Chapter 18

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis

A/N This is the very last chapter. Hope you like it. Thank you to everyone who's reviewed my story, thank you to those who supported me and still do!

And thank you to all those people who have read my story up to this point. You make me so happy xP Even my mom's proud of my work… sorta… lolx she doesn't really understand the story, and I can't blame her, because it's Prince of Tennis fanfiction and she has no idea what Prince of Tennis is about...

I'm probably not going to do another long story like this again… but we'll see xD If I get a nice BIG pile of reviews for this chapter, I might consider writing another RyoSaku chapter story… (hint, hint) lol.

Never mind - Enjoy!

"Oi Echizen."

Momoshiro stuck his head inside the changing room door. Ryoma nonchalantly stripped off his shirt and turned around. He glanced at his Momo's grinning face before flinging his sweaty shirt onto the table. His face and body was still sweaty and he turned back to his locker to look for a spare shirt and towel in his bag.

"You gonna come with us for a bite later?"

Ryoma quickly wiped his face with his towel and pulled on a clean shirt. He grabbed his bag.

"Eiji-senpai's treating so come out and-"

But Ryoma had already pushed past Momo. "Sorry I can't…" And he broke into a run afterwards. Momo watched him run into the distance, and slowly a sly grin spread across his already red cheeks from tennis that afternoon.

"Guess when it comes to love…so young, so young." Smirking he walked away.

Ryoma paced outside the door, having pressed the doorbell twice already, thoughts speeding around his head. Sakuno was avoiding him. Again. And this time, he felt it definitely had something to do with her parents again, but it sure as hell won't stop him.

Suddenly he could hear loud footsteps approaching the front door. Ryoma stuck his hands in his pockets, waiting for worst.

But it wasn't Sakuno. It wasn't even that mother of hers. Nor was it the stern-looking, I'm-in-charge-of-everything-you-do father.

"…Kirihara Akaya." It wasn't a question.

"Echizen Ryoma. Who you're looking for?" Kirihara ruffled his hair absent-mindly. His eyes didn't have that menacing look, and he seemed much more serene than he ever did. Ryoma didn't let him off the hook though.

"You know perfectly well who I'm looking for. Where's Ryuzaki?" Ryoma asked as though he needed Sakuno to copy her homework. Kirihara raised an eyebrow and this casualness.

"She's not here."

Ryoma narrowed his eyes. "…You're lying, obviously. Mada mada dane." Smirking at Kirihara, he slapped his hand on the door, his face defiant. "Are you going to let me in or not?" Kirihara rolled his eyes and reluctantly let him in. Ryoma walked straight past him towards Sakuno's bedroom.

He knocked on her bedroom door. He could hear shuffling, then footsteps and a sigh.

"Mou, Kirihara-san, I told you I don't want to be-" She stopped. Her chocolate orbs widened, her soft brown hair looked messed up. Ryoma took a good look at her, and saw shadows under her eyes.

Ryoma slung his bag over his shoulder and smirked at her. "Hey, Ryuzaki. You gonna let me in?"

Sakuno's cheeks warmed up. She stuttered, "O-okay….c-come in." Ryoma walked inside her bedroom and sat on her bed. Sakuno didn't whether or not to close the door. She decided to close it in the end, since Kirihara was still in the house.

Ryoma seemed to be making himself comfortable. But Sakuno could tell he was quite nervous too. And Sakuno had no idea how to break it to him without hurting their relationship permanently.

Flashback

"Sakuno."

Sakuno took in a deep breath, in and out. She waited, trying to be calm but inside her stomach was in knots. Whatever her father was going to say, she was not going to lose her temper, because it would only make things worse. Not that they were any good to start with; her parents were already furious with her ever since Kumi-sensei told them about the fiasco during the play.

"We've talked for a long time about this. And we've decided, with your best interests at heart, to send you to England," Ryuzaki Santosu said in a calm voice. Sakuno was suspicious now. Her father never spoke to her in such a tone – they were serious about this. She glanced at her mother beside her father. Her mother's face was a picture of glee and sickening smugness. What was she so happy about?

She was not going to leave Japan.

She was definitely not going to leave Ryoma.

Not if she could help it.

"Well, I believe you have not yet grasped my best interests so I think it would be best to forget about this idea, after all you can't seriously think I can manage on my own in England, can you?" Sakuno tried to throw in a few more logical reasons, hoping this would satisfy her parents.

"We know perfectly what to do with you. Your Aunt Madoka will take care of you over there. I assume your English is up to standards, because that will be the only form of language to communicate with the people around there," Arina dismissed with a careless wave of her hand and a false smile.

Sakuno managed to force the corners of her lips to widen, as she said, "I don't think it's quite necessary for me to go to England. After all, my studies are going fine here at Japan, and-"

"You don't have a choice. We've bought a ticket for you. You're leaving the end of this year, which is, in two days. Details on the ticket." Ryuzaki Santosu took out an airplane ticket from his suit pocket and handed it gingerly to Sakuno. "Get packing."

Sakuno did not take it.

Arina's eyes narrowed. "I suppose you still haven't any idea about what situation you're in. We can disown you right here, right now. And we'll make sure that you will have no one to go to, except England. I don't think you have enough money to buy an airplane ticket to anywhere else, much less survive there."

"There's nothing we can't do to you." Arina said in her sickeningly sweet voice.

Sakuno knew what that meant. She wasn't even going to be able to escape to Obaa-chan if her parents disowned her. They would make sure of that.

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes but she willed them back as she snatched the ticket.

"If that ticket is ripped up, we're not buying you another one. You'll be automatically disowned."

Sakuno glared daggers at them both before running to her room. She crashed down on her bed, and wept. Tears blotted her bed and pillow as she stared out the window, her vision blurry from the tears.

End Flashback

Ryoma lied down on Sakuno's bed, and closed his eyes relaxingly. Sakuno sat on the edge of her bed, gazing at her boyfriend's peaceful face. It seemed such a long time since she could actually see Ryoma so relaxed around her, and that they were alone together.

She moved a little closer to him, lifting a hand to caress his cheek. Her fingers traced his eyebrows, then his button nose... then his lips. Suddenly he caught hold her wrist. In one swift movement, he had her underneath him, his lazy hazel eyes gazing into her chocolate orbs.

Ryoma slowly moved in, and pressed his lips lightly on hers. Sakuno slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling hiim closer. She wanted to stay like this forever.

As Ryoma was kissing her, he tasted something salty. Ryoma snapped his eyes open. She was crying.

"…What's wrong?"

Sakuno tried not to look at him. Ryoma frowned. "Look at me."

"I…I…" She couldn't bring herself to finish. Ryoma turned Sakuno to face him, and stroked her hair. He knew that Sakuno wanted to tell him what was wrong, but he wasn't going to force her. All he could do now was comfort her in the only way he knew.

He pulled her roughly into his arms. She gave a small 'eep' and Ryoma nearly smiled. Their bodies molded together, and Ryoma pushed Sakuno's ear down to where his heart was. Sakuno heard it thump-thump against her ears, and shut her eyes.

"I-I h-have to leave…Japan…t-to England… b-but I-I-"

"Hn." Ryoma pressed her head closer to his chest. Sakuno fell silent. They held onto each other as silence embraced them. Ryoma tried to think the positive side of this news, and he definitely knew it wasn't her fault. He also knew she had wanted to say she didn't want to go.

"Ne… Ryoma-kun." Sakuno's voice came out slightly muffled.

"Hn."

"Will you forget about me? Will you go out with someone else while I'm gone…?" Her voice wavered slightly as she said this.

Ryoma smirked. "…Hn."

Sakuno sat up abruptly, an indignant expression on her face as well as hurt. "You will…?" Ryoma raised his forefinger and tapped her pouting little mouth, and said, "Baka."

Folding her arms across her chest, she snorted. Ryoma chuckled. "Don't worry about me… what about you?" Sakuno's face turned from pouting to a horrified expression. Ryoma smirked widely at her, his arrogant hazel eyes twinkling at her. "You're worse at dealing with… admirers."

KAPOW!

Sakuno had hit his nose. Ryoma held his nose, laughing. This girl packed a good punch. Sakuno snorted as she said proudly, "I, unlike you, will be able to control myself. You should be the one to be careful; goodness knows how many fangirls you have out there!"

He grinned at her. "You've gotten a little stronger."

Sakuno grinned proudly. "Don't you say! I am very strong!" She flexed her arms, her auburn braids flying in the air as she shook her head arrogantly. Ryoma smirked, "Oh really… are you sure that's not just fat?"

Oops.

Ryoma broke into a mischievous grin. Sakuno's chocolate orbs turned dark. A black aura oozed out from he. Her eyebrow twitched as she advanced on her Ryoma. "I dare you to say that again…"

Ryoma glanced at his watch and said mockingly, "Oh damn! It's getting late. I'm going home." He got up and sped to the door to make a quick escape, but not before turning to her with his famous smirk and saying, "Mada mada dane."

"ECHIZEN RYOMA! COME BACK HERE!"

"Ja… Sakuno-chan, be careful over there okay?" Momo's concerned eyes gazed over at Sakuno's smiling face. He held out a good luck charm and a strangely figured, wrapped object. She took them gratefully and bowed.

"Arigatou, Momoshiro-senpai. Hontoni arigatou… but what is this?" Sakuno pointed to the strangely figured object. Momo winked at her. "You'll know soon enough. Just don't open it now. Open it on the plane or when you get to England. I promise you'll like it."

Sakuno stared puzzlingly at the object but asked no further questions. As she was about to turn around, she was enveloped into a big, warm bear hug. Red hair shook in front of her eyes as she strained her neck to see who it was.

"Nyaaa! Sakuno-chan! Don't go!"

"K-Kikumaru-senpai…" Sakuno managed to stutter out. Eiji was choking her. She was turning slightly blue until a stoic voice said steadily, "Eiji-senpai, you're choking her." Eiji immediately released her, scratching his head lightly, and chuckling nervously. Sakuno breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hehe… ochibi don't get mad…" Eiji glanced at Ryoma, who was scowling. "It was a friendly hug!" Eiji said frantically.

"Now, now Echizen, don't get jealous," Momo added slyly. Ryoma glared at him. Sakuno looked from Momo and Eiji ("ochibi's no fun!") to Ryoma's glowering face, and shook her head, smiling. Momo quickly went round his kouhai's side and slung an arm over his shoulder, a peace offering.

"Ok ok!" Momo rolled his eyes. "We know she's yours, geez..."

Ryoma turned to Sakuno. "This is for you." He handed her a wrapped present. Sakuno took it, and looked at him. Tears sprang to her eyes. Ryoma gazed at her intensely, trying to lock in every aspect of her in his mind, forever, until she came back to him.

"I'll see you soon, Ryoma-kun…"

Then, to everyone's amazement, he moved in swiftly and pressed his lips one last time on hers, enjoying her soft lips and the familiar strawberry scent.

Wolf-whistling could be heard from his two noisy senpais as they witnessed Ryoma's second time of public affection. Ryoma ignored them. He didn't even bother to look at his oyaji, who was looking at his son with glee and yelling at anyone who would listen "I told you so!".

"Be safe." He gazed intently into those chocolate orbs that he loved. He slipped his hand into his khaki shorts and pulled out a piece of gum. He popped one into his mouth. Sakuno had to resist from giggling. That gum was obviously just an excuse for being quiet. Ryoma liked gum enough and it was a good excuse to use when he didn't know what else to say next.

The gum package stuck out from his khaki shorts pocket. Sakuno stared.

White and pink.

Strawberry flavour.

Suddenly Sakuno broke into a smile. Ryoma has clearly taken a liking for strawberry now.

"Come back." He said quietly. Sakuno nearly didn't hear it, because it was so soft.

But she did.

Smiling widely, she said, "Ja ne… Ryoma-kun."

"Ah."

Tearing open the paper, Sakuno laughed out loud at the present Momo had given her. It was a small figurine of Ryoma in the position about to serve the ball. It was a perfect model; the arm stretched out, the blue wristband on his right arm, the shirt slightly lifted as he rose in the air about to hit the Twist serve.

Smiling to herself, she came to unwrap Ryoma's present. She left this last, because she always saved the best for last. It was a small velvet blue box. She opened it carefully, her heart pounding in anticipation. Her peach-coloured fingers trembled slightly at the sight.

It was a petite silver ring with a tiny, shining silver heart at the centre.

She slipped it slowly onto the middle finger of her left hand. A promise ring.

Tears sprang to her eyes.

It fit perfectly.

(Ten years later)

"Just one last question, Ryoma-sama!" Said the enthusiastic female reporter. Ryoma rolled his eyes. He wasn't even particularly dressed up, just his usual tennis attire. He hadn't even't combed his hair properly. Then again, he never did. He liked the way it went messy.

Besides, he didn't give a shit about this stupid interview. It was his manager who set him up to it anyway.

"Do you currently have a girlfriend?" The reporter gushed out, batting her eyelashes at him. Ryoma sighed inwardly. Not that question again.

Same old, same old, he thought wryly. He'd been asked this question about a million times since the start of his career as a pro. And he'd been giving the same old answer for about a million times too.

"No."

He'd been accused of having gone out with the famous pop singer Reiko, but it was obvious they were just acquaintances who met by chance due to work circumstances. They were friends, he supposed, but just because his manager had arranged him to meet her at a restaurant to discuss something, the paparazzi were following him everywhere and it eventually reached tabloid news front cover.

The reporter looked disappointed for a moment for the lack of juicy news, but then her eyes suddenly lightened up. Ryoma twitched. He knew what that was. All those silly reporters thinking they actually have a chance with him.

"Excuse me, I have to go", Ryoma said coldly. He left the table. Striding along casually, he caught himself in the mirror and smirked as he felt people in the restaurant stare at him as he approached the front door. He swung it open.

He didn't notice someone about to come into the restaurant and bumped right into him… or her.

The person had short, shoulder-length hair and seemed like the typical sort of woman you see around. She seemed quite young, possibly his age. But he couldn't see her face properly because she was picking herself up from the floor and her wavy bangs blocked his view. Being the gentleman he was, he held out his hand to her to help her up.

The woman caught hold of his hand. Ryoma had meant to pull her up and get it done with, but he had pulled too hard, obviously not predicting she would be so light, and toppled ungracefully backwards.

Ryoma swore as she tumbled on top of him, her bag split open and her books and files fell out.

She apologized profusely.

"I'm so sorry! Are you alright...?" A very familiar face with very familiar chocolate brown eyes gazed at him, concerned.

"I'm fine…" Ryoma grunted as he picked himself up. He bent down and helped the woman pick up her books and what looked like test papers from the ground. They both lifted up their heads and saw each other clearly for the first time.

Those chocolate orbs…

Hazel eyes…

Auburn hair…

Messy dark green hair...

"Ryoma-kun…?" Sakuno was the first to say, tentatively.

"…Hn. Mada mada dane." He smirked.

And then he had wrapped her into a tight hug. His arms tightened around her protectively. Then, suddenly remembering, he reached down to her left hand.

His finger brushed over something cool. Silver. He traced the outline of the tiny heart.

OWARI

A/N This is the end! Thanks for reading Hightech is not for Ryoma and I hoped you enjoyed it xDD God, this took me long to finish… then again, I'm glad it has. The very best thing about writing is you can get your feedback from readers, so my lovely sweeties, don't forget to REVIEW!