PoT Ryosaku

Different Paths

By: angelhazel

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

Left alone with Ryoma, Sakuno was forced to redouble her efforts to ignore him. That he had been worried for her earlier had caused a breach in her shield, once again she didn't know precisely how she stood with Ryoma. Deep down inside, she knew that pretending to ignore him couldn't solve the problem, even though he was doing a pretty good job ignoring her himself. Maybe the two of them should sit down and talk this one out, she mused, since she was truly getting nowhere no matter how hard she tried to love him or disregard him. But even if it was only to talk, Sakuno still didn't dare to ask Ryoma. She predicted that he would dismiss her out of hand.

'Wrap things up with her'. Ryoma could swear that the parting glance Takuya gave him meant exactly that. He would like to clear up some issues with Sakuno, but how? He would have to talk to her, but he needed more time to think up some lines. He would just have to buy some time for himself then, he decided, and pitched his gaze about the neighborhood, looking for a suitable excuse. A small cake shop caught his eye, and he pointed it out to Sakuno, muttering some excuse about being hungry.

Sakuno was content to let him lead the way, because with her purse gone, she couldn't go anywhere on her own. She would have to depend on Ryoma until he got her back home. The two of them entered the cake shop and found a booth next to the window. Ryoma invited her to order whatever she wanted then stared unseeingly at his own menu while his brain cells regrouped.

Sakuno wasn't interested in the food, and she simply ordered a juice then turned to stare out the window. She sneaked a peak at Ryoma to find him studying the menu with a serious air about him. Sigh, he probably wouldn't start any conversation this millennium, Sakuno thought. Turning back abruptly, she started to thank him again for his assistance earlier and to apologize for imposing on him now.

"Anou, Ryoma-kun, " she paused here until he looked up with a distracted air, "I don't know what I could have done if you didn't come looking for us just now."

The faint blush was making an appearance again, Ryoma reburied his nose in the menu as he muttered a reply, "Betsuni, Kuraniwa did all the work anyway."

At the mention of Takuya, Sakuno's voice became livelier, "Isn't that right? When I saw Takuya-kun coming up behind those men, I knew we would be safe very soon. Takuya practices his family's own school of Judo. He is actually teaching Judo at his age! I have been to his Dojo a few times over the years, he lets me join his classes sometimes."

Ryoma looked up in a hurry when he heard the word 'Judo'. "That was the Judoka classmate you were leaving school with last week?" his face was a mask of incredulity. Damn if the competition hadn't just gotten tougher. He found out that morning that Kuraniwa was 3-3's Chairperson, and had thought that it was an advantage for his rival, but not big enough a hurdle for him. Then the guy became a Hero when he saved the girls, and now he was turning out to be the fabled martial artist.

"Eh? Hmm, should be, since he is the only Judoka in our class. Why?" Sakuno did go home with Takuya on some days ever since she stopped attending tennis practice. Takuya's Dojo was on the way to her place, after all.

Ryoma was exasperated, "Look, just because the guy has a black belt doesn't mean he …"

Sakuno simply had to interrupt his speech. "Martial arts is not about the color of your obi," she said sagely.

She was doing it again! Where had the sweet, docile Sakuno gone? "Fine! So anyway, you should avoid him because he is a rough type …"

"Iie, you spent some time with Takuya-kun today. Can you honestly say he is not a gentleman?"

Ryoma was unrelenting. "Then what if? He is still trained and experienced at fighting, whereas …" Sakuno wanted to cut in again but Ryoma was determined to ignore her this time.

"You are not and you never know when he would hurt you!" Ryoma finished in one breath. There was a short silence while Sakuno simply stared at him.

"Actually, Ryoma-kun. I have a brown belt in Aikido, so I guess I am trained. And I have known Takuya-kun for more than 2 years. I know he will never do anything to hurt me, he even taught me some of his self-defense moves. Speaking of being hurt, to date, no one else has come close to the damage you have done," Sakuno spoke quietly and sincerely, unemotionally. Now was as good a chance as any to draw the line between them. She saw Ryoma's eyes widen fractionally before he turned away guiltily. That last line called to his mind the issue with her hair, and he was nothing if not steeped in guilt over it.

"So, I believe that I have been hurt long enough, it is time for me to move on." Sakuno turned to look out the window again. She didn't see Ryoma suddenly come to attention across the table. Move on?

"I think we can try to be just friends, since we have known each other for more than 5 years after all." She said in an almost whisper.

"Can't do that!" Ryoma snapped, angry that she was really trying to leave him.

Sakuno turned back to him sadly, "All right then. We shall be strangers after today …"

"No." was the sullen rejoinder.

The waitress came by with Sakuno's drink at that moment, giving her a precious few seconds to process his answer. Sakuno was confused again. And things were going quite well before this too! She wondered why she never could think clearly after being around Ryoma for a while.

"Ryoma-kun …"

"I said no, and that's that!" His temper hit her in full force, which left Sakuno feeling bewildered and extremely put upon.

"Yes, I heard you the first time, but why?" she could throw a proper temper tantrum, too, if she put her mind to it. And she now had a glass of orange juice to throw as well, if he didn't have a good explanation for shouting at her.

"Because I like you!" Ryoma was mutinously glaring at her, as if daring her to object to his declaration.

Sakuno fell back in her seat, disbelief colored her chocolate eyes. She recalled how he had alternatively ignored and mocked her over the past 5 years. Then she blinked and responded, "No, you don't!"

"Well, I just told you I do! And you are not leaving me for that, that –" he floundered for a word to describe Takuya in as bad a light as he could paint him. "That bloody bastard!" he finished.

"For your information, Takuya-kun is like a big brother to me. I will not sit and listen if you insist on insulting him repeatedly!" she took a breath and spoke more softly, "And we are out in a public place, please keep your voice down since you insist on using bad language. And, no, you don't."

"Big brother? That's not what he told me!" Ryoma struggled a little to tone down before he continued; "He said I had a last opportunity to 'wrap things up' with you before he asked you to be with him. That jac- that jerk! And I do like you!"

"Stop that! I don't know why he told you that but I am sure he meant it in my best interests," Sakuno had complete trust in Takuya, he was her good friend and respectable elder brother, he wouldn't see her in that light. "And why are you telling me this now? You really shouldn't have come today." Sakuno rubbed the headache forming between her eyes tiredly. There was a nagging sensation that she was missing some point here.

"I am telling you now because you were avoiding me before. If I didn't come today, is there another way to see you, then? You don't practice anymore in your secret spot. And, if I MAY remind you, you came down to my practices 2 out of 10 times over the past two weeks, disappearing as soon as I called for the session to end. You are stuck with your classmates the rest of the time, even during lunch! I have practice to attend so I can't look for you after school. And, pardon me, but I have no intention of marching up to your house since you happen to live with my ex-coach!"

"Don't start insulting my Obaa-chan," Sakuno warned him sternly with her eyes closed against the pain gathering in her forehead. She chose to address only the last sentence of his speech because she didn't know how to respond to everything else. It sounded like Ryoma was going to quite some trouble to tell her that he liked her, but what for? So he could continue to ignore her? That was precisely what he had done up till last week. He couldn't have just started liking her last week, could he? Not after all those years she had waited for him.

"I wouldn't dare cross the old dragon lady," Ryoma grabbed the neglected orange juice and took a huge drink, the cold liquid helped to cool him off. He leaned back and studied Sakuno. She was now rubbing her temples and there was a frown between her brows. Her eyes were tightly shut, reminding of him of a time he had kissed her while she looked like that. She was crying back then, and now she looked like she was pondering a very serious problem.

He didn't mean to give her a headache; he just wanted to point out that she should stay away from that Judoka character. He grew pensive as he watched her movements. Even in that state, he found her absolutely adorable.

Why was he fighting with her? Oh yeah. If she didn't try to pull this stunt, the two of them would never be arguing out in public. He knew he had the right idea when it came to relationships, stick to what you have and don't do anything extra! Look what happened the minute they changed the routine. All he ever wanted was for her to be there, was that too much to ask?

Apparently, it was. He sighed in defeat and felt tension leave his body. Getting up quietly, he slid into the space next to her. Stilling her hands with his own and bringing them away from her face, he waited until she opened her eyes to look at him. "Sakuno," he whispered sadly, "I missed you."

He had uttered the magic words. This was the second time in 5 years that he had said her name. Her heart broke into tiny pieces and flew out the window; his body warmth took up residence in the void left in her body. It made all the difference in the world if he missed her, because in truth, she missed him too. Her chocolate eyes softened as she gazed upon her prince, the brown orbs were already growing misty.

"Sakuno," he caught both her smaller hands in one of his own, put an arm around her, and bent his head to hers. He wanted to hold her tightly against himself but he had to make allowances in the restricted space in the booth. His heart soared when she yielded to his kiss. Maybe there was still hope for them, he thought vaguely as he explored her sweet depths.

Third timeand counting, she could get used to this. The last time they kissed on the courts she had thought it was a one-time deal. But if he kept this up, she would soon convince herself that he loved her. A couple of drugging kisses every now and then, and she would never again complain even if he ignored her the rest of the time. His taste was fast becoming familiar, Sakuno thought, except that today he tasted of orange … orange? Hmm.

When they broke apart, she stared ahead with a thoughtful expression. She realized that she was all too eager to fall again, even though she kept reminding herself not to. Her gaze fell on the juice she had ordered, and she dimly noted that half the juice was gone. So, was the glass half full or half empty?

She could be optimistic and give themselves another chance to make something of their relationship, but she couldn't succeed on her own. She needed to lay down some rules here, she thought, starting with his attitude.

"You are always ignoring me," she complained, "promise you won't do that again."

"Ignoring you? I do not!" He was quick to defend himself.

"I can attend all your practices every week, but you don't talk to me more than once or twice …"

"Talk? What's there to talk about?" He looked truly bewildered.

"Mou!" What kind of question was that? She gave a small pout as she turned away from him to look out the window.

"Fine, fine, we'll talk …" Ryoma decided to cross that bridge when he got to it, it was more important not to sink the ship right now on mere technicalities.

Turning back slowly, Sakuno narrowed her eyes in suspicion, "But if you have nothing nice to say, you will keep your comments to yourself." That was in case he decided to tell her everyday how clumsy she was or how she lacked a sense of direction.

"So I have to talk and keep my opinions to myself, "Ryoma grumbled, "No problem, I do that everyday…"

"You just have to keep the nasty ones to yourself, you can always find nice things to say!" Even as she said that, she realized what a tall order it was for the tennis prince. She gave a heartfelt sigh, "Oh, whatever. Just do what you want." This was not going to work after all, she thought privately.

Ryoma heaved a sigh of relief inwardly, he didn't mind agreeing to anything right now just to keep her happy, but he would rather not be held to his words forever after. Sakuno was emotionally blackmailing him; anything that came out of his mouth on this day was coerced!

"No, wait! You will have to eat lunch with my class everyday," Sakuno suddenly remembered something that she always wanted. She had always wanted to bring a friend to lunch under the Sakura tree, but Tomoka always refused since she was quite uncomfortable keeping even relatively quiet for a whole hour.

She wanted him to have lunch with a lot of strangers and let that Kuraniwa jerkface spoil his appetite everyday, Ryoma thought. He would have to bargain for something in his favor to compensate for such a hideous task. "I can do that if you come to practice everyday, and let me send you home afterwards," Ryoma was not taking any more chances with 'Big brother' Kuraniwa, Sakuno seemed too fond of that yarou.

"I have practice with the girls' tennis club," She sniffed. He just offered to see her home everyday but it sounded more like a way to restrict her than a romantic gesture.

"Twice a week, 2 hours per session. Don't try to fool me, I know your schedule," he didn't have to consider at all, "Come over after your club activity, like you always do." The girls' tennis club seldom competed and basically took in beginners and learners. They didn't train as hard as the boys.

"And then you will come to lunch with my class?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," he grinned suddenly. It just occurred to Ryoma that he could do with a chance to rub salt in Kuraniwa's wounds, make that many chances, everyday.

"Ooo-kay," Sakuno acquiesced hesitantly. "And will you help me improve my game?"

"I told you before, your shoulders are too stiff, you don't bend your knees enough, you should see your swing through, and then …" Back on familiar ground, Ryoma had a lot to talk about. He had observed Sakuno for 5 long years, and he knew every one of her weaknesses like the back of his own hand. Ignoring her? Where did she get that idea from?

Half an hour later, he was still going strong as Sakuno dragged him towards the train station so she could get home. Too bad neither of them had brought a racket out, he wanted to spend the next 5 years showing her everything she had to learn about tennis.

The following Monday, Sakuno brought Ryoma to the Picnic Hour. Ryoma didn't know what to expect from her classmates, but he was pleasantly surprised that everyone seemed glad to see him. Sakuno blushed when some of her friends gave her conspiring winks and Rii-chan, who was slightly more acquainted with Ryoma from the outing, felt comfortable enough to congratulate the tennis prince on "joining the family, although you could have done so much, much earlier". To which even Ryoma had to smile, although he tried to turn it into a smirk in case these people mistook him for some cuddly social animal.

Takuya was asked to relate the robbery that took place on Saturday while everyone listened attentively, giving soft exclamations when they heard how one of the gangsters had held a knife to Sakuno and how the boys charged in to rescue the girls. They were greatly aided by their brave Saku-chan with her self-defense moves, of course.

Sakuno was crowned heroine while the two boys were hailed as heroes for the week, although Ryoma was irked to share anything with Takuya, even a non-consequential title. He was finding out that Takuya was indeed a very courteous person, no matter how hard he tried to get a rise out of the Judoka, he was met with polite knowing stares.

In spite of Kuraniwa, Ryoma found that he did enjoy that lunch hour. Looking up into the canopy above them, he realized that the Sakura tree was going to change color with its famous blossoms very soon. He couldn't wait to see Sakuno standing in another pink shower, and this time, he was going to be standing right beside her. He looked down at the girl sitting beside him, chatting softly with her close friends. Sakuno felt his gaze and looked up at him with an answering smile.

This time, he had her exactly where she belonged. As long as he had a say about it, Sakuno would remain at his side forever after.

Leaning against the base of the tree as she watched the newly united couple, Ami prodded her Chairperson who was sitting next to her. "I hope you know what you are doing, you will never get another chance now," she spoke in a low voice.

His eyes fixed on a smiling Sakuno, Takuya replied calmly, "Look at her and tell me if I have done anything wrong." He turned his eyes on Ami, "And I haven't done anything that you haven't been practicing yourself, have I?"

There it was again, that assessing look in the violet eyes, as if nothing ever escaped his notice. Ami pouted a little then said, "All right then. Let's try something else. Want to go catch a movie later this week? Just you and me."

"It will be my pleasure," came the smiling answer.

owari-

A/N : tried very hard not to end abruptly. Tired now … do let me know what you think, thanks!