FD Hi, everybody, I updated again!

Thank you all so much for your reviews, especially Nana. I know it is Mary Sue and there's repetitive use of Hime-sama. However I really like the comparison of prince and princess. I apologize for the disappointment, but this is how I want my story to be.

FD Oh and I decided to make this a Ryoma and Hikari pairing. However that may change depending on the flow of the story.

Shells1: I want to clarify; Hikari did not stop playing Tennis. She just stopped participating in the tournaments. You'll see why in later chapters.

Thank you all so much!

Disclaimer: I don't own prince of tennis. I do own Kumara Hikari though.

……….

Rival and Friend

Chapter 2

"PA!" the loud clear sounds of tennis balls smashing against the floor filled the tennis court.

The Seigaku tennis club members are in an intense morning practice. The Tokyo prefecture tournament is coming up and they cannot be careless and slow down their practice.

"Urgh!" Ryoma grunted softly and served a Twist serve to Momo-sempai, who tried to return it with Jack Knife. However he putted too much power into his stroke and ended up with an out.

"Mada mada dane." Ryoma smirked at his panting sempai and pulled his white cap.

"Sugoi! Ryoma!" an enthusiastic feminine voice called out, startling all the tennis players on the court. The players whipped their head franticly, trying to discover the identity of the person with the unfamiliar voice. No, not unfamiliar, that voice was indescribably familiar to one of the Seigaku regulars.

Ryoma trembled, all his resolve to not think about her broke in that one instant. "Hikari!" he shouted, his face urgent and hopeful.

The rest of the Seigaku Tennis club watched in astonishment at the fact that the normally passive and indifferent Ryoma displayed so much emotion. They had never heard him raising his voice, not once.

"Ryoma!" the mysterious voice called out again. This time, Ryoma and the others had discovered the source of the voice.

A petite girl sat on top of the eight-meter fence, waving at them in delight. She has messy blue locks that reflected violet light under the sun. They framed an elfish face with cheerful emerald eyes. She is not wearing the standard girl's uniform; instead she wore Seigaku's boys uniform; white long-sleeved shirt and dark long pants. She smiled and waved enthusiastically when she realized they had noticed her presence.

"Ryoma!" Hikari shouted again, "Catch me!"

Ryoma stared at her in astonishment then realized the implication of her words, "Wait-" he stopped abruptly; Hikari had already pushed herself off the fence and is now dropping at an alarming rate.

Not thinking about anything else other than the safety of the sky-locked girl, Ryoma dropped his racket and sprinted forward. He leapt up and caught the dropping girl neatly in his arms. Hikari automatically linked her arms around Ryoma's neck as they both dropped down.

Leg muscle honed by years of playing tennis, Ryoma was able to land on the ground successfully on his foot. He panted loudly; this new development is so not good for his heart.

"Arigato, Ryoma!" came the voice of the one who was responsible for his present state. Ryoma pushed away all feelings of relief and such into the inner corner of his mind; they would be a hindrance to what he was about to do. Silently, he focused on the raw and more unpleasant emotions, anger and fear. He waited and let them became the primary emotions and then turned to Hikari.

"What were you doing!" Ryoma yelled, letting some of his fury seep into his voice.

The Seigaku students flinched slightly at the almost visible edge in Ryoma's tone. Their normally calm and apathetic freshmen regular is now emitting almost visible waves of rage.

……..

Arai looked at the unknown girl, who will be the victim of Echizen's wrath, in sympathy. He wished he could help but there was no way he was approaching Echizen in his present state. Through he was a two-year; he had learned long time ago that it's suicide to underestimate the young first-year.

……..

However, the rest of the Seigaku regulars, who were more familiar with Ryoma, decided to risk the wrath of the young tennis prodigy. They took a hesitant step toward the pair, but were halted by the light gesture from Hikari.

Hikari sensed their approach, and inwardly smiled. It's sweet for them to try, but it was completely unnecessary. While Ryoma had always been less than emotional than others, okay, a lot less emotional than others. He had his own fair share of tantrum. It had frightened many others, in fact, she took note of the scared looks from the surround students and the apprehensive looks from the regulars, and it is still quite effective. However she was, she still is, immune to Ryoma's fury and rudeness.

Putting her hands on her hip, Hikari was undaunted by the less than pleasant looks sent to her by Ryoma. She took a step toward him, and knocked him on the forehead lightly with her knuckles. "Greeting you, of course." She said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Ryoma frowned, slightly unsatisfied that his rage is already dissipating because of her familiar gesture. However, there was still more than enough for him to focus on. Ryoma took a small step back, more to stop himself from weakening his resolve than from actual apprehension of the pain.

"You jumped down from a 8m fence." He said in a deadpanned voice. The horror of seeing her falling from the fence still boiled in his blood. There's no way he's going to let her get away with almost breaking her stupid neck without getting a severe tongue lashing from him.

"And you caught me." Hikari added, already seeing the accusation forming Ryoma's mind.

"That's not the point!" Ryoma's voice rose as he continued, "If I had been slightly slower or if I didn't catch you properly or if I land wrong, you would have been severely injured!" his voice rose and his chest heaved with his labored breath. Ryoma noted with annoyance that his heart rate had speeded up again.

"I knew you would have caught me and landed both of us safely." Hikari said firmly and glared right back at the furious boy.

"How could you be sure, if I –" however Ryoma didn't get the chance to finish his sentence, Hikari knocked him on the forehead with her knuckles again, this time with more force. "Ryoma no baka, what kind of rival would I be if I didn't even know your abilities? And what kind of friend would I be if I don't even have a little faith in you?"

She smiled into the Ryoma's stunned face, "Believe me, I knew you would have caught me and landed both of us safely." She said firmly.

Ryoma felt himself went speechless, his anger became non-existent. After staring at Hikari for a moment, he sighed lightly, "Why do you always do that?" he mumbled quietly.

Hikari smiled smugly, "do what?" she asked, even though she already guessed his reply.

Ryoma frowned at her, "Make me so angry and then say something like that so I can't even stay mad at you." His voice took a light whiney tone and Hikari knew he's pouting even without looking at him.

She looked up, AH HA! She's right; he is pouting. "That's why I'm your FRIEND and RIVAL." She replied and slung her arm over his shoulder casually.

Ryoma allowed her to lean into him before looking at her sternly, "Don't ever do that again." He warned in a solemn tone.

Hikari grinned, "Hai, hai, mother." She said in her best childlike voice.

"HIKARI!" Ryoma exclaimed in indignation and balled his fist.

Hikari laughed again, yep, she still got it; the ability to make Ryoma mad like no other.

………

While the two exchanged light bantering, they did not notice the astonishment on rest of the Seigaku students' face. Though they never saw Echizen mad before, they knew to have calm Echizen down in such a short time is an almost impossible feat. That is also one of the reason they hesitate to approach Echizen in the first place. It's almost a miracle, but then again, Echizen being that mad in the first place is also a miracle.

"Well, look like Echizen is back to his usual self." Kawamura let out a sigh of relief. He, for one, has been very nervous at Echizen's abnormally emotional behavior.

Fuji nodded absently; indeed what they just witnessed is a very strange event. His eyes focused on the pair, very strange indeed.

"Good data." The rest of the Seigaku regulars sweat dropped at the spiky haired man writing furiously on his data notebook. However they turned away quickly, lest he offered them another one of his own Inui Special Vegetable Juice.

"Ding, ding, ding, ding!" loud school bells signaled the beginning of school. The tennis club members packed their equipments and begin to leave the court.

"Kumara-san, Echizen!" Kawamura called out as Echizen and Hikari moved to leave the court. The rest of Seigaku regulars heard the call and also stopped.

Hikari turned and smiled at the third-year student who is running toward them. "Ano.." she paused in embarrassment and looked over to Ryoma.

Ryoma nodded lightly in acknowledgement of Hikari's question, "Kawamura-sempai, what is it?" he asked once the tennis player stopped in front of them.

"Are you going to attend Seishun Gakuen, Kumara-san?" Kawamura questioned, eyeing the Seigaku name sewed on Hikari's shirt.

Hikari flashed them a bright smile and nodded. "Papa said I need to meet more worthy opponents and increase my strength." Then she turned and put one hand on Ryoma's shoulder, "And because I told him that my rival is at Seishun Gakuen."

"Che." Ryoma grunted softly, please by her acknowledgement but too stubborn to show it.

"It's pleasant to meet you again, Kumara-san." Oishi told the petite girl. He is rather glad for Kumara's appearance. Echizen had been slightly downcast ever since that encounter with the sapphire haired girl. As the mother hen of the group, he was quite worried but also hesitant to approach the boy about it. Now, seeing Echizen's brightened eyes, he felt he could lay his worry to rest.

"Are you going to come to the practice today after school?" Fuji asked the bouncing girl, smiling softly. Ever since he heard Inui's data on Kumara Hikari, he had been eager to have a match with the young girl.

Hikari squealed and clasped her hands together, "Definitely!" then proceed to chant "Tennis, tennis, tennis!" the Seigaku regulars grinned at the vibrant girl's enthusiasm.

Then Hikari stopped and looked slightly embarrassed, "ano, last time, I was in a hurry and I didn't have the time to get to know you all."

"My name is Takeshi Momshiro, you can call me Momo-chan." The spiky haired boy eagerly jumped in front of Hikari. He had been curious about her even since their last encounter. Silently he snickered; he can't wait to pump information from her.

Hikari grinned; she liked the carefree way of Momshiro. "Please to meet you, Momo-sempai, you can call me Kumara."

Momoshiro frowned in mock pain, "Momo-chan is just fine, no need to add –sempai."

Hikari grinned then said in a perfect imitation of Ryoma. "Yadda."

"Hoi! Hoi! I'm Kikumaru Eiji, Kawaii-chan!" the acrobatic player pushed the powerhouse of Seigaku out of the way and grinned at Hikari.

The rest them quickly introduced themselves to Hikari, with the exception of Kaidoh who hissed and was introduced by Momoshiro. Though Momoshiro's introduction was less flattering considering his attitude toward the viper.

"Our buchou, Tezuka Kunimitsu, is not here today. However you'll get to met him tomorrow." Oishi smiled at the small girl, earning loud squeals from the fan girls who watched outside of the court.

"Oishi-sempai! You are so hot!" one of the more forward girls screamed; her voice pierced through the other girls delighted chattering.

Oishi felt his face warmed and ducked his head to avoid the amused looks directed his way by his fellow teammates. This is so not his day. Oishi flushed again as another overly enthusiastic girl proclaimed her undying love for him to the rest of world. He didn't understand women at all!

Hikari raised her eyebrow at Oishi-sempai's flushing face and grinned. This could be fun, she thought idly, looking at her new sempais. She leaned lightly into Ryoma, who stood just beside her. "Hey, look at Oishi-sempai's face." She whispered into his ear.

At Hikari's words, Ryoma turned sideways and just in time to catch another wave of warmth spreading over Oishi-sempai's already crimson cheeks. Apparently, female fan activity had been unusually huge today. Stifling a light chuckle at his sempai's predicament, Ryoma merely smirked, "Ne, Oishi-sempai, aren't you turning into a blushing bride?"

The vice-president's jaws dropped open as he vehemently denied it; however his effect ruined by another incoming blush. The others laughed at the flustered Oishi; Kikumaru even went and pinched his doubles partner's cheeks. "Echizen!" Oishi growled out softly. Man, Echizen's infamous witty remarks. Oishi gingerly rubbed his cheek; any more blushing and he really will be turning into the blushing bride.

"Ding, ding, ding, ding." The deafening bell came again, warning the Seigaku students that they have only five more minutes to get to class.

Ryoma and Hikari parted from others and walked toward the main office and get Hikari's timetable.

"Ne, Ryoma?" Hikari turned to the tennis player with a dubious look on her face, "Do you feel like someone's watching us?"

Ryoma quickly scanned the surrounding and spotted light brown ponytails poking through one of the bushes behind them. "Che."

Hikari grinned, "Must be fan girls!" then she rubbed the back of her head, ruffling her azure locks, "extreme loyal ones too. I can literally feel them burning a hole through my head."

Ryoma frowned, then quickly caught Hikari's wrist. "Let's go." He whispered and begun running toward the office. Flashing him a grateful smile, Hikari followed and thankfully left the line of eyesight of the mysterious fan girls.

………

Back at the bush

Tomoko, the self-proclaimed president of Ryoma's fan club, glared furiously at the retreating back of the pair. Her fist balled and her lips tightened. Behind her is Sakuno Ryusaki, who now looked woefully at the ground, refusing to look up. She felt tears already begin to form around here eyes. No, she wouldn't cry again.

Tomoko turned to her best friend in sympathy. Sakuno and her just came to cheer her beloved Ryoma-sama when this girl came and flirted with Ryoma-sama outrageously. Sakuno had instantly run away after she caught the sight of Ryoma-sama catching that girl from midair. She had followed in worry and found Sakuno crying under the giant oak tree.

Though she had always proclaimed her love for Ryoma-sama, she had looked as him merely as an idol. But she could tell for Sakuno, Ryoma-sama is different. She blushed and stuttered whenever they talked about Ryoma-sama. Sakuno displayed all the symptoms of a girl in love.

As her best friend, Tomoko supported her indefinitely. She found Sakuno's shyness absolutely adorable, and Ryoma-sama absolutely hot. Tomoko believes that Sakuno and Ryoma-sama would make a wonderful couple. She pursed her lips as the memory of Sakuno crying under the tree surfaced. How dare that girl come and make Sakuno cry! She silently promised herself to found the girl and tongue lash her to the other end of earth.

…………

FD this chapter is shorter than the first one, but it's appropriate time to stop. I'm already writing the third chapter, so watch for updates.

Please review!