Disclaimer: I do not own PoT. But I own this atmosphere to which I created purely fictional. If you ask me where to find this place, I will tell you to build one and then email me the address = D.

Chapter 20 Romantic MUCH?

Sakuno and Tezuka took a walk further down, they were walking towards the place indicated on the ticket but they didn't say a word. But they would have to discuss it eventually.

"Ano... Tezuka sempai... I think it is a waste to not use these tickets."

Tezuka who tried looking stoic, but internally he felt weightless as if he was dizzy and floaty, he believed he must be sick or if not it must be the result of his growing feelings which he still hadn't come to terms with... He asked in a toneless voice

"When does it expire?"

Sakuno looked at the back and was in for a surprise! It seems that on the ticket it was written...

"It expires today..."

Tezuka nodded his head as they continued down the path to the location written on the ticket.

"I suppose we could let the team find somewhere to eat."

"Ano... but... earlier that man..."

"I don't think they check, but we must try and keep our guards up."

Sakuno merely smiled, but in the bushes Inui and Fuji were laughing soundlessly. They were pretending that they weren't keen on this idea but will go with it because it was the LOGICAL thing to do! It was downright funny how they wanted to spend time together ALONE, very much attracted to each other and tried to make it NOT obvious through their conversation... It wasn't obvious... NOT AT ALL!

They arrived at the boat shop and to their surprise the owner was surprisingly pleasant and got them onto a boat that had a table in it with a candle and rose on the table. The man smiled as he showed them the menu and gave them a small push. Their boat floated effortlessly away. They were not accustom to such a romantic set up. There was lanterns on both ends of the boat.

Kennichi who was smuggled in, sat at the very end of the boat as he could see many other boats like them which floated around, but there weren't any couples on them. Or perhaps they weren't any yet! It was only 5: 45 pm. He saw that Eiji and Momoshiro were on a boat and so was Oishi and Kawamura, oh he sure wished his uncle Fuji would hurry and have a picture of this. If it was awkward on this boat, it must be twice as awkward.

Worse still there was a platform built in the middle of the lake, and there was a band playing romantic songs. What was amusing was there was a hole in the middle where a beatiful statue was built, Greek in nature of cupids and there were lights underneath illuminating it. It was THE MOST ROMANTIC spot Kennichi had ever seen since being born. Then again this was the first date his parents actually went to, AFTER his birth, not that he'd know if they had other previous dates before.

"Come on Inui, we have to go on so that Eiji and Momoshiro would not have a chance to ruin it!"

"...but it will mean we'd have to play the gay couple."

Fuji who internally was too anxious about his plan going astray said in a calm tone

"That's fine, I will play the female role ok?"

Inui didn't think Fuji would say no to anything, for one, he drank Inui's juices with no complaints. That alone should tell you everything you needed to know about Fuji but there is another, he was willing to do almost ANYTHING so his perfect plans don't go bad.

"Fine."

Inui and Fuji instantly asked for another boat, just as they were being pushed out to the lake the man commently.

"There sure is a lot of Gay couples today."

Inui wished he could get off the boat and throw the boat owner into the lake for even daring to make such an assumption. But he realized, by getting on this boat makes him ADMIT he was gay. Which was another dilemma. Plan and Ii Data or Gay? Inui personally thought, all the things he go through for Data and for Fuji's Plans... So much he has sacrified but every bit of Data was worth it. That alone encouraged him to sit down.

Sakuno and Tezuka was rather speechless, they just expected a small boathouse where they'd serve food but this was a whole new level and places the word romantic into a whole different game itself. But they had to admit, the surroundings were tasteful. The trees around were draped in lights of white which made it look beautiful.

"...So what shall we eat?"

Tezuka looked at his menu and nearly got the shock of his life... the prices weren't PRICEY! It was strange, how do these people maintain buisness? First he had coupons for this place free of charge and then the prices here may as well be free! Who were these people? Where was their income REALLY coming from?

"...it sure is cheap..."

Tezuka nodded as he looked around, the ochestra may as well be doing this for free. He liked the atmosphere, and it was because of that atmosphere at allowed his heart to take control as his mind was subdued.

I am in a boat on a lake with ochestra playing and dining with a very lovely companion plus Kennichi... my son.

Admitting that was like making a profession of love. If he ever say that out loud he may as well get on one knee and propose to Sakuno. That sounded rather pleasant but he had a future and he knew no matter how much he may love her, it may not be answered and he has a future planned... he still loved tennis and he planned to go as far as he could with it. His future may change but for now he could only see tennis.

"Yes, it is."

Sakuno realized how far he has become within a few short minutes, perhaps the felt like they were traspassing on forbidden land? She had to agree, crushing on a guy who looks at you like a sister may feel very worried and uncomfortable.

People may think Sakuno was mindlessly chasing after Ryoma but she was well aware of how awkward it made them when she approached. She did not want that happening to Tezuka... Tezuka was someone people could respect, she didn't want things to end up this way. He was the one other person she felt utterly comfortable with.

"Rune Wars was really better than Rune Battle."

Tezuka who decided to just appreciate the chance he got to spend time with her was pulled out of his mind's endless torment. His mind seemed to have a liking to think of the worst but he had to agree, how could Sakuno be attracted to someone so emotionless?

"It was very interesting. I personally think they should have sent Argad he was great in Rune Battle with the amazing speed and skills."

Sakuno smiled, she had an arguement on that and she was sure as Tezuka always open to any form of feedback from constantly being the leader for the Seigaku regulars.

"I thought he should have sent out Argad's apprentice. Everyone knows Ian was very talented."

Tezuka never found any conversations that aren't about tennis, studies or a conversation with a girl stimulating... but Sakuno must have felt like proving him wrong more than once today did it for a second time. This was the arguement he felt was coming but he honestly couldn't debate with others.

Soon the tense atmosphere was broken as they were easily discussing and comparing Rune Battle and Rune Wars and what they'd expect Rune Crisis to be like. They took sides one of Argad and the other of Ian. But there was no doubt most relaxing and if they'd notice the sky was turning red, it would be perfect.

Fuji, Inui, Momoshiro, Kawamura, Oishi and Eiji were busy watching the couple to enjoy sunset with their FRIENDS. As they are very touchy on the subject PARTNERS and GAY. They were very amazed at how enraptured the both of them were on something. It seems like they were in a very intelligent debate.

This has never happened before, what exactly were they talking about? They couldn't ask because of two reasons, one is that the waiters were on their way on boats ready to serve and secondly, they were very far away! Eiji wanted to go and shake or rock their boat before they fall in love but he had no oars.

"Excuse me, I was wondering if you were ready to order?"

Tezuka and Sakuno abruptly stopped their talk as they looked up at a smiling waiter. Soon as they ordered, the waiter then used his small motor boat and headed back to shore to prepare the food. They then got closer to the ochestra which played, they were good and that was without a doubt.

More couples started appearing, but none of them were as far around the lake as the 3 boats. Fuji was keeping an eye on Eiji in hopes that Eiji wouldn't ask for an oar. Momoshiro on the other hand seemed to be content to order the food. Eiji was waiting for his turn, for Momoshiro had a long list indeed!

Oishi and Kawamura were seemingly more interested in the food they were now carefully selecting. Fuji then glanced at Tezuka and Sakuno as they then seemed to be in a comfortable silence admiring the reddening sky. It was a very lovely shot indeed. He quietly snap a picture and thought it was definitely a keeper.

Kennichi felt bored but he kept himself busy watching Eiji and Momoshiro just like Inui and Fuji were doing. Tezuka did not forget Kennichi as he did order for Kennichi.

The sky was turning dark, and that was when the magic flowed into this beautiful lake. The lights made it look enchanting and with the touch music, it was enough to make anyone fall in love. Tezuka found that the lights made Sakuno simply radiant, her eyes looked like they had captured the stars.

Sakuno felt a very warm feeling, Tezuka's fan's would kill for the chance to sit in a boat with him and dine... she on the other hand was living the dream and she didn't know how to describe the way she feels. But he was definitely dreamy, if he was wearing a tuxedo and she a dress she may have believed it was merely a dream.

She ran her hand through the lake to feel the cool water run through her hand as she noticed from the shore, small paper boats lit with candles and sent out to the lake making it more magical than it already is. She knew she shouldn't dream of this as a date for later it would break her heart yet her heart was selfish.

Tezuka watched her run her hand in the lake, he too noticed the paper boats. The instant the paper boats started floating towards them, he knew it was the wrong decision to come here. It will make one very painful memory no matter how sweet it was now.

The way Sakuno smiled at him, made him want to keep this and stop time. Maybe he'd even forget Sakuno ever loved Ryoma and perhaps forget that she perhaps felt only sibling like feelings towards him... For today he will throw away his worries for the first time in his life and perhaps dream of what he can now and prepare for the consequences of not keeping his guard up.

To be cont.

SORRY! SORRY! I had to break it up from Ryuuzaki War II because it was so long! I BLAME MY BRAIN! Now this chapter was too long too, so I split it again. Someone take a gun and shoot me. Then again, I wont be able to upload. = = Oh well, I promise chapter 21 will be the end of this long epic Fuji Plan. Also, sorry this was very sappy or sweet or emotional. I can survive but I dont know bout you all. Not your normal dose?