Chapter 9: Misplaced Lies

Little Falcon: Nihao, everyone!!! Did you miss me? Sorry again for the long wait. I won't keep you waiting any longer. Read and Review please.

Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!!!

Recap!!!

Six years after Sakuno's sudden departure, Team Seigaku fought their way to the championships. In a twist of fate, they were offered to stay in a luxurious mansion by an old woman named Tsuabaki, who is in fact the one who took Sakuno in when she had nowhere else to go. Ryoma finds it hard to believe that the sweet Sakuno before is now a Ryuugan tennis player who appears to have severed all connections from her past. Unknown to everyone, Sakuno had to face difficult trials in order to keep her place as a Ryuugan regular.

The sound of the ball bouncing off the wall echoed throughout the empty lot. The afternoon sky began to darken as she continued to perfect her strokes. Her hand shook with each hit but still her grip did not falter, she continued.

It had been a while now since she first used 'his' racket. At first it seemed like an ordinary one but as days progressed to weeks and to months, it began to gain weight. And Sakuno was not stupid to interpret this literally. That increasing heaviness was not caused by any physical mass.

It was her guilt. Although she knows she did nothing wrong, there was a small part in her mind- in the shadows of her thoughts that began to doubt her innocence. If she did not freeze while the truck was about to plow her alive… if only she had jumped out of the way then… There was so many if only's but the result was what she had wished for… if only… then… then Toushiro would still be alive. Sakuno is slowly sinking in misplaced guilt and regret and no one, not one dared to spare her a glance.

Soon after his death, Sakuno joined the Tennis Club. With her skill, no one was able to disqualify her from being a member but her skill did now, however, hinder the members to blame her for their 'prince's' death. Join if you want but don't blame us for hating you. She did not have to hear those words to prove them to be true… but she did anyway.

The term 'bullied' was an understatement for the way they treat her. Everyday, they would team up against Sakuno at the other side of the court. They beat her up with the racket and ball using 'practice' as an excuse. She was not allowed to participate in the real practices, she doesn't even have her own locker. Her skill… that was the only thing they needed from her.

Lies have a way of getting validation when told often enough. The name "Hime-chan" was given to her the very day she became a member of the Ryuugan Tennis Club. It was her scarlet letter… her 'fitting' punishment because they stole their prince. Every time she hears them call her by that name, she was reminded of her unspoken sin, overwhelming guilt and crushing regret. People who don't even understand the significance of her 'title' also began to call her that… unaware of the salt they throw on her open wound.

*****

Practice was just like always… backbreaking but no one seems to complain since it s in preparation for the awaited semi-finals. Everyone was beat but as soon as they entered the mansion, the mouthwatering aroma of the dishes laid out in the table was enough to energize their spirits.

"WOAH!!!" everyone except for a few composed members exclaimed loudly as they began to take their seats.

"I see we're just in time," a smiling old woman wearing a traditional kimono walked into the room with her trusted maid.

"A-re, I thought you were the one who cooks," the Seigaku player pointed at the maid openly.

"Momo, it's not polite to point," Oishi reprimanded his friend quietly.

"Oh, you've got it wrong. I only serve the dishes. The one who cooks them is Mistress Sakuno," the old maid replied with a smile as she pulled a chair for Tsubaki.

"Haven't I told you? Sakuno has always been the one who does all the cooking here," Tsubaki looked at the surprised group and wondered.

"You…you mean she's been the one cooking EVERYTHING since day one?" Eiji leaned his full body against Ryoma's back.

"Yes," the two replied shortly.

"But she has three other jobs right?" Kaido stared at the feast before him and tried to imagine how hard it was for her to make them.

"Four actually if you considered being manager of the bathhouse as well. But, yes, she still finds time to cook. It has always been like that ever since she came," Tsubaki shared as they began to eat.

Coach Ryuuzaki gripped the table napkin on her lap as Tsubaki shared some stories again about Sakuno. That gesture didn't go unnoticed by Ryoma, Sakuno was and is after all their coach's grand daughter.

"You boys don't look tired at all. I wonder why Sakuno looks so beat when she arrived earlier?" the old woman asked worriedly as she recalled seeing Sakuno made her way to the house as if her legs were chained with heavy metal ball.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO HER!?" both Kaido and Momo reacted without thinking making everybody stare. As soon as they realized their slip up, they tried to cover it up. They were the ones who saw how Sakuno was being treated by her team mates and that did not help when they heard Tsubaki's worries.

"What's with the reaction?" the smiling genius opened his eyes to look intently at the grave expression the two have.

They're not over reacting. They know something. Something about Sakuno. Tsubaki said she was training… but with whom? If it's true that she's not allowed to train with her team then… his amber eyes were looking at the elegant dish in front of him while his mind was in chaos.

The sound of the spoon hitting the marble floor made everything quiet. Tsubaki was gripping her chest with an agonized look on her face.

"Tsubaki-sama!" the maid was the first to react then the others shot up from their chair to her side and get help.

The ambulance arrived minutes after their call. The entire Seigaku team waiting outside the room as Tsubaki was being examined. "I called Sakuno-sama. She should be here at any moment," the old maid said quietly as her eyes were fixated on the closed door.

"What happened?!" she was limping as she made her way to them. Her Ryuugan uniform was torn and dirty while her skin held several discolorations but no blood.

"Sakuno! What happened to you?!" Sakuno stepped away from Coach Ryuuzaki's touch.

"It's nothing I can't handle. What happened?" she said in a calm tone as if she was not bruised or hurt in anyway. Everyone could only stare at her as she listened to the maid's detailed report.

As if on cue, the doctors and nurses began to leave the room. "I need to talk to Shunguji-san's relative," one requested as he faced the group.

All that display of confidence faded as she heard the doctor's voice. That's what they say when something bad has happened. All the blood drained from her face as her heart beat out of control. She remained rooted on her spot unable to even breathe. Her vision was becoming blurry with her tears when someone touched her shoulder. The action was like a switch that turned her back to normal.

Upon seeing the painful look in her teary eyes, all rational thought left him as he felt the need to be near her at this moment. Touching her shoulder, he gave her a tender, reassuring squeeze.

Sakuno looked back and met his amber eyes. Her strong façade dissolved for a moment as she smiled brightly at him- the way she used to back then when she was in Seigaku. Turning away, she left his touch and approached the doctor.

Little Falcon: Read and Review please