AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to ALL for their R&R. Sorry for the long wait but here's another great chapter for you to enjoy.
Disclaimer: Nothing in POT belongs to me. All OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments are just figments of my imagination.
WARNING: All characters are totally OOC!
"xxxxx" Conversation
'xxxxx' Thoughts - Mind
/xxxxx/ Thoughts from the Heart
xxxxxxx Flashback
BEAUTY AND HER BEAST
Previously in Chapter 8
"Kaoru.." Unshed tears brightened Sakuno's eyes.
"You are the only woman for me, Sakuno. I love you so much. So, please make me the happiest man in the world. Be my beloved wife and partner?" His hope-filled eyes almost begged.
Tears fell down her cheeks as she nodded and wrapped her arms around Kaoru's neck. His arms wrapped around her soft body as she whispered, "I love you too, Kaoru."
CHAPTER 9
30 Days Before The Wedding
Somewhere in Tokyo
Member B: Can you believe it? He's marrying that mousy girl!
Member C: (Pout!) I'm not happy about it.
Member A: QUIET! I'm thinking here! (Angry!)
Member B & C: Sorry, Aoki-chan! (Meekly)
Aoki (A): AH-HA! I have an idea! Wakana-chan?
Wakana (B): Hai?
Aoki: Find out where that girl is staying and her living habits.
Wakana: Hai!
Aoki: Ryoko-chan?
Ryoko (C): Hai, Wakana-chan?
Aoki: Find out about the wedding and all the details.
Ryoko: O…Ok!
Wakana: Aoki-chan, what's the plan?
Aoki: (Smug!) We are going to stop the wedding.
Ryoko and Wakana looked at each other worriedly.
Ryoko: Aoki-chan, we might get into trouble with the Atobe people again if we do anything to Kaidoh-sama.
Aoki: (Evil eye!) They never said anything about Ryuzaki Sakuno, did they?
29 Days Before The Wedding
Kaoru: I miss you so much.
Sakuno: I miss you too. Only 29 more days left until our wedding day.
Kaoru: I know, Sakuno. How's the wedding planning coming along?
Sakuno: Everything's great, Kaoru. Your Okasan and my Obaasan have been busy helping me.
Kaoru: What about my part..I mean the things related to the groom's side?
Sakuno: Your Otousan, Yuuta-kun and Syusuke-san are getting everything ready. Syusuke-san is offering his service as our wedding photographer. It's his wedding gift for us.
Kaoru: Wow, fantastic! I'll have to thank him. Has Keigo-san called you?
Sakuno: Hai! He has made the arrangement for the wedding ceremony and reception to be held at one of his exclusive hotels. He was very kind, isn't he?
Kaoru: What do you mean, Sakuno?
Sakuno: He said we don't have to pay for the hotel. It will be his wedding gift for us.
Kaoru: Really? I'll have to call him personally to thank him. So what are you doing tomorrow?
Sakuno: After work, Obaasan and I will go for the final fitting of my wedding gown. Later we're meeting your parents and Otouto for dinner.
Kaoru: Well, it looks like you have a full schedule. Don't get too stressed out, my love. I don't want you passed out at the wedding ceremony before saying "I do."
Sakuno: Hee! Hee! (Giggle!) I won't, Kaoru. How about you, Kaoru? How's the team doing?
Kaoru: We're doing well thanks to Tezuka-san and Inui-san. The opponents were just as tough but all of us managed to win and move to semi-final.
Sakuno: That's wonderful.
Kaoru: I have one more match tomorrow and then it's the finals. I might face Samurai-E again.
Sakuno: In that case I won't keep. You need your beauty sleep.
Kaoru: I miss holding you in my arms.
Sakuno: Kaoru! (Blushed red!)
Being raised in conservative households, Kaoru and Sakuno had decided to wait until their wedding night to consummate their love. However, they were young healthy curious adults and needless to say, they had indulged in a few heavy make-out sessions.
Kaoru: (Groan!) I can't wait to make you mine, Sakuno.
Sakuno: (Gasp!) Ka..Kaoru!
Knock! Knock! Ryuzaki Sumire peeped into her room to whisper, "It's getting later, Sakuno." Sakuno nodded in acknowledgement and Sumire left.
Sakuno: It's late, Kaoru. We both need our rest.
Kaoru: Okay. I love you Sakuno.
Sakuno: I love you too. Call me?
Kaoru: Maybe the day after the match.
Sakuno: Okay.
Kaoru: Goodnight, my love, and sweet dreams. I'll be dreaming of you.
Sakuno: Goodnight my heart. You'll be in my dreams as always.
20 Days Before The Wedding
Sakuno glanced backward quickly and scanned around. Other pedestrian ignored her and stepped around her. Her grandmother stopped and observed her granddaughter's unusual habit.
"You've been doing that a lot lately. What's wrong?" Ryuzaki Sumire asked curiously.
"I feel like someone is constantly watching me." Sakuno answered as her eyes scanned the area one last time.
"What? Are you sure about this?" Sumire helped in scanning the area.
"It started since we went to that wedding gown boutique last week. There's always this sense of tingling at the back of my head and my spine every time I leave the house or the kindergarten. Someone is definitely spying on me."
"I hope they're not those Kaidoh's fanatic fans again. I'll give them a piece of my mind."
"Don't worry Obasan. I'm sure they aren't that foolish to try anything."
"Let's get going then. These legs of mine needed a break."
"Hai!"
18 Days Before The Wedding
Somewhere in Tokyo
Aoki: …and that's our plan. You guys know what to do?
Wakana & Ryoko: Hai!
Aoki: (Laugh!) There won't be any wedding in the end and Kaidoh-sama remains our great tennis idol.
Ryoko and Wakana looked at each other with increasing concern.
Ryoko: Aoki-chan, are you sure about this plan? Kaidoh-sama might get really upset.
Aoki: (Angry!) Ryuzaki Sakuno does not deserve to be his wife. He needs someone more refined, elegant, sophisticated and beautiful.
Wakana: Like who?
Aoki: Why, someone like me, of course. (Sighed with devotion) I'm the only one qualified to be Mrs. Kaidoh Kaoru.
Ryoko and Wakana looked at each other with shock on their faces. 'SHE'S NUTS!'
15 Days Before The Wedding
Tezuka looked over to his side and observed the new champion of the Wimbledon. Kaidoh Kaoru was gazing outside the window serenely but his fingers rubbing and encircling his engagement ring betrayed his nervous state.
"Nervous?"
Kaoru almost jumped when his coach asked quietly. The other members of their team were currently napping in their individual seats.
"Iie, Tezuka-san."
"Excited perhaps?"
"Hai. I just…I just miss her."
"I know how it feels."
"Tezuka-san, how did you manage your long-distance relationship?"
"It wasn't easy at first but Yumiko and I made sure we're always communicating. When we do meet face to face, our time together are more in depth and sweeter than our separation.
"I don't think I have your strength. I need her with me."
"Well in 15 days, we won't be able to pull you two apart." Tezuka smiled.
"I know. What about you, Tezuka-san? What about your wedding plans?"
"Well, Yumiko has to complete 2 more assignments, so we're having it it next month. It will be a simple ceremony just for our families and close friends."
"I see. Ano…is she moving to Japan after you guys are married?"
"Yes, she is. In fact, just like you, I have applied to Keigo to get us another apartment nearby our current place."
"That's great. I'm sure Sakuno would love to have Yumiko's company when we go off for training or matches."
"Hnnmm, that's true."
Ding, ding! The plane's intercom interrupted them, "Dear passengers, we're arriving at Narita Airport in 30 minutes."
Forty-five minutes later, the team exited the airport's VIP Arrival Hall and once again they were mobbed by reporters and fans alike while a larger team of security force worked hard to keep the crowd at bay.
Their regular Limo Van courtesy of the Atobe Group waited for them at the end of the line. Another 15 minutes passed and finally everyone was seated inside and the Limo Van was on its way. But the BIGGEST SURPRISE was the person waiting for them inside the van.
"How's everyone?" Atobe Keigo smiled but the smile didn't reach his eyes. Tezuka and Inui observed the man quietly for Atobe rarely come and greet them whenever they return to Japan.
"Fine, nyah! We had a good nap!" Kikumaru Eiji showed the "V" sign with his fingers.
"Why are you here, Monkey King?" Echizen Ryoma asked lazily making Keigo's eyes twitched with irritation.
"What's wrong, Atobe?" Tezuka finally asked, "You look like you're about to give us some bad news."
Atobe sighed and turned his attention to Kaidoh Kaoru, "Sakuno is missing. She hasn't been seen since she left work this afternoon."
Silence reigned for a moment.
"WHAT?"
Somewhere In Tokyo
Sakuno was shivering in a dark corner of an abandoned factory building. She was wet because her captor had poured a pail of cold water on her to wake her up. Both her cheeks were swollen due to the hard slaps her captor has angrily given her. Her wrists and arms hurt because of the ropes tied them tightly behind her back. Her ears were still ringing from the abusive shouting of her captor. All the while, her heart and mind kept her going with the thoughts of her love, Kaidoh Kaoru.
She remembered leaving the kindergarten and walking toward the train station. A girl approached her to ask for some directions. Being a kind person, Sakuno offered to show her the way. When she walked ahead of the girl, something crashed on her head and rendered her unconscious. When she woke up, she realized she has been kidnapped. At the end of her torturous time with her captor, she knew her captor to be a fanatic fan of her fiancé.
"You'll stay here and rot, baka-chan." Her captor spoke her last words with a sneer, "Everyone will think you ran away from the wedding. Kaidoh-sama will recover in time and I'll be the one to stay at his side." With a laugh, the captor stuck a knife into Sakuno's chest and left her. Screaming with horror, Sakuno had watched the blood flow from the protruding knife.
Now she's feeling colder and more tired, so she closed her eyes. 'Kaoru, please find me.'
Atobe Keigo's Office At Atobe Group Building
Atobe Keigo gazed out of the window, ignoring the angry murmurings from his guests. His ever faithful bodyguard Kabaji stood in a corner.
The Japan tennis team, the Kaidohs, Ryuzaki Sumire, Momoshiro Takeshi, Fuji Yuuta, his brother, Syusuke, Tezuka's fiancée, Yumiko and Oshitari Yuushi were spread out in the huge office. The women stayed together to comfort the pale-looking Ryuzaki Sumire. On the other side, only Inui dared to sit near a tensed and silent Kaidoh Kaoru.
"Sumimasen!" Everyone looked toward the door including Atobe. His secretary walked in quickly and bowed, "There are 2 ladies at the reception who said they have news about Ryuzaki Sakuno."
"Show them in immediately." Atobe commanded.
"Hai!"
"Who are they?" "How do they know where Sakuno is?" "Are they the culprits?" Everyone started talking.
"SILENCE!" Kaidoh Kaoru shouted angrily.
"Minna, let us not jump to conclusion." Tezuka looked over everyone calmly, "Let us hear what they have to say first."
Silence reigned for a few minutes before 2 nervous girls were shown into the room. Before anyone could stop him, Kaoru stomped toward them menacingly and ground out in a deadly voice, "Where's my Sakuno? What have you done to her? ANSWER ME! I'LL KILL YOU IF YOU HURT HER!"
Inui, Syusuke and Yuushi immediately stepped to his side and restrained him. The wide-eyed terrified girls gaped but another person took his place. Atobe stood before them and asked, "What information do you have on Sakuno?"
Wakana and Ryoko looked at each other and nodded. They turned to their audience to say, "Our ex-leader, Aoki has taken her to our former headquarter."
"Headquarter?"
Ryoko said "Hai, it was the headquarter for the now disbanded Kaidoh Kaoru Fan Club."
Tezuka asked with a glare "Where is it?"
Wakana gulped and replied, "It's an abandoned factory building on the other side of Tokyo near Tokyo Shrine."
Atobe snapped his fingers, "Kabaji, find her."
"Usu."
"I'm coming with you." Kaoru shook off the restraining hands and followed Kabaji out of the door. No one else moved as their attention stayed on the 2 girls.
"Now," Atobe leaned forward with a hardened glint in his eyes, "tell us more about your ex-leader."
EEEEEEEEEE
To Be Continued
EEEEEEEEEE
Can Kaoru get to Sakuno on time? Stay tune for the next chapter!
All constructive R&R are most welcomed.
