Hello, I am back with a new chapter! I am glad that some of you like my previous chapter and how I inserted some characters from different books. Credits to the other books by the way. I am going to enumerate them later. Anyway, on with the final chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Prince of Tennis and never will.

Her Birthday, His Birthday

Summary: She didn't understand his way of thinking since she was reading her books... until he slipped on the day of her birthday.

Ummm, hello. Was anyone there? Someone told me that I should tell you this part of the story. Ryoma-kun was being told that he was getting out of his character and then he passed the mic to me.

It wasn't like we were recording this like the other novels or something. This was only a fanfic..This was all MitsukiJunko-san's wild imagination about her favorite pair in the anime. She wasn't famous or anything and she just wanted to share these feelings she had. I-okay, I thought of stopping before someone could scold me. I was getting off of the topic.

Ryuzaki Sakuno at your service. Sorry for the delayed introduction. I was filled up with the emotions inside me. I was recently confused by Ryoma-kun's behaviour. Last Christmas eve a.k.a Ryoma-kun's birthday...

H-he kissed me.

Mou! It was only on the cheek but that thought still surprised me. It also made me blush. I couldn't think straight because of that.

He kissed me because there were berries on top of us. Even so, I couldn't imagine Ryoma-kun would do something like that.. less to me. This was so confusing. He wouldn't kiss for the those berries, would he? Why would he?

Stupid mistletoe.

I quickly covered my lips with my hands. Sorry for my rudeness. I was also not being myself. Mou! Ryoma-kun, this was all your fault!

He was also somewhat irritated when I talked about Percy Jackson or The Mortal Instruments or Vampire Academy or any books that I read. Especially the first one I mentioned. By the way, I am on the fourth book. One more I am done with the story.

I actually lagged a little because of Ryoma-kun's weird behaviour. , there were Christmas and New Year so I was really busy. It was already the first week of the new year and I had just started reading the fourth book.

The story was getting intense. My favorite couple, Percabeth fell into the Tartarus and I was yet to know what happened after that. I walked around the campus, hugging the book to my chest while was looking for a place to read. I thought of the library but then, I didn't feel that the atmosphere was right. I walked near the courts and I found one nice cherry tree ahead of me. A smile was formed on my lips when I thought that it was the perfect place to read. The wind was nice, the tree was big, and it could shelter anyone from the sun's light that was peeking from each branch of the tree.

I hurried there and comfortably positioned myself there. I leaned my back on the tree's trunk. My eyes found the cover of the book. There were two people facing their backs on me. They were like walking towards the fire or something. At least I had the idea what it was. I already read the teaser of that part. My excitement was really high when I was about to open the book and read the first page of the story... when someon tapped my crown.

"Going to your own world again?"

I was about to retort for disturbing me for my golden time if it wasn't for the amber eyes, fila hat and a can of ponta. These made me take back all the words I wanted to say when, yeah, Ryoma-kun interrupted me once again.

"R-Ryoma-kun, o-ohayou..." I greeted instead. I had the feeling that I blushed when I saw him and it made me remember what happened on his birthday... Also, I stuttered for the umpteenth time. I wonder when would I ever overcome that everytime I was with him. I thought that he was going to leave after he noticed me but he leaned on the trunk of the tree. He was just sipping his ponta like that.

"Don't you have practice?" I asked as I couldn't help it.

"They are warming up." He shrugged as he took a long sip of his soda.

I instantly looked at him. If his teammates were warming up, why was he here with me? Was he going to be tardy? Ryoma-kun would never do that. I knew that he would never miss practice. He sensed that I was staring at him so he looked back at me and frowned;

"What?"

"Aren't you going to join them?"

"Do you want me to leave?" He asked instead and that made me caught off guard.

I looked away after he asked that, "Err...i-it's not like that! It's just that... you would never leave practice like that... even if it is only a warm up."

I knew that I was blushing so I looked down and stared at the cover of my book. I found the backs of Percy and Annabeth were so interesting to watch.

"I am not ditching practice."

"I never said that!" The need of defending myself made me look at him once again, "I know you won't."

"Then there's no problem of me staying here." He bent down and sat with his leg outstretched while the other was bent. His elbow where the part he was holding his can was on his folded knee.

All I was able to do was to gape at him. Luckily, my jaw didn't drop. Ryoma-kun was staying at the same tree where I was planning to read. My heart started to beat rapidly. Should I leave so he could get his privacy? If he was okay with his practice like he said then it was fine.

But I was alone with Ryoma-kun now. I didn't know but I feel awkawrd. Memories from last Christmas Eve made me blush once again. I touched my chest and felt my heart there.

What was he doing?

"Ne..."

"H-hai..." His voice made me jump a little. He rarely initiated a conversation like that. When I looked at him, he was already staring at me.

"What do you like to have?"

"E?"

"What do you like to have?" He repeated his question.

"W-what for?"

Ryoma-kun just shrugged before ge threw the can away, "Just tell me."

I really frowned at him this time. I didn't know what he was talking about. Then I looked at the book on my lap and it gave me an idea.

"The Blood of Olympus then!" I was able to grin at him when I showed him my fourth book.

But he only gave me a frown and looked ahead of him, "Not that."

"E, why?" My head cocked to his side wondering why not.

"Anything but that."

"You asked me what I like to have. I told you what I like and then you'd only refused it." That was only a whisper but I knew that he heard me. He was really weird after all, "I don't get you."

"Che..."

Then another idea came to my mind, " What about The Lady Midnight?"

"What's that?"

"A novel."

"No."

"Demigods and Magicians?"

"And that?"

"A companion book."

"No."

"The Hidden Oracle?"

"Let me guess, another book?"

"Hai?"

"No, and your another suggestion, no."

"I give up!" I wanted to strangle this guy beside me who wanted to give me something that I like but when I told him he would not want to give it, "Thank you for offering though."

"Seriously Ryuzaki, you can ask something else, you know?"

"Like what? A bookmark? Maybe, it would be better if you have a picture in it." I didn't know what I was thinking but somehow, Ryoma-kun frustrated me. I mentioned another thing that was related to book but I knew that he would not prefer that. I was also looking away so I didn't see his reaction when I said that.

"Time to practice," Ryoma-kun suddenly said. Before I could ask him, he was already on his feet, "Thanks for the suggestions. Ja."

"E?" The only thing that I could do that time was to stare at his figure walking away from me. It was rather a confusing conversation and he only left me with my thoughts.

"What was that... all about?" Was all I could whisper to myself.

xxx

Things seemed to be normal after that. I never discovered why Ryoma-kun asked me what I liked. It had been five days since he asked me that. He was acting weird actually.

"Sakuno!"

Tomoka-chan surprised me with a hug from behind. I also saw Tezuka-buchou and Oishi-senpai tailing behind her. I pried my best friend's hands away before facing her, "What's the matter?" I looked at my best friend first before I looked at buchou.

Tezuka-buchou fixed his glasses before he spoke to me, "Sensei told me that you should be prepared so Oishi and I picked you up."

"E? Why?" I blinked for several times, never really had an idea what they were talking about. Tomoka-chan answered for me.

"It's for your birthday, silly," She anchored her arm to mine and pulled me to her, "We will go shopping for your birthday."

That surprised me and left me speechless. Right. It was almost my birthday. It was silly of me to forget my own birthday. But having Tezuka-buchou and Oishi-senpai pick me up was a bit awkward. Just what was Obaa-chan doing?

"S-senpai, you don't need to pick me up like this? My face felt hot and I couldn't help but look down. I started figeting with my fingers which was my mannerism, "I don't want to trouble you with your practice."

"It's not big deal, Ryuzaki-san," The mother hen said looking a bit apologetic, "We are actually on a break."

"But still..." I didn't know what to say and I never had the chance to say more when Tomoka-chan pulled me for a walk.

xxx

I had shopping with the other freshmen with Obaa-chan's orders. If they wouldn't go with me and Tomoka-chan, they would experience Inui's super deluxe juice. No one disagreed and quietly went with us.

Even Ryoma-kun came with us.

Our group was kind of noisy on our way to the mall. Tomoka-chan and Horio-kun were bickering on our way while Kachiro and Katsuo were trying to stop them. By the angel, we were on the road, at least they should have their lover's quarrel in private... or in the school.

Please don't tell Tomo-chan that I said that or she'd kill me.

And now, we were doing our task of buying some stuffs for my birthday. And my birthday would be two days from now. Why would they have to work up with this? They should have been practicing instead of going with us. Tomo-chan and I could do the shopping alone.

I was probably in my own world again when I felt Ryoma-kun's arm brush to mine. He grabbed a rabbit molder from the tray, the same tray I was observing.

"You will be making cookies, will you not?"

"Hai," His closeness somehow made me nervous a bit. Wanting to kill the tension, I asked something silly to him, "Do you want me to mold you something?"

Ryoma-kun frowned as I expected. I wanted the ground to be opened and swallowed me hole. I didn't like the question I asked him but it was too late to take it back now.

"Cat."

"E?"

"You can mold me a cat."

I was rather surprised that he answered me. Then I looked at his hand and saw a molder in his palm. It was a cat molder. No wonder he wanted that animal.

Karupin-chan was his pet cat after all.

We got everything we needed so we decided to get home. The boys took us in my home as we dropped our shopping bags. I faced them and bowed.

"Thank you for shopping with us, guys. We really appreciate it."

"Yeah, that was rather fun." Tomo-chan agreed.

"You were nagging the whole time, where was the fun in that?" Horio said.

Tomoka-chan hit him on the head, "That now is fun. Now stop ruining the day, you dolt!"

"You are the one who's ruining the day," Horio shouted a little, ,"At least Ryuzaki-san is not reading a book for the whole day."

My eyes widened when I heard that. What was Horio-kun talking about?

"Horio-kun, baka!" Kachiro hit him on the head as well, "You should have just keep quiet. You and your big mouth!"

It took a few seconds before I finally realized what was going on. To my surprise, even Ryoma-kun was snickering. I realized why they went shopping with us.

No thanks to Horio-kun's loudmouth.

"Mou! You guys!" I shouted but the four of them were already running away. I couldn't believe them. Despite our ages, we could still act like kids. Ryoma-kun was having fun. Even Tomo-chan started to laugh. I only shook my head but I smiled a little.

"Mata na, Ryuzaki!" Ryoma-kun called out before he completely joined the others... in a walking manner.

xxx

"Is that the part where they met Bob the Titan?"

Momo-chan-senpai startled me that morning. I was really absorbed from the book that I was reading and I never felt senpai's presence behind nor how long he had been there. He read the part where I was at. I didn't know how he knew about the forgetting titan.

I was beginning to worry that Ryoma was right about myself. I was not paying attention what was around me when I was actually reading.

"Hai," I showed him the book when he sat next to me. I was in the library and it was rare of senpai to be there and that reminded me to ask him, "What are you doing here senpai?"

My question made him snort as he showed me his own book, "Make up test in English. I failed the last exam so I have to study."

"I see." I replied.

Momo-chan-senpai slumped his head on top of the book, "Ryuzaki-sensei said that I won't be playing tennis until I pass the exam today."

That made me sweat drop. Grandmother could be strict at times, especially for failing grades. I couldn't blame senpai for that.

"You can ask Ryoma-kun to help you. He's fluent in English, isn't he?"

"I was looking for him but I think he doesn't want to be found."

Truth to be told, I agreed with senpai. Ryoma-kun would never show or volunteer himself into doing something like that... unless being threatened to.

"I need to find that midget," Momo-chan-senpai stood up and looked around, "I know that he's somewhere around here. Practice will be later anyway."

"Good luck, senpai." I could only smile at him. If I knew English, I would've tried helping him but, alas, I was not good at the said subject. Senpai grabbed his English notebook and started to walk away but not missing to smile at me and said;

"Have fun reading."

And he was gone.

Time passed without me knowing it. I was not aware what was happening around me, the people moving around, the people reading around me. I was not aware when someone sat next to me. The story was getting intense. There was really a time that I didn't care what was happening around me.

Like this time, for instance. Just when-

I almost screamed when someone pulled the book from my hands. That really surprised me and I immediately looked at the rude person who did that, which made me even more surprised;

"R-Ryoma-kun!" I tried not to scream as possible as I could, "Just what are you doing?"

"Saving you from letting your guard down." The boy said closing the book and slouched a little on his chair, "You are getting worse at it."

"That again. But we are in the library!" I really wanted to emphazise that to him.

He looked at me before he replied, "Which is you are aware that someone is actually beside you."

"Because I am reading."

"And not aware that her book is about to be stolen."

"Mou!"

"SHHH!"

The librarian caught our attention.. My voice went a little high and I didn't realize that. I looked at the librarian and apologized for several times. I fixed myself on my chair and pouted at Ryoma-kun.

"J-just give me my book back."

"Yada."

"Why are you so hard?"

"I am not," Ryoma-kun said, " You have been reading a lot. Get a break." He stood up carrying my book.

"W-where are you going?" I asked standing as well, "With my book?"

"Back to practice," He continued walking but he stopped and looked at me, he lifted my book and said, "If you can keep up with me, I'll return this to you on your birthday."

That made me... invisibly jaw drop. He continued walking out from the library leaving . He had my book and he was not planning to return it until my birthday

Just what was he really thinking?

xxx

Ryoma-kun didn't return my book as he promised. I couldn't believe that he could do something like that. My birthday came but I was upset of what he did.

I couldn't understand Ryoma-kun anymore. When did he become so aware of me and what I read? He started making and doing unexpected things ever since his birthday. My heart beat rapidly when I remembered that particular kiss he did on Christmas.

My heart was never calmed after that happened. It was also the same when he was so close to me. I never really had the chance to ask why'd he kissed me.

'There was a mistletoe above us' would likely be his answer so I thought otherwise. Ryoma-kun somehow... changed.

"Happy Birthday!" It startled me when Tomoka -chan hugged me from behind and shouted loudly to my ear. I wanted to get angry at her if it wouldn't for her greeting so I smiled instead.

"Arigatou, Tomo-chan."

My best friend grinned at me at gave me a wrapped present. The moment I held it, I knew that it was a book. I couldn't contain my excitement to open it right away but Tomo-chan stopped me before I could start doing it.

"That can wait," She said batting her eyelashes and pulled me somewhere, "Let's go."

Even though I knew that my senpais were there to greet me, it was still surprising to see that they were all present. Taka-senpai prepared some sushis and wasabi ones that Fuji-senpai would prefer to eat. Inui-senpai offered some of his juice which everyone tried to avoid except, well, for Fuji-senpai. Oishi tried to calm everyone for they were making a fuss inside our backyard, while Eiji-senpai, Momo-chan-senpai and Kaidoh-senpai were making everything impossible. Ryoma-kun completed the trouble. Tezuka-buchou was the only calm person in the group and he was talking with Obaa-chan while eating some cake.

Obaa-chan seemed not to mind the trouble. I bet that having this kind of party wasn't bad after intense days of practice. I was pleased to see them and celebrated my birthday with them. They all gave me something memorable as gifts and I didn't stop thanking them... well, until Tomo-chan covered my mouth.

The day passed really fast and night came. Some of them were really tired despite that they didn't drink. They ran out of energy after being hyper all day. Some of them collapsed on the long table and slept. Oishi-senpai, Taka-san and Obaa-chan were the only people who were awake and were starting to clean the mess. I started helping them but Obaa-chan told me that I shoild take a break. I had been serving them all day and it was my birthday so they thought I should rest. I sighed and finally conceeded. Tezuka-buchou was also awake and he started reading something.

And that made me remember something.

I looked around and saw Ryoma-kun on the chair. His head was on the table. He collapsed as well. We never had the chance to talk nor get my book from him. I guess I had to wait until tomorrow for that. It also reminded me about the present Tomo-chan gave me. It was time to open it now, I guess.

With so much excitement, I ran to the corner and saw the gifts I received from my senpais. Tomo-chan's gift was also with them. I grabbed the gift and sat on a chair nearby. A smile was formed on my lips as I was touching the book. And my hands started to move;

"You were here all along."

My hands that were about to open my present stopped from moving when someone's voice I knew interrupted me. My shock was registered in my face when I saw Ryoma-kun standing behind me.

"R-Ryoma-kun!" I started and stood up to face him, "I thought that you were asleep."

"I was just resting." He walked closer to me and showed me something. It was my book that I didn't notice he was carrying a while ago. I almost hugged it when he gave it to me.

"Arigatou, Ryoma-kun."

"Happy Birthday, Ryuzaki."

I looked at him when he greeted me. I thought that he was going to give me something but he was just staring at me. Blush appeared on my face and found my book interesting to watch that time.

Then I saw something.

Between the pages, there was a thin blue ribbon that was inserted. I opened that part and saw a thin card there. My eyes widened when I pulled the card there. There was a picture of him . It was a chibi version of him. I just covered my mouth and looked at him.

He smirked this time when I realized what it was and he confirmed it to me;

"It's your bookmark."

"You..." My words were stucked from my throat as I looked at him. I couldn't believe that he would take my words seriously. It was also a birthday gift from Ryoma-kun. It took a few moments before I found my words, "Arigatou, Ryoma-kun."

"Un." He then looked around. The place was mysteriously quiet which was odd. The rest was sleeping near the front and I wondered if they wouldn't catch cold or something. Then, I remembered something.

"I need to open Tomo-chan's gift.,"

"It's a book." He said as if it wasn't the obvious.

"Yes, but I don't know what book it is."

"It could be Percy Jackstone or something."

"It's Percy Jackson!"

"Whatever..."

I sighed giving up and looked at him. "Why are we always arguing for this?"

Ryoma-kun looked at me curiously as if he was thinking something deep. He seemed to plan on telling me what it was in his mind but decided otherwise. Instead, he also sighed and blurted something else, "You keep talking about him."

"Well, I admire him... as a character in the book."

"You talk about everyone."

"Just a few of them."

"You are forgetting our practice."

"I am not for-"

"You stopped cheering for us."

"I did not-"

"You always read."

"Just because-"

"I can believe that the girl I like focuses at something else. It's annoying."

"I am not-" I was about to retort for always cutting me but then I intentionally stopped myself when I heard it. My eyes widened when the words registered to my brain but I wasn't sure about it, "W-what did you say?"

"What?"He asked back like it was an obvious thing to ask.

"Y-your words." My heart was drumming loudly inside me. It was making me nervous, "C-can you say it again?"

He raised an eyebrow and looked intensely at me, "You always read."

"N-no, after that."

"It's annoying?" He suggested. It was rather a question than a statement.

"N-No!" I bit my lower lip and looked down, "The one you said that... that..." Once again, I couldn't get my voice out. My face was red. Ryoma-kun was making things awkward between us. When I saw something shadowing my vision below, I looked up to see him leaning down on me.

"How about I show you..." He was about to reach for me when I started to move backwards.

"R-Ryoma-kun..." I tried holding on to something and my hands found the side of the table. I was suprised when he followed me there. His hand gently touched my cheek. I realized that my head was moving away from him so he steadied it.

"I didn't want to rush things between us but you gave me no choice," He said looking down straight to my eyes, "You asked for this anyway."

And he kissed me.

This time on the lips.

Done! Yep, I am going to end it here. At least for this chapter. Originally, this fic would only have two chapters but then I remembered Valentines day, so I am going extend this. Yep, there will be another chapter... :)

The cliffhanger will be given justice... tee hee hee... :3

The books Sakuno mentioned, the novels and companion will be released this year. They are new series of the great Authors Cassandra Clare Rick Riordan. I can't wait to read them... :)

I do not own anything here. I do not own the books and names mentioned here.

Reviews please! I need to hear your thoughts. Domo... :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYUZAKI SAKUNO!

Next Chapter: His gift, her response