Chapter 13: The Greater Prince

Little Falcon: It's been way too long. I've missed writing so much so here's another juicy update for you my dear readers. Read and review okay?

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

There are other tombstones that had fresh incense burning and fresh flowers at its feet but there was something about this cold marble stone in front of him that just 'calls' for his undivided attention. His amber eyes wandered to the bouquet laid in front of it. Stargazers… her favorite. He didn't know how or when it happened but somehow in the back of his head, he knew that it was from her.

A sudden fang of jealousy erupted from his chest. Unconsciously, his fists clenched as his eyes slowly traveled to the name carved on the stone. "Saiga…Toushiro," he read out loud. The silent headstone received the first drop of rain while the Seigaku player standing in front of it, kept his eyes on the name- like meeting a longtime rival face to face.

The newly lit incenses were put out by the blanket of rain now coming down mercilessly upon the town. Water soaked through his clothes and flattened his unruly dark green hair but still his cat-like eyes remained on his name.

"Oi, where the hell have you been Echizen?" his sempai asked as he entered the mansion, dripping wet.

"Nowhere," he refused to answer Momo's inquiry or even look at anyone. Quietly, Ryoma climbed the stairs and shut himself in his room for the entire night. Although, most of the Seigaku players, Momoshiro especially, were curious about their kouhai's sudden depression, they decided to leave him alone for now.

With just seeing a name, he felt threatened. That night, his amber eyes refused to acknowledge sleep. Saiga…Toushiro… just who are you to her? The when or how he knew that that was the grave Sakuno visited was forgotten replaced by the sheer determination to know this person.

Unconsciously, his fingers wandered to his lips as a quick memory flashed in his head at the midst of all the chaos. Sakuno… gently, he bit his lower lip, remembering the sweetness and warmth of her soft lips and with that thought alone… sleep finally claimed him.

"KYAA!!! Look, look! It's Seigaku!" for a just a moment, his amber eyes wandered to the squealing girls behind the fence surrounding the tennis court. Maroon skirts and the emblem of the same school… Ryuugan. That quick second alone was enough for a speeding tennis ball to dangerously pass just centimeters away from his face.

"Oi, Echizen! Where the hell were you looking, god damn?!" as usual Taka-sempai was at his extreme when his hand holds his tennis racket but this time it was evident that he too was worried about the heavy shot he made that almost hit his inattentive teammate injured.

"I'm sorry, Taka-sempai," his voice was nonchalant as always, as if nothing had happened at all. But clearly, it wasn't enough to fool his opponent that he was okay.

"Echizen, why don't you go collect your thoughts first before we continue?" the gentle Taka was the one speaking now with the tennis racket now on the bench. This wasn't an official match after all. There were no scores or referees, so leaving in the middle of the game is definitely allowed. Plus, the older player can't helped but feel a bit tired immediately even if their game just began. Echizen sure is a handful. The panting sempai watched him excuse himself and walk out of the court.

The large vending machine towered over him as his amber eyes stared at it absentmindedly. The buttons were lit indicating that he had already put it his money and the machine was just waiting for his choice. It would have been simple… Ponta, of course but his mind kept wandering elsewhere that he can't even make that basic choice without being distracted.

"Ryoma-sama!" three girls from Ryuugan University around his age yelled his name from afar, making him snap back to reality. Instantly, his finger pressed the button for Ponta then the cold drink went noisily tumbling down.

His other hand was holding his favorite racket but even so Ryoma managed to open the can with just his forefinger- much to the girls' delight.

"So cool!" their faces began to take a shade of red just with being up close with him.

In normal situations, the usual Ryoma Echizen would've just walked away without sparing a glance but this time it was different. He needed something from these girls so… he took in a deep breath and for the first time… talked to complete strangers who are obviously head over heels for him.

"You girls… are from Ryuugan University right?" he kept his eyes on his drink as he asked with a cool tone.

There was a few seconds of processing before the girls could finally react. Ryoma Echizen was known to be an arrogant snob but they couldn't care less. Now that he was finally talking to them, was like a splash of cold water in their face.

"Ah…yes," one girl replied. "Kya! You know our school?!" another reacted. "Do you want us to show you around?" the last offered.

Mentally, the Seigaku player sighed in relief. The first and most difficult step is done- opening a conversation. His reason for this talk to happen was crystal clear and he was not going to take any detours. His questions HAD to be answered TODAY.

"Saiga Toushiro…. Do you know him?" his question was so direct it surprised the three unprepared ladies.

"Prince Toushiro?" "He was the school's supposed trump card in the regionals," "Do you know our prince?"

Earlier on…

"Inoue-san," the monthly tennis writer slash photographer turned upon hearing someone called his name. For a few seconds, he blinked repeatedly upon seeing the person who called his attention.

"Echizen-san…" this was the first time he approached him and called his name. He never thought that Ryoma even paid attention to details such as the name of the pesky reporter who always come to watch their game.

"Are you familiar with the name Saiga Toushiro?" he didn't approach him to make friends or something along those lines. He approached him because right now, this person was the only one who can give him a hint of the person he was looking for.

"Ah, yes. He's a Ryuugan tennis player that had a lot of promise- said to have skills at par with yours. Too bad he died, it would've been great to see you two in a match," Inoue didn't withheld any information at all. He even showed Ryoma couple of pictures of his said rival. "What got you so interested in him anyway?" the reporter's curiosity kicked in.

"Nothing at all," just like always, Ryoma walked away waving his hand carelessly as a sign of unsaid gratitude.

End of Flashback…

It was the dark hours of the early morning when the door quietly opened to let in its tired mistress.

His penetrating gaze was the first thing she saw upon opening the door. For a while she was held captive, unmoving, not even breathing. It took all of her metal strength to break away.

Without a word, Sakuno removed her roller blades and placed them neatly in the cabinet before taking off her baseball cap letting her long hair flow freely.

"Who was he to you…Saiga Toushiro?" her steps to quickly run away from him came to a halt upon hearing his quiet question. Her heart almost stopped beating but when it finally did… it was slamming against her chest, just like begging to be let out.

"None of your business," Sakuno wanted to get away from this topic, fast so she began to walk away again.

Instinctively, Ryoma held her arm and turned her around. "I like you… a lot. That's why I have to know…" his words came out of his mouth without hesitation. It was only then and there that it became clear to him what his answer to her hanging question before.

There was flash of surprise in her big chestnut brown eyes then they burned with anger soon after. Prying her arm away from his grasp, Sakuno stepped away from him like he had some sort of disease.

"Saiga Toushiro… was everything I wish you were…"

Little Falcon: Whoah, so intense. Read and review okay?