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Love Between Friends

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Chapter Two:

Just, who is she?!

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A/N: Hello! Here's the second chapter. I hope you like it. I also hope that you will leave a comment. =^_^= So, please do read on.

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or any of its original characters.

"Okay is everyone here?" Ryuzaki asked as she looked at the members in front of her.

"Nya, Ryoma's not yet here!" Eiji said jumping up and down, energetic as usual.

"Oh, no." Oishi started worrying again looking right and left. "It's almost time for the registration.

"This was what I was afraid of." Ryuzaki said thinking of what she reminded everyone yesterday while shaking her head from right to left.

"Obaa-chan, we're here." Sakuno said as she approached her grandmother panting hardly and with Ayumi behind her, who just bowed to show her respect to the sensei.

"Ah, Ryuzaki-san, I thought you got lost again." Fuji said noticing Sakuno. Sakuno grew just like any other girls. She's slender and beautiful and the best part was that she stopped stuttering. She became the kind of lady any man would like.

"Ryuzaki-chan, you're here. O'chibi hasn't arrived yet." Eiji said looking a bit worried.

"That can't be…" Sakuno said looking at her grandmother who nodded confirming that Eiji's statement to be true.

"Oh, yeah. I just recalled, " saying this all of a sudden when she saw Ayumi behind her granddaughter. She signaled her to come beside her "This is Kahoko Ayumi. She will be training with you guys from now on."

Stepping forward she bowed and said, "Pleased to meet you all."

"Pleased to meet you, too. Oishi Shuichiro, the vice captain of the tennis club," the regulars started to introduce themselves.

"Fuji Shusuke"

"Eiji Kikumaru."

"I go by Momoshiro or Momo."

"Inui Sadahara."

"Fssshh… Kaidoh Kauru."

"Tezuka Kunimitsu, captain."

"The matches will start in thirty minutes, will all the participants please register." The lady in charge of the registration announced, drawing everyone's attention back to the crisis. Ryoma's not yet there.

Unknown to everyone, Ayumi whispered something. "He's still the same."

"Nya, O'chibi isn't here yet." Hearing the announcement Eiji began to panic just like his doubles partner.

"Alright, everyone, if Ryoma is not yet here fifteen minutes before the matches begin Arai will take his place." Ryuzaki started instructing the members.

"Hai" everyone answered.

Ten minutes passed and there was still no sign of Ryoma…

"Arai, start preparing just in case Echizen doesn't show up," Ryuzaki started taking action.

"Hai" Arai said as he started preparing.

"Ryoma-kun, where are you?" Sakuno suddenly talked after staying quiet in a corner for awhile now with Ayumi beside her.

"Don't worry, Sakuno-chan. He'll show up." Ayumi said assuring her newly found friend.

"Yes, you're right. I just hope he shows up on time." Sakuno said to Ayumi wearing one of her usual smiles. While on the back of her mind she was thinking… 'I wonder if she knows Ryoma-kun. I doubt it though.'

"Sakuno-chan, I'll go buy juice." Ayumi said as she was walking away.

"Hai." Sakuno said as she looked at her friend walk away.

Everyone started preparing for the match, worrying a bit about their kouhai.

"All the participants who haven't registered yet, please do. It's fifteen minutes before the start of the matches." The lady once again announced.

"Alright, let's go." Tezuka said as he received the signal from their coach.

"Nya, O'chibi's not yet here." Eiji said complaining.

"There's nothing we can do. I don't think Ryoma will arrive any time soon." Oishi started reasoning with his partner.

Fuji opened his eyes for a second, Inui just scribbled on his notebook, Momoshiro stared at the ground and Kaidoh just hissed.

"Ryoma-kun…." Sakuno said softly. "Where are you?"

When the regulars were about to register, Ryoma appeared.

"Ryoma-kun!" Sakuno exclaimed making the rest aware of his presence.

"Echizen…"

"O'chibi…"

"Fsshh…"

"Che" Ryoma said looking at Arai. "You guys weren't really planning on replacing me with him, were you?"

At this Eiji leaped and hugged Ryoma tightly, saying "We thought you wouldn't come."

"Senpai…can't…breathe…" Ryoma started protesting.

"Eiji, let go of him." Oishi started to separate his partner from the young prodigy while everyone else started laughing at the scene.

"Okay, everyone, go and register." Ryuzaki said breaking the laughter.

So the regulars went to register. Walking to the registration booth, Ryoma and Ayumi crossed paths. Both stopped on their tracks, so they were standing side by side facing different directions.

"Nice to see you again, Ryoma." Ayumi started sounding as cocky as Ryoma.

"Che." Ryoma said as he started to walk away.

"You haven't changed." Ayumi said as she started walking away as well. She started speaking again while approaching Sakuno, this time she sounded so jolly. "Sakuno-chan, here you go." She said handing a box of juice.

"Arigatou, Kahoko-chan." Sakuno said as she took the juice. "We should go now the matches are about to begin."

"Okay" Ayumi said as she followed Sakuno to the courts while looking around.

'There's a court that is not in use there. That may be useful.' She thought as they headed towards the court where the matches will be held.

--

"6 games to 4" the referee announced. "Game, set, match. Seishun High School's Golden Pair."

"Ryoma-kun, it's your turn." Sakuno said looking at the young prodigy who headed to the court.

"Sakuno-chan, you like him, don't you?" Ayumi said causing Sakuno to slightly blush.

"Hai" Sakuno answered as she nodded. "The match is starting." She said in an attempt to avoid any more question about her crush.

"I'll just go buy some more juice." Ayumi said as she stood up from her seat carrying her bag. "Would you want some more?"

"Iie, I still haven't finished this one" Sakuno said shaking the juice box that was given to her awhile ago.

"Okay, then." She said as she left Sakuno and headed for the vending machine. While placing coins she started thinking… 'After his match we will have a match of our own. I should change my shoes then.' She thought as she looked at her reflection on the glass of the vending machine. She was wearing purple top its collar, sleeves and certain parts white, white skirt and purple leggings, and sandals. She pushed the button for Ponta and she started to change her shoes. She then returned to the courts and sat beside Sakuno.

"6 games to Love" the referee announced and cheers started to emerge. "Game, set and match to Seishun High School's Echizen Ryoma."

"Mada mada dane" Ryoma said as he pointed his racket towards his opponent who was sweating and panting heavily. Ryoma, holding his racket, then passed through where Ayumi was seated.

"Sakuno-chan, I have to go somewhere." Ayumi said and stood again and brought her bag following Ryoma away from the crowd. When they were away Ayumi gave Ryoma the Ponta she bought.

Tossing a ball to Ayumi, Ryoma started talking. "I want a match."

"Hai" she said as they headed towards the courts she saw awhile ago.

--

"Winner: Seishun High School" the referee announced and cheers started when the players started to shake hand, then suddenly murmurs emerged where in the world is the singles 3 player.

"Okay, everyone look for him." the coach said as she instructed everyone at the conclusion of the game.

"Hai"

"Eeh" Skuno exclaimed drawing attention to her. "Kahoko-chan isn't here as well."

This statement made everyone grin, except Tezuka who remained emotionless and Sakuno who was dumbfounded.

"1 game to Love" Ryoma announced smirking.

Then suddenly the regulars, Sakuno and Ryuzaki appeared and watched as Ayumi threw the ball to the air, jumped and hit the ball. Ryoma was so surprised that he didn't move. The ball hit the ground and bounced back to a different angle.

"Sugoi, it's just like the Twist Serve only it doesn't hit you in the face." Most of them chorused. While Ryoma just tugged his cap.

"15-Love" Ayumi said while pointing her racket towards Ryoma. "I think you're forgetting something, you're not the only person Echizen Nanjiroh taught."

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A/N: I hope you enjoyed reading this one. The next chapter will be posted in a few days. Please review, I want to keep my mind open to any suggestions. If you want me to write a new version of this one I will. Just give me your ideas. Any comments, suggestions and even flames are welcome.