Disclaimer: I so very much wish I did, but I don't.

Chapter 28

Shell-shocked. Thunderstruck. Sweep off his feet, not that he was standing up to begin with. But he was really taken by surprise. And for a moment there, he even thought he saw a bright light fill the entire room.

Ryoma looked down at Sakuno whom he had instinctively caught in his arms when she threw herself against him. She was all cold and stiff for a while, and then had suddenly relaxed into his embrace. When his brain had thawed out from the shock, he thought once more that Sakuno was very difficult to understand. Wasn't she supposed to be angry with him?

Well, better not look a gift horse in the teeth, etc. The same thing happened all the time on the courts; when he spotted an advantage, he never hesitated to use it.

She felt very good against him, soft and fragrant. But she was so cold. He tightened his arms around her, wrapping her into his body heat. He remembered that time long ago, when he had woken up under a tree and beside a very, very cold Sakuno. She must be the kind who got colds easily; maybe next time he could buy her a jacket to wear. Or give her one of his old Regular jerseys; she did looked cute in his clothes.

After a good long time, he broke the silence, "Daijoubu ka?"

Sakuno was resting from her exertions, and finding Ryoma's body a veritable hot-water bottle, which was exactly what she needed. She was reluctant to stir. She thought idly to herself that if she didn't know what she did know, she would be screaming the roof down and calling him a pervert right about now. She didn't think she was so out of it that she imagined Ryoma holding her closer, tighter.

"Hai, just a little cold," she felt weak now that all that adrenaline burned off. She did manage to shift a little and tuck her cold arms between their bodies, holding Ryoma around his neck.

Not just a little, Ryoma thought when he felt her hands on the back of his neck. He shifted slightly so his back was against the upright mattresses, and asked Sakuno to move a little too. She leaned on him sideways, letting her hands drop to his shoulders. He had to prop one knee up to support her back and keep her there.

His jersey was within reach, dropped there when Sakuno spun around to face him earlier on. He pulled it over and covered her with it, then held her in his arms, jersey and all. Her head was tucked under his chin, and he could smell a clean, fragrant scent of shampoo. It was a most comfortable position to settle into.

"Better?"

"Hmm, arigatou."

There was a window of silence then Ryoma spoke up again," Ano, about the other day," he felt Sakuno stiffened and worrying that she would ignore him again, the rest of his words came out in a rush," Gomen! I was out of line! I'll never say such things again!"

Then, in a smaller voice, "Don't be angry. Please?"

Her cheek against his chest, Sakuno gave a small smile. Ah, the blockhead was apologizing! She was pleased she had taken her grandmother's words and waited for him to come round on his own. She must remember to thank Sumire for her insightful advice.

Let him work for it so he would treasure her more.

Sakuno smiled at the idea. It was starting to appeal to her very, very much.

"Sakuno ……" Ryoma was getting worried. He had messed up his lines, said more than the "I am sorry" he had planned on. He could only hope that the other extras that ran off his tongue would not hit a sore spot with Sakuno. And she hadn't said anything in response yet; he felt the ground opening beneath him ……

"Mou ii. Wakatta wa yo." She finally spoke, in the soft and melodious voice he didn't realize he missed so much.

"Hontou?" Ryoma ducked his head to look into her face, and suddenly the world seemed right again.

She gave him that sweet smile, the same one he remembered from long ago. And Ryoma felt a burden lift from his shoulders, and from his heart.

Sakuno felt nothing but relief that it was all over. Not the exodus of the spirits, but the animosity between herself and Ryoma.

They still had a long way to go, together. She knew. She saw when she was trapped in her last Premonition dream over two years ago.After she foundher wayin the darkness, she haddiscovered him in the golden light that was her future.

A/N: Abrupt. Yes, I know. But this may or may not be the end of it all… I wanted them to do some kissing etc or more, but that is like so far into the future … Does it offend anyone's sensibilities if they, you know …. Do that thing in the last scene? Fifteen year olds … hmmm. And no protection, at that. -evil smirk-

Then I wanted to have Mayu or some other witch drop in and create havoc, but that's like so far down the story line. Btw, this idea was from e reviews, thanks to Anime AngeL -waves madly-

So there you have it, an ending that may not be The ending …. Lemme know if you guys want more, but I have to say that I need a little break after this long fic, did I mention that I started out wanting to do a short and sweet thing? Sigh.

Need to thank the following pple, for they stuck with me throughout … in no particular order:

Magy, atori, cyjj, umi, kurai-kodoku, Kawaii Koneko92, :) smiley face, grace, Anime AngeL.

Doomo arigatou gozaimashita! Without you guys, this fic wouldn't be (sort of) finished -bows deeply-