Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis. After 36 chapters I still don't own them, WHO KNEW? *sarcastic*

Chapter 36 Ordeal is Over

Now that Tezuka was sitting beside Sakuno as he watched Kennichi resting from the whole ordeal to realize... He had confessed boldly in front of a lot of people and soon... rumors are going to start floating around. He shouldn't have said that... thankfully? She seemed like didn't hear him.

Tezuka watched Sakuno discreetly from his position, he noticed she seemed to be thinking just as much since they arrived into the room. The silence was soothing, for they were all relieved that they had only lost Kennichi's leg but not Kennichi himself. After 2 hours of waiting on Kennichi must have put a strain on everyone, that was why... thankfully he was here with them right now, aliving and his attitude never changed. His brave strong son, survived.

Sakuno on the other hand was very aware on how close he was to her as they watch Kennichi rest. It reminded her of the first time they sat beside each other nearly cheek to cheek and when the turned to meet each other they ended up... Why is the room so warm all of a sudden? However she had more thoughts to go through.

She vaguely remembers because she was dizzy in shock and pain she didn't know if she heard him right.

"...She doesn't group a bunch of crazy fan's and cause pain. She cares for everyone and anyone although she doesn't know them. She is very charming and very beautiful in everyway and the best of all I am in love with her!"

She hoped she wasn't dreaming... she wished these words came out under a different circumstance perhaps... back at the boat or back to the time where things weren't so hectic. Why didn't they solve this issue between them? If only they had solved it like the day he apologised for making things awkward. Now she had to wonder... did he say it? Or was she confused? It was a confusing state of mind.

She thought to herself... what made this so hard? What made it so hard for her to tell him first? After all if she had been through, this whole ordeal made her realize that it is really time to come to terms with her feelings towards him.

She was tired of lying and tired of running, she wanted to stop this game of chase. She, Sakuno the meek girl is going to confess to the Stoic buchou? Sounds daunting enough and not even something she would really do. But, she hated all this lying and dancing around on their friendship, she was ready to take the stakes she will try and fix their friendship soon.

"Sem..."

Sakuno was surprised when she turned around, because she found Tezuka leaning back on his chair and for the first time seemed like he was in a deep sleep. She didn't know why she felt like a giggle coming out from her mouth. Here she sat decided and ready to say things she never had said before and all she found was his sleeping form. But him being asleep... made Sakuno aware that her own body felt tired. They all had a long day today, if it wasn't them running, it would be her and Kennichi taking so much of their energy to panic, that perhaps the rest were just as tired.

She took out a few blakets and wrap one lightly around his body before she walked out to see how the rest of the regulars were faring, and surely enough the rest of the team were fast asleep. Eiji was on Oishi's shoulder as Oishi had his head using Eiji's as a cushion. Kawamura and Inui leaned against each other like two lines forming the corner of a triangle.

Fuji was seated perfectly, with his arms and legs folded as his head rested against the wall. Ryoma sat on the floor with his back leaning against the wall as his hat tipped down as he was breathing slowly as an indication of sleep. Momoshiro took one whole bench and it seemed like Kaidoh lost because he was sleeping on the floor leaning against Momoshiro's bench.

She started wrapping them in blankets, everyone shifted a little but did not wake up. She then, slowly and quietly walked into the room, she decided to take the sofa as she watched Tezuka... slowly, her eyelids felt heavy. She gave in to sleep just like everyone else, she shut her eyes and soon she dropped to sleep. The evening light was shining through the window as it warmly and softly brighten up what had seem to be a very gloomy day.

The ordeal was over...

To be Cont.

A big thank you to all of the people who reviewed, honestly I was so shocked I think I nearly fell off my chair. Talk about renewed pressure, but not to say it was bad. It really did great things to a medicore writer like me. = D DONT WORRY! I will make Tezuka give you all a thank you speech. Reviews made me realize exactly how many people actually read what I write, because I always thought... heh, well those who review I'd think they were the only ones, so again. THANK YOU!