I don't own POT, plain and simple :)

The summer heat was relentless, beating upon the bustling crowd hovering and gushing over shops selling trinkets, food, and accessories. Content smiles went around, each person enjoying the break from strenuous work and routine. Among them were tourists, exposed to cultural differences that they were not accustomed to. So one can imagine the difficulty of these people trying to fit it. Albeit their effort was impressive, their wide eyes, parted lips and constant fidgeting from excitement and nerves gave them away.

Among the lively crowd, was a boy who walked with laid-back confidence, one hand in his pocket, and the other hand holding a can of Fanta. His dark hair shone a green tint under the golden rays, like emeralds hidden in a dark cave. He shoulders a large sports bag and takes in everything through sharp amber eyes.

He finishes the Fanta, crushes it, and tosses it in a perfect arch into a trash can. Ignoring the merchants had become a skill for the boy, tuning out the faux excitement and wonder laced with desperation to sell. No, they wouldn't tug on his heartstrings anymore. Plus, he needs to save for more Fanta.

He maneuvered through the crowd with the grace of a feline, until suddenly, a certain long-haired pig-tailed girl crossed his mind. His lips pursed and brows furrowed.

Why was he thinking about her?

Caught off guard by the route his mind took, he spent the next few shaking his head to rid it of the memory of her, by thinking of the the practice matches he participated in yesterday. He had no trouble studying his opponents and using their own tactics against them. The steady thoughts of tennis reassured him.

That's when he saw it, a pink glistening hair tie. His mind came full circle. He imagined her braids becoming undone like strands of dangling ribbons and being pulled into a ponytail. His heart fluttered, curious how she would look with the different hair tie.

He found himself reaching out for it. This pleased the vendor very much as the older women began to spew words of endearment of how his 'girlfriend' would love that very much. It irked him and he almost put it back on the spot, but imagining her shy smile, he held onto it tighter and paid for it. He pocketed the hair tie and let thoughts of Ryuzaki fill his mind, smirking slightly at a memory of her scolding him when he teased Horio that day he was late for his matches check-in. His mom would approve of her sense of care and justice.

Ryoma began to wonder if she kept up with her tennis practice. When he left, she was better, but still, mada mada dane. A smirk tugged on his lips imaging the severe wobble of her hips and stiff legs as she swung her racket. Not to mention her hair. Still, her hard work was commendable.

Rounding a corner, his thoughts on Ryuzaki halted, seeing a small cat in the middle of the road, shivering with fright. He picked up his speed and swept the cat off the road from a passing car. He'd want someone to do the same if it were Karupin. A truck began honking at him to get out of the way. He paid them no mind, not the cars nor the incredulous crowd, and set the cat down. Its black fur roamed in and out of the crowd until it was gone.

Resuming his walk, he was beginning to think that his mind was taking it too far when he heard a faint, sweet voice calling his name.

"Great, I'm hearing her voice now," he mumbled to himself.

He heard it again and chose to ignore it, walking briskly. A short shriek caused him to stop. That was definitely not in his mind.

Ryuzaki?

He couldn't tell if he thought it was her because he had been thinking of her, or because he found himself saving the girl from dangerous encounters before.

What was she, a trouble magnet?

He doubled back, running past the dingy alleyway. From a distance, he can see a gang huddle around someone. Getting closer, he heard her quivering voice. The girl also had impossibly long hair. Sure, enough.

The boy reaches into his sports bag for a racket and a tennis ball. He threw it up and swung with fury and might. It made contact with the thug's thick head. She's just as he remembered, shining doe eyes, blushing cheeks, and... well you get it. If you asked him, he wouldn't have admitted how pretty she was in his eyes.

He did not have a problem dealing with the three guys. He swept the court with them. His confidence faltered when Ryuzaki was held at knife-point. He remembered taking action but watched helplessly as his tennis ball crashed into another. Then, a burst of bright light and after, lights out. His last thought was of Ryuzaki's safety.

When he wakes up again, his mind reels at the thought of losing Ryuzai and his heart pangs with fear, until he hears her reassuring voice that she was okay. That was the beginning of a long adventure with her. A dangerous one, Ryuzaki didn't deserve to be put through. That's why Ryoma settled on protecting her. His friend and classmate, he repeats to himself before any other thoughts could come up.

In the church, when he thinks they're safe, the stress of close calls, the kidnapping and almost losing her come crashing down on him. He glances back at her and towards her braid that was sliced. Ryoma reached for the hair tie ribbon he bought, just now remembering it. He motions for her to use it and he turns from her once he does.

When Ryuzaki catches up to him, the words he was about to utter died on his lips at the sight of her. He'd never seen her with her hair up and his heart beat rapidly at the sight of her and how innocently forgiving she looked.

Again, he's reminded that she shouldn't have been put through this as he ponders the feelings swirling in the pits of his stomach.

He doesn't know why he started his apology as he did, but it just came out as such.

"There's something I want to tell you. You're really dense." Why isn't she blaming me for this? Why are you sticking close?

Ryuzaki tilts her head.
"Ryoma, I'm a burden to you aren't I?" Ryuzaki asks with slumped shoulders and downcasted eyes.

Ryoma steps closer, willing for her to get it.

"No, it's all my fault. I wanted to watch my father play tennis. It could only be the reason we're here in this world."
After a beat, he averts his gaze and whispers, "I dragged you into this mess."

The moment of her kidnapping and scream filled his mind. Ryoma clenches his fists.

Ryuzaki smiles softy.

"It's okay, something good will definitely come out of it in the end."

"What if we can't go back?" He tentatively asked, gauging if she had thought of all the possibilities of the deep trouble they were actually in.

But Ryuzaki firmly says, "I will be okay. Right here, Ryoma is the present." This is what we have to focus on right now and I will do it with you. The words were unsaid, but clear to both of them.

She wasn't angry and she wasn't leaving.

The first feelings of peace were starting to come into a stressful situation.

Then as if remembering something suddenly, Ryuzaki gasped.

"On that rooftop.." She exclaimed as she dug into her bag. The bag that she dove and risked her life for. She pulled out a pin, with a Himalayan cat on it. He could have burst out in laughter and scolded her at the same time.

Ryoma simply smiled, amused, " So this was the precious thing you wanted to protect... Heh... Thank you Ryuzaki."

She shakes her head,

"It's because you're always there embracing me gently Ryoma."

Ryoma gazed at her in surprise.

She thought about him too.

Pinning the pin to his tennis bag, he stepped forward and brought his arms up gesturing and requesting a hug. He knew what she meant was that he was always by her side, helping her when she needed it, but her words at the moment called for their embrace. Finding comfort from each other in these confusing times.

Ryuzaki stepped forward, placing herself into his embrace, arms wrapping around his waist and his arms around her shoulders.

Peace of mind. At her forgiveness and reassurance that he's not alone. And maybe for these growing feelings for the girl in his arms.

Brought this from AO3, this is my first fic actually, I love the wholesomeness of this ship and their dynamic. Can't wait to try it out more!