A/N: My first story, I'm not sure where it's going to go but I'll do my best to keep up with it. The idea has been floating in my head for sometime. Sakuno's ability (as an artist) is based off myself, if not exaggerated, to some extent and Ryoma is Ryoma. It may seem slow but it'll move along soon enough.

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Summary: Art was her world. Tennis was his. What does it take for one tennis prodigy to notice a young, budding artist? What does it take for one uncoordinated nobody to be noticed by an undeniably popular tennis superstar? RyoSaku

Pairing(s): Ryoma X Sakuno There may be others as well.

My Untouchable Muse

Chapter One

By: Epoch

It was a cool day and a young brunette girl walked, head down, towards the large gates of Seishun Gakuen Middle School. It was nearing autumn and as the days became shorter the air grew cooler. Sakuno Ryuuzaki. Grandaughter of the infamous tennis teams coach, Sumire Ryuuzaki. Devoted art student. Known distinctly by few by her perpetual clumsiness and her incredibly capacity for kindness.

She was obviously deep in thought or she would have noticed the boys chatting a few feet in front of her. However…

"Umph!" came her muffled cry as she walked straight into one boy's back. Stumbling back and inevitably falling to the ground, said boy simple moved forward a few steps, quickly catching his balance.

Golden, cat-like eyes immediately turned, irritation obvious in their molten depths.

"Watch where you're going," his cool, smooth voice said making the girl shiver with apprehension

Slowly lifting her head, the girl looked up. Cinnamon brown met gold. A blush slowly crept up her cheeks, spreading like wild fire across her normally pale cheeks. Quickly lowering her head from his steely gaze she stood slowly, dragging her bag up with her.

"A-ano… gomenasai. I-I didn't m-mean to r-r-run into y-you," Bowing a few times before raising again, the girl carefully stepped backwards. Had she looked up she may have seen the incredulous looks on the previously silent males and the quirked eyebrow on one freshman tennis star's face. Somewhat curious by the girl's ability to speak… or lack thereof.

Turning, she promptly left. Incredibly embarrassed with the whole situation.

Meanwhile a spiky hair male rounded on his shorter companion, "Echizen! That's no way to treat a lady."

Ryoma grunted as he turned away, "Hn."

"Saa… Momo-chan is right Echizen. You could have at least helped the girl up."

He turned around this time, frowning at his friends reprimands, "She's the one that ran into me. What's the big deal?"

The two exchanged looks, not at all surprised at the underclassman's lack of manners.

After she was sure she was far, far away from the group of intimidating boys, the trembling girl slowed her fast pace walk to a slow trot.

"Sakuno-chan!!" a loud voice called out, too close for Sakuno's comfort.

A girl, seemingly the same age as herself, waved frantically, her pig tails swaying vigorously with the wild motion. Her eyes were wide and bright, a large grin spread across her young face.

"Ano… Tomo-chan. Please don't yell so loudly," Sakuno intoned, rubbing her ears uncomfortably. She could be so loud sometimes.

"Haha…," the girl referred to as "Tomo-chan" laughed sheepishly, "Gomen, but what took you so long? I've been waiting for ages."

Sakuno resisted the urge to roll her eyes at her best friend's obvious exaggeration. If anything, she was 5 minutes later than usual and that was at the most. She could be so dramatic sometimes. Not that she didn't live up to the description on a day-to-day basis. Tomo-chan was after all one of the biggest gossips in the school. How the two became friends was a mystery, even to themselves. They were the epitome of polar opposites.

"Tomo-chan, it hasn't been that long. And I sort of ran into someone," a light blush tinged her cheeks. A pitying look crossed her friends face, "Sa-chan… you're so clumsy."

Sighing, Sakuno looked down, "I know but I just can't help it. I wasn't paying attention and he was just standing there…"

"He? Was he cute?" a sly smile spreading across the talkative girl's face.

"Mou… Tomo-chan," Sakuno whined but couldn't stop the blush that crawled up her cheeks, heating up her face.

"He was wasn't he?!" at Sakuno's horrified look, Tomoka laughed, "I'm just kidding Sa-chan. Come on, class starts soon. You are transferring into my class today right? You can finally meet this boy in my class. Remember? Ryoma Echizen?! He's soooo HOT. Like H-O-T, drop dead gorgeous hot. And he plays on the tennis team too! Sakuno, wait until you see him you…"

Sakuno sighed. Her friends babbling taking a back seat as her thoughts wondered. There would be an art exhibition in about 2 months and the art instructor had asked her to show off some of her works. She was excited however her lips tugged downward after a moment of contemplation. She needed a model, she was thinking about doing a portrait, one that would capture the person's personality. She was to shy to ask anyone to model for her and even if she could strike up the courage to ask someone, she doubted they would agree. She wasn't especially popular and often got picked on.

"...akno? Sakuno!" Sakuno jumped, startled as her friend waved a hand in front of her face, looking worried.

"Eh? Nani?"

"Did you listen to a word I just said?" Sakuno looked down guiltily and Tomoka huffed, "Whatever. Wait here, I'll go tell Hirashi-sensei that you're here."

"Hai," came Sakuno's distant reply. Rolling her eyes at her friend's vacant reply, Tomoka walked into the classroom, intent on seeing her idol as soon as she told the teacher of the class' new arrival.

Introductions had gone smoothly enough. Sakuno had kept her head down the entire time though, so she really didn't notice a pair of golden eyes watching her as she made her way to a desk next to the window, a few seats away from himself. He watched amused as she managed to stumble over something, nearly toppling over before she righted herself. Her face heated up again he noted, much like the look he had seen on her face as she sat on the ground before him not to long before.

Snickers rang throughout the class and she didn't think she could be more embarrassed. Clearly this was not going to be a good day.

"Ryuuzaki-san? Are you alright?" Hirashi-sensei asked concerned.

"Hai sensei," Sakuno turned and bowed, "Sumimasen for interrupting."

There was a snort from somewhere and a mumbled, "suck up", but Sakuno pointedly ignored the statement. It was nothing new. Finally making it to her seat, she sat down. Sinking low into her chair as she tried to make herself invisible.

Seemingly her tactics were working but halfway through class she found a note, neatly folded into a triangle sitting innocently on her desk. Glancing around she looked at Tomoka; whose eyes were staring forward, if not a bit blearily, at the board… no, it hadn't been her. Turning back to the note, she opened it slowly, careful not to alert the teacher to her actions. Glancing down and reading, she became confused.

Ne… are you always this clumsy? Seems that's twice today.

Sakuno looked up and around again. This time her eyes settled on two pairs of eyes, looking directly at her. She jumped slightly, surprised by there intense gaze. It was him again. Feeling a full grown blush rush across her cheeks she quickly stuffed the note in her notebook and turned to look out the window. Hoping her cheeks would calm down sometime soon.

He was in her class. She tripped in front of him. She tripped in front of him. From the note he must think she was such a klutz, which wasn't to far from the truth but still… how embarrassing.

As her eyes fell upon the school grounds she felt herself sadden. Why couldn't she be out there? Be care free… like the wind. Have no worries like the trees whose only job was to be. As an artist she longed to free. No school, no responsibilities; nothing, just a pencil, a paintbrush, a canvas, and her mind. Hopefully, with the exhibition that was coming up, it would provide her the perfect opportunity. Representatives from art schools all across the world would be visiting. It was nerve racking… and she was anxious to do well. To be noticed for once.

He watched her as her eyes stared at the note confused. He smirked when her eyes met his and she quickly turned away, stuffing the note in her notebook. She was a strange girl, and obviously painfully shy. Interesting. Was she new? He sure hadn't seen… or noticed her before. However she conversed freely with the loud mouthed girl outside the classroom so maybe... it didn't matter he supposed. Admittedly, he wasn't the most observant person in the world when it came to pay attention to people.

Okay, there's the first chapter. Read and Review please. Tell me what you think.

-Epoch