Hi Everyone. I felt like doing a Christmas version of 'Will I Make It In Time?' Note: Rewritten the first two chapters. Thank you to my Beta Readers.
Disclaimer: I do not The Prince of Tennis.
This story will not follow what happens in 'Will I make it in Time?"
Same characters though.
Enjoy. ^^
Sam's Winter Gift
White fluffs of snow fell from the sky. Winter is here and tomorrow will be Christmas. Marui and Sam walked together in the white flakes of snow to do some last minute Christmas shopping.
"It's so beautiful." Sam whispered softly. She looked up at the sky to see tiny bits of white falling. Sam thought it looked like a white winter wonderland. Sam smiled gently. "Don't you think so, Marui?"
Marui glanced down to his right. "I guess." Marui said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket. He wanted to keep his hands warm. Sam looked up and then she scowled at him. Marui playfully scowled back and then gave a soft smile. "I mean, yeah it's beautiful."
"I don't believe you." Sam said. She turned her head away and didn't look at him. "How come you don't like winter?" she said in a sad tone.
"Sam, I do like winter. It's just the cold I don't like." Marui explained. "I just can't stand how cold it is right now." Sam looked over Marui and now could see why. Marui had on two red sweaters and a black jacket over the two.
"Well, I love winter…an-and I love the cold too." Sam said defending her love for winter. Sam didn't really like the cold temperature but she couldn't admit defeat in front of Marui.
"Heh. I can see that." Marui chuckled.
"I do!" Sam quickly scooped up some snow. She started to compress the snow together into a ball shape. "Let me show you how much I love the snow." Sam said with a smirk.
"Um, Sam…what are you doing?" Marui watched Sam, and started to have a feel something was going to happen. His gut was screaming "Run!", but he totally ignored it.
Sam tossed the snowball repeatedly in the air. "Nothing. I just want you to see why I love winter so much." Sam looked at Marui and aimed.
Marui got the picture. His eyes widen. "WAIT! Hold it Sam!" Marui backed up keeping his arms in front of him. Sam didn't listen. "SAM! Put that snowball down this instant!"
"You're not my father, Marui!" Sam aimed for his head, but Marui moved quickly. "Hold still! I want to get a clear shot at your head." Marui ran. Sam threw.
-Splat!- Sam gasped. She quickly turned around in the other direction and ran for her life.
"SAM!" Niou yelled. His faced covered in snow.
"Are you alright Niou?" Marui asked nicely as he hid behind him. Niou grabbed Marui from behind and shoved him down in the snow. Niou then ran after Sam.
After facing Niou's wrath, well, nothing really bad happened. Yagyuu happened to be nearby and protected Sam from Niou. Marui and Sam then decided to do their Christmas shopping at the mall, after the coast was clear. Marui and Sam walked to the mall. They made sure not to get Niou mad next time.
"What time is it?" Marui asked. Sam looked at her phone.
"It's only 2pm…I have time." Sam replied. Marui nodded. The first place they checked out happened to be a small sports shop.
"Marui. What would Sanada like for Christmas?" Sam asked. She looked at some grip tape in the tennis section.
Marui smiled. "I know he would like you to say 'yes' to him." Sam looked over at Marui, to see him smiling happily at her. Sam turned away from his smile, "Marui. For the last time, I just can't return his feeling towards me."
"Then say 'yes' to Kirihara."
Sam still didn't looked at him, "…I can't return his feelings either."
In the past both, Sanada and Kirihara gathered all the courage they could and had confessed their love to Sam. Of course, Sam was completely surprised that they had 'those' kind of feelings towards her. She only thought of Sanada and Kirihara as very good friends.
.Sanada.|.Sam.|.Kirihara.
Flashback-Sanada's confession.
"You wanted to talk about something, Sanada?" Sam asked. She meet Sanada at their regular table. The burger place had become one of Sam's favorite places to eat out. After Sanada found that out, he'd always took her out to dinner on Saturdays. Sam only thought of it as a place where she could hang out with him.
"Take a seat." Sanada offered to her. "I have something…personal…to tell you."
"What is it?" Sam asked curiously. "Is it about how badly I play tennis? I'm sorry that I'm not there yet. I'm trying my bes-"
"No. No, it's not that. Your tennis has improved…its smooth and more graceful-." Sanada stopped on his words. He could feel his face heat up slightly. 'Did I just say that out loud? Smooth and graceful?' Sanada quickly overcame his small blush and replaced with his stoic face.
"Ok…?" Sam slowly said. She easy saw the visible blush that appeared so fast. She began to think Sanada wasn't feeling well, seeing a flash of red so suddenly, across his face. "…Are you ok, Sanada?"
"I'm fine." he said calmly. He tried to regain his composure. 'You can do this Genichirou. Don't back down. That's not who you are. Tell her how you feel…You are Sanada Genichirou! Emperor of Rikkai! Argh! This isn't tennis!...no, I can't do this…' Sanada could feel himself getting frustrated with his feelings.
Sam got a little worried. She took some napkins and dipped it lightly in her cold water. "Is there something bothering you?"
Sanada felt something cold on his cheeks. Sanada reacted too fast without any thought and violently grabbed Sam's wrist. He looked up to see Sam flinched in pain.
"I'm sorry Sanada! I didn't mean to touch you…" Sam looked away. "…I was worried. I'm sorry!"
Sanada felt his world stopped. He couldn't believe what he just did. He let go, and then to see Sam held her wrist with her other hand. He never meant to hurt Sam at all. He never ever wanted to hurt Sam, but to protect her from getting hurt. "Sam-"
"I'm sorry." Sam interrupted in a sad tone. She quickly stood up and fast walked out the door, not even looking at him. Once out the door, she ran.
"Sam!" Sanada ran out the door. "SAM!" He saw her running and he ran after her. In a matter of minutes Sanada stopped her with his arms. He pulled Sam closer to him, his arms wrapping around her.
"Sam-"
"I said I was sorry!" Sam looked up at him in tears. "What?! You want me to run laps to make it more satisfy for you?!"
"Shut up!" Sanada yelled. His hold tightened around Sam. "This isn't your fault. I should be the one saying I'm sorry. I'm sorry Sam. I'm sorry that I hurt you." Sanada now didn't care if anybody saw the public display between the two. He felt like it was time to tell the world that he does love someone. Someone besides tennis. Someone he can actually talk to and share a life together. Someone he hopefully marries one day. This someone being Sam. Sam, being the only girl he fell in love with.
"What's bothering you?" Sam asked quietly. She wanted to get out Sanada's hold because people were beginning to stare. However, she didn't want Sanada to get mad at her.
"…I've been thinking…" Sanada only replied. His mind drifted off back deep into his thoughts. He didn't mind the people staring at them because he really didn't care anymore.
After a few minutes of silence, Sanada gained all the courage he could and took a deep breath. "Sam." he said softly breaking the silence.
"Yeah?" Sam looked at Sanada. She could see his eyes were different…they were a bit softer.
"I love you." Sanada's voice went soft and sweet. The voice was very rare and where any kind of girl would die to those exact words, but Sam didn't die. He looked deep into her brown eyes. "I love you, Sam."
Sam's eyes widen. "Are you sure you're ok? I-I think you need to see a doctor." Sam stuttered. She quickly looked away to hide her faint blush.
"No. I don't need to see a doctor." Sanada said. "Wait. Why?"
"I think you're sick." Sam straight out said. "I've seen this disease before. First, your face turned red all of sudden. You start to hug random people and then-then you start to speak…differently."
Sanada glared at her. "You're making that up. I don't need to see a doctor. I'm fine the way I am."
Sam didn't pay any attention to him. As sly as possible Sam successfully slipped out of Sanada's arms. 'She won't even listen to what I have to say!' Sanada thought.
"HEY!" Sanada raised his voice. Sanada quickly grab hold of her wrist. Lighter this time. "Where do you think you're going?!" Sam shrugged like nothing had happen.
"I don't know…but let's go see that doctor."
"Listen!" Sanada let go of her wrist then to bring his hands up to cup her face. The attention around them attracted more people. It was just like a romantic scene. "Nothing is wrong with me. Sam, I love you." He closed his eyes and softly placed his forehead on hers. "I love you."
Sam blushed uncontrollably. The words Sanada had said completely surprised her. She gazed her vision around her to see the public smiling and nodded their heads in improvement.
"Sanada, I-"
.Sanada.|.Sam.|.Kirihara.
Flashback-Kirihara's confession.
"Sam!" Kirihara shouted out when he spotted Sam walking alone. Sam heard Kirihara and waited for him to catch up.
"Hi Kirihara." Sam greeted Kirihara with a warm smile.
"What are you doing walking alone?" Kirihara asked in more of an angry, demand tone. Deeply he didn't want Sam to be walking anywhere by herself. Who know how many guys are out there to take advantage of her. "I'm walking with you."
"Okay." Sam smiled. She didn't mind at all.
"So…where you headed?" Kirihara asked.
Sam shrugged. "No where. I'm just taking a walk that's all."
"You shouldn't be walking alone. Next time, call me and I'll walk with you." Sam didn't want to ask him why instead she only nodded.
"Ok. I'll call you next time when I take a walk." Sam smiled back at Kirihara. Hearing Sam say that, Kirihara was happy and satisfied that she would be safe. He only nodded once to Sam.
The two walked in silence. "Sam." Kirihara said breaking the silence between them. "Do…do you like anyone?" Kirihara always wanted to ask Sam, and now he forced himself to finally say what he wanted to say for a long time now. What was more challenging for him was trying hard not to blush and lose his cool.
"Huh?" Sam looked at Kirihara.
"Do you like anyone?" Kirihara asked again, more straight out. Kirihara hoped Sam would say 'yes' and let it be him.
"I don't know." Sam answered with an only shrug.
"Oh. Well I do." Kirihara smiled a little. For some reason he felt relaxed and that finally he can confess his feelings to Sam. He turned to Sam. "She's really cute too."
"Are you two going out? Like dating?" Sam asked, throwing out random questions. Kirihara shook his head.
"No, but I wish we did."
"If you like her that much then I think you should ask her out, I guess." Sam suggested. Kirihara was looking at the ground. He smiled and hint of pink appeared lightly on his cheeks.
"You think so?"
Sam shrugged. "I don't know, something like that…I guess."
'Here's my chance.' Kirihara thought. "Well, she has the same height as you. Same dark hat. Same black hair…" Sam looked at him. "…same eyes. Those beautiful brown, chocolate eyes." Kirihara quickly looked away. His blush went out of control. 'Did I just say that?...The words just slipped out…'
"You're creeping me out, Kirihara. You make it sound like I have a twin or something…it's creepy." Sam said. She tried to picture someone looking just like her, but she could only picture herself. Kirihara on the other hand was in disbelief, he mentally slapped himself. 'WHAT?! Dammit! I'm describing your eyes!'
"Sam. I'm talking about you." Kirihara looked at Sam serious. His blush was gone. "I'm talking about your- beau-beautiful ch-chocolate eyes." He stuttered and his blush returned slightly.
"Why mine? I thought you talking about someone else?" Sam asked, now confused. Kirihara wished there was a pole he could run into.
"Sam." Kirihara walked in front of Sam, stopping her from walking. "I like you." He said seriously. Kirihara couldn't believe he said it, but hey, he was about to say it sooner or later. His face started to turn redder from all the blushing he was having now.
"Huh?" Sam was shocked and surprised to see his face turn red. "Are you ok? Kirihara, your face is turning all red." Sam completely forgot what he said earlier. Kirihara didn't know what else to say to Sam for her to understand. He stood closer to her and put his arms around her into soft hug.
"Get the picture?" Kirihara asked, holding her close to him.
"No?" Sam was now lost in Kirihara's actions.
"Listen carefully, Sam." Kirihara leaned closer to her ear and whispered softly, "I love you."
Sam's eyes widen. "Why me? What happened to the other girl you liked?"
"There's no other girl! There never was no other girl. The only girl I love is you, Sam." He said.
Sam stared at Kirihara blankly. "Uh…Kirihara, you used a double negative…which mean there was another girl." Kirihara gapped.
"I didn't mean it like that!" Kirihara defended. 'I really didn't mean it like that.'
"It's alright." Sam shrugged it off. "I just hope your girlfriend will understand." Sam pulled away from Kirihara and continued to walk off. Kirihara quickly grabbed Sam's wrist and spun her around until she faced him.
"Let me make it clear, Sam. I only love you." Kirihara pulled Sam closer again. "I mean it."
He then tried to be romantic, like from a movie he saw once. Trying to be smooth, he turned her hat to the side and smiled at her. Then slow and smooth, he gently placed his forehead on hers. Then the tips of their noses touch. "I love you, Sam."
Sam didn't know what to do. Her mind couldn't function. 'Kirihara?' Kirihara started to lift up her head slightly so their lips would meet. –SMACK!-
Sam reacted. She didn't know what to do, so her hand reacted by slapping Kirihara across the face. Sam quickly stepped back, away from Kirihara. "You're scaring me, Akaya." Not only does Kirihara's tennis style frighten her, but Kirihara now being romantic was scaring her too.
"I'm sorry Sam. I shouldn't have tried to kiss you." Kirihara touched his cheek where it sting. 'I'm going to burn that movie when I get home.' he thought to himself. "I really like you…I want to be more than your friend." He looked up at Sam with a serious tone. "I want to be your boyfriend."
Sam saw Kirihara wasn't joking at all. He meant it. Sam looked away. "Kirihara I-"
--------------------
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry. I can't return your feelings you have for me." Sam looked away, were her eyes wouldn't met his. "I only see you as my friend…I'm not r-ready for 'that' kind of relationship."
"I understand…" Sanada/Kirihara said. "…But my feelings for you won't change." There was a long pause. "Sam…Will you think about it?"
Sam nodded slowly. "I'll think about it…but I'm not ready-" Sam couldn't finish her sentence. "I-I have to go. I'm sorry." Sam walked away leaving Sanada/Kirihara standing there.
End of Flashback
Sam never did give Sanada or Kirihara her answer. Instead she avoided it for six months. Without her answer, it really bothered Sanada and Kirihara. Week after week, day after day, the two of them waited for an answer… They never got it. Close, between the second and third month, Sanada and Kirihara gotten use to the fact Sam would never answer that question. But that never stopped Sanada and Kirihara to abandon their feelings for Sam.
The two of them didn't want to be considered a friend to Sam; they wanted to be her boyfriend. After their confession to Sam, the two of them still showed their feeling towards her, but on rare occasion since Sam was uncomfortable. Sanada and Kirihara were more open to her and invited her places here and there on weekends.
Sanada continued to teach her tennis, this time without his teammates help except for Marui. Tennis practice was normal for Sam, because Sanada was more like himself as in a strict and serious co-captain. After practice it was mostly Marui, who waited at walked her home. Sometimes if Kirihara was lucky enough, he got the chance to walk with them. Yukimura still continued on to help Sanada out and tried to get him closer to Sam. So far none of their plans succeeded.
Kirihara hardly had any luck either. He was at a complete disadvantage and had to win Sam's heart alone. He didn't get any help from anyone. The worst part, Yukimura still kept his plans going, to keep him away from Sam. He could never get the time just to talk with Sam. The problem was always either: Sam had tennis practice with Sanada, or Marui was always with her, Yukimura distracted him, had to do Homework or he would fail. There never was a good time for him. Kirihara did everything he could, when he had the time, to get Sam to be his. He watched romantic movies, and read some romantic novels and thought it would help him out to get some ideas.
When Kirihara made his move, it always ended up a smack to the face. The smack was either by Sam or the worst, Sanada. Sanada was enraged when he found out Kirihara had also confessed his feelings to Sam. Sanada thought strongly that Sam shouldn't be with a guy like Kirihara, and that he was also jealous. When the Rikkai Dai tennis team had practice, Sanada played Kirihara very often. Their matches were horrified. Every single tennis member except for Yukimura were scared to play Sanada. They kept their distance.
.Sanada.|.Sam.|.Kirihara.
"Marui. I don't want to talk about it." Sam said. "Sanada and Kirihara are only my friends."
"BOY-friends." Marui teased. Sam turned and glared at him. "It was just a joke!" Marui defended.
"Marui.-"
"-I know! I know. You only see them as friends." Marui threw his hands up in air. He knew where this was going because he heard it like the hundredth time from her. For some reason he couldn't stop. He liked teasing her.
"Come on. Let's go check out some other place." Sam said. Marui agreed. The two of them left the sports shop.
After Sanada's ankle recovered, Marui continued to teach Sam tennis when Sanada wasn't around. Sanada wasn't the only one that continued to teach her. With Marui teaching her, Sam is now somewhat skilled. Her strength is mostly her net play and volley skills like Marui. She also picked up some of his net and volley tricks, but Marui is still ten times better than her. Marui had grown close to Sam, being her best friend. None of the other regulars saw it as a problem to see them so close. Sanada approved Marui's tight friendship with Sam. The regulars saw Marui, as close as he is to her, to be her closest friend and who can protect her when they aren't around.
Walking through the mall, Sam and Marui decided to check out the clothes department store.
"How about this one?" Sam held up a black hat to Marui. "Nah. I think Sanada has about fifty of these." Sam exaggerated. She put the hat back.
"I think-" Marui only thought for a split second, then smiled. "-Sanada wants chocolate!"
"Oh yeah…then you end up eating his present once he opens it." Sam said. She could imagine it happening. A smile appeared on her face. 'It would be fun to see anyways.'
"No I won't." Marui pouted. "I'll 'ask' him if I can have one…maybe two." Sam looked at him like 'yeah right'. "Ok!...Four top!"
"Don't worry." Sam smiled to Marui. "I'll make some of my home-made Sugar cookies for you. Then you don't have to ask Sanada for any sweets or he'll whack you." Sam laughed lightly.
"Really?!" Marui's eyes sparkled. "THANK YOU!" Marui happily threw his arms up and around Sam. He hugged her tightly. "You know what?! I'll help too so I can learn how to make them." Marui smiled happily and all excited about baking sweets.
"I'm sorry Marui." Sam said. She freed herself from Marui's strong hold. "Yukimura told me that I couldn't let you help me."
"Why not?!"
"Yukimura told me if I told you how to make them…you would bake them every single day." Sam said. "He told me you would get hooked on sugar."
"Seiichi is LYING!" Marui raised his voice. He couldn't believe Yukimura would say such thing to Sam. "I'll only make them on special occasions, like Christmas."
"I'm sorry. Yukimura 'made' me promise him." Sam explained. Marui felt a little hurt. "-But." Marui quickly looked at Sam to see her smiling again at him. "I'll teach you to bake something that is a lot sweeter than sugar cookies." Sam winked at Marui.
"Thank you!" Marui grabbed Sam and pulled her into his arms and hugged her tighter.
"MARUI! I-I can't breath!" Sam tried to gasp for air.
"Oh, sorry." Marui quickly let go. Sam nodded as she tried to get some air in her lungs.
"It's ok. Next time warn me…but Marui. You have to keep it a secret from Yukimura or he'll get mad at me." Marui nodded with a smile on his face.
Marui took one last look around. "There's nothing interesting here. Let's go somewhere else." He said. Sam nodded. They left the department store to look somewhere else. Next they checked out a video game store.
'What would Kirihara want for Christmas?' Sam pondered. 'Hmm…He's been asking Yukimura for money to buy a certain video game. Maybe, I could get him that video game.' "Marui?"
"Yeah?" Marui put back the video game he was looking at and looked over to Sam.
"What's that video game, Kirihara has been asking Yukimura?" she asked him. Marui shrugged.
"I don't know. Something about saving the world or destroying it."
Sam frowned at him. "Thanks for narrowing it down to a million." Sam sighed. "I guess I won't get Kirihara a video game for Christmas."
Three hours later Sam couldn't find the perfect Christmas gift for Sanada, Yukimura, Marui or Kirihara. Sam checked every store in the mall but no luck. Marui however already bought his gifts. Sam told Marui there was another place she wanted to check out across town.
The snow continued to fall from the white cloudy sky. Marui carried his bag of gifts in one hand and Sam walked beside him in silence. He glanced down and saw her looking frustrated. "Sam. If I were you I would give Sanada or Kirihara something personal. Something that they wouldn't forget."
Sam was curious. She looked up at Marui, to see him grinning. "What should I give them then?"
"A kiss." smiled Marui. Sam eyes widen.
"Not THAT personal!" she exclaimed. Marui laughed lightly. He always liked teasing her, especially when he got to see her cute reaction. Then felt a little push against his arm.
"I'm sorry." he said. He tried to control his light laugh.
"You just like to tease me." Sam said as she looked away.
"I said I was sorry." Marui tried to look at her, but Sam looked farther away from him. Sam noticed a Bookstore across the street.
'That's it.' Sam thought. She tugged on Marui's jacket. "Marui. I know what to get now." Instead of waiting for an answer, Sam grabbed hold of Marui's hand and pulled him across the street to the bookstore. "Wait for me here."
"Wait. You don't want me to go in with you?" Marui asked. Sam shook her head.
"It's a surprise."
Sam quickly walked into the store, leaving Marui out in the cold. "But Sam! It's cold out HERE!" It was too late for the front door closed. 'You better not take that long.'
Twenty minutes later. "Ok Marui, I'm done…Marui?" Sam walked out carrying a large blue bag. She looked at Marui with a surprised look. Marui was wearing a brand new scarf, gloves and another coat.
"What took you so long? I'm freezing out here."
Sam could hear his voice trembling. She could see Marui shivering. Sam looked at her cell phone to see it was only 5:58pm. 'I have time.' "I'm sorry Marui. Let me make it up to you." Sam locked her arm around his. "Let's go get some Hot Chocolate. I'll buy."
Marui nodded. "Make sure my hot chocolate is extra sweet with whip cream. Maybe some extra sprinkles on top to make me feel better. Then I would like a strawberry shortcake-"
Sam glared. "Hey! I said only hot chocolate not one of everything! If you want cake-buy it yourself!"
Review please. Thank you. ^^
Don't worry, this is only long chapter in this story. Rest are fairly alright.
MyPrinceOishi08.