Ryuzaki Sakuno waved to the cheering crowd. She sure had come a long way since school. She worked hard to become as good at tennis as she was now. She had started out not so well, she had little natural talent. But she worked long and hard, she had good motivation too. And those years of work were worth it. For here she was, playing professional women's tennis.

Over the cheers of the crowd, she heard one specific voice, and if she had been the only one holding a banner, Sakuno would have been so embarrassed she probably would have quit. But her friend Osakada Tomoka wasn't, so she didn't stand out from the crowd too much. Thank goodness

Some of Tomoka's antics and cheers embarrassed her when they cheered on Echizen Ryoma and the others on the tennis team in school. But now she found it heartwarming, knowing that she had such a dedicated fan and friend. Also since she didn't stand out too much, it wasn't embarrassing.

Then Sakuno walked back to the locker rooms to take a shower and change into her street clothes. She knew that her grandmother had been able to make it to this match and that she'd want to go eat somewhere to celebrate her win.

When she was finished, she came out to the public area at the entrance of the tennis courts and looked around for her grandmother. But Sakuno didn't see her. As usual, her grandmother was late. Sakuno sighed and sat down on a bench. She didn't know why she even bothered to be on time when meeting her grandmother. The only times she knew her grandmother to be on time was when there were matches for her team when she coached the Seigaku tennis team.

"Ryuzaki-sama," quipped a young voice.

Sakuno opened her eyes to find a couple young girls standing in front of her clutching pads of paper.

"Can we get your autograph?" Both the girls held their pads out towards her, their faces just radiating eagerness and hope.

"Of course you can, who should I make it out to?"

The girls each gave their names, and a couple other children came over for her autograph as well as a few older children.

"You always were a popular one weren't you?"

Sakuno looked up to see her friend Tomoka and her grandmother standing nearby.

Sakuno laughed a little self-consciously, "Not really, others get a lot more fans than I do."

She finished up the autographs and made her way to her grandmother and best friend.

"It's about time you come back for a visit Sakuno, you've been away way too long."

"Sorry Tomoka, I've been booked for a long time," Sakuno replied, rubbing the back of her head at the base of her single braid.

She had switched from her trade mark pig tails to the sing French braid a few years ago. But she still kept it long.

"Well, I guess that's a good thing for you and your career Sakuno," commented her grandmother, who was crossing her arms. "But you do have friends and family who would like to see you sometimes. Also you do need to take a break too, you don't want to wear yourself out."

"Yes grandma."

Thank goodness that ended the lectures. Tomoka and Sakuno's grandmother took her to Takashi's sushi restaurant to celebrate, where they got free food just like they used to. Sakuno was embarrassed to learn that Takashi actually followed her career in thanks to his Coach Ryuzaki and also in thanks for supporting the tennis team during their school matches. He also asked for her autograph.

After the celebratory meal, Tomoka, in her energetic way, decided to take her shopping. Her grandmother decided that she couldn't keep up with them during their shopping trip and agreed to meet them again in a couple hours.

Sakuno and Tomoka had a good time together getting ice cream, looking at clothes, and of course visited the Tennis store that they used to go to often with the team. Sakuno was glad, there weren't many stores besides this one that had the pale purple gripe tape that matched perfectly with her tennis racket and she was almost out.

After that they went over to the public tennis courts to meet her grandmother. Tomoka still played tennis for fun when she was able and wanted to play against Sakuno.

Sakuno was very excited; she hadn't had a chance to play against her friend in a very long time.

"You want to serve Tomoka?"

"Sure, I can use every advantage I can get playing against a pro." Tomoka laughed as Sakuno blushed lightly in embarrassment.

After a few serves and volleys, Sakuno got a feel for Tomoka's skill level and was able to match her. She didn't want to overdo things and make her friend feel bad. But Tomoka had improved since the last time they played against each other.

And they had both come a long way from the time that they were playing against a wall receiving advice from Echizen Ryoma. The thought of Ryoma made her shift her balance the wrong way and she missed the ball Tomoka had just sent her way.

"You're still not bending your knees enough." The strange yet familiar voice came from behind her and she froze as she gasped.

Tomoka heard him as well and raised her racket in greeting, "Hey there Ryoma-sama, how are you doing today?"

"Fine."

Judging from that one word reply, Sakuno decided Ryoma hadn't changed much. And as she turned to face him, she could see in person what she had seen on the TV screens watching him play.

He had grown quite a bit since school, but he still wasn't overly tall. He kept his hair at the same style he had before, though it was covered by the same white hat he had in school. He wore a red shirt with short black sleeves and a pair of black shorts, and of course he had his tennis bag that could carry three rackets.

"Hello Ryoma-kun, it's good to see you again."

"Hello Ryzaki-san. I see you have improved."

That statement made Sakuno smile wide. It proved that he did remember her, also he wouldn't say she had improved unless she had.

"Thank you, I've worked hard since school."

"I can see. Would you mind playing against me?"

"Oh boy, a game between my two favorite pros, this I gotta see." Tomoka was obviously excited enough to interrupt their game.

Ryoma walked up to his side of the court pulling off his bag that held his three red tennis rackets. He pulled one out and rested it against his shoulder as he turned towards her.

"You want to serve first?"

"Oh, you can."

"Alright."

He went onto his part of the court and started bouncing the ball in his left hand, holding the racket in his right. So either Ryoma was setting up for a twist serve, or he was going to take it easy on her.

She smiled slightly, determined to make him switch to his left hand before the end of the game.

xXxXxXx

In the end, Sakuno did not win, but then she didn't expect to. Although she did succeed in making him switch to his left hand, and even brought a surprised look to his face. And those alone made her feel as though she had won.

"She's come a long way hasn't she Ryoma?"

Sakuno couldn't help but blush at her grandmother's praise.

"Yes, she's gotten better."

Sakuno brightened, from Ryoma that was high praise.

Ryoma approached the net and Sakuno did as well. When they met they shook hands.

"Maybe we should play again sometime, while we're both in town."

Sakuno couldn't believe her luck. She had long since realized that Ryoma's attention was mostly for tennis. So she figured that if she wanted his attention on her, she had to become a great tennis player. As of right now he was only asking for a simple tennis match, but it was a start.

"Yes, I would like that."

She was rewarded by a small smile, the first that was directed at her

A/N: I've always loved Prince of Tennis, one of my very favorites actually. And I've also really loved the possible relationship between Sakuno and Ryoma. Though Ryoma was always so totally oblivious to her feelings. I've always felt that for any girl to get his attention, it would have be through tennis. So I made Sakuno into a pro so she could play with him. Hope you guys like it and everyone is in character