Authoress' Note: Chapter two! (Finally!) Much has happened in the past few months, but it can be recounted rather simply. Sneaky Wench #1 is in dire need of some seriously angsty/tragic fics so she can write more humor, (recomendations welcome!), and #2 has finally learned how to write. Again. Chapter One will most likely be getting tweaked very soon, so please look forward to it!

-

Of course, peace was not to be found when Sakuno entered the classroom. The class was buzzing from the incident on the stairs, causing the injured girl to close in on herself as she perceived what was to become her personal nightmare. Despite her newfound confidence on the tennis court and in front of Ryoma, she was still a very shy person when at the center of attention.

"Hey, Sakuno-chan! Did Ryoma-kun really carry you up the stairs?"

"Ryuzaki-san, did Echizen really…"

"Yes he did! Now be quiet and let her alone!"

Sakuno was suddenly very happy to have such a loud best friend. She'd had a hunch there were more witnesses to the incident other than Tomoka and now her suspicions were proven correct. You'd think they'd come up with more original questions though. Does the whole school know already?

Thanks to Tomoka, Sakuno was able to weather it through her homeroom and the next couple of classes. However, lunchtime answered her unspoken question with a resounding yes. Since nobody dared to approach Ryoma, Sakuno was left to deal with the storm of questions.

Once again, Tomoka came through with flying colors, letting Sakuno get a chance to eat her well earned lunch. Tomoka knew her best friend well. She also knew that while Sakuno was much braver than she was in junior high, she still had moments where her old shyness overcame her new found confidence.

"Hey! You've all heard this a million times already. Just let it drop!" And they did. Nobody wanted Tomoka and her formidable voice trained directly on them.

Lunch ended and afternoon classes were quickly finished. Next week were a bunch of half days and then finally summer break. Sakuno's ankle would be well enough by then to at least go to the pool with her friends and swim.

Sakuno packed her school bag slowly. She wanted to wait for the crowd to dissipate a bit before she attempted to go downstairs. It would be just like me to trip and cause everyone else to fall like dominos. The image of human like dominos made her chuckle as she made her way out the classroom.

The hallway was blissfully empty. It had better be after waiting 20 minutes. At least I don't have to deal with anymore annoying questions. But still…Why did Ryoma-kun do that? Was the sight of me with crutches really all that heart wrenching? That last thought brought a smile to her face. Pathetic more like. Who really knows what goes on in his head anyway? Sakuno hobbled down the hall.

Things were going just fine for Sakuno until she reached the top of the stairwell. That was when Ryoma finally decided to speak up. "What took you so long? I'm late for practice now."

Sakuno gasped and pitched forward.

A strong arm grabbed her around the waist and hauled her back. A warm breath was tickling the back of her neck. Sakuno was suddenly very much aware of the person who had been the root of today's problems.

Ryoma was just as aware of the situation as Sakuno. He had heard the rumors flying as soon as he had reached his own homeroom. With his reputation however, he was able to avoid all the questions that had been plaguing Sakuno all day.

But he couldn't forget the feel of Sakuno in his arms. He wanted, no, needed, to feel her again. Thus the lame excuse he had concocted just so he could carry her down the stairs again. She was normally kind of clumsy, so to avoid any further mishaps, he would just carry her down the stairs and then go on to tennis practice. No big deal, no fuss. Easy.

So he waited outside her classroom for her to come out at the end of the school day. And waited. And waited. He was now officially late for practice but he could always claim he was doing "captain stuff" to that annoying vice-captain of his. Of all people, why did Horio have to be his vice-captain?

Ryoma was just getting ready to leave himself, figuring Sakuno had left early or something, when the classroom door opened and out came the object of his obsession.

She was watching the floor in front of her, not even noticing Ryoma standing there. He watched bemusedly as she hobbled her way to the staircase. He knew he should say something to her before she reached the stairs, but he was surprised to find himself tongue tied.

Opening his mouth seemed like the best option and he hoped something intelligible came out.

Even to his ears, it sounded harsh, but Sakuno tripped in surprise and started to take a nose dive down the stairs. Ryoma grabbed her around her waist and helped her stay upright. He wrapped his arm more securely around Sakuno and held her close, savoring this new form of contact.

Their hearts were pounding. Ryoma could feel the beat of Sakuno's heart and she could feel his. This went beyond anything they had ever felt before. Sakuno had thought herself in love with the prince of tennis many times before, but never more so than now. Ryoma felt his feelings for Sakuno grow even stronger. Holding her so close, he never wanted to let go.

Finally, Sakuno shifted slightly in Ryoma's arms, settling her foot (and crutches) more firmly on the floor. She had not moved much, but it was enough to break the spell they were trapped in.

Ryoma stepped back slightly, giving her some space, but he refused to move his arms from around her waist.

Sakuno turned around within his grasp, amazed that her prince was still holding her so close. What is he doing? This is almost like a dream.

"Sorry about that," Ryoma said. He loved the way she was staring at him. Any previous doubts he may have had about approaching Sakuno had suddenly vanished. Her eyes, her entire face, was an open book he was easily able to read. Self confidence was something he had never lacked before; he was beyond cocky on the tennis courts. But this was the first time he had felt he would be able to convince Sakuno of his feelings.

Ryoma was positive he now knew what hers were.

Sakuno was still in a state of shock. Did he just apologize to me? "Oh! Its okay. I should have been paying more attention to where I was going."

Her prince smiled lightly, a slight twitch of his lips. "You were. I shouldn't have startled you."

A clatter broke the staring contest between them.

Sakuno's crutches had fallen from her suddenly lifeless hands. What is going on here? He's being kind…and gentle. Ryoma's grip on her tightened as her other means of support disappeared.

Ryoma smirked. "If I didn't have practice, I wouldn't mind carrying you all the way home." His smirk melted into a smile.

Did he just say what I thought he did? "R-Ryoma-kun? Why are you doing this?" Sakuno asked. This was the first time he had ever said anything like that to her. To anyone to her knowledge. Does he...like me?

He continued to smile that gentle smile and pulled her closer. She fit neatly against his body, her warmth running down the length of his body.

"Why do you think?" his voice whispered in her ear.

Sakuno shivered, the brush of his warm breath creating a delightful tingle down her body.

Ryoma smirked again, knowing she couldn't see his face. "You don't have to answer that yet."

Shock. Complete and utter shock. Is he saying what I think he's saying? He likes me? The very thought of her greatest dream since she was 12 years old coming true made her melt in Ryoma's arms.

Nothing more was needed to be said. Holding the other close, Ryoma and Sakuno enjoyed the new feeling of each other.

He's so much taller when he's this close. The complete randomness of her thoughts made Sakuno let out a small laugh.

"What's so funny?" Ryoma asked softly.

"For some reason, I was thinking about how much taller you are up close," she answered quietly.

A small chuckle escaped from Ryoma. Sakuno grinned as they slowly separated. He smiled too.

"You know, I don't think I've ever seen you smile like that before," Sakuno said to her prince.

She was trapped once again in his golden gaze as he answered, "I never wanted to before."

Sakuno's heart fluttered.

Ryoma suddenly bent down and picked up her crutches and handed them to Sakuno. "I have to get to practice. Horio's probably let the power go to his head by now."

Sakuno laughed lightly. "So that's why you go every day."

"Yeah." He glanced at the stairs behind her. "Let me help you downstairs."

Sakuno felt her heart fluttering again. This whole situation was surreal. Her prince….really liked her after all. I'm not dreaming. I'm not!

"Thank you," she replied. "That would save me some time."

They shared another smile as Ryoma swept Sakuno up into his arms, crutches, schoolbags, tennis bags and all. She shifted her crutches so they weren't crushing up against his chest. He's definitely not a skinny little boy anymore. He's not even off balance at all!

Ryoma was thinking a little different as he juggled his load, but he was still amazed at one simple fact. Sakuno was in his arms, light as a feather.

Once again, the end of the staircase came all too quickly for the two. Ryoma held her close for another moment and gently set her down. Sakuno arranged her crutches and backpack. She looked up at Ryoma. He was waiting for me on purpose. He probably was this morning too.

Her thoughts trailed off as Ryoma spoke, "How are you getting home?"

"Um...I was going to take the bus. My house isn't too far from the bus stop." She looked at him shyly. I've never heard him speak this much before! Is this just for me?

"Hnnn…" was his reply.

Or maybe not.

"I'll walk you to the gate."

Sakuno was starting to become slightly confused by his actions now. Did I just dream what happened upstairs?

"Thank you Ryoma-kun, but didn't you just say you were already late for practice?"

Ryoma noticed the strange look cross her face. "Five more minutes won't make a difference."

The light in her smile seemed a little dimmer than earlier. "Alright then, thank you."

They walked down the hallway together and changed their shoes before they went out the front doors, which Ryoma gallantly held open for her. Sakuno still felt slightly disappointed at Ryoma's sudden coolness. What am I worrying about? This is his normal behavior after all.

Ryoma's thoughts were a little bit different. Why was she being different? He just didn't get girls sometimes. The prince of tennis kept stealing glances at Sakuno as they walked. She was so focused on her crutches she didn't even notice his stares. What did he miss?

His favorite feature about Sakuno was her eyes; he could see everything in them. Her smile ran a very close second and he wanted to see that smile she had given him upstairs. If he could only hold her hand or something. Damn crutches.

As each waxed philosophical in their thoughts, they reached the gates.

"Thank you for your help today. I should be more used to my crutches tomorrow," Sakuno said. She had come to the conclusion the prince she had seen upstairs was just a phantom.

"No problem. But I'll help you with the stairs for as long as you have crutches." Like hell he was going to let her fall down the stairs and/or get helped by some other guy. The very idea made Ryoma livid.

"Huh?" was the intelligent reply made by the shocked Sakuno. As long as I have crutches?

Ryoma nodded and tugged on his cap in what was obviously a nervous gesture. He's…nervous? Hmm…

"I just don't want you breaking anything if you fall. You're still clumsy."

"What? This was an accident that could happen to anybody! I'm sorry I'm not as perfect as you are!" Sakuno thought she had gained at least a small amount of respect in his eyes, but she guessed he was wrong. Yelling at him made her feel better; it was something she never would have even thought of doing when she was 12. She turned quickly and started to hobble away.

Ryoma was shocked. He had never heard Sakuno yell like this, especially at him. Telling her she was clumsy had obviously been the wrong thing to say. She was actually mad at him.

He reached out and caught her backpack before she got very far. "Sorry. I wasn't thinking." He made sure he sounded contrite, as much as he was capable of doing anyway.

Sakuno stopped, embaressment suddenly flowed through her. I can't believe I just said that to him! But still... She was beginning to blush as she said, "You've never learned to think before you speak, have you?"

"Never needed to before."

Figures.

"If you don't want to upset people, then you might want to consider learning," she replied in a quiet voice. She didn't want to be mad at him; indeed, she was incapable of staying upset at anyone for very long.

"Just for you, okay?" He knew he was on safe ground again, but didn't want to push his luck. A Sakuno who spoke up to him was a novelty, but he did not want her mad at him when she did it.

She smiled. "Please."

He wrapped her him a loose hug from behind. "Call me when you get home, alright?"

Sakuno's smile grew bigger. "I will," she answered.