Thanks to AelitaOfTheWolves and Girl-luvs-mangafor reading and reviewing Chapter 10!

Disclaimer: Nothing in POT belongs to me. All OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments are just figments of my imagination.

Thanks to princeoftennis .wikia .com for all the relevant information.

CAUTION: Some plot lines won't be following the original storyline from manga, anime or movie! Characters may be out of character!

"xxxxx" Conversation

'xxxxx' Thoughts

xxxxxxxFlashback


Hope, Love, Joy

31. The Departure

"Do you have everything with you, Seiichi? Your ticket? Your passport?"

"Hai Okaasan. I have them here in my jacket."

"Don't let your guard down, Seiichi. You are going to a foreign country after all."

"I know, Otousan but I'm not worried. Besides, Tezuka is going to be my guide for the first few months in Berlin."

"It's good you know someone there. Oh dear! (Sniffles) I can't believe my boy is going to be (Sniffles) so far away." Yukimura Seiichi stood uncomfortably as he watched his father comforting his distressed mother.

"Nisan, I don't want you to go." Hana clung to him with her slim arms around his waist.

He knelt on one knee to give her a hug and a kiss on her forehead. "I'm sorry you felt that way. Hana-chan but Nisan isn't going away forever. Just for 4 years or so."

"Demo I'd miss you a lot." She pouted, giving him puppy eyes which did not work on him.

"I'd miss you too, Hana-chan. Neh, when I'm not around, you need to take care of Otousan and Okaasan for me, ok?"

"Hai!" She nodded solemnly and walked over to her parents' side.

Seiichi stood up and looked around the party who had gathered early that Saturday morning to send him off at the airport. The current and ex-Regulars of Rikkai as well as the few ex-Regulars of Seishun were standing around in small groups chatting together.

However, the one person he wanted to see the most was missing. A hand clamped on his shoulder and Seiichi looked up to the stoic face of his friend Sanada Genichirou.

"What is it, Genichirou?"

"She might be on her way here, Seiichi."

Seiichi smiled at his attempt to reassure him but in his heart he was doubtful. Sakuno had never said she would come to send him off. He wasn't sure if he wanted her to come because he might not want to let go of her.

He waited and waited but she never showed up. The airline finally called for the passengers of the flight to Berlin to start boarding the plane.

"It's time to go, Seiichi." His father patted him on his slumped shoulder.

His sad eyes swept through the departure area one last time before he gathered his things. He said his goodbyes to his contemporaries and gave his family lingering hugs.

At the security check point, he turned back to wave at his family and friends. He turned away to make sure none of them saw the one tear that slide down his left cheek.

'Why didn't you come, Sakuno?'


32. The Letter

It was an hour later after the plane had taken off when Seiichi discovered a letter tucked into the pocket of his jacket. He studied the letter with puzzlement, 'How did it get there?'

Then he remembered the last person who had stood close to him besides his family. 'Sanada?'

He opened it and began reading it.

Dear Seiichi,

Gomenasai for not being there at the airport. I've asked Genichirou-san to give this letter to you to explain why I wasn't there.

I was scared to see you, Seiichi. I could see myself crying and pleading for you to take me with you or for you to stay with me. Isn't that silly? That's why I've stayed away, Seiichi. I never want to be a hindrance to you.

I have said I would support you wherever you go and I meant it wholeheartedly. However, deep inside my heart, I was also reluctant to let you go because I was so afraid I would lose you the way I've lost my Okaasan and Otousan. So please forgive me, Seiichi, for not sending you off at the airport with the senpai-tachi.

You have such brilliant tennis skills and many things are waiting for you out there in the world. Seiichi, go and achieve your dreams. Just come back to me soon, onegai.

With love, Sakuno

Tears fell unto the paper before he crushed the letter into his chest.


33. The Long Distance Phone Call

Sakuno sighed for the fifth time and reluctantly turned her attention back to her homework. She couldn't stop thinking about Seiichi and the letter she'd asked Sanada to give to him.

'Is he angry with me? I hope he understood why I couldn't be there.'

She remembered how she had steeled herself to stay put at the dormitory on that Saturday morning Seiichi left Japan. She even went so far as to lock herself in her dorm room.

Sakuno had called Seiichi's parents on Sunday morning to explain her absence and they had said they understood her predicament. As for the ex-Regulars, she was sure they would know about it soon through Sanada Genichirou who had stubbornly extracted an explanation from her before he promised to give her letter to Seiichi.

Her mobile rang interrupting her musing. She answered without looking at the screen.

"Moshi! Moshi!"

"Hello, Sakuno." His familiar voice from thousands of miles away warmed her heart immediately.

"Seiichi, you've arrived safely?"

"Hai. I just got off the plane and Tezuka helped me to connect this call."

"I see. Ano..."

"You weren't there Sakuno when I wanted to see you so much." Tears sprang in her eyes at his dejected tone.

"I'm sorry, Seiichi and..."

"By the way I've received that lovely letter you've written to me."

"Gomen, Seiichi for..."

"Don't apologize, Sakuno. In a way, I do understand. In fact, I think I would have kidnapped you and took you with me if you had shown up at the airport." They shared weak laughs and lapsed into silence.

She sighed and whispered longingly, "I miss you Seiichi."

"I miss you even more Sakuno. Please promise me something, Sakuno."

"What is it Seiichi?"

"Don't stop loving me."

"I'd ask you the same thing too, Seiichi."

"I love you Sakuno."

"I love you Seiichi."

"And Sakuno...wait a minute..." Sakuno could hear someone talking to Seiichi in the background.

A minute later he got back on the phone, "Sakuno, Tezuka said we have to catch a train soon. I'll call or email you as soon as I've settled down."

"Ok. Please send my regards to Tezuka-san and take care of yourself too, Seiichi."

"I will. Bye!"

"Bye!"

Sakuno flopped on her bed tiredly and smiled weakly. 'How do I live without you here for the next 4 years, Seiichi?'

To Be Continued …

Please R-n-R!

Constructive criticisms are welcomed!