Disclaimer: I do not own prince of tennis…or any of the characters from the manga or anime. I only own those I create myself for this story.
Distance
Once Sakuno was finally released, she made it a point to try and give Ryoma some space. As much as it was killing her, she thought he might need it. They would speak to each other briefly when they saw each other at the courts, but it was almost like a replay of when they were 12. Ryoma would practice and play tennis in various locations and Sakuno would find herself tagging along to cheer him on. Conversations were short and simple, nothing more. It was starting to drive her insane.
Ryoma was confused when Sakuno made no real effort to speak with him. He kind of thought the time apart was good, but it still bothered him. He wasn't sure what he was expecting from her when she got out, but he thought it would be more than this…it's like we're fucking 12 again! Ryoma found himself repeating when he would see her watching him play.
One evening after a long day of personal practice, Ryoma caught sight of Sakuno standing in her uniform gently rolling a tennis ball across her racket. They were at a small secluded tennis court across town, so he was sure she planning to disobey doctor's orders.
"Don't even think about it," Ryoma said as he walked towards Sakuno.
"I've missed you…" Sakuno's voice was soft, low, and timid. It stopped Ryoma dead in his tracks. "I've missed you so damn much. Why didn't you come see me anymore? Why are we acting like we're 12 again?" Her voice started to shake, clearly indicating that she was starting to cry. "Why, Ryoma, why didn't you say anything to me when I told you… (she paused in slight fear)…when I told you I loved you…" The memory of his fading figure ignoring her words caused a heavy down pour from her eyes.
As shocked as he was at where this conversation had ended up, he knew he could not just stay silent while she cried. He had to try and explain this to her. "Because I don't deserve to hear you say that." His head fell; eyes facing the ground. His voice was slightly empty, but very matter of fact.
"I left you. Granted I was not at all aware of your feelings for me, and I was completely full of nothing but tennis, but that does not change the fact that I left. Then 2 years ago things got so busy that I even stopped writing you…they wouldn't have done that to you. You deserve to be with someone who has never abandoned you. I can see the way they are with you, openly, and you look so happy with each one of them…I just can't,"
Since his head was still pointed at the ground, he was not aware of the distraught Sakuno who had made her way to where he was standing. Out of nowhere, in mid-sentence, there was a burning sensation that fell across his left cheek forcing him to stop talking and look towards her. She had slapped him, and she had slapped him hard. Tears were falling at an alarming rate from her eyes, and she was angry. She was clearly disappointed.
"I LOVE YOU….you idiot…what part do the other guys play between me and you? Does who I love not matter in this situation. What about the man that takes my breath away? What about the man whose touch makes me tremble with happiness? Huh? What about my fucking feelings Ryoma!" She paused to take a quick breath and wipe tears from her cheeks. "And you didn't abandon me! You made a decision to go pursue your passion, to go and begin to make your dreams come true. I fell head over heels in love with a tennis obsessed fool who was obviously good enough to take him far away from me sometimes, and I fell in love knowing all this beforehand. Don't you understand? I knew one day you were going to go off somewhere and kick ass all over the tennis world without me. But damn it, I loved you…I still love you…I only want to be with you. If that wasn't fucking true then why the hell would I not be dating one of these absolutely perfect men that fill my world?"
Sakuno had stopped her tears, but now she was panting from the tongue lashing she just gave Ryoma. Out of nowhere, his strong arms hoisted her over his shoulder. "What the hell? Ryoma, put me down?!" Sakuno yelled and struggled uselessly. She couldn't squirm too much because of her still healing ribs, and Ryoma took full advantage of that.
After hearing the words that Sakuno spewed at him, Ryoma could no longer hold himself back. He was madly in love with this tiny but assertive woman in front of him. As soon as he sensed her rant was over he wrapped his arm around her perfect waist. Her skin was hot, and soooo smooth. He hoisted her onto his shoulder since he knew she could not squirm too much. Her small framed body was incredibly light. He found his hand gripping her thigh to hold her in place as he headed to a nearby hotel that his dad had a room in.
5 minutes later, still over Ryoma's shoulders, Sakuno listened as electric sliding doors opened in front of them. She watched deep brown and white marbled floors float beneath Ryoma's feet. They stopped momentarily to wait for the elevators. Once on the desired floor Ryoma placed Sakuno on her feet and quickly swiped his hotel key in the door in front of them. He yanked her inside and slammed the door.
Sakuno had 1,000 questions she was ready to fire at him, but he did not turn on the lights. The curtains were open and the moonlight was cascading across the room lighting it up just enough to be able to maneuver easily.
Standing close to the side of the king size bed Sakuno opened her mouth to speak. Ryoma caught her lips before she could even let a peep out. His large calf muscle pushed into the crevice behind Sakuno's knee instantly causing her to fall off balance. However, his strong arms were already in place to catch her and move her smoothly on the bed. The look in Ryoma's eyes flipped a switch inside her, one that only he could flip. She now needed him as bad as he needed her…
Now positioned above her, Ryoma looked deeply into the brown pools that she called eyes. He wished to drown in them right then and there. He ran his hands down her body as he kissed her in all the spots he knew would make her tremble. Her soft moaning only encouraged his actions. Her small hands slid under his shirt and her nails dug into his back as she raised her body up to meet his. Everything about her was intoxicating…and if that was the case…Ryoma was sooooo wasted.
The first time they were intimate it was most definitely 'making love'. He had touched her softly, moved slowly, and been gentle and calm. She was thankful for that because losing her virginity was rather painful. Now Ryoma was practically pawing at her. He was kissing her fast and hard. He was breathing heavily and moving hastily from her lips to her body then back again. His hands wasted no time getting her (and himself) undressed. The way he was touching her made it seem like he was not able to get enough. Sakuno's body moved without her consent, mirroring his desperation and intensity. This was most definitely fucking, and it exited her. She was more than ready. "God damn it I fucking love you…" and with those few words that Ryoma slipped through gritted teeth, she completely lost control.
To be continued
