Disclaimer: I do not own prince of tennis. I only own the characters I created.

A/N - so sorry it took so long. School has been rough but I should be back on track now.

To remember

Tezuka and Sakuno stood at the doorway. Neither one of them dared to interrupt Ryoma's conversation with the frail figure of his adoration.

"What the hell were you thinking putting yourself in danger like that?" Tezuka whispered into Sakuno's ear.

Sakuno whipped her head around to face him. Her eyes burned with anger at his heartless question. "I wasn't going to let her go alone. If you're going to be an asshole...just leave." Her whisper was harsh and angry.

Tezuka receded into himself a little, dropping his head. He realized he was out of line, and he was ashamed of it. Sakuno turned back to peer into the hospital room and thought nothing more of his words. Her eyes were painfully fixated on Ryoma's broken figure resting his head on Sakura's bruised hand.

Her heart was agonizing. She knew this was her fault. She told herself over and over again that she could have done more...that she could have prevented this.

How can I face Ryoma now? I would hate me if I were him...why would he not...I am the reason someone so important to him is in a coma...he loves her, and I went and let THIS happen (tears began to fall, she couldn't stop herself) I can't be here...I shouldn't be here...

Sakuno turned away from the door. "Stay with him, please, I can't be here...so please, just stay with him." She was gone before Tezuka could protest. She ran down the hallway, disappearing into the darkness, tears whisping off her face.

Tezuka didn't hate Ryoma. As a matter of fact he hated himself for what he had done to him. Ryoma was a friend. He was important. He almost felt like a younger brother to Tezuka. Watching Ryoma weep silently at Sakura's bedside ripped into his heart. Tezuka tried to imagine what Ryoma was feeling as he sat himself on the small couch against the wall behind him. The more he thought about the situation, the sadder he got. Tezuka could even feel the hot, salty tears start forming at the corners of his eyes.

Who would do this? What kind of person would do something like this? Poor girl, she is so beautiful, why would someone hurt her? How was she always so intense, so strong while all this was happening to her? (Tezuka's heart swelled with feelings of admiration, sadness, and love for her as he stared at her sleeping face) no wonder they love her so much. She is incredible. Ryoma must be dying inside. Sakuno has got to be in so much pain...

Tezuka stood up slowly. He quietly took the few steps toward Ryoma that separated them. He stood next him, watching over the same broken beauty he was. He placed his hand firmly on Ryoma's shoulder. He was trembling; Ryoma's entire body was shaking. It struck a chord in Tezuka's heart.

Ryoma looked up at Tezuka when he felt his hand touch his shoulder. His eyes were glazed and his expression was pained. All the disdain between the two friends melted away.

"She is going to wake up Echizen...and I'll be here till she does." Tezuka gripped his shoulder a little tighter. Ryoma put his face in his hands; he rocked his body in conjunction with his sobs.

At that time Ryoma didn't care what had happened between Tezuka and Sakuno. Tezuka was his mentor, someone he looked up to. More than that though, Tezuka was his friend...almost a brother...and he was glad he was there. He couldn't save his princess...he didn't protect her or the woman he wanted to marry...regardless of the past, he needed Tezuka there...

Sakuno threw herself onto her bed when she finally got home. She cried. Her tears soaked the comforter below her. She coughed and choked and groaned between gritted teeth as she cried with all her strength.

She wasn't aware of how much time had passed. She eventually found the strength to roll herself over when she had no more tears left in her. The moon was beautiful. It was high in the sky and cast a deep blue light that covered the room through the window. Sakuno stared in wonder up at the glistening ball above her. It reminded her of Sakura's breathtaking eyes.

She thought back through the moments they had together...the first time they met, and how intrigued she was by the little Ryoma that approached her that day on the tennis courts.

The time she found Sakura sleeping peacefully in Ryoma's warm embrace. She remembered how tight her chest was that morning. How anger mixed with heartbreak. The hot tears she cried for days as she dwelled on the image of their sleeping figures. At that time she hated the beautiful girl who had been so close to the only man she had ever loved.

She thought back to the day Sakura furiously screamed the truth at her. How stupid she was for almost ruining the most important relationship in her life. Thank God for Sakura's strength and deep love for Ryoma. If not for her, Ryoma may never have spoken to me again. The tender thought brought a small smile to her face.

Flashes of the days they spent together after that overwhelmed her mind. The growing sympathy she felt when she first witnessed one of Sakura's nightmares. The desire to hold her, love her, and save her from her pain made her understand Ryoma's feelings for Sakura.

She remembered how warm her heart felt as she watched the captivating pair play tennis. The all-consuming joy she felt when the three of them had picnics between practicing. She then thought about how excruciatingly happy she was during the tournament, watching the both of them take the top spots they so deserved.

All of a sudden she was overcome with the still strong emotions of fear, anguish, and pure heartbreak as the memories of the kidnapping came rushing back. Tears began to fall again. She could clearly remember the imposing figure that took them, her cuts and bruises started to burn when she thought of his face.

Her heart re-shattered as she recalled that man throwing Sakura's little body all over the room like a rag doll. She moaned in grief when she started to remember the beatings in the warehouse. The nasty words he spewed at them began to ring in her ears, loud. The memory of Sakura's pained face, her impenetrable silence, and her visibly broken spirit reinstated Sakuno's breakdown.

She was scared. She was scared of losing Sakura. She was scared of the man that hurt them. She was scared of what would happen now. But more than anything, she was terrified of Ryoma. She knew he was suffering, and it was her fault...she knew he was worried, and it was her fault...he had to hate her...how could he not hate her for letting his Hana end up in a coma, beaten and bruised yet again...it was her fault, all her fault...and not even the calming blue light from the beautiful moon that held steady in her gaze could change that.

She lay forlorn on her bed that night, tears streaming down her face, staring out the window, letting the memories play over and over again in her mind.

To be continued