Prince Of Tennis Fan Fiction ❯ Translate This ❯ Shall we Dance? ( Chapter 16 )

A/N: FINALLY! I'm so sorry for taking so long to write this chapter…not only have I been busy, but I've been trying to make this chapter AS GOOD as possible. I mean, it's only the most important chapter of the whole story right? Enjoy ^-^

 

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Prince of Tennis and it's characters, but Tenaya is ALL mine!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Translate This

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shall We Dance?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tenaya's POV

 

 

“Ryoma's here honey!!”

 

 

“Be right there!” I yelled downstairs without so much as a quaver in my voice. But looking at myself in the mirror, those annoying little butterflies began flapping like crazy again in my stomach.

 

 

Why was I so nervous? I've seen Ryoma a million times before, and this was just a school dance, not the Oscars or anything. I shook my head clear, and smoothed out the sheer material of my new dress.

 

 

I sighed, and ran the brush one last time through my hair. Being the kind of girl who never did anything to her hair besides wash, brush and go, I didn't have all that many different hairstyles in my pocket. Fortunately, Joan was helpful, and helped me straighten my hair. After about an hour of cringing at the hot iron, my hair lay straight and flat against my bare back. As a final touch, my mom took out a sheer white and pink scarf and wrapped it around the top of my head and tied it at the back of my neck, letting the loose ends lay against the front of my shoulder. Mom then did my makeup, smoky-eyed style with a little black eyeliner, and then a tiny bit of peach pink eyeshadow. My lips were a nude color with a simple gloss over them.

 

 

I made a face at myself. I had never looked so girlish before in my life. But, I smiled, I felt good and that was all that mattered.

 

 

I smiled, and pushed my bangs out of my eyes, looking at the mirror one last time before taking a deep breath to steady myself. I grabbed my white bag and headed downstairs.

 

 

 

Ryoma's POV

 

 

I fiddled with my watch, and tried hard not to mess up my hair, which my dad had ran a handful of gel through so that it didn't flop around so much. I smoothed out my tux and shifted my feet, and smiled anxiously at Mrs. Rialles who just looked amused at my fidgety-ness.

 

 

If that's even a word.

 

 

I had never been this nervous in my life. It was just a dance, I told myself. Nothing's different. Me, Tenaya, school, no reason to freak out right?

 

 

Maybe it's because you plan to tell her how you feel today?

 

 

“Oh shut up.” I muttered under my breath, shooting a smile at Carter who looked at me questioningly.

 

 

Tennis matches were like strolls in the park compared to this. Who knew school dances were so emotionally draining? I felt out of breath before I had even done anything.

 

 

But everything I was feeling at that moment disappeared into thin air as Tenaya walked down the stairs to meet me. I saw her look around and when she spotted me, she broke into a gorgeous smile that made my knees go weak. My heart almost leaped up out of my ribcage with happiness to see her smile at me like that. It made me elated when I knew that I could make her smile.

 

 

She walked over to me slowly, high-calf length dress swishing elegantly around her tennis-toned legs. I laughed to myself at seeing her shoes. She was wearing her black and white checkered slip-on Vans. I guess Tenaya would put up with a dress and makeup, but no way was she wearing high heels. For some reason, seeing her shoes helped me loosen up a little, because I knew that this was the same old Tenaya.

 

 

And plus, if she had high heels on, she'd be taller than me. But with the Vans, we were perfect height.

 

 

“Hi.” She smiled up at me, gray eyes twinkling with excitement. “You look so…dressed up.” She laughed. “But that's expected I guess. You look nice.”

 

 

I smiled back, and offered her my arm. “Thank you. And you look gorgeous.”

 

 

She smiled in thanks, and we headed towards the front door. We waved goodbye to Joan and Carter, and walked with her mom down to their car.

 

 

&&&

 

 

Narrator's POV

 

 

When Tenaya and Ryoma arrived at school, they noticed that almost everybody else was already there. Ryoma greeted his friends, and Tenaya excitedly gave each one a hug. When they had said hi to Fuji, he smiled at them and asked if he could talk to Tenaya alone for a little while.

 

 

“Ok.” Tenaya turned to Ryoma. “I'll be right back okay?”

 

 

Ryoma nodded but she was already being led away by Fuji. He sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets.

 

 

“So…” Fuji started, stopping at the corner of the room and turning to face Tenaya. “Have you made a choice yet?”

 

 

“Ugh,” Tenaya groaned but smiled up at him. “You're so nosy!” She laughed, and shook her head. Suddenly she looked sad. “I've thought about it and…well. I'm not going to tell him.”

 

 

“What?! But you sai-“

 

 

“I know! I said I wanted to tell him but…I think it'd be easier if I didn't. Plus…I've decided that I only like him as a friend after all.” She smiled and gave him another small hug while his mouth hung open, but she cut him off when he started to protest. “I'll talk to you later okay? The dance is starting.”

 

 

She turned and started back towards Ryoma, who's face Fuji watched light up at the sight of her. He sighed. He's so in love with her, and all Fuji could do was watch while his heart was being broken.

 

But wait.

 

 

It wasn't his business to meddle with Ryoma and Tenaya's problem, but what if…

 

 

&&&

 

 

“Hey Ryoma.” Ryoma looked over and saw Fuji to the left of him. “Can I talk to you for a while?” Ryoma frowned, but nodded. “Yeah. Sure. I'll be right back, Tenaya.” She nodded and kept dancing.

 

 

Ryoma turned and followed Fuji while he led him outside to the gates near the tennis courts.

 

 

“Something you wanted to tell me?” Ryoma smiled lightly.

 

 

“Um…” Fuji ran a hand through his toffee colored hair. “How am I supposed to say this…” He muttered under his breath, although not loud enough for Ryoma to hear.

 

 

“How…How do you feel about Tenaya?” He said, looking up to meet Ryoma's gaze with his royal blue eyes.

 

 

Ryoma blushed slightly and put a hand on the chain link fence. “Well, she's my friend.”

 

 

Fuji smiled. “No. Tell me how you really feel about her. We both know she's more than a friend to you.”

 

 

Ryoma looked up at him, almost suspiciously. “How did you know?”

 

 

Fuji shrugged. “It's obvious. The way your eyes become emotionless as soon as she leaves your side, the way they always were before you met her. The way you smile a hundred times more when you're with her.” He laughed. “I notice these things Ryoma! I see all the signs, but I need to hear you confirm it.”

 

 

Ryoma smiled, and smiled sheepishly. “Ok, I'll say it.” He looked up at Fuji, and smiled a smile that held a million more emotions than his next simple sentence could ever hold.

 

 

“I love Tenaya.”

 

 

Fuji looked at Ryoma. The sun was setting in the sky behind him, reaching it's red fingers across the horizon. Fuji smiled sadly, for this was the most earnest, most emotional thing his friend had ever said. And Fuji felt the pain at what he was going to say next.

 

 

“Well Tenaya…she doesn't love you back.”

 

 

Ryoma face fell slightly. “What?” He asked in a small voice.

 

 

Fuji sighed, gritting his teeth. “I've been talking to Tenaya. She-She doesn't feel the same.”

 

 

“Oh.” Ryoma's brows furrowed as he leaned back against the tennis fence. “Oh.” He repeated quietly.

 

 

Fuji looked down at his feet, and his skin prickled with shame for being the bearer of bad news. “I-I just wanted you…to know.”

 

 

 

“Um well. Thanks for telling me. I appreciate it, but it's ok, because…I wasn't…” He shook his head. “I wasn't going to tell her anyway.” He forced a smile onto his face, despite the fact that even he knew Fuji would see through it, and headed back into the dance.

 

 

&&&

 

 

“Woah woah.” Tenaya stepped aside from the crowd to grab Ryoma's arm as he strode past. “What's wrong?” She glanced hesitatingly towards the tennis courts, the direction in which Ryoma had come from, but nobody was there. She turned to face him. “What happened?”

 

 

“Oh. Nothing! Nothing really, I just….um…need to use the bathroom. I'll be back later.” He tugged his arm out of her grasp, a little harshly, and turned towards the back of the room.

 

 

Tenaya glanced after him, and frowned. But she shook her head clear and looked up at the school clock. 9:15. Only 45 minutes left of the dance left.

 

 

&&&

 

 

Fuji sighed as he leaned back against the wall. He had just seen the little conversation between Ryoma and Tenaya and almost regretted what he had done. But he started this little matchmaker business a while ago, and he was going to end it. He had one more consultation left.

 

 

“Tenaya?”

 

 

She turned around to face him. “Yeah?”

 

 

“Sorry, but I was wondering if I could talk to you…again.”

 

 

“Um…” She looked confused for a second but walked over to where he stood a few yards away. “Sure. Shoot. Unless…” She sighed. “Not Ryoma again, is it?”

 

 

He nodded and his blue eyes took on a serious tone. “Look. I think we both know that you're lying. You know Ryoma means a lot more to you than you let yourself think. The question is, why won't you just tell him?”

 

 

“I can't!” Tenaya put a hand to her forehead and shook her head. “I just can't Fuji! He doesn't have to know really! I can just pretend like…like he's a friend and we can go on with our lives.” She put on a smile. “Doesn't that sound like a good plan to you? It does to me, so I'm not saying a word.” She crossed her arms, as if that finished the matter.

 

 

She sighed when he gave her his “I-think-we-need-to-discuss-this-choice-of-yours” face. “Look. I'm leaving in two days. After that, my life in Japan is over. It's done. I doubt I'll ever see any of you again. It might sound harsh, but the truth is I don't want to see any of you guys again.” She winced at the look of sadness in Fuji's eyes, but continued. “This has been one of the best chapters of my life, but I have to move on. I don't belong in Japan….I just don't. No matter how much I feel at home here, the truth is that I can't stay. Maybe…” She sighed, and took a deep breath. “Maybe if I can tell myself that you guys don't mean a lot to me, then leaving won't be so hard.”

 

 

To her horror, tears started prickling at the back of her eyes, and her throat tightened. She quickly wiped them out of her eyes and lowered her head so that Fuji wouldn't see her crying. “I know it sounds stupid…I'll never be able to hide the fact that you guys are the most caring and lovable people I've ever met. But, I'm a good liar…I really am. I get away from homework assignments all the time.” She laughed shakily. “Maybe I can deceive myself…”

 

 

Fuji's heart hurt as he watched a tear fall from her shadowed face to the ground. He lifted her chin up with his hand and look into her tear-filled grey eyes. “I-“ He sighed. “I don't know why you're doing this…but I respect your decision.” He smiled sadly. “You know what you're feeling, I hope.”

 

 

She nodded fervently, sniffling, and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “I do. I've thought this through.” She smiled. “Thanks.” She said softly, and wrapped her arms around him tightly. “You mean a lot to me Fuji, thanks for being there.”

 

 

He smiled into her hair and wrapped his arms around her. “Thanks for letting me be here to help you out.” After a few moments, they pulled apart and after whispering a final thanks, she headed back to the dance floor. “If I can't be anything else,” he whispered. “Then being your friend is enough…”

 

 

&&&

 

 

Ryoma's POV

 

 

I felt a lot better after splashing some water on my face and clearing my mind. I decided that, why waste our time together with a depressed mood? Might as well make the best of it.

 

 

So I pushed the pain of rejection into the back of my mind and started looking for Tenaya. There was time for one last slow dance, and I wanted to dance with her. But when I spotted her, the smile slipped from my face as I saw her in Fuji's arms. They were holding each other in a tight embrace and when they pulled apart, she had a smile on her face. She whispered something in his ear and turned to walk away.

 

 

My mind went numb, and automatically I headed for the door. I walked into the hallway before stopping to think. I took a deep, shaky breath, and cursed at my own blindness. Of course, how could I have ignored it? She was in love with Fuji. And despite the fact that she had never felt anything for me, and that he was a great person, I couldn't help but feel anger. I shook my head and started for the door again, but before I could reach it, a soft voice called out my name.

 

 

&&&

 

 

 

 

Narrator's POV

 

 

“Ryoma?” Tenaya stepped cautiously out into the hallway, and shut the door behind her, blocking out the loud music and shouting voices, although muffled beats could still be heard. “Where are you going?”

 

 

Ryoma turned around but kept his gaze away from her face. “I'm not feeling so good. So I'm heading home first…have fun okay?”

 

 

“Ryoma, I'm not falling for it. Please, tell me what's wrong?” She started walking towards him, but he just ignored her, ignored the worry shining in her eyes. It would be stupid for him to stay, after all, she had just proved that her heart had indeed belonged to Fuji.

 

 

“I'm fine, I'll see you tomorrow okay?” He reached out a hand to push open the door, but before he could, he felt her grab his hand. He froze.

 

 

She gently pulled on his hand so that he stood facing him, but once again, he kept his look on anything but her eyes. Instead, he watched the spot where his hand met both of her hands.

 

 

She held his hand loosely, running her thumbs over his knuckles. “I wish…” she took a deep breath. “I had hoped that we were close enough so that you could tell me when you're upset.”

 

 

“I'm not upset!” He exclaimed.

 

 

“Yes you are! I can tell Ryoma, and plus…you can't lie for shit.”

 

 

He stood there with his mouth open. “Of course I can lie!”

 

 

“Ah hah, so you admit you're lying!”

 

 

“Yes! NO! Of course not! There's nothing wrong, I swear!”

 

 

She groaned. “You're upset, why don't you just TELL ME??!!”

 

 

“I can't tell you!!”

 

 

“Why?!”

 

”Because!”

 

 

“Because WHAT?!”

 

 

“Because…Because there's nothing to tell!” He smiled triumphantly at catching his slip.

 

 

“Oh lordy.” She muttered, and crossed her arms. “I don't know what's wrong with you lately! You've been so…antisocial these past few days. What's going on? And why can't you tell me?!”

 

 

“It's nothing you have to worry about really! It's just…my own problems. You wouldn't be interested.”

 

 

She raised an eyebrow at him. “Try me.”

 

 

He opened his mouth, and closed it. “I just—don't worry about it.”

 

 

She rolled her eyes, and grabbed his hand again, this time dragging him back into the dance. “There's one last dance.” She said, leading him onto the dance floor just as First Love by Hikaru Utada floated out of the speakers. All around them, couples began slow dancing, and Tenaya did the same, wrapping her arms around his neck. “And I was saving it for you.” She said softly.

 

 

His eyes widened, and he hesitatingly put his arms around her waist, pulling her close. He felt confused. Wouldn't Tenaya want to dance with Fuji for the last dance? Ryoma glanced over at the boy in question, and saw him smiling back at him, dancing with a cute 7th grade girl who was looking up at him in adoration. Ryoma smiled back, and turned around, and Tenaya gently lay her head on his shoulder.

 

~

 

Saigo no KISS wa
TOBACCO no FLAVOR ga shita
Nigakute setsunai kaori

Ashita no imagoro niwa
Anata wa doki ni irun darou?
Dare wo omotterun darou?

YOU ARE ALWAYS GONNA BE MY LOVE
Itsuka dareka to mata koi ni ochitemo
I'll remember to love
You taught me how
You are always gonna be the one
Ima wa mada kanashii love song
Atarashii uta utaeru made

Tachidomaru jikan ga
Ugokidasou to shiteru
Wasuretakunai koto bakari

Ashita no imagoro niwa
Watashi wa kitto naiteru
Anata wo omotterun darou

You will always be inside my heart
Itsumo anata dake no basho ga aru kara
I hope that I have a place in your heart too
Now and forever you are still the one
Ima wa mada kanashii love song
Atarashii uta utaeru made

You are always gonna be my love
Itsuka dareka to mata koi ni ochitemo
I'll remember to love
You taught me how
You are always gonna be the one
Mada kanashii LOVE

NOW AND FOREVER…I LOVE YOU

 

 

English version:

 

 

Our last kiss was flavored

with cigarette smoke

a bitter and painful scent

 

And I wonder where you'll be

Tomorrow, about now

And who you'll be thinking of.

 

You are always gonna be my love

And I'll keep singing

This same sad love song for you.

Until the day I find a new voice.

I'll remember to love

You taught me how

You are always gonna be the one

As that time that once stopped for me

Begins to move again

 

So many things flood my mind

Which I wish I could forget

 

As I wonder what you'll be doing

Tomorrow, about now

Though I'll be crying for sure

And thinking of you.

 

You will always be inside my heart

There will always be a place for you

I hope that I have a place in your heart too

Now and forever you are still the one

And I'll keep singing

This same sad love song for you

Until the day I find a new voice

 

You are always gonna be my love

And if one day I fall in love again

I'll remember to love

You taught me how

You are always gonna be the one

All I have is this one sad love song

 

Now and forever…I love you

 

 

And so, that was how the night ended. Two lovers in each other's arms. The perfect fairytale ending to a not-so-perfect fairytale story. Except for one thing.

 

 

They still hadn't told the other person about their feelings.

 

 

But for the moment, they didn't care for such petty things, like words. All they knew was that, right there in that moment, both of their lives were perfect. Everything else in the world could wait, while they reveled in the feeling of being in each other's arms.

 

 

And this is how our story ends.

 

 

….

 

 

Yeah right.

If I ended the story like this, you'd probably all barbeque me and feed me to a bunch of vampire finches. (They do exist, I just learned about them in Bio.)

 

So if you're still alive and breathing out there, you can wait for chapter 17 to come out. Will they finally tell each other? I dunno, but I guarantee you, there's no way I'm going to give this story a crapping ending, you can count on that.

 

And by the way, First Love By Utada Hikaru is one of my ALL TIME favorite songs, and I've loved it for a long long time, way before I even got the idea for “Translate This”. It's a pretty popular song, but if you've never heard it, I suggest you either google it, or email me asking for it, and I'll send it to you.

 

Email me at viviansk8s@yahoo.com

 

And read the lyrics too.

They actually kinda pertain to the storyline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/N: So I lied. Maybe this isn't the most important and waited for chapter in the story but so what? I thought it was going to be too. But I changed it at the last minute, sorry guys!

 

 

 

Hopefully, the next chapter won't take so long to write.

 

Thanks to all reviewers and I hope you guys enjoyed this one!