Author's Notes: Chapter 9 is finally up! Still the same reason for the delay, and I'm going NUTS with the lack of net! Anyways, I'm ecstatic with the number of alerts this story is getting. Oh and I've finally hit a 100+ reviews! Thanks to all reviewers! You guys are the one that inspire me a lot!

Read on!

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"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world."

- Brandi Snyder

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|IX: Intense Rage|

He was around five years old when he had first step foot inside a church. He could remember it all too well. The vivid image of the inner facade where there were rows and rows of wooden benches, sculptures of the most holy lining the walls of the place, the breathtaking artistry of the ceiling, and the long aisle that led to the enormous cross. In every attendance alongside his parents and brother, he would always wonder why people would file up in the aisle to partake a piece of a thin, white, oval-shaped strip of bread. Or whenever people would bow their heads with hands clasped for a few moments while uttering soft mumbles. At such a young age, he never actually understood any of these sacred happenings. All he knew was that the firm foundations of the church itself was sanctuary. Unadulterated peace.

Well, not until tennis came.

The emergence of tennis in his life was the newly found source of peace he used to combat the struggles of growing and the world for the matter. It was what brought him the satisfaction and joy of being alive. The reason why he lived.

It was a bright afternoon when he watched his parents walk away towards their flight ten years ago. As young as twelve-years old, he already had a mindset of what he wanted to be and how he would get to there… even if he had to be separated from those he loved and experience a life of being solitary. He could still remember the parting conversation with his parents.

"Are you sure about this, Ryoma?" My mother's face was almost pleading. "It's not too late to come home with us... I know that Ryoga will be with you, but will you be able to manage through everything?"

I nodded my head without hesitation.

"Rinko… you're asking the wrong question." My stupid father remarked before turning to me… surprisingly serious. "Hey. Little boy-"

"I'm not little anymore." I looked at him straight in the eye.

He smirked. "Well… Ryoma. Are you… ready to disregard everything else to enter a landmine?"

I merely stared. I could tell that he saw something in my face to make him laugh out loud and ruffle my hair like that. "For my grand dream."

His father's smile caused his eyes to widen a bit. Was there a hint of pride in there? "Well, whatever makes you happy… little boy."

But how ironic it was that it was also because of his first love had his true happiness been taken away.

"Ryoma… Listen… Hey! Look… RYOMA!"

I did not spare Ryoga a glance as a made my way towards the gate. Just looking at his face already makes me sick. My footsteps resounded in the silent night as I headed towards nowhere in particular. Everything about me just got sucked in a black hole. My insides contained nothing. I was blank. All anger dissipated and was replaced with complete nothingness.

For the first several days, I did my best to survive alone. I resided in a comfy motel and ate cup noodles for my meals. It was enough to keep me awake and practice in the courts all day. But it wasn't long enough that I exhausted my pocket and resorted to earning in a way that you can call… immoral.

I used whatever I had left to keep me alive.

I challenged every person I found in the courts and dealt with them accordingly. It was a good way to vent out all frustrations… and well, earn money. I acquired at least ten dollars a day from the total number of players I beat. This went on for several weeks that I even earned a name of "Prince of Tennis". Until one day…

"My name is Nanako… and I'm your cousin, Ryoma."

I stared at the blue-haired girl as if she was crazy. It was a hot afternoon and I was in the middle of a tennis match… which in all honesty, really can't be considered a match. The big, burly boy on the other side of the court whimpered when I glared at him.

"I don't have time for this bull, lady." I prepared to hit a Twist Serve when the girl who claimed to be my cousin spoke yet again.

"Do not throw your life away like this…" she said behind me. "I know what Ryoga has done… but there is still hope. You're still young… and full of dreams…"

Hell froze over at the instant.

"How can you say that," I turned to Nanako who seemed to have regretted the words that came out of her mouth. "…when my grand dream had been stolen away from me?"

My cousin scrutinized me for a moment. "What is your grand dream, Ryoma?"

"With tennis… I want to be the world."

Nanako's eyes widened as I prepared to serve. The ball hit my opponent square on the face which caused him to be flung backwards. I heard my cousin gasp from behind me.

"Stop it, Ryoma! You're already hurting him!"

My eyes narrowed. "I experienced more hurt than that."

I felt my cousin's arm wound around me. I resisted at first, but I eventually relented when she began to murmur near my ear. "What has happened to you, Ryoma?" I stopped. "Is this how you really play tennis? You can't possibly be the world like this… in fact… you are merely one person. Youcannot be the world. But you can do great things that can change it…"

Enter business school.

And so, he directed himself towards this new path. He was quite content at first. Not until…

"The rookie actually did it! Presenting, our new Grand Slam champion: Echizen Ryoga!"

All happiness had left him. There was not a place in the world that he'd be tranquil. He was aware of Nanako's efforts to make him content and comfortable, but being offered a home wasn't really his idea of being at peace and satisfied. The tennis courts were still where he spent most of his times, but he couldn't really consider it as satiating when every time, he'd be reminded of his lost American dream. But he strived hard. He strived to climb to the top and show the world that he was somebody.

Though he never imagined he'd return to this place for solace…

He glanced at Ryuuzaki Sakuno as she poured her heart out into praise.

…with a newly found love and reason to live.

Her singing engulfed him, the serenity tingling his insides as if coaxing him to totally surrender and alter the adamant part of him that still clung to world detestation. And when she looked his way and beamed did he completely let go.

A small smile found its way on his face as he began to sing with her. He had never felt so peaceful.

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"We're glad to have you back, Sakuno-chan!"

Right after service, Sakuno was bombarded by the enthusiastic greetings of her church mates who missed her greatly. Ryoma allowed himself to blend with the background as he merely watched Sakuno respond and smile at everyone in that elating way of hers. It took quite a while for the catching up to end when Sakuno excused herself from everyone… to head to him.

Ryoma tried his best to remain unperturbed despite the fact he was aware of Sakuno's intent.

He could feel everyone's eyes on them.

He stared at Sakuno's outstretched hand for several moments.

"Everyone would like to welcome us back, Ryoma." Sakuno smiled warmly and shyly took Ryoma's hand herself when the boy remained unmoving. She slowly dragged him towards the waiting group of Christians. "Didn't I say that I'd only return with you?"

Ryoma sighed and felt himself stiffen at the heavy scrutiny he was receiving from everyone. "I feel like I'm unworthy to be in here…" was what he muttered with downcast eyes."I've been a blasphemer for as long as I can remember… and I am not an entirely good man."

Sakuno stopped in her tracks and turned to him. He could not look her in the face, and at this her expression softened. "Everyone is not perfect… but that shouldn't stop us from striving to reach that perfection. First we must start by thinking that there are no distinctions that exist between everyone… We are all the same."

They had resumed walking now.

"No one in here would condemn you for whatever wrong you have done or whoever you are," she started softly. "… For everyone here has sinned. And surely, all of us had been wronged as well… But you must always remember that it is never too late to change, Ryoma-kun… You will never, ever be forsaken in this faith… so there is nothing to fear."

A big load was lifted from Echizen Ryoma at those words.

"Welcome back, Echizen!" everyone greeted.

He glanced at Sakuno. She gave him a nod and smiled.

It was at that, Echizen Ryoma entirely left his dark world.

He turned to everyone. "Yo."

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"W-Where are we going?"

With a completely red face, Sakuno eyed the hand that was currently clasped with hers. They were walking down Wall Street that late afternoon, and Ryoma had insisted they have dinner somewhere in the avenue. His stomach had been growling the entire service, and it amazed Sakuno that his attention wasn't the least deterred despite his rabid hunger.

They stopped when they reached a grand building located at the very heart of the city.

Sakuno gaped at the pokerfaced Ryoma beside her. "I-I don't have enough money on me to eat here-"

"It's my treat…" he murmured without looking at her confused face.

Sakuno blushed. "I-It's not a date, is it?"

Ryoma smirked. "If you want to think so."

"I'll pass!" she immediately exclaimed from embarrassment. "B-But- B-But I still can't enter-"

"Does this have anything to do with you being a baker again?" His eyes narrowed warily.

She instantly shook her head to deny the fact. "… Look at me…" she muttered.

Ryoma obliged. He turned to her. His eyes never left her for several minutes that the intensity of his golden orbs made her blush like crazy. "I don't see anything wrong," he remarked after a long silence.

"Uhm… I-I can't enter like this..." Sakuno pointed to her clothes. "And it would be an absolute bother to go home and change. So I suggest that we just eat in that Japanese stall in the park like the last time…"

"Let's go," Ryoma's hand suddenly found its way clasped with hers again.

Sakuno smiled brightly. "To the stall?"

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Sakuno was at loss for words when they ended up in front of an enormous boutique. She felt Ryoma's hands at the small of her back and a moment later, she found herself being pushed inside the store filled with the most beautiful dresses she had seen in her entire life. Soon enough, there was a group of salesladies that approached them with ready smiles.

"Find her a dress." Was all Ryoma said before slumping himself on the nearby couch and grabbed a magazine.

And it appeared in that one statement, 'a dress' in Echizen Ryoma's vocabulary was 'a hundred dresses' to her.

Before she could even resist, the store clerks had already pushed her inside a huge dressing room.

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He stared.

For a long time.

Sakuno fidgeted with her hands and felt that if it wasn't Ryoma looking at her right now, she would have scampered on her feet to head to the police station and charge the said person responsible for making her uncomfortable. True that dressing her up was something unusual and a massivedifference was notable, but was her appearance thatworthy to have Echizen Ryoma look at her like that?

She was wearing a little black satin dress that reached her mid-thighs which exposed her long, milky legs. There was a red ribbon wrapped around her tiny waist, the dress also adorned with black and red beads that made her sparkle. She was wearing red high heels that stepping out of the dressing room had been quite a challenge. For all she knew, the only kinds of shoes she had were sandals and flats, and her clothes were all skirts that reached her ankles, sweaters and dresses that would have been thought were owned by an old lady's. So basically, Ryuuzaki Sakuno was hopeless when it came to dress-ups. Her looks had always been the least of her worries after all.

But that night… it was as if she was a completely different person.

Not only had her apparel changed, but everything about her appearance. Her hair was free from her usual braids or ponytail. It cascaded beautifully down her bare back, making her look all the more seductive. And she had light make-up on; except maybe for her lips that shined a bright red.

Everyone who looked at her wouldn't have thoughts of her being all-holy.

"I-Is there something wrong, R-Ryoma…?" She finally broke the silence.

It took Ryoma quite a while before he replied. He looked away. "Tsk. You're tempting me."

Sakuno instantly reddened and shifted awkwardly in her place. "U-Uhm… I-If you think something bad will happen b-because I dressed up like this… t-then I guess I'll just be changing back-"

"You underestimate my self-control…" Ryoma interjected and his golden orbs held her gaze intently. "Nothing improper will happen," he said firmly. "…We just came from service you know. I'm stronger than you think."

Sakuno couldn't help but giggle at that.

"… But…"

She turned to Ryoma who had that predatory smirk on his face. The last time she saw that on his face was when she slept over at his condo the night of the 'Echizen feud'. She could remember all too well what transpired right after seeing that smile. A shiver went down her spine.

"… Let me be greedy tonight… and have you completely mine."

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Parading inside that five-star restaurant had been a hugemistake.

Not only had Ryoma shamelessly wrapped his arm around her waist the entiretime (which caused her face to be as red as the ribbon in her dress), they caught more attention than necessary. They had turned a lot of heads. Well, that was pretty expected since she was with Echizen Ryoma. But the responses she stirred in the vicinity proved that they had not paid heed to onlyRyoma.

"She's the one in the video, isn't she?"

"I thought she was with Echizen Ryoga…"

"You have to admit they look good…"

"But she is way out of either Echizen's league…"

Sakuno lowered down her head as they proceeded through the hall.

"Don't mind them…" She felt Ryoma's hot breath near her ear.

They passed several more tables, turned more heads and gained larger attention. But Sakuno's insecurities were nowhere to be found… not when Ryoma's arm possessively wrapped around her made her feel like she was the most beautiful girl in the world. As soon as they took their seats by an enormous glass window, a line of waiters immediately stood in front of them, ready to take their orders. Then an awkward silence ensued after their orders had been taken. Sakuno tried her best to look everywhere else except Ryoma… who was looking at her not-so-discretely the whole wait.

Sakuno 's face was practically on fire. "U-Uhm… I-Is there something on my face… R-Ryoma?"

Ryoma looked away. "No…"

Soon enough, the waiter returned with trays of food. Thus, dinner was served.

"So… How was service tonight?" Sakuno asked almost hesitantly while buttering her bread. For as far as she could remember, the last time she asked this question, Ryoma had coldly replied that it was a waste of time.

"It was refreshing."

Sakuno blinked. She looked up to meet Ryoma's somewhat discomfited gaze. "Y-You really think so?" Her eyes were twinkling.

Ryoma smiled, but tried to hide the upward curving of his lips. "Tsk. It's not something to get so excited about-"

"Oh but it is!" she exclaimed.

Ryoma was taken aback by Sakuno's sudden fervor. "Sakuno…"

She continued to chatter excitedly. "…and I think that this date is actually a good celebration for your change in perspective and new choice of faith…"

There was that predatory smile again. "Heh… So it's a date now."

Sakuno stiffened. She started flailing her hands towards the smug Ryoma. "O-Oh n-no! N-No! I-I meant this date as in the 'date' of today… I-It's March 24, isn't it…?" Ryoma looked unconvinced, and remained smirking. "He-he-he-he… Ah… Nevermind…" She looked away to hide the blush that was slowly creeping on her face.

"But to tell the truth…" Sakuno turned to Ryoma again. "It feels good to be back in a place like that…" He smiled.

Sakuno was stunned… but nevertheless returned his smile. "And it feels good… that after years of praying to see one, I finally witnessed a miracle like tonight… I ask you… If you were to see your brother now and asks for your forgiveness… would you give it?"

Ryoma was silent at first. Sakuno looked expectant. And then, "…maybe…" he whispered.

The two stared at each other for quite a while.

"Excuse me…"

The moment was broken. Both Ryoma and Sakuno turned towards their newly-found company of strangers. And what made their appearance weird was that one of them was carrying a camera.

"Good evening, Mr. Echizen," the woman in the forefront greeted pleasantly. "…and to your lovely companion." He eyed Sakuno with a malicious gaze.

Ryoma scowled. "Leave if what you want is a bother."

The woman laughed heartily. "Ah! I see that you are as blunt and cold as ever, Mr. Echizen!" She stopped when Ryoma glared at her. "But that's what makes everything juicier, don't you see?"

Ryoma's frown deepened. "I don't have time for this—"

"Oh but it's not you we want to talk to, Mr. Echizen…" The woman grinned. "We'd like to have a few minutes with your lovely companion."

Sakuno's eyes widened. What could they possibly want from me?

At the next moment, the woman was beside her, the smile on her face mischievous. "What did you do to gain the affection of Prince Inc.'s most prized vice-president? Have you offered him money? Hmmm… but as far as my research goes, you aren't prominent in any global field. That must be incorrect then. Perhaps you offer your body? If that's the case, how much do you get paid?"

Sakuno had never been more horrified and embarrassed in her entire life.

"That's all bullshit."

Sakuno turned to Ryoma who looked like he was about to commit bloody murder. "Ryoma…"

"Just to let you know… I desire this woman because she is nothing like the rotten people of this world..." He stood up, left several dollars on the table and grabbed Sakuno on the other side of the table.

"W-Wait… R-Ryoma…"

"… and that includes you." Were Ryoma's last words as he headed towards the restaurant's gardens.

"Stop the camera!"

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She liked the feel of the wind brush against her skin. It was soothing, and a fitting compensation for what recently happened. She was currently walking in the gardens alone. The roses and honeysuckles were all lovely. The pond by the oak tree mirrored that night's new moon and the bright lights from the buildings of the city. She looked up. New York had never looked so breathtaking from where she was now.

Honestly, she'd rather be a hermit if what she was going to experience for the rest of her life was intrigues and gossip. What happened to her a while ago was insulting, really.

"I hope Ryoma won't let his emotions dictate his actions…" she murmured to herself quite worriedly.

Ryoma had just excused himself minutes ago, saying that he'd be gone for about ten minutes and deal with things... accordingly. It made her wonder what exactly he meant by 'deal with things', but she decided not to ponder about it, afraid that she's just going to worry herself to death.

She circled the glittering pond and enjoyed more of the splendor of the night through the reflection.

"Such a beauty…"

Sakuno stopped in her tracks. She suddenly felt strong arms wrap around her lovingly.

"And it's a waste to be all alone tonight." Hot breath tickled her ear.

The first thing Sakuno did was turn to the pond. She was stunned upon seeing the reflection that greeted her. Ryoma?

"You are absolutely beautiful tonight… did I tell you that?" he still muttered near her ear. "As beautiful as tonight's moon and the roses in this garden…"

Her eyes widened. She was still too stunned to do anything other than remain in place. "… Echizen Ryoga."

She felt the person behind her begin to shake… then laughter filled the gardens. The young man snuggly holding her in his arms finally let her go and took his place beside Sakuno. "I did not know that you were as perceptive as this, Ryuuzaki. It's seems there is more to you than just being the famed baker I know of, eh?" Ryoga smiled.

"Please don't insult me..." Sakuno muttered. "I've had enough of that tonight."

The older Echizen sibling gazed at Sakuno from the corner of his eye. "Ah… that one a while ago." He looked up to view the moon.

"You were there?" It was Sakuno's turn to gaze at him from the corner of her eye. She was surprised to see the sudden faraway look Ryoga had.

"Being in the same restaurant as Ryoma had been pure coincidence, I swear." He chuckled. "I had been eyeing on the two of you for quite some time… amazed that Ryoma finally looked at someone in a way he looks at you. And of course, everything the lady who approached your table said was utter rubbish…" Sakuno blushed. "Not that I know you that much…" Ryoga turned to the girl and smiled. "But I know my brother… Ryoma would never choose to be with a person who sells herself or uses others to reach the top…" His eyes were suddenly downcast and his voice went a volume lower. "He also believes in the justice that those who work hard would be rightfully rewarded in the end… This had always been his principle… And it was I who proved him wrong."

"What caused your betrayal, Echizan-san…?" Sakuno breathed.

Ryoga turned to the expectant auburn-head beside him, flabbergasted. He managed to compose himself after and said, "You must really be someone important to him to make him reveal his past… Tsk. That chibisuke… burdening this pretty lady with his problems." He smiled. "Well, I guess it would be alright to give you the missing piece of our tale…" Ryoga had that faraway look again. "I was young then. And I too had a grand dream… to play profession tennis." Sakuno's abruptly turned to look at Ryoga full in the face. He looked serious. "When I heard about Ryoma insisting to stay to play for the prominent circuits here and eventually train with a pro, I volunteered to have him stay with me. Honestly, our parents wouldn't have agreed at all if I didn't offer my help." He smiled. "And I am guilty… for having the intention of betrayal from the beginning… Although I'd like to see Ryoma on top of the world someday… I'd like to picture myself more in that place."

The wind howled as there was momentary silence between the two. Sakuno remained looking at the young man beside her still lost in thought.

"But I regret everything…" Ryoga whispered. "Living a life with your brother hating you is more horrible than a withdrawal from the Grand Slam…" He chuckled at his last statement and placed his arms behind his head.

Sakuno gazed at Ryoga long and hard, a thoughtful look on her face. He cares for Ryoma…

Ryoga noticed the how Sakuno was looking at him, and then he laughed. "No need to look at me like that, Ryuuzaki… But even if I try so hard to get in touch with him, he runs away. He detests me. He ignores me. He pretends I don't even exist. Yet all I want is to let him know that I regret everything and would like to have him back…"

Sakuno was at a loss for words. Echizen Ryoga had just revealed a portion of his life to her. "Echizen-san…"

Ryoga reached out to pinch Sakuno's cheek fondly. "This must be how Ryoma feels when with you… It's just that you have something that makes a person at ease-"

"Ryoga."

The temperature suddenly dropped to zero degrees.

Both Ryoga and Sakuno turned to where the voice came from.

"R-Ryoma…" she whispered.

Ryoma could feel his body shaking. His tightened fists were starting to hurt, but it was incomparable to his turmoil of emotions. Why was his brother here… with Sakuno. "Get your hands off of her."

Ryoga instantly withdrew his hand from Sakuno and flailed them. "Hey, chibisuke… It's not what you think…"

Ryoma walked towards his brother and stopped until he was only an arm's-length distance away from him. "Let's have a match."

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He released his grip on his racket.

He fell on his knees.

His head hung low.

Ryoma had never felt so destroyed. It was as if the feelings he had recently let go that afternoon was slowly coming back to him. The strong loathing for life… and the continuous inquiry of 'whys'. How had Ryoga gotten this strong? Was it because of his fate that led to this sudden turn of events? Why was it that even he had already let go, his past still went back to torture him? Did he really deserve all this hurt?

"Do you still hate me for stealing your opportunity years ago, Ryoma?"

Ryoma did not turn to his brother whose shadow he saw was nearing him. He completely crushed him. Why shouldn't he? But an image of a young woman suddenly entered his thoughts. It took quite a while before he responded. "…No."

Ryoma…Sakuno smiled from the sidelines. They were currently in a nearby indoor court.

He looked up, just in time to see the total surprise on his brother's face.

"But why is it… that until now, you still look at me as if you still care for the world you have lost?"

"Tennis… had been my world..."

Ryoga's eyes widened at his tense use. Ryoma looked to his side. The older Echizen followed his brother's gaze and realized that he was looking at Sakuno.

"… but I have a different one now."

The look of shock on Ryoga's face was unmistakable.

"Even if… I tell you that I am willing to return what you have lost?"

It was Ryoma's turn to look shocked.

"I'm withdrawing from my career, Ryoma… and I'm giving back what is rightfully yours."

|TBC|

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Author's Notes:I'm terribly sorry for the LONG wait! I'm hoping that this one made up for it. Actually, it's my finals this week… and I have no idea why I'm writing this chapter instead of studying… Anyway! This chapter had pretty large progress in both the plot and character relationships. I want to know what you guys think! A lot of people have faved and alerted 'Ember', but I'm hoping that everyone would take time to review. I want to know what I need to improve on and etc. And besides… reviews will inspire me more… THUS… a faster update. (grins) Review!

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Reviews are appreciated. Constructive Criticisms are loved. Flames are ignored.

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