Disclaimer: Nothing in POT, Hana Yori Dango, Ouran High School Host Club or 101 Dalmations belongs to me. All OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments are just figments of my imagination. Brief mention of characters from other anime/manga/cartoon only.
"xxxxx" Conversation
'xxxxx' Thoughts
xxxxxxx Flashback
Summary: What Would You Do If You Were Given A Second Chance In Life And In Love?
Chapter 6
4 YEARS 10 MONTHS AGO…(Part 3)
TENNIS CAMP – DAY 6
Atobe Keigo surveyed the ongoing matches critically while his hand jotted down his observations on a notepad. Hiyoshi, Kabaji, Sakuno and the other 2 coaches were placed around the 6 courts to survey and to note down any shortcomings of each participant.
Keigo tried not to grimace with distaste when he thought of the amount of reports that had to be prepared. At the end of the tennis camp, a report is given to each participant discussing their strengths and weaknesses as well as recommendations for improvement
Keigo's attention was soon captured by Sakuno who was giving a pair of losing participants a sympathetic smile. His eyes studied her face for a moment before lowering them to admire Sakuno's slender form revealed by her figure hugging training suit. Before any inappropriate thoughts could contaminate his mind, Atobe quickly shook his head to clear his mind.
Another thought popped into Atobe Keigo' mind and made him depressed. Ryuuzaki Sakuno had agreed to have lunch with him tomorrow and to give him her answer toward his confession and his request for her to be his girlfriend. 'What would her answer be? What would Ore-sama do if she said "No!"?"
"Oi, Atobe, what's with that stupid sad look on your face?" Shishido Ryo's interrupted Keigo's private musing.
"Ore-sama thought you have cast away your crude manners, Shishido." Keigo gave Shishido a haughty glance before continuing his observations.
Shishido just gave Keigo a smirk as he walked over to stand next to him. "Our group had just finished up. Choutaro and Jiroh left for the cafeteria for lunch already."
"Then why are you here? Ore-sama cannot imagine you coming here to make small chat."
"I heard Choutaro and I would be escorting the Hanazawa High students back to their school tomorrow. I want to know why?"
"It's because Ore-sama says so, Shishido. Anyway, their school bus can drop you and Choutaro off at your apartment which is a few blocks away from Hanazawa High."
"Huh? You need to give me a better reason than that, Atobe."
"Shishido, please do not disturb Atobe anymore." Keigo was saved from any further questioning when Yuushi walked over.
"Yuushi, you knew?"
"Hai, I will explain to you later but Atobe has to excuse himself for a moment to attend a private matter." The seriousness in Yuushi's voice and the tension in his face captured Keigo's and Shishido's attention.
"Wakata. See you, Keigo, Yuushi." Shishido left with a wave.
"What is it Yuushi?" Keigo asked with his eyes narrowed.
"Atobe-sama had just arrived."
"Na..Nani? Otou-sama is here?" Keigo's eyes bulged.
"Hai. Atobe-sama has just been shown to a spare room with his guards. He said he wants to inspect the groups after lunch."
"Why is he here a day earlier than planned? Did Otou-sama say anything?"
"Iie."
Keigo gazed hard at Yuushi and asked, "What's going on Yuushi? You normally don't act so serious and tense about Otou-sama."
Yuushi looked into Keigo's eyes, "May I have a private word with you, Atobe?"
Keigo nodded but they were interrupted by someone.
"Yuushi-kun, what are you doing here?" Sakuno walked up to them with her clipboard clutched against her chest.
Keigo and Yuushi noticed that all matched have finally ended and the participants were taking a well-deserved break. Hiyoshi and Kabaji were comparing notes with the other coaches a few feet away.
"Our group had just been dismissed for lunch. I'm here to talk with Keigo." Yuushi explained with a tensed smile.
Sakuno nodded and turned to Keigo, "Keigo-san, the matches had ended. Do you want to go through the notes now?"
"Iie, Sakuno-chan. We will take a break for lunch. We can compare our notes with the participants this afternoon." Keigo said. Unbeknown to Keigo, Yuushi had raised an eyebrow and had smirked with satisfaction when his friend called "Sakuno-chan" with unusual warm expression.
"Good work, minna!" Keigo called out, "Let us take a break before lunch. We will met again in our training hall at 2.30 pm. Dismissed"
All the participants cheered tiredly before walking away toward their dorm rooms followed by their trainers.
Sakuno gave Keigo and Yuushi a bow and a smile before leaving them alone in the courts.
With a wistful sigh, Keigo gave a last look at the back of Sakuno before turning to his friend.
"What is wrong, Yuushi?"
"I am in love…….." Yuushi paused and swallowed nervously while trying to stop fidgeting.
Taken aback by his friend's behavior, Keigo said slowly, "You have told me that before, Yuushi."
"I am in love..With Kana."
Silence.
"Kana? You mean…" Keigo stepped back in shock, "Neechan?"
"I am in love with Kana and she is in love with me. We have been dating for the past 2 years." Yuushi quickly explained.
Keigo kept looking at his friend with disbelief written all over his face. "Neechan?"
Yuushi bowed to apologize, "Sorry, Atobe for keeping this from you."
"You..and..Neechan?" Keigo wondered if the world had gone mad for bring Yuushi and his sister together.
"I love Kana and will do my utmost best to make her happy." Yuushi exclaimed loudly. Keigo stared at Yuushi for another moment before sighing and relaxing. The fire in Yuushi's eyes and the serious face on Yuushi have confirmed to Keigo about the feelings Yuushi has for Atobe Kana.
"That is something you need to talk to Otou-sama, not Ore-sama, Yuushi." Keigo decided to tease his friend and kept a serious mask on his own face.
"I know that. Kana and I believe we will receive your father's blessings. But we may face a problem with the other parent." Yuushi looked at Keigo helplessly.
Keigo's eyes narrowed as he caught on what Yuushi had wanted to say.
Atobe Mara. She was Kana's and Keigo's mother. She was also a well-known she-devil and the bane of the Atobe family.
Atobe Mara, formerly Shirogawa Mara, was born and bred from a prominent and wealth family. Raised in an environment that had catered to her every whim and fancies, Mara had become a spoiled and selfish princess. When angered or displeased, she fought back cruelly and viciously using any means necessary to achieve her own goals. In the eyes of society, Mara had displayed kind and courteous manners and supported various charities. However, behind closed doors, family, servants and close friends were shown a different persona. Think Cruella DeVille and you have Atobe Mara only 1,000 times deadlier. Right now, Atobe Mara is on a mission to marry off her daughter well and Oshitari Yuushi was not on her list of eligible and super-wealthy bachelors.
"You are worried about Oka-sama?"
"Hai. Mara-sama had been pushing Kana to attend a few omiai. Kana had been cleverly dodging her efforts but I felt uneasy." Yuushi swept a hand through his hair with worry, "I need to talk to your father about Kana and I as soon as possible before your mother makes any diabolical plans for Kana."
"Hmm. Are you sure Otou-sama approves? He may have plans for Neechan himself." Keigo said with a straight face. He almost laughed at the panic look Yuushi threw at him.
"Really? You have heard something, Atobe?" Yuushi turned pale.
"Ore-sama finally had the opportunity to pull your leg, Yuushi." Keigo laughed out loud and clasped a hand on Yuushi's shoulder, "Ore-sama gives you Ore-sama's blessing, Yuushi. Anyhow, we will deal with Oka-sama when the time comes."
Yuushi sighed with relief, "Arigato, Atobe."
"But," Keigo drew nearer until their forehead touched, "if you hurt Neechan in any way, Ore-sama will make sure you wish you had never been born."
Yuushi swallowed in fear since this was the first time he had seen such a murderous glint in Atobe's eyes. "Daijobu, Atobe. I will kill myself if I do hurt Kana-chan."
Keigo drew back and sighed, "Ore-sama cannot imagine Neechan has fallen for you. How did that happen without Ore-sama knowing it?"
"I will have to tell you our story another day, Atobe. What are you going to do about Atobe-sama?"
"Ore-sama can't do much since he's here already." Keigo sighed, "Come let us go for lunch."
Yuushi walked next to Keigo, "You mean you don't mind if he checks out on Ryuuzaki Sakuno?"
Keigo froze, "What do you mean, Yuushi?"
"Atobe-sama is joining us for lunch today so he might get to meet Sakuno-chan."
"OH NO!"
Sakuno looked around the cafeteria inquisitively. She sighed with slight disappointment when she could not find her target. 'I wonder if something had happened. Keigo-san and Yuushi-kun looked tensed just now. I hope they do take their lunch soon before the cafeteria closes.'
"May I join you, Ryuuzaki-sensei?"
Sakuno looked up to find an unknown elderly gentleman standing next to her with a full tray. Other tables were fully occupied except for her table since she came to the cafeteria a bit late.
"Hai, dozo!"
"Arigato." The man occupied the empty seat across from her.
The man gave her a warm smile before saying his "Itadakimasu!" and tucking in his lunch. Sakuno grinned when she saw how much the man was enjoying his food. Pushing away her feeling that the man had looked very familiar, she turned her attention to her half-eaten lunch.
After Sakuno had finished her lunch, she looked up to find the man watching her with a cheerful smile.
Warily, Sakuno asked, "Ano, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Sorry but you reminded me of someone I know." The man's eyes softened.
"So kah? You must have loved her a lot."
"Huh?" The man was shocked, "How..how can you tell?"
"Your eyes say so. It was filled with love when you said "someone I know" just now." Sakuno explained gently, making the man nod with understanding.
"You are quite observant, Ryuuzaki-sensei. What about you? Do you have someone you love?"
The man chuckled when he saw Sakuno turning red.
"Tha..that is none... none of your business, Sir." Sakuno stammered in embarrassment before indignation took over. "Who are you anyway to ask such a personal question?"
"Pardon my rudeness, Ryuuzaki-sensei. I have not introduced myself. My name is Kazuki. Yoroshiku!" The man said with a hand held out.
Sakuno timidly shook his hand before asking "Kazuki-san? Are you a trainer too?"
"Mmm, I am more like a consultant. Anyhow I have just arrived today."
"So kah."
"By the way, Ryuuzaki-sensei, you have not answered my question. Do you have some one you love?" Kazuki persisted with a teasing smile.
"That is…" Sakuno blushed harder.
"You have guessed my feelings in just one moment. So please share a little bit of yourself with me."
"I..I like someone like a friend but I don't know if I love him like a woman loves a man." Sakuno said softly.
"Hmm. It must be difficult when you have many suitors to choose from."
"Iie. He is the only suitor I have." Sakuno said truthfully.
"Honto? That's hard to believe since I can tell you are a beautiful woman."
Sakuno gaped as her face turned redder. 'This is the first time someone flirt with me.'
"Otou-sama, what are you doing here?" Keigo's voice startled Sakuno and Kazuki. They saw a furious looking Keigo walking to their table with a smirking Yuushi trailing after him.
"Otou…OTOU-SAMA?" Sakuno looked at Kazuki with widened eyes.
"Sakuno-chan, daijobu? Did Otou-sama say anything strange to you?" Keigo looked at Sakuno with concern.
Kazuki-san gave Sakuno a bow, "I'm so sorry, Ryuuzaki-sensei. Let me introduce myself properly. I am Atobe Kazuki, father to Atobe Keigo. Yoroshiku!"
The three men gaped when Sakuno promptly fainted at their feet.
"SAKUNO-CHAN!"
AT ANOTHER MANSION…
"What have you found out?"
"Atobe-sama had gone to inspect the Foundation's annual tennis camp."
"Hmm, I thought it would be held later. Anything else?" The woman asked with a bored tone while facing the huge glass windows overlooking Tokyo.
"Keigo-san and his former Hyotei tennis Regulars were selected to be trainers at the camp. Various coaches accompanying the high school participants were assisting the trainers."
"Boring!"
"There is one coach and 9 participants from Hanazawa High."
"No more boring details, please."
"The Principal of Hanazawa High happens to be Ayano Kirimi."
The woman sitting in a high back leather chair stiffened and whirled the chair around to face her secretary with furious eyes.
"Ayano Kirimi? I thought she left Tokyo."
"She returned a few years ago upon the request of the CEO of Hanazawa Group to help run their school."
"Ceh, that troublesome woman never learns. It would be easy to drive her away again."
"That may not be possible this time. She is currently under Hanazawa Rui's protection."
"Nani? How did that happen?"
"We are still trying to get that information."
"I will wait for an opportunity later to get rid of her once and for all. Anything else?"
"The coach from Hanazawa High is the same girl Keigo-san was dancing with at the fundraising party."
"Honto? Was this a set-up by that woman?"
"Iie. The coach is a former acquaintance of Keigo-san, Yuushi-san and the other ex-Regulars because she was involved in tennis during middle and high school."
"Was she in Hyotei?"
"Iie, she was in Seishun Middle and High School. She happens to be the grand-daughter of Ryuuzaki-san, our Foundation's fundraising coordinator. Ryuuzaki-san was the former coach of Seishun Middle School."
"Hmph, the tennis world is such a small world. Find out more about that girl and about her relationship with Keigo."
"Hai."
"Also make arrangement for Ayano Kirimi to be tailed. Report to me immediately if she is found anywhere near Kazuki, Keigo or Kana."
"Hai."
"Please arrange an omiai meeting with the Hitachiin brothers for next week. I want my daughter to meet them as soon as possible."
"But Kana-san may…"
A hard glint shone from Atobe Mara's eyes, "Kana will do as I say."
BACK AT THE CAMP…
Kazuki smiled indulgently when he saw Keigo tucking the blanket more securely around the slumbering Sakuno before sitting back on the plastic tool near the hospital-standard bed.
It was a good thing that the Health Room was near the cafeteria. Keigo had immediately picked up Sakuno and ran to the Health Room. Kazuki and Yuushi dispersed the curious crowd and calmed down the worried Hanazawa High participants before making their way to the Health Room.
"Is she alright, Atobe?" Yuushi asked with concern.
"The nurse on duty said she is fine. Ore-sama thinks it's the shock of finding out about Otou-sama that had caused her to faint." Keigo gave his father an irritated glare from where he was sitting.
"I will go and inform Hiyoshi and Kabaji about Sakuno's and your absence."
"Thank you, Yuushi." Keigo gave his friend a grateful look. Yuushi left after giving the Atobes a smirk and a bow.
"Sorry, Keigo."
"Otou-sama, what are you doing here? You told Ore-sama you will be here tomorrow."
"I have finished my work earlier so I came to relax."
"Otou-sama…..."
"I like her. She's quite lovely. I'm sure she is kind and gentle in nature. She can be quite feisty too."
Keigo gave his father a look of wonder. "How can you tell so much at your first meeting, Otou-sama?"
Kazuki gave Keigo a fond look, "Gut instinct, I guess."
"Ore-sama wants her to be Ore-sama's one and only, Otou-sama." Keigo looked at Sakuno's sleeping face with an adoring look.
"You are serious about her, aren't you, Keigo?" Kazuki watched his son with interest.
"Hai. If Sakuno rejects Ore-sama, Ore-sama will never love again." A hand reached out to gently caress the brunette hair spread on the white pillow.
"Keigo, you are still young so there are plenty of girls out there for you to choose from." Kazuki decided to test his son with his careless remark.
"Ore-sama will never do that." His remark earned him a furious glare from Keigo. "Ore-sama's heart is already in her hands though she doesn't know it. Nevertheless, Ore-sama will remain true to her no matter what she says. "
"Hai! Hai! I believe you, my son." Kazuki sighed. Seeing his son and Sakuno caused him to reminiscent about the woman he had loved and lost. 'I will make sure he does not go through what I had gone through.'
"Keigo, I will leave you to tend to Sakuno. Is our lunch appointment for tomorrow still on?"
"Hai. Sakuno may be joining us." Keigo turned to his father.
"So kah? I look forward to talk to her again. Ja ne, Keigo." Kazuki left after giving his son a wave.
Keigo sighed tiredly and turned back to gaze at Sakuno. His eyes widened in surprise to find Sakuno's teary eyes looking back at him.
"Do..you..mean..what you have..said to Kazuki-san?"
Sakuno struggled to open her eyes but the darkness continued its unwelcomed stay. Her ears stopped drumming and began to pick up the conversation around her. The smog in her mind cleared and her breathing hitched a little when she heard Atobe Keigo talking.
"Ore-sama wants her to be Ore-sama's one and only, Otou-sama."
"You are serious about her, aren't you, Keigo?"
'I had never thought Atobe Keigo felt so strongly about me. I felt so deliriously happy. Why?'
"Hai. If Sakuno rejects Ore-sama, Ore-sama will never love again."
'I don't know if I can love Keigo-san as a man. But I do want to find out more about him and if his feelings for me are true. No one has ever done so much for me as he has.'
"Keigo, you are still young so there are plenty of girls out there for you to choose from."
'Kazuki-san? Does that mean you do not approve of me? Why? If Keigo-san had chosen me, I will……what am I saying?'
"Ore-sama will never do that. Ore-sama's heart is already in her hands though she doesn't know it. Nevertheless, Ore-sama will remain true to her no matter what she says."
'Keigo-san!' Tears formed and slide down Sakuno's cheeks. With renewed determination, Sakuno struggled against the darkness to wake up. 'I need to talk to Keigo-san.'
"Hai! Hai! I believe you, my son."
'Keigo-san, don't leave yet. I want to tell you my answer.' The darkness started to fade and Sakuno's eyes slowly opened.
"Keigo, I will leave you to tend to Sakuno. Is our lunch appointment for tomorrow still on?"
"Hai. Sakuno may be joining us."
"So kah? I look forward to talk to her again. Ja ne, Keigo."
Sakuno's teary eyes looked up at the surprised Keigo. "Do..you..mean..what you have..said to Kazuki-san?" Sakuno whispered while soul-searching his eyes.
"Sakuno, you heard….." Keigo said weakly.
Sakuno nodded and asked again, "Is it true?"
Keigo nodded slowly. He was caught by Sakuno's dewy eyes that looked at him like he was the only man in the world.
"If I agreed to be your girlfriend, will you teach me to love you, Keigo-san?" Sakuno asked gently with a smile.
EEEEEEEEEE
To Be Continued
EEEEEEEEEE
Note from Author: It's me again with my 3rd. love story. This time I'm bringing Atobe and Sakuno together. Sorry for any errors. Please R & R!
WARNING: This long story will take me a long time to update so please don't rush me.
