I don't own prince of tennis.

CHAPTER I

She should have known that something would go wrong. There were so many signs and yet, like always, she paid no heed to them. First there was the wake up call that was not only one hour late, thus making her horribly late for work but the music that played was simply horrendous, yet it was going to be perfect for the events that were to take place.

When she got to work the look on her boss's face told her she was in big trouble. Normally her boss, Kurosawa Tennouji, was a pleasant man to work with, some would go so far as to say that he was the perfect boss, he never complained if you were a bit late or expected you to work in a formal suit. For him it didn't matter how you looked like or who you were, what mattered to him was the quality of your work. Today it seemed that even the sweet man that Sakuno grew fond of was in a sour mood, and she had a feeling that the one he would dump it on would be her. And boy was she right.

"Miss Ryuzaki can you please join me in my office for a moment? I have a new assignment for you."

"Sure Kurosawa san."

'I wonder what it is this time. He seems a bit tense though.'

"Miss Ryuzaki as you might be well aware of today is the last day of the tennis tournament. Now I wouldn't ask this normally but the one that was supposed to cover the event had to stay home for personal reasons."

'Why do I have this bad feeling inside?'

"And we really need the interview with whoever wins the game so you will be in charge of taking photos and interviewing the winner."

"But I'm not a reporter. I never took an interview in my life."

"Don't worry you'll do fine. It's really not that hard."

"Can't you send someone else?"

"No. everyone has something to do."

"Oh and I don't?"

"I didn't mean it like that but the site will be just fine if you leave it unsupervised for one day, whereas this is urgent."

(a.n Sakuno is a website creator and supervisor. She really doesn't strike me like the reporter type –too shy– but more like a quiet person that doesn't like to work with people or be the center of attention.)

"Just out of curiosity who's in the final?"

'God let it be someone else besides HIM!'

"Echizen Ryoma and Federer"

'Thanks a lot God'

"Do I have a choice?"

"Not really. No."

"What time does it start?"

"At 12:30 that's two hours from now"

"k. Bye."

'Shit! I have a date with Kei in one hour and I just know that he's gonna have a fit when I'll cut the meeting short. He always does. But that doesn't stop him from canceling our dates or be late for them.

Oh man! Why did it have to be Ryoma. Why not somebody else, anybody but the guy I was in love with for more than six years, anyone but the guy I had to brake up with two years ago.

Flashback 2 years ago

A young lady made her way towards the Aiza café. She was wearing a beautiful blue summer dress of medium length, and matching sandals. Her dark brown hear hung loosely around her body framing her face. She wasn't too tall a mere 1.60 m yet that height fitted her perfectly. When men looked at her they saw a creature of fragile beauty, so fragile that even a gust of wind could break her.

As she reached the café and talked to the waiter she sited herself at a table patiently waiting for the man she loved to come. She was quite happy for that day they would celebrate their two year anniversary. She still couldn't believe that it had been such a long time.

As time passed by a waiter came to take her order.

"Can I bring you anything mis?"

"No thank you, I'm waiting for someone."

"Yes, but you've been here for two hours, and I'm afraid that if you don't order something, I'll have to ask you to live."

'Two hours have passed? But why didn't he come. Has anything happened to him?'

As that terrifying thought entered her mind she hurriedly got up and left in search of him. It didn't occur to her that he might have forgotten because she was to nice to think so badly about a person and too much in love to think it about him. She probably wouldn't have seen him if he didn't shout.

And there he was on the tennis ground playing with his old time friend Momoshiro Takeshi. And maybe she would have forgiven him if not for what he said.

"Oi Echizen you sure you don't have to go somewhere. You did have flowers with you and all."

"Nah, it wasn't important. Plus Sakuno always understands."

She didn't know where she found the strength to walk up to him and say the hardest words of her life:

"Good bye Ryoma, I hope to never see you again."

And then she left.

End flashback

That time seems so far away now. I don't even recognize the girl that cried for the tennis prodigy. I guess I've changed and moved on. I have a good job I don't let anyone tell me what to do and a boyfriend.

So maybe the guy I'm with right now isn't all that great but he is here for me.'

"Hey Key. Sorry for being late"

"Yes well try not to let it happen again k love"

"Of course" 'ok I take it back he needs a lot of work. I wonder what happened to the sweet man I met six months ago. Where did he disappear and why did he live here with his evil twin?

I remember
Walking through the park
Just shooting the breeze
Kissing in the shade
Those were the days
Lounging in the den
Breakfast In the bed
You let me have my way
Those were the days

All he talks about these days is either business or money. It wasn't like this at the beginning, I wonder if everyone goes through this or is it just me. Why do I attract only louses?'

"Hey are you listening to me?"

"Huh… Yeah of course"

"Right…"

"Listen, I have to go take an interview for the paper. We'll talk at home."

"And who are you interviewing? Don't tell me it's that bastard Echizen?'

"So what if it is him?"

"Then you're not going. I've had it with you paying other men more attention than me, especially him. You're nothing but a…"

SLAP

"Don't confuse me with your whores. Oh and why don't you do me a favor and let me never see your face again."

"You'll be sorry about this Sakuno"

"Yeah what ever."

You Don't know me no more
You can't lie no more
Ain't gon' try no more
This is the end of the road

'What a jerk. I wonder what I ever saw in him? Great now I have only half an hour to get to the tennis courts. Thank heavens they're close by.'

The game was won by Ryoma 6 games to 4 and it took everyone by surprise, everyone but Sakuno that is.

'Hm… took you long enough to win Ryoma kun. But I knew you would, you always do. And now being the only reporter here I have easy access to your locker so I can ask as many questions as I want. I wonder if he'll remember me. Not likely. Oh well here he comes.'

Ryoma was heading towards the changing rooms trying desperately to outrun the reporters. It had been a long and hard game and all he wanted now was a hot bath and sleep, but he would have to settle for a shower and a long ride to the hotel. When he entered the locker room he let out a heavy sigh that he didn't know he was holding. They became more and more frequent the discontented sighs, even after a hard won victory, no scratch that especially after a hard victory. Of course there was no easy victory, not anymore, not for two years. And yet another sigh left his lips.

'What's the matter with me? I should be jumping of joy but no I'm standing here moping around for a girl that probably forgot about me and is now happily married. She probably has kids too.' The image of a brown haired angel holding a small baby in her arms smiling at him filled his mind 'Che and what you wouldn't give for that baby to be yours, but face it you idiot you lost the only girl that could make you happy.'

'What's wrong with Ryoma kun? He seems so sad'

Snap out of it girl. He's not your concern. You're here to take an interview and nothing more. Oh and will you please stop it with the Ryoma kun, you're not a kid anymore.

'Guess you're right.'

'I wonder how my life would have been if I hadn't made that stupid mistake 2 years ago…'

He didn't have time to finish that train of thought for the girl that plagued his dreams literally fell in his arms.

Sakuno didn't plan it and it had been ages since she last tripped over something, so why did it happen now right in front of Echizen she had no idea but she was sure that someone up there really hated her. As she braced herself for the fall and even more for his criticism she thought how ironic this was. But the pain never came, what was supposed to be a cold hard floor was warm and soft and the cruel words that she expected were replaced by a deep masculine voice, laced with concern.

'What's going on? How did Sakuno get here.'

do you really care about that? Here's your chance to answer your question.

"Are you alright?"

'I think I know why the floor's so worm and soft…it's because I'm in his arms, his strong wonderfully worm arms.'

Now now… let's not do anything that will make the situation even worse. I mean it's no big deal it's just a pair of arms. They don't affect us in the least. I mean why should they. I have no feelings for this man and he doesn't even look so good. I've seen a hundred men that were far more handsome than he.

'Really and where were they, your dreams; oh and why is your face as red as a tomato, not to mention the million butterflies in your belly. Face it girl you still like him.'

I do not like him. He is the one that brought me nothing but misery and heartache. Give me one good reason for me to like him.

'And since when does love need a reason?'

You're impossible.

"Sorry Echizen san. I hope that you won't be to offended and still give an interview." She smiled at him, and even though it wasn't the same as before it still warmed his wounded heart simply because she smiled for him.

'So she didn't come for me.' He felt pain stab his bleeding heart. He didn't know how long he could suffer this pain tearing him apart. He knew that it wasn't much longer.

'Maybe I can win her back. I hope to God I will. This is the last chance I have left.' And even though he didn't know it he was right for in the road to his future there was a fork two roads that could be followed, one long and mysterious yet full of joy and another that held enough pain for 10 lifetimes yet the time was short to short to be called a life and the ending was sad and so very lonely.

"Alright I'll give you an interview with one condition."

"And what's that?"

"Have lunch with me."

"I don'…"

she didn't know when he made it by her side. Nor was she certain exactly how his arms found their way around her waist. All she could feel was his hot breath tickling her skin, making her knees feel like jelly.

"Don't worry Sakuno, I don't bite. Unless you want me to that is."

Soft lips brushed the skin of her neck lighting a fire that could only grow stronger.

He cupped her chin and brought her eyes to meet his. For a moment their gazes locked and he could have sworn that he saw an emotion that he thought lost he saw love and it was directed towards him. He didn't have the chance to make sure though for the small glimpse inside her heart was now blocked by a wall made of to many lies and disappointments, a wall that to his shame he helped create.

"Come with me."

'God what's going on? Why is he acting this way? Is he playing me again?'

"Why?" her voice was soft quivering with emotion.

"Because I need you."

"Alright."

He let go of her and took a step back, he then took her hand and kissed it his eyes never leaving hers.

"Thank you Sakuno." And then he smiled. That smile that was solely hers, and it melted her heart.

"it's good to see you smiling more often" she said feeling a wave of sadness course through her at the thought of sharing his smiles with someone else.

"I only smile when you're around"

And then he left to change leaving a stunned girl behind. A girl that could not deny the feelings she still harbored for him but was too afraid of getting hurt to admit it.

What's the matter with you. You get all mushy because of a smile.

'It wasn't the smile that got to me but the promise that he made and apparently still keeps.'

Flashback

It was a quiet night, with the moon full and bright watching over lover's hearts and lighting their pats with stars. It was perfect for couples to walk through the park holding hands whispering sweet secrets to each other.

Tokyo Park was apparently empty all but two people were there to watch its beauty. As they walked hand in hand the girl's musical laughter could be herd. It was like the chime of small silver bells, so fragile so innocent.

The boy watched her as she ran towards the small playground twirling around with grace. He couldn't help but smile at the image he was sure to keep in his mind and heart forever.

Then she stopped and slowly approached him. Her steps light on the grass not making a sound she seemed to be floating. Her hands lifted to frame his face a gentle smile resting upon her cherry lips.

"You should smile more often Ryoma-kun"

He twined his arms around he thin waist and pulled her close to kiss her gently. He was always baffled by how sweet she tasted and how addictive her kisses were. If he was not careful he knew he would lose himself inside her. But then again he really didn't mind that possibility. As he broke the kiss he whispered a promise in her ear a promise that he was sure he would keep.

"Than I promise to always smile, but only for you, for no one else but you."

"I can live with that"

End flashback

'Just for me, I wonder what will happen next. Why is he acting like this? But more than anything I wonder if I can keep myself from falling for him again.'