Author's notes: Thanks for all the reviews!

I'm gonna keep this short and sweet. Enjoy chapter 11 and please review! I hope to update soon!

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or any of the songs featured in this fic.

Chapter 11: Listen To My Heart

"Great job Sakuno-chan! That's the end of your promotional tour!" Manager Tanaka congratulated Sakuno.

Sakuno sighed and slumped into her chair. She was worn out from all her performances and interviews she had to give. The making of her promotional video was also no mean feat as her popularity has escalated to such an extent she was labelled the "Princess of Pop". With even more advertising and acting offers coming her way, her fame was sure to surge.

Along with fame there was sure to be negative reports. Some tabloids have reported that Fuji and Sakuno are dating and that she could make it into the entertainment scene due to his influence. She had used him to launch her career. This news affected Sakuno greatly and she even broke down after hearing about the news. She felt hurt and angry. Fuji and their Sachou came out to clear the air. Fuji stated very clearly that he and Sakuno had been acquaintances since middle school as she was the granddaughter of his tennis coach at that time and there was absolutely nothing romantic between them. He also said that he had only brotherly feelings for her. The manager also continued by saying that Sakuno was picked off the streets and reasoned that if Sakuno was using Fuji, she would have transferred to Hyotei when entering high school instead of waiting until she was discovered.

Luckily for Sakuno, many of her fans were supportive and lashed back at the tabloids. Internet forums were filled with people scolding them. The most obvious one was a user with ID "Tomo-chan". The user had stated she was the president of the "Seigaku Ryuuzaki Sakuno Fan Club" and many Seigaku students could prove everything printed was an untruth.

"I knew it was a fake all along!" Gakuto chirped.

"Oh yeah? You almost wanted to kill Fuji!" Yuushi snorted.

"That was on the spur of the moment!" Gakuto protested. "Anyone would be angry if they read that report!"

Yuushi kept silent. What Gakuto said was true. He was very angry after reading the report. He was angry with the tabloids but even more, jealous of Fuji. All along he had admired the close relationship between Fuji and Sakuno. He had secretly hoped it would not progress any further.

"Mukahi-senpai! You're here!" Ohtori ran into the changing room, breathless. The two boys turned to face the tall boy who was perspiring all over.

"Take a look at this!" Ohtori shoved a magazine into Gakuto's hands.

"What's this?" Gakuto took the magazine curiously. Yuushi peered at it. There was a picture of Sakuno and another teenage boy idol. The title was printed large across the magazine. It read: "Latest Scandal! Pop Princess Ryuuzaki Sakuno and Boy Sensation Tachibana Ryohei Dating!"

"WHAT!" Gakuto exclaimed and flipped open the covers. There were a few pages on the supposed scandal inside. Gakuto as well as Yuushi read it with eyes open.

"Tachibana Ryohei was seen showing affection for Ryuuzaki Sakuno while they were resting during the filming of their serial "Sweet Seventeen". Ryuuzaki Sakuno in the picture was blushing and seems to be very happy of the attention showered upon her." Gakuto read, his face flaming.

"Tachibana Ryohei had in an interview with a TV programme said that he likes girls who are small, cute and innocent so he could protect her. This description fits Sakuno exactly. The type of boys Sakuno likes is those who can protect her. Is this just a coincidence?" Gakuto continued.

Yuushi who was behind Gakuto, read every single word. Fury built up in those dark eyes behind those glasses. No one noticed Yuushi who was clenching his fists very tightly.

Tennis practice soon began. Ohtori was firing his "Scud Serves" at record speed.

"Cool it will you!" Shishido said to his doubles partner.

Gakuto was also fired up. He was thrashing another third year non-regular. Yuushi still had the cool look on his face but his playing was aggressive. Jirou, who was sparring with him, was very much surprised.

"Oh no! Oh no!" Sakuno was prancing up and down worriedly.

"Sakuno-chan, Sachou wants to see you!"

"Eh? Hai!" Sakuno slowly walked to the door of the manager's office. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.

"Come in." A voice sounded from inside the room.

Sakuno opened the door with and went in.

"Sachou-san…" Sakuno started.

"Sakuno, what is this!" Sachou took up the magazine.

"Eh?" Sakuno was surprised.

"This! Tachibana Ryohei!" Sachou was fuming. "Are you really having a relationship with him?" Sachou demanded.

"Sachou-san, it isn't true!" Sakuno was a bit afraid of the angry manager.

"Then what is!" Sachou raised his voice.

Sakuno looked down. "Actually, the report is half true…"

"WHAT!"

"Tachibana-kun likes me, he already told me. But I already told him very clearly that I do not reciprocate his feelings! It's just that he does not want to give up! I told him many times already!" Sakuno looked up at him, almost in tears.

Sachou glanced at Sakuno and sighed. "It's not easy being a dream girl eh? All right, I will help to clear the air for you. In the meantime, keep a distance from Tachibana ok?" Sakuno nodded meekly in response.

It was the first time in high school that Sakuno was worried about going to school. She glanced around nervously as she stepped into school. It was break time.

"Sakuno-chan, is that true?" A bunch of male voices greeted her.

"Eh?" Sakuno looked in front of her to see a horde of boys rushing towards her.

"It's not possible right? That Tachibana Ryohei!"

"Tell me it isn't true!"

Some girls were rushing over too.

"Ryuuzaki! Stay away from my Ryo-chan!"

"How can you steal my Ryohei-kun!"

Sakuno was taken aback by the huge mob. She clearly had not expected this. A girl then reached out to pull her braids.

"Ittai!" Sakuno squealed in pain.

"What are you trying to do?" A deep voice called out and the pain was gone from Sakuno's scalp.

"O…Oshitari-senpai?" Sakuno looked up, startled.

Yuushi went in front of Sakuno and raised his arms protectively.

"How do you it is true! It may just be speculation! Sakuno-chan is not obliged to answer you and she may be forbidden to!" Yuushi raised his voice with narrowed eyes. With that, Yuushi dragged Sakuno away.

Sakuno followed behind Yuushi. She was relieved when he had appeared to save her but she was now troubled. Her worries were coming true. She was worried of facing Yuushi.

Yuushi had a tight grip on Sakuno's wrist. He led her all the way to the sakura tree before finally letting her go.

"O…Oshitari-senpai?" Sakuno stammered.

"You're safe now." Yuushi said indifferently.

"Sakuno felt hurt by his tone. "O…Oshitari-senpai, are…are you angry?" Yuushi kept silent.

Sakuno badly wanted to clear the air between them. She did not care about other people's opinion, she only cared about what Yuushi might think.

"Oshitari-senpai, the rumours, they are not true!" Sakuno hurried to explain. "Tachibana-kun and I are not dating!"

"Really?" Yuushi said with a raise of his eyebrow.

Sakuno turned red and bowed her head down. "Tachibana-kun is interested in me. But, but, I have already made it clear to him that I do not like him! Really!"

There was a long silence between the couple. Yuushi finally spoke up.

"Is that true?"

"Yes! I do not like him! I…I…" Sakuno cut herself short.

"You what?" Yuushi asked questioningly.

Sakuno looked up at Yuushi and blushed. Her heart was racing. She was feeling the exact same feelings she had felt in middle school with Ryoma.

"May…may I call you Yuushi-senpai?" Sakuno stammered.

Yuushi was surprised but he agreed.

Sakuno smiled shyly, not daring to look Yuushi in the eye. She was so afraid her heart would jump out if she continued to look at him any further. She was sure now, she had fallen in love with Yuushi.

Notes:

1.senpai - senior

2. ittai - painful/ it's painful

Chapter 11: Listen To My Heart

Artiste: BoA

Album: Best of Soul

Author's notes: Tachibana Ryohei is not related to Tachibana Kippei/An.The name camefrom Japanese boy band w-inds.

I was thinking about the type of guy which would like Sakuno and Tachibana Keita popped to mind. I wanted to use his name but had second thoughts as I may be sued? Then I thought about the Izaki twins from Flame. I was thinking: "Izaki Keita? Tachibana Yuusuke?" But I decided that the 3 of them were tall guys and Sakuno needed someone who wasor looks a bit gentler.I got tired of thinking and so decided to use the names of the other 2 members of w-inds. I thought Tachibana Ryohei sounds better than Tachibana Ryuichi and there you have it! Lol!

Please continue to read and review!