PoT Ryosaku

Different Paths

By: angelhazel

Disclaimer: I am telling you I don't :) won't you believe me?

A/N: A big Thank You to all the reviewers of my previous stories, I wouldn't have the motivation to continue without each and every one of you.

To Cinpii: wow, thanks for taking the time to write so many reviews (although I've to admit the thrill of receiving a LOT of reviews dims a little when I realized the same person wrote all of them :P ) Yup, I know the ending was crap, but there was this little problem: I got a little tired of the long, long story and wanted to see it over and done with asap … sigh, I know I am bad. Next time I'll try to refrain from rushing the ending, promise! Btw, my English isn't very good, I don't really know where are my tense mistakes –sad- Will you help me out by pointing some of them out next time? I am trying very hard already, but …

To Meme: just read your Kirisaku one-shots … u r evil :P btw, have you watched the Taiwanese series called Meteor Garden? It has something similar in it, I just thought that kirihara and the male lead from the series are very similar in their attitudes … spoilt rich brats, sigh, where can I get one?

To everyone: I was reading all the newer stories and shall now attempt to convey my version of the Sakuno-gives-up-on-Ryoma and Ryoma-has-to-win-her-back storyline ) Heehee … just gave myself away, my ideas come from all the PoT fics I read up here: You guys are the source of my inspiration! So another big Thanks for being exactly that.

Chapter One

Ryuuzaki Sakuno stood at the windows in her bedroom, looking out into the starlit night. There was a gentle breeze blowing, teasing the strands of her mid-shoulder length mahogany locks. For a moment, she closed her chocolate-brown eyes and lifted her face into the breeze, letting the cool air rush over her soft skin.

In that moment, she felt as though the wind could carry away all her troubles. She reluctantly opened her eyes to face the darkened world, willing herself to be brave. She had to face up to reality sooner or later, and it really didn't make a difference in the long run: her heart would break ultimately.

She had waited for so long. Waited patiently, quietly.

She could still recall the first time they met. He rescued her from a group of unruly teenagers, and she repaid him by making him forfeit a tournament. Unintentionally, but still …

The next time she saw him was in school. She was surprised and pleased to see him, but he didn't even remember her.

Then Tomoka came on the scene and relegated her to the backseat for ever after.

Thinking back, Sakuno acknowledged with dismay that she and Echizen Ryoma were never meant to be. They didn't start on a good foot, and ever since they met, they had never kept pace with each other. He was always up ahead, far better and much more accomplished than she would ever be. She would be lagging behind, choking in his dust but gamely setting one foot after another in the footprints he left behind. Somehow, the gap between them had grown to astronomical distance, now she couldn't even see the tip of his shadow.

Ryoma was a league above and beyond her.

She had tried to catch up, really, truly tried for five long years. At the age of seventeen, Sakuno's skill in tennis was still nowhere near the mastery Ryoma possessed. Every day for the last five years, she worked hard and kept reminding herself of her goal every time she lost heart.

Somewhere along the way, she discovered that she was only human. Human determination was worn down more easily than ancient rocks under crashing waves. Admittedly, Sakuno held out for much longer than the average girl, but she couldn't compete with even the smallest pebble on the beach.

It was time, she thought, that she acknowledged the futility of her actions and moved on with her life. A life spent playing tennis for herself instead of for someone else. A life without harboring unreturned feelings for Echizen Ryoma, the prince of tennis.

It was her final high school year in Seigaku, now was the time to think about doing well in her exams and getting into a good University. Now was NOT the time to cling onto the foolish dream of a twelve-year-old girl.

Sakuno took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet night air. As she exhaled, she told herself to let go of that unobtainable dream. No matter what laid in the future, she was going to start on the road truly meant for her.

From now on, she made her own tracks.

It was Monday morning. Sakuno walked into class early, wearing a look of determination. Some students had arrived even earlier; the ones on duty were cleaning the classroom while others were doing some self-study. The students in this class had been together since the first year of high school. Sakuno really enjoyed being in this class, everyone was friendly and generally quiet. Sakuno appreciated their peaceful nature very much since she had spent a lot of time being embarrassed by the outspoken Tomoka.

Class 3-3 was also the most united class in Seigaku history. They were known for it, just as they were known for being quiet, in that subtle way. All the staff loved Class 3-3; a more studious and well-behaved batch of students couldn't be found anywhere else in Seigaku.

As Sakuno, Saku-chan to her classmates, stepped into the homeroom, her friends sat up and took notice. Their attention was caught not by the look of determination, Sakuno often went around wearing that I-can-do-this face, but because of the new sense of purpose in the way she carried herself. And her friends could read this from her new look: "I am going to do this thing, and I am going to do it right". Which brought up the question exactly what was their Saku-chan up to.

In their eyes, Sakuno was sweet and surprisingly stubborn sometimes, but the trait one noticed first and foremost in her was the acute shyness. When their Saku-chan met people for the first time, she could be so painfully shy, she would embarrass the other party.

And Sakuno was one of few people who could be stubbornly persistent and finally, when she got her way, walk off with your heart and soul in the bargain. Her determination was the secret of her success, and her sweet nature was a gleeful accomplice.

The Sakuno who just walked into the classroom somehow seemed different from last week. Some of the girls went up to her desk and started a quiet discussion on exactly what was different. They traced Sakuno from head to foot, trying to pinpoint the change.

No, she didn't do her hair. The last time she walked into a saloon was 2 years back, after promotion from junior to senior high. That one single visit was prompted by you-know-who informing her for the umpteenth time that her hair was "too long". Watching the hairdresser snip off so much of her hair was traumatizing to say the least; and she didn't get much response out of Ryoma when she showed up in school with the shoulder length mahogany locks. For some time after the fact, she even thought Ryoma was taking pains to avoid her. As a result, Sakuno feared hair saloons the way other people avoided the dentist, except that Sakuno visited the dentist more often than she walked into a hair saloon. She simply let her hair grow back since then.

No, this wasn't a new uniform. No, she had been wearing these same indoor shoes since the academic year started. New hairband? Sakuno had taken to tying her hair in a single thick braid over one shoulder. She used a variety of colored bands to secure the ends, but the one she was using today was hardly of any special interest. She chose this hairdo to accommodate the loss of her twin braids, and she had to admit, it was a more mature style than her old one.

Her reading buddy, Ami-chan, came up with the final answer that everyone agreed on: the difference was in Sakuno's eyes. What was so different was the way her chocolate-brown eyes shone so bright and clear this morning. The brown orbs radiated a new confidence in Sakuno.

The discussion had to end at that point, because the teacher just walked into the class. The girls quickly and quietly went back to their desks. In the privacy of her mind, Sakuno decided the response from her friends was good and congratulated herself for making a right decision the night before.

She was going to be independent. She was going to make her own decisions. She would not let Echizen Ryoma influence her ever again.

Class 3-3 had formed a habit since Year 1, the students all ate together during lunch. It started on the first day they got together, when Takuya-kun asked if everyone would like to spend lunchtime together and get to know each other better, "just for today", he had said. So, they did, and enjoyed it so much, they continued doing so every day at school for the rest of year and beyond.

Besides Ryoma and her assorted senpai-tachi from the tennis club, Takuya-kun was the only other guy that Sakuno admired. He was affable, sensible and smart. The raven-haired, violet-eyed boy enjoyed certain popularity with the girls since he was one of the strongest members of the school's Judo club, but he wasn't a snob in spite of his advantages. And he was always kind to her.

He was unanimously voted as Class Chairperson 3 years running for good reasons. Takuya was big on class unity. He often organized study groups for the class before exams and class outings afterwards. He and his committee thought up numerous small projects that kept the class together. They were, indeed, like a family of brothers and sisters, and Takuya was the big brother who took care of everybody.

One of the things they did together was the Picnic Hour, as other students came to call their daily activity. It got to be that if teachers and other students were looking for anyone from 3-3 during lunch, they would know to look under the Sakura tree at the back of school when the weather was fine, and in their homeroom when the weather was not cooperative. The class had also adopted several other students who were dating one of their own, and lunch with Class 3-3 was really like a huge daily picnic when students got together to enjoy quiet conversations and a lovely view to go with their bentos.

During lunch that day under that same tree, Takuya came to sit beside Sakuno. He had yet to speak to Sakuno since morning, and she was curious to hear his opinion. Sakuno was sure the observant Takuya would have noticed if she looked any different from last week.

Everyone in the class knew Sakuno had a crush on Echizen from the Tennis club since time began, even if Sakuno tried to be discreet, Tomoka and the nosy senpai-tachi did enough advertising for her. Sakuno had even admitted to it when Takuya asked her back in Year 1. He had never encouraged her in her pursuit but was always quietly supportive when she came back to class looking disheartened over the latest slight from Ryoma.

"Hey, you are looking good today," Takuya gave the gentle smile he reserved for Sakuno.

Sakuno beamed at the familiar greeting. Takuya was like the big brother she never had and she never felt awkward about his light flirting. "Doomo," she thanked him with a smile before she looked out across the field. Takuya always gave sensible advice and she wanted to hear his valued opinion about the new Sakuno she had in mind. "Ne, Takuya-kun, I have finally thought things through last night. I won't be running around after him anymore." She took in a deep breath and gave a long sigh, "I have been indulging my whims for too long as it is."

He took a while to assimilate her words and finally asked, "You sound relieved, and I suppose that's good for you. Want to tell me what made you change your mind?"

"Hmm … I guess I got tired of waiting. I feel like I was living for the dreams of a twelve year old, have been living the dreams of a twelve year old for the last 5 years, " Sakuno heaved a sigh. "It's like I went to sleep back then and when I wake up, I realize I am already seventeen years old. I think its time I start living for me." She glanced at him to gauge his reaction and was pleased that he was nodding understandingly.

"Well, that sounds good. And what I said just now is true; you've never looked better," he teased her gently again. "Anytime you need a sounding board, remember that you can always come to me."

Takuya knew he was encouraging Sakuno to think of him as a big brother, but he had decided long ago that he would rather play the role of a big brother than not be involved in Sakuno's life at all. Such was the fate of sensible teenagers, he thought ruefully, that they couldn't live in dreams no matter how appealing it was to do so. Even his sweet little Saku-chan was finding that out.

Having Takuya's blessing did wonders for her psyche. Sakuno happily nodded her thanks and eagerly started planning the changes she could make in her life. First off, she meant it when she said she wouldn't run around after Ryoma anymore. She didn't want to attend his practices, didn't want to touch tennis for at least a while until she was sure she could play for herself.

Asking for extended leave from the girls' tennis club due to personal reasons was tricky business, but thankfully she was a final year student and could fall back on the entry exams as an excuse. She wasn't so lucky when it came to avoiding Ryoma's practices. Tomoka didn't see her at the boys' practice on Monday and personally dragged her down on Tuesday. She even made Sakuno promise to go on the following day as well.

Watching Ryoma reminded Sakuno of the long days she had spent dogging his every step, and looking back to the past caused her acute embarrassment in the present. She really was rather pathetic, how had the people around her tolerated her behavior? She found that she couldn't blame Ryoma for ignoring her half the time, if she was doing anything even remotely resembling what she was coming to recognized in Tomoka as she studied her friend through renewed eyes. If she were in Ryoma's Fila shoes, she would have gone out of her way to avoid her fans, not just at the courts, but in the corridors and in class too!

The realization made her repentant, and she tried to save Ryoma further discomfort by not looking at him during those 2 practices and excusing herself as soon as Tomoka would let her go. Over the next few days, she had to resort to some fancy footwork to avoid being dragged to the courts by Tomoka again. And when she spotted Ryoma in the corridors, she made it a point to get out of his way.

By the end of the week, she felt that congratulations were in order. She had survived the first week of her new independence from Ryoma, even if she did feel a little empty inside.

"Ryuuzaki-san wa?" Katsuo asked the other two third years. The tennis club members found it strange that half of their "official" cheerleading squad was missing from practice. The other half was already making her usual racket at the courts.

"I haven't seen her today. Maybe she'll come by later. Echizen is playing a match this afternoon, isn't he? I'm sure Ryuuzaki-chan will turn up soon." Kachirou replied

A first year student came running up to them, his face flushed with the effort from running all the way from the classrooms. "Senpai-tachi! BIG NEWS! I just saw Ryuuzaki-senpai leave the school with that Judoka from her class! Do senpai-tachi think they are DATING?"

"SHHH! Keep it down! Don't say things like that where Echizen can hear you!" Horio snagged the first year in a headlock and lectured him in a loud whisper. The third years had spent enough time with the tennis star to know that he wouldn't like hearing rumors about Ryuuzaki going out with this guy or that.

The year before, another tennis player boasted that he was going to ask the sweet cheerleader on a date. Echizen had quietly challenged him to a private match outside of school, beaten him soundly and said something to him afterward that made that guy afraid to go near Ryuuzaki again. The third years only found out long after the event when Momo-senpai had approached them with a request to watch over Ryuuzaki whenever possible. Momo-senpai had graduated since then and it was up to the three of them to take care of Echizen's 'girlfriend'.

"Too late," Katsuo piped up, his eyes looking beyond Horio and the first year club member. Ryoma was walking behind them right at the moment and most probably heard everything.

Horio and the first year froze in mid-struggle and watched Ryoma walk past them towards the courts. There was no indication that he had overheard their conversation. All three third years heaved simultaneous sighs of relief.

Horio lightly cuffed the first year on his ear, "Don't spread strange rumors in the club, you hear me?" The younger boy quickly nodded and made his escape. His senpai-tachi was making this sound like a very serious deal. Well, even under normal circumstances, he would rather give a limb than offend Echizen-buchou; senpai-tachi could consider his lips zipped.

Sakuno really didn't come to practice that day, Katsuo noted, and he worried about what Ryoma would do. Katsuo might be overreacting, but he thought Ryoma was rather stricter during training that afternoon. He didn't want to know what would happen if Sakuno didn't come the next day either, so after practice, he carefully suggested that Tomoka check on her absent friend and maybe bring her to tennis practice the next day. Satisfied that he had done all that he could for the good of the team, Katsuo then packed up to go home.

Sakuno came to observe practice the next day, and the three third years exchanged looks of relief before turning their attention back to training. There still wasn't any obvious reaction from Ryoma, but one never knew with the temperamental tennis player. A firm believer of the phrase "Prevention is better than cure", Katsuo again approached Tomoka at the end of that day.

The Boys' tennis team survived Wednesday without a scratch, but not so the remaining days of the week. Kachirou recalled that his tennis coach dad once told him, "Midweek is Wednesday. Once you make it past Wednesday, the weekend is just around the corner."

And he thanked the Gods that the phrase was oh-so-true. Ryoma had taken to torturing the team on Thursday, and Kachirou survived by trying to be philosophical about the whole issue. On Friday, Kachirou kept his mind off his own tired body by repeatedly reminding the equally exhausted Horio that "the weekend was just around the corner!"

It did not escape their notice that Ryoma's temper went on a rise whenever Sakuno was not around. Horio was itching to confront Ryoma about bringing his personal problems into the courts. Katsuo and Kachirou had their hands full restraining him and couldn't find a chance to question Tomoka about the uncharacteristic absence of Sakuno.

All in all, it was an eventful week for the tennis players.

A/N: by the by, I try not to upload anything until I completed it … already had the experience of uploading the first chapter of something then never continuing the story (not on ffnet). It's a bad habit, because I keep the story for so long, sometimes I get impatient to share it and tend to end it poorly (but very quickly!)

And also, I proofread for myself so obviously there are multiple grammar mistakes and inconsistencies, please help point them out if you have the time … I don't mind courteous flamers :) thanks for reading and reviewing!