Disclaimer: I do not own PoT.

Chapter 25: The plan

Tezuka had addressed all the Seigaku regulars of what was going to happen, and told them on how to act accordingly. Sakuno who wasn't in the changing rooms could hear the plan from outside, so she was made aware of what is going to happen as of today.

"Ryuuzaki will first go back to her own house before coming by to help out with our training and returning back to her house once it is all done."

Eiji raised his hand as he bounced up and down.

"Nya! Buchou, why? We could just make sure that the woman doesn't find out! I like having Sakuno-chan here all day!"

"There is no choice, it is for safety. Plus she would be there most of them time only that she wasn't staying there."

Fuji smiled serenely as he asked

"Who is this person?"

"Chiz, some Misao girl from the news club."

"Eh, Ochibi, how did you know? You gallantly saved her yeah? You go man!"

"Misao Sato, she is one of the most knowledgeable girls in the news committee about everything. She is the secretary for the news club thus her access to information is boundless, known as the one reporter who was sure to get her hands on what she calls as truth."

"Fshhh, some crazy woman."

"I think perhaps we better follow the plan."

"Ok, so it is agreed. Can you hear well Ryuuzaki?"

"...Hai."

One by one they all made their way out of the door alongside Sakuno they walked back to Tezuka's house. With an exception they had to drop by Ryuuzaki residence, leaving Sakuno there to explain they walked back to Tezuka's house.

Misao was waiting in the bush her eyes glimmering, so she wasn't wrong! The seigaku regulars were hanging out at Tezuka buchou's place! Misao quickly counted:

Fuji fiddling with his camera, check.

Kawamura meekly talking to Oishi, check and check.

Inui watching Fuji and seemed rather excited pen and paper poised, Check.

Ryoma sipping his ponta, Eiji and Momoshiro leaning on him as they joke, Check em all.

Momoshiro then getting into an argument with Kaidoh, Check.

Tezuka Buchou saying nothing just opening the door, Check.

And finally the woman Misao targeted...? She isn't here?

Misao scratched her head as she peered hard and watched each member go through the door, and she was pretty sure there was no sign of Sakuno Ryuuzaki. She watched as Tezuka and the rest of them after 10 minutes were out once more doing their laps, so the house was left empty. But the door was locked.

Shame! Misao thought this was it as she was prepared to walk away after sitting there thinking of ways to break in without being noticed for over an hour, but someone caught her eyes. It was Sakuno her hair was down shaping her face and shoulders, and it was slightly curly because it was always in braids.

She was wearing a T-shirt and jeans. Beside her waddled Kennichi, for some reason Kennichi seemed a bit unhappy. Its fur was slightly damp but then again so was Sakuno. They had taken a shower! So if one would think logically, Sakuno was living somewhere else.

But, after today, if one asked about the typical question of is the girl pretty or gorgeous. She would describe Sakuno to be a goddess! The way her hair shines in the setting sun and the way she walks innocently humming down the road looked mature.

If she keeps this up, she may as well end up being as old as Tezuka and they would look like a very handsome couple indeed! Misao caught herself from drifting as she snapped pictures of Sakuno taking out a key and opening Tezuka's residence.

She wasn't staying here, but she had the keys? Wait, she took them out of the mailbox as she walked by. Logical. Misao kept snapping pictures, she watched as Sakuno went for the kitchen and cooked food, it was as if it happened every day and she knew where everything was, like she lived there. A reporter never leaves until evidence is proven.

It has been an hour, Sakuno was almost done. She looked at the clock and then went to fill glasses of water and turned the gas off. Misao wondered why she did that, she had a pretty good stew being cooked and only half way at that.

She carried the glasses of water in a tray as she walked to the front door. It was strange, but the Seigaku regulars were headed back to the house just as Sakuno stood there waiting. No surprise the Seigaku regulars came in, Misao strained her ears to hear words like.

"Good job for the hardwork."

"Nya! Sakuno-chan made dinner again! Yay!"

"YUMMMMM! Arigato Sakuno-chan."

"Sakuno-chan, it must be hard for you. You need to come back and forth from your house to help us with our training."

"...iie! Really, I am glad to help all of you Fuji sempai. You have been kind to me anyway."

"But her food is really heaven!"

"Fsshh, Porcupine always thinks of food."

"WHAT MAMUSHI?"

"You know the rules team, an hour in the springs."

"Hai!"

Why an hour in the springs? Do they want their skin to die? The answer was simple in half an hour, dinner was ready, Sakuno went upstairs and you could hear her gathering clothes and plenty of other things and walking back downstairs.

She was cleaning the place, and Tezuka was being protective as he didn't want any indecently dressed men walking in on her. Very smart one for Tezuka. Soon, the regulars changed as Sakuno did her chores and set the dinner on the table. The food smelt really delicious. She nearly drooled but kept her mouth on the food she had prepared for this all night watch.

The regulars don't seem to be very concerned about Sakuno looked pretty that way, but in fact it was probably due to the fact she always comes here now and she did not have time to dry her hair. Wait, why is she finding excuses for Sakuno?

This is dangerous. She watched as they all ate and joke with Sakuno as she joined them for dinner. So no wonder they were all so good terms with her and the duckling.

"Ahh! The food was delicious... I think I feel a bit stuffed, I will open the window..."

Fuji opened the window where Misao was in the bush as he leaned on it and asked

"So... what is this I heard there was some reporter on your tail?"

"eh?"

Tezuka remained stoic, Inui had a glint in his eyes. Fuji was in sadistic mode and he wouldn't be so kind and forgiving if anyone places Sakuno in a disposition. Even Ryoma smirked slightly.

"An..ano... Fuji sempai,"

"Ryoma told us all, it was some interview is it? Did they ask anything bad?"

Sakuno shook her head as she replied in a kind manner.

"No, she was asking me about the chick project."

"Ah I see... So what if she was hiding in the bush she would come out if I dumped water on her yeah?"

Tezuka frowned, Kawamura shivered, Eiji and Momoshiro had their jaws hanging, Kaidoh seemed to have conflicting feelings and Oishi was about to say no when too late, the cup of water was emptied into the bush.

"I see, no reporter. No worries, they won't do mean things to you. Or I will find her and turn her life inside out ne Inui-kun 3."

Inui nodded as he said

"I have all the data you need to accomplish that."

Misao involuntarily shivered. These two were absolutely scary, and the fact that none of them had really gone to stop Fuji means they were very aware of this taking place and they were all supportive. So this was just a warning. Thankfully her camera was water proof. They were really protective of her. Misao thought, even more she should stick around to see what was really happening behind the scenes.

After dinner, Ryoma offered to walk her back. He earned wolf whistles and jokes thrown at him, but he did not even care. Sakuno coloured slightly but glad to get out and away. She and Ryoma walked all the way to her house as she thanked Ryoma.

Misao after seeing that, watched Ryoma as he walked carefully past her new hiding spot just so she could catch anything being exchanged between Ryoma and Sakuno.

"Mada mada dane Misao Sato."

Misao knew, who was she kidding? They all liked her in different ways and they were scary in their ways of protection. Sakuno saw Ryoma did that, after he left, she quickly went to Misao's hiding spot.

"...Gomenasai Sato-san. Here dry yourself. You must be cold."

Misao went up and took the towel gratefully as she wiped herself. This was really Sakuno Ryuuzaki, Misao really liked her despite how she was going to tear down her life. She knew there was nothing to it, all she needed to do was report what she saw, and what she saw was nothing implicated.

But she will spy on her... until she is satisfied. Things are weird with her and the regulars that Misao was very attracted to. The humor, the doting and the family relationship formed by the whole team with Sakuno. Perhaps even her grandmother was a part of it too.

"Thank you Ryuuzaki-san."

She smiled as she walked back inside waving her hand as she left. Sakuno was truly a kind hearted soul as Misao had observed today. But that doesn't mean that these pictures won't come out in public. It was her job, and today she officially hated it.

To be Cont.

Ok! so I am dragging = = bear with me. .