I appreciate your words minna-san. These are my replies for the latest posts. (the ones that I couldn't send pms) Smile for everyone. ^_^

Sakuno Echizen – thank you for a wonderful review! I'll do my best to make better chapters.

Guest 1 (July 12) – thank you for the review! I really like how you see my Ryoma here. Yeah, I like to keep his attitude like that. I really appreciate it. Stay tuned for the next chapter soon.

Guest 2 (July 13) – thank you for the review! I have plans between them so stay tuned.

This second version is somewhat related to Mitsuki Saiga's song. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own TeniPuri or Mitsuki Saiga's song. Just my thoughts are the only original.

Chapter 16: Arashi no Yokan (Premonition of the Storm version 2)

Chapter Summary: He snapped, she was confused, the other was furious. Everyone is anticipating the storm to come…

The rain was falling slightly but they could hear it. Her reaction stayed still as she was staring at the boy who was soaking wet in the rain. The cold wind that passed by made her come to her senses. Without further ado, she ran to the boy and shared her umbrella with him.

"W-what do you think you are doing? Y-you could get sick." She said as she touched to his shoulder.

He chose to keep silent as he pinned his hat down for a while but changed his mind as he decided to talk, "It's none of your business."

"T-then don't let me see you like this. I-I will only worry about you." She said as she took off his hat from his head.

"Why are you worrying about me?" he said but she couldn't read him.

"Eh?"

"Why are you worrying about me?" he repeated his words as he looked up to her. The girl was surprised. Was he crying just a while ago? He was looking serious right now. The boy continued talking;

"When you already have him…"

Sakuno was a bit shocked on his words, "W-why are you bringing him? T-there's nothing wrong about worrying you."

"You are worried about me because you still like me." he retorted keeping his stoic face.

Sakuno blushed but she remembered Fuji. He is her boyfriend now so she should defend him. "T-that's not true. Don't say that. S-syuusuke-kun is very kind that he is not that hard for me like him."

"It's not easy for you to forget me. You've been harboring that stupid feeling for me for such a long time." He devilishly smirked at her.

She trembled as she heard that from him. What was he trying to imply? Isn't he the one who kept sending her away? Why is he acting like this? "H-He could help me… I-I am happy in his company. I didn't regret going out with him. T-Thank you for pushing me to him." She couldn't control her feelings and it was too late to take her words back.

His eyes became fierce. He suddenly grabbed both of her wrists. The hat and the umbrella that she were holding both fell down on the ground. Sakuno was dripped into the rain as well;

"R-ryoma-kun what are you doing?"

"So it is my fault now that I made you two go out?" He said straight to her eyes.

"N-no that's not-"

"Why are you tormenting me like this? Don't you know that you pissed me off thinking or seeing you together with him?"

"R-ryoma-kun-"

"Don't you know how hard it is to get you out in my system? I don't want to think that leaving Japan for the tournament will hold me here with this ridiculous reasons but it did."

Sakuno couldn't reply to him as he started to blurt his intentions to her. She felt the grip tighter from her wrists.

"Why are doing this to me? You are very annoying but I can't get you off of my mind." He almost shouted.

"S-stop that-"

"All the things that you did right from the first day you confessed to me are still in my head." He retorted. "It's all your fault that I am acting like this." He said keeping his tight reaction.

Sakuno was shocked. Ryoma was definitely acting weird that day. She was trembling already when she said her words, "P-please d-don't make me confuse. Everything is complicated already as it is now."

Ryoma snapped, "Sou da, everything is complicated now," He caught her eyes curiously with his stare and said, "I'll make you confuse more." And then he leaned closer to her crossing the distance between them. His lips touched hers'. He closed his eyes as he felt something so… nice.

…Strange? He liked it… the kiss… he was giving her. He didn't want to stop. But then he slowly opened his eyes only to be shocked. Her eyes… Sakuno's eyes were wide open… with tears flowing down from it. He slowly distanced himself from her. The girl was shocked that she couldn't move but to looked down. She was still realizing what had happened a while ago.

The boy just stared at her. No one uttered a single word. All they could hear was the rain falling from the sky. Ryoma picked his hat and wore it again;

"Go home… " That was the last thing he said to her that day.

She was left once again. He always did that. She was always caught in the middle, leaving her behind if he couldn't handle a situation like this. She remained looking on the ground, still crying. Unconsciously, she covered her mouth. Her long time crush kissed her. Wasn't she dreaming about this? No- she never dreamt that he will kiss her. Even the way he did a while ago. The kiss Fuji gave her was all too sudden but Ryoma's kiss was a bit… harsh. She continued crying in that rain until she could calm herself down.

xxx

"Tadaima… "

"R-ryoma, what happened to you? Why are you soaking wet?" Rinko asked his son who just arrived at home. She gave him a towel as she approached him.

"I gave my umbrella to a cat." He said not looking at his mother. His face couldn't paint at that time. He continued to walk upstairs as he could hear his mother's words. He let the towel stayed still in his head.

"Be sure to fix yourself or you'll catch a cold." Rinko doubted his alibi. She sensed that something was not right.

"Ahh, love conquers all." Nanjiroh interrupted.

"Be quiet; let him rest for a while. He is definitely tired."

Nanjiroh shrugged after that. But the smile on his face didn't leave him.

xxx

After a short bath, he went to his bed lying on his stomach. Karupin jump on his bed once again and went near to his face. When he noticed his cat was licking his face, he turned to it and brushed its hair;

"I am driving myself crazy, Karupin," Ryoma whispered to it. "For the first time in my life, I kissed a girl… " he suddenly touched his lips as he was trying to remember the feeling. He suddenly remembered the girl's face when he opened his eyes that time. Upon remembering that, he buried his face on his pillow as he whispered some words;

"Onna no baka… "

One Week Later:

She tried to compose herself, like she did during the training period in the last festival.

I can't believe that I am repeating the same old story for a different reason. She thought as she was thinking so hard. She reached the club and to her surprise, everyone was there already. Fuji was the first person to call her;

"Good Morning, Sakuno-chan."

"G-good morning… " She tried to smile at her best. Fuji was a bit shocked but he ignored it.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow, okay. I have this place in mind." They were talking about their upcoming date.

The girl blushed, "H-hai… " Out of reflexes, she looked at a young tennis prodigy. The young lad reacted a bit but regained his composure afterwards. She was blushing after, that she looked away quickly.

Fuji noticed the tense between them. He was definitely sensing something. He was about to ask the girl but Eiji stole the mood from them.

"Hey! Hey! We all know that you are a couple now. So stop being shy all over and get on with it." Eiji retorted.

"S-senpai… "

The tense was somehow decreasing because of Eiji's initialization. But the teasing part was not. They received tons of teases from the regulars and even to their coach. The people who were not taking part were Tezuka and Kaidoh. They didn't notice it but a certain tennis prodigy left the place some time ago. Only Sakuno noticed his disappearance first before everyone else.

"Really, that Echizen. He will never learn how to mingle with us." Momo retorted.

"He's always like that. Let him, he will change soon enough," Oishi said. "I hope."

Everyone became silent. Fuji knew that awkwardness. Sakuno didn't say anything. But later on, Eiji made the tense out of the picture once again. Sakuno just wished that everything will turn be out fine.

One week later:

The days were not getting any better. The rain stopped from falling but the awkward atmosphere between the three didn't subside, even just a little. Fuji noticed that something was different to Sakuno. The girl was became quieter and often talks to the others. The youngest member of the club wasn't any good too. He was keeping his stoic face as always but he kept avoiding them when they were together.

They had their dates twice this past week and he could notice that she was enjoying his company but something was really odd. Fuji isn't satisfied on their get up. So on that Friday night, he decided to visit her in their house and confirmed it;

"S-syuusuke-kun, what brings you here? I thought that we will see each other tomorrow?"

"I came to bring you this." He presented the pink teddy bear that he got from her on their first date.

Memories kept coming to her as she held the stuff toy in front of her. She blushed because of that, "Y-you could bring this to me tomorrow, you know."

"I still have the urge to see you despite that."

The girl blushed more. Really, this girl couldn't do anything but to blush.

"I'll leave you guys here. I'll be going on ahead, "Sumire interrupted. "Syuusuke, behave." She warned the tennis tensai.

He just scratched his head as if he was feeling embarrassed.

"O-oyasumi nasai… Obaa-chan."

The senior nodded as she entered her room. The two left alone once again. Sakuno broke the silence;

"D-do you want a strawberry cake? I'll give you some. W-wait her-"

"Sakuno-chan… " he interrupted as she was about to stand up. "Is there something that you wanted to tell me?"

She wondered, "L-like what?"

Fuji shrugged, "Don't know… You should be the one knowing that. Tell me are you bothered by something?

"N-nothing, Syuusuke-kun. I am not bothered by anything."

"Or by someone?"

She flinched, "W-what are you talking about?"

"I can sense that something is odd but I can't name it. You felt it too, Sakuno-chan. The tense between the three of us was not like before."

She looked down and said, "Y-you must be imagining things. In fact, everything is back to normal."

"I'm not blind, Sakuno-chan. There's no use hiding it," he stared at her. He saw how she reacted while looking down. "We were going out for three weeks now, all right. I could see how you tried to make this out. I was really happy then."

"W-wait! Syuusuke-kun," She looked up to him. "W-why are you talking in past tense? I-I am trying to-"

"I wanted to try it too; I wanted you to be my girlfriend. But with this get up, it is not actually working." Fuji looked away from her. "I told you that even if the feeling isn't mutual, it is okay for me. Just accept me is what I ask from you. But either of them wasn't given to me."

"T-that's not true. I-I am trying to give my best to make our relationship work."

"I know, that's why I am not letting you go… entirely."

She was a bit shocked, "W-what do you mean?"

"…Let's cool off."

She was even more surprised on his words, "I-I don't understand what you are saying."

"I love you so much that I want to keep you to myself. But I don't want to be selfish. I don't want to force you on something that you didn't want to do."

She just stared straight at the tennis tensai. Fuji sighed and stood up. He leaned closer to her to give her a kiss on her cheek. The girl didn't move a muscle when he did that.

"But this doesn't mean that I'm giving you up, it's the opposite just so you know," He said as he walked towards the door. "I am willing to fight with Echizen fair and square until you can freely decide without any doubt in your heart."

"S-syuusuke-kun… "

"I'll see you on Monday then." He said as he turned around and exited their door.

She was left speechless, realizing the situation they had just recently. She didn't know when but she realized tears fell down her cheek. She let them fall freely as they dropped to her teddy bear on her lap and stared from nowhere. At such a young age, she couldn't imagine that admiring a person like this could be this painful. Now that she received such pain, she felt very tired, she was tired. Upon thinking that, she covered her face as she burst out into tears… trying to cry as silent as she could so that her grandmother wouldn't hear her.

Monday:

She tried to act normal but this time she failed. It was too much for her. The regulars noticed that. The tennis tensai was acting strange as well. Even though they didn't ask about it, they knew the real score. Ryoma himself was a bit confused. Everything was a bit awkward that either of them couldn't initiate a conversation regarding that matter. The person who tried to console the innocent girl was her best friend;

"I know you are klutzy and stupid sometimes, but you are not a coward," Tomoka said as she hugged her. "Let it all out. It's all right."

When she heard that, she couldn't stop herself from crying. She cried her heart out as she was gathering all her strength from her best friend.

Three Days Later:

She was a bit okay. Although there were times she sulk about that but she could take it unlike before. It was all thanks to her best friend. She was her courage, before and now.

After a certain game from her senpai in her club, she went to a nearest vending machine. She bought a strawberry-flavored ponta and sat to the nearest bench from the machine. She was thinking a decision actually. Her coach was inviting her to join the club as a regular. She was pleased when she heard that from her. Actually, there was a consolation that she didn't hear on the festival. Anyone who wins the competition will have the chance to be a regular. And she was blessed but she told her coach that she would think about it. She needed time to think although, she had the slightest hint about her answer. Her thoughts were distracted when she heard a noise that was coming from the machine. She looked at that direction to be shocked seeing Ryoma reaching for his ponta in the slot. The boy looked at her as he drank his own. She flinched when they stared at each other. They didn't stare nor talk after the 'incident' that happened between them. She blushed on that thought only to realize that she still have that kind of reaction.

"You are improving."

She was surprised when the boy talked.

"…Your tennis." Ryoma continued.

"T-thank you." She looked away. The tense was a bit awkward between them. She thought that it was not like the same as before.

"You broke up, am I right?"

The girl was a bit stiffened. The boy really speaks his mind, never thinking about her feelings. She replied to his question, "W-we only cooled off, I-it's not official."

"There's no difference from breaking up," Ryoma retored. "He was not true to his words." He turned around as he started to walk away.

She couldn't believe his words, "W-why?" she stood up as she asked that. "Why did you… kiss me?"

That question made the boy stop from walking. But no words came out from him. The girl continued asking him;

"I don't get you. R-ryoma-kun, how do you… feel about me?" she was blushing as she said that.

He didn't reply right away but after a series of seconds he said, "…I don't know."

It was her turn to remain silent. She looked down afterwards and smiled awkwardly even though the boy didn't see it. The boy continued to walk but a few words from her didn't escape his ears;

"Thank you… for everything."

Next Morning English Class:

Voices that are weak, – wavering so on,

As the time draws in – they've come to calm.

Unrest is claimed by rebellion, taking to hand

Bonds of close, intention of ruin

Every kind of feeling that is – held as closely;

And words that just cannot agree;

Who is it that holds this plan for – conflict in hand?

Who with such a passion as well?

For what reason are you trying – to accomplish this,

The purpose for which you were born.

Every kind of feeling that is – held as closely;

And words that just cannot agree;

Where is it that my one true home – waits in this world?

People to place belief in…

Ryoma read those few lines of a song in English translations in front of the class as his sensei ordered him to do. The message was somewhat affected him… or at least he couldn't admit it to himself.

"Thank you Echizen, you may seat now." His sensei said.

Ryoma followed his sensei as he seated. The message of the song was implying something to him… there were words that just couldn't agree with his own actions.

After School:

He was assigned for cleaning duties today so he was left with his classmate after school. He was thinking of another thing after reading those lines from his English class. He kept himself busy as he was bothered by a certain pigtailed girl's words yesterday. Her words didn't leave him 'till the very moment.

Thank you… for everything.

It was a simple statement. But he didn't know what she meant by that. Even though she just whispered those words, it brought an impact to him. The way she said it was something else. He was certain that he was not careful of his words when it comes to her, maybe that was the reason that he thought she gave it a different meaning. His eyes opened wide as he realized something… he was rude to her… way too rude.

After of his cleaning duties, he decided to go home early. He didn't feel like playing today as he was distracted by such words. He hated it and hoping that he could fix this little problem before leaving for America.

"Ryoma-sama"

He looked at the only person who called him that way, particularly on that person's voice. Tomoka was standing near the school gate. He walked towards her. The girl was worried about something.

"What do you want?"

The girl didn't reply right away as if she was thinking the right words to say. This girl never acted this way. Is she sick or something? He thought.

"I like you."

Ryoma stared at her. Is she playing a prank again? Didn't she confess to him a hundred times before? Didn't she have enough? She should confess to Horio instead.

"What do you feel when I told you about my feelings?" Tomoka asked the tennis protégé. "Sadly, nothing… right?"

Ryoma didn't say a word. Is she testing him? That's why this girl was annoying.

"When Sakuno confessed to you, was it the same when I confessed to you today?"

Ryoma flinched a little when the girl asked him that. Was it really the same? He was not sure… really.

"I guess we are not in the same boat," She said as she saw him reacted on her question. "I hope you stop suppressing your feelings, Ryoma-sama."

He stayed still as she turned around, "I hope you will learn your true feelings… before it's too late." She ran after saying her last words.

He stared at the running girl. What is it too late that she was talking about? Is he that too dense of not noticing it? Why am suppressing my feelings for? I am like this anyway. He thought as he started to walk again. He was pissed already. Things were getting cloudy in his thoughts just because of one girl… because of her. He stopped walking as he finally realized something.

Did I really regret… rejecting her back then?

That hits the spot. He was so sure that he will not regret anything. He looked down as he pinned his hat lower. He smirked afterwards but an expression couldn't be seen on his face. He absorbed Tomoka's words. That loudmouthed best friend of hers has that kind of reaction. How impressive. He thought praising the girl for the very first time in his mind. But never in his life would he tell it to her.

"Echizen… "

He looked up to the person who called him. It was Fuji who was standing in front of him. He seemed like the tennis tensai was actually waiting for him in that area.

"I know you that are aware on our situation, Sakuno-chan and me."

Ryoma didn't say anything but he became alert when he mentioned the girl's name.

"I just want you to know that we are not officially breaking up."

"Why are you telling me this?" Ryoma asked him.

"You should know that you were the reason why she approached me without her senses," Fuji said. "She accepted me because you hurt her."

That's new to him. But he somewhat knew that he was the reason of this mess.

"I still have the chance though, but I don't want to use that chance if I'm going to win it in an unfair fight."

"What are you trying to imply?"

Fuji looked at him and said his next words, "I want to know when to give her up or if this is worth a Fight."

"And you're resolve?" Ryoma bluntly said.

Fuji sighed big after saying his words, "Let's have a serious match," he declared. The boy was keeping his stoic face intact as the tennis tensai continued, "The result of the game will allow us to do what's next."

"che." He replied as just that.

"Don't feign an answer and I'll take that reaction of yours as a yes. You have to tell everyone what you are really thinking after the fight. And I'll do mine as well." He said. "The winner will decide on Sakuno-chan's sake."

Ryoma stared at him for a long time. That means they will decide whether they will give Sakuno a chance to think… from the bottom of her heart and the winner will have to be honest to himself. This will be a tough game. To look closely, it was a match who will win Sakuno. The idea brings chill down to his spine. He smirked as he lowered his fila hat and said;

"Bring it on."

Done! Honestly speaking, I am beginning to worry about the outcome of the story. I have these thoughts of what if I didn't meet their expectations or something. But I am still hoping that I still can. I've been thinking this scene between the three in this chapter since the very beginning. I hope you like it.

Anyway, I still like to hear your thoughts about this. Well Ryoma was a bit Ooc here and yes he regretted his actions finally. The match will be the source of clarification between the two so please stay tuned.

Note: The song was the English translations of this title chapter sung by Mitsuki Saiga. Once again, I do not own anything regarding this matter.

Next Chapter: Challenge