I know, it took me so loooongg to update the next chapter. So... here it is! OOC though.

Ryoma pulled her gently to his bed and sat down next to her. She looked pure and fragile, as she cried softly.

"Sakuno, why are you crying?" Ryoma hugged her gently.

Sakuno remained silent. She couldn't tell Ryoma about the Queen's visit and the agreement she made with her. Tonight will be the last day for her to be in Japan.

A brief moment of silence followed before Ryoma's golden eyes locked on hers. Ryoma leaned closer towards her and kissed her gently on the lips.

Sakuno closed her eyes and kissed him back. He tasted warm and smooth, and every nerve in her body seemed to melt away. She just wanted more of him.

Ryoma's hand reached her back. He untied her bun, letting her long hair gently dropped down. Ryoma gently lay her down on the bed and continued to kiss her.

"Don't ever leave me." Ryoma whispered softly into her ears.

"Where is Ryoma?" Rinko asked the Minister angrily.

The ball is almost over and she couldn't find Ryoma. She scanned the room and saw a group of dancers downstairs.

She's not there with her friends. Don't tell me… Rinko thought to herself.

Rinko turned and quickly rushed upstairs to Ryoma's room. She turned the doorknob but it was locked.

She banged hard on the door.

"Ryoma, I know you are in there. Come out now!" She shouted from outside.

"Honey, just leave him alone." Nanjiroh said as he came up to her.

"I can't. This is ridiculous. What is he doing inside?" Rinko said.

"Let's talk to him in the morning. He won't come out even if you break the door." Nanjiroh said.

"But… "

"My Queen. Please." Nanjiroh said.

Rinko sighed and nodded. She followed her husband back to the ball downstairs.

Sakuno got up when she heard a loud bang on the door. The knock stopped and was followed by muffled voices from outside.

Sakuno sat up and turned to look at Ryoma who was still sleeping next to her. Sakuno touched his dark hair gently.

He looks so handsome, even when he is sleeping. Sakuno thought to herself.

Sakuno got up and picked her clothes on the floor. She changed into her clothes and turned to look at Ryoma before leaving.

"I'm sorry but I have to go." She whispered softly and walked out of the door.

Sakuno walked slowly in the garden outside of the castle. She breathed in the fresh night air. Her head is throbbing and confused.

What am I doing? I made love with him and now I'm leaving him? Sakuno thought silently.

"Sakuno."

Sakuno turned and was faced with the Queen. She walked towards her with her face expressionless.

"Your majesty." Sakuno bowed.

Rinko walked circles around her and looked at her head to toe. She let out a loud sigh.

"Tell me. Did you meet Ryoma just now? Or you didn't?" She asked.

I can't tell her…

"I did." Sakuno admitted. She couldn't bring herself to lie to the Queen.

"Did anything happen between the both of you?"

"We talked… and now I'm going back home." Sakuno answered timidly.

"You talked. Let me remind you, lady. I don't know whether you are telling the truth or not. Whatever happened today shall end today. You are going to France, remember?" Rinko smiled tightly.

Sakuno nodded.

Rinko placed a hand on Sakuno's shoulder.

"Make us proud. You are a good dancer." Rinko said softly and turned to leave.

"Your majesty…" Sakuno called out.

"Yes?"

"Please let me know. What can I do to make you accept me in Ryoma kun's life?" Sakuno asked.

Rinko raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

"Be a true blood royalty." Rinko smirked.

Sakuno paused to think of a reply. The Queen is asking for the impossible.

"I can't be that. It's impossible." Sakuno said. A tear rolled down her left cheek.

"But I promised you that I'll be someone who deserve to be with Ryoma kun." Sakuno said.

"Then we shall see. Come back once you've completed your studies in France. I might accept you." Rinko replied and walked off into the darkness night.

Sakuno covered her face and squatted on the grass. Tears were flowing down as she cried alone.

"Sakuno chan." Momoshiro came from behind her. He squatted next to her.

Sakuno replied with a soft sob.

"I'm sorry, but I overheard your conversation with the Queen. It must have been tough for you." Momoshiro said.

"You know…" He continued when Sakuno didn't reply.

"I can tell that Echizen likes you very much. I don't know whether the Queen has anything up her sleeves, but I think you should go ahead and further your studies. Be a world-class dancer and come back once you are ready. It will be tough for now. Let's just hope nothing else happens, and Echizen will still be here for you to come back." Momoshiro said.

"I don't want to leave…" Sakuno said sadly.

"Before you leave, at least say goodbye to him. When is your flight?" Momoshiro asked.

"10am tomorrow. I don't know if I can do it if I see him again." Sakuno sobbed.

"I'll inform him. In the meantime, you go home and rest."

Ryoma woke up and turned to his right.

Wait a minute. Where is she? Ryoma sat up and tried to recall what happened yesterday.

Ryoma quickly got off his bed and put on fresh clothing. He rushed downstairs. Momoshiro pulled him into a hiding corner.

"Echizen. She's leaving for France at 10am today." Momoshiro said.

"What?" Ryoma said and looked at his watch. 9.10am.

He filled in Ryoma with what he saw last night.

"She couldn't bear to tell you so I…" Momoshiro said, but Ryoma was already running down the hallways.

Please, please let me be on time to meet her. Ryoma prayed silently.

He quickly got into his black Mercedes convertible and rushed to the airport.

Ryoma walked around the airport terminal to look for her. The crowd is making him dizzy and he could see people pointing at him. He then spotted Sakuno at a vending machine. He walked over to her and stood next to her.

She didn't realised I'm here! Ryoma thought. He pressed the vending button for a Grape Ponta after she slot in a coin.

"Hey, that's my coin…" Sakuno said and turned. She gasped when she saw Ryoma.

Ryoma bend down and took the drink out. He opened the can and passed it to her. He leaned against the vending machine.

"I don't know if France have Ponta, but this is my favourite drink." He said.

"Ryoma…" Sakuno said softly.

"Think of me whenever you drink grape juice." He took the can from her hands and put it down on a chair next to him.

"Remember to practise your tennis too." He continued.

Sakuno nodded and looked up into his golden eyes,

"Come here." Ryoma pulled her gently towards him.

"Be a good dancer, and come back to me once you are done over there. I'll wait for you." Ryoma whispered into her ears.

Ryoma embraced her and softly brushed his lips over hers.

"Don't ever forget this." Ryoma said after they pulled apart.

Ryoma smiled down at her. "I love you."

Whoo pee doo… End of a chapter, but it's not the end of story. To be continued!