Hye! It has been a long time since I updated this fic. I hope the readers of this fic is still around. I am going to update this as possible. I hope you like it. Domo.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Prince of Tennis and never will.
sweetCRAZYangel - Hello! It has been a while since your birthday. Now I posted another chapter on Sakuno's birthday. Hahaha, Thank you for the message at reactions mo nung nabasa mo to. Kawawa naman si Ryoma pag pinahirapan ko pa siya lalo. Tee hee hee... Well, I wanted to try something new when she wished impossible things. Chimpanzee is one of them... :3 Thank you very much. Hope to talk to you soon... :)
saku-ryukun28 - Thank you for reading this sequel. I am glad that you like it. Also, I really appreciate that you finished reading It All Started with a Bet fic of mine. Thank you very much. I'll try my best to write more in the future. For the meantime, I hope you like this chapter. Domo... :)
Your Jan. 2 review: I was also surprised you wrote another review. Tee hee hee. This may not be updated for quite a while but I'll assure you this will be finished in no time. Thank you for waiting for this fic to be updated. It did motivate me. :)
Guest Sept. 29 - Thank you for loving this fic. I updated a new chapter. I hope that you also love this. Domo... :)
Chapter 2: Echizen Ryuji
Chapter Summary: He never thought that babysitting his own child could be so hard.
The chirping of birds woke Ryoma up that early in the morning. He groaned as he started to move. Sleepy, he stretched his arm to his side and frowned when he felt nothing underneath it. When he opened his eyes, he found out that his wife was not sleeping beside him. His eyes went to the crib and also found nothing in it.
He slowly sat up and looked around. Sakuno and his son were no where to be found in the room. Sighing, he got off from the bed and went out of their room. His frown returned almost immediately when he noticed that there was no breakfast yet. He wasn't a morning person but that didn't mean that he couldn't eat breakfast. Well, he tried getting up early ever since Ryuji came into their lives.
It had been one week since then and he was still adjusting to it.
Ryoma became a father at the age of 21.
He looked around in the kitchen and in the living room and found no one. "Where are they?" He whispered as he went to the front door and opened it. The sun welcomed his skin the moment he stepped out from their front porch. He looked around for the third time and that was where he found what he was looking for.
Sakuno was standing across their front porch, swaying back and forth. Her eyes were closed as she moved. In her arms where the one week old little Ryuji tightly yet comfortingly tucked in. He could see from where he was standing that his son was awake. His hands were moving and he was trying to get his mother's attention. His eyes went back to his wife. Sakuno was wearing a yellow sundress. Her shortened braided plait was placed to her one side of her shoulder to keep Ryuji from it. He frowned when he realized that they were exposed under the sun.
He moved closer to them. Sakuno heard his footsteps a few inches away resulting her to look up and smiled at him.
"Ohayou, Ryoma-kun, did you sleep well?"
He frowned at her as he approahed them. His hand went to her cheek. She was surprised a little when he crossed the distance between them as he gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. He smirked at her when she blushed a little. His other hand went to his son's sensitive head and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Ryuji's scent was kind of addicting. It was hard to describe since he had not been closer to a baby since his own. He liked his baby's scent.
"Stop calling me with honorifics," He looked up to see her grinning at him, "What's with you?"
"Nothing," She said before she looked down at Ryuji, "You really look like a father now."
He almost raised an eyebrow before he answered, "I am a father." Ryuji made a noise and he held his small hand, "What are you both doing here exposing our son in the sun?"
"Obaa-chan said it's good for the baby's health to be exposed under the sun for a couple of minutes." She explained as she smiled at him, "The sun's not too bright so it won't hurt the skin."
"Is that so?" He said as he slowly took Ryuji from her arms carefully. Ryuji moved his eyes involuntarily as if he was adjusting to another warmth that was carrying him. The baby cooed when he found comfort in his arms. Sakuno giggled at that.
"You look cute. The both of you."
"I am not cute." Ryoma muttered as he looked at their baby who started to sleep, "Ryuji is."
His wife agreed by nodding but she didn't say anything. He looked at his wife who was standing beside him. She looked radiant being exposed under the sun and it felt nice to stare at her that way as he thought. They stayed there for a couple of minutes before Ryoma's stomach grumbled. Sakuno somehow heard it and couldn't help but giggle.
"I guess it's time for breakfast." Sakuno said walking ahead after she said that.
Ryoma smirked as he started to walk back still craddling Ryuji in his arms, "I thought you wouldn't have asked."
xxx
They decided to visit Sumire after eating breakfast that morning. Luckily, it was the weekend and there were no practices and classes for the both of them. But they would spend some quality time with Sumire if they had the chance. Ryoma thought that it would be nice to seek some advice on how to take care of a baby.
They had been a parent for a week and they knew that it wasn't enough.
Sumire grinned wider when they arrived into their front porch, "Hello there! I''ve been expecting you both."
"Chissu..." Ryoma greeted pinning his hat down.
"Ohayou, Obaa-chan," Sakuno greeted kissing and hugging her grandmother and gestured Ryuji from her arms, "He kinds of missing his great grandmother."
Sumire laughed as she grabbed Ryuji from Sakuno and ushered them to come in, "How's my great grandson, huh? How are you?" She asked the baby playfully.
"Ryuji cannot understand that, right?" Ryoma whispered to Sakuno which made the latter chuckle.
"It's her way of communication to her great grandson."
Ryoma frowned but he didn't say anything. They continued walking in the living room and started talking about random things. Ryuji was placed in the makeshift crib where he stayed whenever they visited Sakuno's grandmother. The conversation went well until Ryuji began crying. They looked at the crib and started to stand up when they realized that the baby was indeed crying.
Sakuno took the baby to her arms and started cradling her. Her face then cringed when she realized why Ryuji was crying, "Ryuji-kun needs a change of diaper."
Ryoma frowned at her, "Did he drink a lot?"
Sumire looked at him amusingly, "Ryoma babies poop no matter how much they drink or eat," She faced her granddaughter and reached out to her great grandson, "Now, let's give him a bath, shall we?"
Sumire walked ahead to the kitchen sink and looked around first, "Ryoma, do you carry the baby's needs today?" He nodded knowing he must remember Sumire's advices all the time, "Good. Bring his bath supplies here. And Sakuno, grab a basin and some towels from the bathroom."
"Hai!" Both of them agreed. Ryoma returned with a bath soap and shampoo for the baby, "Can you heat some water? Use the teapot over there." She ordered as she pointed the teapot near the stove. Sakuno returned with the basin and towels in her hands, "Place a towel here." Sumire gestured her front.
As soon as the baby was placed on top of the towel, she started undressing the baby, "I'll get some oil. Sakuno, you continue."
Sakuno took her grandmother's place. Ryoma went near her and cringed once again.
"What does he drink? Why does he smell stink?"
"Ryoma, he drinks my milk, remember," She said as she wiped the stench clean, "The baby's poop isn't bad compared to an individual's."
"Hn." He said as he watched her tending to their baby. Ryuji was still crying from time to time probably not feeling comfortable.
Sumire returned with a bottle of oil in her hand. The pot made its noise at the same time, "Get that Ryoma. It's time for my great grandson for his bath."
Ryoma poured some warm water to the basin which was placed in the kitchen sink. Sumire mixed it with cold and tested its temperature, "Perfect." She applied some oil into Ryuji's frail body and prayed for a short while. Later on, she looked at Ryoma and gave the baby to him. He frowned a little as he took him from her.
"Give your son a bath." Sumire ordered.
"What?" Both Ryoma and Sakuno said at the same time.
"You heard me. Haven't you done it before?"
Ryoma shook his head before he looked at his wife, "Sakuno always does it."
"Good grief," Sumire muttered before she looked at her granddaughter, "Let your husband do it sometimes."
He looked at his own son and frowned, "Okay..." He slowly placed Ryuji into the basin who seemed surprised at the sudden change of temperature.
"Hold him between the back of his head and neck to keep him still," Sumire adviced him which he did, "Pour some water into his head and do it slowly and carefully." He followed his coach and grandmother's instructions.
He was getting into it. It was hard but was holding it in. Bathing a baby was a challenge for him, harder than being inside a court, beating the hardest opponent he had faced in his enitre life. Ryuji was only a week old and his body was still fragile and soft. No wonder that he felt uneasy whenever he was holding his own son, let alone giving him a bath.
After a few more minutes, Ryuji was finally refreshed. He stopped crying as if he expected the bath could be a relaxing one. Sakuno and Sumire smiled at the sight of the father and son as he lifted the baby a bit higher, carrying him under his arms. Ryoma felt proud of bathing his baby. He had done something fatherly to his son.
Then something 'sprinkled'.
All eyes followed it... which landed on Ryoma's t-shirt. There was a pregnant pause between the three before Sumire burst out laughing while Sakuno started giggling.
"Oh, Ryoma! You have been blessed!" Sumire said still laughing as she randomly slammed her hand on the table near her, "That's a nice one, great grandson!"
"Oh, Ryuji-kun!" Sakuno said covering her mouth with her hand. She was lost for words.
Ryoma looked at the both of them, glaring, his eyebrow twitching, "Not funny!" He looked at his own son who was amusingly smiling at him, "Definitely not funny!"
"Ryoma-kun, you can't blame him that," Sakuno said approaching him and the baby, "Here, give him to me." Ryoma gave him to her wordlessly. His frown was still visible in his face as he watched his wife cleaned the baby for the second time.
"Stop frowning boy!" Sumire said still stiffling a laugh as looked at him, "Go and change before you smell like... well, urine." She chuckled once again.
"You are not funny too, Obaa-san." He muttered but he left the kitchen. He could still hear them laughing as he grabbed his bag and pulled a spare t-shirt. Good thing that he always carried one whenever he went.
Sakuno was already dressing Ryuji went he went back to them. His eyes were closed but he knew that he was awake, judging of the movement of his hands.
"He's done!" Sakuno said as she finished doning their baby, "Now, we need to visit Rinko-san and Nanjiroh-san."
"Sakuno, why are you still calling them that? They are your parents now?" Sumire scolded her granddaughter.
Sakuno blushed as she looked down, "I... I am still adjusting," She looked at Ryoma who was frowning probably thinking of the same thing, "I am still not used to it."
"Just like how you call me," Ryoma muttered and looked at his wife lazily, "Do we have to,?"
"Yes. They are already waiting for us," She said lifting the baby in her arms, "Let's go so we could go home early."
Ryoma sighed as he followed his wife, grabbing their bags in the process. They waved goodbye to Sumire before walking on their way to his father's home. This was going to be a busy day for them.
xxx
He hadn't touched his hand on the door when it was opened suddenly and Nanjiroh emerged from it. He went directly to his grandson and took him from Sakuno.
"How is my little grandson, huh? How is my little grandson?" Nanjiroh asked as he leaned closer and placed his nose to Ryuji's.
"He will not answer you, Oyaji. He's only one week old." Ryoma said walking ahead into the house. Sakuno followed him, not forgetting to bow at his father-in-law.
"Seishounen, you are simply ruining my moment with my grandson." Nanjiroh said following them behind.
Rinko was making lunch already while Nanako was helping her.
"Konnichiwa Rinko-san, Nanako-san." Sakuno greeted as she approached them. Rinko faced her and knocked her slightly on the head.
"Call me mother. How many times do I have to tell you?"
Sakuno blushed as she fidgeted with her fingers, "Gomenasai... K-Kaa-san."
Nanako giggled at her expression, "You are so adorable."
Sakuno blushed harder. Ryoma was just watching them teasing his wife. He liked seeing his wife blush like that. The girls seemed to get along with each other so he decided to go to his father and his son. Nanjiroh was sitting on the coach playing with Ryuji. He noticed that the baby hadn't slept yet. He approached them and sat beside his father.
"He needs to sleep now, Oyaji." Ryoma just said monotonously.
"Don't be a killjoy Ryoma! Can't you see that we're having fun here?" He lifted Ryuji in the air as the baby started moving.
"He's sleepy and that's all I know." He said grabbing the baby from him but before he could, Nanjiroh moved him away from him.
"He'll sleep in my arms," He said craddling the baby in his arms, "You have held him enough, my boy."
"He's my son, Oyaji," He frowned at him, "In case you don't know."
"Right." Nanjiroh said as he paid back attention to his grandson.
"Boys! Stop arguing for the child," Rinko said joining Ryoma and Nanjiroh in the living room. Nanako and Sakuno were trailing behind her, "The baby is tired and you both aren't helping." Without warning, Rinko grabbed the baby from his arms and started to craddle him.
Nanjiroh pouted while the girls giggled. Ryoma had some smirk in his face as he looked as his own father, "Mother knows best."
Sakuno sat beside him. Ryoma reached for her hand and squeezd it. His wife looked at him shyly and smiled afterwards.
"You two are really cute together." Nanako suddenly said. She was looking at them the whole time and could help herself.
Ryoma looked away finding their carpeted floor interesting to watch while his wife blushed harder. Rinko and Nanako giggled more while Nanjiroh snickered at them this time.
"Baka Oyaji!" Ryoma muttered.
"Now what did i do?"
"Nothing. You are just." He said as he looked ahead as he squeezed his wife's hand tightly.
"Quiet boys! Ryuji-kun is sleeping now." Rinko said still craddling the baby. The rest of them was wearing a smile as they looked at the grandmother and grandson.
Ryoma and Sakuno stayed for lunch and spent the whole afternoon at Echizen's. Ryoma dared Nanjiroh to have a tennis match that lasted for three hours. Rinko taught Sakuno how to cook some meals that Ryoma would like. She wanted to learn from her ever since the marriage but never had the chance to.
After the match, Ryoma rested for a bit together with Nanjiroh until Rinko called them for a snack. They both stood up and went inside the house. After the short snack, he decided that it was time for them to go home.
Fortunately, Sakuno agreed with him and Nanjiroh couldn't do anything about it. When Ryoma's father finally conceeded, he approached his son and smirked at him;
"You just want to be alone with your wife that's why."
"We want to be alone." He frowned not really getting his father's words.
Nanjiroh snickered as he leaned to his ear and whispered something. His face turned a little red before he pried his arm away from him.
"Baka Oyaji!"
The rest watched them as Nanjiroh began to laugh hard.
"What's the matter, Ryoma?" Sakuno asked him, their baby in her arms.
"He really can't wait to hav-"
Ryoma smacked his father's mouth with his hand, "Just get lost!" He said walking past him who was still snickering.
"Ittekimasu!" Sakuno called to them before she followed him. Rinko and Nanako both waved goodye to them. Ryoma could hear the smack his mother gave to his father after they said their goodbyes to them. He couldn't help but smirk at that.
xxx
The rest of the afternoon came uneventful for them. Ryuji woke up a few minutes the moment they got home. Ryoma watched Tv as Sakuno placed the baby in his crib.
"I'll prepare our dinner, can you look after him?" She said before walking into the kitchen.
He watched her wife for a few minutes. Sakuno had some energy left after all the things they did together the whole afternoon. Her back was facing him and he couldn't help but feel... invited.
He almost cursed his father for planting his words into his brain. But she was his wife and they already had a child. They hadn't done it for quite a while so maybe that was the reason he was a bit... needy.
Thinking that, he slowly stood up and walked silently to his wife. He stood behind her and slowly wrapped his arms to her waist. Sakuno flinched from the sudden contact and blush immediately appeared to her face.
"R-Ryoma-kun?"
"Honorifics again? Sakuno?" He muttered as he leaned down and kissed her neck. He earned a gasp from her that made him smirk.
"B-but Ryoma-I'm, I am cooking."
"That can wait," He turned her around and pushed himself to her, "but I can't." He leaned down once again and kissed her neck.
"Ryoma-wait!" She pushed him making him frown. She was already blushing as she looked at him, "Ryuji-kun is awake. Look!"
Ryoma followed her gaze and she was right. Ryuji was awake. The baby was wagging his hands in the air seeking attention. He sighed as he looked back at his wife.
Sakuno touched his cheek and kissed his other before she smiled at him, "What about dinner first and when it's night and Ryuji's asleep..." She bit her lower lip.
He waited for her to finish her sentence but she didn't. She was blushing really hard. He observed her for a few seconds before he smirked at her.
"Let's eat dinner then."
xxx
Everything went fast right after dinner. Ryoma watched his wife craddling their son in her arms. Ryuji was finally asleep as he saw her place the baby in his crib slowly, not making any noise to wake him up. Ryoma immediately stood up and went behind her.
He had waited enough so he couldn't wait anymore. Just like what he did in the kitchen earlier, he wrapped his arms to her waist and kissed her cheek.
"I-impatient, Ryoma-kun?" She whispered her breath was shortened.
"You bet I am," He turned her around and cupped her cheeks, "No more hindrances." He crossed the distance between them and kissed her passionately. He could feel her trying to mimic his movements but she had not recovered when he tried different things to her.
He pushed her forward until the back of her knees bumped the side of their bed. He pushed her down and went on top of her. His hands were extended to her side as he stared at her. Sakuno was already in her night gown. The silky one. The one he demanded for her to wear tonight. His wife was crimson red. They were married for over a year but there were things that she couldn't get rid of.
It didn't matter because he liked this side of her.
"R-Ryoma..."
His eyes went to hers. She was indeed red... and vulnerable. He was filled with rage as he grabbed her hands and placed on top of her. Not removing his hands to hers, he slowly leaned down and kissed her again. Sakuno responded almost immediately, passionately, sending him the love she felt for him.
And Ryoma could feel her.
He grip her hands first before letting them go, telling her not to remove them where they were. Sakuno semed to get the hint because she nodded.
He smirked as he leaned back looking at her. His eyes darted to her silky shirt. His hands slowly unbutton each of them. His eyes never left her own as he undid her. She bit her lower lip as she waited for him to finish. He was a bit eager knowing that she wasn't wearing anything under her shirt. He was about to pull her shirt open apart when he heard a sudden cry.
Both of them looked at the sound and Ryoma almost facepalmed.
Ryuji was awake and crying.
Sakuno immediately sat and stood up covering her almost exposed body as she approached the crib. She lifted the baby who was still crying, "Ryuji-kun, did we wake you up? Sorry about that."
Ryoma lied down, his arm was on his forehead and grunted, "The baby hates me."
Sakuno left a chucke as she sat on the edge of the bed, "Come on, dear. You cannot blame him. Babies tend to wake up anytime."
"And he chooses this moment to wake up? He's sly." He glared at his innocent child who was still cryin in her arms.
"Oh, Ryoma. We can wait," She touched Ryuji's cheek, "I think he's hungry. He hasn't fed right after dinner."
Ryoma sat up and approachef them. Sakuno placed the baby properly in her lap. He peeked behind Sakuno just as she fed the baby with her 'milk'. He didn't understand his own feelings at the moment. It was like Ryuji was doing it on purpose.
He could taste her but him, the husband, couldn't?
It was unfair. Trying to be equal, he leaned closer to her from behind. He ran his hand to her plait and placed it behind her back. Her neck and chest were a bit exposed to him now. He kissed her neck first before he nuzzled into her ear.
"Ne, Sakuno..." He whispered making her shiver.
"H-hai..." She answered almost immediately.
"I am envious." He placed his hand to her belly and he moved upward just to emphazised his words. What surprised him was Sakuno started laughing. He frowned at her, "What?"
"Mada mada dane, Ryoma." She grinned before she placed her free hand to his cheek, leaning in to kiss him in the process.
He responded to the kiss and soon dominated it. Hearing her saying his own catchphrase was a total turn on to him. Why not? It sounded... inviting. He decided that he could wait.
Only for a little longer.
Done! Hoe was chapter 2? I hope this is still good. I Have the idea what to write next but I have to form the words. I hope you like this. Domo.
Reviews please. Even one word is enough. I'll reply with two... or more. XDD
Next Chapter: Bond with the senpais
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
RYUZAKI SAKUNO!
