~Ryoma x Sakuno~

~It took me so long to finish this chapter! My family keep interrupting me in the middle of it all. It was really frustrating but I like how it came out so far. It originally was suppose to be a OneShot but I kinda keep going and going so now it one really long chapter. I plan on finishing the story in the next chapter so it more like a 2-Shot.~

~By the way when I do matches (WHEN I DO) please excuse me for not knowing very much about tennis.~

~Well Enjoy!~

Chapter 1

Ryoma was battling it out with Momoshiro on the Seigaku regulars. Both were sweating bullets with the insanely hot weather, the sun was blazing high up in the sky. Sakuno was watch from behind the court fence in the protective shade of the trees. Tomoka wasn't with her that day, which she kinda was glad she was. Tomoka was the more out going out of the two of them, she would be gladly calling out to Ryoma to beat Momoshiro to the ground. But the heat really wouldn't work well with the cheering, it would distract Ryomas game play.

Ryoma hit an over head lob when Momoshiro reached the net.

"Damn it!"

The lob was just high enough to escape Momos smash range. He tsk and let the lob get a point, he was ready to take his serve when Coach Ryuzaki walked in whistling her whistle. Ryoma smirked at Momo, which was returned with an upset look. The rest of the team gathered around the coach, Captain Tezuka stood behind her.

"Alright every body, good job. That's enough for today, the heat's gonna get to your heads in this weather. First years pick up the balls. Second years do your final stretches and the regulars meet up with Tezuka letter today for training regiments."

Sakunos grandmother gave out orders, then walked off leaving the rest up to the members. Sakuno quickly fetched a cold can of soda for Ryoma, when she returned she spotted him lying down with Momo under the same tree she took shelter from before. She nervously walked up to him, both were breathing heavily. She watched silently, as she watched Ryoma take breaths she realized that the two of them were sleeping now.

In order to not bother him, she always thought of his best interest and right now was that he need some rest. She placed the can beside his racket and walked off to prepare for her lessons.

Sakuno finally arrived at a tennis training court for her afternoon lesson, she didn't want to be completely left behind Ryoma. Even though she knows she is not match for him, but maybe she'll be able to return a couple of hits.

The training coach arrived and told the other learners to start stretches, Sakuno did what she was told. While she tried reaching for her toes two boys started giggling behind her. She worried that maybe there was a rip under her skirt so she quickly stood up straight, she turned her head to look at the boys with an embarrassed blush. After trying to stretch without bending over, she retreated to the bathroom to check for anything wrong. To her relief there wasn't.

She returned to practice, trying desperately to avoid the two boys. She didn't like the way they looked at her.

Ryoma was woken up by a fallen leaf, that miraculously landed on the tip of his nose. He pushed up his upper body with his elbows and looked around, he wasn't sure how long he had fallen asleep but the sun was still blazing like mad. Momo grunted then also got his head up off the ground, getting in the same position as Ryoma.

"Do you know how long we were out?"

Momo asked Ryoma with a little slur to his words. Ryoma stayed quite and simply continued to stare in the direction of the courts. Momo on the other hand got himself off the ground and brushed of the little dirt and leaves that cling to his clothes. He offered a hand to Ryoma.

"Come on, practice is over and we got free time now. Want to go out and eat?"

Ryoma took his offered hand and was pulled up to his feet, he also cleaned off the dirt and turned to pick up his tennis racket when he notices a small can resting beside it. He picked both of them up and looked at the can of soda, it was still cold so it hasn't been long sense it has been bought. He looked around, wondering who got him this. Was it for him or did someone forget it.

"Lucky guy, you get a nice cold soda. Ah the days of youth."

Momo smirked at Ryoma. Then he continued to walk off back to the locker room to get changed out of sweaty clothes. Ryoma stared at the can.

"Maybe it was Sakuno?"

He didn't have a clue but he did know that he saw her watching them practice earlier. But now she wasn't to be seen, if it was Sakuno he was going to thank her for it later. He then started heading also to the lockers to join Momo.

Sakuno was practicing her swings when suddenly one of the braids was pulled and broke her concentration. She let out a little squeak in surprise and pain, She automatically turned around to catch the culprit in the act. No one was near her but not far was the same two boys giggling away, her cheeks turned red. They were teasing her.

She ignored them and continued to swing away. Luckily nothing else happened.

"Alright, a small 5 minute rest then we'll pair each other for some practice matches."

The training coach told of the other students for a break. Sakuno straight away went to the vendor to get a nice cold soda, she reached out the get the same cold drink she got earlier for Ryoma. She liked that drink, it was something she thought the two of them shared an interest in. But before she could press the button another hand reached past hers and pressed a totally different drink.

"Hahaha, thanks for the drink girly."

Sakuno twisted around to see the two boys that were bothering her all day surrounding her, she had the back to the vendor with a terribly worried face.

One was taller than the other, but both were almost the same height as Momo. The taller one had dark black brushed back hair with snake like eyes almost like Kaidohs, just more terrifyingly eager. The shorter one had blond hair, the ends where curved up with the constant wear of a cap. His eyes were big and intimidating.

Sakuno was scared.

"S...sorry I got..got to go."

She tried running away by attempting to duck under the blond boys arm but he cuts her off with his body. She ran right into him, she covered her sore nose with her hand and stared in shock at the towering wall. She began to tear up, she couldn't help but think of Ryoma at that moment. That he would come in and save the day, hitting a tennis ball in both their faces and say. 'You got a ways to go.'

But that didn't happen.

Ryoma finished his very cooling drink and tossed the can in the trash. Momo was talking about school and how the tests are approaching when he saw the can fly across his face and in to the trash. He stopped talking at the sight of the flying can, Momo pause his walking.

"Aren't you going to thank her for getting the soda?"

Momo ask as he pointed to the can, watching Ryoma leaving him behind. Ryoma didn't turn around when he replied.

"I'll thank her tomorrow at practice, she'll most likely be there."

He waved his hand.

"Coming?"

He called out again. Momo jump started his feet to catch up to Ryoma that was quite the distance away now. He observed Ryoma for a second when he arrived beside him and followed his paste, he thought to himself.

'Maybe Ryoma somehow already knows it...?'

Sakunos hair was pull violently back as she tried to make her escape again, the force made her fall back harshly on her butt. She squeaked loudly. Maybe if she screamed enough someone would hear her. No that wasn't going to work, there were already to many screams echoing the courts. Screams and loud grunts coming from each player on the court hitting their returns.

"Please! Stop!"

She insisted the boys. Her right wrist was hurting from the fall, caused by the pull on her hair. She must of landed on it wrong judging by the pain it was giving off it was most likely sprained.

"You know girly, this hair of yours is just to long!"

The black haired boy pulled out scissors from his tennis bag, she looked at it in horror. What where they planning to do with it!?

"I'm so..sorry if. If my hair is too long."

She consciously grabbed them in her hands, she liked her long hair. Even though Ryoma often also said they were to long, still he never told her to cut them or said they looked bad.

A sudden painful jerk came from her left braid, the blond boy that she had forgotten was behind her pull the braid up. Almost fully stretching out his arm up above his head, he laughed hysterically. Sakuno desperately tried to keep her balance on her tippy toes and he held his grip, she quickly closed her eyes.

SNIP.

Her ears heard the sound of scissors, and gravity took place. She came stumbling down onto all fours, her hair wasn't holding her up anymore. Sakunos eyes looked at the paved ground in wide eyed shock. They cut her left braid off, letting the rest become undone. The front fell into her face as the uneven strands tickled her wobbling lips.

The boys laughed and started to walk away, the black haired boy put his scissors back into his back and wave back at her.

"See, now you don't have to worry about it getting in the way. Right!?"

They both began to laugh even harder as they left her on her hands and knees. It began slowly then it turned heavy, her tears fell like a never ending water fall. She didn't want to cry out loud, she didn't want any one to see her in such a wicked state. She ended up crying in silence but she knew, she needed to go home sooner or later and there was no way was she going to let her grandmother know about this.

The only person she could turned to was her best friend Tomoka. The Seigaku regulars where out of the question, they would end up telling Ryoma what happened. Ryoma was the absolute last person she wanted to know about her weak self. Not him...never him.

In a rush she left the training courts without telling her coach of her leave, she honestly could care less. Sakuno wanted away from the courts worried sick that the two terrible boys would still be hanging about.

Later

She rang the door bell twice before she got a response, the front door came open with Tomoka in the middle of it. She had a green facial mask on, she looked completely shocked. Sakuno didn't give her a warning about her coming over, Tomoka looker her friend up and down. Sakuno was still in her tennis uniform, her hair was tucked under a tennis cap and tennis bag hanging from her hand.

Sakuno tried a smile at the door, she wanted to enter her friends home with a smile and not worry Tomokas parents. Because if they knew about what happened than they would tell her grandmother. Can't have that.

"Geez Sakuno! You're still in your tennis uniform, you mush be freezing at this hour!"

Sakuno didn't think of the time, she thought she left the courts right away but apparently didn't arrive at her friends until well pass 8. The sky was already dark with small white glows piercing its black blanket. She must of wondered around the block a couple of times before stopping at Tomokas door.

Tomoka lead Sakuno to her room, she quickly yelled over her shoulder to her parents to let them know it was Sakuno. And that she was going to come up to her room for a few minutes before heading back home. Her mom replied with a.

"Do you two want tea!? and some cookies?"

Tomoka pause and looked at her friends stated and then replied to her mom.

"Yeah, thanks mom!"

Tomoka closed the door behind her as Sakuno place her stuff on the floor and sank down the side of the bed. Her knees brought up to hide her face, she just sat there in silence.

"Is every thing alright Sakuno? You look like you've been crying?"

Like it was a cue for Sakuno, the word crying made her scream out a cracked sob as she reached for the embrace of her best friends arms. Tomoka was shock to she her friend in utter tears.

'What could of made her be like this? Only the rejection of Ryoma no doubt!'

She thought.

"Was this because Ryoma rejected your confession?"

She pilled her crying friend from her chest, and shock her gently. Sakuno quick moved her head in a no sign, she was wrong it wasn't Ryoma. Tomoka was getting worried and frustrated, she shock her harder. She brought her closer to her face with each pull then shove, with one pull Tomokas forehead connected with Sakunos cap and pushed it off. Tomoka froze.

"OH MY GOD!

She screeched, Sakuno fumbled to put her cap back on to cover her miss matched hair style. Tomoka clamped her hand over her mouth, she looked at Sakunos head and then at the actions.

"What happened!?"

She demanded, for the time she known Sakuno she wouldn't do this to her own hair.

Sumire Ryuzaki was waiting impatiently at her and Sakunos place of residence.

'What is taking this girl so long to get home!?'

She thought worriedly. Trying not to think of the worst quite yet she rushed to the phone and dialed the Seigaku tennis team captain. It rang 2, 3, 4 times before a male voice answered.

"Hello?"

"Yes, this is Sumire Ryuzaki Seigakus coach..."

She was interrupted.

"Yes coach?"

Captain Tezuka answered with his own question. Sumire sigh in relief to get a hold of him and right away briefed him on the situation of Sakuno not returning home yet.

"Have you tried her friends home? whats her name...Tomoka?"

"No I haven't but I will as soon as I get off the phone with you. Do you mind though in the main time to try and contact the others just in case? I'm really worried, that girl is always home on time and when she is late is only by a few minutes."

She could hear a small sigh come from the other end of the phone line. He agreed and they both hanged up the phone. Sumire quickly dialed Tomokas phone number,

Sakuno had trouble explaining every thing through her tears and sobs but she managed to get the message across. Tomoka listened quietly and nodded a few times for Sakuno to continue with the Story. All the while Tomoka had removed her green mask.

"That's terrible! What jerks! We have to get back at them for this!"

She jumped up doing a hero pose, she was pumped up and ready to take them on. She was furious with that they did to her best friend, she wasn't about to let them forget about it. Sakuno didn't mention one thing, she didn't mention that her right wrist is most likely sprained. Worrying everybody was something she really didn't want to do.

"Please...please, don't tell grandma, Ryoma or the others. I don't want them to know, I want to fix this problem by my self."

She mumbled her words, Tomoka looked and fell backward knowing her bed would catch her. She sighed really loud.

"Fine, but you can't hide your hair like that forever!"

She said a little to loudly. Sakuno rushed on top of the bed to put her finger on Tomokas lips to keep her from saying anything else. A knock came from the door.

"Sakuno? It's your grandmother, she was wondering where you were. She's on the phone now."

Sakuno jumped up like a bouncing ball thrown to the floor. She shot a look at Tomoka and terribly stuffed her hair back under her cap. She exited the room and picked the phone off the table that was left for her to answer.

"Yes, grandma?"

"Where have you been! Why haven't you returned home? I was worried sick, I had to call Tezuka for help you know that!?"

"S..sorry Grandma, I was here at Tomoka's the whole time after Tennis practice."

"Sigh!"

"Come home, I want you home tonight."

Was the last thing her grandmother said on the phone, she had hung up pretty harshly. Sakuno made her way back up Tomokas room up the stairs and opened the door to see her friend digging through one of her desk drawers.

"What are you doing?"

She asked, curious to what her friend was doing. Tomoka turned and look at Sakuno with a pair of scissors in one of her hands. Sakuno flinched at the sight, getting a flash back of the horrible twisted grin the black hair boy was giving her the moment he pulled out his. She stepped back, Tomoka placed it gently on the table noticing Sakunos fear.

"We have to fix that hair of your before you head home don't we? Can't have your grandma thing suspicious thing about how it is now, do we?"

Sakuno made the connection, she was right. Going home now would just make it a more worrying situation especially sense she didn't immediately return home.

Sumire sigh a heavy sigh of relief to know Sakuno was safe at Tomokas place. But why didn't she return home after practice? Usually Sakuno would give a warning before she did anything like visit a friend. Sakuno was acting a little different that day what could make her be like this?

'She was perfectly fine when she was at the school watching the teams practice. It must of been something that happened after that.'

She went through the days events and how Sakuno was acting, nothing seemed off. Sumire was worried but decided to wait till tomorrow to fully discuss about her actions. Now all she had to do was wait till she returned home safely.

Nanjiro Echizen was the first to pick up the phone, rude as ever he answers with a.

"Yeah, what is it that you want?"

Rinko his wife scolded him for such a rude answer to someone who called, she took the phone away from him in one hand full swing. He backed away from the phone in a rush to avoid getting more scolding. As soon as Nanjiro left the room Nanako entered.

"Yes, this is the Echizen residence."

Rinkos sweet voice played through the phone, before the caller could say anything another voice was heard in the back ground.

"Hi Rinko."

"Oh Hello Nanako! Oh my! my pie!"

Rinko passed the phone to Nanako who was stunned, she put the phone to her ear.

"Yes?"

Finally the caller could talk, he opened his mouth.

The phone dropped to the floor.

"Karupin! Don't do that!"

Rapid foot steps lead away from the phone. The person on the other end of the line finally got feed up with waiting.

"I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO RYOMA ECHIZEN! IS HE THERE!?"

Ryoma came down the stairs to hear his name called through the phone speaker. He picked it up and answered.

"Is that you Momo?"

"Damn it Echizen! Why is it so hard to get a hold of you at home! I feel like I went through every member of you family trying to get to you!"

Momo was fuming, he huffed and exhaled slowly.

"Have you seen Sakuno anytime between the last time we were together today?"

"No, why?"

"Well Captain Tezuka just gave me a call saying that Coach Ryuzaki called him to see if any of us have seen her. Apparently she didn't come yet."

"She's probably at Tomokas."

Ryoma stated his fact. Momo stayed silent then thought about it, true enough after Ryomas short phone call from Momos long phone call they were told that Sakuno had made it back home safely.

Sumire was shocked to see Sakunos head pop through the crack of the door.

"Soorry, sorry grandma!"

She clapped her hands together in an apologetic gesture. When she bowed her head her hair fell forward. Her grandmother stood there with an open mouth of aww, she had to blink a couple of time to comprehend what she was seeing.

Sakuno, her sweet Sakuno had her hair cut. It was so different than it was before, before her hair would always be in braids all the way down to her butt. She was sure that Sakuno had left the school courts with that hair style but came home with a short trimmed one.

Sakunos hair was cut at jaw length, it was a straight cut no layers. (Like An Tachibanas but with bangs in case you can't picture it.) Sakuno looked like a completely different person.

"Sa..Sakuno?"

Her grandmother attempted to speak, she reached out and touched the end of her hair.

"What's with your hair, what happened!?"

"Oh! I ...I, I just had Tomoka cut it for me. I was really thinking about how my hair was always in my way in tennis practice. So I asked her out of the blue to cut it for me."

Sakuno was about to give away a few tears but she forced her recovery right away. But she also knew that her grandmother was smart and would come up with and excuse close to what really happened. She needed to be prepare and she was right.

"Was it something the tennis coach told you? Because if it was, it wasn't necessary to take it seriously."

Sakuno sucked in air, holding her breath to get ready to lie to her beloved grandmother. She was close of course, it did take place at the tennis courts and it was SOMEBODY who told her about her hair. But it was forcefully done.

"No grandma, it..it was just that I thought about it for.. for a while now. Please..please don't make me regret it."

The 'please don't make me regret it,' was what convince her grandmother to not push any further. Sakuno just wanted some sleep and try to forget about everything that happen that evening.

~I hope you like it so far. If you see any type of problem like spelling mistakes please do tell.~

~Constructive criticism is much appreciated~