Author's notes: Hello there! This is the second installment of my first multi-chaptered fic. Please bear with me and the numerous errors you will find in my fic. And please notify me immediately which part or parts I committed a major mistake.( Maybe all, LOL)

Disclaimer: I don't own PoT.

CHAPTER II: Encounter

The thunder crackled again. It was so much like one of those horror flicks you see in theaters; The actors screaming and thunder rolling. The air was eerie and cold. In moments, the first drops of rain struck, dampening the thin camisole and skirt Sakuno was wearing.

She looked up. She ought to be home by now. Her worrywart Obaa-chan would go ballistic if she didn't go home on time, knowing her navigation disorders. The dark clouds were already hovering the sky above her. The storm has come just as their favorite television network had predicted.

She stood up, gathered her things and bowed Ryoma goodbye. Already heading for the cemetery's gate, she walked a little faster to avoid getting her clothes soaked.

.

.

.

.

She wasn't really that far from the grave when a bolt of lightning struck. It was so near. The sound was ear-splitting and she was sure the lightning had hit something.

And it had.

It was the big oak tree beside the road she was trekking. She could hear the breaking of a tree trunk, branches and twigs. It was in flame and somehow the gray smoke from the burning tree fogged her eyes; leaving her blind and choking for oxygen.

'I'm gonna get squished!'. Silly as it may seem, she is gonna get squised by a tree like a bug and she wasn't doing something to avoid it. Every cell in her in her body was practically screaming move and run. But as the Sakuno Ryuuzaki she was, she only stared. Yes, she stared at the 'falling tree'. It isn't that she wasn't doing something, she was trying so hard but her legs couldn't move. She was momentarily paralyzed.

Tear welled up in her eyes. For Sakuno's frail heart; Is this gonna be the end?Is this it? Is this what my life is worth? An effing old tree? Dying a horrible death?

Even with her knees and limbs trembling or the tears that were evident in her eyes. She readied herself for her own death. She shut her eyes and prayed that the Goddess of life would somehow guide her through the other world.

one...

Arigatou obaa-chan for always taking care of me. I'll never forget you...

two...

Arigatou Tomo-chan, you'll always be my best friend.

three...

Arigatou senpai-tachi for always being there for me.

Sakuno for a moment, stopped her chanting. She had thanked all the important persons in her but still the tree didn't squish her. She didn't feel pain or any broken limbs. Instead, she felt warm and fuzzy. How odd, she remembered the weather to be cold.

' Maybe this was heaven?'

Forgetting her worries. She tried to move her hands but was stopped by a stern, lean figure. Something was holding her. Or someone? It was then she realized only her body was warm but her feet was somehow cold. She peeked through her lashes only to find a handsome young man staring at her.

'Don't move.' A voice commanded her. She knew it wasn't hers. Someone was trying to talk to her.

In her mind. She closed her eyes once more hoping that the person was just a figment of her imagination.

This was bad. She was starting to hallucinate things too.

She tried to peek once more and--

"I told you not to move, idiot." the voice said. It was the same voice she had heard in her mind and she knew that voice.

Realization struck voice did talk to her mind after all. It was telepathic.

She opened her eyes and found golden-orbs boring holes into her own.

"Ryoma-kun," was all she could say.

"Ba-ka," the boy said flicked her forehead with his forefinger.

"Itai!" she winced.

'Why did you come here?' the voice asked again.

Shock ran through her. Ryoma was here he was alive and...warm. She couldn't find her words so she stared at him. She stared at those amber-colored eyes.

He was the same but taller, a head taller than her she noticed. He was more defined and muscled. Staring into those eyes . She suddenly felt dizzy and drowsy.

"Sleep and remember nothing." He said.

Her eyes fluttered and before she finally succumb to sleep, she mouthed "Gomen-ne, Ryoma-kun." Then she drifted off to sleep.

So here it is! Please read and review! It would be a great accomplishment for me if you review and give constructive criticisms. I welcome flames and loves ( lol ). I really need your reviews in this trying times...jowks! Sa mga Filipino dyan na kapwa ko writers hahaha! Mapa-bisaya man o Tagalog!....