AN: Here it is :) I hope you like it. Follow and Review please~

PoT is not mine.

Ryoma wasn't too happy about the attention Sakuno was giving Jirou. He didn't like what Jirou

told her either.

Ryoma doesn't like to lose, he wants to win EVERYTHING. It was that time in one of Seigaku's

matches that he realized his feelings for the auburn haired beauty. He protected her from the thugs

that were bothering her beside the vending machine. From that day onwards, he wanted to protect her no matter what, he wanted to be beside her as much as he can, he wanted to be near her so

much until you can call it inappropriate.

It weirded him out a bit, he didn't know what to do or what would happen. He tried to suppress it

but it's no use. His feelings grew stronger and stronger, the wisest thing to do was embrace it.

He thought. He had some nights that he couldn't sleep, he had days that he was mentally looking for her. It made him happy that she only stayed beside him.

What's this? Sakuno is paying attention to the game? Not on his watch.

He went slowly and stumbly to Sakuno's side. He tripped, good thing Sakuno caught him.

"Ryoma-kun what's wrong?" Sakuno asked worriedly.

"Uhhh... errrr... My..My head...it hurts.." Ryoma said looking so hurt. Being a tennis player,

sometimes you need to outwit your opponent. Acting should be no problem for the tennis prince.

"O-Oh no... let's get you to a bench okay? I'll help you." Sakuno said as she helped Ryoma find a

place to sit.

As they sat on the bench, Sakuno asked

"Where does it hurt Ryoma-kun?"

"H-here.." Ryoma acted as he touched his forehead.

"Here, It's an ointment. It'll help the pain subside.." Sakuno took out a bottle and put some of

the ointment on her hands. She placed her hands on Ryoma's forehead, making him blush a little.

As Sakuno was treating Ryoma's 'headache', the tennis prince couldn't help but stare at her. She

was really near him. He thought.

"There, all better?" Sakuno finished as she cleaned her hands with alcohol and packer first aid

kit. Ryoma was in a panic, he knew after her treatment she would come back to the courts then

suddenly a lightbulb lit above his head.

"Ry-Ryuzaki...stay .. here just in case.." He pleaded.

"B-but I have to go back.." Sakuno replied.

"Osakada is there.. don't worry..What if I collapse..?" Ryoma replied trying to look dizzy.

Sakuno's face was definitely worried, she just couldn't leave the prince alone. She sighed as she

put her kit beside the bench and sat beside him.

Ryoma was trying hard not to put a smirk on his face, he lied down on the bench. Making Sakuno's lap

his pillow.

"Ry-Ryoma-kun?!" Sakuno was shocked by his action.

"I'm sick.. I need to lie down.." Ryoma replied while closing his eyes.

"The-then we should go to the nurse's office!" Sakuno suggested in panic.

"N-no just here... stay here.." Ryoma acted.

Sakuno couldn't reply , her face turned red. She tilted her head down looking at Ryoma's face.

ZZZZZZZ

"Eh?" Sakuno reacted, the boy on his lap fell asleep. She giggled at the sight of the normally

stoic prince, being vulnerable.

She caressed his hair over and over trying not to wake him up. She couldn't believe she was

actually doing that. For her, it was one big step closer to him.

The wind blew, the birds were chirping. It was a nice day.

When she stopped caressing his hair Ryoma squirmed a bit. Sakuno, shocked, she continued her

actions until Ryoma stopped.

Unknown to her, the sleeping prince was actually awake. He was just savoring the moment with

her. He was smirking inside, because her attention was on him now.

Meanwhile Tomoka was ordered to look for Sakuno when suddenly 2 guys grabbed her from behind.

"Shhhhh" Fuji said making Tomoka blush.

"I assume that Ryuzaki-sensei is looking for Ryuzaki, am I correct?" Inui asked holding his

notebook.

Tomoka just nodded.

"Tell Ryuzaki-sensei Sakuno-chan is busy tending to errrr... er...me.." Eiji said as he popped

out of nowhere.

"Eh? but Eiji-senpai you're here!." Tomoka protested as she jerked one of her eyebrow up.

"Doesn't matter just say it!" Eiji said as she pushed the girl towards the court.

Tomoka wasn't sure but something was very fishy.

"Way to go Ochibi~" Eiji cheered in whisper.

"Echizen you fox." Momo said looking so proud of his junior.

"Ii data.." Inui scribbled on his notes.

CLICK , It was Fuji's camera and by the looks of it. Fuji doesn't have any plans to give it to

Ryoma nor Sakuno.

Typical Ryoma, he sensed his senpais spying at him. He slowly sat up and got a pebble beside the

bench and threw the pebble to the bushes where his senpais were.

"Ry-Ryoma-kun?" Sakuno asked with a questioned look.

"Ah it's nothing , I just felt like a bunch of snooping, worthless, can easily be stepped on

worms were watching us.." Ryoma said with a straight face looking at the direction where his

senpais were.

"H-hai?" Sakuno asked. She didn't get it at all but Ryoma was thankful that she didn't.

"Nothing.." Ryoma replied as he continued to nap on his Sakuno pillow.

The bunch hidden in the bushes gulped, they were caught.

"Mooouu Ochibi" Eiji sighed

Ryoma was sound 'asleep' when Sakuno smiled.

"Ryoma-kun's face looks gentle.

Ryoma was still awake of course. Then Sakuno continued

"Ryoma-kun doesn't know it but .. I... I .. I really like you.."

"You're my inspiration. But it seems like you don't feel the same way..." Sakuno added.

"Who said I didn't ? Idiot.. I'll tell you.. soon. so don't make that face.." Ryoma thought. He

could feel Sakuno's sadness.

"But..I'm happy just being with you.." Sakuno sighed.

"I'm happy being with you too, that's why it's bothersome when a guy suddenly pops out of

nowhere and acts all close to you. I really want to hold you right now, I'm sorry.." Ryoma

mentally replied.

Sakuno slapped herself awake , she kept her smiling face.

"Ry-Ryoma-kun.." Sakuno called as she nudged the 'sleeping' prince.

She repeated a few times then at last , Ryoma 'woke' up.

"What is it Ryuzaki?" Ryoma asked.

"W-well it's already 4:30.. I need to put the tennis balls in the shed o-or else my captain

will punish me.." Sakuno looked dismayed.

"Oh.." Ryoma said as he got up.

"Let's get it .." Ryoma offered as he headed to the girl's tennis courts.

Sakuno followed Ryoma looking puzzled.

As Ryoma entered the girl's tennis court, Alot and I mean ALOT of the female species were

ogling him. Ryoma doesn't care at all , he picked up the balls that were out of place and put

it in a basket. Sakuno followed.

"Uhmo excuse me , what's your name?" A girl approached Ryoma, he looked at her and then brushed

her off.

The girl was disappointed when another one came towards him.

"Do you like sweets?" The other girl said as she looked at him looking flirty. Ryoma simply

ignored her.

"Hey, did you hear me? I said, Do you like swe-" The girl was cut off

"Excuse me, could you not bother us?" Ryoma barked.

"H-huh? Why are you here then?" The girl retorted.

"Are you blind? I'm helping Ryuzaki here." Ryoma hissed as he took Sakuno and hooked his arm

around her.

The girl was speechless and just stormed away.

This made Ryuzaki blush right to her ears. Though inside it made her feel relieved.

Ryoma let her go and picked the basket filled with tennis balls , along with Sakuno.

Sakuno was a bit disappointed that he let her go. She pouted a little and blushed.

Ryoma looked at the blushing girl and smirked "Want me to do it again?"

"M-mou! Ryoma-kun! Stop messing around" Sakuno exclaimed as she blushed furiously.

The two carried the last batch of baskets to the shed when

KNOCK KNOCK

AN: I was planning on making Sakuno sing while Ryoma 'sleep' but I can't think of anything for Ryoma to reply to. Well I hope you like this chapter, please look forward to the next one :) Review?