Why I Love You

Renai Sara huffed as she stomped her way down the corridor. Her closest friend Awayuki Sayoko half walked, half ran with her.

"Ne, Sara… Calm down will you? It's just a little thing…" Sayoko's voice was pleading.

Sara didn't bother to stop or even look back. "Little?" Her voice was a hiss. "I'm the freaking organizer of this entire stupid festival and to me it was not little."

Her dark hair flowed as she continued on her way outside. "I told him, very clearly, that it was all to be done by the students themselves." Sara's voice was still deadly soft. "And what does the guy do?"

Sayoko sweat dropped but couldn't do anything to stop her friend's rampage. "Sara… It's Atobe-senpai. You can't possibly stop him from what he wants to do. Besides he's only trying to prove how good his club is…"

Sara stopped suddenly and spun around. "Well, he can damn well prove it by getting his club to do all the work themselves."

Tossing her hair back, Sara continued on her way to the tennis courts.

"Hey! Wait up…!" Not trusting the other girl to go by herself, Sayoko followed quickly.

**********

"Well, well…" Oshitari Yuushi pushed up his glasses and smirked as he spotted the slight figure of their events organizer approaching. "Look who's here…"

Oshitari's longtime doubles partner, Mukahi Gakuto, raised his eyebrows, "It's Sara-chan." Rolling his eyes, he turned to Oshitari, "Yuushi… What did you do this time?"

The blue haired Kansai boy took a step back and looked innocent. "Nothing. I swear it was Atobe this time around."

"Ah…" Oshitari's dark eyed gaze followed the second year girl as she stalked up to Atobe, interrupting his conversation with Hiyoshi, and proceeded to start yelling at him.

**********

Atobe Keigo, prince of Hyoutei, was irritated but nonetheless amused when he was rudely interrupted in the middle of a conversation.

"Atobe!" A light female voice, with what sounded like clenched teeth, ground out his name.

A gasp from another voice, "Sara! He's our senpai!"

"Hmm?" Atobe didn't bother to turn, already knowing who his visitors were. "Renai-chan… You are becoming slightly annoying."

There was a choking sound and then, "ME?!" The voice was incredulous. "You are the epitome of that word. Atobe-senpai."

She made the word sound like an insult. The stifled snort from Hiyoshi was the last straw. Atobe spun around to confront the two intruders. He glared at Sara. Usually the most brazen challenger would back down from the ice cold stare but Sara didn't even blink.

Reluctantly admiring, Atobe nevertheless crossed his arms and raised a scathing eyebrow. "What do you want today Renai?"

Sara pulled out a sheet of paper and shoved it into his face. "What on earth were you thinking about when we last discussed the festival?"

"Hmm?" Atobe took the irritating sheet of paper away from his nose and scanned it. "Oh… Can't you see? All the plans have been made. The builders are heading to the site tomorrow to begin construction."

Sara resisted the urge to stuff the sheet of paper into his mouth. "That's precisely what I'm asking you. Did you not take the hint last time? The students are supposed to be making the stall, setting up the stall and taking responsibility for it…"

Atobe waved a dismissing hand. "We are."

"You are?"

He turned back to Hiyoshi, trying to signal that the interrogation was over, "We'll all be interviewing the staff we're going to hire. You can see our responsibility from that."

Sara's jaw dropped open. The pure nerve of this guy…

"ATOBE!" She stomped her foot in frustration.

Hiyoshi was starting to shake from suppressed laughter. Gakuto was already on the floor in hysterics. Oshitari merely smirked, amused by the show.

Suppressing a sigh, "Fine." Atobe turned around, "The team will do the work manually by putting together the stall."

Sara looked slightly mollified.

"But…" Atobe pointed a finger at her, "We still get to hire the chefs and waiters anyway. Ore-sama will not be seen waiting at tables."

The small second year huffed for a few more minutes at that but finally agreed. "Fine. Just make sure you keep your word."

With that, she turned and stalked off. Sayoko, her friend who was always by Sara's side, gave an apologetic bow to everyone and ran off to catch Sara.

"Well Atobe… Looks like you're softening." Oshitari's drawl had layers of meaning.

"Che…" The ice blue gaze pinned the tensai down for a moment before a smirk crossed Atobe's lips. "There's nothing more fun than riling Renai up. It was a good idea for her to be put in charge of the festival."

"Right. Well… I guess the show's over." Oshitari turned to Gakuto, "Let's go and get warmed up before Shishido and Ohtori come."

"Whatever…"

**********

Sara scanned the sheet that she held in her hand as she walked along the path that would lead her to the school gates. It was the itinerary list for Hyoutei. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

The great Atobe-sama had decided that Hyoutei just had to prove how rich and famous they were. Thus the festival and the whole eleven page list of entertainment. All of which had to be contacted, arranged, put together and ordered by her.

Thank god school had finally finished for the day. Sara had a ton of homework and needed still needed to type up the draft information for the interschool festival that was to be handed out to the other schools involved.

Suppressing a sigh, Sara pulled out a pen and started making changes. She already knew that this group wasn't available… Also that group had to be on last or else…

So absorbed in her task, Sara avoided several accidents by pure luck. Then she walked into what she thought was a wall. Still not looking up from the sheet, she turned and walked into it again.

Irritated now, Sara turned her grey eyes upwards and came face to face with the hulking Kabaji. 'Oh great. That means…'

"Hmm… Are you trying to ignore ore-sama, Renai-chan?" Atobe's imperious voice drawled out.

She did roll her eyes, "Great ore-sama, please forgive me for not noticing your divine presence. Now, I'm going home." With that, Sara tried to march off.

Tried, since Kabaji had blocked her way again.

"Kabaji-san…"

"Usu…?"

"Let me go…"

"Usu." The tall, muscled second year stepped back.

This time Atobe blocked her path. "Trying to escape?"

She glared at him. "No… Trying to get away from your insufferable attitude."

"Hmm? Well, I'm sure that you find the attitude appealing…" A small smirk graced his already perfect face. "Well… Be glad then that I'm only here to give you this."

A sheet of paper appeared. Sara took it.

"It's Hyoutei's tennis club's formal application for our caf. I'd better find that stamped, signed and approved by tomorrow. You know where to find me."

With that, Atobe turned and sauntered off with Kabaji trailing faithfully after him.

The sheet scrunched in Sara's grasp. "That guy…!"

**********

"There…" Sara printed off the sheet and rubbed her eyes tiredly. She had spent almost the entire afternoon finishing off her homework. Whatever else she was, Sara was no slacker when it came to schoolwork.

Piled on top of that was the festival coming up within a month. The sheet fresh out of the printer contained all the clubs that registered by today's deadline. Switching the computer off, Sara rubbed her eyes again and yawned. A glance at the clock showed 9 pm.

Time to get ready for bed… she decided.

Just as she tucked herself into her bed, her phone beeped from its position on her bedside table. Sara glanced quizzically at it. A message? Grabbing the small handheld device and opening the message, Sara felt like laughing.

Stay away from Atobe-sama!

That was it. Scrolling down, Sara noted dryly that there was no sender ID or name.

Huh. Those Atobe fan girls seriously needed something else to do.

"As if I wanted to be near that egotistical jerk anyway…" Yawning again, Sara put the message out of her mind and went to sleep.

**********

Atobe found a sheet of paper in his face for the second time in two days.

"Hmm? I'm guessing that it's Renai-chan. What on earth do you want this time?" He raised a hand moved the paper to a more readable distance.

"You, great one, wanted this sheet of paper by today. Or so you said yesterday, Atobe…" Sara rarely used the senpai honorific and never out of respect. Her friends were horrified at her attitude towards a senpai; his team was highly amused at her daring. Atobe didn't seem to care that much either way. He more often than not dropped the chan suffix when he referred or talked to her.

"So I did…" Atobe looked fairly pleased at having his instructions obeyed.

"Huh…" Sara started away, "Don't get too happy, everyone gets theirs today."

His hand grabbed her wrist, holding it in a gentle but firm grip. "Renai-chan…" His voice sounded suspiciously innocent.

"What?"

"Are you trying to tell me that for you to hand this sheet in to me today, you stayed up all night typing up everyone else's sheets as well?"

Sara blinked twice before the meaning of the words registered. She jerked her hand out of his grasp, "You think much too highly of yourself…"

"Argh!" She stomped off, furious.

"Wah…?!" She blew past Shishido and Ootori who had just arrived on the courts.

"Renai-chan?" Ootori looked surprised to see his usually mild tempered classmate in such a fury.

Shishido tipped his cap backwards and glanced at his captain who was staring after her with an amused expression.

"Atobe did it…" He pointed out to Ootori.

"Ah." That word held a wealth of understanding. Understanding that, if it was Atobe, Renai would be annoyed.

The two… Just didn't get along. At least on Sara's side.

**********

Walking home in a slightly better mood than she was yesterday, Sara hummed a little tune. After that lunchtime incident (i.e. Run in with Atobe) she hadn't seen him for the rest of the day. Her phone beeped again. Sara opened the message and rolled her eyes.

Stay away from Atobe-sama!

It was that irritating message again. Deleting it without second thought, Sara wished that those girls who were sending the message got a life and stopped annoying her.

**********

By the time she went to bed that night, Sara was in a much blacker mood. The messages had come continuously every half an hour or so. None of the messages had caller ID or a name attached. It had seriously started to annoy her. Then the calls started coming in. They had rung continuously, still hiding their identity, and warned her away from Atobe.

The phone rang again. Sara turned it off without even looking at the caller ID. Drifting off into sleep, she resolved to go and buy herself a new phone tomorrow.

**********

It felt strange not be carrying around her phone, but Sara managed to get through the day unscathed, although she had promised to deliver some information to Atobe by her teacher's request. She had decided to hand it over to him after she finished here. It was her day for after school duties. Sara figured that Atobe wouldn't mind it being slightly late, since he had tennis training anyway this afternoon till six.

As she cleaned up the class room with Sayoko, both girls chattering and laughing, a group of senior girls swept into the second year classroom.

"Are you Renai?" The one in front with long bleached hair asked.

Sara eyed the group warily. "And if I am?"

Another girl standing near the back pointed and said, "That's her! That's Renai!"

The blonde girl stepped forward and smiled. It wasn't a pleasant smile. "We warned you."

She leaned until she and Sara were face to face. "You stay away from Atobe-sama."

Sara stood her ground and stared right back at the girl. "I'm only doing my job. As Hyoutei's festival representative I…"

Crack!

The sound echoed throughout the room. Sayoko dropped her broom and a few of the senior girls snickered. Sara herself was shocked. No one had ever slapped her before.

The senior girl looked satisfied. "That should teach you not to interfere with the Tennis club, especially Atobe-sama."

The group turned and left.

Sayoko hurried to her friend's side, "Sara? Are you ok? Let me see that…"

Sara clenched her teeth and touched her right cheek lightly. "Ow!"

Sayoko clucked her tongue. "This needs to have some ice put on, or else it's going to swell."

"We'll finish here first and then go over to the nurse's office. She'll have some ice."

**********

Atobe watched his team critically. Oshitari and Mukahi needed to up their anti. This was their third defeat in a row to Shishido and Ohtori.

"Oshitari, Mukahi! What do you think you're doing? One more loss like the one you suffered with Seigaku and you'll be off the team for sure." He snapped irritably.

The non regulars took several steps away from him, but Oshitari didn't even look fazed. "Well, well. What's gotten you so riled up today Atobe? There has to a special reason."

Mukahi gulped in deep breaths, trying to get his breathing back to normal.

Atobe turned away from his tensai's knowing smirk. He wasn't going to admit it to anyone, but there was a reason. He had called Sara's phone last night to inform her of a couple of changes to his submitted plan. But not only did she not pick up, the little minx had the daring to turn it off. When he saw her again he'd…

"Atobe." The one word was enough.

He turned around and nodded to her coolly. "Renai."

Atobe stood, unmoving from inside the courts.

Sara didn't even look up; she just waved the folder she had around. "Tanaka-sensei told me to hand this to you."

He waited and folded his arms. "Hmm? And?"

Her eyes snapped up to meet his, "And you can damn well come and get it."

Their eyes met and held. His gaze was mocking while hers was livid.

Noticing that his club was watching the two of them with interest, Atobe spun around and snapped, "Back to practice."

"Hai!" Almost everyone went back to what they were doing before.

Most of the regulars were still watching. Ignoring his audience, Atobe opened the wire door and stepped out.

"Here." Sara thrust the folder at him and turned away.

His sharp eyes caught the faint irregular redness on her cheek. Atobe caught her hand in his. "Renai?"

She turned back startled, to meet an unusually gentle gaze. "What?"

She didn't try to move her hand. It actually felt… Kind of nice. Shaking the sudden thought away, Sara scowled but it faded at his next question.

"Who hit you?"

Immediately, Sara jerked her hand out of his and turned her back on him. "No one. I'm fine."

"Renai." This time her name sounded like a command.

She spun around to face him. "This is my problem. I'll sort it out without any help from you!" Sara began to move away.

Atobe stared broodingly at her retreating back for a moment before letting out an uncharacteristic sigh. "Just let me know if you need anything ok?"

With that abrupt statement, he returned to his training.

Sara had stopped in her tracks when Atobe had spoken but now remembered to move again.

Today… It was definitely a change from the usual.

**********

At lunch the next day, Sara picked at her food and Sayoko had no success in cheering her friend up.

"Sara!" Sayoko finally gave up. "Is this about yesterday?" The last sentence was spoken in a lower tone of voice.

Sara continued to play with her lunch, some homemade omurice, and didn't appear to hear anything that Sayoko had been saying.

"Renai."

That one voice, using one word, did more to jerk Sara out of her self induced zone than her friend had for the entire day.

"Atobe."

He stood behind her with his ever faithful Kabaji by his side. "What's wrong?" He asked when she just stared at him. A small smile appeared. "Never seen such an awe inspiring sight as ore-sama before?"

She pretended to choke and then did choke when he sat down at her table. "What are you doing?!"

Kabaji placed a tray in front of Atobe. "What does it look like Renai? I'm going to sit here and eat lunch."

He turned to Kabaji, "You can go tell the others that they'll have to eat alone, you can join them if you wish."

"Usu." The hulking second year moved away with nary a sound.

Atobe picked up his sandwich and raised an eyebrow when he found Sara still staring at him across the table. "Seriously, Renai. If you want to ask me for a date, go ahead."

To his surprise, she didn't snap back at him, instead, she colored and looked away hurriedly. "As if…"

His smile turned into a smirk. So Renai wasn't as immune to him as she or he had thought.

Sara was telling herself to calm down. The moment she had heard his voice, her heart had missed a beat and jumped hard. Watching him smile made her breathe faster…

Oh no… Sara was no dummy. She knew these signals. She was starting to fall for the damned guy.

No, no, no, NO! She yelled at herself and calmed a little. You can't let it happen. But Sara couldn't help it; she was a living breathing female. She was willing to bet that no one could resist Atobe if he tried. Which was why she didn't want him to.

Really. She didn't.

Atobe watched her with interest, as did Sayoko.

"Sara?" she called her friend hesitantly.

Sara gave Sayoko a reassuring smile; at least, she hoped it was reassuring.

"What's for lunch?" Atobe's drawl made her turn and scowl at him.

"Omurice." She replied shortly. "Hey! What are you doing?"

Atobe ignored her. He had picked up a piece of her omelet and ate it with an interested expression. Sara snapped the lid of her bento closed and glared at Atobe. He was going to get her killed. She could almost feel the glares from the other girls in the cafeteria. Sayoko could probably feel them too, since she was shifting uncomfortably.

Obviously, Sara didn't care if the girls picked a fight with her over something important, but over Atobe? That was just a plain stupid thing to fight over. She didn't even like him.

Really. She didn't.

The cause of the glares seemed oblivious. He looked up and smirked. "You do know that girls would kill to have their food tasted by ore-sama."

Sara sighed but retained her hold on her lunchbox. "No."

"Hmm… I'm sure that you will cook for me. Eventually." He went back to his sandwiches.

Sara twitched at his audacity.

**********

There was only two weeks left until the first ever interschool festival. And probably the last… Sara thought wryly as she stared at the mountains of paperwork that had piled up on her desk.

"Argh!" She let out a big sigh and resigned herself to her fate. At that moment, her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID before picking up, but it was a private number.

"Hello?"

"Hmm? Is that how you greet me Renai?" Atobe's drawl could be identified anywhere.

Sara resisted the urge to hang up and turn her phone off immediately. She took a deep breath and asked, in what she hoped was a pleasant tone, "What can I do for you Atobe-senpai?"

She could almost hear Atobe's eyebrow rise. "Are we back to using suffixes Renai-chan?"

"Whatever…" Sara refused to rise to his bait. She had too much still to do, for example, that finalized itinery sheet that was to be handed out at the next interschool festival representative's meeting. "What do you want now? Please be quick about it… I have so many other things to do."

On the other end of the line, Atobe's eyebrow twitched and his mouth pulled down into a small frown. "Really?" When she huffed, Atobe decided to back off.

"Fine… I've just contacted Tanaka-sensei, and he's referred me to you."

Sara sighed. Tanaka-sensei was the teacher in charge of the festival. Atobe might be responsible for creating it, but Tanaka-sensei was the brains behind the operation. With her help of course. "What is it?"

She almost felt his reluctance about broaching the topic. "He wants you to check our stall…" This was said through clenched teeth.

"Ah. Can it wait? I…" Sara shuffled papers off her desk, looking for her organizer to check for any free days.

"He says that you must do it tomorrow."

"What?!" Sara dropped her little notebook and scowled. "Why?"

Atobe sounded at the end of his patience as well. "Don't ask me. Go ask him." He snapped. "He was very displeased when he found out that you hadn't personally inspected the stall yet."

"Fine." Sara flipped her book to the appropriate day and was disappointed to find that her whole day was free tomorrow. "Tomorrow will do."

"Good… Then…"

She interrupted him before he could continue. "I need to go now. Bye."

Sara left Atobe staring at his phone with a perplexed expression. 'She did not just hang up on me…' He scowled but a smile tugged at the edges of his lips. That was so typically Renai.

**********

Sara had decided to head in about lunch. She figured that she could get a decent appraisal of the stall without anyone running rampage around her. She smiled as she spotted the tennis club regulars.

The only person Sara didn't get along with was Atobe. However, she thought the rest of them were really sweet, especially Ootori, who was in her class, and Jirou, because he was so cute.

"Look, it's Renai-chan!" Ootori smiled and waved at his approaching classmate. Even Hiyoshi unbent enough to offer her a nod. Shishido grunted a greeting while Oshitari smirked like he knew something everyone else didn't.

"Hmm… Renai. You did show up." The drawl came from behind her.

Sara turned around to find Atobe watching her. "I said that I would come and check on your stall's progress." Her voice was cool.

"Ah." Atobe waved a hand at the almost finished structure and the people that swarmed in and out of it.

Sara glared at him. "I thought you said that your club was going to put it together? The people actually doing the work do not look like your regulars."

"Che. I wasn't going to allow my regulars to get into an accident if something happened. We'll do the interior decorations after this crowd is finished."

Sara relaxed her clenched fists. "But you said that the regulars were going to put the stall together."

Atobe offered her a shrug, "Couldn't help it. Had to make sure it was structurally sound. I hired an engineer to check the plans but it could only be built properly with a professional team."

She sighed and conceded defeat to his overwhelming ego. "Fine, fine. As long as you do something that involves setting up the stall, I'll let you off…"

He turned and smiled at her whilst sliding an arm across her shoulders. "Oh? Am I starting to grow on you, Renai?"

His team looked interested at this move.

"You wish." Sara managed to keep her voice level and avert her face. She slid out from under his arm. "I'll just go to check on the interior."

She hoped that no one saw her flushed face.

**********

Yamasaki Kyoko, president of Atobe's fan club, glared darkly at the slender girl looking over the Tennis club's stall.

"She's doing it on purpose to approach Atobe-sama," Kyoko hissed venomously. "I want her out of the picture. I don't care how you do it."

The two younger girls, scared into doing her bidding, nodded with fright and escaped.

"Let's see who's laughing at the end of this, Renai."

**********

Sara looked around the soon to be caf with a critical eye and allowed herself to be impressed, albeit very reluctantly. She allowed it to show, since no one else was present. All of the workers had taken a break for lunch.

She had to admit, Atobe did have taste and a fair dash of style. Not to mention a fathomless budget for things like this.

The walls of the caf look like oak, she mused as she reached out to touch it.

Her eyes widened as she felt the silky texture of the wood. It was oak. Shaking her head in amazement, it was just so Atobe to go so far for a simple school festival.

"Impressed?"

Talk about the devil. Sara turned and sure enough, it was none other than Atobe who stood at then entrance of the stall. Sara shrugged, as if unimpressed, and wandered towards the unfinished end. A flash of movement caught her eye but when she looked, there was nothing.

Atobe took a few steps in. "It'll be done by the end of this week." He looked balefully at the other end of the caf. "They were supposed to wall that end up today."

"I see…" She turned to face him and a smile curved on her lips. "I'm sure you're just making excuses as to why you can't get in here and start painting."

"Painting?! Paint what?"

Sara ignored him, "I mean… Look at the walls, they look so plain." A finger came away with dust. "And dirty."

Atobe stared at her for a brief moment. "You can't be serious. You want me, Atobe Keigo, to paint walls?"

She turned to him with a raised eyebrow, "Why? Are you too good for it?"

When Atobe looked ready to agree that he was, Sara turned her back to him and continued forward. Looking up, she noted that the ceiling was still half finished as well.

Sara watched him out of the corner of her eye while pretending to investigate the stall. So it was a shock to her system when she felt him knock into her, pushing her onto the floor with him on top.

A crash sounded a moment later and dust flew everywhere.

Sara coughed, sitting up, and wiped her slightly teary eyes. Her eyes grew wide as she realized their legs were tangled together and Atobe was basically in her lap.

"Atobe!" Her voice squeaked and Sara tried to shove him off her. "GET OFF ME!"

"Hmm?" His smirk was still the same. "Shouldn't you be thanking me for saving you, Renai? Or can I consider this my reward?"

Despite his words, Atobe still pushed himself up and raked a hand through his hair. Sara stared at the mess where she had been just a moment earlier. Her eyes went unwillingly back up to the hole in the ceiling. Sure enough, the boards that were visible there a moment ago were gone.

The regulars rushed in.

"What happened?"

Ootori immediately spotted his classmate on the floor. "Renai-chan? Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine thanks, Ootori-kun." Sara smiled weakly and accepted his hand. Ootori pulled her up and helped her dust off. "I'm just feeling slightly out of it…"

She patted a worried Akutagawa Jirou, who bounced around her asking if she was alright, and tried to absorb what might have happened.

Mukahi joined the boys who were checking on Sara's health but his double's partner stayed back.

Oshitari was unusually serious and he exchanged a glance with Atobe. The boards had been secured since the start of the day. Atobe pulled a piece of frayed rope out of the rubble. It had been used to bind the boards. The ends were cut.

He held his silence as Sara exited the room, still surrounded by Choutarou and Jirou who had volunteered to take her to the nurse's office, despite her protests. The remaining boys, joined by Oshitari, began the clean up, leaving Atobe with a problem.

Atobe's eyes were hard as he threw the rope away. This had gone a little too far.

**********

"Why are you here?" Sara watched Atobe warily. It had been a couple of days since that incident in the stall.

Atobe hadn't come anywhere near her for the entire time and Sara greeted that with slightly mixed feelings. She didn't know if she was glad or if she wanted him to talk to her again.

However, as soon as she exited her classroom today, she had found Atobe leaning casually against the opposing wall, waiting.

"I'll walk you home today." Was his reply as he turned towards the exit.

Her mouth hung open, Sara was sure she had misheard. "What?!"

Atobe turned back, a slightly annoyed look in his eyes. "I said that I'm walking you home today. How many times do I need to repeat that? Stupid girl."

"Hey! Watch who you're calling stupid, senpai."

Sara's reply had Atobe trying to suppress a smile. She had been slightly off for the past few days while he had kept an eye on her. He now had enough information to know who had been behind the attacks. Soon enough, Atobe was going to have a little chat with Yamasaki Kyoko.

The walk was mostly silent. Sara was still wondering what strange urge had overtaken Atobe today. But despite her misgivings, she couldn't help but feel pure joy at just being with him.

It was hard, but Sara had to fight against the urge to watch him. Honest to God, she hadn't fallen for him. Really, she disliked him on sight. He annoyed her. He…

"…Renai!" Atobe's voice was unamused.

Sara realized that she had stopped in the middle of the path outside her house without warning. Flushing slightly, she avoided his gaze. "This is my place…"

There was no answer from him and Sara gave into the urge to look up at him. She found him studying her with a strange expression. "A… Atobe?"

Suddenly, Sara found herself a little trapped, her back was somehow against her front wall and he was standing in front of her. A small smirk formed and Atobe leaned one hand casually against the wall behind her.

Eyes widening and desperately wishing that she was somewhere else, Sara gulped and tried moving in the opposite direction of his arm. She found his other arm there.

Atobe's smirk had vanished and Sara shut her eyes tightly and prayed for help. Her heart just beat faster and faster and the only thing she could focus on was how close he was.

She felt his breath against her cheek and then he whispered in her ear. "Meet me at 10 tomorrow morning at the Orchard Hall. You know where that is, right?"

Sara nodded frantically, hoping that he would give her some space. However, she only felt his low chuckle. "Good. I'll wait for you then… Sara."

He turned his head slightly and brushed his lips across her cheek before moving away. Sara could only stare at his disappearing back, with one hand on her cheek and a slightly dazed expression on her face.

Finally making herself move, Sara pulled herself upstairs and collapsed on her bed. What the hell had happened? Did Atobe just ask her out?

Nonononononononono! With a groan, Sara curled herself up and tried to calm her stormy emotions. It was going to be a long, sleepless night.

**********

Sara was at the place at ten to. She was still berating herself for being so eager. However, Atobe was already there, waiting for her.

"Sara…" She smacked herself mentally for almost melting, just because Atobe had said her name.

"Atobe." Sara was glad that her voice didn't shake or wobble.

"Come on, you don't want to miss this." Taking her hand casually, they walked into the reception hall. "You like classical music don't you?"

At her nod, his smirk widened. "We're listening to the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra today."

Her eyes widened and she allowed herself to be escorted into the hall.

"Atobe? Why are we the only ones here?" Sara asked, eyeing all the empty seats.

He looked at her, surprised, "You don't think that I'd share our date with anyone else, did you? I've booked the entire place for this concert."

Sara stared trying to process the information. The first thought that hit her was that he said that this was a 'date'. Her heart started going crazy. Sara spoke the first thing that came into mind. "That… You… Atobe… That must have cost a lot…"

A shrug. "Money is nothing." He looked at her, "As long as you enjoy it…"

She fell silent and watched the stage as the concert began. Just for the two of them. The atmosphere was almost…romantic. Sara shied away from that thought and stared resolutely at the musicians onstage. However, no matter how hard she tried, it was impossible to forget Atobe, who sat next to her.

Atobe held her hand throughout the concert, not even letting go when they exited. It was only when they sat down for lunch that he finally gave her some space.

"Atobe!" Sara finally managed to voice her thoughts. "Why did you plan today?"

He looked up to meet her gaze. "Because I wanted to. And because I can." His trademark smirk appeared.

Sara couldn't find anything to say.

When asked about it afterwards, Sara couldn't name one single topic they discussed over lunch and during the journey back. She couldn't remember what time they got back or how.

The only thing that stayed with her was the kiss he brushed against her cheek again and the smile that he gave her before going.

By the time Sara reached her room, she realized it was too late to ponder on what had happened.

She had fallen in love with him.

**********

Atobe's ice blue eyes were hard as he focused on the girl standing in front of him. "What did you think you were on about?"

It had been two days since he had seen Sara and held her hand. Atobe had kept his distance to avoid any unwanted questions. He was currently supposed to be going home. Tennis training was canceled today and there were no meetings on for the council either.

However, Atobe had been cornered by the one person he needed to have a little chat with.

Yamasaki Kyoko pouted and opened her eyes wide. "Atobe-sama… That annoying little second year was pestering you. As I'm in charge of your fan club, it was my duty…"

She shut up at the cold glare Atobe aimed at her. "She is Hyoutei's representative for this festival. Renai is vital to the success of this project. If something like this occurs again, I will personally see to it that you'll regret it."

Kyoko bowed and ran off, looking hurt. Oshitari smirked and shoved his glasses up. He walked towards his buchou from behind the tree.

"It seems like you're going all out to make sure Sara-chan isn't hurt again…"

Atobe didn't turn. "It's considered bad manners to eavesdrop on other people's conversations."

"Hn." Oshitari sounded amused. "Really now? Tell me something Atobe, do you really want to look after her well-being? Or are you merely using her skills for this festival?"

Now his buchou turned. Atobe's eyes were like ice again. "I don't use people, Oshitari." His voice held a warning.

The tensai didn't back away, instead, he met Atobe's glare with one of his own. There was no trace of the amusement that was present before.

"Then consider this, what will Yamasaki do to Sara-chan now? You're not protecting her by warning Yamasaki off. In fact you're just angering her more…"

Atobe paled slightly as he considered the words. "I've just made it worse."

Oshitari looked away. "Exactly. I would advise you to find Sara-chan now. I can bet that Yamasaki is getting ready to destroy her. Or at least harm her."

Atobe was already off in the direction of Sara's classroom before the blue haired boy finished his sentence.

The self-amused smirk appeared again. "Che. He's got it bad."

**********

Sara looked up, startled as Atobe stalked into her classroom. Everyone had already gone home and she was just about to.

"Atobe? What…?!" Her sentence went unfinished because he had pulled her out of her seat.

"Come with me." Atobe grabbed her hand and started out of the classroom. She barely had enough time to grab her bag before he rushed her out.

"Atobe!? What is going on?"

He didn't reply. The words that he overheard in the hallways had alarmed him even more than what Oshitari had said. They were really planning to hurt Sara. And all because of what he said.

"Atobe!" Sara freed her grip and stopped. "Tell me what's going on!" She had stopped them in a deserted corridor of the school. Most of the students were at after school activities or going home.

Atobe listened and then pushed her into a secluded corner of the corridor. He held her against him whilst he watched the horde of girls march past with Kyoko in the lead. None of them looked their way. He made sure that they were all gone before he relaxed his grip on Sara.

She struggled and finally shoved him off her. Her heart was beating a hundred miles a minute and Sara was terrified of what he made her feel. They didn't… They couldn't be together. He was the Prince but she was no Cinderella. She wasn't even really pretty. People said that she was cute, but that was it. What did she have to attract a guy like him?

"What do you think you're doing?" Sara hissed and glared at him, burying her emotions deep inside.

He watched her coolly. "Saving you again. Come." It wasn't a request, it was a command. Grabbing her hand again, Atobe made his way outside.

"Where now?" Sara tugged at her hand but to no avail and resigned herself to her fate. Atobe was a force of nature that you couldn't struggle against.

"I'm taking you home." Atobe told her.

"What?" She stopped as he opened the door of the limo waiting for him. "In that? Atobe, can we be reasonable?"

Sara didn't want to be so close to Atobe again.

"I am being reasonable. Now get in." He ordered, shoving her in before settling beside her.

She seethed and was strangely on the edge for the entire journey back to her place. And it definitely wasn't because he sat so close to her, with an arm around the back of her seat. At least she hoped it wasn't…

"Sara?" His voice stopped her just as she was getting off.

Turning back to Atobe, Sara was wary. "What?"

"I'm sorry for causing you all that trouble." Atobe's voice was almost inaudible.

When she still looked confused, he clarified. "With Yamasaki and the other girls. It was because of me that they hit you wasn't it?"

Her expression cleared and for a moment, Sara didn't know whether to be furious at his interference or touched that he cared.

She opted for neither. "Maybe." Stepping out, Sara closed the car door and walked into her house without a second look.

**********

Atobe watched her as she entered her house and shut the door. He slumped against the back seat of the limousine and let out a sigh. His driver looked at him in concern. "Are you alright Master Keigo?"

Atobe waved a hand and nodded. "I'm fine. Take me home now."

"Yes sir."

As they drew away from the neat, two story house, he couldn't help but look back. The coolness she had shown towards him was different from the glances she had begun to sneak at him and the shyness and embarrassment that accompanied the looks.

Atobe smiled, feeling somewhat resigned. He was unfamiliar with the feeling that being around Sara caused within him but it didn't lessen the knowledge of what it was. His Insight was damn good and unfortunately useful in this matter.

For the first time in his life, Atobe Keigo, the Prince of Hyoutei, had truly fallen in love.

**********

Sara glared at her phone from which the dial tone echoed continuously. Damn Atobe. All of a sudden, her presence was required at the local tennis courts.

Well, his royal majesty could wait until she was ready. At least, that was what Sara was thinking. However, she was trying on different sets of clothes to see which one looked better. When she noticed what she was doing, Sara sat down on the bed and felt resigned as well as strangely sad.

Ever since she had realized that she was in love with Atobe, Sara had tried her best to back away from him and put some distance in between the two of them. She wanted to forget all about him. He was unreachable for someone like her. But no matter how hard Sara tried, she failed. Atobe had somehow become a stable presence in her life. She was sure that all the attention he was paying her was just because of the upcoming festival and her novelty.

What would happen when the festival's over? Sara asked herself. 'He'll leave me alone then and I'll become normal again… Right?'

Deep inside, Sara knew that nothing could go back to the way it was before.

**********

Atobe smiled genuinely before changing it into a habitual smirk as Sara came into sight. He was currently playing a match against Kamio Akira, a second year regular on the Fudomine team.

Of course Kamio was no real match for him, but Atobe was highly interested in the boy's speed and his special shot, the Sonic Bullet.

He felt, more than saw, Sara settle onto a bench nearby, so she could watch his match. Returning an easy serve, Atobe took the time to quickly glance over. To his surprise, Sara wasn't even paying attention to his court; instead, she was looking up at Momoshiro Takeshi, a second year Seigaku regular. They appeared to be chatting quite amiably.

Clenching his teeth, Atobe ended the match as fast as possible and stalked off the court with barely a nod at Kamio. The red haired boy watched the Hyoutei buchou stride off with a confused expression.

**********

"Really? Did Aiko-chan really say that?" Sara smiled widely at Momoshiro. She didn't know him personally, but her oldest childhood friend, Fujimura Aiko was a second year student at Seigaku and shared a class with Momoshiro, or Momo-chan as he liked to be called. Since Sara still regularly met up with Aiko, she and Momoshiro had been introduced to each other a while ago.

"Yup. And then Tezuka-buchou actually smiled at her. Inui-senpai was very pleased." Momo said with a huge smile.

Sara giggled and imagined her best friend saying that to Tezuka-san. She had seen Tezuka at the Kanto match against Hyoutei and thought him handsome but very stoic. Now it appeared that Aiko had a crush on the Seigaku buchou. The thought made her laugh out loud.

"Hmm… It looks like you're enjoying yourself Sara…" Atobe's voice made her spin around to face him.

Her eyes glowed for a moment before she shuttered them and scowled instead. "Atobe."

Momoshiro looked from one to the other, noting the tension before backing away a little. "I'll be going now…"

Sara jerked her gaze away from Atobe's piercing blue ones and forced a smile at Momoshiro. "I'll see you later Momoshiro-kun. Tell Aiko that I said hi."

Momoshiro nodded and waved before dragging an even more confused Kamio with him.

The street courts were now empty of everyone except them. Sara shivered as a cool breeze blew. Her eyes were aimed at the courts and she thought about everything apart from Atobe.

She felt him move from behind her and a jacket fell over her shoulders. Sara started and glanced back to see him shrug. "Wear it."

Inside, Sara felt warm, fuzzy and confused. 'Wasn't giving a girl your jacket supposed to be a sign of affection?' She thought wildly. Her heart rate increased as she breathed in his unique scent; a mixture of his cologne and a heady scent that was purely him.

"You smell nice…" The words left her mouth unbidden. Atobe looked at her, surprised, but a glance at her one visible cheek that was painted pink; he smiled and came a little closer.

Since Sara had her back to him, she didn't see the affectionate look cross his face, nor did she try to escape when he wrapped his arms around her from behind and buried his face in her hair. "You smell nice too…"

She shivered again, this time from his proximity. "Atobe… Please…"

He ignored her pleading tone and enjoyed the way her body fitted to his. "What are you going to do after this festival Sara?"

"I…I don't know…" Her voice stuttered a little as her mind was completely focused on Atobe. "G…Go back to be… being a normal student I guess…"

"Stupid girl…" His husky words were spoken directly into her ear.

Sara didn't answer him with an insult. She couldn't think, she couldn't breathe, she couldn't do anything but revel in the feeling of being in his arms. This is the only time I'll ever be this close to him… Sara intended to hold this memory to her. She wanted to store this memory of his warmth, his closeness and of course, his scent, forever in her mind.

They stood that way for what seemed to be a lifetime for Sara, yet so short at the same time.

Atobe was reluctant to let her go and lose the closeness between them but he made himself loosen his hold and release her. He spun her around and had her face him. "Sara? Promise me that you'll come to the festival. I have something I need to tell you."

Without waiting for a reply, Atobe spun on his heel and walked off.

Sara stood for a long, long time, watching the direction in which he had left, and thought about the promise that she had yet to give. Her hands clenched tightly on the jacket he had left around her shoulders. 'What am I supposed to do?'

**********

Slowly, Sara dragged herself to the festival. She didn't see anyone and could recall none of the stalls that she had passed. Instead, she stood at the edge of the dance floor and watched the couples dance.

She felt jealous of the girls who smiled and laughed at their partners and had the eyes of their partners only focused on them. If only Atobe could…

"Sara? What are you doing here?" A familiar voice called.

Her troubles were shoved away and a smile bubbled its way up as she turned to face her oldest and best friend, Fujimura Aiko. The two girls exchanged a quick hug and Sara held Aiko at arms length to have a good look. "You haven't grown any taller, but you're as pretty as ever."

Aiko flushed and returned the compliment, "You're not looking too bad yourself Sara. Why don't you have a boyfriend?"

The two friends laughed and managed to exchange some gossip before another voice interrupted. "Aiko-chan…"

Both of them turned to face the newcomer, Sara recognized him as Tezuka Kunimitsu, the Seigaku tennis buchou.

"Tezuka-senpai…" Sara looked at Aiko in surprise and with a dawning realization. She realized that Aiko had the same problem as her. But watching the way that Tezuka gazed at her friend, Sara also realized that her friend was a very lucky girl.

Quietly, she slipped away with a quiet goodbye to the two. Sara doubted that either had heard. Her smile shimmered before fading. Too bad that she couldn't have an ending like the one Aiko would have.

"Sara…" She froze. An arm slipped around her waist. Fighting the urge to throw herself into his embrace, Sara merely nodded and tried not to fidget.

"Atobe."

His gaze was following Tezuka and Aiko, "Is that Tezuka's girlfriend?"

"Soon to be… I think." Was her answering murmur.

Atobe's arm dropped away from her waist. "I think we need to have a talk."

She didn't respond. Sara knew what was going to happen. Atobe was going to tell her that he was aware of her feelings but couldn't return them. She took in a deep breath and resolved not to break down in front of him.

"…Do you like me?"

The question startled her. She hadn't expected a question. "What?"

His face was neutral as he repeated the question. "Do you like me?"

Sara looked away as a blush grew on her cheeks. "Yes…" Her voice was soft.

"Do you love me?"

Her eyes jerked to meet his. Atobe's face was still giving nothing away. Sara's blush grew more pronounced and her voice became a whisper. "Yes… I…"

There was no more to be said. He held her tightly against him and pressed his lips against her hair. "Sara… You can't believe how much I needed to hear you say that. Even with my Insight I couldn't be sure that…"

Sara felt stunned. Instead of the rejection she feared, Atobe was holding her and telling her that he…

"I want you to be mine. Mine only…" His ice blue eyes were serious as he searched her gaze. "Become my girl Sara and stay by my side… Forever."

She murmured her answer, still in a daze. "Always… Atobe, I…"

"Keigo. You can't call me Atobe now… It's Keigo…"

"Keigo." Sara repeated, feeling her flush come back again.

"I love you Sara." She believed his softly declared words.

Her answer to that was muffled by his mouth covering hers.

Later, as she sat with him, watching the fireworks, Sara reflected that everything else she had to go through to be with Atobe was worth it. Getting hit by those girls, the terror of almost getting crushed underneath those boards and the heartache that she felt, all of it had been worth it.

A quick glance to her right showed her another familiar face. It was Kimiko-chan, the festival representative for Rikkai Dai Fuzoku. They had met several times and developed a genuine friendship.

Kimiko grinned at her with a significant look at Atobe and the arm that was around her waist. Sara winked and her gaze went to the tall, black-haired boy sitting close to her. She recognized him too. Sanada Genichirou, whom people referred to as the Emperor. Sara smiled a wicked smile and mouthed the question, Is he yours? to a flushing Kimiko.

With an understanding look traded once more, both girls turned back to watch the beautiful display. A moment later, Sara noted that Sanada and Kimiko walked down to the dance floor.

Her silent laughter caught Atobe's curiosity. "What is…? Ah." The grey-haired boy had caught sight of the objects of Sara's amusement. "Sanada huh… It appears that everyone's jumping onto ore-sama's wagon tonight."

Atobe stood up and pulled Sara up. "I need to make an announcement about the festival. Come with me onto the stage."

Her look was apprehensive. "I don't need to go near the spotlight do I?"

His was amused. "Not if you don't want to…"

Still wary, Sara nevertheless went with him. She stood in the darkness of the stage as Atobe caught the attention of everyone nearby with a spotlight illuminating him. She sighed at his arrogant declarations about the festival but a smile tipped her lips. His habit of adding 'ore-sama' and his natural arrogance had become something that Sara was fond of. It defined who Atobe was and how special he was.

She tuned back in time to hear him proclaim that "Ore-sama is introducing you tonight to ore-sama's girlfriend."

With these words said, he turned to her and grabbed her hand. Mortified, Sara hissed, "You said that I wouldn't need to…"

He ignored her but kept a hold on her and continued talking to the crowd. "Sara is ore-sama's girl and ore-sama expects all of you to acknowledge that. If any harm befalls her, you can expect ore-sama to get to the end of it.

"In fact, if ore-sama gets wind of any ill talk about Sara, ore-sama will personally make sure that that person pays the consequences. Got it?"

Sara felt that the timing had never been better for a giant hole to open up and swallow her up. Forcing herself to look into the crowd, the first person she saw was Kimiko who was leaning against Sanada and giggling. No doubt at her. Sara turned back, intending on giving Atobe a piece of her mind but it all went out of her head when he took hold of her waist and kissed her hard.

Sara felt weak at the knees and thought that she heard wolf whistles and yells of encouragement sound but couldn't be sure. The only thing that she was sure of was Atobe's nearness and his heat.

When he finally let her go, after publicly proclaiming her as his 'property' Sara was embarrassed, yet oddly happy. Sure, she still wanted to smack him hard on the head but that came in second to the need to hold him close and reassure herself that he was still there.

Atobe's smile was slyly pleased for the remainder of the night.

**********

Epilogue:

Shishido and Mukahi peered around the corner, stifling laughter. Oshitari looked amused and had a smirk playing about his lips. Ootori was trying to convince Shishido that it wasn't polite to spy on their buchou and Akutagawa was curled up, sleeping on a nearby bench. Hiyoshi watched over his sleeping senpai but was also curious about Atobe.

The buchou in question was having his lunch fed to him by his loving girlfriend. The regulars were fascinated by the way that their usually strict and arrogant captain was smiling at Sara with simple pleasure, with his head in her lap.

Sara put down the bento box and placed it back in her bag. "Was it good?"

Atobe closed his eyes and a lazy but pleased smile appeared. "Hmm… You could do with a couple of lessons. Remember when I told you that you'd cook for me, eventually? Everything that I say comes true…"

She scowled but couldn't stop a grin. Her hand stroked his hair lightly.

She lowered her voice slightly, "You do know that your entire regular team is watching us right? Except for Jirou-senpai. He's dozing as usual."

"Mmm… They'll be getting at least 50 laps each at practise today…" Atobe deliberately raised his voice so that his eavesdropping team mates would hear.

They quickly made themselves scarce.

"You are so evil…" Sara laughed lightly as she watched their rapidly disappearing shadows.

His eyes never opened but his smile widened. "I know. That's why you love me."

##########

February 28, 2007
Written by: Linc
Edited by: Jocey from Teniyume