A/N: Hey, readers! I'm really happy to get this chapter up. Why, do you ask? Because it's more than double the length of previous chapters! Yay! Anyway, I just want to thank all those who review and keep reading this story. It really means a lot to me and provides inspiration for future chapters. Alrighty, please enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 12- Request Fulfilled

Tossing his tennis bag in the corner and throwing the suit of his uniform on his desk chair, Ryoma took a moment to evaluate his current situation. His best friend, Sakuno, was going with him to the dance. But only because he'd asked her. That wasn't what his mind was in a muddle over. He wanted to go to the dance and have a good time with her.

Rather, he was frustrated with all of his other behavior around her. He knew he'd never been the type of person to be open and free with anyone, seeing as he never let down his stoic guard around anyone other than close friends, family, and teammates. And even then, the occurrence was seldom. He found that he was very forward around Sakuno; that's what troubled him the most. Since when was he such a flirt? And when had he become so accustomed to touching her? Most of all though, Ryoma was confronted with his own emotions and wants. Flopping down on his bed, he took a moment to look at exactly his "emotions and wants" were.

For starters, he knew he felt his most comfortable around Sakuno, though he didn't have a clue as to why. She seemed to welcome his company at all times, regardless of his disposition. He knew that he was often happy with Sakuno and he enjoyed being with her, as well. She drew him in and made him want to be around her. He supposed she had some sort of weird, hypnotic power over him. Or he was just going crazy. His actions certainly matched that theory. As to his wants, he wanted Sakuno, as selfish as he realized that sounded. He wanted her company, to be around her, to be next to her…Running a hand through his long hair and pushing some of it out of his face, he closed his eyes. Karupin bounded onto the bed and curled up besides Ryoma. At least he was sure of one thing; he never wanted Sakuno to slip away.

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After putting away her violin, Sakuno sat on the edge of her bed. Playing usually helped her forget whatever was troubling her, or sort out her feelings. But today, that wasn't the case. Even learning the newest piece of music she'd acquired, a song with a thrilling melody and a great variety of notes, couldn't help her get her dilemma off her mind. Ryoma, her best friend, seemed to occupy a lot more of her cranium space nowadays. Recalling the events earlier on the rooftop, she couldn't help but blush. That led her to wonder how in the world she'd managed to keep her body temperature at a reasonable constant while Ryoma was busy touching her and tickling her skin with his breath and…Oh dear, how many shades of red were there? And she'd reacted all the same! Trailing her fingertips down his arms, then running them through his hair, which happened to be so becoming on his figure.

But it wasn't only his physical features that intrigued her. Ryoma was kind, trusting, considerate, and a great friend. A stark contrast to what he was in junior high. And he surprised her even more by being an excellent flirt, although it's not like she didn't egg him on with her own share of coquettishness. Sakuno was so frustrated! Why was Ryoma so good to her? Sometimes, like today, he made her feel like she was one of the most important persons in his life. With a sigh, Sakuno undid her braid and brushed out her long hair. She'd just go with Ryoma to the dance next Friday and have a good time. And after that, they'd go on as always…friends.

But little did they know, the beginning feelings of the divine thing called love were settling in the depths of their hearts.

A few days before the dance

"Mou! No one told me dress shopping would be this hard!" Sakuno was currently standing in a boutique that specialized in selling teen girls' clothing. They had a vast dress selection, but Sakuno was finding it hard to find one that wasn't revealing.

"Ahh!" Sakuno spotted a simple yet beautiful blue dress and picked it out. After a few more minutes of semi-fruitful searching, she found another dress. This one was a tea rose pink. Sakuno tried on both and, surprisingly, found the first selection to be more to her liking. The dress was affordable as well and didn't put a dent in her wallet. She still had a considerable amount left, so after stopping at home to drop off the dress, lest something tragic happen to it, she headed off to do more shopping. She found a pair of cloth silver ballet-style flats that fit wonderfully. And they were on sale! Sakuno used the last bit of her money to buy a hair clip that complimented her dress.

Feeling much brighter, Sakuno headed home, and relished in the thought that she'd found such good purchases. Unconsciously blushing, she hoped she was pretty enough to be Ryoma's date. After all, there were tons of girls pining for her best friend's attention. Shaking that thought from her mind, Sakuno focused on what she thought of herself. She knew she would look awesome in that dress and as long as she believed that, it was true.

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It was the day of the dance and Sakuno was excited. She was currently in the car with her Oba-san. According to her, "Funny business might take place between you and young Echizen. The apple never falls far from the tree, ya know."

All the while, Sakuno was waving her hands in front of her in a placating manner and saying that she and Ryoma didn't have that kind of relationship. But her denial fell on deaf ears as Coach Ryuzaki continued on exclaiming that she wasn't ready to be a great-grandma and Sakuno better exercise some self-control because she wasn't taking care of any extra children.

"I'll be back at eleven on the dot," Coach said. "Not 11:01, either. Eleven!" With a smile that betrayed trust, Coach drove off. Sakuno wasn't the kind to do anything she ought not to be doing, anyway. It was eight p.m. The dance actually ended at midnight, but Coach Ryuzaki's word was law. And according to that law, her untainted granddaughter wasn't old enough to stay out that late. Sakuno was fine with that, not being one to even want to rebel against her scary Oba-san.

Sakuno made her way through the entrance of the gym, which surprisingly didn't smell like sweat. A bunch of kids were already there, including Ryoma's tennis senpai. Tomo spotted Sakuno almost as soon as she walked in and came to her immediately.

"Sakuno-chan! You look so pretty!"

"Thanks Tomo-chan! You look pretty as well!" Tomo was wearing an orange dress that tied behind the neck and came to her knees. She even had on a pair of low heels. The two girls linked arms and went over to join their other friends.

"I'm sorry I couldn't go dress shopping with you Saku-chan! I had to baby-sit again. In fact, I just got this earlier…"

Little did Sakuno know, quite a few guys, first-years and senpai, took notice of her. Momo, Eiji, and Fuji, just some of the tennis regulars present, noticed her as well.

"Nya! Check out Sakuno-chan! She's so cute!" Eiji exclaimed, looking excited in his red suit.

"Dude…" was all Momo could say, who was wearing a navy blue suit.

"She does look lovely tonight," Fuji remarked with a gleam in his eye; he was clad in a brown suit. Sakuno received many compliments, which she all graciously accepted, but her mind was on Ryoma. It had been a half-hour and he still wasn't here. Despite her worries, Sakuno was determined not to dwell on it too much.

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Fifteen minutes later, a slightly irritated Ryoma made his way into the dance. His stupid oyaji was late getting him there and he told Sakuno he'd meet her at 8:15. Not 8:45.

Although the dance floor was packed with kids getting down to the latest songs, there were quite a few at the tables lining the wall. That was where he found Sakuno. The lights in the gym were only slightly dimmed, so he could clearly see her. He began making his way over, unaware of fan girls parting like the Red Sea to make way for him. But alas, the journey would not be that easy; he was stopped a couple times. First, by his tennis senpai who all had good things to say about his date; "Nya, Sakuno-chan looks nice!" and "Dude, when did she get so hot?!"

Of course, Ryoma simply glared at both and continued onwards. The second time he was stopped by Horio, but he simply shoved him aside and kept going. Sakuno was relaxing at a table with a few of her friends, eating cake and looking happy, thought there was something amiss about her expression.

And then, she caught sight of him. Her eyes widened and she stood up to begin making her way over to meet him.

"VOOMP!" The lights, the music, everything electronic went out. Kids immediately began scrambling, and a few girls even went so far as to scream.

Sakuno felt dismayed at the least until a hand found hers and a low, familiar voice said, "Come on." Soundlessly, they slipped away from the gym, for the teachers normally guarding the doors were trying to calm the students down. Never speaking a word, the pair made their way through the school hallways until they came to a well-used staircase. They ascended, Sakuno being careful not to trip, until Ryoma finally pushed open the door. They stepped out and faced each other for the first time that night.

"Wow." The word slipped out before Ryoma could double-check to see if his mind was functioning properly. Under the bright light of the moon and stars, Sakuno was radiant. Her Egyptian blue dress flowed to the floor and hid her shoes from view. Silver accents rained upon the blue fabric, making it sparkle. And her hair, Kami-sama, her wavy hair…It seemed to trail on and on down her back. Her bangs were still evident, thought a pretty silver clip kept them in check.

Ryoma stepped forward as Sakuno tentatively asked, "Is something wrong?"

Ryoma looked up to meet her eyes and completed his stride until he was standing right in front of her. "Nope, everything's fine. Pulled out all the stops, didn't you?" was his characteristic response.

"Ryoma-kun!"

"Fine, fine. You look awesome Sakuno," he said, dropping the honorific in his sincerity. What came next was unexpected.

Sakuno threw her arms around his neck and said, "Arigato Ryoma-kun." He barely had time to put his arms around her before she pulled back and blushed a charming pink.

"Oi, Sakuno-chan, you weren't blushing last week," he reminded her, referencing to their last rooftop encounter.

"Oh Ryoma-kun! What am I going to do with you?" she muttered, crossing her arms and pouting in an offended manner.

"You'll go on making me bentos and spending time with me and making sure my locker is clean," he offered, chuckling a bit.

"It was junky! And if I didn't make you bentos, what would you eat?" she half-asked, half-declared, turning her back to him, arms still crossed.

"And yet you love me all the more," was Ryoma's next statement. Once again, a thought that wasn't supposed to leak out. Not in such a forward manner, anyway.

"And if I didn't…?" was Sakuno's whispered question. What was just a playful conversation now had the potential to become a serious matter.

"Then who would?" Ryoma finished the question for her. There was silence as both seriously considered the answer to that inquisition.

Sakuno personally thought that Ryoma was too stubborn to let anyone even come as close to him as she had. Then again, maybe she was giving herself too much credit. Of course, Ryoma had tons of fan girls who claimed they loved him, but they would never amount to anything, since they annoyed him beyond belief. Besides, in his opinion, why even consider turning to fan girls when Sakuno was right there, ready and waiting? But that's where Ryoma was a bit worried. He taking Sakuno for granted was what began this friendship, ironically. But now, that type of thinking could lead to the opposite. With a sigh, Ryoma shoved those thoughts aside. Tonight was supposed to be fun, and he would make it so.

"I see you honored your promise," he remarked, motioning to her hair.

"What? Did you think I wouldn't?" she inquired, hands on hips. An un-Sakuno pose, but Ryoma liked it. Heck, he was starting to like everything she did…

"Oh, I had faith in you all right. I was just gonna say that it looks criminally good," he replied, crossing his arms behind his head.

"Thank you," she nodded. In reality, her inner Sakuno was blown away. Criminally good? That seemed to be quite the compliment, especially when it came from someone such as Ryoma.

After a few seconds of her musing, (which Ryoma thoroughly enjoyed since she got this really cute far-off look on her face) Sakuno said, "Ahh Ryoma-kun. You look nice as well, you know." Ryoma was dressed in a classic black suit with a silver tie to boot.

"Uh-un Sakuno-chan. That's not an equal compliment." Ryoma was suddenly very close and very alluring. And when did his voice get so husky? Sakuno felt a few shivers go down her spine.

Feeling the need to breathe, she playfully shoved him back a bit and replied, "It wasn't to boost your ego! I meant what I said!"

"Tsk, you get so riled up. Arigato Sakuno-chan." She simply smiled in response before he spoke again.

"Now how to repay you?" he pretended to think long and hard on the matter.

"Well, a thank y-" Sakuno was cut off as he swept her up for a hug.

"I suppose this'll suffice," he said, once setting her down.

A grin fixed itself upon her pretty mouth before she said, "What do you mean 'suffice'?"

"No offense, Sakuno, but you look…" Ryoma stepped closer and bent his mouth to her ear. Sakuno was now out of commission seeing as in her mind, her chibi Sakuno were running around looking for a figurative brown bag.

"Mouthwatering hot," he finished before leaning back and smirking in his infamous way. "Made made dane," he added, taking in her flushed cheeks and quickened breathing. She really was cute when she was so hopelessly overwhelmed.

"You're so…insufferable!" she countered, huffing in exasperation.

"But you'll soon forgive me and welcome me back to bed after so many nights on the couch and…"

"Mou, Ryoma-kun! Don't speak in such a manner!" Sakuno blushed even more and tried to appear annoyed, but only succeeded in smiling at his implications.

"See, that prospect isn't so bad, is it?" Ryoma bent his head to look deep in her eyes and she admitted, "No, actually, it isn't."

In the end, Sakuno and Ryoma sat close against the wall. Sakuno was now leaning upon his shoulder, heavily dozing.

"It's eleven," he mentioned to his almost-sleeping comrade. What he didn't expect was Sakuno's violent raising of the head.

"Oh no! Oba-san will be waiting!" Sakuno wailed and sprinted for the doorway, hair flying out behind her.

"Oh, Sakuno. You forgot something," Ryoma said, having successfully grabbed her wrist to prevent her from leaving.

"Wh-at?" she whined, stretching the word into two syllables.

"Dance with me," he requested, taking hold of her other hand. Sakuno took and moment and weighed her options. She could: A) dance now, be happy later or B) sprint now and pay double for it later. Choice A would be wisest, thank you, seeing as Ryoma would surely make her pay for it in some embarrassing way.

Though a bit hesitant, she placed a hand on his shoulder as he rested one of his own on the small of her back. They swayed back and forth, and once Ryoma even spun her out and back in. After that, they swayed close, Ryoma's hand a little lower on her back, and hers at the nape of his neck. Eventually, they broke apart, both wearing a smile on their faces.

"Thank you for tonight, Ryoma," Sakuno said softly.

"No, thank you Sakuno," Ryoma replied. With a final smile, she turned and left the roof. And this time, he couldn't stop her.

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"Sakuno!"

"I'm sorry Oba-san!" Ryoma watched this scene from the roof and chuckled to himself. He would make a note to explain what happened to Coach himself. In fact, maybe he could take care of that explanation with another request…

I hope you all found the RyoSaku fluff to suit your tastes. Review, if you please! P.S. I got the whole 'criminally good' bit from "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya". It's an awesome anime!