that you participate." The teacher said suddenly, one Friday after noon.
"You will be fed here and given use of the showers on a daily basis. You will be put on a team made up of you and the upperclassmen. It is not a competition though, just a way to get you to meet other people and a way for the teachers to use different teaching methods." He said before letting the class out.
The class thought it odd that they were told so last minute no one knew about this camp until now, at least Sakuno didn't.
(Teachers lounge)
"So the two are dead? " An older gentleman asked to the man to his right.
"No, the one drowned and the other went missing, no body yet." The other said with his wide glasses gleaming.
"To bad, that Jirou boy was adorable."
"Hehe, Very true he was a favorite, what a pity."
"It is, the head won't like this, but at least the fun part is going to start soon."
"Yes, let's see what these kids are made off." The teacher said while smirking and jingling keys.
"Grandmother, did you know about the in-school camp?" Sakuno asked bewildered.
"Hmm, oh yes they were very pushy about it, and I signed a couple days ago. They said it is a very valuable learning experience, and you've changed lately so I decided it would be okay." Her grandmother stated.
"Could you have at least told me about it?" Sakuno thought as she sat down and ate with her grandmother, her gaze locked on her food.
"Maybe, I'm being a burden to her and she didn't want me to stop her. She probably needs a break from spending time and money on me. This will be good for her and me besides I actually have some friends."
"Or acquaintances…" Sakuno mumbled.
"What was that?"
Sakuno looked up surprised then gave a weak smile. "N-Nothing." She said before going back to her meal.
At this time Sakuno resembled a pup that was abused, her eyes looked sweet but looking deeper one could see suspicion, she acts normal but who knows what she really is thinking and what she really feels. In that school what is she exactly supposed to learn? When she can't even find herself how is she to understand what they shove in front of her?
Still, she felt that in a week she will finally be able to delve deeper and understand this life.
I hope this chapter wasn't that much of a let down, and I didn't think about giving Ikeda's little sister a name until I finished. I like Suzu which is kind of masculine but I felt it would work.