"Hey Ryoma! Do your part properly, get that?"

"Wiz." he said and a tennis ball hit his head. "Ow! Who did that!?" then he looked at Akaya who was whistling innocently. "You're the one who did that, weren't you?" he accused him of the crime.

"What are you talking about?"

"Quit lying! You're the one who did it!" then the two bickered at each other. Niou quietly grinned in the background as he was readying himself to throw another ball at them.

"K' does not own The Prince of Tennis and it's characters!" then he threw a ball at Akaya.

Welcome the Prince

"Where could she be?" Jackal was pacing to and fro as his little sister hasn't arrived yet.

"We can't wait for her. This is a more important matter." Yukimura steeled himself not thinking of anything harmful happening to Sakuno.

"She will miss my match! NOOOO!" Marui exclaimed. He wanted his pastry angel to be there and she promised him a chocolate cake. (The cake's more important! It'll help his stamina. XD )

The introduction of the players had finished and the matches were about to start and their goddess of victory hasn't arrived yet.

Yagyu and Niou were getting ready for the match, trying their best to concentrate on their game. "Did she get lost again?" Yagyu inferred. Judging Sakuno, it's not far from happening.

"That doesn't matter now, Hiroshi. Let's go!" Niou commanded and his partner followed. They approached the net to shake hands with their opponents. Everyone in the team was worried, especially Jackal and Marui.

Kirihara had left after the opening ceremonies and he was somewhere away from the court as he held his phone and dialed a certain number. He heard from the device a ringing sound, a sign that he was being connected to whoever he was trying to call.

After a few seconds, somebody picked up the phone and spoke, her voice seemed flustered. "Moshi moshi"

"Sheesh! Don't tell me you got lost again!" he scolded the person on the other line.

"Gomen, senpai!" he heard her voice faltering as if she was catching her breath.

"Where are you now?" he asked as he moved through the crowd.

"I'm here at the entrance… Anou…" she was shy and he had a hint that if he didn't go there she'll just get lost.

"Fine, fine. I'm coming so just wait there, okay?" he heard a small yes and he hung up then he proceeded on fetching the special package.

The spectators were looking at him as he made his way to the rendezvous point. He just ignored their pointless chatter about their team and a particular girl. As he approached the entrance, he spotted a brown haired girl standing there, waiting for somebody. Her back faced him, and she wasn't aware that he was closing in. He bonked her head lightly and she was startled.

"Kirihara-senpai!" she rejoiced, at least she had somebody to talk to. She didn't want to be alone on herself. She bowed and her hair slowly trailed down. "Gomenasai!" she heard footsteps that implied that her senpai had already turned to go back to his team's match.

She closely followed him. He is wearing his jacket, loosely hanging on his body. She was almost running to his senpai's pace since she was short and had a short stride. She was too shy to tell him to slow down; instead, she caught the edge of his jacket and tugged on it. Kirihara looked over his shoulder to see Sakuno grappling his clothing.

He turned and bonked her head once more, "You could have just told me to slow down." He wore that scary face but his voice wasn't, in respect to his expression.

Sakuno was about to bow as an apology but he grabbed her wrist which made her blush. "S-Senpai!" he yanked lightly and she followed him. Their fingers were entwined with each other's as they walked through the nosy and noisy crowd. He didn't care what they are saying.

"Really, you're such a baby!" he said, quite annoyed. She just smiled. They arrived at the court where Niou and Yagyu were having a match. They were having a break from the change court and she apologized to everybody. Marui hugged her and was glad that she was safe. Her senpai-tachi were finally able to relax. She looked at the score and was surprised that Rikkai was lagging behind.

"Now we can concentrate better." Yagyu smiled at her as his glasses glinted in the sun's rays. Niou just smirked and faced Sakuno. "Princess, you owe us a lot!" he said which confused her. He returned to his game and they were able to recover the situation.

There were loud cheering around the court as Niou and Yagyu scored. "Game, set and match to Niou-Yagyu pair, 6 games to 3." The umpire announced and the two shook hands with their opponents.

Yukimura gave them a warm smile and there were no traces of anger and disappointment. He knew that they were worried about the team's honorary member because she often gets into trouble. They walked out of the courts and Niou glared at Sakuno who then sunk into her seat and was red of embarrassment.

Niou smiled and patted her head "Glad that you're not hurt or lost or anything." He paused as he sat beside her and wiped the sweat on his face with a towel. "What a pain in the ass you are, princess." He said.

"Mou… Niou-senpai! Please don't call me that. And I-I'm not a pain in the a-ass!" She said in a shy tone with pout #9; her senpai just chuckled. Niou had referred to her as princess ever since she got close to the team. Marui and Jackal had started their ritual before each game they played. Sakuno gave the cake that she brought for Marui and he gladly ate it. Jackal shaved his head as memory of his past coach.

"Let's see these guys bow down to me." Marui bragged. He's not a tensai for nothing. In fact, they completely crushed their opponents head on without using special techniques.

He looked at Niou and stuck out his tongue. "Beat that!" he bragged again. He didn't hear his friend growl at him since he chose not to pay any attention to him.

"Why you big lump of fat!" Niou screeched but he was disregarded.

Next was singles-three match and Kirihara Akaya was going to play. Unknown to him and the team, some guys in blue and white were watching their games. Some spiky haired boy scribbled a lot of things into his notebook as he observed the play. A boy who was wearing a smile suddenly frowned as Kirihara made his way towards the net. The others just continued to watch.

The people in the audience recognized the group of boys and one of them stated quite loudly, "It's the Seigaku regulars!" Yukimura's team was not even affected about their presence in their game though there was a heavy tension between the two teams. After all, these teams have been going at each other for quite a while for the championship title.

Together with the boys were some other Seigaku students and one of them recognized somebody in Rikkai's side.

"Isn't that Ryuzaki?" Horio said as his Momo-senpai sought the said girl. Then they spotted her, talking to the one who was about to play in the court. "Seems like she's cheering him…" Horio just stated the obvious. Momo caught him in a headlock.

"EH!? Why is she doing that? Of all the people to cheer on, why him!?" Momo grunted as his kohai tried to get out of the lock.

"We should just pay attention to the game, Momo." Fuji said, his eyes were still closed but Momo felt him glare. He let go of Horio and did what he was told.

Sakuno heard that the Seigaku regulars were there, scouting they're future opponents and scanned through them. 'He's not there. He's probably somewhere around the world.' She thought. She cheered on Kirihara and told him what he should not forget. "Don't hurt the other player!" Kirihara just shrugged. She showed him a frown that he ignored and concentrated on his play.

As he played, some boy drinking a canned soda came to the group of the Seigaku regulars. The boys were surprised and he spoke "Mada mada dane, senpai." and continued to drink his soda. Kikumaru glomped on him and gave him a death hug.

"O-chibi, we missed you!" and he noticed the height difference "Eh? You've grown!" he was surprised though he can still call the other o-chibi.

"Echizen, you could have told us that you were coming back!" Momo whined since he came back so suddenly. "You come and go with a surprise." He said. The new arrival searched for someone in the group but was disappointed upon discovering that she wasn't there.

"If you're looking for Sakuno, she's over there." Tomo said with sadness in her voice.

Ryoma followed her finger and saw her with a red-head close to her and some other guys wearing jerseys close to the color of yellow. He tried to look like he does not care but inside him he was angry. 'What's going on?' thousands of thoughts run in his mind upon seeing her with the opposing team.

******

He finished his game quickly, without using such harmful tactics on his opponent. Their whole match has ended and they all shook hands with the other team over the net. The Rikkai regulars exited the courts and a lot of cheering was in the air. She congratulated them with her smile and faced a certain green-eyed boy. "Thanks for not hurting the one you played with." The other just turned his head on the opposite direction and tried to ignore her.

The Seigaku regulars headed to their own game but the others wanted to talk to Sakuno who's with the Rikkai regulars.

Momoshiro approached her and waved. Sakuno saw them and left her companions for a while to talk to her old friends. As she walked closer she saw a very familiar face, a face that she hasn't seen in almost a year and a half. "Welcome back, Ryoma-kun." She said with a smile which was genuine from her heart. (The song Green Bird from Cowboy Bebop started to play as background music. ;P )

Akaya heard and quickly turned his head to the punk. He just watched him come near his kohai, his eyes fiery with fury.

Ryoma had lots of things to say and to explain but in himself he knew that she might not listen. He insisted that the Sakuno he knew would hear him out but to his luck it's not going to happen. "Sakuno, I-"

Sakuno cut him off, her eyes narrowed and her feelings are mixed anger and loneliness. "Echizen, you s-shouldn't waste y-your time explaining to me. I'm a-afraid I won't understand you." She said and she took a deep breath and continued, "That's the reason why you left abruptly. Am I wrong?"

Her words cut through him like sharp razors. He looked into her chocolate eyes that were about to let a river of tears flow. "Sakuno, I'm sorry…" he looked down to the ground. He didn't know what else to do but apologize.

"It's okay, I accept your apology," She smiled but tears came running down her cheeks. Kirihara saw her cry, and it was the worst thing that he ever despised (though he made her cry many times). He agreed in himself that he will approach after she tongue lashed that brat. He deserved it after all.

"Sakuno!" a smile played on his lips even though he tried so hard to put on his poker face. The others that came with him were also happy, thinking that she'll be coming back.

"But that doesn't m-mean that I c-completely forgive you." She said with the sobbing interrupting some of her words. She sounded bitter. Kirihara walked over to Sakuno. Ryoma watched him as he placed a hand on her shoulder. His eyes narrowed more and pain shot through his heart as she hugged him.

"Akaya-kun… sob." Kirihara grimaced. He put his arms around her to give her comfort.

"Stop crying, you know how much I hate it." The people from Seigaku were shocked at this show of sympathy from Kirihara.

The other's mouths were wide open. Marui neared her as well to comfort her. Ryoma just watched. He was angry, confused and jealous at the same time. Marui took her from Kirihara and he turned to glare at the brat who just arrived to destroy her good life again.

"Sakuno, there's-" he wanted to say so many things but the boy in front of him showed a very annoyed expression and cut him off.

"You had ruined her life in the past and now you're here to do it again?" he said, anger showing from his bodily twitches. He's very angry that he can beat him to the ground, black and blue. He clenched his fists, ready to give him some basting.

Ryoma was in disbelief. He expected her to listen to him and give him a smile that he was yearning for all that time he was away. "Why can't it be the way it was before, Sakuno?" he said looking past Kirihara and to the auburn haired girl. He bit his lower lip; he was in a terrible situation where he could lose her.

"Not all things happen twice, Ryoma-kun." She said as she forced the thought into his thick skull. Then she walked away with Marui. He tried to follow her but Kirihara stopped him with his deadly glares. I had lost her.

"Just try hurting her again and I will kill you." He said taking a few steps back then turned to trail behind Sakuno and his senpai.

******

Marui faced Kirihara and told him that he will catch up to the others who decided to watch Seigaku's match. He and Sakuno were left, her sobs were heart breaking.

"Should I take you home?" he suggested. She looked at him with her puffy eyes and shook her head. She turned around to evade her senpai's gaze and sighed. "I know everything's not okay, but," he paused to face her and brushed away hair that covered her eyes. "The others are worried." He smiled at her; it might help her cheer up.

She finally looked at him, his smile made her lighten up a bit. "Thank you senpai." She flinched when Kirihara put a hand on her cheek and kissed her forehead. "Hee hee. You n-need not do t-that, Akaya-kun." She giggled as Akaya parted from her and took her hand and they headed for the court where Seigaku's match was being held.

******

Ryoma watched as they walked away. He remembered well how Sakuno hugged Kirihara Akaya, burying her face into his shoulder. He suddenly remembered what Kevin said. "One day you will have to face the truth that you had hurt her and she is not waiting for you to come back." He winced in pain as he had realized how wrong he was.

Tezuka was right. People tend to choose the option that which best suits the current situation and in the end, all they have is disappointment. Tomo-chan tried to console him. He was too stupid not to realize that he was mistaken. He walked with his shoulders slouching, as if they carried the whole world.

******

Yukimura spotted the two. He smiled at them and opened his arms to welcome Sakuno. Sakuno moved towards her senpai and closed in with a hug. Yukimura was happy that she was back to being the cheerful girl they always adored. He let go and Jackal hugged her as well. "I heard everything from Marui." his face went a little sad. They all knew what had happened to Sakuno.

"Iie, senpai. Daijoubu-desu yo." Sakuno smiled and everybody was relieved. They all returned to watching Seishun's players strut their stuff as they easily defeated their opponents.

Marui whistled as the Golden Pair won the match quickly. "Guess they haven't changed." He remembered their loss to them at the Nationals. The team stayed to watch the remaining matches and Kirihara was paying good attention to his enemy who's also watching the match.

Sometimes he would steal a glance at Sakuno but Kirihara just let him do so, besides he can't do anything but that anymore, though it was unnerving for him.

"Are we going to have another party?" Niou asked. They always have parties since last year- the year that Sakuno transferred to Rikkai.

"Of course, we will be having another." Yukimura seconded the act. Sanada frowned He has been against the parties because he believes that the team is slacking too much.

"Seiichi, haven't we had enough of that?" he faced Yukimura who just beamed at him. He felt himself shudder somehow and just sighed. There was no way that he will be able to stop Yukimura's decisions.

That night, they held a party at the Kirihara residence. His parents are away for a while so they can have all the fun that they want. As usual Sakuno was the one who made the food so appealing that they stuffed themselves to eternity, praising her at the same time. They also made the miraculous juice to make the party more fun and enjoyable. Sakuno even drank some of it; she was unaware of the vodka.

Everybody was perky and friendly except for Yukimura. He sighed; he has to take care of them since he's the only one with sure sanity. Even Sakuno was a prankster and Niou directed her on how to pull good pranks.

They were playing Dare or Dare again. The unlucky one was always Sanada. The others would make him do stupid dares. Too bad, this wasn't practice and if it were, they're faces could have been swollen, including Sakuno. Sakuno just laughed at him every time he did a dare.

Sakuno quit early on and went to the patio to think about some things. She was thinking if what she did was right, to push him away without hearing him out. She is not denying that there is still some left in her heart but what about now? What about the now that is taking good care of her and the one that is protecting her and the one she currently loves? She was confused, but she puts in the consideration that Ryoma had hurt her. What she thought back then was right. It seemed that Ryoma was in another world, too far for her to reach.

She heard the sliding door open and she looked at who had joined her. "Yo! Been doing some thinking?" he said with some minor slur in his speech. She nodded and he sat at one of the chairs, across her. He looked at her, and saw that she has been crying. He reached for her cheeks with both of his hands and tears started falling down once more.

By seeing her cry, he got sadder and sadder every tear that fell. "Sakuno," he called to get her attention and leaned in to give her a kiss. They kissed and he felt warmer than before. He pulled away and wiped away her tears. He stood up and came close to her and she wrapped her arms around his waist, her head leaning on his masculine trunk.

"Kirihara-senpai, I don't know what to do." She spoke as his fingers combed through her hair. Then a ringing sound was heard. Sakuno recognized the tone and took her phone from her pocket.

"Is Sumire-baa-san calling you? What time is it anyway?" Kirihara asked as he looked at the screen of the phone. Sakuno's curfew is at ten o'clock.

Sakuno shook her head as she pointed that the person who is calling her is not registered. Only the phone number appeared. So, she decided to answer it and was shocked to hear who was in the other end. "Ryoma-kun" she said with disbelief. Then her questions came back to her. Should she hear his explanation? She looked confused and his voice cracked from the device, calling her name. She looked at Kirihara who nodded in response to her asking eyes.

"What is it Ryoma-kun?" she spoke and her voice sounded as that of a drunkard.

"Sakuno? Is that you? You sound different." Ryoma said, baffled at her tone.

She was getting impatient plus the fact that she is drunk and didn't have that much control on her cognitive processes, she half-shouted at him. "Just tell me what you want to know!"

Now Ryoma is more baffled by her sudden change. 'Have I been long gone?' he asked himself but returned to reality. "Are you drunk!? Where are you?" he demanded an answer from her.

Sakuno shot up out of her seat and Kirihara was surprised that he almost fell of his chair. "So what if I am, huh?" she paused "You're not my goody-good boyfriend anymore Echizen, so why do you care?" she spouted words full of anger and annoyance.

'Whoa! She's scary!' Kiriahara made a mental note not to make her angry or he'll meet his doomsday.

"But Sakuno-" she stopped him before he can even start.

"Stop it! I don't want to hear anything from you!" she was getting angry and tears were about to gush from her eyes. "Stay out of my life!" she shouted and hung up. She started crying, again.

'Oh no! Wasn't I supposed to hear him out? What did I just do!?' the real Sakuno thought. She dropped back down to her seat and held her phone with both her hands. The others rushed to them, thinking that Sakuno and Akaya were having a love quarrel.

She looked at him and her eyes were blinded by tears. She raised her arms and he let himself be hugged, if that was the only way to comfort her. 'Why am I letting him hurt her this much?' he thought. He was guilty of the fact of not being able to protect her from that jerk. 'Why can't he realize that they're over?' A lot of things came running in his mind. He was irate at himself and at Ryoma.

Marui was the first one to ask what was going on and he relayed what had happened. He turned livid as well after hearing that that prodigy is still pushing his luck at getting her back. (Sorry for him because he has to pass through Bunta first then face Akaya.)

******

Sakuno hung up on him. After a long time, he finally got to talk to her but his hopes were crushed. He realized what a jerk he was, invading her life after he left her. He then dialed a different number. A female voice answered him and squealed in delight.

"What's her telephone number?" he asked as she gave him the digits. He has been calling her old number. Nobody told him that she had moved into a new house. He dialed the given number and the voice of an old woman welcomed him.

"Ryoma!? You're back!" Sumire was happy that his ex-student is back after a long time.

"Where's Sakuno?" he asked with impatience in his voice.

"Well, she's in a party being held at Akaya's house." She said then Ryoma demanded that she give him the address. She did so and the other hung up as quickly as he got the address. "What an impolite boy." But then she thought what kind of trouble what she did will create. She grimaced. "At least this will close everything between them. I hope Kirihara-kun will not beat him up." She hoped that nothing bad will happen tonight.

He finally arrived at the place and pressed the doorbell. Renji heard and told the others that he will answer the door. As soon as he opened it, an irritated kid with golden eyes asked him where Sakuno was. He directed him and he paced through the house as if it was his own. (Feel at home, literally.) He got to the patio and met the sharp glares of two boys. "Sakuno." He called and she turned to him and was shocked at his sudden arrival. He wanted to approach her but Kirihara stopped him.

"What are you doing here?" Akaya's glare was deadly as poison that lingered on its prey.

The three competitors finally faced each other and the whole house fell silent. The others gathered at the door and made sure they moved carefully.

Will there be a show down?

Sorry if that was a little long and a little boring, anyway, I hope you liked it.

The story is coming to a close and the contenders already faced each other. Who will win? Will the death of somebody close to Sakuno change her entire life?

There ya go! Please don't forget to review! n_n