FD: YAH! New chapter!

This is the big confrontation between Ryoma and Hikari!

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

…………….

Chapter 8

Hikari stole a glance at Ryoma's back and grimaced to herself. Ryoma had not spoken a word since they are in the house. He just dragged her into his room and sat back, leaned against the wall. He hadn't even looked at her and frankly; the silence and tension are killing her.

"Alright!" Hikari throw her hands up in the air in resignation. Silence is so not her thing! "I'm sorry!"

Ryoma resist the smile that is threatening to form, Hikari can be so much fun when she is frustrated. He is not as angry as Hikari had believed him to be. This is probably another one of Hikari's matchmaking scheme. She certainly had her fill of them in US and he is not so surprised that she had conducted another one of them. Though the fact he is her chosen victim doesn't really sit well with him. However he can ignore this and set her straight afterwards. However, that does not mean he wouldn't make a squirm a bit. He does fully intend to have revenge for her two punches to his chin. He schooled his feature and looked at Hikari expressionlessly. "Confess." He said curtly.

Hikari looked guiltily at the floor, but could not help feeling relieved. At least, he talked. "Okay. I admit I tried to set you up with Ryusaki Sakuno. But not with reason." She added seeing Ryoma's lips formed a frown.

Ryoma raised an eyebrow skeptically, "And pray to tell, what made you think I would be interested in Ryusaki-san?" he said dryly.

Hikari got up and dropped herself in front of Ryoma, "Come on. I thought she was your girlfriend when I went to your match with Fudomine." She crossed her legs and made herself comfortable.

This time Ryoma's eyebrow went way way up, "Gir-Girlfriend?" he stuttered out incredulously.

Hikari nodded sagely, then pinched her voice high, "Ryoma-kun are you alright?" Hikari said in a very close imitation to Sakuno's voice when she saw Ryoma getting injured from the racquet. She snickered at Ryoma's flushed face, then giving up the effort, and just laughed.

Ryoma is not amused at Hikari's teasing, "Stop it." He grumbled out and slapped her shoulder.

"Sorry." Hikari tried to stifle her amusement and smiled. "But you have to admit, it was so sweet!"

Ryoma's blush faded and his frown came back. "Hikari." He glowered, a warning tone in his voice.

Hikari waved apologetically, "Sorry."

Ryoma sighed then leaned back, "So I assume all those weird incidents with Ryusaki-san are all your doing."

Hikari put a hand on the back of her head sheepishly, "Probably." Then she put a hand on her chest and said proudly, "But you have to admit, they are brilliant and would have worked if" Hikari pointed an accusing finger at Ryoma, "someone isn't so insensitive and dense."

Ryoma scoffed condescendingly, "Oh please."

Flashback

"Ryoma-kun?" Sakuno blushed and called out timidly, "I was wondering if you could give me some pointers in tennis?"

……….

Hikari raised a V-sign to Tomoko, "Love mission number 1: find common interest."

……….

"Ryusaki-sensei is your grandmother, isn't she?" Ryoma said in confusion.

"Um, yes."

"Then ask her to help you." Ryoma told her then turned and left.

Flashback end

Hikari crossed her arms, "See, that was so cold!"

Ryoma furrowed his brows, "Well, Ryusaki-sensei is her grandmother. Besides, at that time, I was supposed to get the grocery. She stopped me in a supermarket. What was I supposed to do?"

Hikari nodded reluctantly, true, the setting was off.

Flashback

"Okay, Love mission number 2: Sprained foot." Hikari said quietly to Tomoko as they watched from a bush.

Sakuno sat on the ground, clutching her left foot. She had been rather reluctant in this scheme, saying she doesn't like the fact she's lying to Ryoma-kun. Tomoko and Hikari had taken forty minutes to convince her this is all right. Now the plan is executing smoothly.

Ryoma had just come out of the boy's locker room. He is the last one as planned by yours-truly, Kumara Hikari. No one should interrupt this mission!

"Ryusaki-san, What happened?" Ryoma step forward, as predicted, to Sakuno.

Sakuno felt a flush rising, oh why did she have to lie? "My left ankle is sprained." She said quietly.

………..

Hikari frowned, oh no, she is not crying. Quietly, she took out a sling shot, "Sorry, Ryusaki-kun." And she fired, hitting Sakuno's back.

………..

"Oww!" Sakuno exclaimed, and droplets of liquid formed in her eyes.

So, any normal boy when faced with a damsel in distress, especially a crying damsel in distress, should valiantly offered the girl his arm and help her home. But no, not Echizen Ryoma. He ran back to the nurse office and borrowed a crutch.

"There, now you can get home."

Flashback end

Hikari throw her hands exasperatedly in the air, "You should have offered to take her home."

Ryoma blinked in confusion, "I give the crutch. Besides, we live in opposite side off the city."

Hikari sighed heavily, "Exactly my point. Insensitive."

Flashback

"I'm not giving up! Love mission number 3: Falling." Hikari said, sitting on the branch of an oak tree outside the school

Tomoko and Sakuno walked toward the school with Ryoma right in front of them. 'They couldn't have been in a better position.' Hikari thought and signaled Tomoko.

Nodding slightly, Osakada Tomoko called out; "Ryoma-sama!" then placed a deft foot in front of Sakuno.

Hearing his name, Ryoma turned and his eyes widened at the sight of Ryusaki Sakuno falling toward him.

Instead of valiantly hold out his arm and catch the girl, Ryoma stepped aside and Ryusaki Sakuno landed on the ground, rubbing her shoulder.

Flashback end

"See. What kind of guy just steps away?" Hikari put her hands on her hips.

Ryoma stared coolly back, "The kind that value his own life. Having that kind of weight on a frame as small as my is not going to be a picnic."

Hikari looked at him, astonished, "Have you seen Sakuno? She is so small."

Ryoma shook his head, "Experience tells me you cannot tell the weight of a person from the way they look."

Hikari looked at him suspiciously. She knew she shouldn't ask, but she did it anyway. "What do you mean, experience?"

Ryoma smirked and said in a dry tone. "You are small too, and from all those times you sat on me and I caught from the air, I know for a fact that you weight a ton."

Hikari gaped at him then looked enraged, "Are you saying I'm fat!" Hikari jumped on Ryoma and proceed to strangle him.

Afterwards is a messy event with Hikari attempt to strangle, hit and punch Ryoma and Ryoma attempt to dodge Hikari's attacks. However soon, both of them are too exhausted to chase or escape the other. They dropped down on Ryoma's floor and rested their tired muscles.

"Hikari?" Ryoma suddenly broke the silence. He sat up and leaned against the side of his bed. "Don't try to set me up with Ryusaki-san again. I can tolerate your matchmaking scheme, in fact, I welcome it as long as it's not about me."

Hikari heard his words then rolled with her stomach touching the floor and her face facing Ryoma's, "Why don't you like Ryusaki-kun? I happen to think she is nice and sweet. She is perfect for you." Then she twirled a piece of her blue lock, "She'll be good for you."

Ryoma snorted, "Perfect? Good for me? What planet are you on?"

Hikari frowned and sat up, "She, for one, supports you immensely. I heard she attend all your matches since you came to Seishun Gakuen. (Seigaku's official school name)"

Ryoma stared at Hikari in surprise, "and just that makes her perfect for me!"

Hikari huffed impatiently, "Not just that, she actually put up with for this long. And that is impressive."

Ryoma frowned, "What do you mean, put up with me?"

Hikari waved her hand in an exasperate manner, "Well, consider your insensitiveness, denseness, and sometimes complete pigheadedness. Well I'm really surprised that she actually put up with you, even knowing all your quirks." Then she grinned, "You have no social life, a girlfriend will be good for you. Good for me too, at least she'll give me some breaks from all those headaches you cause me." The sentence held a tone of gentle teasing, but unfortunately Ryoma did not hear the undertone. He took it literally.

"So that's what's this all about." Ryoma's voice suddenly went sharp and cold, completely unlike his usual voice, which underlines with warmth. Hikari was suddenly reminded of the first night she spent in Ryoma's house when he inquired her about the reason she refused to participate in tournaments. His voice sounds so similar to the one he used that night. Then he shook his head, "And I thought you just did this because it's another one of your matchmaker ideas. What a fool I was!"

"Wh-what?" Hikari stuttered out, unused to seeing Ryoma this way, bitter and hurt.

"Do I annoy you this much! So much that you did all this just so you be rid of me for some times in the future!" Ryoma said in a low voice. He stood up and his fist clenched tightly. "Oh god, why did I not see coming?" he chuckled mockingly and put on hand over his eyes.

"What are you talking about!" Hikari shouted, bewildered at this sudden turn of event.

Ryoma dropped his hand and stared into Hikari's confused emerald ones. Hikari felt herself shivered involuntarily at Ryoma's eyes. It's no longer the warm golden-hued, instead it has darken into pure black. Hikari leaned back, confused and afraid.

Ryoma mentally flinched at Hikari's attempt to put distance between him and her. She was supposed to be his life long rival and best friend. Now she is disgusted to be even in his presence! Angry and hurt, he defend himself the only way he knows and that is to lash right back. Crouching down, he pushed his face toward Hikari's, "You shouldn't meddle in other's affairs! I don't need you getting into my business!"

Hikari blinked then her face flushed. Her previous confusion and fear are now replaced by the fury induced by his insult and perhaps unknown irritation that has accumulated over the past few days. She pushed Ryoma's shoulder hard and stood angrily over his fallen form. "What's your problem! Not for the first time, I wish I'm a mind reader just so I can see exactly what goes on in your weird twisted brain!"

"Yes, I'm weird and twisted!" Ryoma screamed right back, "You finally realize it now! Bet you really regret ever acknowledging this stupid weird brat being your rival right!" at Hikari's stunned look, he continued in a venomous tone " I'm right, aren't I? Best to saddle this brat with someone else so he wouldn't bother you again."

"Oh my god!" Hikari threw her hands up in the air, " What are you thinking!" She cannot believe Ryoma is actually thinking that! Doesn't he trust her, not even a little bit!

"You spend the past days trying to set me up with another girl without even asking me about my feelings. You claim I cause you headaches that you would be glad for breaks from me. You acted like I'm diseased for the past days. You tell me what am I supposed to think!" Ryoma screamed back; his voice turned hoarse with all the yelling. He panted heavily and lowered his head, allowing his think greenish hair to fall over his eyes and obscure his vision.

He doesn't know why this is happening. One moment he is feeling amused by her matchmaking antics and next he's feeling angry, insecure and afraid. All those little actions for the past days that he took note but never tried focus on them seem to magnify and mocking him. She may think he hadn't noticed, but he did. She shield away from his touch and refrained from touching him even in her excitements. For someone who always touched him freely, whether through small hugs, teasing slaps or simply dragging him by arm, she now act like he is diseased. And this hurts, a lot. He feel discarded, unwanted, being repulsed by the one person who he consider his life long best friend and rival.

"Ryoma! Stop twisting everything! I'm telling you all this is done for your own good!" Hikari heaved heavily. All this is for his own good. No one would date him if everyone has the misconception that they are together. Besides even if they knew the truth, Ryoma's future girl friend wouldn't like her to hug her boyfriend whenever she want. So what she doing is right. "Just trust me!" she cried out, willing him to believe her and for them to be friends again.

However Ryoma is beyond reach at this point. His own fury block his ears and made him deaf to the underlined sincerity and pleading in Hikari's voice. He only heard her anger and indignation caused by him doubting her.

"Bullshit."

Ryoma spitted out coldly. His breath became labored as he attempts to calm the chaos inside of him.

Hikari is not without her share of stubbornness. In fact she can more of mule than Ryoma, and that stubborn pride chose to take control at this exact moment. "Fine! Believe what you want. I don't care anymore." Felling hurt herself because Ryoma's disbelief in her, Hikari snapped back fiercely.

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

PAH!

………

"Stupid Ryoma!" Hikari mumbled angrily and punched her mint green pillow. She had stormed out of Ryoma's room and locked herself in her room. It had been just four hours and already she misses him.

Sniffing quietly, Hikari allow the liquid that accumulated in her eyes to fall. "Stupid Ryoma! He is my best friend. He should have more faith in me!" she hiccupped and rubbed the back of her hand against her eyes. "It's not fair! I did all for him too! Why did he have to yell at me!" Hikari hiccupped again punched her pillow. "Ryoma no baka!"

"Meow."

Hikari looked down in surprise and found Karupin purring worriedly beside the door.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Hikari stood up and walked over to Karupin. She closed the partially opened door, then picked the Himalayan cat up and put it on her lap.

Instead of immediately start purring like he normally does, Karupin jumped on Hikari's bed and begin to drag her sleeves with its teeth.

"Hey, what is it?" Hikari stood up and saw the cat walked over to the door.

Pouting stubbornly, Hikari stomped to the cat and picked it up again. She pushed the cat's face to her own and said in a firm voice, "If you want me to apologize to me, think again. It's his fault this time. He is the one who have to apologize."

After that, Hikari dropped down her bed, not noticing Karupin seem to sag for a moment and the quietly walked out her room.

………….

(FD: I'm not what gender Karupin is, so I'm going to make it a girl. Anyone who knows, please tell me. Appreciate it!)

If a cat could sigh, Karupin would have done so. Both of her charges are so immature and stubborn. If they only calm down and hear each other's explanation. But nooo. They are prideful and insisted on freezing each other out. Sometimes, Karupin wished she could have fists just so she can try to knock some sense into their thick skull.

She'll have to try again tomorrow.

………………..

FD: YAH! Two chapters in two days! I'm on the roll!

Next chapter will be updated pretty soon.

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