A/N: Here's the second chapter. Enjoy! I'm posting this up today because my computer got a lot of viruses. Infected. All thanks to my wonderful school's computer labs. All the computers in school got a virus, and since we had to finish our assignment home, and my pendrive got a virus courtesy of the school comps, and it's destroying a LOT of stuff, I decided I better post this first. So, I'm sorry because I won't update again until my computer is RID of the darned viruses. Furthermore, I got exams, and won't be able to continue it for the moment. Oh, geez, enough with the ranting. OH, before I forget, many thanks to those people who read and reviewed! Special thanks to Lewnuhhkau for giving this story it's first review!
Disclaimer: See first chapter.
Chapter starts
"Are you by any chance, Ryuuzaki Sakuno?"
Sakuno turned around to see the speaker. She recognized the voice, seeing as she had heard it quite a few times. She was not surprised to see a tall boy with flipped out silver hair, a mole under his right eye standing right behind her. "Well?"
"Ahh...H-hai, Atobe-san."
Sakuno felt herself blush faintly. Atobe-san was her parents' business partners' son? Oh Kami-sama, she was sure she was going to get trampled by his fangirls before she even managed to set foot inside Hyotei.
Atobe squinted at her. "You look familiar..."
Atobe racked his brains to try and remember where he saw Sakuno before. Her twin braids served as a reminder.
"Ah, you're Seigaku's tennis coach's granddaugther, correct? Ore-sama didn't know that you were Ryuuzaki-san's daugther. Hmm, now that ore-sama thinks about it, you do have Ringo-san's eyes, and Ryuuzaki-san's hair colour."
Sakuno was at a lost on what to say. She just stared at Atobe while he was stating out his thoughts. Sakuno was already awed by his aura of confidence and his ability to put all eyes on him when she first saw him at the matches. She had only felt admiration, and was always those admirers from afar. Now, she was possibly going to have to go around Hyotei with him as a sort of tourguide for the first few days. Her train of thought was broken by Atobe.
"Come on now, it's already a bit late. Ryuuzaki-san, Ringo-san, Otousan and Okaasan are already expecting us."
Atobe started trotting off, picking up Sakuno's small suitcase. Sakuno followed behind him, unsure of what to do and say. Atobe was wearing his Hyotei uniform. Sakuno guessed that he had taken a day off tennis practice just to bring her to her new home. From what Ryoma had told her, he was a dumb saru, and definitely practiced tennis everyday. She had heard of rumours that Atobe's academics was also good, and that he was the student council's president in Hyotei. Now she'll be able to find out if it's through or not.
"We're here."
Sakuno looked up, startled. She had been thinking so deeply that she had barely noticed that they had already reached her house. Sure enough, her parents' description of it was matched perfectly. There were two sakura trees at the gate to her home, the petals dropping to the ground as if like confetti, or a carpet, waiting to greet whoever it is that was going there. When she stepped in her yard after Atobe, Sakuno gasped. There was a lovely koi pond, several trees, a hutch for her mother's pet rabbits, an aviary for her father's exotic birds, a lake somewhere farther away, rose bushes leading the way to the majestic doors...There were endless things that Sakuno could talk about the outside of her new home and while she was busy admiring the landscape, Atobe rang the doorbell. The doors opened. An old butler bowed down, saying:
"Welcome, Keigo-sama, Sakuno-sama."
In the living room
"Do you think that Sakuno will, well, be happy at Hyotei?"
"How hard can it be? Look at Keigo-kun, he passed his school life with flying colours!"
"Well, that's Keigo. Sakuno is the exact opposite of him."
"I agree with Kaname."
"Awww...But I'm sure Sakuno will be able to get new friends there, right?"
An awkward silence ensued.
"Right?"
Back with Atobe and Sakuno
Sakuno glanced with nothing less of acceptance at the interior of her new home. It was typically her parents style. Rare paintings, antiques were obviously her father's, the sweet, fashionable covers, curtains and so on was undoubtedly her mother's choice. She had almost forgotten that Atobe was with her as well, until they came to the living room. Her mother had shrieked her welcome to Sakuno, hugging her as if she would never get a chance again and announcing her gratefulness to Atobe for bringing Sakuno to her home.
"It really was no problem at all, Ringo-san."
"You told us dozens of times about that before, but I still think you shouldn't have given up your time just for Sakuno-chan!"
Sakuno then remembered that Atobe had went to fetch her while still wearing his uniform. She was horrified, immediately bowing down and apologizing to Atobe for taking up his precious time. Atobe wasn't the one that answered though, his mother did.
"Sakuno-chan! Don't stress yourself out with this. After all, Keigo volunteered at first. Anyway, he has tennis practice almost everyday, he should take a break once in a while."
"D-demo..."
"Now stop fretting Sakuno! Keigo shall bring you to Hyotei tomorrow morning, and his friend, Oshitari Yuushi shall be joining you as well. Both of them shall show you around."
The rest of the evening passed by peacefully, but Sakuno couldn't help thinking that the first thing that would happen the next morning when she stepped into Hyotei, she would most probably be trampled by the stampede of Atobe's and Oshitari's fangirls. Something else drove those thoughts away from her mind. Her mother had just told her that the Atobes' were going to stay at their home for the next month or so, as their houses were going through complete renovation.
"So they'll be staying her, and I want you to treat them nicely, like family, Sakuno. I doubt your unable to do that though, you're always so polite. Anyway, Keigo-kun's room is right next to yours, Kaname-kun and Tsuki-chan's room is along the sorridor where ours is. You'll be starting at Hyotei next week, all your things – unifrom, bag etc.etc. have been bought. Tomorrow Keigo-kun will give you a tour of Hyotei after he finishes his tennis practice. OH SAKUNO-CHAN I CAN'T BELIEVE IT YOU'RE REALY GOING TO HYOTEI!!"
Ringo had just gone from sane being to someone who should be put into a mental asylum. She had started glomping Sakuno. Sakuno now felt releived that Eiji-senpai always did that to her. Now she could at least breathe for a few extra seconds before starting to suffocate.
"Okaa...san...! Can't...breathe...hel...p!!"
Ringo, finally let Sakuno go. Her amber eyes practically shone with delight at having her only daughther with her again. Eyes resting on the granfather clock nearby, she gave an exclaimation of surprise.
"Is it that late already? Sakuno, you really should go to sleep now. Keigo-kun wakes up rather early in the morning, and you're to go to Hyotei with him as well. Oyasumi, Sakuno!"
"Oyasumi, okaasan."
Sakuno ascended the grand staircase to her room. It was all done in pink, purple and blue. Kurosaki-san, one of the maids had already unpacked everything and put her clothes away neatly. It was only the teddy bears she collected, her books and personal effects that were left. Rearranging her teddy bears again and again kept her occupied, as she tried not to let her thoughts stray to what will happen tomorrow. Meanwhile, a certain gray-haired diva was on the computer chatting to his friends.
In MSN chat room
Koori no Emperor: Ore-sama demands that Shishido and Gakuto stop fighting now!
Ass Kicker Shishido: What was that you said about me you red-headed girly asshole??
!TheAcrobaticTensaiGakuto!: Sheesh, can't you scroll up and read? I said that you totally suck in fighting! I mean, that werewolf like monster, Akutsu from Yamabuki can so totally kick ass better than you do!
#Hyotei no Tensai#: You should know better than stopping those two from fighting Atobe.
Choutarou The Believer: Senpai, please stop fighting!
#Hyotei no Tensai#: I believe I just told Atobe that it was useless to attempt to stop them, Choutarou.
Choutarou The Believer: Demo...
Ass Kicker Shishido: Since when did you change your screen name, Chouta? Gekidasa daze na.
Choutarou The Believer: I think nee-san changed it. I'll change the name again when I find one I like.
!TheAcrobaticTensaiGakuto!: Oi, Shishi-no-baka! Or perhaps I should call you Sissy-no-baka? I was fighting with you dammit!
Ass Kicker Shishido: What the hell did you call me? You stupid cherry head!! Anyway, that's the stupidest screen name I ever seen in my entire life!
!TheAcrobaticTensaiGakuto!: WTF!! Cherry head?? How dare you insult me you...you...
Ass Kicker Shishido: Can't think of an insult can ya, cherry head? )
Koori no Emperor: Ore-sama demands that you all stop this instant! Or else ore-sama shall kick all of you off the tennis team FOREVER!!
SleepingBeautyJirou: Zzzz...
Ass Kicker Shishido: Since when was Jirou in this chat room?? Hey, he's using his webcam isn't he?? He wouldn't type that at all if he was awake!
!TheAcrobaticTensaiGakuto!: Yeah, thanks for telling us something we already know, porcupine head.
Ass Kicker Shishido: Gekidasa daze! That nickname's reserved for that psycho power dude on Seigaku, remember? That snake Kaidoh gave him that nickname. So unoriginal, cherry head. Right, Kabaji?
Kabaji : Usu.
!TheAcrobaticTensaiGakuto!: WHAT!
Koori no Emperor: Ore-sama also agrees with Kabaji and Shishido.
!TheAcrobaticTensaiGakuto!: WTF!! Yuushi, help me out!!
#Hyotei no Tensai#: Unfortunately I agree with them.
SleepingBeautyJirou: Agree about what??
Ass Kicker Shishido: Never mind. Get back to sleep Jirou.
SleepingBeautyJirou: OK!
Koori no Emperor: WILL EVERYONE LISTEN TO ORE-SAMA!!
Ass Kicker Shishido: Woah, he's really pissed.
#Hyotei no Tensai#: It would be better if you didn't aggravate him more.
Koori no Emperor: As ore-sama would like to announce the reason for him asking you all to be online at precisely 10.00pm and get back to sleep as soon as possible, ore-sama wishes that you all will NOT interrupt me when I talk.
Choutarou The Believer: Hai, Atobe-san.
Koori no Emperor: Good. I'm sure you all know Ryuuzaki Renji-san, right?
Ass Kicker Shishido: Hang on, that name sounds familiar...
!TheAcrobaticTensaiGakuto!: Asshole, Ryuuzaki Renji is the owner of Ryuuzaki Corps, in other words a tycoon whose wealth can rival Atobe's.
#Hyotei no Tensai#: And this has something to do with us how?
Koori no Emperor: His daughther, Ryuuzaki Sakuno is transferring to Hyotei. She is originally from Seigaku.
!TheAcrobaticTensaiGakuto!: His daughther originally from Seigaku is coming to Hyotei. So? Wait, WHAT?
Ass Kicker Shishido: From Seigaku?! You've gotta be friggin kidding me. I mean, she shares the last name as their weird old coach, and I'm sure I seen her before in some of the matches. She's the one with the abnormally long twin braids right? She was with that witch-like hag, the one that was screaming 'Ryoma-sama! Ryoma-sama!' the whole time. She nearly made me deaf!!
Choutarou The Believer: Shishido-san, that's a bit mean.
#Hyotei no Tensai#: So was that the reason why you wanted us to go online? Really, that's a waste of time.
Koori no Emperor: Ore-sama believed ore-sama has told you all to not interrupt ore-sama until he is finished?
Ass Kicker Shishido: Summimasen, Atobe.
Koori no Emperor: Tomorrow after tennis practice, I'm going to show her around the school. She will also be watching us during tennis practice, so I expect all of you to work hard. We do not want her to think that Seigaku is better than us at tennis, ne Kabaji?
Kabaji: Usu.
#Hyotei no Tensai#: Hm. And I guess you're staying at her home then.
!TheAcrobaticTensaiGakuto!: WHAT??
Ass Kicker Shishido: So Ryuuzaki-san's place is where you and your family's staying at until your house is finished getting renovated? No wonder.
MartialArtsMasterHiyoshiWakushi: Hn. Gekokujyou.
Choutarou The Believer: Hiyoshi! You're finally online! I meant to ask you about the Biology homework that Tanaka-sensei set. Is it 3 pages long or 4?
MartialArtsMasterHiyoshiWakushi: 3
Choutarou The Believer: Oh, arigatou.
SleepingBeautyJirou: Sakuno-chan kawaii ka?
Koori no Emperor: Decide that yourself tomorrow. Ore-sama is going to sleep. 8.00 am sharp, Oshitari.
#Hyotei no Tensai#: Hai.
Next morning in the dining room
Sakuno and Atobe were the only two around, since their parents had left for work at around seven. It was nearing eight, and both of them were almost finished with their meals. Atobe was reading the newspapers, Sakuno merely enjoying what she hoped was not her last meal on earth. At 8.00, Atobe took his tennis bag and her small bagpack as well. Sakuno stammered out her thanks, wishing that the dreaded day would end soon.
Outside the gates, a certain blue-haired tensai of Hyotei was leaning against the wall, slightly impatient as he wanted to see how this Sakuno looked like. As the iron gates opened, he narrowed his eyes, preparing to give Atobe a lecture, until he saw him carrying his usual tennis bag and a small bagpack, blue in colour with a keychain of a red cat.
Oshitari, a proud tensai of Hyotei Gakuen was speechless. Speechless. With a capital S. Was he imagining things, or was there something wrong with his eyesight? He had better go to the optometrist to check his eyesight. His captain, Atobe, was carrying a bagpack. For a girl. Just who on earth was this Ryuuzaki Sakuno to be able to make his captain act that way?
Atobe walked up to him, and behind him, he saw a young girl with amber, doe-like eyes. She was wearing a light purple tennis skirt and white sports blouse. What was the most eye-catching though, was her unusually long twin braids.
"Daijoubu ka?"
Oshitari returned his attention to Atobe, who was talking to the girl, Sakuno.
"H-hai."
She stammered, Oshitari noted. It seems as though she's scared. But of who or what? The rest of the walk on the way to Hyotei was uneventful. Oshitari tried numerous times to get Sakuno to talk, but to no avail. She was just too shy. Atobe didn't seem to want to converse much, and Oshitari left it at that.
When he saw the looming school gates, he noticed that Sakuno was walking a bit behind Atobe, who had bent down whispering things to her and he was behind them. He managed to catch a few phrases of Atobe comforting her. 'She's scared, and Atobe is comforting her? Ryuuzaki Sakuno, you managed to do something that no other girl has done to Atobe before. You managed to make him show that he cares. Things are bound to get interesting.'
Sakuno was unaware of Oshitari's thoughts, and listening to Atobe's whispers of comfort, shut her eyes tightly, expecting the worse to happen when she stepped into Hyotei Gakuen middle school.
Chapter ends
A/N: Bwahahaha! Another cliffie, sort of. As always, reviews are welcome. And I hope I didn't make Atobe or Sakuno OOC. If you think they are, tell me. I'll attempt to fix it.
Jap. Glossary
Oyasumi - Goodnight
Koori no Emperor - You should know this. Emperor of Ice. I sometimes wonder if Takeshi Knomi-sensei is toying with us, I mean Hyotei literally means that.
Gekidasa daze - Way uncool / lame. Shishido's catchphrase.
Tensai - genius
Daijoubu ka - Are you all right