Midori: Hello everyone! Midori here with yet again another one shot.

Summary: We slowly become friends, then best friends and then I fell in love with her but I was afraid…Afraid she wouldn't love me the way I felt for her, and then I was too late…

I wrote the Naruto version a few years ago. It's in my profile titled "Secret Feelings I Had For You" I decided to do the PoT version and see how that goes, so enjoy!

Ryoma's POV

What can I say about a girl that was the granddaughter of my tennis coach in Junior High?

There wasn't much to say about her except for the fact that she was horrible at tennis, a bad sense of direction and had ridiculously long hair. But still there were some or rather very few good points about her, like how she can make excellent lunches or coming to our games cheering us on. How ever there was one thing I liked about her…

Her smile

Whenever she smiled it seemed that the day has gotten even better, I never wanted to admit it but I actually liked it. Seeing her smile seemed to make my days better.

Ryuzuki was the coach's granddaughter. At first she was just an annoying fangirl who\s going to shout my name for every little I do during practice or a game. As the days and weeks passed, I slowly accepted the fact that she wasn't like that but instead she would be a friend in the making.

I remember the day when we first met. She was sitting the train by herself feeling timid because of 3 high school guys rambling about their tennis skills. To be honest I had noticed her. She was afraid that the racquet was going to hit her. Just as the racquet was about to hit her, I managed to stop them. When she looked at me I saw a relieved look staring me down. I gave her a blank stare and got out of the train.

I saw her again. I was walking around trying to find my way to the Kakinokizaka tennis garden. She looked annoyed at first and then she snapped and pointed at me when I asked her for directions

"You're the guy from the train!"

Instead of giving me the right directions she gave me the wrong way and thus resulted in my disqualification.

I saw her as I sat outside. She was apologizing to me as if tomorrow would never come. She offered to buy me a drink but in the end she didn't have enough change so I bought drinks for the both of us.

Needless to say back then I was pissed off at her but I didn't show the sign of anger towards her. It was then I realized that if she didn't sit across from me or if I haven't ran into her twice I wouldn't have met her. And so this day I silently thank fate for the encounter.

There was something about her that makes attracted to her. Was it that smile off hers? Or her chocolate colored eyes? It didn't really mattered I was attracted to her. She was like an exotic flower blooming among common flowers. Back then she greeted me cheerfully and I never say anything. But now I felt so attracted to her it wasn't a joke. I wanted her to be by side and never leave.

There was a cherry blossom tree near a lake and it was her favourite hangout. Everyday I would see her sitting on a branch playing a violin. I never knew she could play violin but I also never knew she could play really well. I would listen to whatever she was playing and the music took me away. It felt like she belonged there, with the pink petals flying around her and her long auburn hair fluttering gently in the wind. One day she noticed me and asked me to come and join her. I was about to say no but her eyes gave me a tempting look I just couldn't refuse. I sighed in defeat and joined. She was sitting on top of an old branch in to which my surprise could support the both off us.

Ryuzuki started to talk about her dreams about being a violinist and to able to study aboard someday learning about music. I told her I wanted to beat oyaji someday and to be the world's best tennis player. She never laughs about them and encouraged me to pursuit on. It made me like her even more.

Slowly we became friends and then best friends. We were always together doing things together. I found myself enjoying her company. Everyday we'd sit on the branch admiring the day. She would play the violin and I would listen letting the music take me away.

As the years passed by, my feelings for her were slowly changing. Whenever I think about it I would shrug it off but at nighttime I started thinking about her. I was dreaming of her and having this feeling of being with her all the time. Being with her during the day wasn't enough for me but I wanted her to be with me always regardless of the time. I was confused and I didn't know what it was. Whenever Ryuzuki touched me, a tingling sensation would come whenever her hand on my shoulder.

There was a time when she almost lost her balance on the usual branch we sat on. I managed to grab her up and pulled her to safety. I wanted that moment to continue and hope it would never stop because I had the feeling at not wanting to let go. I just wanted to hold her and let time stop for the both of us. I pulled her closer to me and she apologized to me a lot. She didn't do anything wrong and I wasn't angry at her so what harm can it do. I just sighed and told her it was okay. It was then and there I realized that I have slowly fallen in love with her.

I kept on denying the feeling I had for her because I was afraid. Yes I was afraid. Afraid of what would happen if I told her how I felt. I thought it would destroy the friendship we had for each other so I had kept it for myself.

As soon as we entered high school I noticed how Ryuzuki grew even lovelier everyday. She stopped braiding her hair and she had it cut just below her shoulders. I noticed that so many guys were giving her compliments, flowers and chocolates. My heart aches at the sight and I wanted to knock them out with my twist serve but I knew she deserved and all I could do was stand at the sidelines and watch. There were many times I wanted to tell her how I felt for her but I couldn't. I was still afraid she would see me as a friend. I was also now afraid of letting her know how I feel about her as much as losing her.

One day I learned that Ryuzuki had someone already. At first I tried to convince myself it was just a rumor. It turns out that her boyfriend was Fuji-sempai. He and Ryuzuki were in the school orchestra. Both of them played violin, which means they were close. When I saw Ryuzuki with Fuji-sempai with their hands intertwined it felt as if a knife stabbed my heart. One day after practice she was waiting for him. As they walked off together, I watch them as I heard my heart breaking. She often called my name but I pretended not to hear her and walk away afraid that she would see the pain in my eyes seeing her walk with someone none other than me. Whenever we passed by each other she wanted to talk to me but I simply ignored her kept on walking. She pleaded to talk to me but I never said a word to her. I became the ignorant 12 year old I was back then.

The day came when they broke up. I was sitting on a bench drinking some ponta and she ran towards me with tears in her eyes. She cried on my shoulder telling me that they broke up. From what she told me they had gotten in argument and thus broke up. I felt a wave of relief wash all over me plus a second chance to tell her how I feel. I felt bad for her because she was crying her heart out for Fuji-sempai. Back then I didn't know how to handle it.

(A/N:I know Fuji isn't the type to argue but bear with me)

We hung out again like old times. Hanging out at the old cherry blossom tree with her playing the violin and I would be listening while enjoying the day in each other's company.

There were so many chances I had to confess but I couldn't bring myself to tell her because I was afraid of what Ryuzuki would say to me. I kept them inside of me. The more I held back, the more my heart wanted to burst out.

"Ryoma-kun?"

"Hm?"

"A-are you going to the dance?"

"What dance?"

The spring dance"

"Oh"

"A-Are you going with someone?"

"Not really"

"R-Really? B-because I-I-I…"

"Sure"

"Are you sure Ryoma-kun? You might something to do on that day"

"Not really" I lied to her. I wanted to train for upcoming tournament but how could I resist her?

Her eyes lit up. Her face was closer to mine and kissed me on the cheek. I felt heat creeping up on my face. I saw her head bowed down and her cheeks were a light pink.

The night finally came. When I came to pick her up I felt that my heart stopped. She was the most beautiful girl I ever saw. She wore a light pink dress ending at her knees and her hair was loose. She looked simple, beautiful, and breathtaking. She smiled at me as we left for the school. As we walked I noticed that girls and boys were glaring at us. I didn't pay attention to them but to Ryuzuki.

Inside the gym, we hardly recognized our classmates. Gone with the school uniforms and replaced with formal attrite. I saw the dance floor and noticed some couples were started to dance to a slow song.

"R-Ryoma-kun W-would you…"

"Sure"

I guided her to the dance floor. I wrapped my arms around her waist while she wrapped hers around my neck and rested her head on my shoulder. We didn't spoke a word to each other. She looked so beautiful. She looked like an angel in the dim light. There were so many things I wanted to tell her. I wanted to tell her she was the most beautiful girl in the gym, that she was my guiding light but importantly I wanted to tell her that I loved her. Mustering up the courage I had, I bent to whisper in her ear but the music stopped and the moment was taken away. I didn't want to let go but I reluctantly did. She looked at for a moment and walked away. I mentally whacked myself in the head for not waiting any longer.

Time passed on and I haven't seen her for most of the night. I started to worry, thinking of what would happen to her so I left the gym to search for her. As soon I was at the tennis courts I saw 2 silhouettes out lined in the moonlight. I recognized the white dress she was wearing. I couldn't describe the feeling I had but I turned and left.

Since that night I avoided her at all costs. When she saw me she would greet me cheerfully and I simply brushed her away. She sensed that something was wrong so she kept asking what was wrong but I never told her. I was afraid she still loved Fuji-sempai and not me. I'd rather be alone with my true feelings instead of hearing the dreaded words and having my hopes crushed. It also hurt that I was doing this to her again but I thought it was the best way to forget her and move on.

I was offered to participate in the US open. I took the offer thinking this would help me to completely forget about her. When I made my way to the airport, I saw her standing in front of me. I was angry to see her stand in front of me. She came closer to me and gave me a single red rose. At that moment my anger disappeared. As she gave me the rose her eyes had a different look and when she smiled at me it wasn't the same sweet smile she would give me. At that point I didn't want to go to America but I wanted to stay by her side, I wanted to hold her and tell that I loved her, but before I got the chance she turned around and left.

I got to America the next day. I vowed myself to win but at night I would think about her. I wonder if she ever thinks of me too. I tried to forget about her but I couldn't forget about loving her. Each achievement, each victory it was all for her. I wanted to win to US open not for myself for her as well. I thought that if I were successful enough I would go back and tell her that I love her. By that time I would be worthy of her.

After the US open, there was the Australian open and then the France open and then Wimbledon. When I won Wimbledon I was hoping Ryuzuki would be watching me because all my victories were all for her. After a year I decided to go back to Japan. When I got back home the first thing I did was to go straight to Ryuzuki's home. Ryuzuki-sensei answered

"Ryuzuki-sensei…"

"Ryoma it's been awhile. Congratulations on winning Wimbledon"

"Thank you…but where's Ryuzuki?"

After I said those words to her she gave me a sad look

"Follow me"

I was confused off where she was leading me but I realized she was leading me to the old cherry blossom tree. I was hoping she would be waiting for me with a smile.

"There she is," She whispered

Instead of seeing her, a newly dug out tomb bearing the name of the girl I loved was there. I convinced myself that this was all a dream and that when I wake it up, it would all over.

I looked at Ryuzuki-sensei for answer. She avoided my eyes and started to explain

"It's been a week since she died. She died because of leukemia. Even though she was sick, she never stopped thinking about you. It was even your name she uttered before she died. She asked us to bury her here because she always regarded this place as a place of memories. It was also the place where she spent her happiest of days here with you. She asked me to give this to you" Ryuzuki sensei gave me an envelope and walked away. I ripped the envelope open and read of what inside

My dearest Ryoma Kun

By the time you have read this letter I will be long gone from this world. I wanted to let you know that I was blessed to have a friend like you. I also wanted to tell you something…I love you. Not in the brotherly way or a friendly way but as someone I want to spend the rest of my life with. I love you yes but not because you're the prince of tennis but as Echizen Ryoma. I loved you since we first met and it bloomed everyday. That's why my days with you are my happiest days. You don't know how much I dream of you at night and wake up in the morning dreaming of you no more for you are with me.

When you left the US open, I couldn't stop crying because I was afraid you would found another girl to be with. I couldn't bear the thought that to see you with someone else. I may have sound selfish butt this is how I really felt for you. When I was with you it felt like a dream coming true. I did so many things so that you would learn to love me butt I never saw a hint from you. I did everything to please you because I loved you so much I think that you loved me as well. So many nights I cried myself to sleep thinking that I was unloved by you. You might think this is nothing but this is the honest truth and I would never lie to someone I care for.

You might think of Fuji-sempai but I dated him to make you jealous. It may sound that I was desperate for your attention but I wanted you to see me as a young woman and not the 12-year-old girl you know. Fuji-sempai even agreed to help me since he knew my feelings for you. In fact we never dated. Whenever you were around him and me would hold hands and hope to catch your attention but you never saw the both of us. When we 'broke' I ran crying to you, I just did that to see how you would react and I'll know that you loved me but still I never saw a sigh.

At the dance you didn't know how happy I was to be your date. I was so happy to be in your arms dancing along with the music. I wanted to desperately hear your voice telling that you loved me but you never said a word. When Fuji-sempai asked me what was wrong I talked to him. I was afraid you would know so we talked in private in the tennis courts. I explained everything to him. What happened next was that you were gone. I found out that you were looking for me. The next day you were avoiding me and you continued to do so. It was then I realized that you must have seen Fuji-sempai and me together on that night. I tried to explain it to you but you never gave me a chance. You continued to avoid me and it was hurting me deeply and you never knew the pain I had inside. When you were about to leave for America I wanted to tell you that I loved you but I was afraid that you didn't love me the same way I did so I left.

It may be too late to say I love you now to your face but I want you to know that I will always love you and that my heart will always be your alone. Ryoma Kun, you are my other half, the part where I can't live without. I love you…

Ryuzuki Sakuno

Ps: Think of me sometimes and always remember that loving you was the best thing that was ever happened to me

I felt tears coming to my face as I folded the letter. All along she loved me the same way I did but it was too late to tell her that. Rain started to fall and I looked up towards the sky

"ASHITEROU SAKUNO!!!" I shouted out to the world. I didn't care if anyone heard me but I wanted her to know I love her…. always and forever

Midori: I'm done. REVIEW!