The Prince and the Pauper
Disclaimer: I do not own prince of tennis

** Chapter 6. Memoirs **

(Normal POV)

Mitsuki sighed as she held out her necklace; a small ring served as its pendant "Tezuka… do you hate me that much?" she stood at the edge of the cliff, trying to feel the cold wind; well, it's not that cold compared to the way Tezuka treats her. Tezuka's attitude towards her, compared to a temperature, is like infinitely negative degrees celcius. The crescent moon shone beautifully alongside the glimmering stars, but still, the world seems like a dark place for her.

a part of her wanted to smile for the reason that she got the chance to see her best friends again, but she couldn't... not after all the cold treatment she's receiving from him.

The wind stroked her delicate skin and messed up her long chestnut brown hair, but she couldn't care less. The thought of Tezuka hating her is like stabbing her fragile heart a million times "You're my one and only best friend" a tear escaped from her enchanting eyes. She couldn't forget their precious memories… ever.

She sighed as she held the lace higher, comparing the ring to the crescent moon. No matter how enticing the moon is, nothing could compare to the ring… her most prized possession; the sign of her friendship with Tezuka.

The ice-cold wind suddenly blew violently, causing Mitsuki to drop the necklace. It fell on the second layer of the cliff which is almost 17 feet from the first layer of the cliff. A big NO formed inside her thoughts as her gaze followed the falling 'memoir.' Apparently, luck isn't just on her side.

Mitsuki stared down for a few seconds, but didn't hesitate to retrieve it. She carefully made her way down; naturally, fear took over her, but there's just no way she'd let it go. That's how important Tezuka is to her.

She slid her way down, not minding the pain her body is undergoing. She safely landed on the second layer of the cliff; however, she ruined her clothes and received a lot of cuts and bruises. A gentle smile formed from her delicate face when she retrieved the necklace "I won't give up that easily" she talked to the necklace as if it was Tezuka, trying to remember every single detail of his stunning face.

She heaved out a big sigh, thinking of her careless actions back then; she looked up "How on Earth will I get back there?" she stood up, but lost balance because she suddenly felt the cry of her ankle "Oh great… I'm such a klutz" she hopelessly caressed her ankle while scolding herself "What should I do now?" she tried to calm herself down.

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"Ryuzaki…" Senpai Tezuka suddenly called out Sakuno while making their way to the Cliffside "are you sure she's here?" his voice trembled like never before; his expression hasn't changed, but Sakuno could see right through Tezuka's game of charade. His expression may be blank, but his eyes are portraying the opposite. She tried to catch her breathe "I'm sure…" she gave him a reassuring answer.

Fuji, Ryoma and Keisuke got on their separate ways, hoping they'd find Mitsuki some place 'safer' so Tezuka and Sakuno teamed up.

"No one's here" Tezuka woke up Sakuno from her confusing thoughts. She didn't realize they were already at the Cliffside; she scanned the place but there's no one in sight "but…" she panicked because she was sure this is where Mitsuki went. Was she just imagining things?

The crescent moon revealed Tezuka's worried expression; Sakuno couldn't help but stare at him, she have never seen him like this in her entire life… for once, he actually looked 'impotent' a part of Sakuno actually wanted to smile, but she just couldn't due to the fact that Mitsuki's still missing.

"Ryuzaki, go back and get help…" Tezuka looked down; Sakuno flew by Tezuka's side. There, on the second layer of the cliff remains Mitsuki, sitting still while watching the moon feebly.

"O-ok…?" Sakuno trembled upon what she just saw; how the heck will MItsuki onee-chan get out of there? She panicked more and more as each second passed by, but this is no time to just stare and do nothing "please be careful…" Sakuno had a straight voice "I don't know what you're planning to do but…" she faced Tezuka with an assuring expression "I know you'll do everything you can, so be careful" she, then made her way back to the beach house.

A weak smile formed out of Tezuka's face "believe…"

The wind blew violently as he looked down again. He just can't stand there and do nothing. Tezuka suddenly felt the urge to go down there and save Mitsuki… even if it means getting cuts and bruises. He'd risk everything for her… his one and only.

"Mitsuki!" Tezuka called her out from afar. He called out her name steadily, trying not to lose his composure.

"Now I'm starting to hear Tezuka's voice… terrific" Mitsuki scolded herself "Maybe I am insane… he'll never come and rescue me" she sighed and grasped the ring tighter "I should have known better…"

"Mitsuki!" Tezuka repeated. Mitsuki's heart started to wonder; maybe he is there, that perfectly toned voice and the way he called out her name… it isn't just hallucination, it must be for real. Mitsuki looked up to see Tezuka's composed but somehow, troubled expression.

"Stay still!" Tezuka commanded her like the team captain that he is as he threw his body against the rough cliff. He slid his way down the 17 feet cliff, also, not minding the pain his body is receiving. Before Mitsuki could react, Tezuka already got down and luckily, received only a few bruises.

"Why did you do that?" Mitsuki approached Tezuka "You could've gotten hurt…" she tried to hold back the tears which are starting to form from her expressive eyes "or worse…" she looked down.

Tezuka couldn't help but just stare at the beautiful girl, crying, in front of him. He suddenly felt the urge to wrap his arms around her fragile body and comfort her. He closed his eyes as Mitsuki stopped crying. His sudden behaviour surprised her "Tezuka?" it's like a dream, he's actually hugging her "Tell me I'm not dreaming…" she calmed down.

"Is this scene familiar to you?" he started, still keeping her safe inside his arms "when we were still kids…?" Mitsuki suddenly wanted to rejoice, maybe there's still hope for the two of them.

She had a faint smile "how could I forget that?" she closed her eyes. The gentle wind blew her soft and silky chestnut hair.

"It was raining hard back then…" Tezuka started reminiscing. He freed her from his arms then placed both his hands on her shoulder and stared into her dark green eyes. Tezuka wanted to say a thousand things, but he just couldn't, that's just not him. He unattached his hands from her shoulder and rested his back against the rock, thinking if he went too far.

"I'm so sorry" Mitsuki mumbled while fixing her gaze at the moon, she knew what he was thinking; even if he didn't say a word "I wanted to cry and be alone that time. Mom and Dad promised me we'd celebrate my birthday together, but they cancelled it because they had to attend an urgent business meeting. I didn't care about the weather… I just wanted to be alone"

Tezuka looked at Mitsuki with empathy; he remembered the times Mitsuki cried because of her parents "But you know how much they love you" Tezuka's voice became comforting "they did that for you and your brother's sake"

Tezuka's comforting words calmed Mitsuki's trembling heart "I know that, but all I wanted was for us to be together most of the time" thinking about the moments she waited for her parents to come home still makes her somewhat lonesome; after all, all she wanted was to be with her family, as simple as that.

Tezuka looked at Mitsuki "I was shocked when your maid came to our house and asked us if we know where you went. The minute I heard the conversation, I immediately rushed out to try to find you" Tezuka's voice became stable.

Mitsuki chuckled, accentuating her cheek bones "Well it worked" she faced Tezuka; her gloomy face turned into a hopeful one. She stared at him like she owes Tezuka her life "I guess you know me too well…"

Tezuka sighed like a kid, which is very unusual, considering he's always serious "but when I found you, you could barely walk and you were covered with bruises" he placed his left hand on top of her head, scolding Mitsuki like she's a child "you were crying like there's no tomorrow" he looked her sincerely in the eyes.

The thought of her past mistake made Mitsuki feel guilty "You know me… I'm very clumsy; I always trip, fall, or even, lose my balance" Mitsuki's smooth and silky chestnut hair got tangled due to the wind "when I got there I didn't mind the bruises or the feeble cry of my ankle" her eyes started to glint "I thought I was alone, but you came and comforted me…" she smiled at him "you really are my best friend" her heart started pounding fast; she just couldn't believe how stunning Tezuka is, both in the inside and outside.

Tezuka stared at the beautiful being in front of him, thinking how much time they wasted; he blamed himself for not believing in Mitsuki, he wanted to say a lo of things, however he just doesn't know how to put it in words "sorry…" was all managed to say.

Mitsuki laughed "As always… you find it hard to express yourself through words" she looked at him, her mood became lighter "but I should be the one who's sorry…" she gave him a sincere smile "I missed you too, best friend. You don't have to force yourself… you actually say things best when you say nothing at all"

Best friends… for some reason, that made him happy and at the same time dissatisfied "Maybe someday I'll understand why…" he whispered to himself.

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Sakuno tried to calm herself through listening to music, 'Mixtape' by Butch Walker, through her ipod. She finally reached the shore while attempting to find help. "I can't find anyone…" she desolately reported to herself. She could imagine how Mitsuki and Tezuka are desperately waiting for help; the thought pierced her heart, like she's more useless than she thought she was.

Her deep eyes are on the verge of escaping a drop of tear "I can't even help them…" she felt that her eyes are becoming warmer as each second passed by. "No… I mustn't give up!" she convinced herself "this is not the time to whine, Sakuno. Everything will turn out fine" she separated freed her left and right ears from the ear phones.

"That's right" a warm and gentle voice suddenly came in from behind her. Sakuno immediately turned around to confirm who it was, "Keisuke…?" she was, somehow, dumbfounded.

"Don't worry; Captain Tezuka called me just a minute ago. Senpai Fuji aand the others are on their way to rescue Captain Tezuka and my sister." He slowly approached Sakuno while completely gluing his eyes on Sakuno's. His uncertain action made Sakuno feel uncomfortable.

Well of course, with Keisuke's charm and undoubtedly warm personality, who in the girl in her right mind would ignore him? The answer… Sakuno Ryuzaki!

"Thank you…" Keisuke stood just a few inches away from Sakuno. The way he delivered the statement was full of gratitude.

"Uhmm.. what for?" Sakuno asked while trying to keep her cool; she tried to divert her attention through staring at the fine sand.

"For trying your best to help my sister" he found Sakuno's actions, somehow, comforting; which caused him to laugh.

His sudden behaviour took away the awkward moments "What is it?" Sakuno face him; confusion is written all over her face.

"You're like a little kid" he patted Sakuno;s head "I wish I had a little sister like you…" he winked at Sakuno. Keisuke's comforting and warm approach made Sakuno brightened up Sakuno "Ok then… you can call me your little sister if you want" she chuckled.

"Ok then…" he smiled "Oh! And don't worry… I'll help you with…" Keisuke suddenly stopped, giving her that expression full of expense. He gave her a jokingly smug smile.

Sakuno stared for a while, trying to figure out what he meant "help with what?"

"Oh you know what I'm talking about…" he smiled "R-Y-O-M-A" he spelled out her prince's name.

"What?!" Sakuno practically shrieked; just talking about Ryoma made her heart beat faster than a bullet train. the sea danced more as silence took over them.

"Don't worry. it'll be our little secret…" Keisuke assured Sakuno.

Sakuno examined his face; his smile was pure and his eyes were promising "I believe you" she shot him a thankful smile.

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..Love stories aren't easily noticed,

It's actually staring us right in the face,

But we keep on denying it..

To Be Continued

sorry if it's been months since i last updated... I had too much school work to do that I can't find any time to update. Anyway, sorry if there are a lot of wrong grammars; I'll just edit it if i have the time... ciao!