This chapter is dedicated to Chillybean and SavageTrickster! Thank you both for supporting me all this time with consistent reviews! 3

For those who have given me reviews and I have not mentioned, thank you guys so much! You probably have no idea how much they mean to me! ^^ Doumo arigatou!

Here you go, Chapter 8!

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis, only Moriyama Kimiko.

No. No. No no no! Kimiko stared in horror at the television screen.

"IYAAAAAAAAA!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, the high-pitched wail of mourning eerily resonating in the hearts of people for miles around.

Sanada opened the door sleepily, and was shocked to see the visitor—or rather, visitors.

"Tezuka!" He looked down into the boy's arms. "Oi! What's wrong with Kimiko?" he panicked.

"Quickly. Let's speak inside." Tezuka stepped hurriedly into the house while carrying Kimiko in his arms.

Setting her down on a couch, Tezuka spread a blanket offered by Sanada over her and gestured to Sanada to follow him somewhere else. Anywhere else.

"Where can we speak privately?"

Sanada moved quickly to the door, sliding it open and walking out into the foyer. He turned to Tezuka.

Sanada hissed before the other boy could say anything. "What happened to her? She's pale, her hair's a mess, and she's not even dressed properly!"

Tezuka shook his head, and looked up into Sanada's eyes. Sanada recoiled at how bloodshot they were; he never thought he would see this distraught side of Tezuka.

"This morning, Kimiko's parents were found dead a couple of miles from the rubble." Sanada thought he heard Tezuka's voice waver slightly before continuing. "I was called over to her house when the neighbors heard a scream from inside. When I went, I found her fainted on the floor, and I thought it best to bring her to you. My parents are grieving, and while I'd like to take care of her, they have a burden on their shoulders already."

Sanada was shocked. He had never met Kimiko's parents, but after hearing so many stories about them, this came as a horror to him as well.

Anxious, he immediately moved to go back to where Kimiko was, but was caught on the arm by Tezuka. Sanada turned his head to look questioningly back at him.

"I'd like to speak with your parents to see if you could take her in." Not a question. A statement.

"But-!" Sanada tried to protest, but Tezuka shook his head firmly. "She'll be best off here."

Something in Tezuka's voice caused Sanada to accept without resisting. Not that he minded having to take care of Kimiko. He wanted to actually; but he was surprised that Tezuka would give it up so easily. Rather, entrust his beloved cousin to him so readily.

In any case, he would take on the responsibility. He'd be there for her, through rain and shine. And while the storm ahead looked fierce, he'd stick through it…for her. Because she was special. The one and only.

"All right," Sanada agreed, "come with me. My parents are most likely in the study." He moved towards the stairs.

Tezuka nodded in reply, and followed quietly, an ominous silence trailing behind them, hanging menacingly in the air.

Kimiko stirred, opening and blinking her eyes a few times before noticing her surroundings. "Where is this?" She sat up suddenly, almost blacking out once more. "Whoa," she muttered, putting a hand to her pounding head.

Sanada replied, "Tezuka brought you here."

"Is he still here?"

"...No."

Kimiko was quiet for a while. "Did he say why?"

"…Yes."

Sanada's mother put a comforting hand on Kimiko's shoulder. "Please don't stress yourself out; your future is a long road ahead."

Kimiko assuredly patted the hand in gratitude, but the older woman swore that the girl's hand lingered for a split second in its shakiness. Was it my imagination?

Taking a deep breath, Kimiko nodded, "Yes, I understand. Thank you."

Sanada's grandfather and father also offered their condolences, to which she nodded in thanks.

"Well then," she said cheerfully, getting up from the couch, "I should get going about now."

"Where to?"

Kimiko froze, and Sanada knew his suspicions had been right. She didn't want to go home… now her parents weren't just away; they were gone.

Sanada interrupted the silence he had created, informing her, "Tezuka has left you in our hands. You'll stay with us for now."

"No, that's—" Kimiko shook her head.

Sanada's mother again spoke up. "Kimiko-chan, please stay with us. We should get through this together." She added in a whisper, "Gen-chan's grandfather was acquaintances with your parents. He's having a hard time too. Will you stay with us for him, as well?"

Kimiko glanced at Sanada's grandfather. He smiled weakly back at her. She sighed. "All right then, I'm sorry to impose on you but I'll be staying here for a while, so I'm in your hands."

Sanada breathed a sigh of relief. If she was with him, he could rest a little easier; at least he could watch over her closer. He put a hand on her shoulder and turned her in a certain direction, pointing out her room, which was close by. "Turn right and then left, and the room next to the bathroom is yours. Sorry it was all we have."

She shook her head again. "That's so much already. Thank you." She stood up again, and said, "If you do not mind, I'll retire to my room first. Excuse me."

She bowed and walked quickly to her new room, the sound of her footsteps growing smaller and smaller.

Sanada sat still after he heard the door close…At least he tried to. Not moments later, he pushed back his chair, looking at his family. "May I…?"

"Go," his grandfather shooed him. "Go to her. She needs you the most at this moment."

Sanada nodded once and then hurried off. Kimiko…

Kimiko slid the door closed and ran to her bed, throwing herself onto it, face first into the mattress.

Silent sobs racked through her body as she whispered desperately into the sheets, "Papa…Mama…why was it you? Kami-sama, why them?"

Why me…

Why them…

"WHY?" Kimiko flung her head up to cry out in her suffering. Her heart felt like it was being split into thousands of pieces, shattered into shards that would be flung away by even the lightest breeze.

Sanada stood outside Kimiko's room, his hand hovering next to the handle, unsure of what to do. If he entered now, what could he do for her? But just hearing her in her pain…his open hand curled up into a tight fist, his nails digging into his palm.

A high-pitched scream suddenly resonated in Sanada's ears; the mourning tone sent a shock through his own chest.

He flung the door open and rushed to Kimiko's side, sitting on her bed and gently cradling her up in his arms in a matter of seconds.

"Kimiko, Kimiko," he soothed frantically, instinctively petting her hair and trying to calm her even though his own heart was beating just as hard with panic and sorrow.

She said nothing, but intuitively threw her arms around his neck and buried her face into his shoulder. She wanted to latch onto something, someone—anything that she could lean on for support. As the sobs racked through her, Sanada could feel the wetness welling up in his own eyes as the tears ran down in warm rivers onto his shirt.

He embraced her as tightly as he could, helpless to calm the grieving in her heart. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he repeated, guilty and frustrated.

I'm so sorry.

Your pain is my pain.

Yet, I am useless; I cannot sooth your sorrow.

Forgive me…because this is all I can do for you.

REVIEW! PLEASE! Sorry it's too short! I think that was the best place to stop...

Btw, if you have time please check out my other stories from Prince of Tennis: Crush (RyomaSakuno), Daydreaming Cause You're This Close (TezukaSakuno)!
If you read/watch Gakuen Alice, then please check out "You Made Me Smile!"