Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of tennis or any of its characters. They rightfully belong to Takeshi Konomi-sensei.

Note: To my readers I made a mistake in chapter 12. I uploaded not the latest one I made. Don't worry though there's only the end that's different. Since that scene is supposed to be in this chapter. It would be better to re-read that bit though if you want. Thank you and I'm sorry for the mistake.

Chapter 13

Another day was over, Sakuno was very energetic and Ryoma was spared on giving her a bath that night. Sakuno stretched herself languidly on the bed after Sumire dressed her.

As much as it was cute to see the two together sleeping. Sumire cannot allow a young girl and boy alone in a room. Specially since Sakuno was a cat now, a very bold one at that, she doesn't want to risk it.

Sakuno vehemently resisted not sleeping with the tennis prince but Sumire won't have it.

"Sakuno, go to sleep. Now." she said in a stern voice. Sakuno followed but with a frown, growling quietly when she went to bed.

Ryoma prepared to sleep as well, his body throbbing in the familiar excercise it went through. His body was a bit sore since he pushed himself against Sakuno's never ending energy.

He was, however, unable to dismiss the empty feeling of sleeping alone in the guest room. Ryoma shook his head. 'One night. I only slept with her for a night and I miss it already.' He thought sourly in his head.

Ryoma turned off the light and covered his eyes with his hand. It was really silly in his head but he decided not to run away from the feelings anymore. So despite his uncharacteristic longing he was able to fall asleep. He was still afterall, tired from playing with Sakuno.

The doorbell rang loud in the Ryuuzaki household early the next morning. Ryoma excused himself from the breakfast table to see who it was. Sakuno tried to follow but was restrained by Sumire. A frown marring her face as she rolled her eyes secretly at the older woman.

Upon opening the door, Ryoma was greeted by his teammates gathered on the front lawn. Inui was at the very front looking rather confident. A small bud of hope blossomed in his chest.

A chorus of "Ohayou" and "Sorry to disturb" was announced at the room at large. Sumire quickly took her place on her recliner. An intimidating aura focused on her students who shuffled on the living room taking their seats.

Ryoma sat as well, beside him was Sakuno who found the protruding yarn from the pillow case very interesting rather than the news Inui is to impart.

"So?" Sumire inquired, raising one brow for effect.

Inui cleared his throat before placing three jugs of unknown content on the center table. Ryoma and Sumire looked at it pointedly, looking at Inui in question as to why there was three.

Inui cleared his throat again before adjusting his lenses and peering at his green notebook.

"There are three vials in front of you since we made three batches. Uhm... obviously." Inui wiped his sweat when he felt Sumire's drilling stare upon him.

"These contain different doses of the cat essence that must've accidentally mixed on first juice. This is to ensure higher probability in curing Sakuno's catness." he elaborated.

"I see." Sumire started, eyeing the jugs in mistrust. "Are you sure this won't have any side effects on Sakuno?" she inquired.

Inui nodded his head. "I'm 96.12% sure that it won't." he replied with a bit of confidence. Sumire stared at him for a very long time.

"You're sure?" she drawled out, still keeping her eyes on him. Inui sweatdropped a little before confirming it.

Ryoma was a little apprehensive too. He felt like there's no guarantee that these would heal Sakuno.

"Are you sure this would work?" he asked. Inui nodded again. "I tested them. Each one showing a promising result. However, minuscule differences in the main ingredient led me to create three juices instead of just one. To highten that probability." he explained.

Ryoma nodded, accepting his explanation. Fuji put a hand on Inui's shoulder and moved forward.

"You do not have to worry, Ryoma, Sumire-chan. We all worked together in making that. We assure you that we wouldn't be here if there is very little possibility of curing Sakuno." His eyes opened for a second showing how serious he is.

Sumire sighed, but not before she casted Fuji her deadliest glare for addressing her like that. The kid just got no boundaries when it comes to testing people of their patience.

"Okay, let's start feeding it to her. Nyaa!" Eiji exclaimed excitedly. Sakuno on the other hand, still wasn't taking any heed of what they were doing and was already on the process of unthreading the pillow.

"Sakuno-chi. Try this one. Nyaa!" Eiji shoved the jug in Sakuno's face making her jump in surprise. Hissing at him when she got her bearings again.

"Eiji, stop scaring her." Oishi calmly restrained his partner, taking the juice from him and giving it to Tezuka. Who in turn handed it to Ryoma.

"You're probably the only one who could make her drink that." He said as stoic as ever, his glasses gleaming once.

Ryoma took it with a nod. Turning to Sakuno who had a confused look on her face. She then glared at the thing in his hand with contempt.

"Sakuno." he started gently, as if not wanting to scare her. Sakuno relaxed somewhat but was still on guard. A deep sense of foreboding instinctually flooded her.

Ryoma neared her critically. Showing her the jug. Sakuno kept her glare at it. And was stubbornly keeping her mouth shut when Ryoma tried to make her drink.

"Even Kitty Sakuno refuse to drink your juice. Senpai." Momoshirou commented on the side. Sumire calmly ordered Sakuno and with a deep frown she chugged the first liquid with Ryoma's help.

Her face scrunched in disgust and she tried to cough off the rancid taste that accompanied the said drink. She glowered at all of them after Oishi helped her to some milk.

They all waited for something to change. Sakuno feeling a bit of rumbling from her stomach, clasped it. Her face scrunched as if in pain. All looked at her in hope. Until a large burp rang loud from her mouth. Aside from that nothing significant happened.

"I don't see anything happening? And didn't you even tried to at least make it taste edible?" Sumire commented. Glaring down Inui. The young man started to sweat.

"T-There are still two more." He appeased the older woman by giving her the juice with a much higher dose. She glared at him some more before handing it to Ryoma.

This time it was much harder to make Sakuno drink it. She clawed at Ryoma when he came near her and it took a while before she obeyed Sumire. She looked at them in distrust when the next liquid passed her throat.

This time there was more than the feeling of rumblings in her stomach. She felt hot. Her clothes sticking to her like an unnecessary second skin.

She tried to take it off but was quickly stopped by the regulars. Not only will Sumire kill them if they saw something they shouldn't be seeing. The tennis prince probably wouldn't like that too. However, this reaction does give them hope compared to the previous one.

They watched her for a couple of minutes. Sumire wiping her down to cool her. When half an hour passed, the result came.

Unfortunately, it didn't cure her. Instead it just made Sakuno much more possessive.

They confirmed it when her eyes suddenly became narrowed at all of them. She pounced at Ryoma right away and hissed at anyone getting near. Even if they are male. She crushed his head to her chest, standing guard.

Ryoma blushed scarlet. Doing his best to separate himself from the girl but it was no use. It seemed that it also made her stronger. Since he can't even pry her off of him.

It made it hard to make her drink the very last cup. Since they can't get near without her hissing and growling at them. And Ryoma is currently unable to leave her side.

With a huff, Sumire stood up and went near her granddaughter. Sakuno dared her with her eyes while she challenged it with her own. Despite Sakuno's newly found spunk, she was still no match to the Demon coach.

But she had, had enough of the vile thing. So with a start, she jumped off of Ryoma, towards the back. The regulars followed her. Making sure she did not cross the premises and out to the road.

Sakuno surprised them with her speed and litheness. Leaving them with ease. She got out using the back door. Into the open road. She took off in the direction of a nearby park.

Ryoma cursed. Not letting her out of his sight. Who knows what could happen if others find her in such a state? Grinding his teeth. He just had enough of this silly thing.

Grabbing the juice out of the older woman's hand. He raced against Sakuno. Pumping his legs. Sakuno might be faster than them now but her body wasn't used to the exercise.

And just like he thought, he found Sakuno slumped on a secluded Sakura tree in the park. She was panting heavily. When she felt his presence, her ears and tail stood in attention. Her eyes turning to golden slits as she let out a warning hiss. Upon sighting Ryoma, she visibly lowered her guard and allowed him to come near her.

Ryoma cautiously took a step. When it's clear that she's not angry anymore, his steps became faster. In seconds he was already in front of her, kneeling down to her eye level.

"Sakuno." he started. Sakuno softly mewled at him. Rubbing her head under his chin. Purring slightly, it did however, sounded much sadder than her previous ones.

It was as if she could feel something he couldn't. He carressed her face, and she leaned into his touch. There was uncertainty in his movement but Sakuno came near his face.

She rubbed their nose together and licked his cheek. Then gently, she covered his mouth with her own. It was brief, their lips barely touched for a single moment but he could still feel it tingling.

Sakuno backed away from him. Her chocolate brown eyes staring at his hazel ones. It was filled with content. She took the juice from him and drank it. Something that greatly shocked Ryoma.

However, his surprise was turned into horror when she suddenly fainted. The cup hanging limp from her arms.

Ryoma hurriedly took her in his arms and carried her towards the others. They all looked at her worriedly then to Sumire fearing her wrath but she wasn't even looking at them. Her focus is on Sakuno, worry filling her eyes.

When they laid her down on her bed back to the Ryuuzaki household, they were all holding their breath. Sakuno looked too pale. Just like before but still, it doesn't guarantee Sakuno is cured. Inui took it as a sign that the juice might be working though. He prayed to the Gods that it must be so.

Ryoma held Sakuno's feverish hands. Squeezing it when she groaned in pain.

The sun started to set when Sakuno finally showed that she's stabilizing. Some of the colors are back on her face but she was still sporting a high fever. Thankfully, not as high as that afternoon.

Sumire adviced that the regulars go home but they refused. Saying that they want to watch over Sakuno. Sumire gave up and let them settle in some of her unused guest rooms.

Ryoma on the other hand, never took off his eyes from the girl. He refused to leave her even for a second. So with an even deeper and tired sigh, she allowed him. Not before she and his other teammates made sure that he's comfortable.

Night came, and all were sleeping. Their anxiousness momentarily forgotten. Ryoma, despite wanting to stay awake found himself slowly drowsing and in no time, he too fell asleep. His hand never letting go of Sakuno's.

A few hours more and the juice' effect finally started.

A/N: Let me start this author's note by greeting you a late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I've been busy, I mean I always am. Specially this first week of the year. However, since I wasn't able to update last december, I thought I shouldn't let you wait any longer.

Late Happy birthday to our tennis prince too and advance Happy birthday to our dear princess Sakuno.

Just one chapter more and this book is finally finished. I can't believe it. I'm very thankful to all who stick with me for the past years. For still reading this even though I'm always late in updating.

It's happy and sad at the same time.

However, this isn't the end of me writing fanfics of our ever beloved pairing. I already have a multi-chaptered one in mind. Kind of a sequel to this one.

But mostly it would be one-shots or two-shots. Since you know, I suck at updating. XD

There would also be a bonus chapter for this one too. As a gift to you, my precious readers.

Again thank you and I hope you continue to support me on my future works and even my original stories.

On that note, I shamelessly ask of you. If you're into BL or BxB. I have a new book in wattpad titled "Normal is all I ask." It's a humorous story and I hope you'll be kind and check it out? You'll do me lots of favor for this one.

My username there is still MayCrusade. I hope you could support me. :)

Link: story/92031604-normal-is-all-i-ask