Sakura Lain says,

"I still don't own Prince of Tennis! So there!"

…and Sakura Lain's done with the disclaimer.

Chapter 2: Reunion Bedlam

"Now before we get there," said Tomoka as she drove to Momoshiro's place the next evening, "there's something you have to know in case someone shows up."

Sakuno looked at Tomoka blankly from the passenger's seat. "Have to know…?"

Tomoka looked at her after she came to a stop at a red light. She smirked. "Momoshiro and I actually talked on the phone when he first sent me the reunion invitation. He really wanted to make sure… that Ryoma-sama came to this reunion."

Sakuno gasped. Then she shook her head in disbelief, letting herself smile. "Tomo-chan, Ryoma hasn't stepped on Japan since…"

Tomoka rolled her eyes and waved her hand in the air dismissively. "Before you tell me he's not coming, let me speak first…" Sakuno looked at her, waiting. "We got to thinking…what would really make Ryoma-sama come to Japan after all these years… and seeing how Momo was his best pal, we decided… on a wedding."

"N-Nani?" Sakuno asked, confused. "A wedding?"

"Yup," Tomoka said, grinning. She accelerated again when the light turned back to green. "Momo's getting married! And so we sent Ryoma-sama the invitation, but his says it's a reunion to celebrate Momo's big news… and how the wedding was taking place in like a week and he'd really like for Ryoma-sama to be there and…"

"…So you guys basically made up a wedding just to get Ryoma to come here?" said Sakuno incredulously. She smiled widely and before she knew it, she had broken into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

"What's so funny?" said Tomoka with an edge to her voice.

"You guys… are dorks!" said Sakuno in between her laughter.

"I thought it was clever…" Tomoka pouted.

After Sakuno finally calmed down and could breathe again, Tomoka resumed talking. "Anyway," she said, "that's the story. So if Ryoma-sama actually does come and he starts talking about wedding nonsense, just nod your head and pretend you know what he's talking about. Momo and I are going to have a lot of fun with this."

"You seem awfully sure of yourselves," said Sakuno. "About Ryoma coming, I mean. Wouldn't it be very disappointing…if he didn't show up?"

"Ah, what the hell," replied Tomoka, shrugging. "Might as well enjoy things while you can; life's a big disappointment anyway."

"Tomoka…"

"I'm just kidding!"

But maybe Tomoka was right. When they arrived to Momo's house, Sakuno looked around and didn't see any sign of Ryoma being there. She didn't want it to get to her, either, but the disappointment was beginning to her, just like in the last reunion.

"I'm going to go have a drink," she said to Tomoka, who was deep in conversation with Momo. She doubted Tomoka even heard her.

Sakuno went to a table filled with drinks. She grabbed an empty cup and looked at the small selection of drinks. Not much to drink here, she thought in disappointment. Then she noticed the liquor bottle. Why am I even considering…

She was stopped from her thoughts when someone much taller than her approached her. "Ah, Sakuno-chan," he said.

Sakuno looked up, recognizing that familiar voice, and met with Fuji's usually closed eyes. "Ah, Fuji-senpai!" she cried in surprise. "I didn't know you were already here." She really thought it was still just her, Tomoka, and Momo.

Fuji simply smiled. "I just got here," he replied.

"Oh," said Sakuno, still holding on to her empty cup.

"How have you been, Sakuno-chan? It's been a very long time," said Fuji.

"I-I'm fine," replied Sakuno. But a nagging voice at the back of her thoughts didn't quite agree with her response. No you're not, it said. You're crazy. Sakuno's eyes looked frightened for a second before she composed herself, but it did not escape from Fuji's observation.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "You look worried." Sakuno didn't respond. Fuji frowned inwardly. "Well, I'd better get going and meet with the others. Don't want to keep you with an empty cup there for long, ne?"

"H-Hai," replied Sakuno as he left her at the refreshment table. Sakuno glanced back at the empty cup in her hand. She had momentarily forgotten about serving herself something to drink and was about to put the cup back down when her eyes laid on the alcoholic drink again.

She didn't know what came over her. But the temptation was so strong and before she knew it, she had filled her cup to the brim with the bottle's contents. She looked down at her drink, at her sad reflection staring back at her. She didn't get it, why she was like this. But she smiled and took a sip, enjoying the drink as it trickled down her throat.

It was amazing, how good she immediately felt.

Obaa-chan… Obaa-chan…

"Sakuno, what are you doing?"

Obaa-chan… you're here!

"You're only twelve-years-old, Sakuno! I know I taught you better!

Obaa-chan… why are you so mad?

"Sakuno! Sakuno!"

Obaa-chan… that doesn't sound like you anymore…

"Sakuno!"

It sounds more like… Tomo-chan…

Sakuno had no idea how long she stood there, dazed out, and feeling Tomoka's hands on her shoulders. "Sakuno, snap out of it!"

She was crying. Why was she crying?

Sakuno looked over, not really comprehending what was going on. "To…Tomo…chan?" she asked, smiling. For some reason, that made Tomoka look even more frightened.

"Sakuno, why?" she cried.

"Why…" She had no idea what Tomoka was talking about. All around her she could hear murmurs but she couldn't make out the words clearly. Then she saw the mess at the refreshment table. Two, no three, cups recently emptied of liquor lay all over the table. Apparently, thought Sakuno when she realized she was holding on to yet another cup, she was now halfway through her fourth serving. And Kami-sama, she felt horrible…

How did this happen? Was it really possible that she had gotten so into her obsessive drinking that she didn't even realize time slipping by? But that had…never happened before.

Sakuno tried to keep her balance as she held on to the table for support, then slipped and fell on the floor, hard on her back. She groaned. She couldn't see very clear at all anymore…

"Ryuzaki."

Among the murmurs and voices, there was that one voice that she could easily recognize out of all them. And in her blurry vision, she could tell there was a group of people surrounding her, but there was that one person standing over her, that one person with the black-green hair so perceptible even in blurry eyes. And having heard his voice, she knew immediately who it was, dream or no dream…

Ryoma-kun.

A/N: Ne, I don't like having Sakuno like this either… but she won't be so depressed like this for very long either so I can't wait to get to get the more cheerful scenes later. I also know it's highly OOC of Sakuno to act this way… but I'm just trying something new and interesting, steering away from the usual cheery fiction I've written elsewhere. :) As always, feel free to review.

There's been some trouble with the story links as well, and not just on my story, so I'm aware that some of you may be unable to read my story or certain chapters. I honestly don't know what's going on, so I'm just hoping the problem gets sorted out soon on its own…