Author's notes: Thanks for all the reviews! Hyotei, here we come!

Please read my notes on "Affections Across Time" Chapter 13. Sorry guys, my laptop is really too slow...

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Happy 2006!

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis

Chapter 4: New Day

Sakuno took a step into her new school. She was now wearing the Hyotei uniform. She looked around. Hyotei Gakuen was a huge school. Seigaku was large too, however Sakuno thought Hyotei should be much larger.

"I'm going to get lost again!" Sakuno thought.

"Sakuno-chan! This way!" Manager Tanaka interrupted her thoughts.

Manager Tanaka led Sakuno to the principal's office. On the way there, there were excited whispers and stares from the students.

"Isn't that Ryuuzaki Sakuno? She's coming to Hyotei?"

"So the rumours were true!"

"Wow! She even cuter in person!"

"I hope she will be in my class!"

Sakuno entered the principal's office. Fuji was there, smiling as always.

"Good morning Principal." Sakuno greeted politely.

"Good morning to you too." Principal Sakuji replied.

"Welcome to Hyotei, Ryuuzaki-san. It is our pleasure to have you here." Principal continued.

Principal Sakuji continued to brief Sakuno on Hyotei Gakuen and everything she needed to know.

"So that's about all you have to know. Why don't you let Fuji-san show you around the school?" Principal Sakuji ended.

"Thank you Principal." Sakuno bowed.

"Shall we go?" Fuji smiled and bowed slightly.

"Thank you Fuji-senpai."

Fuji showed Sakuno around Hyotei Gakuen. Fangirls were following him every step of the way. Fuji had also been spotted by Sakuno's manager when he had just entered high school. His career as a model took off very quickly and soon contracts flooded in. He became advertisers' favourite due to his killer smile and successfully ventured into acting. Fuji is currently a huge star in Japan with a large fan base consisting of females of all ages. He gave up playing tennis and moved to Hyotei. He occasionally spars with the Hyotei tennis regulars under the request of the captain, Atobe Keigo and also the Seigaku regulars when he goes back to visit them.

"So how are the regulars? Echizen must have become a regular too right?" Fuji asked Sakuno.

"Yes. The regulars are doing very well! Kawamura-senpai told me to say hi to you. I think he meant Fuji-senpai, he said Fujiko-chan…" Sakuno answered.

"That's the same old Taka-san!" Fuji laughed.

"Fuji! It's rare to see you in school!" A voice behind them sounded.

"Yuushi! Hi to you too Gakuto!" Fuji turned around and smiled.

"Ah! The girl beside you! Isn't she Ryuuzaki Sakuno?" Gakuto jumped up and down excitedly.

"Yes she is. As a matter of fact, she will be studying in Hyotei from now on." Fuji smiled.

"Really? Nice to meet you Sakuno-chan! I am Mukahi Gakuto! I'm your biggest fan!" Gakuto was excited at the prospect of meeting his idol.

Yuushi pulled Gakuto back. "Don't get over-excited Gakuto. You'll scare her." Yuushi then faced Sakuno. "I am Oshitari Yuushi. It's nice to meet you, Ryuuzaki-san." Yuushi said in a gentlemanly tone.

"Ha…hai! Nice to meet you too, Mukahi-senpai, Oshitari-senpai!" Sakuno greeted.

"Saa, we have to go now Sakuno-chan, otherwise Tanaka-san will be mad!" Fuji chuckled slightly. "I'll catch you later in class Yuushi. Bye Gakuto!"

"Goodbye Oshitari-senpai, Mukahi-senpai!" Sakuno bowed and followed the leaving Fuji.

"Isn't Sakuno-chan just the best? She so cute!" Gakuto stared dreamily at Sakuno.

"She's a nice girl, natural and no pretence at all." Yuushi agreed.

"So now you like her Yuushi? I tried to influence you before but you would not budge! No way! Sakuno-chan's mine!" Gakuto said stubbornly.

"Gakuto, Ryuuzaki-san does not belong to you. You have to fight the thousand of guys who want her too!" Yuushi rebutted.

Gakuto just pouted. "At least I'm closer to her; I'm in Hyotei too…"

Sakuno went to her class. Many students were glad she was in their class, especially since Hyotei is a male-dominated school. However, no one treated her differently just because she was a star. This is due to the fact that many of the students in Hyotei are public figures. Many idols just like Sakuno and Fuji are attending Hyotei Gakuen. Many students also come from well-to-do families. An example would be the captain of the Hyotei tennis team, Atobe Keigo. Hyotei Gakuen has the best facilities; most of the funds needed to maintain them come from the parents of these students.

The friendly Sakuno quickly made many friends. She felt that she would also be happy in this school, although she would only have very little time to spend.

Sakuno was not able to attend school few days after that due to work commitments. Contracts and jobs were just pouring in for her. She was finally able to attend school a week and a half later.

Sakuno wandered around school.

"Are? I thought it was here? Shouldn't I turn left there? Are?" Sakuno was lost again.

Sakuno walked and walked. "Should I ask somebody? But there's no one here." Sakuno scanned the area around her.

Sakuno turned and saw a beautiful sakura tree in the yard.

"Wow!" Sakuno ran over the tree, eyes concentrated on the pink petals. She did not notice someone under the tree.

"Ouch!" Sakuno tripped and fell over something. She turned back to see a groggy Oshitari Yuushi.

"Ah! Oshitari-senpai! Gomen nasai! I did not notice you here! Gomen nasai! Gomen nasai!" Sakuno apologised profusely.

"Never mind." Yuushi rubbed the back of his head and put on his spectacles.

"Gomen nasai! Gomen nasai!" Sakuno continued her apologies.

"I told you its fine. What are you doing here? Not many people know this place you know." Yuushi asked Sakuno.

"Ano…I…got lost… By the time I knew it, I was here…" Sakuno blushed.

"Is it because you are new in this school, or is it because you get lost all the time?" Yuushi asked casually.

"Ano…I get lost all the time…" Sakuno blushed further.

Yuushi looked at the girl. "No wonder Fuji told me to look out for her when I can. She really gets lost in all places and is so naïve!" Yuushi smirked.

"Then what happens when you have performances? Won't you get lost?" Yuushi asked again.

"Ano… there will be a manager following me all the way to ensure I don't get lost… My managers all know I am prone to getting lost…" Sakuno answered shyly.

"Let's go, Ryuuzaki-san." Yuushi stood up.

"Ano, where are we going, Oshitari-senpai?" Sakuno asked innocently.

"To the place you want to go. Come on, follow me." Yuushi gestured.

"Oshitari-senpai, can you call me Sakuno-chan like the rest? I feel more at ease." Sakuno said to Yuushi.

Yuushi turned to look at her. "Then can you call me Yuushi too, Sakuno-chan?"

"Eh?" Sakuno was surprised.

Yuushi quickly added: "I don't think its possible right? It would be strange for you to call a senior by his name when you would not know most of the seniors. Anyway I wouldn't want to be butchered by the rest of the Hyotei male population!"

Sakuno just smiled at his remark and followed the tall boy with long dark tresses.

Notes:

1. Gomen nasai - Sorry

Merry Christmas!

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