Hi there! I am in a panicky mode now. But I hope I could make this chapter fine.

Just sharing: When I wore the jersey at work they were all shocked to see me with that get up and said 'Kaw na si Ryoma' (You are Ryoma already). Tee hee hee, they were so funny. I drank Milo chocolate while wearing it (considering like Ponta) and tennis key-chain on my bag... Tell me, am I not that obsess about the anime? Hmmmm.

For Ryoma's B-day and Christmas fics... Everybody IS Here and Underneath the Mistletoe are on the house. Domo... ^_^

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Prince of Tennis. Sighed…

Chapter 21: You're so close yet so Far

Chapter Summary: She was miles away from the others while she was celebrating New Year with her parents. Everything was different in Venice without her grandmother and…

'I miss you

Been far away for far too long

I keep dreaming you'll be with me

And you'll never go

Stop breathing if

I don't see you anymore…'

Nickelback – Far Away

'The floating city'… 'Undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man' and New York Times acknowledged as one of 'Europe's most romantic cities' in the world. There was no doubt about it.

Venice was definitely the most romantic cities she ever visited. Practically, Venice was the first place she ever visited. That's why she was excited to go to places which were outside Japan. She never experienced something like this before.

"Can you please behave like a fine lady, Sakuno. You are embarrassing me." Chris who was beside her spoke and was being irritated on her behavior. They were currently cruising' the place with a ferry boat that afternoon when they arrived to the city. They explored the city which was covered with water. Cars were seldom seen from the city so people preferred to explore the place by foot or by boat. They haven't seen the Grand Canal yet much to Sakuno's curiosity. Chris had promised her that they would visit and explore the place some other time.

"G-gomen… Chris-kun. I-it's just that… I've never set foot to any country before." She looked down to hide her embarrassment. He was right after all; she was acting like a child right now.

Chris just looked at her with bewilderment, "You really are something," he said. Sakuno just blushed. She just didn't know how to start a conversation with him. He was something that she needed to be careful about. True to her words, she didn't know her fiancé that well yet.

The trip was short since it was their first day so they needed to rest. Her parents went ahead to the hotel that they were staying while Chris decided to explore the city of Italy for a while, tagging her along. They rode off the ferry and walked their way to the hotel… the Caffè Florian, one of the luxurious establishments of the city.

They entered the hotel and because it was her first time, she couldn't believe herself. The place was definitely gorgeous and extravagant. The place was for rich and famous only as she could see people that she didn't know but could distinguish how wealthy they were. Chris left her for a while and talked their language to her surprised. She could hear them but she didn't know what they were talking about.

C-chris-kun can speak Italian… He's amazing. She thought as she stared at him talking to the receptionist. Chris walked back to her and said;

"They said that our parents were here already. Let's meet them now." Chris announced to her.

She felt nervous when he said that. His parents were there too, they were friendly but she was still afraid to face them again, "I-Is this alright? I-I mean-" she flinched when he held her hands.

"It's going to be alright, you're beautiful." He said with assurance on his voice. She barely counted the times he became soft to her and he was expressing one right now.

She smiled at him and nodded. They walked to the hallway and reached for a room. Chris stopped her from entering and faced her. He tipped her chin and leaned closer. She was a bit tense but she didn't move. She closed her eyes tightly. Chris was going to kiss her.

I-it's going to be alright. H-he's my fiancé so… i-it's alright. She thought and convincing herself but some part of her wasn't following her thoughts. She waited for the kiss that he was going to give her.

He was closed to kiss her but he saw her closed her eyes… tight. He was a bit shocked when the girl did that. He didn't take actions for a while but decided to continue and leaned to kiss her cheek instead. He saw Sakuno's reaction of shock after he kissed her there. He knew that the girl wasn't expecting that from him. He distanced himself from the girl and gestured her inside, "Everything will be fine. Change first before seeing our parents. I'll wait for you here." he opened the door for her.

Sakuno on the other hand nodded as she went inside. She was shocked when Chris just kissed her on the cheek not to her lips. She sighed slowly and felt relieved. The boy didn't kiss her. She looked ahead only to be surprised, the room was really large and cozy. She saw the big glass chandelier above just in the middle of the room. The room was like for parties as she could see priceless gem and jewelries around her. From her position, two maids served her much to her embarrassment. They helped her changed. When she was ready, she went out and met the stunned Chris in front of her.

She was wearing a dark blue and white Tiered Pin-Tuck Dress made of smooth cotton and chiffon that covering her knee length. Also chiffon, cravat, sleeves, waistbelt and brooch were detachable but she was wearing them all. The dress was also designed with double layer chiffon trimmings and out layer open front with prints and lace lines. Her hair was down with curly locks. She was wearing a blue ribbon at the back of her head that fits to her dress.

"A-am I… okay?" she blushed.

Chris blushed a little as he coughed and walked to her, "You look stunning I say," He offered his arm and said, "let's go, we wouldn't want them to wait any longer."

"U-un," she said shyly while inserting her hand to his arm and walked together, reaching for the room where their parents were waiting.

xxx

They entered a large dining hall that Sakuno never ceased to amaze herself. Everything felt unbelievable for her. Food were catered and served by elegant waiters who were cooking on the spot. Chris led her at a large table where her parents were with his parents talking to each other. The four elders stood up when they arrived.

"My dear Chris and with his beautiful fiancée," The lady with her early thirties started and kissed Sakuno on the cheek, "My, my, what a grown lady you have become. It seems like we didn't see for ages." She laughed normally making the girl blushed.

"N-nice to meet you again, A-aunt Mary, Uncle Jones," She said as she gave respect to the elders. When the two smiled and bowed, she looked at her parents and greeted them as well.

They started to eat their early dinner. There was no doubt about it, the food were delicious that Sakuno could never resist. The elders just shook their head. It was fun seeing her reaction like that as they thought.

"Sakuno is such a sweet child, isn't she?" Mary said facing her husband with his late thirties but looking gorgeous still. The elders both have blonde hair like Chris. The lady was wearing an old Victorian dress while the gentleman was on his traditional black tuxedo. Her parents were wearing their western style clothes while Chris wore his blue suit, comparing to her dress.

"She sure is," Jones said smiling back at his wife, "She is going to be a wonderful wife to our son here in the future."

Sakuno was surprised on their conversation. They were already talking about their future. It's Chris and her future to be exact. Somehow, she didn't like hearing those expectations, at least not for now. She just didn't know what to do.

"So Reina, what are you planning to do next year? I heard that it will be Sakuno's 16th birthday." Mary asked her mother.

Reina looked up to Reinja before telling them their plans, "We are holding a ball on her birthday and everyone is invited. The celebration will be held public as they will witness our little princess being a flower who's going to blossom soon."

"This is going to be big, I can say," Reinja talked, "we will make sure that the celebration will be successful."

Sakuno couldn't retaliate what they were actually talking now. She had completely forgotten about her birthday. Her birthday was approaching; the contract between her parents and her real parents was becoming stronger. Her mind was elsewhere, she didn't know if she was excited about her birthday. Something was stopping her but wasn't aware what. She flinched when a hand touched her hand on her lap. She looked to her right and saw Chris staring at her.

"It's okay. I am here." the noble boy said.

She stared at him for a while. She felt a little relieved when the boy said that to her. Still something was not right with his stare. His eyes were telling her something not to cause a scene or else she would embarrass him. She gulped secretly as she nodded. They were lots of thoughts that were invading her mind. She didn't want to feel but she couldn't breathe freely being surrounded by those people who had high expectations of her.

The dinner went well. They decided to give the travelers to rest early that night.

"Have the wonderful night's rest today, honey," Mary said kissing the girl's cheek, "Chris will tour you around Venice tomorrow."

"H-hai, thank you very much for the warm welcome," she said kissing her back, "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Of course," she said and then turned to her mother and also gave her a peck on her cheek, "Sleep well tonight and we will talk about her birthday celebration more tomorrow."

"You are such a great help, Mary," Reina said, "Well be going then."

The couple part ways. Chris kissed her cheek before walking with his parents. Sakuno walked with her parents and went to their suite. The suite was big enough for three as they entered the room. Reina gestured her to her room and never ceased to surprise how humongous her room was.

"Good night, dear." Reina kissed her as well as Reinja.

"G-good night Mom, Dad. Thank you for today." She blushed.

"Be sure to have wonderful memories while we are here, okay." Reinja said patting her head.

"H-hai."

With that, they entered her room and changed for an evening gown. She hadn't needed maids to help her change and she was thankful that she didn't see one. After changing, she went to her bed and lied there thinking a lot of things. She remembered Ahiru and Fakir who were left behind from the mansion. It was odd that they were not there when they went to Venice. Probably the city was not that dangerous to stay. She could remember Ahiru's blushing face when she got home from that mansion last night. Something must have happened between her and Fakir while she was away. She couldn't stop herself from smiling as she thought about them. Capella was so happy to see her but sad when he learned that she was going away again. She tried to ask permission to bring Capella along but her parents declined her request this time. They said that it was supposed to be a family bonding so no outsiders included. She felt sad about Capella but she promised that she would do something for him when she came back. Then she remembered her grandma, the regulars and Ryoma. She blushed when she remembered the boy.

What's going to happen to me when everything is out of my hand anymore? Her eyes became soft and fluffy. What am I suppose to do if I can't control everything? Will you tell me…

She wasn't able to continue her thoughts as she was defeated by her own tiredness and sleepiness.

The next morning:

"Christopher-san!"

Chris and Sakuno looked behind them. They were about to leave to explore the city when someone called the former's name. Chris growled when he saw who was approaching them. She looked at him and to the person. It seemed that he didn't want to see the newcomer. She looked at the grand stairs at the lobby and saw a very fine lady with her beautiful pink Victorian dress. The girl had pink long hair that was loosen on its back and was wearing a hair band featuring two flowers on both sides of her ears. She was running down the stairs and looked very elegant to her eyes.

"She's beautiful." She whispered when the girl finally approached them.

The girl hugged him tightly much to the boy's surprise, "I didn't know that you were in Venice."

"M-milfie, let go." Chris said trying to get away from her, "Can't you see we are leaving."

"B-but still, you should have informed me." The girl pouted in front of them and then the girl looked at her much to her surprised. She was surprised even more when the girl suddenly approached her and held her hands tight, "You must be Sakuno."

"H-hai…" she said looking at the girl. H-how did she know my name? She thought but she never said it. The girl talked again as if reading her thoughts.

"My name is Milfeulle Sakuraba, Christopher-san's younger sister."

"E-eh?" she was surprised to hear that from her. C-chris-kun has a younger sister? B-but t-they don't look alike… a-and her name is… train of thoughts keep ringing to her mind as she was having a hard time absorbing them.

"She's my stepsister."

"Christopher-san!" Milfeulle retorted and then she looked at her, "By the way, you can call me Milfie."

"Milfie, that's enough." Chris said glaring at the girl.

"B-but Christopher-"

"You have no right to set foot here in the first place. And don't you ever cling on to me like that ever again. You are just someone's daughter that my father bore from."

Milfeulle and Sakuno were both shocked on his words. The boy was harsh on her. He then grabbed her and left the girl in shock. Sakuno looked back at Milfeulle and saw her looking sad. The latter looked down and couldn't paint her face. She must have been hurt a lot.

"C-chris-kun, I-I think you are a bit rude to Milfie-san." She tried to talk to him.

"Be quiet. Don't you ever bring her in any conversation as long as we're here, got it?" He said.

"B-but-"

"Got it?" he repeated looking at her with his stern eyes.

Being shocked on the stare, she nodded immediately, "H-hai."

After the short incident, they explored the city once again. She had forgotten the girl as they went to the Grand Canal. They road a gondola and looked around her. They went passed through bridges and saw beautiful landmarks and buildings around them. It took several minutes before getting off the traveling boat. They went to different places after that. It was too much that she couldn't remember the other places that they went.

xxx

The week was tiring for her but she enjoyed it. They went to different places such as Piazza San Marco and the very famous Louis Vuitton for jewelries. Chris bought her an expensive silver necklace much to her denial but the former insisted.

'This is my Christmas gift for you.'

She remembered him said that. The necklace was priceless and she was afraid to wear the jewelry now. They also went to a museum to view beautiful artifacts about Venice. Glasses were very common in the city but it served as the city's asset for the tourists who would go and visit the place. On December 30th, they went to Pisa, Venice neighboring city which was 6 hours ride by train. A ride of four hundred kilometers was not easy but she enjoyed seeing the leaning tower of Pisa. It was already night when they arrived back to the hotel. She never saw Milfeulle again and she had been wondering what had happened to the poor girl. She thought that she could talk to the girl. Milfeulle looked like a nice and kind girl to her.

"You seem to be enjoying a lot, Sakuno." Reinja said when Chris took her back to their suite and left afterwards. The girl blushing as she nodded.

"Tomorrow will be exciting. We are going to welcome New Year's in some high place in the Grand Canal where we could see a great view of fireworks." Reina said as she looked at her husband.

Sakuno felt excited about tomorrow. But she felt something was missing. She was not that happy and she hated to admit it.

She missed everyone at Seigaku. And she was not going to welcome the New Year with everyone.

December 31st, New Year's Eve in Seigaku:

Any minute by now, they would be welcoming the New Year in their backyard. The regulars had decided to welcome New Year's Day together on top of a hill together with their coach along with Tomoka and the trio. They could see several fireworks that lit up from the sky. And the regulars started lighting their fireworks as well. Eiji began swinging his firework making everyone sweat dropped. Momo did the same thing and battled with Eiji. Oishi tried to stop them but the two wouldn't seem to stop. Kawamura became brandishing his firework and began chasing the others. He could've mistaken the firework to his racket. Tomoka and Horio were at the bell shrine praying. Horio stole a kiss from Tomoka's lips earning him a reflexive punch. Horio fell back on the ground. The others looked at them and laughed on the show.

"Baka! I told you not to surprise me like that. You stupid!" Tomoka began rampaging but she went near him.

"Why? Is it wrong to kiss my girlfriend? You should be used to it now." Horio retorted. He felt embarrassed already. He felt like being a teaser for a while since it would be the end of the year. When Tomoka grabbed his hand, he pulled her down and grabbed her nape with his other hand, locking her there so that he could kiss her for the second time.

Tomoka's eyes widened. Her boyfriend was never this bold before. She could see different reactions from their senpais, even Kachiro and Kastuo were blushing on Horio's actions. She let him kiss her for a while before giving him another exposable punch.

"YOU ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION, YOU JERK!"

Everyone laughed really hard.

"Nice move you got there Osakada-san" Momo said.

"There goes our little Horio flying." Eiji said placing his hand on top of his eyebrows and looked at a distance where Horio was animatedly sent away.

They continued laughing. Tezuka, Kaidoh and Ryoma were there but not saying anything. Fuji and Inui were talking about something while looking at the others.

"Na, Echizen. Come and have fun with us." Momo said approaching the boy.

Ryoma who was drinking his ponta replied, "No thanks."

Momo wouldn't allow him and grabbed him on his neckline, "Oh no, you will come and join us."

"Senpai! Hey! Let go!" he struggled as he was being dragged by his senpai. In the end, he lighted a firework by force but seemed to be enjoying it afterwards. He smirked when they played a small game like whoever lights worn off first would be the loser and the firework who survived would be the winner.

Ryoma won of course, "Mada Mada Dane, senpai-tachi."

"Ah! No fair, let's have another round nya." Eiji dared and played all night. They waited until midnight.

xxx

Ryoma walked a bit far away from them. He went to the hill where he could see some fireworks being displayed above him. He looked up at his watch. Five minutes before midnight. Five minutes before New Year's Day came. He felt odd and he somewhat knew why. He secretly looked behind him. He could see everyone but someone was missing. His senpais were there as long as his coach. The trio were there too and the loudmouthed girl was there as well bickering with her boyfriend as usual.

Yap. Someone was definitely missing.

He looked back to the scene as if thinking something deeper that he didn't notice someone approaching him.

"Ryoma." The person tapped his shoulder making him flinched a little.

"S-sensei." He looked up at his coach who was staring ahead like he was doing.

"You miss her too, don't you?" Sumire asked him.

His eyes widened when she asked him that. He pinned his hat down and said, "I don't know what you are talking about?"

"I can read you, Ryoma. You look like a son to me just like I treated my granddaughter as my own," Sumire sighed, "I miss her so badly. She's the only family that I have."

He didn't reply to her words. It's not just he didn't intend to say anything; he just didn't know what to say. He noticed how hard for his sensei to be away from her granddaughter. He didn't know when but he was beginning to pay attention to his coach now, maybe because she was her grandmother.

"Ah," Sumire reacted catching his attention as she yanked her cell phone in her pocket, "I forgot I need to call someone," She searched for a number, "I have a favor to you Ryoma. Could you talk and surprise this person for me. It's my friend and we haven't talked for a while." She gave the phone to him and before he could protest she interrupted;

"Please, just give my friend a call and just say my name. That person would be delighted." Sumire pleaded.

Ryoma looked at his coach. He had a questioning look on his face before looking down at the phone. It was a roaming number. That means her friend was overseas. He sighed as he pushed the call button and brought the phone to his ear. He really didn't know what to say but he would follow what his coach was telling him. The phone was ringing for three times before a voice suddenly heard from the other line making his eyes widened.

'Hai, Obaa-chan?'

He didn't talk as he was trying to recover from the shock... a little shock anyway. He looked at his coach with another questioning reaction. Sumire was smiling and nodded to him.

'Hello?' the other line talked once again when he didn't talk.

He closed his eyes as he spoke, 'Ryuzaki-sensei said she misses you.'

xxx

Her eyes widened when she recognized the voice. R-ryoma… kun. She thought as she blushed really hard. It was her turn to be quiet. She didn't know what to say to him and why was he holding her grandmother's cell phone.

'Are you still there?'

'E-eh? H-hai.' She said and then someone tapped her and looked at the person.

"Who is that?"

She looked away from the earpiece a little, "I-It's Obaa-chan. D-do you want to talk to her?" she asked Chris who was beside her. She regretted about asking him to talk to her grandmother. What if he agreed?

"No it's okay. Take your time talking to your grandmother. I'll be just right here." he said distancing himself to her.

"H-hai," she said and felt relieved when he said that. She remembered the boy so she talked once again, 'S-sorry about that. C-chris-kun's with me.'

'hmmm.'

Silence erupted between them.

'H-how's everyone?'

She heard him sighed, 'Seriously Ryuzaki, you are ALWAYS asking me that.'

'g-gomen, I-I miss everyone that's why.'

'They're with me. Ryuzaki-sensei's beside me.'

'I see… everyone's there too.'

"Sakuno go over here. The fireworks are about to start." Chris shouted a little. They were in a high place in Grand Canal with their parents and waiting for the fireworks to come.

'I-I need to go now. C-chris-kun is waiting for me.'

'Don't hang up.'

'E'eh?'

'Go but don't hang up. Pretend that you are talking to your grandmother.'

'h-hai.' She responded as she walked closer to them.

'This is my payback for him the last time.'

'E-eh? W-what do you mean?'

'Stay on the phone at least more than twenty minutes.'

Her eyes widened once again as she heard him said that. He was telling him about the cable car incident and what had happened between them. She blushed because of that. She looked at Chris when the boy noticed her blushing. She said out of the sudden.

'I-I miss you.' and it was too late to take her words back.

Ryoma was a bit shocked when she heard him, 'who are you telling that?'

'Ummm, to everyone, To you… Obaa-chan.' she whispered the last word. She hoped that the boy would get her message and she was right.

'Ah,'

Not long before the dragon fireworks began coloring up the dark sky. Both parties could be heard their noises and greetings as they welcomed the New Year. They both watched the colorful dragon fireworks dancing in different places.

Ryoma and Sakuno's places.

'Akemashite Omedetto Guzaimasu Obaa-chan,' Sakuno said while looking above the colorful display, 'T-tell Ryoma-kun and the others, Happy New Year as well.'

'Un,' He said. Somehow, he felt a bit overwhelmed when the girl mentioned his name, 'Akemashite Omedetto, Ryuzaki.'

Like Ryoma intended to do, he talked to the girl for more than twenty minutes.

Done! How was this chapter? I hope you liked it… and there it is… ChrisSaku… err… (Was there a pairing like them? Readers will kill me for sure… waahh…) Yeah… Chris is slowly starting to show his real self… Anyway I still hope that you like this…

As you can notice Sakuno is starting to wear Lolita dresses, sometimes Gothic sometimes light and cute ones, it depends on the mood. I hope you can picture the way she dresses here... Thanks...

Milfeulle Sakuraba – the protagonist from Galaxy Angel. She is cheerful and has strong, extraordinary luck in the anime so I'll try to make her like that here… She's more than meets the eye.

Akemashite omedetto – Happy New Year

The information of Venice, Italy places are all from Wikipedia. I don't own anything and also I don't own Galaxy Angel too. Zero related.

Review please… I want to know… If you don't want me to lose interest about continuing then motivate me to write more… If only you know, a word from you is enough for me. I hope you understand my feelings... Domo...

To: Minna,

Akemashite Omedetou Guzaimasu!

From: MitsukiJunko

Next Chapter: Turning Off Situations