Disclaimer: I wished upon a star that they were mine, but I didn't get them :( However, I got Sakura and Kenichi. :) P. S. I don't own any Disney characters either.

Author's note: Just to warn all of you guys, this chapter is serious, but I really did try to lighten it up . . . somewhere.

Chapter 6 - Views

Sakuno was following the others when a faint gleam caught her eye. She turned to the left to see a red light flashing from the small frosted window on a door of a room. The window was large enough for someone on the outside to know if the room was occupied but small enough and frosted to insure the occupants' privacy. Sakuno walked towards the light as if she was in a trance; she didn't know what it was about that red flashing light, yet something in her mind called her to it.

She first remembered sirens. They were faint, but it felt like they were coming closer. Part of her mind registered the fact that she was inside of a building, but for the most part her mind wasn't in a building located in Tokyo. It was back outside of the city during the nighttime, besides a broken mirror. Sakuno saw the shattered glass at her feet and heard the crackling of sparks. She couldn't remember where she was or why she was outside, though she could smell burnt rubber and taste rust on her tongue. It took a moment before she registered the taste in her mouth wasn't rust; it was blood.

Blood, the word itself seem to send off a whole new sense of fright and dread through her. Blood was coming down her forehead, she could smell it, and she knew people were nearby and were bleeding too. She couldn't seem to remember whom, but she knew people were badly hurt. They were behind her; she knew this too, yet she couldn't make her body move. It was like her mind was now split in two. One part was screaming to just close her eyes and to not turn around. It was imperative that she didn't turn around, because she didn't want to. The other part was quieter, like a whisper, but it was very insistent. It pleaded with her to turn around, that she needed to turn around; not because she wanted too, but because she had to. Sakuno closed her eyes tight and placed her hands on her ears in a futile attempt to stop the voices.

When she opened them again she noticed that she was facing a car now. It was damaged, and the front end was wrapped around a pole, but she barely noticed this. What she noticed was the person sitting in the front seat, bleeding, a person with one blue and one brown eye.


Ryoma was walking with his hands behind his head trying to decide whether he should ditch the group or face the coming humiliation. He made up his mind to stay, incase one of the regulars threatened him with Inui's juices, besides he was sure that he wasn't the only one facing humiliation. So, it could turn out to be an interesting night. His eyes almost didn't catch the swirl of a green skirt as he turned the corner. He walked backwards to Sakuno staring at the window of another room. Ryoma rolled his eyes; he probably should go get her before everyone else got too far ahead. Knowing how bad her sense of direction was, she'd probably get lost if she tried to catch up by herself.

As he came towards her, Ryoma notice the expression on her face, she was scared, very scared. He looked around and saw nothing. He hurried to her side and saw the frosted window, but didn't see anything threatening from it. Ryoma glanced over to Sakuno, her breathing was faster and shallow. Her eyes were so wide with fright that it scared Ryoma. He was about to reach out to the motionless girl when she suddenly closed her eyes, and clamped her ears with her hands. It seemed as if she was trying to block out a large noise, but the hall was quiet. She then fell to her knees and opened her eyes.

They were wide again, but glazed over. He waved his hand over the, but Sakuno's eyes didn't register the movement; she didn't even blink. The expression in them had changed from fright and dread to one of horror and confusion. She started to whimper and murmur, but Ryoma couldn't make out the words. Very concerned and confused, Ryoma placed a hand on Sakuno's shoulder and shook her a little. "Oy, Sakuno, are you all right? Hey, snap out of it."

Tezuka was trying to figure out why it would matter to him if Sakura were in relationship when they walked to the karaoke room. When they got there, he decided that he was being stupid and overprotective towards Sakura. A small, very small part of him acknowledged that he probably was also just jealous, but he ignored that voice for the most part. I should be thinking more about the tournament and not about someone whom I barely know now. Then he shook his head, tonight was suppose to be a break from tennis. A night to blow off some steam, on the other hand, tonight may just end up creating more stress than relieving it.

As soon as Sakura asked about her cousin and Ryoma, Tezuka realized that he was thinking so much, that he didn't even notice when the two disappeared. Like the other players, he followed her as she went to find the missing people. When they heard Ryoma's remarks, the seniors looked at each other remembering what Sakura revealed to them earlier that week. Upon reaching them, Sakura went over to her cousin, while Tezuka looked at Ryoma for an explanation.

"She was just standing there frozen. I couldn't get her to respond to anything I did either."

Tezuka nodded and turned to Oishi, "Oishi, call sensei. Tell her that Sakuno is having an episode." He then focused his attention back to the two girls in front of him.

Sakura knelt in front of her younger cousin. Her movements were cautious and her face was oddly calm, except for her eyes. They betrayed the worry and concern that everyone else was feeling. "Sakuno?" she asked softly, "Sakuno, look at me." Sakura's brows furrowed for a moment in contemplation, then she pulled the younger girl in a tight embrace. Sakura closed her eyes and when she opened them, tears spilled out as she spoke words, which she knew, would cause only more grief for her little cousin. "Sakuno-chan, you did what you could. It's not your fault."

Her words were like a magical incantation, Sakuno's eyes widened again before she blinked. Her mind began to recognize her surroundings in the building. "Sa-Sakura?" She whispered as she pulled back slightly as if to reassure herself that her current position wasn't a fabrication of her mind. When her cousin nodded, Sakuno threw herself back into Sakura's arms in tears.

"I tried so hard, but the doors wouldn't budge," she sobbed. Sakura held her tightly while Sakuno continued to speak. "I could only stand and watch, and, and, oh god, the blood. There was so much blood everywhere and, and -" Her voice cracked, and she continued to weep. The two girls remained in their embrace until hurried steps interrupted the sounds of Sakuno's cries. Looking up, Sakura saw the concerned face of her father.

"She remembers."

It turned out that Sakura and her father were staying in the same building, in a suite, to avoid the press bothering relatives. After Sakura's father carried the girl to Sakura's room, the boys insisted on waiting for sensei and Sakuno's doctor. It didn't take long for the two to show up, while the three adults were in Sakura's bedroom, Sakura went out to the living room to talk to the tennis players.

"You guys didn't have to stay."

"We just wanted to make sure that Sakuno is all right," Oishi stated giving her a small smile.

She nodded mutely and collapsed into a nearby chair. An hour ago, she seemed so lively, now she looked so drained.

Kaido shuffled his feet in discomfort, "Um, I know it's really none of my business, but what just happened out there?"

That was the question racing through Ryoma's mind while they went up the elevator and waited in the room. Then he remembered an off-handed remark his idiot father made some days ago.


"Dumb press can't leave well enough alone. At least the old hag can handle them, I'm not so sure for the little ojouchan," Nanjiroh stated after he laid down his tabloid.

Ryoma's mother picked up the publication and skimmed the article to Ryoma's surprise. She rarely paid attention to his father's remarks regarding the tabloids, much less READ an article from the tabloids. She nodded when she finished, "Some things really should remain in the past, that poor girl."

He'd forgotten about it, but upson seeing Ryuzaki-sensei, he was reminded that "old hag" was a nickname his dumb father used for her sometimes. Ryoma spoke up before anyone answered Kaido's question, "Would this have anything to do with that article in The National?"

The others looked at him surprised particially because Ryoma rarely took an interest in anything outside of tennis and particially because he was talking about The National. Ryoma guessed the source of some of their shock and shrugged.

"My dad likes that paper."

Sakura looked at the younger players, "Have you read the article?" The three shook their heads. She let out a small sign and motioned that the three may want to sit. She then proceeded to tell them the story of that night some years back, without going into the story of the family curse. Although the story was shorter than the version the seniors heard, the results were the same. Ryoma, for once wasn't wearing his usual face of indifference, but had a look that suspiciously resembled concern. Momoshiro appeared to be shell-shocked, while Kaido was missing his normal scawl, instead his mouth was in a very small straight line with only his eyes displaying his sympathy. When Sakura finished her narration, the three just sat in their chairs absorbing the information they received in a stunned silence. It was Fuji, who broke the eerie stillness some moments later.

"Is there anything that we can do? You look very tired."

Sakura only shook her head, but gave a little smile to let the players know that the offer was appreciated. "Thanks, but really there isn't much that anyone can do now. Besides it's getting late; you guys have school tomorrow and your tourney on Sunday."


Sakuno wasn't in school the next day, and sensei seemed very distracted during practice. Oishi asked sensei if Sakuno was feeling better. Ryuzaki-sensei gave the regulars a slight smile before nodding. "Sakura is with her, she's still at Sakura's place. I think we should end practice early and let the regulars rest up before tomorrow. I still need to decide who will be playing as well."

While in the locker room of the team, Kawamura made an off-handed comment that maybe one of them should go over and check on Sakuno. Kikumaru and Fuji quickly agreed with the suggestion and Fuji (who else would do it?) elected that Ryoma should go to see Sakuno since he knew her the longest. Momoshiro seconded the vote, and Kikumaru told him to bring a gift for her, while the two of them received death glares from the youngest player. Oishi, being clueless of the conflict brewing, nodded his head. "It's not a bad idea."

"Yada."

"Ochibi! How can you be so mean? Sakuno's your friend; don't you want to see if she's feeling better?"

"None of it is my concern."

"Nya? Ochibi! If you don't go, I'll, I'll make you drink Inui's juice in one gulp!"

" . . . Fine, but I'm not going by myself."

"Fine, but I have plans this afternoon, nya."

Ryoma looked at the other regulars.

"I'm suppose to help out the restaurant . . ."

". . . must get data on other players. . . "

". . . my sister said something about reading my fortune. . ."

". . .ssssssssssssssh, need to perfect my Boomerang Snake. . ."

". . . I have my community service at my uncle's hospital. . ."

". . . I'm babysitting my two younger siblings."

"I guess that means Tezuka will have to go with you," Fuji commented with a big (read huge) smile.

"Don't forget the gift, nya."

Walking away from the school, Tezuka asked Ryoma if he knew what he'd bring Sakuno. Ryoma shrugged; he wasn't really thinking about what to give her. He was trying to figure out all of the different ways he could make both Fuji-sempai and Kikumaru-sempai suffer.

"Sakura use to like stuff animals when she was around Sakuno's age."

Ryoma gave his captain a curious look as he gazed up at the taller player, "She still does." Then he turned towards his house.

"Echizen, where are you going?"

"Getting Sakuno her gift."


Some twenty minutes later they were standing in front of the apartment waiting for someone to answer the door. It was a very disheveled Sakura who opened the door. Her eyes were bloodshot and her hair was a mess. She was wearing glasses, a green pajama shirt, and on it were printed Mickey Mouses with coffee cups in their hands and the words "Not a Morning Mouse" written all over the shirt. She had on matching pants too. Ryoma felt a smirk coming over his face. However, he remembered very quickly that a tired Sakura usually meant a grumpy and short-tempered Sakura, and he really didn't want to deal with that right now.

Sakura narrowed her eyes when she saw him, but said nothing. She only held up her hand to stop either player from talking. She then stepped back from the door and opened the door wider to allow them to come inside. They watched as she moved somewhat mechanically to the kitchen area, quickly made herself some hot chocolate, and she drank it rather quickly.

"Sorry, but if I don't get enough sleep I need caffeine to function."

"How much sleep did you get last night?" Tezuka asked her, noticing that the couch in the living room had a pillow and blanket on it.

"What time is it?"

"Around 1:30 in the afternoon."

"About 3 hours." As if to prove it, she yawned. "'Scuse me. I don't mean to sound rude, but is there a reason why you're here?" She asked as she plopped back down on the couch.

Before either player could answer, a plaintive "yeow" was heard coming from inside Ryoma's jacket. Karupin's head and paw poked out of the jacket. Sakura's eyes widened in recognition and she smiled as Ryoma lifted the cat out of it's hiding spot.

*Snowball!*

*His name is Karupin!*

*Hey, I named him before I gave him to you. It's Snowball.*

*Karupin.*

*Ryoma, didn't anyone tell you that a gentleman should never contradict a lady?*

*That rule doesn't work because I'm not a gentleman -*

*You got that right.*

*- and you're no lady.*

Sakura's jaw dropped for a moment in shock, but her eyes were beginning to show some liveliness. She quickly got up and picked up the adorable kitty from Ryoma's hands before she responded, *Whatever Shorty.*

*Schemer.*

*Brat.*

*Witch.*

The two stared at each other with smirks on their faces, then Karupin let out another sad "meow". Sakura giggled for a minute before petting the cat. "I'm sure Sakuno will appreciate you lending her Karupin for a while. I'll go see if she up."

Tezuka spoke before she left the room, "How is your cousin."

"As well as one expects. She's upset and depressed; the doctor gave her a sedative last night so she'd sleep. However, I think a visit from Karupin will cheer her up a bit. Did you want to see her?"

Neither player spoke for a moment before Tezuka answered, "Only if she's feeling up to it."

Sakura nodded and left the room for about five minutes. When she came out again, she had changed into some street clothes, and had brushed her hair. "Sakuno says she's wouldn't mind if you two wanted to check in on her."

Jadeling's Notes: Oh my God, this chapter is done too! Yea and I managed to end it on a lighter tone, wow.

H0shiko – Yeah, I know I'm evil, was told that by lots of people.  *Dodges knives and daggers* However, I should warn you, if you kill me then I won't ever be able to finish.

Hitori – No, I loved the fact that you were able to get so much info.  It's so cool that you were willing to help me out with that.  I hope that you like this chapter too.

Okay, not that I'm complaining or anything, but really reviews keep this fic alive and I love h0shiko and Hitori for reviewing most of my chapters, but it would be nice to hear from new people.  I wouldn't mind hearing from some of the earlier reviewers too because I'm curious if you like what I'm doing, so come on people, just press that little purple button on the side of your screen and review.