Solitary Sanctuary

location: Home

mood: rushed

music: Random

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Summary: A simple, and yet, complicated story about a 15-year old girl who can only show her love, but unable to speak it, to a guy who never acknowledges it. And how she never notices another guy's gaze at her. Horio x Sakuno x Ryoma

- X - 

Today, as I am dribbling the Tennis Ball in my racket, I am thinking of what happened last week at the Nurse Office. It’s not that I don’t like it, and it’s not like I’d hate him for it. In fact I like it very much, and I crave it, a few centimeters from my mouth, a few centimeters before it touches my lips, it was so close, I was so close to being in heaven.

But the Nurse had to get in and forcefully took the bucket away from me, reprimanding me along the way, and giving me some yucky and warm liquid that seemed to be a lot worse than the floating particles in the bucket. At least the bucket was cold.

I furrowed my brows as I had hit the ball too hard, and it bounces on the screen. I sighed and went to get it, but stopped on the middle of my stride. In front of me, at the other side of the screen was Horio, watching me with sadness written on his face. Somehow his sad face struck me inside.

I recovered from my slight shock, and I realized that this is it. I’ve hurt Horio’s feelings. He only wanted friendship, but due to my delusion, I acted like I wanted more. And that had hurt him. It’s all my fault.

When I saw Horio slowly turning his back to me, I felt like this is the last time I’ll see him, like he won’t be friends with me anymore…

“Horio-kun, wait!” I called after him, but he didn’t turn back. So I quickly dug my heel on the rubbery court and quickly ran for the exit, in the way, I’ve saw my Vice-Captain, “Continue the warm-up, and proceed to the exercises.” I ordered swiftly.

- X -

“Horio-kun, can you please wait for me?” I pleaded, and the only response I’ve got is that he stopped on his tracks. “I uhhm, let’s talk, I wanted to ask for f-forgiveness.” All I wanted was to be forgiven, I can’t take it if I’ve hurt people or make then angry at me, and all I wanted is to please everyone.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I flinched at how cold Horio sounded. “Now leave me alone.”

I sigh and closed my eyes. I’ve hurt him pretty badly. If he doesn’t want to talk, I know another way. “Let’s fight.” I told him, my voice full of passion, “In Tennis.” I was holding the ball in front my front.

That made Horio looked back at me in surprise and with raised brows, nodded. I knew Tennis fires him up.

- X -

We’re at a Tennis Court outside of School, fortunately there no people at this time. I started dribbling the ball again with my racket. At my opposite, Horio stood there with my spare racket in my locker. “Ready?”

I threw the ball upward and smashes it towards him, at the left corner of the court, and he met it just at it almost hit its second bounce.

His shot was intended for my right side and I casually hit it, but it proved to be a mistake. This power…

My ball hits the net. And I went to get the ball, and steeled myself. He’s a guy and not a girl, he hits harder… plus he’s a power type. I’m only a technical type. I threw the ball to him, and I returned to my place at the middle. “

He served it with such speed at me that I almost lost my grip, and I’ve returned it like a drop shot, but because Horio didn’t expect my… weakness, did not arrive to the net fast enough.

So, the ball is back to my hands, and I threw it upwards again and smashed it the net and it leaved Horio to lob it weakly, in which I anticipated. With a squeaking sound of my shoes, I propelled upwards and I smashed it at Horio’s blind side. My first score.

“Why are you avoiding me?” I’ve asked quite loudly as I served the ball. Horio almost didn’t hit it because of my sudden question.

“I don’t avoid you.” He said quite urgently as he barely hit it back to me.

“No. I know it, you are avoiding me.”  I smashed the ball to his right, but he returned it to me with a smash of his own.   Which I am forced to lob it. “Answer me!” I shouted.

“Fine. I am avoiding you.” He smashed it to my left. I spun on my heel to backhand it back to him.

“Why?” I asked as I received one of his power shots, I returned it, and soon adrenaline pulsated in my veins making things slower, and making me thinks faster… on where to hit, how strong is my shot going to be, and how fast the ball is coming to me now, doing calculations and strategies for me to win the game.

“I almost kissed you.” He said it so simply, but I know what he is referring to. I jumped to reach his high lob and smashed it toward to him.

“No, it’s was my fault!” I insisted, running to the other side to return his lob.

It was a graceful dance, I felt so light, so confident, in tennis court I could achieve this confidence, the confidence I so lack in socially, I am also happy. Each ball I hit was like the words I wanted him to know, and his reply, although harsh, I could see his real feelings…

“It’s because I’ve mistaken you for Ryoma!” I’ve shouted excitedly, almost laughing, because it was amusing to say the least. He must think I am crazy now, and hallucinating.

But instead of his laugh, that I expected, he looks shock and he missed the ball. And I won the set.

“I-I…” He gritted his teeth, and walks away, leaving my racket at the other side.

 I was shock and almost followed after him, but something cold pressed on my cheeks. I gasped sharply and fall on my butt.

Ryoma was holding a can of his favorite drink, Ponta. He was also drinking it on his other hand. “You’re sweating.”

I realized it. I am sweating. Hard. “T-Thanks.” I reply and stood up slowly, and dusting my skirt. I got the Ponta from him and opened it, and started on seeping meekly.

“Momo-sempai and I played here first as doubles.”  He smiled a little, looking at the court where Horio and I played. I felt like digging a hole and hide there. Ryoma is right here beside me, and all I could do is seep on a can and watch him, “We lost.” He added.

Honestly, I haven’t seen Ryoma lose, not even once. He ultimately dominated every tennis court. And learning this simple detail made me realize the Ryoma is human too, like me. But how come we’re so different? We’re almost polar opposite.

Ryoma’s smile shrinks back to his impassive look as he went to get my racket. He twirls it in his hand, looking at it. “Hey, Ryuuzaki.” He called after me.

I went to his side, instantly. “W-What is it? Is there something wrong with it?” I asked, looking at my racket. It seems normal to me.

“The strings a little loose, and the handle is quite large for your small hands.” He said. And I blink, and remember my Grandmother’s advice to me to lessen the binding on it. It’s embarrassing! Ryoma has to see me like this!

“Let’s go.” Ryoma said, as he started descending the stairs.

“W-Where?” I asked, dumbly. Honestly, where would he take me?

“To school.” He replied, and I widened my eyes. Shoot I forgot the practice!

I started running after Ryoma, but, after a few steps my legs buckled and I fell towards Ryoma, “Ryoma, Look out!” He twisted to look at me and I slammed into him, my face on his chest.

Just as I thought, only tennis brings to best out of me. I’m still klutz as the day I am born.

- X -

(November 18, 2008)

Please do review. Let me know what you think. Let me know if there is something wrong.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thank you for reading!

- X -

I don’t have to time to check for errors, and I made this for about 3 hours, and I have less time today. *rushes off to eat and get dressed for school*

Please pre-read again. Thank you guys!

location: Home

mood: nervous

music: Listening to random Code Geass OSTs

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Summary: A simple, and yet, complicated story about a 15-year old girl who can only show her love, but unable to speak it, to a guy who never acknowledges it. And how she never notices another guy's gaze at her. Horio x Sakuno x Ryoma

- X -

Today, as I am dribbling the Tennis Ball in my racket, I am thinking of what happened last week at the Nurse Office. It’s not that I don’t like it, and it’s not like I’d hate him for it. In fact I like it very much, and I crave it, a few centimeters from my mouth, a few centimeters before it touches my lips, it was so close, I was so close to being in heaven.

But the Nurse had to get in and forcefully took the bucket away from me, reprimanding me along the way, and giving me some yucky and warm liquid that seemed to be a lot worse than the floating particles in the bucket. At least the bucket was cold.

I narrowed my eyes in slight annoyance as I hit the ball too hard and bounces off far away… to the screens. Where a tall teenager stood, and looking at me in sadness.

Horio.

My tough demeanor suddenly vanished, to be replaced by my demure self, and I started walking towards to screen, intently looking at the ball, and not at the teenager who’s a few inches from the ball.

I stopped as I almost stepped on the ball, and almost my head hitting the screen as I was looking down at my feet. It hurts. So I moved back and ducked to get the ball mechanically. When I straightened, I saw that Horio was looking away and his cheeks had been painted pink.

Not knowing what is it I decided to talk first, to break this silence, and to apologize as well, because I’ve made Horio think I like him and I guess, he wouldn’t like that, because after all,  we’re friends. “H-Horio-kun.” I started, and Horio snapped his head towards me.  “I-I…” I couldn’t take it anyway, and my head automatically moved down to look at my feet.

“I-I’m sorry!”

“I’m sorry!”

I blinked. When did my voice sounded like a guy? I touched my throat to see if I’ve grown apple’s bump or whatever do they call it. I found none, at least not as big as the boy’s are. As I mused about my sudden change of voice, I was brought back to the reality as I heard gasps, murmurs and squeals altogether.

Is it here already? Wow, Pizza Hut’s Delivery is really fast! I called less than 5 minutes ago.

But it was not the case as I looked back. They were all staring at me… and I twitched at the sudden influx of attention, and felt like melting on the ground right there and on.

“Sakuno-chan, I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I’m sorry, please forgive me!!”

And that’s when I remembered that Horio was here. Am I started to get autism now was well? I shake my head and turned back to look at him, and blinks. And blinks. A blinks Again.

Horio was kowtowing, and kept on apologizing. He looks like a worshiper who asks for forgiveness towards his god. I giggled, it was cool, I imagined… I blinked as his words registered. That couldn’t be! He’s not at fault here, and I should be the one kowtowing! –So I did what I should’ve done first, I bent down on my knees and started kowtowing as well.

We must’ve looked like crazy people, what’s with us murmuring and shouting apologies. Me murmur. Him shouting. But I couldn’t help it! It’s embarrassing, I do not shout, not now and now ever, absolutely! Not even if I had somehow stuck my foot on a manhole and ended up getting gooey substances in my foot.

“Ryuuzaki.”

In all the commotion, in all my autism tendencies, and in all my murmuring, his voiced sliced through it all like it was all butter. It felt like he was just beside me. Oh so wonderful…  I looked up to see Ryoma in all of his greatness. –Not I felt like worshipping…

Wait. Ryoma is here? And I’m bowing like a praying mantis?

“I could see your undershirt. Straighten up.”

He said it so simple, like it doesn’t matter, like my loose shirt means absolutely nothing to him, and me showing the inside of my shirt isn’t interesting view to see. I know I’m not that big but- With wide eyes, I followed his directions, and quickly stood up, and straight. “R-Ryoma-kun!” I blushed hard at I am the one that held his sole attention.

Or not.

I watched as Ryoma picked a ball, and looked at it. “I hit it too hard, and it went here.” His monotone voice explained, not looking at me anymore, as his sole focus is on that… that good-for-nothing Tennis Ball!

I almost felt like bashing my head on the screen right there and on. I’m jealous… of all the living things to get jealous with… I got jealous on a non-moving and definitely non-living thing! I think a trip to the nearest Doctor isn’t that farfetched after all…

As I am lost in my word… again, Ryoma’s voice took me back to reality again. “Hey.” I looked at him and tilt my head sideways questioningly. “You have dust on your skirt, Ryuuzaki.” I automatically dusted my skirt and bend my body to see if there is still left, I couldn’t properly see…

“Here, let me clean it up for you.” He positioned himself behind me and started patting my skirt… err… butt. I tensed and I feel blood rushing into my cheeks… his pat, so gentle and caring as if he was afraid of hurting my butt…

"Maa, it won't get off, maybe I should rub it. Heh" An uncharacteristic giggle escaped Ryoma, the one that made my eyes boggly and wide. I quickly scooted away from him and demurely looked at my feet and started fiddling again, “A-Anou… R-Ryoma-kun, it’s fine now.” I said.

“Maa, really? Okay then.” Ryoma said, uninterested, looking at his hands as if it touches something so… heavenly.

I opened my mouth to say something but someone already beaten me to it, shouting like a cavemen out to get his food for today.

“RYOOOOMAAAAA!!” Horio shouted, and then pointed himself. “Me.” He pointed at Ryoma, “You.” and then pointed at the direction of the Male’s Tennis Division, “Fight.”

I don’t get why Horio is seemed to be angry, but somehow, I didn’t see to myself to stop the fight, after all, this is the fight of the Captain and Vice-Captain of Seigaku High’s Male Tennis Division.

I saw Ryoma smirked and started walking out of the Women’s Tennis Court, and soon loud murmuring occurs and the girls are getting excited as well. I scooted next to Ryoma, well, behind him, since talking to him makes my feet go all jelly…

I was happily walking with him, almost hopping like a Happy Bunny, and felt like nothing could ruin my mood, and absolutely no screaming.

Guess what happens next when I tried to hop like a little Bunny…

“KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!” I shouted at the top of my laughs, as I felt my left foot hits nothing and I was suddenly being pulled downwards. I quickly grabbed anything like a man falling off a cliff, and I grabbed something firm, and I was saved.

I looked at what held me. Ryoma’s shorts. And I could see the broken buckle of his belt as I somehow pulled it down on his knees.

For the second time in a minute, I screamed at the top of my lung, and I quickly let go of his shorts… and quickly plummeted down on the rocky/muddy part under the threshold.

It was not Ryoma’s face full of shock, nor Horio’s look of horror, nor the looks of adoration of the fangirl’s face that entered my mind. It was: So much for not screaming… I must sound like a Banshee being gutted alive.

- X -

(November 17, 2008)

Please do review. Let me know what you think. Let me know if there is something wrong.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thank you for reading!

- X -

This chapter is very strange, so random and so… OOC… damn it, I posted it here on LJ to have you guy Pre-Read it, and to see if this is post-worthy.

I made this in just 2 hours, I let my Plot Bunnies do the writing, and without planning at all. Also,  we see Ryoma for the first time (Since in the Chapter 1, he really didn’t say much) What do you think? DX

All of them are OOC now… ugh.

location: Home

mood: aggravated

music: Boys Be OST

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Summary: A simple story about ramblings and musings of a very shy young girl who is in love, and cannot express her love... verbally. Ryoma x Sakuno

- X –

I looked at the face of my opponent. I could not see it, because of the glow that was surrounding his body. The glow was not painful to the eyes. But it is warm…

Ryuuzaki…

I heard his voice, and I know what was happening. I planted my feet on the rubbery floor. I felt the friction in my small shoes. I look in front of me, really to propel myself forward… anticipating the move of my opponent.

Ryuuzaki… 

I gripped my tennis racket. I gritted my teeth. It was a natural response for me… 

My eyes, which are constricted, followed his form closely in slow motion. Each detail on him is being processed by my brain. Doing calculations, doing scenarios, and preparing my body on what was to come. 

Ryuuzaki… 

I can feel it. I can hear it. Adrenaline pulsated in my veins, making my heartbeat fast and louder. For no reason, I am happy, and giddy, and I let myself be swallowed by the adrenaline… 

“Ryuuzaki, here I come.” 

And there it was… the ball was smashed towards me. I kick my feet backwards, and I quickly projected forward. I swung my tennis racket forward, letting the momentum be the compensation for my lack of strength. 

The closer my racket got to the ball, the blurry my vision gets, but… I could see Ryoma's face, smiling at me.

And I was so happy.
 

- X - 

I opened my eyes, slowly. It was neither heavy nor painful as I first thought. –It was like I woke up from a satisfying sleep. I panted. And I realized that I was on the Nurse’s Office. –My dream. Long forgotten. 

And that my body is drenched in my sweat. I could feel my sweat falling down from my face. I tried to move my right hand to wipe my face, but it was being restrained. 

I reflexively looked at my hand, and I widened my eyes. 

It was locked. By a hand. –A hand that was warm. 

And then I remembered. The voice. His voice, and his warmth as he carried me. 

“Ryoma?”
 

I looked at him clearly. I blinked. And I shook my head. “Horio?” 

The auburn-haired boy stiffened, and quickly looked at me. “S-Saku… err, Ryuuzaki-chan?” 

He released my hand. And I quickly flexes it, improving the to blood flow. 

“Gomen ne.” 

I tilted my head sideways, wondering why he is apologizing. “I-It’s fine.” I mumbled. 

‘Why… why had I mistaken Horio’s hand for Ryoma? Is there any similarities?’ Without even knowing it, my arms moved forward, and my little hands grabbed Horio’s larger hands. 

I pulled him towards me. And his eyes widened as he almost crashed into me. –But I didn’t care. I was in a trance as I marvel at his hands. 

I traced my hands in his, like I am blind and feeling things… trying to find something… 

His hands are now larger than me. Just like Ryoma’s… and I wonder if he’s taller than me too…

 I pulled his hands much closer to me, to cup my face with both of his hands. And I closed my eyes, trying to reenact what happened earlier. –I was idly aware of the breath that was blowing in my face. 

It was wrong. These hands aren’t my Ryoma. These hands are much softer… Ryoma’s hands are more calloused from holding his Tennis Racket too much… 

I head a soft sound, and I opened my eyes. 

… 

Horio’s face is a few centimeters from mine. I quickly stiffened. And I unconsciously held my breath, knowing that I couldn’t push him now. 

I was frozen, and I could do anything. 

That was when, he came, Ryoma, holding 2 cans of Ponta, as he entered the Nurse’s Office. “Hey, Ryuuza-” he looked into the scene, frozen, and when he got his wits back, he quickly turned his back from me, us, and went away. 

I quickly pushed Horio away. “Wait!” I shouted in my hoarse voice and I quickly jump off the bed and starting running towards him. But… after a few steps, my vision darkened, and I didn’t know what happened. 

I couldn’t even feel the pain as I plummeted to the floor. 

- X -

Please do review. Let me know what you think. Let me know if there is something wrong.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thank you for reading!

W-What the hell? Why had this chapter turned so… DARK? I planned this to be Simple and Sweet. D: -Oh, let me know how you think?

I do not think I should post this on FF.NET. –Because I don’t know how to write the next chapter of this. @__@

Maybe I should rewrite this and make it so… simple?