Note from the Author:

Hey everyone sorry for the really late update. My life has been one hectic problem after another, and after a seriously long stretch of writers block. I decided to scrap the chapter I had started and start from the beginning once more. So I hope this chapter doesn't confuse anyone and if it does I'm open for some critic about it. I also hope the flow that I'd established through the rest of this story is still going. But if it does not I'm, once more, open to ideas on how it could flow better.

Sorry for any typos and mistakes, my beta-reader has quit on me and I'm in the process of finding a new one. So please don't burn up my account with how horrible I spell . Believe me I already know.

So anyway. Thanks for reading and I'll try and update again as soon as inspiration hits me again.

BlackDove of Blessings

Part Eight:

They had won their game. It really wasn't a surprise, in Ryoma's opinion, but this wouldn't keep them from going out to celebrate. They were packing away the last of their gear before heading to the school bus, and then it was off to celebrate. Can you guess where?

Kawamura's sushi shop of course! (Is it just me or do they need a new hang out? Maybe I'll create one; hmm… this needs some thought).

Ryoma grabbed his tennis bag and started heading back up the stairs, leaving the others behind to finish gathering their own belongings. As he topped the stairs and moved towards the parking lots he saw a small group of girls. They were all wearing his school's uniform. When he was closer he realized it was Kyori, Tomo, Sakuno and another girl from his class Kirri. Sakuno and Tomo had stayed for the whole game, cheering for Ryoma and the others, but he didn't remember seeing the other two. As he walked closer to them, they turned to see who was coming. Seeing it was him, Tomo waved him over. Ryoma hesitated, he really didn't want to be around Tomo and her boisterous attitude, but when he glanced at Sakuno he forgot about Tomo. Walking over to them, Ryoma raised a brow in question.

Seeing his reaction and knowing his personality Sakuno giggled, as did Kirri and Kyori. Tomo ignored it and instead began to talk to Ryoma. "Ryoma-sama do you think the others would mind if Kyori and Kirri came along to the celebrations with us?" Ryoma wasn't expecting this question, didn't think the others would mind but he wasn't going to speck for them. So instead he shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head in the direction of the others who were now coming up the stairs.

"You should ask them yourself." Ryoma then adjusted his bag and moved to stand behind Sakuno as Tomo moved forward to stop the groups' progression. As Tomo began to re-ask her question, Kirri and Kyori moved to stand next to her. Sakuno stayed were she was. The way Ryoma was standing he could look at Sakuno covertly without the others being able to see. Ryoma watched her profile as she smiled at Tomo's excited behavior as the other gave their acceptance of Kyori's and Kirri's attendance at their celebrations. She was soon laughing the squeals of excitement coming from her friends. The sound of her laughter and her smiling profile, made Ryoma's heart jump. It thumped hard when she turned her now laughing face towards him.

As Ryoma stared at her, Sakuno's laughter began to recede and a nervous flutter began in her stomach, heat spread from there to her face. Feeling the blush darkening Sakuno quickly turned her head away from Ryoma's penetrating stare. Breathing quickly Sakuno tried to calm herself. Ryoma, seeing her looking away, glanced away from her as well. He didn't know what possessed him lately, but he was definitely not feeling himself. And when he had reactions to Sakuno, similar to this one, he became unsure of himself.

"Hey! Ryoma, Sakuno-chan, are you coming!" The two were jerked from their thoughts as Momoshiro called to them. Seeing that they were the only two still standing there, they both flushed in embarrassment. Without looking at each other, they quickly followed their friends to the bus.

…

At Kawamura Sushi Shop

The party was in full swing. Everyone was laughing and being rambunctious, telling stories and jokes. Food and drink were passed freely (non-alcoholic), while the Coach and Kawamura's father shared in celebratory drinks. Ryoma was at a smaller table with only a few others. He was enjoying himself as he laughed along with the others, even making snide comments here and there. Sakuno was at a longer table with the girls, Fuji, Tezuka and Eiji, when he was sitting still. They were also having a good time, and getting to talk with her sempais one on one about their experiences during their freshman year at their high school was a new experience for her.

Tezuka and Kirri had kicked it off pretty well with a heated discussion on a book series they had each read, while Tomo was entertaining Fuji and Kiyori with a funny story about Hiro back in their third year at Seigaku junior high. Though she was listening off and on to both conversations her gaze kept landing on Ryoma. Watching him laugh and joke around made her oddly happy, and she kept catching herself smiling each time she saw Ryoma do so. It made her feel silly, like she was back in Junior high all over again and her crush had first developed. She kept reminding herself that they were friends and that she was being silly with these thoughts.

Like all good times, the party seemed to quickly be over as the Coach announced it was time to be getting home. Sakuno began to gather her things and head out the door with Tomo and Kyori saying her goodbyes as they went. It wasn't until a chilly windswept passed them did she realized she'd left her jacket hanging on the coat rack. Telling the others to go ahead Sakuno rushed back to the sushi shop. There were still people there when she walked back into the store. Some turned to the open door only to go back to their conversations when they saw it was just Sakuno. Sakuno turned towards the coat rack and came face to face with Ryoma. He was swinging on his regular's jacket and looked over to see Sakuno standing in front of the door. Curious he asked, "What are you doing here? I thought you'd already gone home?"

Sakuno jumped to answer him, feeling silly for staring at him again. "I was but I forgot my jacket. It's chilly outside and I had to come back to get it." Ryoma nodded at her answer. Turning to indicate the still overloaded coat rack he asked.
"Which one is it?" Sakuno blinked at the question before turning to the coat rack as well.

"It's the yellow one with the baby pink strips on the sides and lettering." Ryoma dug through the coats. Finding the one Sakuno was looking for her pulled it out and handed it to her. Sakuno nodded her head and thanked him. Ryoma waited for her to put her jacket on before he spoke again.

"Are your friends waiting for you outside?" Sakuno shook her head no.

"I told them to go on ahead; I hope I can catch up to them." Sakuno began to turn and say her goodbyes when Ryoma spoke again.

"Why don't you just text them you're going home with me and they can go ahead home." Sakuno's eyes widened and Ryoma hurried to continue. "We're going the same way from here, and it would be stupid to make them wait for you to catch up with it be as chilly as you said." Sakuno thought about it and realized Ryoma was right, thanked him and then pulled out her phone to text Tomo that she was going home with Ryoma and that she didn't have to worry about her getting lost. After sending it, Sakuno nodded to Ryoma that it was done. Ryoma nodded too and wordlessly they headed outside and began walking home together.

…

The walk to their homes was a quiet one as neither of them really felt like talking. It was about a block from Sakuno's home that Ryoma spoke once more. "Are you free on Sunday?" Sakuno slowed at the question, turning to face Ryoma.

"Yes, I am. Why?"

"I was thinking about our last 'date' and how we promised to hang out again sometime and I just thought we could hangout on Sunday. Play some tennis or something." Sakuno was as surprised by the offer as Ryoma was. Yes, they had decided to hang out again sometime, but the topic hadn't come up and it seemed so sudden. But Sakuno was really happy too, she really wanted to see more of Ryoma and the fact he was offering made it even better. It was the second time he was asking for a 'date' with her. Smiling really big now, Sakuno turned to Ryoma and nodded her head yes.

"I'd like to very much. Thanks Ryoma." Ryoma nodded, they began walking again. After walking her to her door, Ryoma paused to say.

"Then I'll meet you at the street corner at 11(am)." Sakuno nodded and smiled again. Ryoma waved good-bye and Sakuno answered with a voiced "See you later Ryoma-kun." Ryoma walked down the street and around the corner out of sight.

His hand was in his pants pocket, clutching a growingly familiar bracelet in his hand, smiling to himself. He was suddenly very excited for Sunday to get here.

….