Disclaimer: I ish not owning Prince of Tennis, I take no credits from Takeshi Konomi-sama.

I stared blankly at Osakada, as she stared back at me from a distance, the bell rang minutes ago, and as per usual, Im spending my time here at the rooftop, with Osakada, Ryuzaki-baachan gave a letter from Ryuzaki this morning, I felt something sting inside of me, there were butterflies in my stomach, I serisously hate this feeling, this feeling of helplessness, as if Im wandering over this endless fear, I do not know where it came from, but I felt it, weird, I never thought I had fear, I clutched the edge of my shirt in frustration, as she looked back at me with teary eyes, I could see sorrow and fear in her eyes, as I did to my opponents, its then I was sure, I knew exactly that letter wasn't anything nice, I felt it right after Ryuzaki-baachan handed to her, I knew it.

"What is it."I said, trying to sound so demanding, she looked down at the letter once more, as she handed it to me, I looked at it anxiously as I took it from her.

The words echoed in my mind as I hear her say in between sobs.

"Sh-She's g-gone…"she said as she bursts into tears.

CHAPTER SEVEN: Spades and Diamonds

Watashi no… tame ni itsumodotte kuru?

'Tomo-chan,

I know you'll be mad at me if I tell you this in person, probably you'll scream at me, or better yet shake some sense into me, sorry for not telling this to you personally, by the way, you're improving your English, Im happy to know that, I would really want to spend the spring season together with our Senpai-tachi's but I can't gomen, by the time you're reading this I already left, that's for sure, I would really miss you a lot Tomo-chanThank you for everything, for making me strong and making me feel confident you mean a lot!I would definitely miss you Tomo-chan,and Ryoma-kun, and Senpai-tachi's too, I'd be heading for Europe, and I cannot promise any return, I cannot tell you the reason for your own safety, please don't ask obaa-chan about that, ne? Thank you Tomo-chan, for everything, tell Ryoma-kun that I'll miss him too, never forget to cheer him on with his matches ne? and Tomo-chan, study cooking, Ryoma-kun likes obentos, ask for my cookbook from Obaa-chan ne? and Tomo-chan, please tell him, Im really greatful he taught me tennis, and for….protecting me, if ever I won't be coming back, tell him how I feel, ne?

Thank you Tomo-chan, for being such a nice friend, you're the BestEST friend I've ever had.

Sakuno.'

I stood frozen, with her letter on my hand, my eyes fixed on the letters slightly fading because of the teardrops tainting it, her hand writing were more like scribbles, she was crying while writing this, her hands were probably shaking, something inside of my stomach churned, it wasn't a butterfly anymore, its not that feeling when I lost with Baka-Oyaji, its something else I couldn't explain, like there was something inside of me broke, I knew that day was something weird, I knew I should told her something, I knew that her song was of a hint, I knew it all, but why didn't I do anything?

And now, I feel like I lost one of my significant tennis match, and I know I could've won when I played my best, I could've won…

'15 lav' I thought bitterly.

She wrote there that she was grateful? Then why did she left? She wrote that she will miss me, she doesn't have to if she didn't leave, why did she leave!why isn't she sure she would come back!then why did she promise me we'll have a tennis match? Why can't she tell me how she feels before whatever that was?A frown find its way to my lips, I knew I wouldn't be feeling this if I've done something.

'So this is how she felt when I left…'

"Mada Mada dane….Ryuzaki, Mada Mada dane." I said as I handed the letter back to Osakada, and turned my back from her, She promised she would come back, I know she will, my instincts tells me so, Ryuzaki maybe bad at directions, but she always keep her promise, besides she owe me a match, and when she comes back, I will find a way to make her tell me that feeling she's talking about.

(A.N: talk about dense, Ryoma-kun, is sooo dense)

"I'll wait for you…Ryuzaki." As I clutched my chest trying to ease something from it, the feeling of drowning that engulfed right after I read her letter, I don't know why, but this feeling just won't go away, I could feel my heart beat under my palms, as it raced, whatever this is im feeling, this is really annoying, Wobbly hips is always inside my head, too persistent its troublesome to take her out, maybe..she's meant to say there in the first place...

I took out my cellphone from my pocket, and started walking away as I dialed a familiar number, as I heard a beep, and a voice finally answered.

"Fuji-senpai, lets have a match."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"So you're Ryuzaki Sumire's Mago-chan eh?"Ryoga spoke as he laid his chopsticks over the small bowl, and sighed, as he planted his chin on his palms, and fixed his alluring gaze on the auburn haired girl,who abruptly blushed, and nodded.

'Amusing…'

"H-Hai…"She stuttered as she finished her and settled her chopsticks, as she glanced outside the restaurant, and fixed her eyes on the wonderful buildings and structures.

The restaurant, was drop-dead expensive as Sakuno would note, everything were in classic design, and the ambience were not less than alluring, the lights reminded her of Meiji era food houses, the place was cozy, and at the same time, dressed with finest Japanese poise, the waitresses were dressed of that of original yukatas and well detailed obi, and cherry on top, they speak Japanese too.

"Then I assume you play tennis too…"He muttered as he smirked.

"A-A-no, well…I do…b-but I-Im not good at it…"She said as she lowered her head in humiliation, and sighed.

"Really,I'll be your trainer from now on then." He said as he sat up straight, as he raised his hand and asked for the bill, the blonde waitress in pink yukata lowered her head as she left the bill on the table, Ryoga snatched his wallet and left a bill, as he stood up and went over to Sakuno's side, and helped her up.

"Ano, you don't have to, Ryoga-san, I mean..I-I-."
"Ne…I'd appreciate it if you'll just get rid of the honorifics ne Hime-chan."He said as he smiled at her as they walked outside having their bodyguards on their tail again, having all the peoples eyes fixed on them as they mutter some incoherent gossips.

"And, training you would keep my tennis intact too…so no worries, hime-chan."He reassured her, he knew her inferiority complex was getting into her again, and pushing her through it won't help either.

She just smiled sweetly in response and muttered her thanks, by and by, she's getting comfortable with Ryoga, she knew he's not here to do her much, perhaps, his presence would make things easier for her than it has to be, as she hoped that is.

"Now…lets have a little shopping as your Oji-san asked me to, then we'll have a one-set match, you okay with that?"He asked as he looked down at her as he found her wondering about something else, the girl was just to naïve for harsh things, he smiled again, Jiroubu said he wouldn't let Sakuno be dreaded as much as she is now, Ryoga should just rely on that, as he lead the way to the boulevard of the famous clothing lines in Paris.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Pok pok

Pok pok

"Echizen…are you mad."Fuji Syusuke, being a senpai as he is to Ryoma, came to his call, and abruptly got challenged in a match with the Tennis Prince who seemed to be in hot blood with his power returns, Fuji noticed this, and smiled, its truly rare to witness Ryoma being out of his self-control, unless it has something to do with Tennis match, and Karupin.

"I'll call Mizuki if you want senpai."Ryoma answered as he looked at Fuji with a menacing smirk.

"Kidding..."Fuji smiled jokingly as he smashed Ryoma's lob shot, as Ryoma slid down in front of the net and performed the Drive B.

"You seem out of it, is Echizen in love."Fuji opened his slit eyes and positioned himself at the middle of his court concentrating as to how to counter the Drive B, while he observed Ryoma's sudden change of mood.

Ryoma was actually strucked with Fuji's drastic statement, being such a sadistic bastard he is, loves grueling other people's minds, maybe this is just one of his tactics.

"It won't work on me senpai."He muttered as he felt his grip tighten with the racquet,and grinded his teeth as he gave another powerful return that could match the Hadokyu.

"Like Seriously…Echizen."He smirked as he fixated his gaze at Ryoma's form and held his racquet with two hands and got his grip at best and returned Ryoma's power shot.

"Echizen Ryoma is a Human after all.."Fuji said as he smirked at Ryoma, he knew what he was saying, and he can feel the impact on Ryoma, he could vaguely see it, if Ryoma was trying hard to find someone to be his Anger management, he certainly picked the wrong person, being Fuji Syusuke, you're born with natural menacing statements, and you would probably rub this topic to Ryoma's face, right about now.

Ryoma chose to be silent and fixated his concentration on the game, as he tried his hard to ignore Fuji's observation, he doesn't know, really, he doesn't know how he felt, and as to why he's feeling like how he's feeling now, and he also doesn't know why, but Fuji has been pressing the buttons way to annoying for his liking, and now, he's slightly regrets inviting him for a match, knowing he's putting up a very great fight.

"Ah, I see Echizen, doesn't want to talk about it, is it about Ryuzaki sensei's Mago-chan."

'That's it, you're going down'

"Ikimasu yo!senpai!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The bodyguards finally took the shopping bags at the limousine, and bought Sakuno's Tennis bag and gave it to her, inside the tennis court, it was quite a long clothing shopping, since Sakuno wasn't all that fashion critique, even Ryoga wasn't into fashion, but going to the chateau emty-handed, is not an option, Jiroubu would be furious, Sakuno and Ryoga had to consult every fashion stylist at every shops, for the best outfit that suits the girl, knowing that each stylist chose the most expensive outfit for the girl, Ryoga didn't min, its not his money anyways, besides he knew Jiroubu could afford more than what they have now, and Jiroubu doesn't mind at all, as long as its for his Mago-chans, he wouldn't mind.

Ryoga brought out his Tennis racquet and started to warm up with the wall having the auburn haired gilr behind him, watching his every moves.

His every move reminds her of Ryoma's matches, she smiled, they really do resemble like each other, from the eyes, to the words, and specially in the passion for tennis, Sakuno suddenly grinned, do they have the same passion for Himalayan raccoon-like cats too? She thought giddily, that she didn't notice Ryoga was standing in front of her staring down at her with a grin on his face.

"Ne, Hime-chan, why don't you we have the match now?ne?"He said as he grabbed Sakuno's pink racquet and hands it out to her startled form.

"A-Ano! Ah..gomen!"she suddenly said as she carefully took the racquet from him, and stood up, and brushed her skirt off.

---

"Okay, you do the serving first, so I could see your form."he said, as he stretched his arms, and fixed his gaze at Sakuno, who was fidgeting.

She held her racket on her right han and the yellow tennis ball on her left, as she looked at them, and sighed, and wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, she knew she was no match for another Echizen, its barely returning the ball to him, not even suited for a warm up simulation, she just smiled bitterly.

'Well…there's always a room for improvement right?' she thought, she had to get herself together, she had been cheering for Ryoma and the Senpai-tachi's for some long time now, noe she's off with the cheering and down with the game.

She threw the ball in the air and breathed out as she hit it with average force as it barely crossed the net, she sighed as she ran in front of the net, as Ryoga returned the ball with a lob shot, inviting her for a smash, but she returned it with a volley, that made Ryoga frown and returned it with a lob shot again.

"Ne, try to do a smash, Hime-chan! Ganbatte."He shouted as he ran back at the middle of the court, and fixed his gaze at her grip and observed,it was not tight as it should, and she was holding it the wrong way.

Sakuno was skeptical with the smash, and returned it with a slice, and ran back at the baseline preparing for an attack.

"D-Demo, I can't smash…Ryoga-kun."She muttered.

He heard her statement, as she kept underestimating herself, it really annoyed Ryoga, he was giving her a chance of learning but she keeps on refusing, and then that he cursed her shyness.

"Mada Mada daze."He said as he volleyed the ball.

She then returned it again with a volley, as she stepped in front of the net, and saw him volley the ball again, still kept insisting her to do a smash.

'There's no harm in trying Sakuno.no harm' She keep on repeating those in her head as she composed herself, and held the racket tighter, as she jumped and put all her strength in her arm, and hit the ball down on the ground with slight force.

Ryoga tilted his head slightly, as he took his racket over his head, and smiled at the girl, who blushed furiously.

"See, its not that bad."

"A-Ano…but its not that good."she said as she loosened her grip on the racket, and looked down on the ground.

"Three months."He stated.

"In Three months I can make a player out of you."He said as he went beside Sakuno and gave a good pat on her shoulder.

"D-Demo, I would j-just, A-Ano…hold you b-back."She muttered as she faced Ryoga hurriedly with a worried look shown in her eyes as she looked directly at him.

He then looked back at her as he grabbed the tennis bag from her shoulder and scooped it with his own, and looked at her with seriously piercing gaze.

"Is tennis a part of your dream?"He asked as he eagerly waited for a response.

Sakuno doesn't know how to react with this, truly, Echizen's have weird but effective sense of talk, to back up with their in-born and honed talents, the thought itself made her feel confident, its not everyday, Ryoga Echizen would come your way and volunteer as your mentor.

"H-Hai…"She answered, with full of confidence in her voice as she stared back at him.

She saw him smile, a real smile, as he turned his back, and stop, giving her a good view of his back,as he looked back again, with a reassuring smile on his face.

"Then,Never keep the fear of failure keep you from playing the game.

---

Sakuno couldn't vaguely stop her self from being awed with what she's seeing now, from the gate, to the lawn, and the intricate details on the benches, this chateau is indeed a mansion she never dreamt of living,the lawn was as green as that of a virgin rainforest, with a designed maze made of vines, and wild flowers at the entrance, and a stand-out fountain planted at the middle of it while a swing stood just beside its swings as the wind blew.

The Stretch limo made its way to the door entrance and stopped, as two men came into view, one with that of blonde hair and the other of brown dangerously armed with good looks and charisma, she can tell from their standing stance, they were indeed one of the masters in this mansion, a couple of maids were lined-up in two rows, as the car stopped just in front of them, This brought Sakuno back from her little la-la-land, as she brushed herself off and watched as both doors opened for her and Ryoga to go out, the black and white dressed females abruptly lowered their heads.

"Welcome Ms.Sakuno."They all said in unison.

Sakuno was again-awestruck, as she blushed furiously and lowered her head in return.

"A-Ano, Thank you."She said without breaks, as she felt Ryoga stop beside her and pat her shoulders telling her to look up.

"Mou, so you're Ryuzaki Sakuno."Masaki said as he smiled at her and tilted his head slightly.

"Watashi no, Masaki Yushihiro desu, pleased to meet Ms. Sakuno."He said as he took her hand for a light hand shake.

"Oh, Ochiba Yushihiro desu, welcome Ryuzaki-san."Ochiba said as he lightly bowed his head to keep Sakuno accustomed to her Japanese customs.

"Ne, Hime-chan, they're your Ojisan's."Ryoga said as he rolled his eyes in disgust, he knew for a fact, Masaki and Ochibi doesn't like Sakuno, as Sakurei does, and they how they would make her life a living hell, he knows it all, knowing how strong their connections to each other-Ryoga had much more reason to protect her from her home fed predators.

"A-Ano, Pleased to meet you Masaki-Ojisan, Ochiba-Ojisan."She said again.

She felt a slight tap on the shoulder from Ryoga, as she looked up at him to find him smiling down at her, as he slightly wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and spoke again.

"Ne, I thought you two have some business to attend to."He said.

"Welcome again, Ryuzaki-san, unfortunately, me and Masaki have to attend some meetings for the company, we'll be taking our leave now, we'd be having a lot of time tonight."Ochiba said as he walked towards the car, and had his sit, as Masaki followed, and lowered his head again as a maid carefully closed the door of the car.

"Try to avoid them as much as possible."Ryoga suddenly removed his arm, as Sakuno looked p again, to find him looking seriously at the car as it made its way out, with his grip tightened, then suddenly he yawned, and looked up at the sky once more.

"Ah, The sky is nice isn't it? Jiroubu-Ojiisan must be waiting inside."He said as he led the way knowing that Sakuno will follow as the maids took the shopping bags and waited as the two fully entered the mansion.

The aroma of wild flowers and well burnt wood from the giant fireplace that was planted somewhere in the guest area dominated the mansion , Sakuno couldn't help but rub her eyes, and give her cheeks a slight pinch just to make sure she wasn't dreaming, Ryoga couldn't blame the girl for acting the way she does now, she was used to a life with routine, a life so simple that suits a simple girl like her, who in a whip of time-suddenly turned into Cinderella, living in a very extravagant mansion, and having an invisible shackles on her neck, indeed freedom has been stolen away from her.

"Hmm, you'll get used to this place, you're going to stay here for quite a while ne."He declared as they went up at the stairs, as Sakuno awed the gigantic chandelier hanging over the high ceiling.

"E-Eh, wh-while?"

"Right after Oyaji finished everything here, you'll be moving back to Japan."Ryoga smiled as he stopped and looked back at Sakuno, shock was overruling in her gentle features, Ryoga chuckled as he proceeded, somehow, he found a big glint of happiness in her cinnamon orbs.

'Truly amusing, Chibisuke….truly amusing…'

'B-Back…I will come b-back? I will come back!'

As she started to smile, a smile she knew would last until she gets back in Japan, as for now, she's got to deal whatever on her way is, now, she's got more reason to practice, more reason to word hard, she's got something to look forward to, setting a good direction for her goals.

"Ryoma-kun…wait for me."She muttered as she grinned and followed Ryoga.

XXXXXXXXXX

They have been rallying from the last three hours, and finally a minute ago, tiredness finally over came their senses and decided to end it with a match point and took a rest under the nearest tree with a good shade, their things were scattered over the area, as they lay under the tree, eyes fixed at the sunset.

"It isn't about Karupin is it? Ne Echizen?"Fuji said as he grabbed his towel and lightly wiped a sweat from his cheeks.

"No."

"Tennis?" Fuji knew if there was something that could affect Ryoma too much, its would be something between Karupin, and Tennis, it should always be-as everyone thought, spare the Tennis tensai, he's got his nose over almost everything.

"Drop it senpai, its nothing."Ryoma finally broke as he sat up and closed his eyes in annoyance, he knew Fuji would always be somewhat scary most of the times, but he never realized Fuji could be quite a nuisance as he is to him now.

"I saw Sakuno-chan at the airport last night, She was crying..."He said as he tilted his head to look at Ryoma, to find him hardly gripping his racket eyes fixed on the ground, as he scoffed and adjusted his hat blocking his eyes.

"Betsuni."He muttered audible to only him and Fuji's ears.

"The best things in life don't come if fancy ribbons and big sizes, they come in small packages you won't notice that its gone in a blink of an eye, its then that you'll realize its value,"Fuji said as he lay down again, and fixed his gaze at the sky as a lone star appeared and shone brightly over the orange sky.

Ryoma looked back at his senpai strangely, whatever Fuji's saying, its surely hits some buttons, some buttons Ryoma knew exist.

"Its never too late to take it back, that's if...you'll fight for it, will you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about senpai."Ryoma said as he stood up and picked his tennis bag waiting for Fuji to do the same.

"Hmm, the dawn is nice."Fuji said in response to Ryoma's complete denial, as he stood up and picked his tennis bag.

'I would like to see the day when Echizen lets his pride go…and soon, so soon…let see how the Prince of Tennis fight his inner turmoil, my my…that would be amusing..'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ryoga suddenly stopped at the end of the hallway which made Sakuno bump on his back, as she muttered her apologies, Ryoga lightly wrapped his arm around her shoulder, to held her close, with that Sakuno couldn't help but blush and felt her heart rate increase, her face was now an inch away from his neck, as she felt her self shudder and forced herself to calm down.

"Don't be scared"

He whispered in her ear with as it sent goose bumps in her spine, Sakuno didn't saw that coming, his voice was something she couldn't take, specially when its something so…exasperating, that she something inside her chills whenever he touches her, the way he looks at her makes her feel like, she was the most wonderful person in Europe, the way Ryoga do things makes her feel…something else she couldn't explain, somehow it made her feel uneasy, and red hints in her cheeks, she swore she saw him smile,as he opened the door.

Silhouette obscured Sakuno's vision, light blue chiffon silhouette surrounding a wound king sized bed, the room was lit with an opened large window, red velvet curtain tied on its sides, five feet away from the bed was a extremely large fire place, with burnt ashes, and a big portrait on top was an attraction Sakuno couldn't take her eyes of, the room was that of pure antique furniture, and occupied by a relaxing ambiance from the piano pieces being played from a CD, Ryoga knew it, she would be dumb strucked as it is, as he tightened his hold on her shoulder that made her look at him and relaxed as she exhaled.

"Oi! Oyaji! Here's your Mago-chan! She's here, you might wanna give her a hug?"Ryoga shouted as he removed his hold on her, and closed the door.

A man about the age of thirties appeared throughout the blue silhouette, wearing his navy blue pajamas, and disheveled blonde hair, and cerulean blue eyes, Sakuno was sure he was no Japanese, probably European or American, she couldn't tell the difference (I don't too, I like asian people!! Wooot!!)

The man stood in front of her with poise and pure charismatic eyes, Sakuno could tell he was her Ojisan from the eyes, those eyes, that resembles that of her father, her fathers eyes she could boldly remember in her memories.

"Im glad you came,"He started.

Sakuno couldn't speak, he knew how to speak Japanese?but he's Western! She couldn't help but feel inferior, most of the people she met to this day were triliguals, Sakurei,Ryoga,and her Ojisan, probably he could speak more languages.

She was awoke from her trance when she felt the bachelor held her shoulders with light weight, as she looked up at him, giving them both a goo look at each other, Sakuno kept staring at his eyes, she felt warmth of his arms suddenly cover her, she just hugged back, and somehow, she felt like she was hugging her father in place.

"You just look like him…a lot like him…"He muttered.

Sakuno couldn't help but notice the portrait that hung over the fireplace, her eyes felt watery as it widened, she saw a happy picture of her family, her father's Auburn locks stand-out from all as he was playing his fingers on the child in front of him with a smile on his face, and her mother beside him as she was carrying her baby with a light smile on her face, beside them was a pink haired lady with porcelain features carrying a pink haired baby in her arms, beside her was her husband, as her Ojisan and Obaasan sat in two large chairs, with a smile on their faces.

'I…I really do look like…Otousan.' She thought in realization as a tear fell from her eyes.

"I won't take this to long discussion,"Jiroubu started.

"Maa…I still have to take my nap, have to go! ja matta!"Ryoga took his leave knowing what matters the two would be talking about.

---

She was sitting at the chair in front of the fireplace as Jiroubu stood at the window back facing her.

"My life wouldn't last long in three months span,"He started.

Sakuno felt like being stabbed by a knife in her heart, what she heard him say was breaking her insides, its just now that they met, and later he would…leave her?how cruel fate can be to her, she frowned as she fidgeted her skirt.

"Before I leave, I want to make sure I put the right things to place,I would name my Heir."He continued as he looked back at Sakuno who felt chills crawl in her spine.

"H-Heir?"She repeated.

"I bestow you the entrustment of everything I will be leaving behind,-everything that me and Hatori left behind."He finished.

'Tousan…' She froze, for goodness sake! She's only reaching puberty stage! She's only seventeen! To handle such big responsibility! Running an extremely large corporation would be a total suicide!

"Demo!Ojisan! Ochiba and Masaki-Jisan would most likely fit the position, or Sakurei-neesama perhaps!"She declared as she stood, come to think of it, it's the first time in her history to speak such long sentence without even stuttering. (congratulations Sakuno-chan!)

"Its been decided, Akacho and the clan will be your baggage."He stated with a commanding tone that Sakuno couldn't help but keep her mouth shut.

"Wh-What do you mean by Clan, O-Ojisan?"She muttered in a softer and lower tone as she lowered her head in shame, not wanting to hear what migh come next, from the turnings of the events, this little trip in Paris is scarier than she thought it would be, he said he's putting things to their place, but heck, she knows...she's putting her life away from its suitable place...

Jiroubu then faced the portrait as he walked over the fireplace.

"The 1st of the seven noble yakuza clans in all of Japan."

TZUZUKU…….


A.N: its long enough for your liking I hope, the next Chapter would be at Time Skip, I'll do the details at Flashbacks, I was planning to finish everything in this chapter but that would just spoil everything, RyomaXSakunoXRyoga once again dominated the poll-ERDOM, okaii!!

SNEAK EVENT ON THE NEXT CHAPTER:

Sakurei Meets Ryoma Echizen.

Ohohoho!! Whaddya think of me!?? I love playing with the love teams!! Hohohoho!! Tennis encounters would probably be held in the upcoming chapters!!

R.E.V.I.E.W.S neee?!! Im done with the next chapter really, even though im kinda absent coz of the Prelims ive stored a lot of cookies for the readers so!!! Indulge!! And friggin!! LEAVE A GODDAMN REViEW!! OKAiiii!!

REVIEW responses at my profile.

"When will you come back for me"-watashi no tame ni itsumodotte kuru?