Thanks to kikumarucat , AelitaOfTheWolves, JC-zala , sweet-Lia and Girl-luvs-manga for reading and reviewing Chapter 13! Thanks to all readers and those who made this story their favourite. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

Disclaimer: Nothing in POT belongs to me. All OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments are just figments of my imagination.

Thanks to princeoftennis .wikia .com for all the relevant information.

CAUTION: Some plotlines won't be following the original storyline from manga, anime or movie! Characters may be out of original characterness!

"xxxxx" Conversation

'xxxxx' Thoughts

xxxxxxxFlashback

Hope, Love, Joy – The Epilogue

40. The Couple – A Year After the Wedding

The young man entered the apartment quietly and listened attentively. He could hear his wife humming in the kitchen and smell something delicious coming from that direction. He changed his shoes into his house slippers and crept silently towards the kitchen. With a contented smile, he leaned casually against the kitchen doorway to drink in the lovely sight.

The young woman was humming a tune as her hands dexterously prepared dinner for them and their guests. His eyes swept up and down her slender back and lingered on her hair that was held in a messy bun. She was wearing a casual dress with an apron protecting the front. The wedding ring glittering from her busy hand caused him to swell with pride and love. His beloved wife of 12 months. He was still getting used to the fact that they belonged to each other in every way.

She finally turned around after picking up a plate of cooked food. Her eyes widened as she squeaked in surprise. She would have dropped the plate if her husband hadn't swiftly steadied her hands with his.

"Seiichi! You gave me a fright!"

"Sorry, Sakuno. I just wanted to enjoy looking at you for a moment." He gave her a heated look with a smile that brought a blush to her cheeks.

"Okaerinasai, Seiichi. Why don't you take a bath? They'll be here soon."

After saying a soft "Tadaima!", he removed the plate from her hands, put it on the nearest counter and pulled her into his arms. They shared a moment of passionate kisses before they reluctantly pulled away from each other.

"Not now, Seiichi. Obaasan, Otousan, Okaasan and Hana-chan will be here in about," she glanced at the kitchen clock quickly, "45 minutes or so. We have to get ready for them."

"I know, love," he nuzzled his nose against hers and sighed, "I just want to spend some private moment with you."

Sakuno nodded and leaned up to give her husband a soft kiss on his lips, "Hai, my love."

He managed to deepen the kiss but soon Sakuno expertly wiggled out of his arms, turned him around and pushed him out of the kitchen, down the hall and into the bathroom.

"No more of that, Seiichi. Just get ready quickly and help me set the table."

"Ha...Ah!" He nearly yelped when Sakuno pulled him close to nip his chin. He groaned softly as she rubbed against his heated body but then she pulled back to look at him alluringly with her dark chocolate eyes.

"Don't worry, Seiichi. There'll be more of that tonight." With a wink, she left her stunned and aroused husband standing in the bathroom.

"Sakuno!"

41. The Unexpected News

It was a cool evening in one of the suburbs in Berlin. The couple were enjoying the camaraderie of their guests, Ryuzaki Sumire and the Yukimuras who were visiting them for 2 weeks. Everyone enjoyed the hospitality of the couple as well as the delicious food prepared by Sakuno.

In the living room, Yukimura Satoru sat beside his wife as he watched his son and his daughter-in-law feeding each other pieces of apples and oranges which Sakuno had prepared as dessert.

He looked over to find his wife looking at them too with some moisture around her eyes.

"They look good together, don't they?"

Yukimura Harumi looked up at him with a wobbly smile and nodded, "As long as they are happy."

The clapping of hands claimed the attention of the guests as Seicihi stood up with a grin. "Minna, I have to share a piece of good news."

Hana-chan looked up at her brother with curiosity but the older people immediately sat up straight in their seats looking at him with gleaming shine in their eyes. The females were expecting to hear news about …..

"I have been invited to play in the America International Tennis Open next month."

That wasn't the news they were hoping to hear but ..oh well...

"Congratulations!" "That's such good news!" "You're going to be the champion."

"Tezuka was also invited so there'll be some worthy competition there." Seiichi returned to Sakuno's side.

"When are you leaving?" Sumire asked her grandson-in-law.

"Sakuno and I are flying to Los Angeles in two weeks time."

"Sakuno is going with you?" Sumire frowned and looked at Sakuno, "What about your studies at the Köstlich Culinary Institute?"

The young couple exchanged loving supportive looks before Sakuno nervously explained, "I'm putting my studies on hold for awhile, Obaasan. I want to go with Seiichi."

"Why are you putting it off, Sakuno? Is it because of Seiichi's tennis career?" Harumi wanted to find out more about their plans.

"No, Okaasan." Sakuno shook her head, "I just want to support him wherever he goes. Seiichi suggested I continue my studies in LA. They have many good culinary schools there too."

"So it's just a temporary break, right?" Satoru asked softly, "You'll go back to school again, won't you?"

"That's our plan, minna." Seiichi pulled his quiet wife closer to his side.

"So, how long is this break?" Sumire asked resignedly. Her granddaughter's old enough to make her own decisions.

After the couple had exchanged more loving looks, Sakuno shyly said, "Eight months at least ...until the babies arrive."

The silent reception of her statement lasted until Hana-chan screamed with glee, "Babies?"

42. The Next Generation

The 13-year-old boy with short wavy navy-blue hair and expressive chocolate eyes smiled calmly at the current Captain of Rikkai Fuzoku tennis club who was currently in a bad shape on the other side of the net.

"Six games to one won by Yukimura Shuji." The announcement caused the non-Regular members and the Regulars of the tennis club to talked loudly around the tennis court.

"It's unbelievable! How could a first-year student beat our Captain?"

Yanagi Renji, a Math teacher and the tennis coach of the school looked at the boy nostalgically and walked toward the crowded and noisy tennis court.

Meanwhile...

Another 13-year old boy with brunette hair and blue eyes walked calmly up to the man who was shouting an instruction to the club members and handed over his club application form.

Momoshiro Takashi, a History teacher and tennis coach of the Seishun Gakuen smirked at him knowingly and made a show of studying his form. The boy rolled his eyes and turned to study the Regulars who were still running around the tennis courts. All non-Regular members sprawled around them on the floor, panting heavily.

"So you think you could become a Regular, Yukimura Shou?"

"Of course, Ojisan."

"Oi, oi!" Momoshiro tapped the boy's head with the rolled-up form, "we're in school. You can't call me Ojisan, you definitely can't. So, you have to call me Sensei here."

"Hai, Sensei!" His chilling smile send shivers to the Sensei's spine.

Later...

At 7 pm, the two boys who shared similar features met in front of the gate leading to a modest house that was conveniently located somewhere between Rikkai Fuzoku and Seishun Gakuen. The boys had to take long train rides to and from school. However, they didn't mind taking the long rides as long as they could go to the school they had always wanted to attend.

"How's your day, Aniki?" Shou asked his brother who was older than him by 2 minutes.

"I beat the Captain, the Vice-Captain and a few Regulars." Shuji replied with a serene smile, "What about you?"

"The ranking game begins this Thursday. I'll definitely be a Regular."

"Looking forward to playing against you in the Nationals, Otouto." Shuji patted Shou's shoulder and both walked toward the front door. Before they could reached it, it was opened by a smiling 6-year-old girl who was holding a pink tennis racket.

"Shuji-nisan, Shou-nisan, okaeri!" The little girl with brunette hair in pigtails greeted them demurely.

"Tadaima, Sayuri-chan!" The twins replied together, giving their imouto the same serene smile. The girl led them indoors and the front door closed behind them.

THE END!