Ryoma gathered her books as the bell signaled the end of the school day. Her classmates chatted joyfully and talked about club activities, but Ryoma remained silent. Making her way to the locker room to change out of her uniform, Ryoma's lips turned down. She had been accepted onto the women's tennis team, but it just wasn't the same as battling the boys. Earlier in the year she had sought after weekly matches with Monkey King and surprisingly enough, Kintaro. Many of her seniors and friends were all very busy preparing for exams and the world after Year 12. She had already lost Tezuka and Kawamura and could barely keep up with some of the others. It was early in the school year, but this would be the last time she would see many of her friends, teammates, and tennis opponents that had all aided her growth in tennis. School was important, and Ryoma knew she certainly spent more time on homework outside of class. Tennis was in her blood though. Still, she worked hard to keep her skills up to par and had instilled morning runs into her schedule.

Closing her locker and heading to the courts Ryoma pout gently turned into a smile. When she had entered junior high no one had known who she was. After an unforgettable first year at Seishun, her name had spread like wild fire, and she had only continued to climb higher. Entering senior high had been another eye-opener for the seniors that only remembered her as a rookie player in year 7. Her tennis skills were now close to surpassing her older brother's, but it wasn't just her skills that awed people. Spending many summers in New York visiting old friends and maintain her junior champion status, Ryoma didn't realize that those few months apart her image became that of a young woman. Puberty hit Ryoma like a high speed train. Starting school 5 centimeters higher, with more developed hips, and a light tan garnered quite a bit of attention.

She was unprepared for the new looks people gave her, but, like with most things, she adjusted. Returning to Japan, the old Ryoma would have probably only looked forward to tennis. The new more slightly mature Ryoma also thought about more. Which is why, she joined the women's tennis team first, then got to know her classmates (albeit at an arm's length), and started taking her studies more seriously (no matter high grades were required to stay on the tennis team).

Yes, Echizen Ryoma had changed.

Picking up her racket after the team warm up around the courts, Ryoma turned to face her opponent. She had met some notable female opponents, like her captain, but the real challenges were outside of her small school and around Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanagawa. The Princess of Tennis still lived and breathed her sport, but even with her drive to succeed and one day beat her father, not even the slightly more mature Ryoma could ignore the changes that her peers, teammates, opponents, and friends had gone though.

Especially, the changes of one Atobe Keigo.

-xXx-

The crowds cheered loudly filling the area leaving no room for silence on the courts. Atobe Keigo sat with his team observing the opposing side while half listening to his own teammates. The King of Hyotei acknowledged how strong Seigaku had come after facing a challenging year finding new members and rebuilding their "dream team." However, this was his last year to take his team to the top, and he would not let Seigaku, or Rikkaidai for that matter, stand in his way. Atobe reminisced as the doubles two match began. His junior years were not his proudest moment. He had been stuck up and stubborn. And he would be the first to admit he was still a little bit of both. Life had changed for the heir after his father had a serious talk with him one day about what it meant to be head of the Atobe family and fortune. Even his mother had wanted him to go to Ouran and receive a "proper" education with the rest of the richest children in Japan in order to take over the business. Atobe fought tooth and nail to stay with his teammates, with his friends. He promised his father that he would be fully prepared to devote his life to the family business at Tokyo University after he took his team to Nationals. For three years, Keigo honed his business skills, trained his body, and excelled academically. The Atobe Heir had become everything his business was, collected, responsible, loyal, and respected.

Singles two won; Hyotei would advance in the tournament.

Walking in the park with his teammats, Atobe was already looking forward to the next matches. Gakuto was yelling about something, and Jirou was being carried by Kabaji. The rest of the teams made way for them as they passed, until they passed Seigaku.

"Ochibi is coming back!"

"Hey Snake-face she's going to whoop you again!"

"I remember she beat you too, Peach-fuzz!"

"I must get new data."

Atobe's eye twitched at the intrusion, "Oi, what are you lot going on about?"

The antics of the blue and white team stopped to look at the voice.

Eiji was the first to break the silence, "Ne, ne, didn't you hear? Echizen is coming back!"

-xXx-

Echizen's return was all anyone spoke of for the next three weeks. Atobe heard whispers of her at every match, from his opponents, and even the street courts. She could go pro now if she wanted. She met and had a match with the US Olympic team. She was taller. She had signed a contract with Nike©. The rumors didn't stop there. Some of her old classmates speculated she had a boyfriend. She actually had grown her hair out, and no longer looked like a tomboy. Crazy, right?

Oshitari had run a search on the famed Princess and found that the internet was full of even more rumors. The only reliable information seemed to be that she had reclaimed her title as junior champion in America, and had competed at the international level.

There was no way that self-loving mouthy brat had become anything but a more spirited tomboy.

Keigo didn't see Ryoma for another two weeks. It seems she had truly returned, but had not participated in any matches or made a public appearance. Then, Hyotei met Seigaku in the Regional Tournament.

Hyotei had won the first two matches, but Seigaku was making a strong comeback. Each team was trying their hardest and the short break in between matches was not wasted.

The small click-click of heels interrupted their thoughts.

Momo gave a shout; Inui lost his composure; Fuji opened his eyes; Jiro woke up; Gakuto lost his gum; Kabaji's cheeks grew pink.

What the heck?

Walking down the stairs was a pair of smooth bare legs clad in small summer heels. A navy skirt and light yellow blouse completed the ensemble. As the figure got closers, Atobe could make out long, wavy locks and finally, he saw them - the distinct golden cat-eyes of one Echizen Ryoma.

After a torturously long amount of time, the prodigy reached the bottom of the steps. With a slight smirk that caused Atobe to give a hard blink, she said,

"Mada Mada Dane."