I am really terribly sorry that I never update for that long. I had orientation camp for a week, and then on Friday I came back from camp and went to secondary cca fair. I really miss my secondary school life and going into tertiary education scares me a bit. And I was told I could not update chappies for a little while as I violated one of the rules in 3 of my fanfics which were done like 2 yrs ago. I was also busy designing this damn simple Edward Elric wallpaper. Please note that I will try to update as fast as possible but it may stretch to once a month of fanfic updates, considering the subject combi I took is freaking me out.

"Nya Ochibi, so you will bring Sakura-chan home."

"…"

"Saaa, we will pop down to your house later."

"…"

"That's right Echizen. Your sempais will help you alleviate your suffering!"

"…"

"THAT'S RIGHT ECHIZEN! WE SEMPAIS WILL DEFINITELY HELP YOU!"

"…"

"Nya ochibi, aren't you a little too quiet?"

All heads were turned and eyes were focused on Ryoma, who was currently stoning away on the dingy sofa. His cap was pulled down as low as possible and was covering his eyes.

"Saa, give him some space. After all, he just went through a shock." Fuji piped, his face plastered with a huge morbid smile.

"Indeed!" Inui added, with his glasses gleaming in the light, " I collected good data."

Momo and Kaidoh sniggered quietly as they recounted the event prior to that, only to get hit by flying tennis balls which were aimed for their heads.

"OUCH! ECHIZHEN! What do you hink you are doing? Treating your sempais with disrespect!" Momo waved a threatening fist at Ryoma as Kaidoh gave Ryoma a death glare. Ryoma countered Kaidoh's glare with a stare just as poisonous and returned to his normal stoning state.

Now you must be wondering what happened to our poor Ryoma-sama. Nothing much actually. He just experienced a mental state of shock. That's all.

Fifteen minutes ago, Ryoma was coerced and grudgingly gave Sakura a horsy ride, trampling on his pride in the process. Fourteen minutes ago, Ryoma flung Sakura off to prevent himself from getting strangled. Thirteen minutes ago, Sakura ignored all dangers and leaped on Ryoma's lap to give him a hug.

Twelve minutes and thirty seconds ago, Sakura gave Ryoma a peck on his cheek to show her appreciation.

Twelve minutes and twenty seconds ago, chaos took over.

Ryoma went absolutely rigid after his daughter's display of appreciation. Despite his frozen state, thousands of thoughts were flooding into his brain instantly, going on an overload. Let's take a peek into his brain after that priceless moment.

Ryoma's POV

Does she know what she just did? Doing that in front of the whole team is as good as strangling me and throwing my rotting carcass into the woods! Years ago, I swore to myself that I will never let any one, ANYONE, come within ten centremetres of my cheek. My first kiss was just stolen by that brat! Argh!!!

Everything happened so fast. A moment ago, I was just wallowing in misery, cursing my luck as I mused over that unfortunate and embarrassing display when she ran to me as fast as her little legs could carry her and leaped onto my lap. She then thanked me and gave me a huge bear hug again. Really, one of these days, I really have to think of ways to have a ten meter radius around me, to restrict her from approaching me.

Suddenly, she dropped a huge bomb on me, shocking me senseless. Damaging my already bruised pride.

Sure, she just planted a TEENY, LITTLE peck on my cheek. Aww, how lovable, this kind of spirit must live on forever. End of story.

What she didn't know was how she aggravated my already deteriorating mental condition and the already chaotic scene. I do not really remember what happened after that. All I know was that I was in the restroom with a face towel in my hand. The door of the restroom was locked so that none of m sempais or tennis members would barge in and laugh at my current pathetic state. Well Kikumaru sempai was still bobbling up and down, determined to make full use of his camera. He must be convinced that pictures of me down in the dumps could sell like hot cakes. He was slowly evolving into a sadist, Fuji-sempai's successor

Anyway, Kikumaru-sempai was desperate to peek at me. Being the acrobat he was, he managed to jump and clung onto the window that was located high above and peered in.

"Nya! Ochibi! You don't need to be so shy. It is normal that your own daught-"

A jet of water met his face, causing Kikumaru-sempai to yelp and let go. There was a loud thump outside and Oishi –sempai concerned voice could be heard. I was terribly annoyed when I saw Kikumaru-sempai's face. Hey, someone was trying to take a breather here! To sort out my thoughts! Kikumaru-sempai hit a raw nerve when he mentioned the word "daughter". With some kind anger clouding my thick skull, I grabbed a near by hose, aimed at Kikumaru-sempai and turned on the water full blast. It was satisfying to see the surprised look on his face. Kikiumaru-sempai should have learnt his lesson now. Never provoke me when I am moody.

The commotion outside was great. Many people were shouting at once. Whatever for? They got so excited over something out of the ordinary; some little brat trotting over and giving me a kiss. Hey! I was the victim who suffered great humiliation and getting my cheeks tainted by the saliva of that little girl! I should be the one shouting and swearing! Not them going absolutely hysterical outside the toilet! Some were asking me to come out, while others were murmuring something incoherently. I suspected that they were discussing about the great show they just witnessed. A few were applauding the clueless girl for her great display of affection while one was yelling at me to unlock the door as he was in need of emptying his bladder.

"Echizen! Get out now! You are hogging the toilet!"

That's right. That cold, unfeeling Buchou's voice boomed ever so loudly. Using the fast, efficient and direct method to drive me out. Sighing deeply, I pulled my cap as low as possible as I unlocked the door. A figure dashed past me and entered the toilet. Humiliation was deafening as the crowd went silent immediately. The look in some of their eyes told me that they were containing their laughter.

After Kawamura-sempai towed me to the club house in his BURNING state, Buchou ordered the rest of the members to resume practice. Horio and the other two volunteered to take that Tomo girl to the sick bay. Horio borrowed Inui-sempai's bottle.

"What do you need it for?" Oishi-sempai piped.

"You know… in case she wakes up screaming and stuff… to sedate her."

So Horio left with the water bottle and the regulars got together to discuss what to do with that brat. After threatening me with thousands of laps and Inui-sempai's new concoction, I grudgingly agreed to bring that brat home.

End of Ryoma's POV

"REALLY? To Papa's house?" Sakura squealed in delight as she ran round Ryoma.

"Yes." Ryoma replied, as he began to sigh deeply once more.

His sempai's ordered him to return home immediately, saying that he would not be able to concentrate much in school with his terrible hangover any way. True, he had nearly empties my supply of aspirin and was dangerously on the border of getting addicted to them. Therefore, a defeated looking first year and an ecstatic five year old left the school compound for Ryoma's house.

"Now listen, there are some rules you have to follow in my house." Ryoma turned and emphasized each word."

"Hai Papa!"

"Number one, always hide yourself and do not talk or appear in front of anyone in the house."

Sakura gave a huge thumb up.

"Number two, you must never ever leave the room."

Sakura bobbed up and down like a jack-in-a-box.

"Number three, in case you have been exposed. You must yell for me."

Sakura gave an enthusiastic nod.

"Number four. Just… Just listen to whatever I say."

Sakura agreed by imitating Kikumaru, jumping about like a monkey.

Ryoma stared at Sakura and sighed inwardly, " Good, if you follow these rules. Both of us will be happy and we can pull this through together."

Sakura gave a longing look to Ryoma, "Papa, could you carry me?"

Ryoma just ignored her and walked away silently.

-------------------------------------

"I am home!" Ryoma called out as he beckoned Sakura into the house. Pointing towards the stairs, Ryoma half crept half dragged Sakura down the hall way.

"Ryoma-kun! Why are you back so early?" Nanako asked in surprised as she saw Ryoma walked past the dining area.

Ryoma pushed Sakura behind the wall and put on a calm face, " I had this hangover and was feeling quite-"

"AUNTY NANAKO!"

Sakura jumped out of her hiding place as she waved cheerily to Nanako. Ryoma was speechless and no coherent word came out of his mouth.

Great so much for rule number one.

"Aunty Nanako? How come your hair is so long?" Sakura asked as she approached Nanako and grabbed her hair.

Sakura just thrashed rule number three into the bin.

Ryoma rushed frantically towards Sakura as he tried to ask Sakura to shut up.

"Stop playing with Nanako's hair and come here!" Ryoma hissed.

Nope, Sakura forgot rule four totally and was enticed by the long silky locks in her hand.

Ryoma might as well scrape the whole rule system away.

"Ryoma-kun… she is…."

Ryoma tried to come out with a logical explanation, "Well you see, my sempai wanted me to take care of his sibling for a couple of days and I was obliged to help him."

Nanako raised an eye brow as she squatted down the faced Sakura, "Hello sweetie, what's your name?"

"Sakura! Aunty Nanako! Don't you remember? I am Sakura Echizen!" Sakura replied with a curtsy.

…….

"Nani?"

Ryoma hurriedly pulled Sakura aside as he murmured some lame excuse he could come up with.

"Uhhh…. It just happens that someone else has a surname as us!"

"OKAY. But I am surprised. Our surname is pretty uncommon"

"I need to bring Sakura up now!" Ryoma said quickly as he towed Sakura up the stairs.

"Uh Papa? Where –" Ryoma covered Sakura's mouth as he saw his cousin's confused face once more.

" She is just ummm… obsessed over her father and she thinks her father is me!" Ryoma shouted to Nanako.

"Ummm ya, Ryoma-kun. Just make sure she feels comfortable here will you?" Nanako said uncertainly as she began to walk off.

Ryoma spun round and stared hard at Sakura, "Didn't I tell you not to reveal yourself? Have you forgotten the rules I told you?"

"Huh? What rules?"

Sigh, this day just had to get better.

"Yo Bishounen! Why are you back home so early?"

"GRANDPAPA!!!"

Or maybe it could get worse….

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well I think that Echizen is an uncommon surname.

Hope I get the characteristics of little children right. You know short attention span and all that kind of things. Yes and about the mother, I try to reveal a bit of her in the coming chappies. Note that I will try.

Yup, hope you can review to keep me going!"