AN: Hey everybody! I'm glad that everyone enjoyed my first chapter. I'm rusty, so we'll see if anyone enjoys this story. I don't really, but maybe someone out there will… ((sigh)) Anyway, please enjoy this part of "Getting Under Your Skin."
Thanks: To my new beta-reader, Anime AngeL! She's my friend who got me into PoT. I guess you can blame her for this fic.
Warnings (from Sarah): Ryoma's OOC-ness! Way beyond normal!!!! And this is a filler chapter (a lot of thoughts!!!).
Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis does not belong to me.
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Part 2
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Xx Previous Chapter xX
"Gomen ne," she said with a bow, "I didn't mean to bump into you. Honest."
She gave him one last smile, before making her way to her seat near the back window. She left a stunned group of girls, including Tomoka, in her wake. How had the once spineless girl, fall into the Tennis Prince's arms and not do so much as bat an eyelash? The old Sakuno would have blushed and stuttered until there was a new shade of red on her face. But no one knew of her promise to keep her distance from the popular captain, which left everyone in a daze at her calmness.
Even Ryoma had to wonder what happened just then. The Ryuzaki he knew would have muttered some words he couldn't hear and start apologizing profusely, as was her way. Now, however, Sakuno was polite and civil, a young girl who was totally together. Her eyes no longer shone the adoration he had noticed a few times by her, and many times by other not-so-secret admirers. It left him in confusion, and Ryoma hated confusion.
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"So, what was that?!" Tomo-chan blared at the unsuspecting teenager, Sakuno. The pig-tailed teen merely shook her head and sighed at her friend. It wasn't unusual to see Tomo-chan so excited, but at the end of the day she really didn't want to hear it.
"What?" Sakuno asked, knowing full well what 'what' was. She was heading toward the tennis courts where her practice would begin. Today, only a few chosen members would be practicing for the girls' team, and Sakuno was one of them. Although rare, there were tournaments held in Junior High divisions for the girls. Though not as prestigious, that didn't mean there weren't any female tennis players who couldn't compete as well as any boy.
"I mean, the little scene in first period! Did you, or did you not, notice that you just happened to fallen into the arms of Echizen Royma and stare into his eyes? Any other girl would have fainted on the spot!" her friend babbled and wouldn't keep quiet.
"I just didn't fade out of the conscious world because of happiness. No big deal. Why are you blowing this out of proportions?" Sakuno asked, just before walking into the girl's locker room. The young girl stopped and noticed her best friend's shocked, almost scared stare.
"Okay… Who are you and what have you done with MY Ryuzaki Sakuno?" she asked, only to be answered with the locker room's door closing in her face.
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And that was pretty much the entire week. So many girls had come up to her, both shy and standoffish, to ask why she had acted to strangely toward the prince. Some were like Tomo-chan, and were in shock that she would even act that way towards the handsome boy. Others were angry that Sakuno had missed the fact that she had actually gotten the dark-haired boy's attention and didn't care, while even more people were envious about the entire thing.
So you could understand the girl's happiness when the weekend had come and she would get to stay away from all of the prying eyes at school. However, she wasn't so happy about the tournament. She would be stuck outside all day, taking pictures for someone else. It could be worse though. She wouldn't have to clean the house with her parents on the weekend.
So, on the day of the tournament, Sakuno grabbed her camera and took the train to the tournament. Thankfully, she had written down the directions given to her by Tomo-chan and would meet her at the courts on time. In fact, in an amazing turn of events, Sakuno was actually early and it only took her one-try to find the place.
'My sense of direction must be getting better,' the young girl thought proudly and watched as teams began signing in. And, she noted with some smug satisfaction, that she had made it there even before the Seigaku regulars did. So, knowing she would have to take pictures of that team, she waited until they registered. Luckily, she didn't have to wait long because they had shown up and took off toward their designated court. She walked after them, and didn't dwell on the fact that she had to wait for Tomo-chan. The girl would probably find her way there anyway.
So, Sakuno watched as the team began to stretch and she searched to find Echizen. He was standing by the bench, which was hidden from the sun by an overhead covering, and she had noticed he didn't even bother to warn up. It was obvious he wasn't playing in this round. So, she watched the matches tick by. She gazed at and analyzed each member of the Seigaku team, classifying and specifying weaknesses and strengths in her head for future reference.
Yet, through all of these matches, Ryoma didn't play. She had a feeling he would probably be in the last match only, so she didn't bother to waste time by standing on the sidelines. Finding the nearest vending machines was her latest task and she walked around for quite some time. But she did find what she was looking for, and sat down at a nearby table to drink her Ponta.
Laying her head on her forearms, she rested a while. She was too tired from standing and walking around. She had gotten a little lost, but she knew that she could find her way back. That is, if she wasn't too lazy to go.
She was so tired that she didn't even notice when a young man, in a Seigaku uniform, sat beside her. The fact that someone was even near her didn't register for a good thirty seconds. And in that time, the man watched her with lazy, half-lidded eyes. Sometimes she was so dense he was almost afraid that she'd be kidnapped because of her unwillingness to pay attention. But he wouldn't admit that to her…
"You know, you're going to miss the final," a voice spoke softly, and Sakuno's head immediately shot up. And, there he was. Echizen Ryoma. One of the few beautiful men you would ever encounter in your lifetime and he was seated next to her, looking lazy as he stared into space. He wore his cap today, which covered most of his dark hair and natural emerald highlights. His hands were tucked behind his head and his eyes were half-closed. He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes, and she blushed lightly.
It was easy to be cool when everyone was around. But it was hard to stay on track when they were alone and he just stared silently. He was almost asking her about her sudden change in attitude, but she couldn't be sure. When he asked with his eyes, she felt the compelling urge to throw caution to the wind and submit to everything he asked.
But, he never really asked for anything.
Not once.
She always offered.
He always accepted.
It was their never-ending cycle. But, Sakuno wouldn't lose heart. It had taken her time to change. It was going to take more time to change back. Her rational thinking wouldn't go down without a fight.
"So, what are you doing here?" she asked, looking at the striking teen. He raised a brow, and looked at her, his arms coming to his sides. A sudden softness came into his eyes, a very small spark, but it was there. She found some satisfaction that she would be the only one to see it. Why his eyes had become like that, she didn't know. But she did know not to look a gift in the mouth.
"Nothing really," he said, staring as he always did, "Just thought I'd relax. I'm only playing if there's going to be a tie. And at the looks of it, there will be."
"Then, shouldn't you be with your team?" she asked, curious why he would leave at such a crucial moment. But, then again, it was just like Ryoma to ignore what everyone else told him and do things his way. This was no different. Where another might stay and watch their team, Ryoma would be out getting something to drink. It was just very… him.
"They're fine. I know. I helped train them," he said, pride rolling from his voice. He always had this arrogance about his team. He knew they would win and he knew when they needed to pull it all together. He was so in tuned with them that it seemed almost criminal.
Sakuno nodded, a bright smile lifting onto her face. Soon, there was nothing else to say. Both were engulfed in a silence, but it wasn't heavy. Or foreboding. It was actually kind of peaceful. Nothing like all of the other times that they had been submitted to having quiet moments.
"So…? Do you hate me?" Ryoma said his blunt tone laced with curiousness.
Sakuno, in the middle of drinking, almost spit out all of her soda. Instead, she choked and coughed loudly, trying to get the air back to her lungs. He didn't know tact still, did he? Why did he just have to blurt things out, without thinking of the consequences? It was, I suppose, just another thing to add to the list of 'Being Echizen Ryoma'.
"N-no… Why would you even think that?" she asked, choosing her words carefully. She knew exactly what he meant, but she didn't say anything. She remained ignorant to it all, or at least she pretended to. Maybe he'd drop it if he thought she didn't understand. But, after the whole classroom incident, it was doubtful. He had the strangest ways of catching things, and always classified them as 'Good' or 'Bad'. Him not being able to read Sakuno like a book…
'Bad.'
"You're acting… different towards me, is all," he spoke, "I just noticed it… Did I do something wrong? If so, I never meant to. I'm not the kind of person who would hurt someone… unintentionally, aside from our senpai and oyaji..."
The last part was murmured softly, so she barely heard it. But, it wasn't that part that left Sakuno wide-eyed. In fact, she couldn't believe if she actually heard him correctly at all…
Was Ryoma showing kindness?
And to her of all people?
She looked up to see a genuine promise forming in his eyes. The sign was small, and seemed almost insignificant compared to cold fortress of his eyes, but it was really… there. Did he… actually think about her? Could he care? The coldest person in Seigaku might actually miss her? And, despite the chance that it could be a trick, a jest of the imagination, Sakuno felt her heart lift lightly. She wanted to believe, even just the slightest, that Ryoma did care. Even if her infatuation wasn't as strong as it used to be, she just…
Wanted him to care, show some kind of affection…
"No…" she said, shaking her head at him and watched as he awaited an answer, "You didn't do anything. I-I just…"
Trailing off was the only thing that Sakuno could do. Either that, or tell him how she felt. But to her, it was too soon. Her heart and mind hadn't grown up enough. It just wasn't enough time. It was just too much of a burden. To tell the one person you've loved for two years, unwaveringly, and then have him actually reply. It was too much of a sacrifice. Too much of a gamble…
'But you say it's a burden,' a tiny voice spoke, her conscience taking its role in persuading her. It somewhat surprised her, to hear the small voice in her head. It had come out of nowhere and was now taking the liberty of dealing with her thoughts. Where was it the other five billion times she needed it? But Sakuno knew this guidance, now more than ever.
'What if I get rejected?' the chocolate-haired girl asked, somewhat afraid of asking herself.
'Is it better than not knowing at all? I mean, if you tell him you finally get to know what he's thinking,' was the voice's reply.
'But… it'll hurt if I'm rejected. I don't want to get hurt.'
'You're hurt now, aren't you? The difference is, is that you'll have the chance to move on with your life afterwards. With the way you're going, you're not going to get very far,' the voice explained, encouraging her with its soft voice.
'But, I want to keep loving him…'
The shock overtook her for a second.
And a bitter smile blossomed on her face.
So, she really hadn't made any progress, had she? No matter how hard she pushed herself, no matter how many boundaries she had overcome to get where she was, Ryuzaki Sakuno would still love Echizen Ryoma, huh? Would it always be reclusive and quiet? Or would he accept her if she was able to tell him face to face?
Either way you looked at it, Sakuno wasn't getting anywhere. There was nothing stopping her from telling him what she felt, and yet somehow she had always restrained herself. She knew she wasn't scared of the outcome. She had imagined many times what would happen, all of them ending negatively. Even if she did think of his acceptance, would anything really change between them? There was nothing between them at all. Can you really change nothing between two people into something so important as love?
After all, they were just acquaintances, in the end …
And Sakuno knew she wasn't scared of the many fan girls. Each of them had expressed their feelings for the Prince, one way or another. It wasn't uncommon for him to be without a parade of girls following him, or if there was another girl pushing up on him. But no one would ever be able to penetrate the frozen Prince.
No. In the end, she was scared of Ryoma. She was scared that he might look at her differently. As if she were one of his many admirers, and just that. Sakuno was barely known to him at all. He only knew her because of her Obaa-chan. She was scared of the aftermath. What would he do if he really found out? That was what held her back. That he might forget her, completely, if she told him. Her greatest wish was tied to her greatest fear…
But Sakuno couldn't help it.
'Even if he doesn't love me, I'd like to continue loving him…'
'Then do so,' the voice responded casually, as if this was the most simple thing in the world, 'but don't keep hiding behind the cheerleader gig. Go after him. Pursue him like someone you care for, not a stalker.'
'But, what if-'
'STOP IT!' the voice roared, causing Sakuno to flinch unwillingly, 'Stop trying to complicate things. It all depends on what he says, and how he feels. Don't count yourself out before you're even in the game.'
And with that finally said her conscience left Sakuno to fend for herself. To put her in front of the lion, known as Echizen Ryoma.
However, while Sakuno was going through some personal breakthroughs, Ryoma had to watch as she stared into space. Her eyes had become almost lifeless, and he could tell she was deep in thought. That, for some odd reason, brought a smile to his lips. The thought that an actual thought process was going through her head was amazing. Most people wouldn't expect a thing to go through the girl's cranium. She seemed so clueless, and she wasn't too bright academically speaking either. She was always average, in basically everything.
Average height.
Average intelligence.
Average looking.
Average tennis player.
All the things about her were pretty normal, since the last time he checked. But that was in the seventh grade, and, since then, he had given up on trying to read her. She was just too predictable. Why try and guess something you already know? Some things just don't change, and he had predicted Ryuzaki as one of them.
But that was two years ago.
And things had changed.
It looks like he was off, one of the very few times in his life. And it didn't feel right.
Taking a look at her again, he had to admit that she wasn't so average anymore. Her hair was still long and in her trademark style. How did she play with those things always bouncing around in her face? It seemed impractical, but he couldn't help but notice that she wore them well. And it looked as if she had grown up as well. He could tell that she was still thin, almost like a stick, but her hips had shaped and she now had a chest. Now, don't think he was a hentai, or something. He just couldn't help but notice because, it seemed that, every girl that approached him tried to appeal to him with her breasts. It was disturbing, and was not something he had enjoyed. It was one of the reasons he was so reluctant to speak with the girls in his school. All of them tried too hard.
But she never had.
Although she wasn't the most conserved person in the world, Sakuno never threw herself at him. She was shy and she said hello. He didn't mind having her around. At least she wasn't as bad as his other not-so-secret admirers. And there was also her best friend. What was her name? Toko, Coco… It's something like that. But he knew that she was scary. It was like he had his own private stalker with her, as well as a few others, following him.
He knew he'd always be one of the best tennis players around.
He knew he'd always have admirers because of it.
He knew he'd always have one girl or another trying to grab his attention.
He knew a lot of things.
But the one thing he thought he'd know forever, the one person he thought would be by his side, through thick and thin…
He didn't know she'd leave him.
And he didn't know she'd take something he didn't even know he had…
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AN: DONE!!! Woo hoo!!! I decided to screw the idea of a two-part story and do a multi-chapter. I think it'll be more interesting that way. So please review. I know my writing isn't great, but help a girl out!
Well, till next time!
Much love,
Adobo-chan
