Hi! A million thanks really. For the reviews, I will definitely give attention to it. I am actually full of inspirations now. And if you have more time after reading this chapter please read my other stories and don't worry they are all completed. But for now, please enjoy my latest chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own POT. Just looooove to share it. ^_^

Chapter 8: Sakuno's First Kiss

Chapter Summary: Who will be her first kiss? …Maybe he? …Maybe not? …Maybe him? …Also not? Who will be the lucky one? …Her? …He? …Or Him? Find out. Smoochy!

"Go out on a date with me, Sakuno-chan"

Sakuno was shocked. Her eyes were wide opened as she heard that. She looked at his eyes and saw how serious he was. She was blushing all over. There was a sudden gust of wind appeared in the area. The mood was so tensed and it was freaking quiet.

Silence was definitely long between them.

Or not…

.

.

.

.

.

Sakuno shriek. "EEEEEEEHH?" she managed to distanced herself to him. "D-d-da-te, F-fuji-kun I-I-"

"What, can't you do it for me?" Fuji feigned a frown that Sakuno couldn't notice.

"B-but t-to date you means… " She couldn't finish her words. She fidgeted as she blushed a lot. Good thing that no one was around yet. She looked down.

"Hey," Fuji tipped her chin. Sakuno blushed more. "I'm not asking you to answer me, I am asking for a date. You know, we will go out for a while and spend the day together. Just you and me, that's all."

She stared at him with such weary eyes.

Darn it. She is so adorable. I really like this girl. He thought. He stared at her for a long time. And as he thought, she couldn't take the stare that she looked away.

"I won't do anything that will make you upset. I promise." Fuji assured her.

A-a date with Fuji-kun… I am a bit nervous. But… she stole a glance at him and continued her thoughts. I guess… it's worth a try.

Sakuno finally nodded, adorably. She was blushing all the time. Fuji was happy that he hugged the girl tightly. The red color on her face will never leave her that day.

"Thank you, Sakuno-chan! Thank you!" He said.

"F-fuji-kun! U-uhmm, I-" She didn't know what to say. She calmed down and smiled afterwards. This is the least I could do for him. Well, for keeping a secret from you. I am sorry for hiding things, Fuji-kun.

He released her. "Let's meet at the central park tomorrow at 10 am." He said.

Sakuno nodded. "T-tomorrow then," She took a few steps backward. "I-I need to go."

Fuji watched her as she left the court. He was overwhelmed. He will definitely use the chance to be with her. …Without hindrances and obstacles… without him. He practiced while he was thinking for the upcoming date they will have tomorrow. Amidst to his knowledge, a data analyzer was actually in the club room witnessing everything and was all noted in his notebook. He fixed his glasses to his eyes and said his catchphrase:

"Ii data"

Lunch time before practice:

Ryoma was on his way to the club room when he heard noises.

"Eh, are you sure Inui-senpai? They are having their date tomorrow at the central park."

Ryoma flinched when he heard Momo's words. …Date? …who?

"I am a 100% positive sure and heard that Fuji asked Ryuzaki-chan to go on a date. Ryuzaki-chan agreed so they will have their date tomorrow morning." Inui said.

He can hear everyone's reaction. He was about to leave the place by taking a few steps backward when someone bumped his back. He looked at the person. He flinched a little when he recognized the person and grabbed him inside.

"L-let go. K-kikumaru-senpai!" Ryoma struggled.

"Oi, Eiji you did it! You made Echizen come here." Inui said.

"What?" Ryoma retorted. He noticed that everyone except him, Tezuka, Oishi and the coach were not there.

"On what you heard just a while ago was true, Echizen." Inui said.

Ryoma remained silent. He didn't care, why would he care?

"And we are going to trail them tomorrow, without their knowledge." Momo continued.

Ryoma reacted. "Don't include me on such personal businesses." He said as he started to walk away.

"My new invention awaits for someone who is not willing to cooperate." Inui warned the members inside.

Everyone's face turned violet as they heard Inui's warning. Ryoma unconsciously walked back and found himself a seat as he lowered his fila hat and crossed his hands in front of him afterwards.

Inui smirked. "Now's everyone's here. Let's make a plan. Don't let them know that we are going to follow them, especially you." He said pointing a ballpoint pen to Ryoma.

"che" that's all he could say. He really doesn't want to participate but because of some stupid invention of Inui's he was forced to do so. Thinking about it was already ruined his entire day.

They made plans. They managed to gather everything before the people missing in actions arrived. Thus, the training for the day began and was being implemented smoothly.

Night at the Court:

Sakuno was still nervous on their upcoming date. Her heart was beating fast. She couldn't imagine that her heart was also beating fast when she talked to Fuji. Everything changed when he confessed to her. She didn't know what to do that her mind was flying elsewhere. A slight knock on the back of her head made her come back to her senses. She looked back and surprised when she saw Ryoma standing behind her.

"You are not paying attention here." Ryoma retorted keeping his emotionless face.

"S-sorry..." She remembered that she was practicing with Ryoma that night and how stupid of her thinking other stuffs. She also noticed that Ryoma was acting a bit weird too. Once again, her mind was elsewhere.

Ryoma sighed when he saw her like that. "This is going nowhere. Let's stop this."

Sakuno was a bit surprised. "E-e, R-ryoma-kun. I-I can do more."

"You are not in the practice with me tonight, you're mind was elsewhere. Let's continue tomorrow."

"N-no, I-I won't stop. I-I'll continue."

"Are you disobeying me?"

Sakuno was startled when he gave her a stern look. "P-please don't stop the training. L-let me rest for a while, I will regain my composure."

Ryoma sighed again. He knew what was bothering her. But he couldn't tell her and he didn't want to say it after all. He was pissed already knowing that this girl is having a date with him. Instead of asking that he asked something else:

"You two are getting along, you and him."

"W-what?" Sakuno wondered.

"And I said before that you should stay away from him." Ryoma added looking at a different direction.

Sakuno understood his words as she remembered them. "F-fuji-kun is really kind. W-why can't you see that?"

Ryoma reacted on what she addressed him. "And you are starting to call him that now."

Sakuno was shocked. Why is he acting like this again? "R-ryoma-kun I-"

"I guess that's fine, he confessed to you after all."

She blushed on what she heard. "B-but that's—I haven't responded yet."

He flinched. …Yet? He walked closer to her and said:

"It seems that there are some things that I don't even know YET." He looked at her straight in her eyes. "And the fact that you still like me… "

Sakuno blushed because of that. "W-why are you bringing that up now-" She panicked both on their closeness and his words.

He smirked, an offended one and said. "I guess you are enjoying it, I mean playing with other guys if they don't play with you."

She was surprised and everything changed. That pained her a lot. She took a few steps backwards while hugging her racket. "Y-you are mean, n-no you are cruel. W-why are you saying that?"

Ryoma positioned himself as he fixed his fila hat down and said:

"You mean I was wrong? …And Stupid…? YOU, stop being one, it's annoying already. "

She took more steps backward away from him. "S-stop it, W-why do you keep hurting me?"

He didn't say anything nor did anything. She shook her head slowly as she could feel her tears were starting to fall. "I-I shouldn't have confessed to you." She turned around and started to run away from the court afterwards.

Ryoma was left behind. His face was not easy to read at that very moment. He looked up and whispered:

"…who do you think… is hurting now… baka?"

xxx

And it fell. She couldn't stop her tears from falling as she ran. What was that all about? I thought we're okay now? She was really upset. She was actually hoping that practicing with him every night would bring the old chemistry they had before… or something better. They are not actually friends before but because of the practice she thought they were. She wiped her eyes using the back of her hands. She reached her house soon after:

"Tadaima… " She announced.

"Done with the training already?" Her grandma asked her.

"H-hai, I'll be going on ahead." She tried not to crackle and hoped that her grandma won't notice it. She went straight to her room. She lay on her stomach and cried quietly.

One hour later, she received a message to her senpai:

'Don't forget tomorrow, I will wait for you even if you are several hours late, just don't ditch me. Okay. ; P'

She laughed on his message, a weak one. She will forget everything that happened that night. She decided.

Saturday at the Central park:

He looked at his wristwatch. It says nine-fifty in the morning. Ten minutes left before ten. He chuckled and excited. He knew that she will be late. That's Sakuno-chan, a girl who will never be on time. He thought. He was right, he waited for less than 20 minutes before the girl arrived. She was panting. The girl was wearing a blue gartered blouse and a skirt which was above knee. And it paired to his white navy shirt and dark-blue jeans. What a combination! He thought.

"I-I'm sorry, I'm late… " She said when she finally caught her breath.

"It's okay. Now shall we go?" Fuji said as he offered his hand to her.

Sakuno blushed as she nodded and took his hand. They started to leave the park and walked their way to the city.

xxx

"The operation trailing starts now!" Eiji whispered as he was looking at the two using his binoculars.

"What am I doing here anyway?" Ryoma and Kaidoh both said at the same time. They were facing at different directions. They were shocked when they spoke at the same time and so as the other regulars.

"That's rare. You guys were in rhythm." Kaawamura said to them.

"Wouldn't your best friend be jealous in unison you had?" Eiji asked.

"I believe they are frenemies." Inui said.

"What are you talking about, don't compare me to Mamushi." Momo retorted.

"What did you say?"

"Stop talking to me."

"You started it."

"I'm not"

Ryoma and the others sighed.

"Best friends forever." Kawamura commented.

"No, frenemies. I say." Eiji objected.

"WE'RE NOT!" They both said at the same time.

They were shocked once again and then they chuckled. Momo and Kaidoh just grinned mockingly at each other.

"Stop copying me, mamushi."

"You stop copying me."

"Hey, hey stop that. Aren't we forgetting something? Let's follow them or we'll going to lose them." Inui broke the prank.

That's what I am hoping for. Ryoma thought. He was not in the mood to do things like this. Not to mention that he and her had a fight last night. They didn't finish their training because of that stupid fight. He couldn't stop himself and now he ended up hurting the girl once again. It was not his style to do that but he was acting one when it comes to her.

"Oi, Ochibi. What are you waiting for? Let's go." Eiji looked at Ryoma and signaled him to go.

"che" He was forced to go as he can see the new 'invention' Inui brought.

They followed the two except Tezuka and Oishi who were not there. They couldn't contact them as they were busy preparing for the upcoming competition. With their coach with them it would be a problem. They knew it would.

xxx

"So, where do you want to go?" Fuji asked the girl.

Sakuno flinched. She looked at him. They were inside a mall, the biggest mall in the area. She shifted her eyes as she was blushing a lot. She looked around and then she found an interesting location that she never tried before.

"F-fuji-kun, let's go there." She pointed the location while her other hand was on his sleeve. Fuji traced her finger that she was pointing.

"…Arcade?" Fuji asked just to be sure that she was pointing the right location.

"H-hai, I-I want to try playing there for such a long time." Sakuno flushed as she said that. She knew that boys go in that area. Only boys were and you can rarely see girls playing there.

"Okay, let's go." Fuji said as he hold her hand and drag her along.

They enjoyed playing inside. Sakuno played 'whack me!' she was absorbed playing that game. And then Fuji leaded her to the stuff toys. She tried to get the stuff but she failed. It fell off. She frowned because of that.

"Let me." Fuji said as he exercises his right arm. He started playing the game. Luckily he got one. Sakuno was happy. She got a pink average teddy bear with a large white ribbon wrapped around its neck.

"Thank you, Fuji-kun." She hugged the stuff toy.

Fuji noticed that something was wrong in her softened eyes. He felt that she's been holding back her tears… or rather holding not to cry another river. She was sad trying to be happy. He became serious after that. He was about to say something when Sakuno said something:

"—Ahh, I haven't tried all yet, Fuji-kun. I want to play what boys play." Sakuno closed her eyes while smiling.

"S-seriously?" Fuji couldn't believe that.

"H-hai, come on." Sakuno said as she tried to look around inside the arcade. He just watched her running.

Oh well, we can at least enjoy this much. He thought. "Sakuno-chan, try this one." He pointed a ping pong game. They played the game. She seems to be enjoying it. He thought. "Hey, did you know that this is similar to tennis?"

Sakuno flinched obviously. She stopped and stared for a while. Fuji saw her sudden change of reaction. He wondered and then he saw her changed to being cheerful again.

"I-I see… " Sakuno said after. "Well, if you are good at playing tennis, I am not going to lose to you here." Her spirit was back again.

"Let's see about that." Fuji was fired up as well.

They played but in the end Fuji won while Sakuno frowned.

"Mou, Fuji-kun, you are good at everything… "

Fuji laughed at her reaction. "It's because I am genius. No question about that."

Sakuno pouted. "Y-yeah, right… "

"Good thing that you are enjoying our date, Sakuno-chan."

Sakuno was flushed. Yeah, she was dating him, she forgot. Stupid girl! She nodded.

"Keep smiling okay, I don't want a date partner who is looking gloomy and weird."

"H-hai." Sakuno smiled adoringly, she realized how unfair she is to him. She tried to forget what happened last night but she couldn't. She didn't want to use this date just to forget that night. It was just the unexpected chance she was having today. She will do this for Fuji. She will make him remember this date between her and him. She decided that last night and that is what she will do.

"Let's eat. I am hungry from playing." Fuji said.

It is fifteen mintues before twelve. No wonder they were both hungry. They were been playing for almost two hours. They lost track of time because they enjoyed a lot.

They eat in a fancy restaurant. Fuji ordered a heavy meal while he ordered just a fine meal with banana split for her. She loved that, a strawberry banana split. They enjoyed the meal together.

"There's a grain of rice on your face" He said later as he touched her cheek.

Sakuno blushed as expected. He stared at her, for a long time. The scene was awkward especially to Sakuno. He hasn't put his finger down from her cheek.

"U-uhm, F-fuji-kun… " she started averting her eyes elsewhere.

"Yeah," He said still staring at her.

"Y-your, finger… "

Fuji flinched. He slowly put his finger in his side. "S-sorry."

Silence was created between them. Fuji could still notice that rare look on her face. Sakuno was looking outside. He knew that she was thinking about something, or to be exact, someone. Fuji couldn't help but asked:

"Are you… thinking about him?"

Sakuno startled. "…W-what?…W-who?"

"Sakuno-chan, I am not dense and also not stupid."

Sakuno looked down. Fuji was right. She is still on it. He held both her hands and squeezed them which were on top of the table. She flinched and looked up to him automatically.

"I ask you… to think of me for the day. Give me this day Sakuno, please."

Sakuno stared at him. She saw seriousness in his eyes. He was right; she should pay attention to him because it is their date today.

Fuji felt that she responded the squeeze he gave her. "I-I was wrong. I'm sorry. Yeah, I should enjoy this date, together with you." She blushed while saying that.

Fuji smiled. "Let's continue eating. Let's not waste a time."

"uhn" Sakuno smiled. She promised that she will not get distracted anymore. She will definitely enjoy the date that she never had before.

After eating they went to the amusement park. They rode the ferris wheel. Sakuno enjoyed the view while they were on top. They rode the roller coaster next. She was frightened that she held Fuji tightly. They rode the love boat afterwards. They could hear the other couple how cute they are. Their position was somewhat romantic. The seat available was for one only so that Sakuno was seating in on top of Fuji. That made the girl embarrass as she wrapped her arms around his neck while his hands were wrapped around her waist.

T-this is so awkward. Good thing Ryoma wasn't here. She was shocked again. No, Sakuno snapped out of it. Forget the guy. You are with Fuji now. Concentrate being with him. She closed her eyes firmly and then opened them again, only to realize that they were actually on that awkward situation. Sakuno blushed more on that thought.

They went to the horror house. She couldn't tell Fuji that she was scared of ghost. She freaked out when they entered the house. She's been hugging the tensai all the time. She shed tears when they exited it.

"Why didn't you tell me that you are scared of the ghost?" Fuji asked her with worries in his eyes.

"B-because I don't want to… to ruin your plan, that's all." She said while still sobbing.

Fuji stared at the poor girl. He handed his handkerchief to her. He saw her stiffened when she saw the handkerchief but she accepted it afterwards. They remained seated on a bench for a while until Sakuno calmed down. "I am sorry."

"Hey, don't apologize. It's okay. So where do you want to go next?"

Sakuno thought of a place while hugging her new stuff toy. She remembered a place:

"Let's go to the Underground Sea!" She exclaimed.

"Okay! Let's go."

They went to the Underground Sea. The place was beautiful and calm. They saw all kinds of fish there. The place was covered with thick water glass as they saw those fish swam. The area was pretty nice and a bit cold too. They enjoyed some performances there and explored the entire land. The place was enormously big that they exited the place almost 7 in the evening. They were walking on the street when Sakuno talked.

"T-thank you, F-fuji-kun, I had fun today."

"Don't thank me yet. Our date is not over."

"W-what do you mean?" She asked him.

To her surprise, Fuji held her right hand with his left hand while they were walking. He intertwined them as he said:

"I haven't taken you home yet." Fuji smiled as she saw her blush a lot.

Sakuno smiled amidst the blushing thing. She looked down and thought:

Fuji-kun is really kind. He is not that hard to like. I guess I will try to like him and… Her eyes became sad. She made sure that Fuji won't see it. …and forget him… totally. After making a brief decision, she responded on his hand that was intertwined with hers. Fuji was a bit shocked on her action. She knew that he was looking at him and she blushed a lot because of that. Fuji smiled and they continued to walk. Everything was supposed to be okay when Sakuno suddenly heard something:

'How does it feel to be the youngest rookie player who reached top ten in the US open, Echizen-san?'

Sakuno flinched when she heard the boy's name. They stopped walking. It was a press conference Ryoma had months ago. Why does it still aired until now? Fuji thought. He looked at Sakuno. The girl was stiffened.

'Don't know… happy, maybe'

'The interviewer laughed. Of course you are happy. It is your greatest dream to be in the US open'

'My dream is to be a grand slam achiever and that dream hasn't granted yet.'

Sakuno couldn't understand what they are talking about. She was just looking at the boy for so long. She felt pain again.

Fuji on the other hand, was furious again. This boy did appear everywhere? Was it coincidental? No it is not. He looked at Sakuno once again only to be surprised. The girl was crying unconsciously.

"S-sakuno-chan." He held her shoulder.

Sakuno came to her senses. "I-I'm sorry, l-let's go now." She said as she started to walk while wiping her eyes. Fuji stopped her from walking.

"Stop it already, you are only hurting yourself." Fuji said. He faced Sakuno in front of him.

Sakuno stared at him. She couldn't take it anyway. Her tears fell once again. "I-I tried, Fuji-kun. I-I was trying to forget him but I can't. N-no matter what I do or where I look… it was always him that I see. I am trying to convince myself that it's not going to work but… but…" She closed her eyes firmly as she tried to wipe the tears in her eyes. "I am hopelessly… I like him a lot." She burst into tears after that.

Fuji just stared at the poor girl. That pained him… a lot. He clenched both of his fists.

"I-I am sorry, Fuji-kun." Sakuno sobbed. She couldn't look at him so her eyes were remained closed. "I am very sorry."

Unconsciously, he raised his left hand and held her right hand. "Don't say sorry, I'll make you look at me… and not to him." He leaned closer to her face after saying that.

Sakuno's eyes were snapped open. It took a while for her to realize what was really happening. Her heart was beating fast at that moment. His lips were on hers. Fuji was kissing her… for a while. She suddenly dropped the bear on the floor. She took enough courage to push him afterwards:

"W-what are you doing, F-fuji-kun. Y-you promised, y-you won't do a-anything?" Sakuno was shocked. Her tears didn't leave her.

Fuji was a bit confused too; he didn't know what's got into him. But he was certain what he just did. "Sakuno-chan I-"

Fuji couldn't finish his words when they heard noises from the bushes across the street. The person appeared from the bushes. He stood there and looked at them fixing his fila hat. Fuji was shocked when he saw who it was.

Sakuno's eyes widened once again, tears kept falling down as she recognized the person across the street:

"R-ryoma… kun… "

Done! I was excited when I finished this one. I hope you felt the same when you are done reading this. Things are heating up. What is Ryoma going to do that he witnessed 'that' between them? Well, wait for the next chapter. Tee hee hee.

I just made up the Underground Sea. (Probably same as the Ocean park in our country and in the other.)

Reviews please! Need inspirations I mean a lot.

Next Chapter: Ryoma's Resolve