Chapter 14: Changing Teams

Little Falcon: Sorry for making you guys wait! Finally, I had time to update. So without further rambling, here the next juicy chapter. Read and review like always, 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!!!

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

Her words cut deep. As if something physical did a mighty blow in his chest, he was unable to move. His amber eyes reflected her retreating form as he remained rooted on his spot.

There were no audience around yet he felt the greatest humiliation in his life. His pride lay in pieces at his feet together with his heart. The overwhelming disbelief was drowned by a slow crawling feel of loss. He had lost in tennis matches before but it felt nothing like this. Nothing can ever compare to this. To the feeling of his greatest defeat.

Blood trickled down his lips as he bit them in order to control himself from lashing out. His white clenched fists lay shaking at his side as his amber eyes mirrored the empty corridor she took a while ago. Sakuno…

*****

How dare he?! Her blades landed with a thud on the sculpted ice as she glided elegantly around the empty skating rink. The words that left her lips just moments ago rang in her ear. Each word becoming a needle that pierces through her heart.

"I like you… a lot. That's why I have to know…" His voice was loud and clear. As if the Seigaku player himself was saying it to her right then and there. Liar! She jumped into the air and did a triple Lutz as her tears scattered around her like diamonds.

His penetrating amber eyes flashed in her mind as she was about to land. Losing her focus, Sakuno lost her bearing and crashed splendidly on the cold floor.

"I like you… a lot. That's why I have to know…" her tears trickled down her cheeks relentlessly as her heart beat loudly against her chest. Her face was in a shade of red even when her eyes were already swollen from crying. Clutching her chest, she bowed her head in defeat.

He likes me… Echizen Ryoma… he… the ice froze the tears that landed on its surface. She wanted to hate him. All this time she had wished for him to spare her even just a glance. But now, she knowing that his eyes were looking on no one or nothing but her made her feel like these past few years of hardship never happened. Everything… every hurt, every pain… disappeared together with her hatred for him. With just a few words… her walls crumbled to the ground.

Flashback…

"I like you, Sakuno," his sky blue eyes sought hers as they sat on the swings of an empty playground.

Her heart didn't race as she thought they would. Her face didn't feel warm as they should. It was supposed to be like that. That was what she feels when his amber eyes passed a glance at her. This is pathetic… after all this time… he's the only one who can make me feel that way.

"Toushiro-sempai, if I could choose someone to like I would undoubtedly choose you," the wind blew gently that time. His looks, his efforts… everything about him was what any girl would wish for yet she found herself still longing for somebody else. Her chestnut brown eyes saw her sempai's unsurprised reaction, as if he was expecting her reply.

"But you like someone else am I, right?" the Ryuugan tennis captain wove his fingers through his unruly crimson hair. Silence answered his question. Turning his eyes toward the setting sun, he pushed back his swing. The rusty chains sounded noisily as it moved. "When I first saw you in a match, you were watching somebody's game. Your eyes saw him and only him. I immediately felt jealous because no one has ever looked at me that way. Like a princess waiting for her prince. I sure hope your prince isn't stupid not to realize how lucky he is to have you watching over him," with a resigned sigh, Toushiro got up and walked over to her.

"When your prince comes to rescue you, I'll smile for you and wish you happiness. But he shouldn't be late… or else I'll steal you away from him," he teased as they walked away from the now unmoving swings.

End of Flashback…

But it's too late now… too late… Her long brown hair touched the ice as she tried to get up. Pain screamed from her ankle as she moved it abruptly. My prince is late Toushiro-sempai. Why didn't you come and steal me away?

In a display of great effort, Sakuno got up and limped out of the skating rink. "This is bad. The game is tomorrow. I just have to pray that they can win it without making me play," she winced painfully as she removed her skates. "Then again… when was luck ever on my side?" she asked herself with a sarcastic smile on her face.

*****

With both his hands in his pocket, his amber eyes watched closely as two of his teammates struggled to win. Higa Middle School was always a tough one to beat. With their Spartan training and annoying cheerleaders, they walked around as if they had already won.

Momo and Kaido were now panting heavily after trying to get out of the pinch they are in. Apparently Higa and Seigaku are in a tie but their stamina can only hold for so long.

Rude yells and cheers came from the opponents' side while changing courts. With his temper finally snapping, Momoshiro turned around and was about to say something to the Higa supporters when they grew quiet instantly.

Following their line of vision, he saw a girl wearing a Ryuugan tennis uniform- a maroon and black tight shirt together with a tennis skirt of the same shade, the emblem of her University embroidered at her left upper chest- walked over to the fence to watch the game. Her long brown hair flowed like a veil on her back as she turned her head to see the players. Her pretty face wore no expression but it wasn't that that made Higa quiet. It was her aura of strength and confidence that she exuded that made them shut up. Like a conquering goddess, she held the attention of every man around.

The women's semi-finals were held in another tennis court. It would take a quick bus ride to get to the other court where the men's semi-finals were happening yet she found herself in the bus already half way towards her destination.

Hearing the roar of the audience upon arriving, she immediately understood the situation. Not meaning to stand out, Sakuno tried not to make an entrance but with the audience sudden silence she realized that all eyes were on her.

With an inward sigh, she made her way towards the fence that was in between Seigaku and Higa. "Is she cheering for us?" one Higa student elbowed the other. "To think we have a fan that good looking,"

"Yo, Sakuno," Momo waved his hand as sweat dripped from his head.

"Did Ryuugan won? Shhhh," Kaido retied his bandana ready to fight.

Of course. Her smirk silently said. She can barely walk. Forcing her ankle to move that much during her game was real torture yet the need to be in this place toppled every other sensation.

"Sempai, are you this weak? Then I just wasted good money to get here," she said in a casual tone as she crossed her arms in front of her like she was bored.

The Seigaku pair smirked upon hearing her sarcasm. Just by being here, she had rendered the Higa crowd silent and now, with a few words, Seigaku… was bound to win.

His amber eyes widened in surprise to see Sakuno staring straight at him, with her face in a deep shade of red. His heart almost skipped a beat with that sight. Without a word, Ryoma retreated from the team's side and walked over to hers.

Little Falcon: read and review please…