Disclaimer: I HAVE ALL THE RIGHT TO NOT OWN PoT! Just look at what I put these characters through! _ sometimes I probably get OC. SO KILL ME but if you love me lemme live so I can provide you with entertainment. Dont like me, leave me out to dry. Simple = D enjoy!

Chapter 17 Fixing the awkward situation

Tezuka was annoyed, he did not like it that this was happening. First, he knew that allowing Fuji to come along to help out with the shopping was not the brightest of the many ideas he had. Besides, there is no way he would want any more prying ears to hear what he had said to Sakuno.

He remembered when he saw the car, his first instinct was to have her way from harm. His body reacted to danger, pulling her close to his embrace, he had protected her. Inside his heart he was screaming at that carelessly selfish driver, why did he do such an idiotic thing? He could have killed her, but then again, he wouldn't guarantee that driver would live any longer.

All that the crazy driver will see is hell and four black walls, in other words, Jail. His mind drifted if he hadn't been there, would she had survive? The thought simply horrified him, for one, how is he going to explain to an expecting grandmother that her granddaughter died under his care? Also he probably would never forgive himself.

Her existence was very important to many people including the Seigaku regulars and to him. Not that she will ever find out, but he felt like the idiot when he said

"Thank god you are alright."

"Tezuka-sempai?"

Thinking he had humiliated himself, he had wrenched free from her. Once more feeling a little colder maybe because she was warm? Besides it was inappropriate of him. Sakuno however clung to his shirt tugging it slightly before getting his attention. He turned around as she smiled her brightest smile, the one that comforted people.

"Arigatou sempai! You saved my life."

Her face went red as she said in a softer and stammering voice.

"S..se...sempai don't worry...I won't die under ... your watch."

Saying so, she ran off flinging her groceries left right and center. Tezuka felt like she somehow knew what he was thinking and was pleasantly surprised. She really isn't what people think they see in her. She is more likable if you know her well enough.

Sakuno on the other hand was in her room suffering from a sleepless night, or just too shocked with what happened that evening. When she saw the car's headlights, she thought, it was all over!

She waited for her knees and legs to feel the cold red metal impact, thinking worst she would just be in a coma. The thing was, no impact came. Instead she felt like she had been wrapped into a warm embrace, she was shielded. For reasons she cannot fathom, she found herself believing in the person's embrace.

It was as if they were the arms she would rely on when there was trouble. She wondered who was it, was it Ryoma? Or was it... Her face flushed when she thought about it, Tezuka-sempai?

"Thank god you are alright."

When she heard that voice, she couldn't help feeling the relief that was echoing into her mind. It was Tezuka-sempai, and he was very worried. She knew, her grandmother had left him in charge, if anything were to happen to her, he would be to blame. However, that was not the voice of such a relief it was as if she had meant something to him.

Shaking her thoughts away, she thanked him sincerely. Then she thought she had better reassure him... but it was rather embarrassing, because the way she said it, it sounded to her like. 'I wouldn't die, because you keep me safe'. Now that would be taken wrongly if she knew him better. They avoided eye contact, so clearly he must have mistaken her words.

Sudden as the words that came through her mouth, there was a slight knock on her door. Surprised and caught off guard because she was deep in her own thoughts she whispered a little intimidated.

"Who is it?"

Tezuka, hesitated slightly. He knew he shouldn't bother her. It was already late, but he had to get it over and done with. It has been so awkward the passing few hours. He simply can't endure any more if it.

"It's me."

Sakuno was slightly surprised, but as she had her hand wrapped around the door knob. She heard him.

"Don't need to open the door. I just wanted to say thank you for your understanding."

Sakuno who didn't quite understand what he had just said, thought it was polite to say

"Oh."

Tezuka as if being encouraged by her understanding said in a more normal tone.

"I am glad you understand, also I apologize for the inappropriate behavior earlier or... hugging you."

Sakuno blushed, it made it sound like he was doing it because he wanted to, but clearly he only did it for her safety! He tends to burden himself too much.

"Sempai, you only wanted to save me. I don't perceive it badly."

Tezuka nodding in agreement noticed there was a door in between them and decided to say

"I see. I am glad we had this talk. I hope we are ok now."

Sakuno smiled, it was so like Tezuka to work out the problems to avoid it being hard to work together. She knew that when he came to her to break the awkward barrier, he had already done so by making such a move. She replied in a very gentle tone.

"Hai, Oyasuminasai."

"Oyasuminasai."

He walked away from the door as he approached his room, double checking to see that there was no more noises coming from the Seigaku's dorm in a sense, he walked back into his room, glad to get things off his chest and work hard tomorrow. For there will be no more awkward moments, he hoped. He felt something warm in his bed, he recognized Kennichi. Stroking its fur he said absentmindedly without thinking of what he had just said.

"I worked things out with your mother."

"Quack."

Kennichi made an approval noise as they two drifted off to sleep same for Sakuno and the regular teams.

Goodnight.

-To be cont. -

Even I wish I could sleep. 12: 18 am at the moment. But if you want to sleep with this last word you could... Or you torture yourself. This chapter, not my best... I edited and re-edited. Best my puny brain could do. Anywho. I will compensate with Ryuuzaki's war. Its gonna be fun! *evil smiles*