Disclaimer: I do not own The Prince of Tennis.

Author's Words:I would like to apologize for making everyone wait such a long while for these few chapters. However they are finally up and I hope to do better in the future. I hope everyone will enjoy them and Merry Christmas to you all!

Chapter Twenty-seven: Return

Sakuno looked out the window as the scenery flashed by her eyes. She was in the train going back to where she belonged, to where her friends were all waiting for her.

She enjoyed being with her grandmother again and was disappointed that her stay had been cut short because her grandmother had work to do but she was also happy to be going back to see Miyu and everyone.

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When she had gone back to Tokyo at the beginning of the summer holidays, it had felt rather strange.

Tokyo had been her home for almost sixteen years and yet she was going back to visit.

The first night she had been back, she had stayed up with her grandmother and they had talked, really talked about her decision to stay at Rikkai.

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Her grandmother was a very open-minded woman and although she was going to miss her favorite grandchild, she was also happy that Sakuno was finally learning to step out on her own.

She was happy to see that Sakuno had found a group of friends who supported and helped her blossomed. The fact that they were the famous Rikkai regulars only mildly surprised her because in all her years she had seen stranger things happen.

She knew they were a reliable lot and she was pleased that they would be watching over Sakuno for her.

Tezuka had told her what had happened that night and had also added his own opinion, "Sensei, you won't have to worry about Ryuzaki because she is in good hands. They will take care of her."

Ryuzaki Sumire did not tell her granddaughter what Tezuka had said but she did say, "Sakuno, I am glad that you are happy at Rikkai but just remember that there is an old woman here who will miss you if you don't come back for holidays!"

She had winked at Sakuno after she said that and Sakuno had laughed gently and given her grandmother a tight hug, answering, "I know, obaa-chan."

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Sakuno had been so happy that her grandmother had understood that she made up her mind to be brave and try and talk to Tomoka the next day.

They had been friends for such a long time that she did not want them to remain like this, separate not only in body but also in spirit.

Therefore the next day, Sakuno took a deep breath and called Tomoka. Tomoka had answered the phone and she was surprised to hear Sakuno on the phone.

She had said, "Sakuno…" Then they were both silent, neither knew how to go on talking.

In the end, Sakuno reminded herself of her resolution to be brave and asked Tomoka to meet her at the ice cream parlor where they both liked and would often go.

Tomoka had agreed and half an hour later, the two girls were seated across each other at the ice cream parlor.

They did not quite know how to start speaking and the waitress came over to take there order. Both were secretly relieved to see the waitress and at the same time spoke up, "Chocolate Sundae please!"

The waitress smiled and left, thinking that they must be very good friends indeed.

Meanwhile, the two girls were staring at one another with surprised expressions and they both started laughing.

They were so happy to find that in the end, some things never changed and were much relieved.

They finally stopped their laughter and Tomoka looked at Sakuno, "Sakuno, I'm really sorry that I kissed Ryoma-sama. I just wanted to put an end to my crush on him and I didn't know that you would find out about it."

Sakuno looked at her friend. They had both been in love with the same boy and she had known that it had been difficult for Tomoka when she had started to date Ryoma.

She said, "Tomo-chan, don't worry. I'm not angry and I understand why you had to do it. Otherwise it would have been very painful, ne?"

Tomoka was surprised, "You're not angry? But, Sakuno, if you are not angry, then why are you still at Rikkai? You can come back to Seigaku and be with Ryoma-sama again, can't you?"

Sakuno smiled gently, "Tomo-chan, I broke up with Ryoma-kun not only because of the kiss. I will always think of him fondly but I don't feel the same about him anymore. You know that I had lost my memories while I was at Rikkai, right?"

Tomoka looked upset and nodded, she had felt so guilty and sad that she had driven her friend away and had hurt her but she did not have the courage to face her, so she had not looked for Sakuno the way Ryoma had done.

Sakuno reached over and took Tomoka's hand into her own, "Tomo-chan, look at me and see if I am sad or angry. I am not because I have found out that I don't belong to Seigaku.

I love you very much, much more than I loved Ryoma-kun because we are best friends, ne? Don't be sad that I am not at Seigaku anymore… Be happy for me, please?

I am happy at Rikkai because I have found my place at Rikkai. Be happy for me that I am finally free of my crush for Ryoma-kun and that I can step forward and go on with my life."

Tomoka clenched at Sakuno's hand, "I am happy that you are happy, Sakuno. Never doubt that! But I don't understand, what do you mean that you have found your place at Rikkai? Didn't you have a place at Seigaku?"

Sakuno answered, "Everyone at Seigaku is too bright and clever, I could not keep up all the time and I felt that I was suffocating. I was happy most of the time because of you and Ryoma-kun and obaa-chan.

However, sometimes, I want someone to just notice me and not see me because of obaa-chan or you or Ryoma-kun. At Seigaku, everyone's really nice but everyone saw me at first as Ryuzaki-sensei's granddaughter.

Sometimes, they would see me as the girl who was always with you. Later, they saw me as Ryoma-kun's fan-girl and then girlfriend. I was rarely just Ryuzaki Sakuno.

I knew that you saw me but although I am always glad that you were with me at Seigaku, I needed more.

I needed to have my place at the school and I have found it at Rikkai. Don't cry, Tomo-chan because I will come back for holidays and we are still friends, ne?"

Tomoka had started crying; she had never known that Sakuno was unhappy and while she was delighted that Sakuno had stepped forward on her own, much like Ryuzaki-sensei had felt, she was also sad that Sakuno did not need her anymore.

Tomoka had always been very protective of Sakuno and now, she knew that Sakuno would no longer need her protection and she felt bereft.

She made herself stop crying and sniffled, "I just had some sand in my eyes." Sakuno smiled understanding that Tomoka needed to say that.

Their orders arrived and the two girls started to tuck in. They started to talk about lighter subjects, like gossip at school and what they had been up to.

It turned out to be a delightful afternoon and they were both wistful when they had to go home.

Sakuno promised to keep in touch and Tomoka told her to send photos of Rikkai and maybe, if she could, she would go to visit Sakuno at Rikkai.

They parted happily, both with light steps and even lighter hearts.

That night, Sakuno chatted happily to her grandmother about her afternoon and how they were friends again.

Her grandmother was very glad indeed to see Sakuno being brave enough to take the first step and talk to Tomoka.

She once again congratulated herself on the wise decision to send Sakuno to Rikkai in the first place; if anything, that place had given her little Sakuno an extra bit of courage and a great dose of happiness.

The next day, she received the phone call that ended up with her going away for work and Sakuno on the train, traveling towards her new home.

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Sakuno smiled as she thought of her grandmother and then, Tomoka.

After she had confirmed that she would be staying at Miyu's place, she had then called Tomoka to tell her that she would be going back to Kanagawa.

Tomoka had been her usual self, moaning about the change of plans and they chatted about possible visits.

It turned out to be rather difficult because Tomoka would be very busy with part-time jobs and helping her mother at home.

Sakuno knew Tomoka's family and knew that it would be unlikely that she could stay at her house if she visited Tokyo.

However, the two girls had ended their calls with promises to contact if they had time this holiday to meet up either in Tokyo or Kanagawa.

They were both much happier now because they were speaking to each other again and both felt that their friendship was stronger than ever, not that they said anything about it.

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The train sped on and soon, Sakuno heard the announcement she had been waiting for.

They were nearing the station where she would be getting off and she checked that she had everything with her.

It would be most awkward, not to mention embarrassing if she got off the train only to find out later that she had left something behind.

She counted her belongings three more times before she was satisfied that she had everything and sat back, clutching her things to her and looked forward to seeing her Rikkai friends again.