The Prince and the Pauper
moontonic18
Disclaimer: I do not own prince of tennis
Chapter 1. Moonless night
I felt like I was trapped in one of those nightmares wherein you have to scream and run until your whole system bursts into tiny little pieces. But up to my dismay, this is no dream. I am wide awake.
"So you're leaving again?" I suddenly choked out the words to Ryoma, the boy whom I paid special attention to.
The deafening silence could kill me anytime. We're alone at a tennis court near a train station. I just happened to pass by when he was about to leave. Everything mixed up… I'm so tired from school, I have a lot of projects to do and then I just had to hear it.
"I have to go back…" he placed both his hands inside his side pockets while delivering the words nonchalantly. We're almost 10 feet apart but I could still see his face clearly- not until he lowered his cap, that is. "I just have some unfinished business with the captain I needed to take care of…"
I tried to look for words "Yeah… your match with him yesterday was unbelievable… it's amazing" I managed "Does everyone know about you going back today?" I asked shaking.
He immediately turned to the other direction- to the exit "I have to go now…" he trailed off.
"Wait!" I managed to shout. I took a deep breathe "You'll come back, right?" I asked while fixing my stare on the ground, keeping my hopes up.
I waited for a good response. I gazed at him again. He turned his head to look at me, and then turned the other way again "ja-ne"
There was an unnatural breeze. The leaves on a Sakura tree shuddered along the gentle wind of his passage.
He was nowhere in sight.
I stared at the Sakura tree for a while. I don't know how a Sakura tree got here but I surely need its beauty to calm me a bit.
I stared at the sky afterwards- trying to pull myself together. More time was passing than I realized. It's already nightfall. I tried to look for a source of light but all I could see is an utterly black sky- there was no Moon, not tonight.
I started to feel dizzy so I lay down on the tennis court and closed my eyes. I don't know why I'm like this… I should be happy for him. After all, I have no right to act and think this way. The prince can do whatever he wants, and the pauper has no right to argue.
Sometime later, the cold and heavy rain woke me up from my fantasies. I rolled to the other side and closed my eyes again. It felt like a thousand needles are entering my body as the rain poured heavier. I don't have enough energy at the moment so I stayed still.
"Ryuzaki!" someone suddenly called out my name from the pavement. I opened my eyes faintly to see Senpai Fuji in a hurry towards my direction.
"You'll be fine" he smiled as he reached my place. I gave him a weak smile in response then closed my eyes again- still not feeling too good.
I felt warm as he wrapped his arms around me to lift me up. I didn't notice it before, but Senpai Fuji's a lot stronger than I thought. He carried me so gently as if I'm just a tennis racquet. I know I should feel awkward by now because he's carrying me bridal style, but my mind and body's malfunctioning as of the moment "Thank you…" I tried my best to deliver those words before I completely fainted.
The scrumptious scent of freshly baked cookies woke me up. I stared at a beige colored ceiling to realize that I was in my room- wearing my pj's. I scanned the place for a few moments, thinking if I was just dreaming- moreover, having a nightmare. My eyes widened to see Senpai Fuji resting his head at the edge of my bed, sleeping like a little child, waiting for his sister to wake up. I got up, not sure of what I should do, but it seemed that my stupid actions woke him up.
"Oh, you're awake now. That's great news" he smiled at me as he watched me stare at him "Your grandma's baking cookies" he added when he noticed I was starting to sniff like a dog. I blushed in embarrassment in result. I turned the other way so he couldn't see my weird reaction "ummmm…" I started, still trying to look for words "sorry for causing you a lot of trouble"
He chuckled, and this made me turn my head; to look at him "It's good… you're back to normal. You should be sorry for making me and the others worry. May I ask what happened there?"
I recalled what happened, but I couldn't bring myself to recall it. Just thinking of what happened sends chills down my spine. I gazed at him to gain courage. He's like the God of 'warmness' – just being with him made me feel safe "I saw Ryoma… but he immediately left…"
"Oh yeah… he's heading back for the US open… but I didn't expect him to go back right away" he remembered "Did he say anything?"
I shook my head in dismay "Not much…"
He stared at me with caring eyes. I flushed "No! You got it all wrong! It just so happened that I was very tired and, and that…" I stopped.
He giggled for a while "You know how he is… a man with a few words…" he placed his left palm on top of my head "And don't be too defensive…" he smiled "Just think positive"
His inspiring words made me smile "I'll do my best" then I pouted "I'm not being defensive"
He laughed "You rested only for an hour but you seem to be in good shape already. You restore energy quickly than expected" he stood up "This ability of yours can be useful in tennis" he started walking "Let's go downstairs. You got your grandma worried…"
My eyes widened "Grandma!" I can't believe what I got myself into. I hope she's not too pissed off.
Senpai Fuji's right. I have to think positive, and I'll definitely keep my promise to him- I'll do my best. And try to forget how this moonless night gave me pain. I'll always believe in Ryoma.
It's been a week since Ryoma left, he probably wouldn't make it in time for the Nationals, but I heard he's doing great in the US opening so I'm happy for him.
"You're doing good Sakuno" a voice suddenly disturbed my deep thoughts. I turned to see Senpai Eiji, causing me to drop my tennis racquet.
He frowned like a little child while swinging like an acrobat to pick up my tennis racquet and tennis ball "Here…" he handed it to me "sorry to disturb you"
Seeing him frown like that made me feel guilty "No, it's not your fault. Don't worry about it Senpai" I gave him a reassuring smile.
His eyes suddenly sparkled "Really?" He sighed in relief then jumped up and down "But seriously… you're getting better"
I flushed "By the way, what are you doing here Senpai?" I changed the subject.
His eyes widened "Oh no!" he turned to the other direction, and then he started running "Bye I have to get back and practice with the others now. Just keep practicing!" he waved at me through the pavement.
A smile crept on my face as I watched his silhouette slowly get out of sight. It's a good thing I'm getting better at this. The semi finals for the Tournament will be in a few days, I know they'll do great.
I started swinging my racquet to proceed to my practice. It's really quiet without Tomoka around. Their family needed to attend a formal dinner party so she had to go home early to prepare. I do hope she'll have a great time tonight.
While practicing, I suddenly pictured how Ryoma was doing – causing me to lose my concentration. The ball hit my hand so I dropped the racquet in result.
I heaved out a sigh "I'm still as clumsy as ever… maybe I should call it day"
"I'm back" I greeted from the front door.
"Welcome home Sakuno" she greeted me back with a warm smile; grasping a cooking utensil. I could smell the lovely smell of curry so I got the idea she was cooking our dinner.
"Are you cooking?" I asked in disbelief. I was shocked she's not a very good cook. Just the smell of the dish alone is mouth-watering. I remembered the times she tried to cook it… things didn't end so well. She can cook other dishes but only the simple ones- and by simple I mean VERY simple ones.
"I told you not to underestimate my cooking skills" she announced proudly as she headed back for the kitchen. I smiled and followed her. I took a seat while waiting for her to finish. I watched her read through the cook book very carefully. It's funny how she looked like a little kid trying to cook for her mommy. I couldn't help myself so I started laughing.
"What's wrong with you?" she was bewildered by my sudden behavior.
I recollected myself before explaining "I've never seen you put so much effort when it comes to cooking. You actually look like an 8 year old trying to cook for her mommy" I chuckled.
She placed the dish on the table "Well thank you for making me feel young" she sarcastically thanked me. She then sat on the chair "By the way… since the Nationals is only a few days away, all the participating schools should make extra effort…" she reminded me before taking a bite "I'm so proud my curry is successful!" she praised herself.
"Grandma, are you okay?" I sweat dropped.
"Anyway…" she continued "Due to the 'extra efforts' each will have a hectic schedule so I can't guarantee you that I'll be home all the time. I know you can manage by yourself but I'm still worried about you so I asked a friend to stay here with you…"
As soon as she said the word 'friend' Ryoma immediately popped inside my head. How I wish! He's not here so my fantasy isn't going to happen. I got back to reality and started worrying about what's more important
"Grandma, aren't we causing them trouble? Whoever they are…" I was worried.
She chuckled "Don't worry Sakuno. They just came back from Britain and their house is still under renovation so they needed a place to stay for awhile"
"Okay…?" I responded while I was still processing what grandma just told me 5 seconds ago "When are they coming?" I kept on gathering information.
She gazed at the antique wall clock "They'll be here in about 10 minutes" she beamed a smile at me.
"What?!" I shouted in disbelief. She should've mentioned that to me earlier. I took a deep breath. At least I'll have company while grandma's gone… but will it be alright? I hope so…
DING DONG
The doorbell almost gave me a heart attack. They're early. Oh well… might as well embrace it. I followed grandma through the door.
The door opened; though my stare is still glued on the floor-I couldn't breathe properly. I blinked into the passage, and saw that someone was there, waiting for grandma and me- waiting for our welcoming voices.
To.Be.Continued
Sorry if it was kind of long and a little different... feel free to rate & review.. I'll try to do my best to make it better…