Thunder
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis
Sakuno gave a yelp of fear as another burst of thunder erupted loudly near her. She was in a corner all by herself, shivering from the cold because she had just finished grocery shopping for this week and it had been raining heavily outside when she had left, so now, she was soaked.
Another burst of thunder suddenly erupted. Sakuno burrowed her face further into her legs. At times like this, she truly wished that her mother were still alive.
Sakuno felt tears start to develop at the corners at the thought of her now deceased mother. It was at times like this when she truly wished that there would still be someone to comfort her. Her dad was no good; he was a drunk, and oba-chan, while still kind, was not always there.
Suddenly, the door opened and her oba-chan came rushing to Sakuno's corner and quickly dropped to her knees, eyes worried.
"Sakuno-chan, are you okay? I'm sorry for leaving you alone like that," Sumire babbled worriedly.
"I-I'm okay," Sakuno said, grateful that her oba-chan was here. "Demo, isn't the school faculty meeting still going on?"
"Well, I couldn't let my Sakuno-chan be scared, could I?" Sumire replied, slightly calmer now that she had seen Sakuno. "Anyway, I am going to go back right now since I know you're alright, so don't worry about me getting in trouble."
"Hai, oba-chan," Sakuno said, smiling even though in truth she was sad that her oba-chan would be leaving already.
"Ah? Don't pull that look with me. Lucky you, I brought along someone to keep you company. Come in, Ryoma-kun!"
Sakuno froze. Did her oba-chan just say…Ryoma? Echizen Ryoma, the prince of tennis? The boy she loved even though she now fourteen?
And then, he was there, towering above Sakuno's crouched figure, the very picture of coolness and masculinity.
Sakuno could feel herself turning redder than a tomato, achieving a new record of red. She was so embarrassed that Ryoma had to see her in the state she was in currently, hair disheveled, eyes red and puffy, and her clothes soaking wet.
"Well, I'll be going. Ja ne, Ryoma-kun, Sakuno-chan!" Sakuno faintly heard her oba-chan leave. Then, she was alone with Ryoma.
Sakuno stayed silent. So did Ryoma. However, when the next burst of thunder, Sakuno gave another yelp and buried herself further into her drawn up legs. Then, she felt a comforting, strong arm cross her shoulders. With shock, she realized it was Ryoma's arm. She was even more shocked when she heard him say softly, "I'm here." Luckily for Ryoma, Sakuno did not notice the faint blush that was on his face.
The two stayed that way the rest of the time, until Sumire got back. Then, Ryoma got up carefully and left a sleeping Sakuno behind (she had fallen asleep while they had been waiting), but then, Sumire made Ryoma carry Sakuno to her room. And because she was too big to be carried piggyback style any more, she had to be carried bridal style. Ryoma blushed furiously as he carried out his task.
Then, he left. But not before leaving a slip of paper with his phone number on it and a large box
When Sakuno woke up and opened the box, in it was a golden-brown stuffed teddy bear. A note besides it said, "Think often of me."
Note: Sakuno and Ryoma did not move as a result of Sakuno's fear of thunder being so high that even if someone is with her, she is still paralyzed.
