Sorry for the short chapter and the late update, just things are happening to the writer right now that I shall not mention.

And just to make things clear the A/N above the chapter is me Altamaru while the A/N at the bottom is the actually writer, or for the next couple chapters for Ryou writers.

Oh yeah just in case you don't know that this chapter takes place in Chapter 4 at the same time when Sunohara and Kyou had their little moment in the park when he tells her the reason of him being well...Sunohara.

I help a little with the other chapters, with some advice and suggestions, the only chapters that I actually were involve in with just by myself is the Heart Chapters and the Kyou and Sunohara Arc thats coming up in the future.


Clannad

In Our Early Days

Chapter 11

Fated by the Cards

The chapters locked in Ryou and Kappei hearts open

It was the day where Nagisa had an idea of a play for the theatre club; however her idea is not as happy as I hope for. I only knew her for a small period of time; but she always brings out a kind and pleasant astrosphere around her. In many ways, we resemble each other, and I can't ask anymore as a good friend.

When Nagisa explains the story of the lonely girl and her garbage doll to everyone in the room, I can't help but feel pain in my heart. Judging from the facer expressions of everyone in the room, I could tell that everyone feels the same way.

The day came to the close; Okazaki-kun walks Nagisa home, while Sunohara-kun offers to walk us home. I didn't mind his company, and I'm very certain that Kotomi didn't mind also. But as for my sister, it took much convincing on Sunohara part to talk Onee-chan into it… eventually ice cream was the breaking point.

We take the scenic route to Kotomi's home, as Onee-chan requests; she had many others that only apply to Sunohara-kun.

As we walk, the image of a boy repeats in my mind. The boy with the empty yet kindest eyes I ever seen, the boy's name is Hiiragi Kappei, a stranger who I help bandage his hand. I keep dreaming of the night where we met at the school gates and where he took me to a café place as a sign of gratitude.

Then I remember the charm that Yukine teach me on the same day, when I been looking for Tomoya to admit my true feelings for him.

The charm is call 'Soul Unbind', the charm is suppose make you meet some that truly needs you, and that person is bound to something that might cost them their life; and you are the key to free him.

The charm and meeting Kappei on the same day can be label as 'coincidence' to anyone, but to me, meeting Kappei means much more to me than a 'coincidence.'

After dropping Kotomi home, onee-chan gives an evil grin to Sunohara-kun.

It turns out, that the plan is to only for Sunohara to walk with us until six o'clock in the evening and it is already passing that time when Kotomi enter her home. I softy sigh, onee-chan tricks Sunohara all the time, even I can admit that onee-chan is being too harsh towards him, when all he did is be nice towards us.

I want to speak out, to tell onee-chan to be nice to Sunohara-kun but it is already too late.

"But I wanted to walk you home Kyou!" Sunohara shouts but it sounds more of a whine.

"Why? So you can try to see a perfect way to see through our window without giving away your position?" she asks pulling on his tie.

I stand in horror to witness many of onee-chan's uncontrollable temper attacks; Sunohara always the victim and I really feel sorry for him.

Kyou grabs his tie and pulls him down to her eye level; her eyes blood shot red and a dark aura surrounds the violet headed girl.

Again I try to speak out, however my soft pleas didn't reach the ears of onee-chan, as she pulls him down to his knees.

"No… we just never got the time to finish our conversation last time, about Okazaki!" Youhei struggles to breath.

With that instance Kyou let him go of his tie.

"Ryou, can you walk home without me?" Kyou asked politely.

I look at both of them then finally gave a weak nod, I turn to walk away from them, when I look back I notice that they were heading for the park. I knew that onee-chan still hasn't gotten over Okazaki-kun, and Sunohara-kun tries his hardest to make onee-chan feel better.

The fact that matters is that she needs to talk to someone; unfortunately I'm not that person. When I did try to talk to her about it, I would only remind her of the pain and she break down crying. But somehow I feel that Sunohara-kun may be the key to her happiness. However onee-chan is far too stubborn to notice the things in front of her.

I took the long way home, it was a beautiful evening and I enjoy walks. Then suddenly I notice a really familiar person sitting on a grassy hill ahead in the distance. He had what appears to be a sketch book in his hands as he stares at the sunset and back moving his pencil rapidly. A sudden rush of happiness and excitement came to my heart; I feel a smile forming at my cheeks.

"Hiiragi-san," I call out waving at him.

He looks over to see me waving smiling brightly towards him from down the grassy hill. A sudden rush of delight and thrill came to his heart to see as he sees me. Somehow the dim light of the sun setting on his body made him look angelic, my heart beats fast.

"Oh it's her! Okay act natural Kappei. Act smooth!" He says to himself.

"Hello! Fujibayashi-san!" he jumped up to his feet and started to wave passionately. "How are you..." Kappei couldn't even finish the sentence as he tripped over his own feet and started to roll down the hill until he hit the pavement of the sidewalk very hard.

"Ouch!" he whimpers.

"Real smooth Kappei," he mumbles under his breath.

My eyes widen to see him rolling down the hill and hitting the sidewalk, motionless.

"Oh no," a cry came out from me as I run towards the body on the ground. "Are you okay Hirragi-san?" My cries grew louder, my heat skips a beat as his body starts to stir.

"Yeah..." he moans struggling to get on his feet. "I'm alright," he smiles at me, then noticing blood running down his forehead from a small cut. "Aw man," he moans.

After a few alcohol wipes, a disinfected spray and a bandage, and some tears later, his tears. I manage to bandage Kappei forehead from the small cut.

"There, it should be all better now," my mouth form a smile as while I put my first aid kit back into my school bag for times such as this.

"Fujibayashi-san... I'm afraid I'm a little clumsy," his face reddened. "I guess I owe you two great thank you," he smiles at me.

I smile back.

Before I knew it, I find myself sitting on a nearby wooden bench from where he fell, looking towards a small river. The awkward silence between us just makes me rather anxious; I still couldn't believe that we came across each other again. It's hard to hide my own enthusiasm, and how I swiftly notice he is trying to do so as well, cause us to blush a deep red.

We sit beside each other at each end wooden bench blushing, just waiting for each other to say something first. I just look down at the ground; playing with my feet, at the corner of my eye he is doing the same. At first I think he is imitating me, but he then glances at my direction and starts to move his mouth about to say something, but no words come out and he went back playing with his feet.

Just say something before he goes away I encourage myself in her mind, but my nerves get the better end of me and we continue to sit there very awkwardly.

"How are you," we both ask, but at exactly the same time.

"Ummm," we both say in unison.

"Eh you go first," in unison again.

We both blush and look away; third time is defiantly not the charm this time. I couldn't understand it, why couldn't I say a word without stumbling over my own thoughts? When I spent time with him in the cafe place I really did feel comfortable with him and we talk for hours. So why am I nervous around him now? I just feel like running away right there, but...something is keeping me for doing so.

So many questions I wanted to ask him since we part ways and before I could utter a single letter out Kappei is the first to ask.

"Umm so how are you Fujibayashi?" He asks, finally relaxing himself.

"I'm doing well... but the last few days were not so well for me," I answer not noticing that I form a sad smile on my lips. My eyes starts to turn misty and then I start to cry, thinking back on my onee-chan crying face at the tennis court in where we both realize the truth...Okazaki loves Nagisa.

Kappei notice the sudden sadness in my eyes, and reached down his pocket and offer me his blue handkerchief.

"Oh? What happen?" he ask.

He then moves closer to me, but still at two arms length, I see the concern in his eyes through my tears.

"Well, a boy I liked for a long time chose another girl to be with," I wipe the tears with the handkerchief.

Then my heart stop for a moment, I just reveal my greatest sorrow to him. I didn't know how or more importantly why? I hardly know him and yet I opening my heart to him.

"Oh...sorry to hear that," he apologise.

His word of kindness makes my heart feel warm.

"You shouldn't apologise Hiiragi-san. It isn't your fault, besides that girl happens to be my friend, so I'm happy for her," I nod. "And I know maybe is some other future my other self is with him..." I turn towards the river.

However…I would like my other me to see the other you I said in my head.

"I see...well I wish the last few days were good for me as well," he sighs slouching down on the bench.

I moved closer to him unaware we were at now arm length.

"Oh, is there something wrong?" This time the look of concern is my own.

For a split moment, he raises his arms and I expect his arm to wrap around me, however he just rest them behind his head and I hear a soft sigh from him. For some reason…I want his arm to be around me, but the only thing that is around my shoulders is disappointment.

I didn't know why but... I want him to touch me…

"Yeah, I'm afraid I'm not making any money with selling my paintings and drawings, so I have been trying to find an actual job for a while, but things haven't been going so well with it," he answers. slouching even more.

"You shouldn't slouch, it's not good for you back," I softy scold him touching him on the shoulder.

His body is warm beneath my fingertips.

"Okay!"He sits back up straight up eagerly.

"That's better," I giggle lightly.

Then he starts to laugh with me, and I could see his sweet smile like I did the last time we met. I could feel my cheeks warming up as I admire his smile more so then I should.

"So why couldn't you get a job?" I ask hoping he didn't notice me staring so intently at his smile.

"Well... I always have a problem with job interviews, I'm afraid I don't have any good skills in that type of area. I always make a fool of myself," he kicks a small stone near his foot. "That and it's hard to get hired when you don't have a home," he adds.

My heart stops again as I gasp my hands over my mouth. I have no idea how much my heart can take…A young man who I met and help…A young man who I never thought to see again, yet very happy to see…Is homeless…I already feel my eyes start to water. I didn't know why I was crying, all I know is that my hands start to tremble as I try to wipe my tears again in the already soak handkerchief.

Kappei gently took the handkerchief and delicately wipe my tears away from my eyes. He then uses his thumb to stroke away the ones on my cheek. I lean forward feeling his hand palming my face; his hand feels very warm as it touch the skin of my cheek. I completely lost control myself, I would have never had the courage or the will to do such a thing…but being with him…I been starting to have emotions and other feelings I never knew I have.

We both realize what is happening, we drifted away immediately and both shared another blush.

I almost kiss him, and he almost kisses me.

Yet another thing…I would never have the courage to do…

Why is this happening to me I wonder?

Why am I getting all these feelings all at once?

These feelings are different from the feelings of Okazaki-kun.

Yet…I embrace them even more.

"You mean you don't have a home? Where are you staying?" I finally speak up when I catch my breath.

Kappei shrugs his shoulders and his faces starts to pout.

"Well I did stay in a nice inn but I couldn't afford to stay there, and the money I have I need for food. So the place I'm staying tonight is underneath this bench," he answers with a sarcastic glorious grin.

"That's terrible."

I stutter over my words, the panic starting to surface again, I try to calm myself down. A deep breath fills me as I counted down from three in my head. It still didn't help me…

"You're telling me, it's going to suck if it rains tonight," he points at the cracks between the wooden seats in the wooden bench.

Then to add emphasis he actually sticks his whole hand between the cracks, after his index finger waves at me, we both share another affectionate laugh.

Until I met Kappei I never laugh this hard…

Is he the reason why....?

"But you can't stay here like this forever..." I struggle to say after catching my breath.

"Well, If I can get a job, then I can afford to stay somewhere, so I need to settle with this," he chuckles but it is now my turn to see the sadness.

"No!" I raise my voice at him, much to my very own surprise.

This is the first time I ever raise my voice to anyone like that, but it's not a raise voice of scolding it's a raise voice of concern and worry.

"But, where else can I stay?" he shrugs.

"You can stay with me," I blurter out before even thinking about it.

When I see the look on Hirragi stun face, I start to panic and I blush intensely.

I just invited a man I hardly know…to my home.

But I trap myself into a corner; I can't say it is a joke all along because he doesn't have an alternate place to stay. If he agrees I can't turn him down either and if he does stay…onee-chan is going to kill him. I began to panic again until one thing pop in my mind that will help save both of us.

"What I mean is, my parents have a shed that they hardly use anymore, so you can stay there until you have a job," I corrected myself, however the single thought of him being in my room is something that...I then shake my head getting that image out of my mind.

I can't think about that...not until when I'm older I scold myself. All these unexpected emotions are overwhelming that I'm scared my heart might burst. You hardly know him, I reminded myself. You should not have these types of feelings towards someone you don't know…

But I do know him.

His name is Hiiragi Kappei, a traveller from out of town, a very gentle and sweet young man. He is soft spoken but very cheerful, and is a little clumsy. He enjoys painting and drawing of anything and everything that he happens to enjoy, he vows to give me a special 'thank you' because of my kindness.

But the most important thing about him is...he makes me smile.

"But... I can't, you help me some many times, and I don't want to be any more of a burden, besides what happen if your sister catches me? You said she would beat me up right?" he starts to panic.

"Don't worry; I will try my best for you not to get caught, besides... I feel like I need to help you." I promise him.

***

We found ourselves in my family's shed, setting up a sleeping bed and pillow for him.

It is a small shed that my family use for storage, it is pretty cramp due my father's old rusty tools that he never set a finger on and my mother's old cookware. After some organizing we manage to have enough room for a person to sleep on.

I would be lying to myself if invited him to stay in my room didn't cross my mind, but I worry for Kappei well being if he was ever caught. Even though it would keep him dry when it rains, it wouldn't help him to keep warm during the nights, or sleeping in a comfortable bed.

"Are you sure this is all right Fujibayashi-san?" Kappei asks placing his travelling satchel right beside the pillow.

He is nervous but tries to keep his demeanour in a subtlety approach, his eyes starts to wonder back and forth to each corner of the shed. His shoulder hardens and his arms motionless, I can tell his worry, but I gave him a smile.

"Yes, my parents never used this shed," I hold his hand trying to calm him down. His hand is tense as I touch it. "It may not be much but, at least you keep dry from the rain." I feel his hand softening he starts to relax.

"You help me... again Fujibayashi-san." His voice softens he holds my hand with both of his." I guess I really need to think of a way to truly thank you..." his eye starts to shine down at me.

I could feel my heart beating from my chest, his soft brown eyes fixes on mine; I lose myself in its depths.

"Don't worry about it, Hiiragi-san..."

Before he can utter another world I could hear my onee-chan's laughter from outside, I look at the shed's door to hear the voices of her and Sunohara-kun. When I turn my attention back to Hiiragi he freezes with terror, I place my fingers on my lips.

"Shhh..." I whisper to him.

My hand opens the shed door to a tiny crack, enough to peek outside; I can see Sunohara talking with onee-chan, her back at me and Sunohara facing my way. I gasp when I notice Sunohara-san staring at me hiding in the shed, he raise his eye brow.

"What are you staring at?" Kyou ask, I nearly faint as she about to turn around, then a miracle happen.

Before onee-chan turn completely around to see me, Sunohara-san puts his hand on her shoulder, she stop mid way and looks back to him.

"It nothing...I saw nothing," he chuckles.

Somehow...he knows.

"You are so strange sometimes Youhei!" Kyou raises her voice as she slaps his hand away from her shoulder. "Honesty can't you be normal for more than a hour?" she asks.

Sunohara just laughs out loud.

"It's nothing Kyou...I was just looking for your scooter that's all," he laughs grew louder. "I just want to see it."

"Oh you want to see it?" she pauses putting her finger on her chin. "Fine it is in the garage let's go..." she guides him to the garage.

A single sigh escapes me

"Is the course clear..."

A whisper weakens out; I turn to see a half body, half grieving card board box right by my feet, I find myself giggling at the site of him trying to hide in it.

"Shhh..." I put a finger to my lips. "Please stay here and not make a noise...I will be back soon after I greet my sister."

He nods.

***

I didn't come back to late in the evening...

I didn't have a single chance to go back, because of Onee-chan drag me into watching a movie, she force Sunohara-kun to pay for both of us as payment for showing the scooter to him.

It is very late in the evening when I return home.

"Hiiragi-san," I whisper through the door as I lightly knock.

There is no answer and I began to worry if he felt uncomfortable and just left, and I won't be able to see him again.

"Hiiragi-san," I whisper again as I open the door slowly enough to peek through.

From the crack opening I can see him lying on the sleeping bag on his side, and the soft snores reach my ears. I find myself making a smile as I continue to watch him from the door, I didn't know why I did so, but I knee beside him to get a closer look on him.

He is far handsome more than I realize when I take another look at him, and I can feel my cheeks starting to burn.

I have no idea that I capable to do such things... in fact I always think that I can never be as bold as many girls I know at school.

I jump as Hiiragi turns on to his back, fearing that his eyes open and notice me looking down at him...and my fears came true as he slowly open is eyes.

"Fujibayashi-san?" he whispers.

"Hi..."

"Hi"

Then we talk for hours late into the night. There is so much to talk to him about, so many things to share, and the whole time I didn't feel uncomfortable. It felt the same like the day we meant, and I enjoy every second of it. Happiness fills me as I talk to him, and the way he smiles sweetly at me, I knew he felt the same.

The sun reaches into the small cracks of the shed, giving us its affection.

"Wow...we have been talking all night Fujibaysashi-san...I completely lost track of time," he chuckles. "I hope you're not tired."

"Actually I am little tired," fatigue finally catching up to me. I yawn. "Maybe I should go before Onee-chan finds out that I'm not in bed, are you going to be okay?"

He nods. "Yes I'm going to take a little nap, and then go out to find a job again."

"I hope you do find a job Kappei," I then cover my mouth as I realize that I just address him by his first name. "I'm sorry for being so rude," I bowed in front of him. Then I felt his hand palm the top of my head and run my hair.

"It's fine...Fujibayashi," he nods. "It's okay if you address me by its first name, In fact I prefer if you do...but would it be okay if I call you Ryou?" he asks.

I eagerly nod; it would have been much easier for him to address me by my first name since it is short.

"I just hope I do well today..." Kappei sighs.

"Well I could tell your fortune for you," I offered.

"Eh, you mean you interested in fortune telling Ryou?

"Of course," I am a little surprise at myself for not even mentioning one of my favourite hobbies to him during the long talks that we had so far. I excitingly took the deck of playing cards and proceeded to shuffle them.

"You use playing cards? I thought you use tarot cards to read someone fortune?" he asks politely.

"Well everyone has their one way, besides I would love to use tarot cards but there are a little expensive," I explain after shuffling the deck of cards some more I folded it into a fan and place them in front of him. "Please pick three cards." I decide to use a general reading.

He was hesitating at first, but after a few seconds he did so, then he handed to cards to me.

"Shall I begin?"

Kappei nods.

I place the first card on the floor, the first card he pick that represent the Past.

The Ace of Spades

"Something terrible in the past, a death of someone close to you or an illness," I explain, I notice that Kappei hold his right hand right away, he eyes looked away from me.

"Should I stop?"

"No...Continue, besides it bad luck to stop a reading mid way isn't?"

I nodded as I place the second card on the floor, the second card represent Present

The Two of Hearts

I blushed. "Umm... Romantic vibe in the air as we speak...

I notice that Kappei's cheeks started to turn pink.

I place the third card on the floor, the card represent Future.

The Ten of Spades

I then froze as the card appeared in front of me, my eyes widen and I became silent.

"What is it Ryou? What's wrong?" he asks.

"....Illness...a weaken health...fatal," I struggle to speak.

"Oh..." he held his hand again.

"Sorry...this isn't a happy fortune telling as I hope for Kappei..." I bowed.

"Hey," he patted me on the shoulder. "It is just for fun right? I mean it not actually going to come true..." he encourages me; my eyes couldn't look away from the three cards on the ground. "You must be tired...just get some sleep Ryou, I'll be fine here for now."

"Take care Kappei," I said before I left him alone.

I just hope the fortune is wrong...

A/N Okay this is my first time writing in first person I'm not use to yet, me and fellow writer Altamaru decided to put the Ryou chapters in first person as like she telling a story. My name is Alexander by the way and I'm actually going to make a actual fanfiction account soon, after this story is over.

Updates may take longer for me as I am busy shorting out stuff in my life.

For those of you who are not familiar with the character Hirragi Kappei he is a character in the VN of Clannad and is also Ryou love interest, I not going to go through much details without giving out spoilers in this arc or the game.

But he is very easy going (VERY EASY GOING), has strange way to approach life and has a rather dark sense of humour. Over all he's a great guy and is more compatible with Ryou then she is Tomoya.