Title: The Rally Has Not Yet Ended

Pairings: RyoSakuKin

Summary: Not just because the National Tournament had already ended doesn't mean the story will also end. Bigger Expectation. Bigger Surprises. Bigger Confessions awaits them.

Disclaimer: I don't own POT. Konomi-sensei does...

A/N: First of all I want to say sorry for the readers who were disappointed by the long time of no updates. It took me a very long time to decide if I will finish this story. I really wanted to finish this with my heart.

Arigatou.


Chapter 1: Alones

It was a rainy day, so ironic in summer time to rain. It seemed that the dark clouds want to comfort the little girl with her crying. Her tears started to pass out from her eye one by one, flowing from one distance to another one.

Sakuno fell behind a wall near the vending machine where Ryoma usually buys his favorite drink after his matches, leaning on it, she speaks sadly. "Why is it you're so hard to reach? Like a rainbow that you could see beneath your eyes but can't touch it, like an intangible thing."

She looked at the cloudy sky as the rain starts to fall, soon the lonely drizzle started the rain. Each drop flows from her forehead to her chin and fell on the ground. Each breath of hers was heard, like panting slowly. She pushed her body against the vending machine and circles with arms wide open.

Kimi to boku to, "Sakura Biyori"

kaze ni yurete mai modoru

She laughed and laughed until tears were left inside her heart. If the sky would knew how raining would give pain to her, they will see how the girl felt lonely. Yes, it's true, she was surrounded by people. But even though she was in the middle of the crowd, faces passing by were all unseen, they were wearing scary mask.

They were all imaginations, imaginations created by herself at most so she could lie to herself that she was not really alone. She slowly put down her hands and let the rain devour the heart she took care for so long. There's no use on lying to myself. she thought.

"If you continue lying to yourself, maybe tomorrow or the next day or you'll never know, you'll loose your real self"


The Nationals…

Nationals' most awaited event, The Finals.

Singles 2 had already ended and unfortunately, Tezuka-buchou lost. They were given 30-minute break before the final match. While everybody was busy preparing for other stuffs, Sakuno was left all alone in a corner. She suddenly felt pain… an unknown pain, which she had never felt before. She doesn't even know where it came from. She can't explain if it was being left all alone or it was something more profound.

"Tomo-chan, I'll be getting some drinks." Sakuno approached Tomoka who was ALWAYS busy preparing the cheering squad for her "Ryoma-sama".

"Eh?! Why now? You might miss his final game!" she replied, hysterically. Sakuno sweat dropped, Tomo-chan is going hyper again, she thought

"Tomo-chan, A-anou, there is still 30 minutes left, ne?" she said calming her super-energetic best friend (or pest friend). She patted Tomoka in her shoulder, smiled and left.

Tomoka was left speechless but lingering and strange thoughts were left, that smile was not Sakuno's. She also wondered at the strange expression of Sakuno when she utter the word, "HIS". But before something processed in her mind, she noticed someone following at the young girl, then she smiled wickedly.

"I smell something fishy" she chuckled.

Sakuno walked in the busy hallways of the stadium. People were all busy gathering their flags, drums, pon pons and the likes for the last match. Seems that they were much excited than the player. Later, she reached the vending machine. She brought out her pink coin purse and inserted 100 yen on the hole.

When she starts choosing drinks, she let her fingers slowly slide on the transparent window then points the finger in her pink lips and started thinking of the famous drink in TV, which Tomoka suggested her to buy.

I think it was Pocare... sweat?? No… no…

She scratches her head and went back on the search for the "magical drink", as Tomoka named it.

Unfortunately, her eyes met the PONTA, the stupid PONTA. She still remembers that it was the drink HE gave her when he commented her for being too nosy on that IMPORTANT DAY of her life. She banged her head against the stupid machine and accidentally her head pressed the button of the Ponta, it fell.

'Sakuno no baka…' she scolded herself as she bit her lower lip then out of nowhere a hand patted her shoulder. Out of curiosity, she spun her head around and saw a guy who's slightly lankier than her height.

"Hi, Sakuno-chan!" the guy greeted her happily, with a wide smile pasted on his face.

"Hi, Kintarou-kun." she greeted weakly but tried to paste a beautiful smile before him but it was completely obvious. Her eyes were out of shine, which emphasize the auburn color of her eyes.

"What's the matter, Sakuno-chan?" he asked worriedly, showing some concern to his new and special friend. He peeked at her closer.

"Eh? It's nothing!" she blushed hardly, waving her hands in no-sign. She was definitely out of her tune seemingly bothered.

"Oh, really?" he flashed his wicked smile, gleaming at her happily.

"Eh?" she wondered.

"Spill it" he said in a teasing tone.

"Yadda! And what is that I have to spill? I don't have any secrets." She pouted.

"Oh, hontou?" he peeked closer, centimeters away from her nose.

"I am telling the truth!" she stepped back being the one uncomfortable in their position. She looked at teasing expression of the boy and saw him grinning.

"What is with that smile?" she suddenly voiced-out.

"Nothing, I am just happy that the Sakuno I knew came back to herself."

"Eh?" her eyes twitched.

"Your friend told me that you're a little odd." he paused. "Is this all about my match with… him?" then continued.

Tortuous silence filled the air. The last statement hits her right in there, in her chest. She stuttered, though she knew that Kintarou was already aware of what was inside her, he will still urged her in a way she'll doubt what she was thinking by this time. But even if she hides that thing, surely, it will come out in any other way. And that made her worried, though; there might be a possibility that he'll resent it.

"Please do your best." She finally spoke up not answering his question.

Unknown to them, a forecast shadow was hiding in the very corner of their eyes. He was holding a can of Ponta, sipping on it now and then. When he heard HER voice he tugged down the brim of his Fila cap.

"Huh?" Kintarou wondered, trying to calm himself after being surprise by the sudden words of Sakuno which was completely different from his question.

"They had run a long way for this. I knew that this would be unfair for you but I guess it is time for me to open up. I want him to be happy at least, he had already given too much and I think it is enough." she bowed and let a single tear to pass away.

Kintarou suddenly felt an arrow or a knife stabbed his heart, he felt her words were an implication of: Please give up.

He looked at Sakuno's eyes, they were lonely unlike the first time he saw them. After complimenting her about how delicious her onigiris are, he witnessed the beauty behind those auburn eyes of his friend. He secretly swore himself that he would make Sakuno smile again so that he could see it again.

He just smiled and patted her head. He admitted that he was surprised because he used to know Sakuno as a silent type of a girl. And now, after hearing what was in her heart, he felt mixed emotions of happiness and sadness. He doesn't know whether he will be happy because Sakuno trusted him or be sad because the one who you like to cheer you will make you bothered. And because Sakuno was someone he treasured, he'll just smile and try to forget his anxieties for her.

"I will Sakuno-chan." his bangs hide his eyes and walked away. 'Sakuno...' was the name he heard from his wrecked soul. He had to run so fast so she can't notice him anymore. So that she couldn't see the most painful feeling he had received in his life.

Sakuno wondered and felt guilt for her selfish request... 'Kintarou is my friend... but... what if it is not only being friend he wants? What if he wants more? Nah... mataka!' She shook her head vigorously as tangled and unwanted thoughts filled her head. When she heard that the break time was over, she stood up and walked back to the courts. She is still bothered of what she had done to her friend.


Ryoma suddenly appeared behind Kintarou. He's face was emotionless, stoic and cold as how he was. Kintarou stopped which made Ryoma to stop too. He turned to his back and glared back at that boy, and smirked.

"You've heard that, Koshimae?" he asked him teasingly.

"I don't know." he said, shrugging his shoulders, no hint in his voice.

"I will destroy you, I will destroy that image in front of Sakuno." he threatened him.

"You can't force her to like you." Ryoma answered him with his smirk.

Kintarou grew angry and pushed him instantly. "You are not that worthy for her feelings!"

"Eh, it is just the luck. It only means that you don't have the charm that I have." Ryoma answered him back and was able to cover the push; his arms were swaying in his move.

"You!" he clenched his fist. "Let's see where those guts will bring you in our match." he continued.

"I don't care." Ryoma said inaudibly and crossed his shoulders in his nape.

"You don't know how special you are for her."

"..."

"Bastard" was the last word and left the super rookie of Shitonji left him.


Ryoma was left all alone in the empty hallway. The only recognizable thing was the echo of the voices coming for the tennis courts. His heart suddenly pounds so fast. He started and sweating and panting. He felt his chest wants to burst out of his control. If he could just struck it with the knife to stop the fast beating of his heart then he would. What was with him anyway?

Ryoma tugged his cup low. 'He hates seeing her cry. He hates seeing her worry too much. Why? This feeling... a feeling I have never felt before. Oh, stupid hormones!'

Ryoma looked up straight. There is no way and exactly no reason to go back after all those things they've done to him especially HER. He really appreciates her efforts and concerns. She is always there in the very corner of his eyes. Even though he acts so rude towards her, it doesn't mean he doesn't care.

He was denying to himself that he just wanted to give back the care as a sign of gratitude. But at least he knew that there was this SOMETHING, something unexplainable in his mind that he needed to clear. It was something that bothered him so long and he was all-troubled by that something.

Ryoma headed the tennis courts, his last step towards victory and shows the final stage in their long journey. This is not yet the end but a new beginning for a new chapter in their lives. He didn't know what would happen next but he knew for sure that this is their stepping stone in reaching their dreams.

He heard sound of applauded and loud cheers (especially the loud voice of Sakuno's PEST friend) as he set his foot on the green ground.

He approached his dearly and loving sempai(s?) to thank them. But before he speaks, they acted so energetically as usual.

"Go, ochibi!" Eiji bounced and hugged him. "Itaii!" Ryoma shouted.

"Fight, Echizen!" Momo encouraged him and punched his fist high.

"Fssh... don't dare to lose" Kaidoh threatened him with his deadly glare. With the deadly glare of Kaidoh, no one could resist to his last sentence and if you did, start to call the funeral for the preparations for you're...

"Be careful Echizen" Oishi, as the acting mother of Seigaku tennis club, said.

"Burning! Fight Echizen! Go and kick their asses!" Ryoma sweat dropped at Kawamura's superb power in swinging the racket.

"100 chance that Echizen will take this seriously" Inui scrabbled in his green notebook.

"No, Inui... Echizen will really fight without calculating" Fuji patted him in his shoulder.

"Echizen" The stoic voice of the captain spoke. "Don't get careless, be the Seigaku's pillar of support."

"DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN!!" They cheered (except from Fuji, Kaidoh and Tezuka).

Tezuka's twitched a little. It was his line actually.

Honestly, He was already sick of these things but… "Arigatou," he smiled.

He gets his racket and takes off his jacket and cap and glance at Sakuno but in his own surprise, she was looking at Kintarou, worriedly. For Sakuno, she felt that she is the most self-centered person in the whole world. She thought that she would Sakuno felt a warm touch of a cloth as Ryoma put his jacket on her shoulders. He placed his cap on her head. "Let's talk after the match."

A/N: As I've said, there was this something he wants to clear.

"Ryoma-kun…" she blushed hardly.

Ryoma looked at her with his feline eyes. "Thank you, Ryuuzaki." He smiled at her. 'Did he eat like wasabi or something? Or did he take some of Inui-senpai's juice that made him completely different from before?' She thought. She didn't notice that she was already staring at him for a long time.

"Hey, don't stare at me. I might melt here." Sakuno don't know if this is a joke or not but then to show relief she gave a long, long sigh.

The Seigaku regulars started to whistle and tease them, but it looks like they didn't hear it. It seemed to be the most important thing that happened between them. Sakuno gave a brief nod and Ryoma walked to the courts.

Tomoka bounced at Sakuno. "Neh, what is the fuss between the two of you?" Sakuno remained silent. She glanced at Kintarou, who was coincidentally looking at her. In instant, they turned their heads away.

Fuji smiled, "I think knew it already." The freshmen trio looked at him.

"Eh? What do you mean, Fuji-senpai?" Horio asked.

"Just watch." he smiled. Katchiro and Katsuo chilled. "Scary"

"Mou! Tell us Fuji!" Fuji bounced at him.

Inui adjusted his glasses and looked at Kintarou and Ryoma, and his eyes went over Sakuno. "Ah…I knew it!" he exclaimed.

"What do you mean, Inui?" Oishi asked.

"A love triangle..." Inui answered him

"A LOVE TRIANGLE?!"


A/N: I proof-read this guys!! Hoped you'll like it! My beta is still out of the country that's why I'm doing this by myself. Actually, she was not yet starting to beta my works.

Credits to Aena and Imagination Unleashed.

rucHicHan