I do not own the Prince of Tennis.

Sequel to Chapter 6

Her hand trembled when she gave him his cup, nearly spilling the hot tea contained in it.

Atobe simply watched her with a hand over half of his handsome face, his sharp dark eyes analyzing her every move. It has been over a week since he sent Ryoma away on a mission. And during that week, he had made Sakuno his personal assistant. During the first few days, he barely noticed her. But as the days grew longer, he found himself staring at her, watching her keenly. And when she was away, even just for the quickest errand, he found himself in a void without her trailing behind him - without him stopping for a second for her to catch up clumsily behind him in the market place - or any place he had needed to be. It was weird. The dependence was utterly foreign to him.

And, as his eyes secretly travelled up to look at the expression on her face, he had yet to see her smile.

When she finally placed his tea in front of him, her dark auburn hair lightly falling over her cheek, her lashes long as they gazed down at the table, her lips smooth, he returned his gaze to the members of his family seated around the large table and proceeded on to talk about the next heist.

That same day, during the afternoon, Atobe was surprised to find Ryoma out at the back with Sakuno. He had not known the young man had already returned.

"Echizen." He called out lowly from the far end of the long corridor. His figure looked fearsome even at a distance. Ryoma turned to face him in an instant, straightening himself. For a split second, Atobe thought he saw a smile on his assassin's usually indifferent and cold features.

"Atobe-san." Ryoma immediately bowed, Sakuno following not a second later. "I just returned."

"And yet you're here?" Atobe said, almost seething. His eyes lashed into a thin malevolent line. "Was it not me who told you about the protocol after each mission?"

"I – It's my fault, A – Atobe-sama!" Sakuno suddenly cried pleadingly, falling into her knees and burying her head under her frail arms, before Ryoma even had a chance to breathe. "I had called out to him."

For a second, Atobe was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise. Ryoma would've laughed at this, but he failed to notice it because just as well, he was shocked by the girl's sudden action. She barely talked, even to him. Then, what happened next chilled Ryoma with a fright he never knew he'd ever feel. His eyes widened, turning to Atobe.

The man was laughing. His dark eyes were unusually warm as they gazed fondly at Sakuno.

Sakuno looked up from the floor, oblivious, clueless. But Ryoma knew what Atobe's lightened mood meant. His heartless employer had grown an attachment.

And Ryoma knew it was too late to break it.

When he returned to his quarters that night, he started devising a plan to escape the household with Sakuno. Because, lest he not, he'd lose her forever.

A/N: Ang hapdi. Walang nag-rereview.