Hi there! Once again, thank you the reviews I really appreciate you all who find time to read my story. So a million thanks to you! Actually I am a little corrupted. Know why? I know how to start and to end my story but I don't know how I will make it to progress. I mean I have lots of ideas that came to my mind by I don't know how to put them in order. So I will try my best to do so. Third installment is up now. Please enjoy! ^_^

DISCLAIMER: (I just love typing this ;P) I do not own POT. Just love sharing the anime.

Chapter 3: Cats and Dogs

Chapter summary: The negative aura was increasing between them. She was facing a new problem. What now? And the other was….

She knew that he was there at the tallest part of the rooftop. He went there when he felt like going especially on boring subjects or if it was lunch time. He was going to spend his time sleeping in that area. Gripping hard on the bento that she's holding, she sighed and started to climb the stairs. And she was right, he was there….sleeping. His eyes were tightly shut while his hands were at the back of his head. She went closer to the boy. The wind was nicely blowing. Good thing that her hair was braided into two separated pigtails that she doesn't have the trouble to fix it. She crouched besides the sleeping boy and she carefully put the bento near him. She stared sadly on the boy for a while:

"Gomenasai….." She said as she began to stand up and was about to leave when the boy surprisingly spoke:

"Why do you keep bugging me?" he said, still eyes were closed.

"R-ryoma-kun…" She gasped when she heard him talk. So he was not sleeping after all.

Ryoma opened his eyes and sat up. He looked at the bento beside him. "Are you bribing me?

"N-no…" she quickly said. "W-why would I do that?

"Then why are you doing this? Why are you apologizing?" Ryoma asked her staring at the blushing girl.

"B-because we're friends, friends fight, right? L-let's make up." Sakuno said not looking at him. She can not stand staring at him for a long time.

Ryoma ignored her. He shifted his stare elsewhere.

"U-uhmm, i-if you are still bothered about what I said before…..p-please f-forget about it." Sakuno continued still not looking at him.

He flinched on what he heard. Him? Forget? How? Is this girl that stupid?

"I-I want to bring those times back. The time w-when you're still teasing my hair or d-discriminating my tennis skills. I-I want our past back again. R-ryoma-kun." Sakuno said gripping the tip of her skirt. "I-I'll stop, so please….."

He doesn't know but he was pissed on her words. "Go away, leave me alone. Take the bento with you."

Sakuno was shocked but she insisted to let him keep it. "P-please have that bento. I-It will be the last. I-I won't bother you anymore but I will still support your game." She bowed. "I-I'm sorry." And then she ran off.

Ryoma was left and was a bit shock. She left the bento. He stared at the item for a long time. He laid down again afterwards.

"We should've been okay,…If you didn't confess…." Ryoma whispered as he was staring at the clear white sky.

Not a minute passed when he heard a commotion.

"RYUZAKI"

He jumped from his lying position when he heard someone shouting the girl's name. He went closer to the top edge of the stairs to see what was happening below. He saw Ryuzaki walked a few steps backward. A startled look was created on her face. He later saw five girls approaching her. Judging from their looks they are in third year level.

"Is it true? Ryuzaki? That you confessed to Ryoma-sama?" The girl in the middle said.

He flinched when he heard that. And then he heard her say:

"W-where did you hear that?" the poor innocent girl asked them back.

"Just answer my question, you idiot!" The girl said.

"I-I" She startled.

"How dare you? You selfish dreamer! You have guts to tell him how you feel." The other girl in ponytail said.

"Do you think that he will recognize you? He will never see you; he will never like you back." The girl with short hair retorted.

"You can dream all you want, but you can never win his heart." The girl who was the shortest one said.

"Stay away from him or you'll have to deal with us." The girl with the long hair in the middle spoke.

"Y-you can not order me that…R-ryoma-kun, he-s-"

"Why, you dare to talk back." The girl in the middle went closer to Sakuno as she was about to grabbed her hair.

That snapped him. Ryoma was about to help her. Ready to confront those girls when suddenly a voice spoke:

"Lay a hand on her, you girls will end up in the guidance council."

Everyone turned their head behind them as well as Sakuno. Ryoma gritted his teeth when he recognized the voice.

"F-fuji-senpai" Sakuno was glad to see the tennis tensai.

"S-enpai, Y-you see, we-" The girl in the long hair spoke.

"If you have problems about her confessing to the guy she likes, why not do the same thing? Let's see if he will recognize, see or like you all back." Fuji said with a serious look on them. He went near to Sakuno.

The five girls were speechless. Nobody said a word so, Fuji continued.

"Play fair and square girls, don't play dirty tricks. If you lay a single hair on her, all from Seigaku boys' tennis club will hunt you."

The girls looked at each other and it seems that they agreed. "You are right, senpai. We should play fair and square." The girl with a long hair said and then she faced Sakuno. "We are not done yet. Remember that, Ryuzaki." The girl stared heavily at Sakuno that made her flinched. The girls left afterwards leaving the two behind.

Fuji sighed after that. He faced the still stiffened Sakuno. "Are you all right, Sakuno-chan"

Ryoma heard that. He heard him call her by her first name. When did that happen? He felt a raging feeling inside him. He blinked when he heard her talk:

"F-fuji senpai, w-what do they mean by that?" Sakuno asked Fuji with worry in her eyes.

"Don't worry Sakuno-chan, everything will be fine. Trust me." Fuji said as he led Sakuno along down the Stairs.

Everything happened so fast. Ryoma couldn't believe all of it. His concentration was somewhat disturbed by a clumsy, klutzy girl. Snap out of it, you need to focus on your number one goal and that is tennis. He thought as he went back to his position. Again, he saw the bento that Ryuzaki left. He stared at it for a long time.

Weeks passed:

It's already been weeks since that incident happened. Because of that, the boys from tennis club learned about her confession to the prince of tennis. She was interrogated deeply as well as the boy. Ryoma ignored their questions as possible as he could. He will be pissed in the end. And because of that all the avid fans of Ryoma were looking oddly to Sakuno. She felt horrible and worried. Is this what the girls were trying to tell her? The girls won't leave her alone, she knew now.

"Don't worry Ryuzaki-chan, we will protect you." Oishi said.

"Yeah, I'll even force Ochibi to do the same." Eiji exclaimed.

"That's not gonna work. I think" Fuji objected.

Ryoma glared at Fuji who was looking at him at the same time. Again, the strange aura was created between them.

"What is happening between those two?" Kawamura asked Momo.

"Don't know. Look, the aura is getting worsen and darken." Momoshiro replied.

"Spooky." Eiji retorted. "Stop that you two. Ochibi, I understand now why you are acting like that. I hope that you will make a consideration about the confession of Ryuzaki-chan to you. And we will forgive you for ditching us from the last time" Eiji was talking about the fireworks festival.

Ryoma glared fiercely at Eiji. "che."

Eiji took a step backward. "Hey, Echizen-chan~ stop it, nya~" He somewhat understood his kouhai. But he couldn't stop teasing him now that they know the reason.

"U-umm tt-thank you everyone, b-but I am fine, really. And I appreciate it." Sakuno tried to broke the tense.

Eiji was about to say something when Sumire along with Tezuka and Inui appeared from the club room. Sumire clapped her hands three times to get the attention of all the regulars.

"Enough with the personal matters, we are here to practice. Ryoma and Fuji, stop making problems to my granddaughter or I will have you two receive punishment that you won't like." Sumire said.

The two just looked at different directions while Sakuno was looking down, embarrassed enough to see everything. Tomoka just arrived after that along with the trio: Horio, Kachiro and Katsuo, ready to cheer for them. Sakuno joined them.

"Let us have practice all day. Momoshiro, Kaidoh and Ryoma we will decide today who will be the two regulars to join the nationals." Sumire said.

" Hai" They said in chorus.

"Tezuka, you take over." She ordered the tennis captain.

"Hai." He said. "You three, run 50 laps now. The rest do warm ups and go to your designated courts, Now!"

With the reluctant face, the three followed the captain's order.

"What's with the running, again?" Momo asked.

"Don't ask me, I don't know." Kaidoh replied.

"Heh, you are just slow. Maybe that's the reason." Momo replied back.

"What did you say?" Kaidoh snapped a little.

"What, do you want a fight, Mamushi?" Momo retorted emphasizing his last word.

"You asked for it." Kaidoh said as they begin to run together with their body up close while wearing their grumpy faces.

Ryoma just shook his head just to see that his senpais were started to fight again. He ran normally and he unconsciously turned his head outside the fence. It was his mistake because he saw Fuji talking to that braided girl again. Wondered look was created on his face. Why is he talking to her there when we are practicing hard here? He doesn't like it and that made his blood rise a little. He slowly stopped from running and faced their direction.

"Hey" it was a normal call but a very deep call.

Fuji and the others looked at him.

"You are not practicing with us." Ryoma said. It sounded like a mock for everyone who hears it. He became rude that he didn't call his name at all.

"I am, what makes you say that?" Fuji wore a smirk after that.

Ryoma just stared at him again. He didn't like his attitude and it was worsen unfortunately.

"You can not say it. Huh?" Fuji said.

Ryoma twitched, trying to keep his expressionless face.

"Fuji! Echizen! Return to your post if you don't want other warm-ups." Tezuka ordered them.

"Hai,hai" Fuji said scratching his hair. "See you later Sakuno-chan."

The both parties returned to their trainings.

Tomoka went near to the blushing Sakuno.

"Since when did he call you by your first name, Sakuno-chan? Tomoka interrogated her.

"U-ummm, I-I think it was over a week ago, at the fireworks display." Sakuno answered.

"And did you see how Ryoma-sama looked at Fuji-senpai when he was talking to you." Tomoka added.

"I don't know, I-I'm not sure." Sakuno was a little confused.

"He was jealous all right, but I bet he doesn't know it yet."

"T-that's impossible. Tomoka-chan."

"I don't know Sakuno-chan, but that's what I see from his eyes."

Sakuno chose to stay silent. She doesn't want to dream a false hope so she put that thought aside. She doesn't want to be hurt anymore.

Later on:

Sumire gathered everyone in the court.

"Okay, let's start the practice match between you three. Momo and Ryoma, you two will first have a match. The winner will be the first one to join the nationals and the loser will have a match with Kaidoh the winner will also join the nationals, any objections?" Sumire explained.

"Ryuzaki-sensei," Eiji raised his hand. Sumire nodded. "What about the loser on the first match, I think he should rest for his next match?"

"I'll make considerations to that. Of course, the loser will rest so that he will have his strength back for his second match for he is having two matches."

Everyone nodded and agreed. Soon after, the match began between Momoshiro and Ryoma. Ryoma served first and Momoshiro hit it. The both member remained scored to love until Ryoma scored. The game went smoothly but it lasted for almost an hour. The ball hit the ground on Momoshiro's side and that scored Ryoma.

"6 games to 4, Game set and Match. Ryoma wins." Tezuka declared.

Ryoma won the set that means he will join the nationals. Momo have to wait for an hour for his match with Kaidoh. "Nice game." Ryoma said to his best buddy.

"Un." Momo nodded. "I'll play hard."

Ryoma nodded.

After an hour:

The match began between Kaidoh and Momo. Momo served first and after some returning shots Kaidoh scored.

"Looks like the match is unbalance, do you think that Takeshi rested enough for this match?"Oishi was a bit worried.

"Don't worry, he's fine. We know Momo well; if he's fine then he's fine. About the match it is all up to them. They are rivals after all." Fuji explained.

"You're right." Oishi agreed.

The match continued. Momo catch up with the score until they tied for the last set. They had another set that lasted for thirty minutes. The set goes for Momo.

"7 games to 6, Game set and Match. Momo wins." Tezuka declared.

The rivals were both panting. Momo gained his composure back first. "Nice game for a mamushi."

"I don't see the praise in your words, idiot." Kaidoh objected as he composed himself as well.

"Heh, just leave the nationals to me." Momo proudly said.

"You better win every match or I'll regret giving you my spot."

"What did you say?" Momo reacted.

"You heard me clearly, you big idiot." Kaidoh reacted as well.

"You are looking for a fight again, Mamushi."

"You started it. shhh" Kaidoh hissed as they quickly position themselves in fight mode both hands were clasping to each other. Everyone in the court just sighed on the scene having their same reaction like 'they started it again.'

They stopped fighting when a clapping of hands echoed the court and everyone's eyes averted to the hands of the person who clapped.

"We decided who are joining the nationals. Kaidoh, thank you for being a sport." Sumire said.

Kaidoh just nodded. Sumire continued.

"Let's call it a day. Be sure to rest tonight. We will have a series of practice starting tomorrow. Dismissed" Sumire announced.

"Hai! Thank you for today!" They said in unison.

"Don't let your guard down." Tezuka said.

"Hai." They said again for the second time. And they started to leave the court one by one.

xxx

"That was a nice match isn't it, Sakuno-chan?" Tomoka asked Sakuno.

"H-hai. It sure was." She agreed.

"Let's go home now." Tomoka invited her.

Sakuno shook her head. "I need to wait for Obaa-chan, we will go home together."

"Oh, ok then. I'll go on ahead. See you tomorrow."

"Un" She said as she watched her best friend ran away. The girl bumped into Fuji and apologizes afterwards. Fuji then walked towards her.

"You are not going home yet? Want me to walk you home?" Fuji suggested.

"I-I need to wait for Obaa-chan but t-thank you for the offer senpai."Sakuno replied.

"If you say so, I need to go now, since I can't walk you home today." Fuji winked when he said that. "Maybe some other time then."

"H-hai." Sakuno blushed on the thought.

When Fuji left, Sakuno entered the court. She was a bit surprised when she saw Ryoma on the bench drinking his Ponta. There's no sign of him leaving the court. When he looked at her direction, she bowed to him quickly and continued to walk to the club room. Ryoma just twitched and continued drinking his ponta.

"Obaa-chan?" Sakuno peeked at the door. She saw her grandmother along with Tezuka and Oishi talking about something.

"Oh, Sakuno dear, I am sorry but can you go home first? We need to make schedules for the upcoming nationals. I'll be late for tonight so no need to wait for me." Sumire said.

"Oh, I see, Okay Obaa-chan. Don't worry." Sakuno said. Sumire sees her outside the club and she noticed Ryoma who was about to leave the court.

"Oh, so Ryoma was still here." She called the young tennis prodigy. He went near to the coach and gave her a bow. "I have a favor to ask of you Ryoma, can you walk Sakuno home today? I can not make it with her."

Sakuno was a bit surprised to her grandma's request while Ryoma remained silent.

"I-It's ok grandma, really. I can go-"

"Let's go." Ryoma interrupted.

"Eh?" Sakuno turned her head to him but the boy was already walking away. She doesn't have a choice she bowed down to her grandma. "P-please take care of yourself, Obaa-chan." She said and she followed the boy afterwards.

Sumire just shook her head when she sees them who were walking in different paces. "Kids these days." She said as she returned inside.

xxx

The walk was awfully awkward and quiet. Sakuno was trying to walk to his pace. But the boy walked fast like he doesn't care that he was with someone.

"U-uhmm, I-I'm sorry about this. I didn't mean to bother you." Sakuno tried to apologize.

"Don't be, my home was on this way, anyway. And stop apologizing to me every time." Ryoma said keeping his stoic face.

Silence between them occurred again. Sakuno doesn't know what to say. T-this is definitely awkward. She thought. She couldn't look at him.

"hey"

She flinched when Ryoma talked.

"You better stay away from him."

"W-what? W-who?" Sakuno said.

"He will only play with you, you should avoid him." Ryoma said ignoring her questions.

"W-what are you…. talking about?" Sakuno asked staring at him.

"You are not that numb to know who am I talking about." Ryoma retorted as he gave her a stern look.

Sakuno flinched but regain her composure. "F-fuji-senpai isn't what you think he is. H-He was always there when I was down." She defended the tennis tensai.

"What do you know about him?" Ryoma asked still staring at her.

She couldn't take his stare longer so she averted her eyes. "I-I-" She startled.

"You can't even answer my question. Look how dense you are." Ryoma retorted shifting his stare in a different direction keeping his expressionless face.

Sakuno was hurt on his words. She looked down so that he won't see her face in case he will look at her again.

"Let's hurry; I wanna go home as possible." Ryoma ordered her.

"Y-You don't have to walk me home, I-I can go home by myself. Thank you a-anyway." She said as she started to run.

"Hey!" She heard him shout but she ignored it. She continued to run. In any minute now, her tears will soon run down again to her face. She needed to get home before she burst into tears.

Ryoma was left behind and felt agitated. He made her upset again. He doesn't know what's got into him. Every time he sees the girl, he couldn't help himself getting angry at her. He was also mad on what happened today. Several series of scenes and events made him so furious inside. He couldn't believe himself that he agreed to walk her home today. He felt to urge to do so when he heard Fuji talking to her about him walking her home. He just doesn't like the idea. He clenched both his fists while they were inside his pocket and continued walking.

Next morning:

Sakuno was putting her outdoor shoes in her locket when someone called her name.

"Sakuno-chan"

She looked at the person who called her. She smiled when she recognized the person.

"F-fuji-senpai."

Fuji noticed something from her. She felt restless although he noticed that before but it looked different today.

"What happened?" Fuji asked.

Sakuno was a bit shocked when Fuji asked her a question. It was the first time he asked her like that.

"N-nothing, Fuji-senpai. It's nothing." Sakuno denied.

Fuji couldn't take the scene anymore so he told her his instinct. "It was Echizen, isn't it?"

Sakuno flinched when he heard the boy's name. She looked down. She couldn't find the right words to say. Or how to deny the fact.

"I take your silence as a yes." Fuji said. He became serious but Sakuno didn't see him like that. Fuji turned around and sighed. "I told you, stop paying full attention to him. There is someone who is more suitable for you." he said as he started to walk away.

Sakuno raised her head but she only saw a walking senpai away from her. W-what does he mean by that? She thought. She left there with that thought, until someone bumped fell on the ground because of the strong impact. She felt a little pain.

"Clumsy girl." She heard the girl saying that. She looked at the girl. She was in second year level. She gave a devilish smirk before running away. She then heard a number of mocking laughs around her. She felt a little fear but that didn't let absorb her. She composed herself; she doesn't want to give problems to the regulars anymore. She must solve this problem; at least she could do something about this one.

xxx

No one was there yet, but he was there early again. He was early despite the training they had the previous night. He really focused about practicing, aiming to be the youngest grand slam achiever ever. But for some reason, he was bothered by something or particularly by someone. He hated it. His concentration is starting to lose. He shook his head hard and he started to dribble the ball. He threw the ball in the air and hit it. It bounced to the wall and returned to him then he hit it again; he wasn't reached counting up to ten when someone interrupted him.

"You really are good at faking your emotions, aren't you?"

He catched the ball as he heard him talked: He looked straight at him, none other than Fuji. The tennis tensai was serious. He could tell that he is.

He started dribbling his ball again.

"What do you want?"

"I don't know if you are going to keep up or how long are you going to." Fuji said as he walked a little closer to him.

"What are you trying to imply?" Ryoma stopped dribbling his ball and glared at him.

Fuji glared back at him too. The unbearable silence was present for a short period of time. Fuji broke it.

"You said to me before that anyone can make a move on her."

Ryoma flinched but he didn't show it in front of him. He didn't say anything.

"Well, I like Sakuno-chan and this time, I AM going to steal her away from you." Fuji declared with the seriousness in his eyes that staring at him, he continued:

"For real…."

Ryoma remained silent as he flinched as little. He unconsciously gripped his racket in his right hand that Fuji didn't notice.

The wind blows harshly between them, like it was sensing a bad premonition in the future.

Done again! So there it is, the declaration starts here onwards. Once again sorry for the oocs, and the match is just how the way I understand it. And please bear about Ryoma being the antagonist for a while. Just a little more, wait for it.

Please reviews. I really need your opinion. I will definitely read and reply to your reviews even though you read it a little late or if I signed in a little late as well. That's how I appreciate your words. Thanks a million. ^_^

Next Chapter: A New Rival