FD: I'm so sorry that I took so long for this chapter. I had been stuck for a while.

Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis. I do own Kumara Hikari though.

……….

Chapter 7

Ryoma glared at Hikari, who is calmly eating her breakfast. Wet greenish hair plastered over his forehead. Droplets of water slide down his cheeks and splashed against the clean wooden floor.

Nanjirou nearly choked at the comical sight his son made. It's not everyday one gets to see his son soaked to the bone with his pajamas plastered against his body. "You shouldn't take showers with your cloth on. Seishunen." Nanjirou snickered and ignored the death glare sent to him by his son. Fortunately for him, Ryoma is focusing his attention on the culprit of his misfortune, or he would get a lot more than a death glare.

"No kidding." Ryoma said dryly then suddenly he smirked slyly. Unfortunately for Hikari, who as the guilty offender normally do, had buried her head in the sand, more technically, her breakfast. So she had completely missed the calculating look that passed Ryoma's countenance.

"AHHHH!"

………

Hikari glared at Ryoma, who did not even bother hiding his pleasure. After snickering at Hikari for a few second, he give in his urge and just laughed loudly. Any unpleasant glints in his eyes were replaced by blunt glee at his rival's predicament. "Now, we are even." Ryoma squeezed Hikari's shoulder and told her smugly. Lips twitching in amusement, Ryoma turned and almost skipped out of the room. The remaining inhabitants in the kitchen can still hear his occasional barks of laughter.

Hikari stood in the middle of the floor, cloth dripping and hair plastering her against her face, much like what Ryoma had look like when he entered the kitchen. As revenge, Ryoma had grabbed the water bucket at the corner of the kitchen and promptly dumped its content onto Hikari, who yelped and jumped into the air.

Nanjirou tried, he really tried, but a snicker escaped his traitorous lips.

"Nanjirou-san, go ahead and laugh, I know you want to." Hikari said sardonically, then fingered one strand of azure lock and squeezed the water out, slowly.

Happy to obey, Nanjirou abandoned all his effort and roared.

"RYOMA!"

……….

After school practice

"Ano, Grandma?" Sakuno voiced tentatively and poked her head into the tennis court.

Hikari paused in her game with Kaidoh-sempai and turned adjusted her body so she can hear Ryuskai-sensei. Her lips twitched as she resisted her urge to giggle. No, that would alert Ryoma and make him suspicious, and then the whole plan will fall apart.

Flashback

"You really think this will work?" Tomoko asked the azure haired girl. The two of them is now hiding behind the door of Ryusaki-sensei's office.

"Of course! Have some faith!"

"But our last five attempts has failed."

"Don't worry, this time it'll work for sure! People need to be alone in order to progress their relationship and grew intimate. It's no use to wait for them to ask each other out, giving Sakuno's shyness and Ryoma's lack of social ability. " Hikari replied; her eyes still glued at the office.

"Oh, Ryusaki-kun is about to tell her. Shh."

"Grandma?" Sakuno's soft sweet voice drifted clearly into the two girls' waiting ears. "My racket strings are becoming messed up. Could you take a look?"

………..

"Ne, Kumara-kun, why didn't we tell Sakuno the plan?" Tomoko looked questioningly at her partner-in-crime.

Hikari turned and faced Tomoko and gestured toward Sakuno exasperatedly, "Tell her we are planning her to have a date with Ryoma? Given her shyness, she probably talk herself out of it before the date comes."

Tomoko nodded slowly, realizing that is the truth. "Wouldn't Ryusaki-sensei notice the racket strings are messed up on purpose?" Tomoko spoke after a pause and stared at Hikari anxiously.

Hikari looked at Tomoko, a hand on her chest. "I would not do such an amateur job." She said in mock-haughty way, looking extremely insulted at Tomoko's doubt over her skills, "Believe me, there's no way Ryusaki-sensei is going to notice."

…………

"Oh, this is pretty bad, you must practiced very hard!" Ryusaki-sensei traced the racket.

……….

Hikari smirked smugly at Tomoko, "see?"

Tomoko looked at Hikari suspiciously, "How did you learned to do that anyway?"

Hikari's eyes widened and she looked away, whistling innocently. "I, er, kinda had some experience in that stuff." She murmured quietly, unable to withstand Tomoko's unwavering stare. "But it was just prankster fun. I would never hurt anyone purposefully." She waved her hands in front of her defensively after seeing Tomoko's suspicious stare deepened.

……….

Sakuno blinked in confusion. Very hard? She hardly thinks so. After all, she spends most of her time watching tennis matches between the Seigaku regulars, especially Ryoma-kun's matches. Maybe Grandma meant that she practiced more than she used to.

"I'll take you to a racket repairing shop this Saturday, 2pm. I know someone who is great at this." Ryusaki-sensei told her granddaughter.

Sakuno nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Grandma."

……….

"Okay, we got the date." Tomoko said, start moving away from the door, "Next is to make sure Ryusaki-sensei is unable to make it at that time." She whispered.

Hikari cocked her head to the side then suddenly grinned. "Leave it to me. This will be ea-" Hikari stumbled back and landed heavily on her behind. "Oww." She whimpered softly and made a face.

"I'm so sorry, Kumara. Are you okay?" Oishi kneeled down and looked at Hikari apologetically.

"Oishi-sempai!" Hikari exclaimed in surprise and blinked at Oishi in Confusion. Seeing Seigaku mother hen's worried look, she waved her hands reassuringly. "Fine, fine." She flipped up, landed on her feet and tossed a cheerful grin to Oishi. "Ja ne" Hikari took Tomoko's hand and ran down the hall.

Flashback ended.

Hikari looked over to where the Ryusakis are talking. Sakuno looked disappointed while Ryusaki-sensei looked apologetic. She grinned mentally, 'Step two completed.'

Flashback

"Ryusaki-sensei!" Hikari called out to the tennis coach.

"Yes?" Ryusaki-sensei turned around and looked into Hikari's emerald ones. She clasped her hands in front of her chest and her lips trembled slightly. She resembled a lost puppy looking for assistance. As a grandmother, this is a look she knew well. Her daughter had mastered the look and used on her endlessly in her teenage years. Experience had warned her to beware of such look; Ryusaki-sensei steeled herself. Unfortunately for her, Hikari is the master of the master. Poor Ryusaki-sensei, she never stood a chance.

Hikari took a step closer to the tennis coach, maximizing the effect of her pleading eyes. Then she activated her tears gland, which she had mastered when she was six. Liquid formed at the corner of her eyes and effectively moisture them. Appearance prepared, Hikari begins to spin her tale.

………

"Here." Hikari hand another tissue to Ryusaki-sensei and dubbed another tissue around the corner of her yes.

"I can't believe those kids experienced such trauma and still has such outlook on life. Don't worry, I'll help." Ryusaki-sensei released another sob and blew loudly on the tissue.

'SCORE!' Hikari mentally screamed then smiled angelically at Ryusaki-sensei. "Thank you so much! I'm sure those kids will be so happy." She got up and bowed at the still bawling coach, "It's this Saturday at 2pm, okay."

Ryusaki-sensei nodded absently and blew loudly into the tissue.

'I'm so good!'

Turning around the corner, Hikari met with Tomoko who is currently sobbing at the floor.

"What's the matter?" Hikari dropped down and looked the president of Ryoma's fan club worriedly.

Tomoko turned her glassy brown eyes to Hikari, "Those kids…" she managed to choke out and lost herself to tears again.

Hikari looked stunned at the moment, then grinned, "Told you I'm good."

"KUMARA!"

Flashback ended

Hikari grimaced slightly at the remembrance of Tomoko yelling at her for telling her sooner. Her comrade had not taken kindly when informed that the story was false. But she had forgiven her eventually, though it took some work.

……….

"I'm really sorry, Sakuno. Bur I'm going to be busy at Saturday, maybe we could go another day." Ryusaki-sensei said regretfully to her granddaughter.

Hikari narrowed her eyes, 'That's the cue.' "Wait, Ryusaki-sensei!" Hikari jumped up, "Are you going to Haritatsu's place?"

Ryusaki-sensei looked at Hikari in surprise, "Yes, you know him too?"

Hikari nodded then smiled brightly, "Then Ryoma can take Ryusaki-kun there." She gestured toward Ryoma, who is focusing on his practice against a second-year.

"Eh!" Sakuno flushed bright red and fidgeted uncomfortably.

Hikari waved cheerfully, "wait here." She then jumped in front of Ryoma with a flip in the air, causing Ryoma to stumble back in surprise. Hikari grinned brightly then grabbed Ryoma's elbow and dragged him to the Ryusakis.

"Hey! Hikari!" Ryoma grumbled unpleasantly but his target received zero impact from his words.

Sighing quietly, Ryoma tugged his cap and looked at his coach. "What is it?" his voice quiet with exasperation as he send an irritated glare to the azure haired girl beside him.

Hikari patted his shoulder, "Ryusaki-kun need to have her racquet repaired. Since Ryusaki-sensei is busy this weekend, we think that you could take her there." She said casually and pushed a stammering Sakuno forward.

Ryusaki Sakuno looked up timidly then turned bright crimson when she met Ryoma's confused eyes. Quickly she ducked her head and clutched the rim of her skirt. Soft mumbles could be heard from the shy girl.

Ryoma's eyes widened in surprise then narrowed in suspicion. "Why should I do that?" he crossed his arms and frowned at Hikari.

Sakuno felt herself cringe at the coldness in Ryoma's voice. She resisted the urge to cry. Oh why, why did this have to happen to her!

Hikari frowned, 'This is going to be harder than I thought.' She gave Sakuno's shoulder a gentle pat then turned and smiled at the Ryusakis, "excuse us for moment." Then Hikari grabbed Ryoma's collar and dragged him to an empty corner of the tennis court.

She pushed her hands on her hips. "Hey! Don't be rude." Her voice oozed disapproval. Then she thrusts her head forward; "Ryusaki-kun had been supporting you for all your matches. Can't you do this one little thing for her?"

Ryoma turned away stubbornly. 'Okay. Though her ways can be tiring at times, Ryusaki-san had been supporting him. Maybe he should consider paying her back. But' Ryoma crossed his arms, an almost childish pout on his lips, 'doesn't Hikari know girls like Ryusaki-san, who are so sensitive that they could cry at the slightest comment, are the ones he is most afraid of dealing with!'

Hikari silently congratulate herself, 'yes, he's cracking!' she softened her voice, no use in making him go to his mule mode. Everything will be ruined then. Though she is really tempted to do that just so she could have a good shouting match with him. She had been kind of restless lately and a good lengthy shouting match with Ryoma always seems to relieve her stress. "Ryoma, come on." She tugged his sleeves, "She is really good company." She added quietly, peering at Ryoma's face for any reaction.

Ryoma's frown deepened; a nagging voice sounded at the back of his mind. Something about Hikari's last sentence roused his suspicion. 'Good company?'

"No."

Hikari noticed too late the effect of her last sentence has on her rival. 'Rats! I almost had him!' She wished she could have one of those duplicate machines just so she can kick herself on the behind. 'Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk.' Kumara Hikari is not someone who gives up easily. 'The guilt tactic worked before. Let's see if it will work again.'

"Ryoma." she said sternly and glared at the tennis prodigy, "You owe her." She said slowly and firmly.

Unfortunately, despite the fact she tried to prevent it, Ryoma retreated to his mule mode. He pursed his lips and glared right back at her. "No." he replied just as firmly.

Hikari mentally sighed, and then she took a deep breath and turned her fetal weapon. Fetal for others I mean. She widened her eyes and worked on those tears gland. "Ryoma!" she pleaded, "won't you please help her!" clear liquid begin to form at the corners of her eyes as her lips begin to quiver. This had always worked before!

Ryoma raised an eyebrow and smirked at Hikari's pitiful countenance. "Give it up, Hikari. I had spent four years with you being your best friend and rival. I had gained the immunity toward your 'Tear Tactic' long ago."

Hikari's eyes widened then she sighed heavily, visibly deflated. Right, Ryoma is not anybody. She sighed again then looked at Ryoma resolutely, "Then you won't change your mind, no matter what?"

Ryoma grinned uncertainly; something tells him he should not do this. But his stupid pride took control and he nodded slowly.

"Then you leave me no choice." Hikari said quietly then crackled her knuckles.

Ryoma's eyes widened but before he could make a sound.

POW!

Hikari dragged a now unconscious Ryoma toward the Ryusakis. "Ryoma said he would do it." Then she turned to a bewildered Sakuno and grinned brightly, "Ryusaki-kun, just meet him at Tokyo Station at 2pm on Saturday."

Then Hikari proceed to drag Ryoma by his collar out of the tennis court, ignoring the shocked silence of her fellow schoolmate. It's such a good thing Tezuka-buchou is away that day.

………….

"You hit him!" Tomoko gaped at Hikari, who is nonchalantly drinking her grape flavored Ponta. She had disposed Ryoma at the door of the boy's locker room and joined Tomoko after practice.

Hikari waved her hand dismissively. "Ryoma is stubborn. So the only way to get through him when he is in his mule mode is with fists."

Tomoko's mouth opened and closed; no sound came out. 'Mental note: never mess with Hikari.'

Hikari grinned and finished her Ponta. She glanced at her watch; Ryoma should be awake in ten minutes. 'Better clear out before then.' She mused, "Come on, we got work to do."

…………

Saturday

"Mou!" Sakuno whimpered as she dumped her entire wardrobe on her bed. Nothing! Absolutely nothing!

"Clothes problem?" Sakuno blinked at the sound of a soft teasing voice.

Hikari was leaning against the frame of her door. Tomoko stand beside her with a huge grin on her face.

Hikari pushed her sleeves up. "Alright! Let's get you ready for your date!"

"AHHHHH!"

……….

"Gomen nasai. (Sorry) Ryoma-kun. You must have waited for a long time." Sakuno said tentatively, one of her hand smoothed out the non-existent wrinkles on her pink skirt. Tomo-chan and Kumara-kun had argued for forty minutes before both of them agreeing on an outfit with various shades of pink. She flushed at the remembrance of Kumara-kun calling this a date.

"Betsuni." Came the curt reply. Sakuno lowered her head, feeling discouraged. Resisting an urge to whimper, Sakuno followed the dark-haired boy out of the station. She rubbed her eyes hastily, feeling the familiar liquid forming. She cannot let Ryoma-kun notice she is going to cry.

She shouldn't have worried; Ryoma is currently fuming in his own world. He rubbed the side of his chin gingerly and winced at the sharp sting of pain caused by the movement. 'Hikari no baka!' he swore mentally at his cursed rival. His expression turned sour. 'Damn! Damn her for hitting him! Damn her for can't even refuse her request even after she punched him! HIKARI NO BAKA!'

………..

"Achoo!" Hikari sent an apologetic smile to Tomoko and then frowned. "Someone must be swearing at me."

"Hey! Kumara. They are leaving. Let's go!" Tomoko said, ducking back to the wall.

"Let's go!"

…………

Sakuno followed Ryoma quietly; he hardly spoke to her in the entire trip. She pursed her lips. No! She must be brave!

Sakuno ran forward and blocked Ryoma's path firmly. Her hands rose to block the boy's passage.

At the sudden turn of event, Ryoma's eyes widened in surprise.

………..

"Yes. Take initiative, girl! You can do it!" Hikari muttered.

……….

"Ryoma-kun, wh-what is your favorite music?" Sakuno stuttered out, already felt her sudden courage leaking out of her.

Ryoma's eyebrow went way up, "Music? Why are you asking me that?" his voice filled with disbelief as he stared strangely at Sakuno.

Sakuno lowered her head in disappointment. "Never mind. " She whispered sadly.

"Ano.."

Sakuno quickly lifted her head and stared hopefully at the boy.

"You talked a lot today, why?"

Sakuno stared silently at Ryoma for a moment, then her eyes crinkled in hurt. Droplets of tears fluttered between her eyelashes. This time she didn't even try to stop them from falling. "Why?" she repeated shakily, then her lips trembled.

Quickly she ran past Ryoma, soft sobs shook her slight frame.

Ryoma stared after the crying girl, eyes widened in confusion.

……….

"RYOMA!"

The tennis prodigy quickly turned toward the enraged voice and was awarded with a quick punch at the exact same spot on his chin.

"OWWWW!"

Hikari had jumped over the bush that Tomoko and her had been hiding behind. She had witnessed the cruelty Ryoma had displayed to that poor sweet girl. Her face flushed with anger as she delivered what she considered just punishment to her best friend.

"Hi-Hikari!" Ryoma stuttered out in a surprised tone from the concrete and blinked owlishly at the sudden appearance of Hikari. Then his abused chin chose that moment to voice its protest at the abuse it has suffered, TWICE!

"Nan da yo (What the hell!)!"Snapped out of his shock by another wave of pain, Ryoma glared furiously at his attacker.

Hikari narrowed her eyes and glared back. "I saw it! I saw it all!" she said vehemently and pushed her face toward Ryoma angrily.

"Saw what!" Ryoma, just as furious, pursed his lips and retorted back with equal force. His normally golden eyes darkened as he screamed right back at Hikari.

Both of them seething and hissing with each other only centimeters away. You can almost see the steams coming from their body.

"I can't believe you are such a pig!" Hikari yelled into Ryoma's face and breathed fire, "How could you say that to Ryusaki-kun." Then she pointed a finger at the direction, which Sakuno had taken off. "That was so unbelievably insensitive. You made her cry!"

Ryoma frowned slightly as his anger dampened by guilty. Perhaps he is a little too tactless in his wording. He turned slightly away.

"… and after all my planning, you have to go and ruin it." Hikari finished with a huff.

Ryoma's ears perked up and he slowly turned back to Hikari. All previous guilt dissipated, well, maybe not all. However he was reminded of the fact that Hikari herself arranged this outing. Instead of using this information and screamed back at her, Ryoma remained silent. Something in the way she word it raised the suspicion that he has harbor for the past several days.

"Planning?" His voice is very soft.

Hikari blinked, then her eyes widened at the realization that she had give herself away. 'OH NO!' "Heh, heh, heh." Hikari chuckled nervously as she tried to back away.

Ryoma donned her his best vampire smile, "Oh no, you don't." he grabbed her arm, preventing her escape. "We are going to have a long talk when we get home."

Hikari shivered at the look in Ryoma's eyes, it's the you-are-so-getting-it look. She is so dead! HELP!

……….

Tomoko tiptoed out of the bush after making sure that Ryoma-sama and Kumara are long gone. She breathed a sigh of relief. Ryoma-sama looks so scary then! Oh god, she pity Kumara, immensely.

Then she jumped up, oh she got a sobbing Sakuno at her hand. Well, even a sobbing Sakuno is better than Kumara's position. She wouldn't trade with Kumara for the world.

Must find Sakuno now!

………….

FD: So What do you think!

Sakuno may seem to cry a little too much compare to the anime character. Sorry about that if I offended anybody.

Next chapter will be the confrontation between Hikari and Ryoma.

This should come quicker than this one.

Please REVIEW!