A/N: Hey all, I'm working on my other fics since I procrastinated…sorry about that. Well, to get myself into a serious tone, I decided to make this with Prince of Tennis. I haven't played tennis in months!So you have to give me some credit for remembering a tinge of the scoring system. This was supposed to be a One-shot, yet, somehow I noticed it was longer than my normal ones. Curse me and my short attention span! I also notice in my twisted-somehow-tale-of-romance, Sakuno's character changes. It was inevitable I tell you! So, later in the story she's a bit OOC…but if you can let that slide…thanks!
Oh well, I hope you like…
Disclaimer: I don't have the rights to Prince of Tennis.
Advantage Point
Part 1: Deuce Ka-Pok!
That was a clean top spin serve executed by the great Ryoma Echizen.
The young boy with the dark hair glared straight into the green fur as the ball was returned. Hitting it back with a mighty force, he released a grunt sending the ball clean over the net . . . and bounding in then passing the white line.
"15-love!" called Coach Ryuzaki. She smirked seeing how easily Echizen got that point in only three minutes into the game. She crossed her arms over her chest and chuckled.
I don't think anyone could possibly match the prince. She thought. She looked over to see her young granddaughter admiring the young boy from the sidelines. She could see the chocolate eyes burn holes through the boy's shirt. Obviously, it seemed she was studying the boy's every move in this match. Heh, what could Sakuno possibly be thinking? Ryuzaki-sensei mused.
She saw the girl sigh, but never leave her eyes off of the boy. He had a fluid motion when hitting the ball; he followed through at the right timing and sent the green ball across the net always landing in. It seemed young Ryoma had an eerie gift; the ball would never disobey him when he wanted the ball in.
How does he do it, thought the braided haired girl. She tapped at her chin staring at his footwork while at the same time trying to make it look like she was only at this match to fawn over him. When he looked in her direction, she would blush and give him a weird smile. He would roll his eyes and continue with his game. Her intentions were so not Sakuno-like. She still looked like the innocent Sakuno, but her eyes tell a different story.
Sakuno hid a determination to defeat Ryoma in tennis. It had too long since the last time Ryoma insulted Sakuno. He teased her about the times she lost to him. Before, she thought she wouldn't ever be able to beat him, but now, she had an all new motivation.
Months ago, television aired the Wimbledon. The men in the sport were phenomenal. Their serving speed was a whopping 55 mph. (I think one of the guys were that fast, I can't remember). She was highly impressed. When she saw the girls play, they were as amazing as the boys. She saw some players not start until they were her age. Imagine girls in Wimbledon actually become pro just starting at her age. One girl even said on camera, that she never let a boy at her school win in tennis without a fight. (I don't think that's true…) Sakuno saw, and learned.
She was going to follow that example. Ryoma had his pride and to the surprise of most, so did Sakuno. She wasn't going to change personality-wise, but when it comes to game, she was to be a demon in tennis.
Weeks passed, and Sakuno made an enemy out of the wall. Constantly pounding tennis balls with her racket, forced little dents in the wall. Her hits became more accurate. Her serves, according to the speed meter, were well above the 5 mph range. It didn't sound impressive, but it was a success in the young girl's eyes.
No longer did her eyes show fear. They both spurned the fire and power it would in any pro tennis player. During her practices, she was even forced to restring her racket three times. When you see that your racket is in need of a restringing, you know you're ready for a challenge.
At school, she would see her eye candy calmly strutting down the halls with his tennis racket. In the weeks of her practices, she disciplined herself so that she wouldn't allow herself to be distracted by him. Nowadays, she wouldn't blush, or stutter around him, but she would fall and trip, though that can change with another few weeks of tennis practice.
Sakuno's change was beginning to show to people. Even Tomoka was questioning Sakuno's change in behavior.
"Sakuno, are you feeling alright? You've been acting strange lately." She approached Sakuno one day in the halls. Her eyes were flooded with concern, and a little bit of fear.
Sakuno simply nodded, and gave Tomoka a reassuring smile. "What are you talking about Tomo-chan?" She lightly giggled, "I'm fine." Sakuno then brushed passed her on her way to the tennis courts.
"…Sakuno?" Tomoka sighed and merely shrugged it off. Maybe something happened between her and Ryoma-sama. With that, she turned on her heel and left.
While on her way to the courts, she looked over to some Ponta vending machines. She stopped for the moment, and cast her eyes downward at the ground. The innocent Sakuno was beginning to rise up again, as she remembered what happened two weeks ago.
Flashback
Sakuno was walking to the tennis courts to meet her grandma with a bounce in her every step. Her heart was pounding, waiting to see Ryoma practice. When she made it to the courts, she saw him. She froze right then and there. She swallowed hard and entered.
"Um….grandma…" Sakuno spoke softly as she walked up to Ryuzaki-sensei. "I was watching TV, when this commercial went on after a tennis match."
Ryuzaki-sensei turned her attention away from the rally the Seigaku regulars started earlier to her granddaughter. "Go on…" She smiled wondering what Sakuno's direction was leading to.
"…well, it was a commercial advertising this local tennis tournament. It's a very short tournament, so there's no worry about it being time-consuming…it has one set per round…Ah…and, it allows people from the ages of ten and up but you need an adult present and…" Sakuno blushed furiously noting that everyone who was rallying stopped and turned their attention excitedly to her. Ryuzaki-sensei just chuckled.
She then smiled crossing her arms looking down at Sakuno. "…and?"
Sakuno felt a surge of pressure and closed her eyes tightly feeling the eyes burn into her.
"Ah…I was just wondering if you could enter me in, grandma!" For a request like that, there was no real reason for her to ask in front of the Seigaku boys.
However, Sakuno didn't realize that until later and she slowly let her eyes roam the courts to see eyes scanning her. She felt utterly embarrassed. She knew she wasn't the best female tennis player, but after watching a few tennis matches at school and on TV, she felt it was necessary to go for her dreams.
And hers was actually succeeding in winning a match on her own in tennis.
Ryuzaki-sensei wanted to end her granddaughter's embarrassment, so she nodded and dismissed her. Sakuno didn't move for a while because she felt that there wasn't a pair of eyes watching her…one she wanted to see her with courage and determination as a tennis player, not as a fan girl fawning over him.
She looked in his direction and saw he was sitting, eyes closed and arms crossed. Everyone else on the team smiled at her, acknowledging her spirit, but Ryoma. She felt ashamed. She wanted him of all people to respect her for her decision. He couldn't even give her that. She began to believe that no matter what, she would be the worst tennis player ever. Unshed tears began stinging her gentle eyes as she dashed out of the courts.
Ryoma-kun is so cold. Why do I do things to myself just to get his attention? She thought letting the tears of embarrassment and failure pour down her cheeks.
Do I really need his acceptance in order to live on? Do I truly need his attention just to be me? Her questions were weakening her feelings for the young boy.
Do I really need him to care? She stopped running and leaned on the doorframe that opened to the halls of the school. She quickly rubbed her eyes, using the back of her hand to wipe off the tears. She looked up, with a miserable face, and to no one in particular, she spoke aloud,
"Do I really need to love him?"
End of Flashback
Sakuno remembered the day she gave up on Ryoma. Using her leftover feelings for him, she was able to sign up for the tournament that would take place two weeks from now.
She held her head up high while walking swiftly to the tennis courts. She sighed, her feelings were still lingering in her heart and she couldn't stop them. They flowed like a river, flooding her other emotions. It overpowered them and she just couldn't concentrate.
No, Sakuno. You can't let him get to you. He makes you weak. You saw your serves. They surpass any girls' serve at this school now. Just let go. She nodded to herself and looked through the cage of the court.
"Ryoma-kun…" she said softly to herself.
There she saw him. He was practicing by himself. Every time he hit, some fuzz from the ball would be visible on his racket strings. She could tell he was putting a lot of power in his serve.
She couldn't take her eyes off of him. Her feelings were pulling at her heart strings. At every slam at the ball, her heart would skip a beat. She clenched the wires on the cage and frowned.
Sakuno was holding back tears; she looked down in shame for her hopeless feelings still swimming in her heart. She let go of the wire and walked away slowly.
Ryoma blinked having a strange feeling that he was being watched. Looking at the entrance of the courts, he sighed as he saw nothing.
Something was distracting him and he couldn't understand why. He brought himself to the courts to keep his mind focused on the one thing he simply loves. The court, that he expected to clear his mind, wasn't helping. He felt he was missing something.
A Week Earlier
Momo-senpai dashed back and forth returning the balls being served to him. He gasped as he felt himself tripping over a racket. "What the--?" Before he could fall on his face, he slammed his palm into the pavement saving him. He noticed the racket and looked for the owner.
"Oi, Echizen! Why are ya being careless! I nearly broke my neck because of your racket!" Momo hollered tossing the racket to Ryoma.
Catching it, Ryoma raised an eyebrow to him. "Hn." His response caused Momo-senpai to blast out saying how irresponsible Ryoma is with his tennis equipment. Closing his eyes, leaning back and resting his head on his arms on the ground, he gave a sly smirk, "What if I wanted you to hurt yourself?" Again, it brought the result of a very frustrated Momo-senpai.
Ryuzaki-sensei walked into the courts and saw Momo screeching at the top of his lungs to a not-so-caring Ryoma. "So what's all this? Momo, Ryoma? What's going on?" She inquired.
Momo smirked, "Aww, Ryoma's just having one of those days...ones that happen when Sakuno-chan didn't come and watch him practice." With that statement Ryoma shot up and glared at Momo.
Ryuzaki-sensei blinked questionably, but laughed in her head. "Oh? Is that true Ryoma?" She smiled looking down at the boy on the ground.
He frowned, "Tch…." He got up, picked up his stuff and made his way exiting the courts. Ryuzaki-sensei stood dumbfounded by Ryoma's response. She was unsure what he meant, while Momoshiro was cracking up. (Reason: I don't have the faintest clue. I just didn't know what to make him do…)
"Hush! Practice your serves Momoshiro! Your top spin is flawed!" She pointed at him accusingly. She didn't want his mind thinking about Ryoma's scene.
Momoshiro was startled, and scrambled for his racket and a tennis ball that was on the ground. Ryuzaki-sensei looked to the direction Ryoma had left and still wondered why he didn't deny Momo's comment.
Ryoma was walking towards the Ponta vending machine until he saw Sakuno. She was walking towards the vending machine, too. Her eyes met his as she walked closer. Sakuno blinked with a closed mouth. No red appeared on her complexion.
"Ryoma-kun…" He raised his eyebrow staring at her questionably. What was she doing instead of seeing him play? He wanted know, but he didn't understand why it was so important.
"Ryuzaki-san…where-what were you doing today?" He said showing no change in his expression. She shrugged and still no blush crept into her cheeks.
"Oh, I was just wandering around after I ate my lunch. Tomo-chan finished hers and ran to meet her club," Without you? He questioned in his mind as she walked over to the vending machine. He saw her cringe looking at the lack of selection. The water fountain was far and she was probably lazy; this was the only option. "I didn't really want to go to her meeting." She sighed.
Her voice showed no sign of any nervousness. She spoke clearly without stuttering. Why was Sakuno acting this way? Could she have changed? The real question was why did she change her behavior around him?
"Oh, I should be leaving now, Ryoma-kun. I guess I'll see you later." She said calmly smiling.
Ryoma couldn't just let her leave finding out the reason why she didn't watch him practice. He didn't care about the reason why he cared; he just needed to get her reason out in the open. So, he hastily grabbed her arm stopping her in her tracks.
"Ah…? Ryoma-kun?" She looked up at him wondering what was up.
"Why weren't you at the practice?" He paused searching for the right words, "…I thought you wanted to watch people play tennis to improve yourself." He added, hoping it would save him from seeming like he cared if she went or not.
Her eyes widened for a second, then just stared at him for a second. She shrugged. "Eh…well…Ryoma-kun, I just didn't want to be a distraction to you…" Hearing that, it relieved him for the moment, until she continued. "Plus, Ryoma-kun, I'm not too fond of mediocre, selfish tennis players…ones like you…" she shrugged his grip off of her and continued walking.
"Too fond of selfish tennis players…ones like you…"
Present
Sakuno could do nothing but constantly blame her mistakes of failure on her old crush on Ryoma. Even if they weren't true, she used that to improve herself even more.
This was her motivation.
Ryuzaki-sensei went home and she saw Sakuno already on her homework. "Sakuno? Are you sure you want to enter that tournament?"
"Eh…? Oh, yes, grandma." She acknowledged her presence, though Sakuno didn't stop looking at the book. Her pencil continued to scratch away on the paper, with delicate precision. She heard as her grandmother turns on her heel and sighs as she exits leaving Sakuno to her business.
Sakuno stared with cold eyes, the spot her grandmother stood. She knew she was worried about her behavior.
Even grandma's worrying is Ryoma-kun's fault…
Sakuno buried her head into her arms and began to sob. When she thought, 'kun,' her old feelings sprang up from the darkness and greeted her casually.
Whether she liked it or not, her feelings for Ryoma would always come back and haunt her.
The following day, the word had spread regarding meek little Sakuno Ryuzaki's entrance in the big bad tennis tournament that would take place in a few weeks. People had no faith in her success, and Sakuno was fully aware of that.
Though she didn't let anyone's discouraging words get to her, but she wanted to make people believe she had not changed. In class, she would encounter her classmates that tried to say she had no chance.
"…Eh..? Y-you want me to drop from the tournament?" Sakuno weakly said, clutching her chest acting, like her old 'self.' The girls, who told her she shouldn't even try, believed this was her way of trying to be popular. They wouldn't allow a girl with her status, to even bother changing herself…reasons unknown to Sakuno.
"Yes, Ryuzaki-san, you of all people know that the only person even worth going to a tournament is the great Ryoma-san. Now he is a great tennis player!" A girl with shoulder-length hair gloated enthusiastically. From a far distance, Tomoka watched as Sakuno's expression seemed like a mask. Tomoka, however, chose to keep what she saw, to herself.
Sakuno knew they would mention Ryoma. She was prepared to agree with them, while she would continue with the tournament, and not let anyone get to her.
"…Mm…I guess you're right…" She hung her head down, appearing disappointed, "I will contact my grandma and tell her to withdraw me from the tournament." With an 'obvious' submitting Sakuno response, her female walked away proud of their achievement.
That's just about shows how much you know how much I've improved…Sakuno's thoughts snickered. Looks can obviously be deceiving.
Worried, Tomoka approached her friend and placed a trembling hand on Sakuno's shoulder. Afraid that Sakuno could break from the discouraging talk from those girls, she used a gentle tone of voice hoping it would comfort her. "Sakuno-chan, don't listen to those bozos! They don't know anything!" Sakuno slowly turned to her and gave her a reassuring smile.
"…Yes, they don't know anything." Her eyes narrowed and it shocked Tomoka.
Right then, the bell rang. Instantly, Sakuno grabbed her things and waved good-bye to Tomoka. She was still in shock as Sakuno's response didn't seem like her best friend.
What was that all about?
Tomoka's worry for Sakuno's change leads her to believe it had something to do with Sakuno's crush on Ryoma. After school scheduled regular tennis practice and normally, she'd invite Sakuno. Recently, Sakuno would refuse with idiotic excuses.
First:
"Eh…? Oh, sorry Tomo-chan. I can't go today…because I promised grandma that I would clean the toilets!"
Second:
"Aw, Tomo-chan! You asked too late. Grandma wants me to runs some errands after walking the neighbors' dogs!"
Third:
"Tomo-chan…I'm sorry, grandma is picky with her flavor of jam…um…why is jam so important? Well, because…tonight I promised I'd make her some delicious Jam Buns! I can't come with you…sorry…"
This time, Sakuno didn't bother to give an excuse. All she was given was a grunt. Sakuno had the strangest behavior, and Tomoka didn't like how her friend was acting.
At the Tennis Courts…
Tomoka spotted Ryoma rallying while the other members were sitting down watching him. She stopped herself from drooling as she had more important business to attend to.
"Ryoma-sama!" She hollered through the cage, "May I speak with you for a second?"
He turned his head and waved to his rallying partner…Momoshiro, who began to point and laugh and make funny faces at Ryoma. Ryoma, on the other hand, didn't let the slide and so he pounded the ball into Momo's face and he stopped making sounds, period.
As Ryoma approached Tomoko, jelly was a new addition to her knees as he was coming closer. Ohmigosh…he's really going to talk to me…face-to-face! If only the reason was to…no. Stop! This is all for Sakuno!
"…Ah…R-Ryoma…s-sama…I just wanted to know something…"She breathed in slowly and out. He looked down at her curiously, as she was about to continue. He, however, also had something on his mind.
"Do you know what's wrong with Sakuno, recently?" The two said in unison. They both blinked and she turned a bright pink. We…we were thinking the same thing! Ohmigosh! We have something in common! Owah! In common with the great Ryoma-sama!
As her mind rambled on, he fell silent just waiting for her to respond. "I asked you first…"
She blinked and shook her head feeling defeated. What am I getting all excited about? Sure, we thought the same thing once, but that thought was concern for Sakuno! Oh great…
"What…what are you saying! You have no idea either!" Her mouth hung in surprise. She believed Sakuno was making a private rendez-vous with Ryoma every time she would try to get to come with her to a tennis practice after school. But with Ryoma's lack of knowledge, Tomoka felt baffled.
He just stared and looked down. If Sakuno's best friend had no clue of Sakuno's reasons for her recent behavior, than who would?
As if on cue, Ryuzaki-sensei walked slowly towards the young ones. She looked at their confused expression and inquired, "Is something wrong?"
"R-Ryuzaki-sensei! Do you know what's wrong with Sakuno-chan lately!" She eyed the elder woman who merely blinked at the young girl's sudden concern.
"…No…maybe…it could be the stress of the tournament that she told me to enter her in." She looked at Ryoma curiously. …Or maybe…he's the reason.
Ryoma stayed quiet and after a few moments he turned around and walked away. The two just watched as the boy walked passed the tennis courts and apparently to his home.
The young girl and the older woman stared at each other quietly. They still had no idea what was wrong with Sakuno.
When Coach Ryuzaki got home to a silent home, she instantly wondered about Sakuno. As she entered Sakuno's room, it was the same.
Hm…it's not a teenager phase…
The woman continued to investigate in Sakuno's room until she looked over to Sakuno. The darkness was spilled over her resting form, but her eyes glowed as if demonic. Her eyes focused closely on her grandmother.
Startled by Sakuno's eerie appearance, she blinked at her as Sakuno rose.
"Sakuno, it's too early for sleep. Have you worked too hard today?" Sakuno looked at her hands then returned to look at her grandma.
"Yes." Sakuno breathed quietly. She began to rub her eyes and continued to speak, "…not to be rude grandma, but…" Coach Ryuzaki sighed and gave a weak smile walking towards the door.
"It's alright, I understand, good-night Sakuno-chan." Without hearing a response, she unhappily left the young girl's room.
She left the room without finding the answers she wanted.
The weeks continued to fly by and yet no one who was remotely close to Sakuno ever go to understand what was going on with her.
And in those weeks, word got out that someone else had entered the tournament, too.
"All right everybody! Great news! Ryoma-sama entered the all-ages tournament and now we have a reason to watch this one!" one of the girls in the Ryoma Fan Club said glaring at Tomoka. Psh, not doing her job. The girl thought viciously.
Ryoma became one of the insignificant thoughts in her mind. Sakuno was the number one thought, and she was going to worry about her until she became her normal self.
Meanwhile, Sakuno busied herself with practice and she was not deaf. She knew he had entered the tournament as well. It was indeed co-ed, which would mean if she was successful, she would have to go against him…in her oddly confident mind, go against him in the final round.
That didn't get to her fortunately. She's been complimenting herself as she's been improving when no one is around. Her serves are dead-on, her returns are smooth and finally her form is impressive. Unfortunately, she thought this would prevent her from being clumsy, though that was a failure. Nobody's perfect, right?
It was the week before the tournament. The Ryoma fans were preparing t-shirts, banners and all such annoying and very distracting accessories for the event about to take place. No other Seigaku boy chose to enter and most of them thought it was cute how Ryoma was joining the tournament with his 'girlfriend.'
It didn't faze him, like Sakuno. Also, he kept the confidence that Sakuno had too. Strangely alike, the two tennis players both thought they were going to win. On the other hand, he thought he would easily beat Sakuno. Though, in his mind, something told him something was going to stall his victory.
It was in the week before the tournament, something would make Sakuno's thirst for a win ever stronger. She would find herself appearing vulnerable with a tennis racket in her grasp at the tennis courts that was at a park. She was actually lost in her train of thought. She was merely trying to get herself ready, mentally. Physically, she was prepared, but her emotions and pathetic feelings for Ryoma were a great distraction. What she didn't realize was that she was being watched from afar.
Continued…
A/N: I promise to end this before I continue my others…I never break my promise.