The next day at tennis practice everyone was watching Tezuka... much to his utter annoyance. He had never liked being the center of attention, and this was making him very uncomfortable. He briefly toyed with the idea of making them all run laps but he didn't have control over anyone except the tennis team ... and they were already running like mad. Yet that still didn't stop them for staring intently at him. Well all of them staring except Echizen ... for some reason he was glaring. Tezuka kept his stoic expression but, in his mind the wheels were turning trying to figure out why the regulars suddenly had such an extreme fascination with his face.

Puffing and panting, the tennis team finished their laps, but before Tezuka could tell them to warm up Ryoma spoke. "I challenge you to a tennis match, Buchou." Shocked gasps were heard all round as people began swivelling their heads back and forth as if the match was already taking place.'I wonder what Echizen is thinking' ran through his head as accepted the match without hesitation only seconds after the declaration was made.

It seemed as if the entire school was drawn towards the spectacle (teachers and students alike), as the tennis courts became surrounded by crowds. The entire audience sat at the edge of their seats, waiting for the match to begin. Lungs filled with air as they held their breath in anticipation.
Sakuno was the last one to enter the court. She had come to say hi to her Oba-chan and watch the regulars practice but had heard of the match from a girl in 'ryoma-sama's fanclub'. As she entered, eyes shifted from the competitors to her. The eyes of the regulars moved so in sync you could almost hear their eyes move in their sockets all at once. She felt their eyes, but she chose to ignore them.
She went and stood in the very first row, right next to Fuji. She looked around quickly before the match began, and noticed that practically everyone had signs that said 'GO RYOMA!!!' or 'We love you RYOMA!!!'. (Vaguely she wondered where the banners had come from. Did his fan club carry them around 24/7 for 'emergencies' like this?!) Usually she would have been happy at the overwhelming support the 'prince' of tennis had. But today was not the usual day. And Ryuuzaki Sakuno was not happy.

The match began and everyone became engrossed in it. Back and forth they hit it with a steady 'pok, pok' rhythm and it took 15 minutes alone for the first point to be scored. It was a tiebreak by the end of the match. Tezuka won another game, and Ryoma was to serve, but he wasn't too happy. Not at all ... Ryoma was furious. Sakuno had cheered loudly when Tezuka got his game point and it pissed him off. Blinded by rage and not quite realising what he was doing, he put full force into this serve and aimed it to Tezuka's injured arm. His shot connected and a triumphant smirk marred his usually blank face.
His smirk began to fade and a tendril of fear wrapped around his body and heart. Tezuka wasn't getting up. While everybody cheered, oblivious to the damage, Sakuno stood and rapidly rushed to Tezuka's side. She reached him and, kneeling beside him, gently lifted his head and placed it onto her lap.

She was on the verge of tears when she saw his face. Sakuno could tell he was in pain. Tezuka's eyes were squeezed tightly shut and he was holding his shoulder in a death grip as if trying to stop the pain from spreading. He was taking deep uneven breaths. The something caught her eye and Sakuno let out a strangled gasp.
By now everyone had stopped their cheering and were just staring at the usually shy and timid girl. Never in their life would they have expectd Sakuno to do such a thing. They snapped their heads to where she was looking at when she gasped. Jaws dropped, sharp gasps filled the air, and amongst the shattered silence loud sobs could be heard. There on the floor, where Tezuka's body had lay before Sakuno moved it, was a patch of blood. It was dripping from Tezuka's shoulder. The crowd couldn't believe it. The regulars' couldn't believe it. Ryoma couldn't believe it. He hadn't meant to. He was just very upset for some reason but he never meant to actually hurt his captain...his team-mate...his friend.

An ambulance was called and arrived within a few minutes. They didn't want to move him so they bandaged him up and gave him pain killers, telling him not to move for a while and get plenty of rest over the week. Tezuka was still on Sakuno's lap, woozy from the pain killing drugs, and had yet to show signs of movement.
Everyone was shocked at the event that had taken place but couldn't help being laced with curiosity as to what the hell was going on. They watched as Sakuno slowly lifted her head, her face holding no trace of her usual sun-shiny smile. Her head snapped to where Ryoma was standing, her eyes narrowed into slits, as she gave him glare that even had Kaidoh shaking. Yes, if looks could kill, Echizen Ryoma would be so far underground that even hell would seem above him.
Sakuno glanced down to the still figure on her lap and, eyes filled with worry, gently moved his head so that he was now resting on her folded jacket.

Sparing him one last worried glance, she got up from her knees and walked steadily to where Ryoma stood. She looked him straight in the eye as the others watched, wondering what events were about to unfold. And then a resounding 'SLAP' was heard.
Everyone gasped for what seemed like the umpteenth time that afternoon as they stood wide-eyed, staring at a red-cheeked Ryoma.
All eyes followed her as she walked back over to where Tezuka lay and motioned for Fuji to help her support his weight as she tried to stand. "Syuu-kun, would you mind helping instead of staring"
The eyes of spectators widened a fraction more ... had she just said 'syuu-kun?
Sakuno, eyes ablaze with fury, turned around to stare at the regulars. "Are you done gawking? Could one of you at least try to be useful and go and get my Oba-chan so we can take him home, or would you rather all stand around gaping like monkeys"
As she and Fuji carried Tezuka to Sumire's car, awaiting the driver, Fuji turned towards Sakuno. "Sa-chan it isn't like you to say things like that. I know you were angry but they were worried about Tezuka too"
She looked into his eyes and meekly apologised. "Gomen, I will say sorry to them tomorrow. All of them except Ryoma-kun". Fuji nodded as he held back the smile forming on his face. He looked at the girl he had known for a life time. Echizen had better be careful, she was very stubborn when it came down to it and even innocent little Sakuno could be sadistic.
When they finally reached the house, laying him on a bed and making sure he was comfortable, Sakuno and Fuji decided to take turns watching over him. Sakuno watched over him first and as she sat staring at his still figure, her mind mulling over thoughts and plans for revenge the entire time. When Fuji came to keep and eye on Tezuka, she went to her room, and fell asleep. Her face painted with a sadistic smirk that would put Fuji's to shame. Oh yes Ryoma was going to pay indeed.

A/N: ok a lot of questions have been asked about Tezuka and Sakuno's relationship and now probably about Fuji and Sakuno's relationship ... well this is definitely a ryoXsaku and rest assured that everything will be explained in future chapters ... also we are both busy with a mountain of schoolwork right now so it might take a little longer for the next chapter ... sorry!!

Read and Review Please!!

From: Fire19 & LogicalGoth