JC: My first POT Multi-chaptered FANFIC! Hell, yeah! I've finally managed to start this off. I've been itching to write this ever since I started my series of oneshots, Through the Eyes of the Prince. If you don't know, then I'll tell you that I'm a Multi-shipper. RyoSaku is an absolute fave, but I also favor FujiSaku, MaruSaku, and TezuSaku the most too! The first chapter is about angst, hurt and comfort, and our characters will have to deal with the pain from losing a loved one. This is just the start. I hope you'll enjoy this. I'm getting nervous.

Note: The story takes place during Sakuno and Ryoma's 3rd year of middle school.

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis. All rights belong to Takeshi Konomi.

A Piece of Heaven

First Set: The Tears of an Angel

Everyone knew Sumire Ryuuzaki had been a doting grandmother, a good teacher, and an amazing coach for Seigaku's Tennis Club until she died. She had taught Math at school and would have liked to see her granddaughter graduate from middle school, but fate just had to be cruel. It was a car accident. There was a sudden crash, and a huge impact followed by an explosion of glass and the sound of grinding steel. Her car had spun like a top and found its way pinned between another car and a truck. Paramedics had found her covered in blood.

Sakuno Ryuuzaki was a pretty young maiden. She was 14, and one of the Regular players of Seigaku's Tennis Club. She had been a reserved player during her freshman year, and her coach had always monitored her progress. In her second year of middle school, Sakuno had managed to impress her team by defeating a senior and earning a Regular spot. She went through a lot of training, while keeping up with her studies. She was always hardworking and helpful to others, and everyone liked her for it.

"How are you, Sakuno-chan?"

It was Syusuke Fuji, the tennis genius of Seigaku. He was a high school student and one of the best players in the team. Even as a middle school student, many people had considered him as an outstanding player. His tactics and counters were impressive. He was always such a nice guy and so polite, often seen wearing a calm and contented smile on his face as if it was a mask. Nevertheless, he was a handsome brunette with pristine blue eyes and an angular face. He was practically the prince of every girl's dream in high school.

He had known Coach Ryuuzaki since he was still a freshman in Seigaku Middle School. There were no words to describe the respect he held for the former coach. Sure, she was stern and fierce, but she was a strong and passionate woman. And he knew how much she treasured her granddaughter. Sakuno Ryuuzaki was most precious to her. He felt sorry for the young girl. Coach Ryuuzaki was the only family she had left.

"Syusuke-senpai…I…I…"

It has been a week since the funeral. Fuji had been worried about her. He was in the living room of her house, in his white collared shirt and jeans. Sakuno looked absolutely distraught and devastated, as she stared down on the floor with her head so low. According to her best friend, Sakuno had not been eating properly anymore. It was also obvious that she lacked sleep and she had lost weight.

Nevertheless, her sad face was still beautiful in his eyes, although he would preferred her smiling face instead. Most people often considered her pretty and cute. She wore her long auburn hair in twin braids with bangs that framed her heart-shaped face. Her eyes were big, brown, and expressive. But she never seemed to look straight at anyone. She was clad in a pink jacket and white shorts, and her face was deathly pale as she sat across him. She was in extreme pain.

"I feel so alone now…" she muttered under her breath. She was breaking. "I can't go on like this…"

Many people have commented on her chronic shyness and clumsiness. She even had bad sense of direction. Even so, she was a bright and kind girl. Anyone who had gone to school with her knew that she was. The funeral was a painful ordeal she had to go through. Fuji had observed her expressions and her movements that day. It was as though her body was there, but her mind and soul were elsewhere.

"Sakuno-chan, you can't lock yourself in here forever," he said with a concerned look.

She gazed up at him, gripping the ends of her skirt. "I miss obaa-chan," she said in a trembling voice. "How can I go on with my life without obaa-chan?" She started to cry softly. "It's not fair. Why did she have to die?"

"Ryuuzaki-sensei was a good person," Fuji said quietly, and now, thinking of his time with the coach, he glanced over the picture frame on the table beside the sofa. It was a picture of a 5-year old Sakuno in the arms of Coach Ryuuzaki. "I can't imagine how difficult it's going to be now without your obaa-chan…but maybe…" A genius he may be, but, as of that moment, he wasn't sure what to say to her. Sakuno had suffered so much already.

Sumire Ryuuzaki hadn't been careless or irresponsible on the road. She had done nothing to deserve what had happened to her. She had been a respectable person and now she was gone.

Good friends, former students, and co-workers had expressed their condolences during the funeral. Their kindness was appreciated, but somehow it had proven to be staggering for her. Nothing could soothe the agony she felt. Even though her best friend had never left her side, Sakuno had looked so distant and alone. She had clutched her best friend's hand the entire time, crying uncontrollably.

More tears streamed down her smooth face. "I wish I could just disappear right now…" She stood up and walked to the window. "It's just too painful to stay here without obaa-chan."

Fuji felt her pain in his own heart. It felt like the end of the world to her. He really wanted to comfort her. He wanted to be the prince to save her from all this hurt. He wanted her to let go of the pain and move on. He wanted to make her happy again. He cared for her. "Sakuno-chan, Ryuuzaki-sensei would hate to see you like this." He didn't like it either. "She would like you to be happy. I'm sure of it."

Her innocent teary eyes whipped to his. "Syusuke-senpai..."

Fuji offered a small smile. "You meant a lot to your grandmother. Sometimes she would tell us interesting stories about you. She's very proud of you, you know, and she always wanted the best for you." Her eyes moved away from his and were filled with great sadness. "Sakuno-chan, I know it's difficult, but life must go on. Your grandmother wouldn't have it any other way."

Sakuno pursed her lips slightly. "But I'm alone now…" Her clenched hands trembled. "I don't have a family anymore."

He touched her then, wrapping his arms around her petite body. "You're not alone, Sakuno-chan. You'll never be alone," he cooed into her ear. "You have us."

And then her sobs became louder.

"Arigatou for being there for her, Fuji-senpai…" It was Sakuno's best friend, Tomoka Osakada, on the other line.

Tomoka was the complete opposite of Sakuno. While Sakuno was quiet and reserved, Tomoka was loud and straightforward. She was known as Seigaku's No. 1 cheerleader for the tennis club. She had always been a good friend to Sakuno, close enough to be sisters in fact. It was only last year that she joined the girl's tennis club. Normally, after school activities were a big no for her because she had to babysit her siblings at home. She finally had her chance to join the club when her parents hired a good babysitter from an agency. She was no pushover when it came to sports. She was naturally athletic and a fast learner.

The death of Coach Ryuuzaki came as a big shock to her. She had immediately cried when she heard the news on the phone. And it was more heart-wrenching when she saw her best friend's tears. She had been there for Sakuno. She had been her crying shoulder all throughout the nightmare.

However, the past week had been completely unbearable. She had tried to cheer her up, to comfort her. But Sakuno had shut herself in her own home and refused to talk to her. Sakuno wouldn't even take her calls. Her concern for her best friend only grew to a great extent when she saw her passed out on the kitchen floor when she visited her yesterday.

Tomoka was afraid that Sakuno might do something reckless due to depression. She was confused and she felt helpless. She didn't know what to do for her best friend anymore. It was by stroke of luck that she bumped into Syusuke Fuji at the convenience store. She told him about Sakuno's condition.

And it turned out that Fuji was extremely worried for Sakuno as well.

Fuji carefully stroked the young girl's face. She looked peaceful now that she was asleep. He had held her for a long time as she cried. He didn't mind as long as it would make her feel a little better. He had carried her to her bedroom after drifting to slumber.

"It's not going to be easy for her from now on," Fuji said, tracing the outline of her face before brushing a stray hair away from her closed eyes. "But we have to be there for her."

"We have to make her feel that she's not alone…that she still has us…" Tomoka's voice was cracking up. It sounded like she was trying her best not to cry. "My mom's calling me, so I have to go. I want to thank you again, senpai, for the help. It means a lot."

"It's no problem, Osakada-san."

Then the line went dead.

He put away his cell phone and brought his eyes back on the sleeping beauty. She was young. She was beautiful, yet she was delicate and fragile. She had such honest eyes, and Fuji had seen so much sorrow and pain there. He wished he could have done better to comfort her. But at least he had managed to calm her down.

He touched her again, taking her hand in his, entwining his fingers with hers. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing it softly. "I want to see your smile again," he said sadly. As he looked at her, he realized he was thinking about it again. "Sakuno-chan…" He wasn't sure when or how it started. There was something about her that drew him toward her like a magnet. But knowing all she'd been through, he should keep his feelings in check. He had to force himself to think of her as a junior or a little sister.

"What are you doing, senpai?"

Biting back his surprise by the sudden voice, Fuji turned to the visitor. "So you came…"

"What are you doing, senpai?"

Fuji got the hidden meaning behind the question. He knew he was playing with fire here. "When did you arrive?"

"Don't avoid the question."

Both parties continued to stare at each other for a while. Hazel cat-like eyes were looking fierce as if it was telling Fuji to back off. In contrast to such ferocity, his pristine blue eyes betrayed no emotions.

"Hmm… Taking care of her, huh? Then was it necessary to kiss her hand?"

Fuji simply smiled and brought his gaze back to the young girl. His eyes grew soft as he released her hand, gently laying it down. "It was nothing more than a simple act of concern," he told him. "Are you bothered?"

The mysterious person simply shrugged and turned his head away. "Why would I?" he replied, feigning indifference.

"Do me a favor…" Fuji started toward the person and stood beside him. "Stay with her for the night."

There was a moment of silence between them. There was a thick veil of awkwardness and tension around them.

"You don't have to tell me that," the person said, finally ripping the veil of silence.

Fuji felt his chest tighten. He wanted to be the one to be there for her. He didn't want to leave her side. But the person was one of the many miracles she needed. At that point, he wanted to be selfish, but he wanted her happiness more. "I'm sure she'll be happy to see you," he muttered under his breath, placing a hand on the person's shoulder, "Echizen…" And with that he left.

The time Ryoma Echizen had spent in America was a worthwhile experience. He had left after the U-17 Japan Camp, and played in the Grand Slam competitively as one of the youngest tennis players there. That itself was achievement enough for someone his age. The French Open, US Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon—he had shine in every event, but pros were tough competition for him. He had his fair share of wins and losses, but failed to attain the title he sought for. The experience, however, was very rewarding.

People often compared him to his father, Nanjiroh Echizen, the one called Samurai. But he had proven time and time again that he was his own person. An all-rounder and a fast learner, Ryoma was a force to be reckoned with in tennis.

Living in America hadn't been incredibly fun. Everything was about tennis for him. Outside of that world was quite boring. His social skills practically sucked, so he spent most of time at the tennis courts. Nonetheless, there was one thing, apart from tennis, that he would always look forward to every day during his stay there.

And that was her mails.

They kept in touch with one another through letters and emails. It was like he didn't leave Japan. She had always been diligent in writing. She had never failed to give him updates and reports about Seigaku, the team and about her progress as well. There were also times that they would chat online.

It kind of surprised him when he received no mail one day. It was odd considering how consistent she was. But he had immediately concluded that she might be busy with school and tennis. After a few days, he had finally received an email from her. He had thought it was going to be one of her updates, but the mail contained bad news instead.

Ryoma-kun, my obaa-chan…she died…

It was a big shock. He called his father to confirm the news and he learned that Coach Ryuuzaki died from an accident. He wished his father was merely joking, but it was all too true.

And so there he was, back from America.

There was nothing left for him there. He had wanted to go back to Seigaku right after the last Grand Slam but decided to finish his last semester of school in America. He was going to enter Seigaku once again, but this time as an incoming senior student.

"Ryuuzaki."

He gazed upon her, and he sat on her bed, looking tired and sad. He had heard everything from his seniors and his dad. Sakuno was broken and hurt, and everyone was worried about her. He too had unyielding concern for her. Truth be known, the two of them shared an odd relationship. It was close to friendship and there was mutual understanding, but it felt like there something more between them. He hadn't exactly given much thought about this. She had always been there that sometimes he didn't realize how much she meant to him.

A soft moan escaped from her lips. With a slight movement, she slowly opened her eyes. "Hmmm…" She looked up as her vision started to clear. As her eyes met his hazel orbs, she gasped. "R-Ryoma-kun?!" She sat up on the bed. "It's really Ryoma-kun, right?"

He looked fine as usual. He was wearing a blue shirt underneath the open black jacket. The familiar white Fila cap was missing, but the hazel eyes and unruly dark green hair did not escape her. Ryoma was really there before her very eyes.

Ryoma could see it plainly. There was sorrow in her eyes, a very deep pain that she failed to hide from him.

Tears started to form. "Ryoma-kun, obaa-chan is…" she said, choking on her words. She shut her eyes tight as the tears fell. "Obaa-chan is gone!" She clenched the sheets tightly as her shoulders trembled. "She's really gone!"

And then, all of a sudden, he put his arms around her and held her against his chest. Seeing her broken and hurt like this made his heart wail. He wanted to shield her from all the sorrow. He wanted her to be happy again. He could tell that she had been crying before this, and his Fuji-senpai was there to comfort her. The thought, though, didn't sit with him well. Now it was his turn to be her support. He rubbed her back gently as she clung to him tightly, tears soaking his shirt.

Sakuno drew back and looked at him, a pitiful but pretty look on her face. Her eyes were puffy and red, teardrops clinging to her long lashes, and her cheeks flushed. Ryoma brushed some tears away gently.

"Will I always feel like this?" she asked, feeling panicked. It was hard to imagine spending the rest of her life without her grandmother.

Ryoma sat there holding her for a long time until she finally gone back to sleep.

"How is she, Fuji?"

The voice on the other line sounded apathetic, but Fuji knew better than to judge the person easily by that. After all, he had known him for years and he could pick up the slightest changes. Even though he sounded unresponsive, he could sense the concern present underneath. "Not so good…" he replied sensibly as he lied down on the bed.

"I should be there."

Fuji sighed. "Your sense of responsibility is nagging you this much, huh?" There was a pause in the other line, and Fuji knew he had guessed right. "We're doing our best to support her, so have faith in us. No good will come if you're going to rush things. Finish up everything there first before coming back." It was more of a demand than a request on Fuji's part, but the tone he used was light and calm.

"Ryuuzaki-sensei entrusted her to us, Fuji, so don't let your guard down."

Pristine blue eyes slowly found themselves staring at the ceiling as he thought of the pigtailed girl. "Tezuka, you know I'd do anything to bring back her beautiful smiles…" he said into the phone.

"Fuji, you…"

"Maybe I shouldn't have left her with Echizen," Fuji muttered, a sadistic smile greasing his lips. It was a good thing no one was there to see it.

"She's been through enough. Don't cause unnecessary actions."

He felt it was more of a threat than an advice. Well, Fuji figured it was only natural since the girl had a special place in Tezuka's heart. Fuji had been so keen about the things around him, though he had admitted that it was shocking to learn such information about his stone-faced captain. Even their ever-so-reliable data analyst never found out about this. Fuji had never bothered telling either. "Tezuka, when are you planning on telling her?" he asked curiously.

Another moment of silence came.

"Soon."

Fuji noted the hint of hesitation in his voice. "I see…" he replied, sitting up on the bed, a frown now present on his face. "Neh, Tezuka… How long do I have to wait?"

"You were never the impatient one, Fuji…"

The brunette raked a hand through his hair before he buried his face in one palm. Another sadistic smile had tugged his lips. "I'm almost at my limit, Tezuka…"

To be continued…

JC: So, how was it? I apologize for ending it there. More things will be revealed in the next chapter. I also apologize for the deliberate character death. Honestly, Ryuuzaki-sensei is one of my favorite coaches in the world of sport-related Anime/Manga, and it hurts me to have her killed off here. But I wanted to explore this kind of concept and have Sakuno cope up with the loss. People who care for her will always be there to support her as well.

Next Chapter: Ryoma takes care of Sakuno! Will feelings bloom? Or will Fuji intrude? You may click the review button and ponder! Just don't flame please.