Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of tennis, but I do own Kennichi!

Chapter 9: Unfold lo behold.

It was a lovely Saturday today, the sun was warm as it flooded in through the windows. Tezuka who would usually call his team members to the park to practice tennis, was sitting at home for once and sipping hot tea near the window reading.

Today, he had decided to give the Seigaku regulars a rest for today promising to increase their training on Monday. Although the atmosphere was very peaceful, he had noticed a yellow fur ball had waddled in and settled near his ankle as it also sat near the sunray appearing to enjoy itself.

Thinking it should be safe to allow such a duckling to behave that way, he continued reading. Or so he tried at least. Tezuka heaved a sigh as he placed his book down onto the table beside his chair and looked out the window. The weather looked great for a picnic, realizing he made such a thought surprised him.

He was never the one to initiate an idea of picnic let alone go on one without anyone. He knew very well whom he wanted to go with, but inside he felt like his stomach dropped. Sakuno was leaving today, and this would be the last day he will be spending with her.

His heart was screaming 'tell her' but his mind snapped back in a mean way urging him to act less emotional and that he could see Sakuno any time he wanted. And he shouldn't be feeling this way. Unconsciously Tezuka picked up the young Kennichi and stroked its golden fur as he thought to himself.

Lately since he chanced upon his own feelings, he couldn't look her in the eye. He was worried that his emotions may spill right through. Whenever they brush past each other in the hallway, he felt his heart beat slightly quicker and nearly reaching out to grab her only to grip his own spectacles. He was frustrated, the faster she leaves the better... perhaps then his body can keep in check. But internally, he wanted these peaceful days to remain this way...

"Ken-kun? Where are you Ken-kun?"

Sakuno's voice rang throughout the house, just before he could reply, Sakuno had already appeared in his study with her eyes frantically roaming around the room only to settle upon Tezuka's figure. Tezuka had Ken-kun with him, thank goodness, she thought.

She noticed the way he handled Ken-kun like a father with his son snoozing. It was a very peaceful sight indeed. Lately, she has been spending a lot of time with Tezuka and that had caused her to think too much... or so she believes.

Every time she slips up in the house, Tezuka when nearby would reach out to cushion her fall or manage to keep her steady. But her heart was going like a bullet train. She could not help to notice now strong Tezuka's arms were around her.

She had liked his company this whole month. Although most of the time, she had spent her time without Ken-kun, she already felt like this was where she was meant to be. Sometimes she believed her delusions that she was meant to be in Tezuka's arms which was clearly an embarrassing thought.

Her eyes brushed over Tezuka's whole figure. The way his hair looked so soft and silky, and how the sunlight made his features so much more handsome and angelic. She felt like she was standing in front of an archangel or the sort. Tezuka was wearing a slightly calm face, he was at peace with Ken-kun. She was relieved that they were happy with each other.

"Ah! Gomen, I was worried about Ken-kun."

"It is ok, Kennichi is still here."

Sakuno walked towards the two of them as she then choose to sit on the carpet near the window as the sunray shine over her like a wave. She stroked the window as if she was stroking a cat or a person's hair.

Internally, Tezuka fought a battle between his heart and his mind. His heart was screaming 'ask her to put that finger to good use like his hair' or 'shameful pathetic! Is this the way the great buchou have his downfall?'

Tezuka opted for the in between as he took a seat opposite to face her as he leaned his body against the window, but turning it in an angle so that Ken-kun could get his sunlight, and kept his half read book nearby just in case things got awkward. Sure he was pretty prepared for any consequence.

"...This is the only room that looks western."

Tezuka who was merely contented when he sat there watching her stare out the window, was caught by surprise of such a strange comment.

"...I asked my father to build it."

Sakuno turned her attention away from the window as she looked around the room as she noticed 5 bookshelves all filled with books she never seen or touched. It wasn't surprising at first because, she was sure that this was very befitting of Tezuka's personality.

He was intelligent and wide read, there was no surprise as to where his food of knowledge comes from. But his taste in western style was rather new to her. She realized, she had never really been in here.

"It is lovely."

Tezuka blinked. He remembered when his parents would bring their family friends and they would bring their girls, hoping that one of them would impress the Tezuka's first and only son. Tezuka who was mortally afraid of them tried to hide in here.

The girls would still pursue and comment on how intelligent he must be, or what books among all these that they have read. Some wrinkled their noses in the taste of the design but pretended to comment on how lovely it was. But none of them said anything as sincere as Sakuno did when she gazed around the room. It pleases him to know that she did really like it here.

"Thank you. If you like, you can come in here anytime."

Sakuno smiled as she then remembered something which made her smile seem a tinge of sadness.

"Shame... I probably wouldn't be back here for awhile."

That sure placed a lid on the conversation, thought Tezuka bitterly. It was true, even if he did offer, there was never for certain when they were going to stay together and probably that time... he would be with his family.

Why did he felt unsatisfied? What was it that made him so upset? He watched as Ken-kun had decided to try Sakuno's lap and curled up there. Sakuno absent mindedly stroke its head, he thought, does this duck make people pet it absent mindedly?

That was straying further from the question. Deciding this is where his book came into play, he then flipped it open and started to read. The silence played for only 5 minutes to be exact, before Sakuno decided to hum songs.

It wasn't bad, Tezuka liked her singing, he found it helped him read, knowing she was keeping herself occupied. The songs she had hummed reminded him of songs that his friends had introduced him to. They were pretty hooked on the songs that were played.

He didn't really mind it, but perhaps since Sakuno sang it... he may get addicted just because it was her voice that was singing and ringing throughout the room. For 2 hours this was how they spent an afternoon, in deep harmony with each other.

Only needing to be surprised by Kennichi's need to eat every so often and settling once more back where they were seated just before Kennichi decided to ask for food.

"I will go and get the tea and cake then."

Tezuka raised his eyebrows, he distinctly remember he did not buy cake. But he did remember seeing Sakuno buying a few other things like flour.

"I baked it."

Sakuno added before she blushed and was about to say something only to be cut in by Tezuka who pretty much predicted that she would say if he didn't want to it was fine sentence.

"I would like some."

He was rewarded by Sakuno smiling at him for being very kind to her. She got up once more and went out, Kennichi was about to leave after her only to feel a hand pick him up.

"Hadn't you had enough food for today? You are going to end up to be one fat duck if this keeps up."

Tezuka was sure the duckling shook and waddled as he gave Tezuka his very own stare back. Tezuka being the leader had fought and won Kennichi's stubborn headed behavior. Kennichi sat in silence as he watched sulkily at his parents having tea together.

Soon evening was upon them once more, and they were getting rather anxious. Ryuuzaki sensei had promised to be here at 5 pm. But there was not even a strand of Ryuuzaki sensei's hair. And it was already 6. Suddenly, at 6: 30pm the phone rang. Being the closest to the phone Sakuno picked up to hear on the other end...

"Obaa-chan!"

"Sorry Sakuno! Sorry! I can't come back now. Turns out I forgot to book the flight back. The next one isn't until next month, and I have to go Kansai for a 3 month training. Please apologize to Tezuka for me."

Sakuno nodded, she could not believe it. Tezuka and Sakuno waited for her arrival, with the baby duckling following them. She turned around as she placed it back on the receiver. She looked extremely apologetic. Tezuka's parents would be arriving home early from their vacation tomorrow and will most likely find the duckling.

"Sorry Tezuka sempai."

Tezuka who heard the conversation did not really mind. That meant staying longer with her, it did not matter. He felt his feelings are not meant to be, but he was glad to spend time with her.

The next day, it was bright and early when his parents and grandparents arrived at the door. Mrs. Tezuka gave Sakuno a big motherly hug as the father shook his son's hand upon arrival back, giving some luggage to Tezuka to carry.

Before the foursome could even enter the front door, they were already attacked by none other than Kennichi Tezuka. Parents and grandparents slightly alarmed, Tezuka made eye contact with Sakuno allowing her to quickly pick up Kennichi and allowing the rest into the house. However, it seems the youngest member of Tezuka Kennichi that disliked them a lot and had been making a fuss until Tezuka warned him to behave.

Sakuno spoiled it as she smile and play with it. His parents looked weary and suggested that they should stay in their rooms away from Kennichi. Tezuka later went into the room where the four were hiding to explain everything to his parents but his mother came up with a better idea.

"Kunimitsu, why not you stay at Sakuno-chan's house instead?"

Tezuka's eyebrows rose, it was the first time his mother has been this inhospitable. He looked at their faces covered from mischievous attacks by Kennichi. At this very moment, Sakuno had to go and hide Kennichi in her room before she was able to come out. Kennichi made a big fuss about it indeed. But never the less he could guess it was because of the little Tezuka. He sighed as he understood. But Sakuno being who she was tried to avoid being inconvenient.

"Ano... I can look after myself..."

Tezuka shook his head, he was willing to stay at her house, it was better that someone was there to look after her. So Sakuno and Tezuka went to clean up the house that very afternoon. Aware that there wouldn't be time tomorrow for cleaning and moving in as they both had school to attend to. After clean up from a month's absence they were prepared to move in when they found...

"Otousan? Okaa san?"

Tezuka could not believe his parents were moving in. They pointed at the spoiled duckling that pecked every single member into Sakuno's house. Now Tezuka was going to be frank with this duckling.

"Kennichi! Go run 10 laps! No such attitude to my family."

Sakuno patted the duckling as she said in a more understanding tone.

"I know you want to protect us Ken-kun, but you shouldn't attack sempai's family like that."

Kennichi unbelievably had been taught to run laps as soon as it could. It begun its little waddle as Tezuka followed from behind.

"Sorry!"

Sakuno turned to apologize. But what she saw were the faces of smiling people. She was rather taken aback.

"Sakuno- chan! You both behave like parents! Naturally we don't mind. But we need a grandchild that behaves too..."

Sakuno turned a little embarrassed, since that kiss, Sakuno could not help staring at him, and on Saturday, she couldn't help but notice he was very handsome and kind and caring person, she may have seen it many times before but this was the first time she appreciated it like a girl towards a boy.

There were too many things she had liked about him. He played with Kennichi for one, which was amazing. She could not expect anyone else to replace the role of father for her child. Which was a very WRONG thought!

Sempai probably thought of her as a sister figure and helped because he likes Kennichi and promised to help her. She doesn't want him to be burdened by anymore responsibilities. But neither does she want this dream to end as she watched Tezuka sempai coming back with Kennichi as if they had a long talk. She smiled as she waved at them much to his parents delight.

"Okaerinasai."

Tezuka didn't know what overwhelmed him, was it Kennichi or was it Sakuno with that 100 watt smile that could melt his heart. Maybe both, because he smiled and that made his parents smile in content. For Sakuno to see his smile was just as paralyzing as it was for him.

"Tadaima."

"Quack"

To be Cont…