This is an alternate chapter of the story "A Walk to Remember" this chapter is a Christmas special. Remember that Christmas eve is also Ryoma's birthday so this side story is dedicated to the pairing of Ryoma and Sakuno.

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Ryoma-kun!Now for all of those who hasn't read my story yet, please read it as soon as possible and give me reviews.

May All of us experience the magic of the yuletide season.

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis

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This is an excerpt from my story A Walk to Remember

"Ryoma-sama likes a girl in the tennis club!" She exclaimed. I was perked up by the news.

"Eh?" I was confused or maybe jealous.

"It could be you Sakuno!" Tomoka exclaimed. "Ah I don't think so Tomo-chan." I sighed. Maybe I was right. Ryoma-kun isn't for me and who he was waiting a while ago was the girl he likes. I was just a plain dumb.

As my classes went on, I was feeling distracted of what Tomo-chan said. I loved Ryoma-kun ever since the first time I saw him. I don't know why he kept on holding my heart. The day ended with me feeling there was no tennis practice I planned to go home early and have a nice cup of tea. Maybe I should buy a new book to read.

"Ryuzaki." I was stunned to see Ryoma-kun. Shouldn't he be with the girl he likes? It was just a perfect timing for him he wasn't busy.

"R-ryoma-kun." I blushed again and stuttered. "Are you busy?" He asked with a bizarre look on his face. I was confused. "No, not really I was about to head towards home already." I said feeling nervousness. "Can I walk you home?" He volunteered. How sweet? Could he be asking me a favor? "Ah Hai." I blushed again.

I can't believe this. I was actually walking home with him. Well this was not new he walked me home countless of times since we were first years. I guess obaa-chan was the one who asked him to do it. But this time he was the one who asked me. I felt like this was completely a dream.

I was busy in my thought of why Ryoma-kun suddenly volunteered to walk me home when I felt something cold in my cheek. I smiled as I notice it.

"R-ryoma-kun isn't it wonderful it's snowing!" I said like a child while catching the snow falling from above with my palm. "Maybe." He said. Ryoma-kun wasn't interested of these kinds of things. I felt like I was acting immature in front of him.

"Ryuzaki, you like the snow a lot?" He asked. "Yes I do like the snow." I replied.

"The snow is very comforting even though it has an unwanted coldness. But if you catch it with your palm it will definitely melt even though how cold it is." I said unconsciously.

"You're warm Ryuzaki." He said. "Eh I'm what?" I asked staring at him. "Nothing." He said. I was a bit disappointed.

"When I'm with you I feel like I'm a snow…" Ryoma-kun told me. "What does that mean?" I asked. It was silent for a while.

"I love you Ryuzaki." I felt nostalgia all over the atmosphere. Now I'm sure I was dreaming. "R-ryoma-kun is this a dream? I don't want to wake up from this dream." I said hoping this is real. "You're not dreaming Ryuzaki." He smirked. "Am I not?" I asked again. "You want me to prove it?" I was surprised. "Ah Hai." Well this was a dream anyway.

Ryoma-kun pulled me in a sweet kiss. I can't help it. I kissed back And since this day Echizen Ryoma was my boyfriend.

End

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"Ryoma-kun Ohayo." Sakuno said as she entered the gates of Seishun Gakuen. "Ohayo Ryuzaki." He smiled. He did smile. Sakuno was really happy, definitely not acting like the timid Sakuno all of them knew. As she entered her classroom she looked at the sky. It was snowing and absolutely cold. Sakuno wasn't paying attention in her classes.

"Ryuzaki-san, please read the line." the teacher said. She blushed like a tomato luckily Satomi the captain of the girl's tennis club whispered the answer.

"Arigato Satomi-chan." Sakuno said. "No problem Sakuno." Satomi replied. As time passed by it was already their lunch break. Sakuno tried her best to avoid her best friend Tomoka. She sneaked and made her way out.

"You're late." Ryoma said. "A-anou G-gomenasai R-ryoma-kun." She stuttered. "It's okay." He said. Sakuno was relieved that he wasn't really mad that she was late. "R-ryoma-kun, I made a b-bentou for you." She flushed as she gave Ryoma the bentou she made.

"Arigato." He replied. "Ne Ryuzaki aren't you going to eat?" He asked. "Ah hai..." She replied. 'Mou I always act like this with Ryoma-kun.' She thought.

"R-ryoma-kun is it true that you'll go in America to finish high school." Sakuno said. "Who told you that?" He asked. "I just heard."She replied. "No I'm not, I chose to stay here." He said. "Really." She said while smiling. "Hai." He replied.

"Here." Ryoma gave Sakuno a ticket. "What is this Ryoma-kun?" She asked. "It's a ticket for the amusement park but if you're busy it's okay if you don't want to come with me." He said. "I will come Ryoma-kun." Sakuno said.

"Ten in the morning December 24." He said. "Hai, I will not be late." Sakuno smiled.

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"A-anou, Ryoma-kun Thanks for walking me home." Sakuno blushed as she leaned forward and gave Ryoma a peck in the cheek. He blushed. "No problem Ryuzaki." He smirked.

As Sakuno entered the house she made a cup of hot chocolate, chocolate is the best when the weather is cold. "Now what should I give to Ryoma-kun." She asked herself. First she scanned a few books to gather some ideas. Still she can't think of anything.

"Mou, now I wonder what did okaa-san do when she and otou-san had their first date?" She asked again. Sakuno was bored, it was still early about four pm in the afternoon she and Ryoma went home early because there was no tennis practice.

Sakuno decided to go out again, she wanted to find a gift for Ryoma but not just any gift but a perfect gift for him.

She entered the department store, still not knowing where she was headed to. She accidentally bumped into someone.

"Ouch!" The mysterious guy shrieked. "A-anou, Gomenasai." Sakuno bowed. "Eh? Ryuzaki-chan what are you doing here?" He asked.

"Ah, Momo-senpai! Sasshiburidai." Sakuno greeted him. "Nya! Ryuzaki-chan is here, is everything okay in Seigaku, how was the team? Ochibi is the captain Nya!" Kikumaru whailed.

"Everything's fine senpai-tachi, Ryoma-kun is very good in doing his job as the team captain." Sakuno smiled. "Why are you here Ryuzaki-chan?" Momo asked. "E-eto I was here b-because..." Sakuno paused. "I was looking for a present it's for Ryoma-kun." She blushed while the two senpais grinned.

"Nah still with you and Echizen, that guy was hopeless we already graduated and there he is still no girlfriend since birth." Momo made a funny face. "Maybe you should give up on Ochibi, he's definitely a stone." Kikumaru said.

"A-anou actually senpai-tachi we are..."She flushed. "Eh!" They both shrieked. "A-anou Ryoma-kun is now m-my b-boyfriend." She stuttered.

"E-echizen was already your boyfriend, Uso!" Momo said. "Nya! Ochibi is improving!" Kikumaru groaned."So how was it?" Momo asked.

"We're really fine senpai, so don't worry." Sakuno said. "And besides Ryoma-kun asked me for a date."

"Wow Ochibi is starting to move! At last he became more matured at these things!" kikumaru said. "Ah Sou desu." Momo agreed. "Ne Ryuzaki-chan when is your date?" Kikumaru asked.

"On Ryoma-kun's birthday, we'll go in an amusement park." Sakuno smiled. "Oh really that's good." Momo said. "Thanks senpai-tachi, but I really don't have any idea what to give Ryoma-kun."Sakuno frowned a bit.

"Ryuzaki-chan you always give Echizen a present every year Ne." Momo said. "Hai, but I want this year to be more memorable." She smiled.

"Ochibi is really lucky he has you."Kikumaru said. "N-not really senpai, I'm the one lucky."

"Ryuzaki-chan is just too humble." They both said. "I think Ryoma-kun would prefer something I made myself but I don't have any ideas." She paused. "When we were first years I gave him a scarf that I made myself then last year I gave him a lucky charm for his upcoming matches."

"This is hard, now what should Ryuzaki-chan give Ochibi?" Kikumaru asked his self. "A-anou senpai-tachi i need to go." Sakuno said. "Are you sure you can manage to find Ochibi's present without our help." Kikumaru offered. "Hai senpai." Sakuno nodded.

"Bye Ryuzaki-chan." Kikumaru said. "Goodluck with you and Echizen." Momo waved a final goodbye.

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Sakuno arrived at their house and saw her grandma in the kitchen. "Sakuno I thought you were here already?" She asked.

"Obaa-chan I was here but I went out again, I just thought to have a walk in the snow." She said. "You silly girl you really love the snow." She laughed.

"The snow keeps my memory with okaa-san and otou-san. I really miss them." She giggled a bit. "A-anou obaa-chan, May I help you to prepare dinner?" Sakuno asked. "Okay Thanks Sakuno."

After dinner Sakuno went upstairs and called Ryoma.

"Moshi moshi." He answered the call. "R-ryoma-kun." Sakuno stuttered. "Ah Ryuzaki, why did you call?" He asked. "Nothing I j-just want to..." She paused. "A-anou..." She paused again. "Do you have a problem, come on tell me." He said.

"No I don't have problems Ryoma-kun." She said. "I love you." He said. Sakuno blushed.

"I-i love you too Ryoma-kun..." She said. Suddenly both of them heard soft giggles in the phone.

"Oyaji!!!" Ryoma protested. "Ryoma-kun." Sakuno whispered. "Bye Ryuzaki, we'll just talk tomorrow." He said and hang the phone.

Ryoma saw Nanjirou laughing. "Baka Oyaji." He glared. "I love you..." Nanjirou said while mimicking Ryoma's voice. "Stupid Oyaji!" He said.

"Now my son really got a girlfriend! I knew it you're into that girl!" Nanjirou grinned.

"Baka Oyaji, okaa-san I already found oyaji's collection." He yelled. "Whaaat?!" Nanjirou choked. "Now where is it Ryoma?" Rinko asked.

"I saw oyaji hiding it under the Porch." Ryoma said as he received a glare from Nanjirou."Nanako-chan." Rinko called. "Hai oba-san." Nanako answered and looked under the Porch. "Here it is." She said.

"Ne Minna what do you think of having a little barbecue for dinner?" Rinko asked. "Okaa-san is the best." Ryoma said.

"My collection!!!!" Nanjirou shrieked.

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"This is a problem." Sakuno said to herself. "I still don't have a present for Ryoma-kun." She muttered. "Aside from tennis what would Ryoma-kun like?"

"Tennis was his life..." She whispered. "And I know someday he'll show the world how good he is..." She muttered.

"Maybe I'll try again tomorrow." Sakuno said before drifting to sleep.

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It was really cold. It was the last day of their classes. Sakuno would fine time to prepare for their 'date' tomorrow and to look for Ryoma's present.

"Now what should I do. I already wasted a lot of days to think of a present for Ryoma-kun." She frowned, she suddenly felt warmth. "Ryoma-kun..." She blushed. "It seems that you're paler than usual." Ryoma said.

"Not really Ryoma-kun..." She said. "A-anou are you sure about t-tomorrow that you want to spend the day with me?" Sakuno asked. "Of course, you're the most important person in my life." He said.

"Thank you Ryoma-kun."

After classes, as usual Ryoma walked Sakuno home. "Thanks Again Ryoma-kun, see you tomorrow." She said. "Bye Ryuzaki." He left.

Just like yesterday, Sakuno went out again to look for a present. She was in another department store she wandered around until a store caught her attention.

"May I help you Miss." The store clerk asked. "A-anou I was looking for anything that I can give to my friend something memorable." Sakuno said.

"Maybe you should give a book or a Christmas card." The lady suggested. "I want something that I made myself but I can't think of anything." Sakuno frowned. "Well you can try this..." The lady opened a small wooden box.

"What is that?" Sakuno asked.

"With this you can make a pendant, it's easy to do just follow the instructions." She said. "Do you like it Miss?" She asked again.

"Thank You, this would be a great present." Sakuno smiled. "Miss, just remember that those beads have meanings just like the red ones that symbolizes love and the green that symbolizes money and power."

"Oh." Sakuno whispered. "I just want anything simple." Sakuno continued. "This would do." The lady gave her a small piece of metal.

"It's like a small wire." Sakuno said.

"You can shape it in any form you want."

"Can I form letters with it?" Sakuno asked. "Yes."

"A-anou thanks for helping me." Sakuno smiled. "No problem Miss, is that really for someone special?" She asked.

"Hai." Sakuno smiled. "Well I hope your friend would like it."

"I'm sure he will." Sakuno whispered. "So it's a boy?" The lady asked. "hai..." Sakuno blushed. "Well goodluck Miss."

That night Sakuno did her present. It was a simple pendant but it shows a really great effort. "Would Ryoma-kun like this?" She asked herself.

It was a pendant with the letter "R" shaped in the piece of metal. Sakuno really worked hard for it. She was happy and excited for tomorrow's date.

"Happy Birthday Ryoma-kun." She whispered then after sometime she giggled.

OWARI

How do you find it? Mou I was actually experimenting again! Hope I would get reviews. And for those who hasn't read the story "A Walk to Remember" Please read it already.

Special thanks to: Bunny-chan!

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to you Ryoma-kun!

MIYUKI!