Hello Everyone!

I'm back, and I know I didn't update for a long time, that is why I made this chapter extra long for you guys!

I am planning on making a new multi-chaptered story; do you guys think that's nice? ^^

Thank you for reading, reviewing, and alerting this story ^_^ Please continue reviewing and tell me what you think!

Here you go!

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis

Chapter 8

A loud sound echoed throughout the halls leading to the corridor of the hot springs, it is accompanied by the slight movement of the shogi doors of the nearby rooms.

Ryoma, slammed the door as hard as he could, using the wall next to the door for support. As he tries to push the door to the right, the animalistic force present on the other side of the door tries to push it to the left.

"Echizen-san please don't be afraid of us!" one of the maids on the other side of the door screamed.

"Yes please, Echizen-san…"

"We just want… "

"To touch you, and to feel your abs…" one of the maids said, her eyes getting glossy from all the pleasure that she is having from the sudden daydreaming.

"Ana! Don't freak him out" Kanae, one of the maids who are trying to open the door of the hot spring reprimanded. "Listen, I really want to do that too, but we should wait ok? The timing is really not that good" she whispered.

"Um! I understand! I understand that we should not be too loud about our plan of feeling every inch of Echizen-san's skin!"

A loud 'THUD' was heard, and now the door would not even budge.

"Onee-chan, can we play with your hair?" Shin pleaded, his small fingers combing Sakuno's long and wavy locks.

"Me too Onee-chan, can I play too?" Shrota asked, while latching to one of Sakuno's arms.

"Of course you can, but wouldn't your Obaa-san mind?" Sakuno asked. Ever since Sakuno was little 'play with your hair' means combing, braiding, curling and putting all sorts of hair accessories that were ever invented.

"Oh no Onee-chan, we will not fix your hair or anything like that because girls do that. We are boys!" Shrota said while putting one of his fist on his chest, making a soft sound as it hit his sternum.

Sakuno giggled, "Ah, what would you do with my hair then?" she inquired. This is interesting.

"Umm… I am really not sure but maybe we can play 'war' and Onee-chan's hair will serve as the forest " Shrota clapped his hands as the plan was made, Shin nodded his head in agreement. The twin's eyes are sparkling, excited from the fun that they are obviously going to have.

"Really? That would be fine, I have never tried that before" Sakuno clapped her hands in equal excitement. "What should I do then?"

"Just spread your hair Onee-chan, so that the 'forest' is more spacious" Shin instructed while spreading Sakuno's hair to both of her shoulders.

"And then Onii-chan will join us in playing with our soldier action figures!"

Both Shin and Shrota run to the shelves where their action figures are neatly placed. They grabbed all the action figures that their short tubby arms could carry and then placed all of it beside Sakuno. Their excitement cannot be contained from their small hyper active bodies. The idea of playing put them suddenly in high spirits.

"Onee, where is Onii-chan?" Shin asked his head turning left and right.

The brunette's eyebrows formed a small knot as she tried to recall the location where Ryoma could be at the moment. They went at the hot springs at the same time, though the hot springs are different. And then after that…

"Ummm…" Sakuno made a sound while thinking, combing her memory for any clue on where Ryoma could be.

After playing with the twins happily, Zadagatsu-san bid them good night and wished them to have fun for the remaining of their time together. Afterwards…

…they went to the room of the twins for more quality time.

Sakuno frowned, and spared a few more minutes to recall where Ryoma could be at the moment.

"…hot springs and then…" she closed her eyes thinking that it would help her concentrate more. But to her disappointment she cannot remember anything else.

A soft knock was heard from the door followed by a familiar voice.

"Ryuuzaki-san, Young masters may I enter?" Yamamoto-san's voice was heard from the other side of the door. Sakuno stood tried to stand from her position, "I'll get it Onee-chan" Shin said running towards the door, and as the door opened there stood Yamamoto-san carrying a tray with teacups. Shin shouted a loud 'YAMAMOTO-SAN' and opened the door wider for their favorite butler to enter.

"Young master, I bought your nightly cup of warm milk" he said to his young master with a smile, he slightly slouched so that he could be at least at the same height with Shin. The five year old smiled in delight and then announced "Yay milk!" Shrota ran towards the tray that is now placed on a nearby table. The siblings are drinking the white liquid happily, blowing the milk and carefully sipping the liquid.

Sakuno looked at the young butler whom she is starting to respect in a whole new level. From the way he look and serve the children, Sakuno is pretty sure that he takes good care of them because he really cares, not just because it is his job and a lousy service will cost him his monthly salary. Her gaze softened, as Yamamoto-san looked at the children giddily sipping their milk, and then Yamamoto-san abruptly turned his head; the usual reflex of the people who are having the feeling that they are being watched or observed, and as he turned his head his eyes met Sakuno's.

Sakuno blushed at the embarrassment of being caught and looked at the other side on impulse. "Sakuno no baka" she mused. "This is so embarrassing, he would think that I find him funny or weird or girly because he has prettier hair than me or…" she inwardly hyperventilated for she was caught staring, and ever since she was little she knows that staring…is really not that polite.

She could hear footsteps coming towards her, and she could see his black shiny shoes and wrinkle free slacks on her peripheral vision and prepared herself for the inevitable 'confrontation'- as what Sakuno is thinking. She let out an embarrassingly loud 'GAH' as the young butler bowed in front of her and then smiled.

His long hair is still tied in a neat low pony tail, still hours have passed and many chores later, not a strand of his silky raven hair is out of its place. His eyes are all warm and sparkly because of his smile; a smile that is not forced, as if it was there since he was born.

"My apologies Ryuuzaki-san, I should have given your cup the moment I entered" he handed the cup with steaming milk to Sakuno, who is gaping the moment Yamamoto said something.

It took her a few seconds to process what was happening, so when Yamamoto frowned and gave a worried expression saying 'are you ok' and 'so I think you do not want the milk' at the same time did Sakuno scrambled for words to say.

"T-thank you, thank you Yamamoto-san" she blushed darkly embarrassed by her stuttering.

Yamamoto shook his head slightly, a smile plastered back on his handsome face, "Yousuke"

"Huh?"

Yamamoto chuckled, amusement obvious on his face.

"Just call me Yousuke Ryuuzaki-san, if I remember it right, young master said that we are of the same age" he said, his eyes never leaving Sakuno's face.

"O-oh..yes, I-I mean, sure I will call you Yousuke-kun from now on" Sakuno said, smiling sheepishly, of course when he said Yousuke he is giving her his given name!

"Sakuno, you are ever so slow!" she scolded herself.

"Call me Sakuno then" the auburn girl offered with a smile, that would only be fair.

"As you wish, Sakuno-san" he complied. He blinked his eyes as if he realized something, and then offered the cup towards Sakuno "Ah, your milk"

"Sorry! You've been holding this for a while" she hurriedly grabbed the sides of the cup, forgetting that the cup is warm as well. She jerked the cup from the hands of the young butler, spilling its contents in the process, and as the warm milk touched the back of Sakuno's hands, the skin immediately turned pink. She withdraw her hands, rubbing the painful part on her clothes, hoping to ease the pain.

Yousuke hurriedly put the cup on a nearby chair, and then took both of Sakuno's mildly injured hands.

"Are you alright?" his tone full of concern, his face scrunched up while inspecting the pinkish skin.

"I'm fine, I'm fine, I think I'll just go to the washroom and then…" she assured, a small smile still on her face.

She was about to stand when Yousuke touched both of her shoulders and forced her to stay.

"Please let me help you, it's my fault" he got something from his coat a small container same as the size of the smallest size of a poster paint container. He opened it and a weird smell wafted through the air, Sakuno furrowed her brow in wonder.

"Yousuke-kun what is that? An ointment?" she asked while unconsciously rubbing her injury with her clothes, no matter how hard she rubs, the pain would not go away.

"Yes after you wash it, put this, it's made of aloe vera" he instructed softly. He put the container on her palm, held her left hand with both of his and then…

The door slammed open and then a robe clad Echizen Ryoma came into view.

"WHY IS IT THAT THIS HOUSE HAS SO MANY FUC-"

If not for his furrowed brows and loud voice; which is an indication that Ryoma is absolutely furious (a case to case basis, it really depends on the person), one would say that he is looking absolutely sexy. His hair is in an unruly mess obviously damp, like he hurriedly dried it with a towel. His robe disorderly as well; the knot not properly done. The way his chest is rapidly rising up and down, everyone can conclude that he did something fast, like running.

Or hiding.

Or both.

His eyes met with 2 pairs of shining ones. The twins are happily sipping their milk, elated in their milk drinking spree. Still, they are able to spare Ryoma a "Hello Onii" and then went back to sipping their nightly dose of milk.

Ryoma inwardly gave a sigh of relief, good thing he wasn't able to continue the swearing part, it would not be good for the twins; as much as he disliked them, because he swear to Kami-sama with all the 'hardships' he should endure just to be in a safe peaceful room as them,..

"Ryoma-kun! Where have you been?"

The tennis prodigy turned his head to where the voice came from and his temper went up straight.

Sakuno, his girlfriend Sakuno, HIS GIRLFRIEND SAKUNO, was currently holding hands with the butler they met earlier.

"What was the bastards name again? Yamashita? Whatever…"

He dismissed the idea of trying to remember his name, since he knows that the attempt is futile. It was never his forte. Heck, it took him a year and a half to remember Tomoka's name.

If this happened in a different place, in different situation, if only he didn't climbed the bamboo walls dividing the hot spring he was in to the hot spring Sakuno and the kids were in, if only he didn't feel like a freaking bandit inside a house where he tried to run and watch out, and run and watch out, and run and watch out, and then look for them on all the freaking rooms this ridiculously large house have. Seeing them holding hands will not really put him in the edge.

But remember, 'If only'

"What's going on here?" his voice louder than normal. His eyes glued on their hands.

Sakuno slowly withdraw her hands from Yousuke's, totally oblivious to the reason why Ryoma is staring at them like they are caught doing something naughty. She smiled, happiness emanating from her face. She excused herself and then rushed towards him.

"Ryoma-kun, I am so happy you are here, I am trying to remember where-"

"What are you guys doing?" his voice still cold and distant, though he toned it down into a whisper. His eyes boring to Sakuno's brown orbs.

Sakuno's smile slowly faded, starting to sense that something is not right, she smiled to keep up with her cheerful mood a few minutes before.

"I am playing with the kids, and then afterwards Yousuke-kun-"

"Yousuke-kun?"

"Ah, Yamamoto-san the butler of Shrota-chan and Shin-chan" she explained, glancing at the butler's way, who is now giving second helping to the twins.

Ryoma ran his fingers to his damp hair, he really need some venting out, even just a little will do.

It just really has to be now.

"So what really happened while I was out there looking for you? While I am there outside trying to save my… I don't know, maybe my virginity and my sanity from those insane maids who are plotting to have a feast on me the moment I get out of that hot spring." He took a large intake of air afterwards, deep down he knows this is stupid, he has done that before. Skipping fan girls, running away from their evil clutches. Not a big deal. But seeing them holding hands. It just filled up the container of 'jealousy' that every boyfriend has.

First, Shrota. The cuddling, the changing of clothes, the caressing, the hugging, same case with the other kid. The 'let's take a bath together' bonding. And then now the holding hands.

His girlfriend is now frowning, the feeling of guilt obvious on her face. Ryoma could practically hear her saying a mantra of "I am so insensitive" over and over again.

Guilt started to eat the pit of his stomach, but before his brain was able to formulate another word that is synonymous with 'sorry', Sakuno spoke.

"I am sorry Ryoma-kun, I should have looked for you. That was very inconsiderate of me." She is too ashamed to look in his eyes, guilt eating her heart. Her eyes traveled on his neck instead. Her fingers fixing his robe that is generously showing most of his chest and torso, she absentmindedly fixed the knot so that the robe will function the way it was supposed to.

"That was…that was very insensitive of me, I am really sorry."

Ryoma released the air he is holding, the tension releasing together with the air.

"S-so um, you want warm milk?" she shyly asked.

The door leading to the washroom was slightly ajar, the sound of running water heard by everyone.

After soaking her hands in running water for 10 minutes, she opened the small container handed to her by Yousuke-kun, and the weird smell took over her senses.

"At least from what I know it is really effective" she mused.

While applying the ointment, she took a glance at what was happening outside, checking on what fun activity (at least for her) are the twins and Ryoma-kun are up to.

Twins are now looking at Ryoma with wide shining eyes; a mixture of nervousness, excitement and anticipation. From their mouths that are slightly agape, one could see that they admire Ryoma's cool vibe. The feline eyed tennis prodigy is currently sitting at the sofa, with his legs crossed, his eyes on the twins that are on the floor. The twins on the other hand or on the floor admiring Ryoma's 'sugoi-ness'.

"Onii-chan is really sugoi" Shrota said, his eyes never leaving Ryoma's face.

"Uh-huh and Onee-chan said he plays tennis as well" Shin whispered to his twin, trying to be secretive that they are talking about him, to which Ryoma raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"Yeah, I cannot NOT hear you from here" he whispered to himself.

The two kids ensued with their not so secretive conversation about Ryoma.

"Tennis? What is that?"

"It's a game and you use a ball and a rocket"

"A ROCKET?" Shrota raised his voice unconsciously in excitement. A rocket, like what he sees on Nat Geo?

"Yeah, Onee-chan told me, you use the rocket to make the ball go-"

"Hey"

The two five year olds turned their heads towards Ryoma's direction, they covered their mouth with their hands in impulse. They were caught!

Ryoma leaned in a bit to look at their round faces, "It's a racquet, not a rocket".

"Ooooooooh!" the twins said in unison. They etched the brand new information into their young creative minds.

"They sound really the same!" Shrota said in wonderment.

"Um! We will keep that in mind from now on" Shin said absentmindedly, rubbing her chin while letting the information sink in.

The tennis prince smirked. Maybe being with them for the night is not a bad thing after all.

Sakuno, who heard and saw the conversation smiled. The night will surely be fun.

"Yamamoto-san, could you please get us an apron?" Shrota said shyly, as if asking him to do something is a favor, not a job to do.

"Yes please, and do we have a fake moustache? It's ok if we don't have, I will just use a white board marker to draw moustache on Onii-chan" Shin said after smiling sheepishly.

Ryoma glared at the butler, and added "Yeah, hurry up" in irritation.

Sakuno nudged his ribs, and looked at him with wide eyes, and mouthed a 'that's not nice' on Ryoma.

The butler, totally oblivious to what happened bowed to them and then proceeded on looking for the materials they requested.

Yousuke smiled at the children, his eyes crinkling in mirth. "As you wish young masters".

All the materials to be used in the game that the three of them (Sakuno, Shin and Shrota) have agreed into was now being gathered. Props that would aid them in their game called 'Play house', the mechanics of the game is really easy.

Just pretend that they are a normal happy family.

As much as Ryoma hated the idea of playing the father with a moustache, since without it it would not be obvious that he is the father, he agreed, since Sakuno said 'please' and he thinks the kids will have something to act upon since their family is their grandmother and their butlers and maids.

Heh, who says kids cannot mellow the heart of the beloved tennis prince?

Sakuno on the other hand will wear an apron, a sign of a warm and loving mother who is really good in making dishes for the family.

The twins will be their children, all loving and cute and cuddly.

"Here are the things that you are requesting for" the butler returned in no time, handing them everything that they asked for.

"Yay, let's start!"

Ryoma grudgingly put the moustache just above his upper lip, and opened the news paper; just like a real father of a normal family.

Sakuno tied the apron around her waist, and then acted as if she is cooking something using the cooking toys of the children.

"Settle down now my children, Okaa-san is going to make your favorite!".

"Really Okaa-san?"

"Yes, I will cook egg rolls for you"

"YAY!"

"How about you Anata, what would you like?" Sakuno asked her moustache-d husband.

A pervert-y answer lingered on his mind but decided to dismiss it immediately. He smirked inwardly.

"Cabbage roll please"

"Coming up!"

While Sakuno is 'cooking' the father was left with his children, sitting in a small round table with toys that resembles the traditional family dinning paraphernalia. Chopsticks, bowls, plates, tea sets, everything was in the table to give the air the vibe that they are really a happy family waiting for their delicious meal.

There was a brief silence that was broken by Shrota.

"Otou-san, what will we do on the upcoming weekend?"

Ryoma was caught off guard, but in a split second he was able to come up with an answer.

"How about if we go to Tokyo Disney?" he blandly said.

"Yay! I am so excited. Is it your salary day today Otou-san? Because that is a very special place" Shin asked, face all pink from imagining things.

"Ah..yes it is" Ryoma's brows formed a furrowed line, damn five year old imagination!

"Really? Can I see the envelope?" Shin asked again.

"We don't used envelopes now for salary, they put it on cards" Ryoma explained.

"Wait, time out! Ryoma-kun I think that is lovely, let us rewind that part and then tell them that they could see the envelope where your salary is" Sakuno said, her hand continuously playing with the handle of the toy pan.

Ryoma just sighed in defeat, an indirect way of saying 'okay fine'

"Thank you Ryoma-kun, Action!"

Ryoma was a bit startled, but then resumed to their play.

"Yeah, I have the envelope with me" Ryoma said, trying his hardest not to roll his eyes.

The excited eyes of the twins greeted him when he tried to peek at how they are taking everything. Their eyes waiting for something.

"And yeah, I will get it"

The tennis prince grudgingly stood up and went to the sofa where their bags are placed, rummaging for something that resembles an envelope, or folded paper or something that would make the twins happy for the meantime, because really, this 'Playhouse' thing is more stressful than a tennis match with his father and Tezuka-sempai combined.

"Ah" he saw a random paper folded into a square like shape, he then picked it up, not minding what it is or what is inside.

'Gonna play this game, gonna finish the game, gonna play this game, gonna finish the game' was Ryoma's mantra while he is going back on the table handing the envelope to his 'children'. He would just blindly play with the kids, and hopefully this would soon be over.

"Here "

The twins' eyes widened in so much happiness Ryoma thinks their eyeballs will fall out of its sockets any second.

"Look it's the fruit of our Otou-san's hardwork" Shin said in excitement.

"Yes, I am very proud of our Otou-san" Shrota went to Ryoma and then hugged his torso.

"When I grow up Otou-san, we want to be as hard working as you!" Shrota said his hug on Ryoma tightening even more.

Ryoma patted his head in return.

Shin unbeknownst to Ryoma, opened the folded paper, and then pictures fell out.

Ryoma's eyes widened.

And so did Sakuno's.

"OH FOR THE LOVE OF-" Ryoma shouted

"Oh, Ryoma-kun, this is me! Where did you get this from?" Sakuno who is clearly interested, asked. The first picture she saw is the one where she is making daifuku for home economics.

The smile on her face slowly faded when her eyes traveled to the other pictures sprawled on the floor.

"Why is it I have a picture here in my swimsuit?"

To be continued…

I am starting on the next chapter, so I might be able to update it sooner ^^

Thank you everyone for your support!

Please read and review, and tell me what you think :)