Okay, so, this is my first non one shot for the PoT series. Also, the first one really written from the scratch in English, so please, point out mistakes if you find any ;) And well, I hope you'll like it, because I do~

WARNING: there will be lots of SHIFTING POVs, just to warn you, I know it may be confusing. Tell me if I should mark where there's a shift.


Ryoma always liked watching Fuji Shyuusuke play tennis. His form, the way he moved across the court, his muscles ringing with strength underneath his clothes, and those cerulean eyes that were most vibrant during his matches. Fuji Shyuusuke was indeed a beautiful sight to behold. But it was only when he was paired with an opponent of upper skills, did he shine the brightest. Just like now.

It was Fuji's first singles game, since the National Tournament started. Ryoma felt excitement slowly build inside him. He liked to watch his genius senpai, but he liked playing against him even more. He still couldn't forget that day, the one before the match with Yamabuki, that day in the rain, when he saw Fuji Shyuusuke for the first time.

Of course, he's seen him before, talked to him even, however enigmatic and short-lived those conversations were, but he did. Yet then and there, in those splashes of water, dump thuds of water-soaked ball and swishes if racquets overridden by loud thunders, he really SAW him. His fighting spirit, this burning passion that engulfed him and threatened to swallow him whole, if he didn't respond to it with equal strength.

All this left Ryoma shivering with exhilaration. He finally found someone, who wasn't winning worth beating, who wasn't worth winning over. Fuji Shyuusuke was the one. The only one who could provide him with the endless thrill, while playing against each other. Even Tezuka-buchou couldn't do it, even his father couldn't. All those people, all his rivals were only there for him to win against, but Fuji… Fuji was there to play, to give him whatever he needed to have and then take it back, so that he would have to try his hardest and get it all over again. He was the one. His source of pleasure. And whenever he saw Fuji play, he longed to be across from him and challenge him, like no one ever could.

With all these feelings bottled inside him, Ryoma watched his senpai walk on the court. When Fuji smiled, he could swear that his smile made the sun shine brighter. He clenched his hands into fists inside his jacket's pockets to stop himself from demanding a match then and there. He could wait. Just a little longer.

Finally, Ryoma took his eyes of Seigaku's genius and looked at his opponent with a small note of jealousy visible in his usual glare. Shitenhouji's Captain was a player whom you could never underestimate. Like all Captains on the National level, Ryoma thought with a bit of satisfaction. So many brilliant and strong players, whom he had yet to meet and triumph over. He smirked to himself. It was something to look forward to. If he couldn't have Fuji, he would crush everyone on whom he laid his eyes upon.

The sound of a ball hitting a racquet brought him out of his thoughts. Fuji's springy muscles sung a tune in his mind. And then, yes, those cerulean eyes opened and swept the court, not focusing on anything besides his opponent. Ah, how much Ryoma would give to have those eyes focused solely on him…

He felt himself smirk at all the worried comments, when the first point went to Shitenhouji. Why ere they fusing over it? It's not like Fuji was playing at even half of his real abilities. But then, there was another point, and another, and another. Ryome furrowed his brow slightly. What was going on? Why wasn't he playing like he was that day, in the rain? He could easily win. Well, maybe not that easily, but still. Or maybe Fuji had some sort of plan? But the points changed into games and when Higuma Otoshi was broken, there was no other explanation. Fuji Shyuusuke was oppressed.

It was no wonder that even the prodigy Fuji Shyuusuke had some troubles, but to this extent? He watched how all the Counters Fuji sent towards Shiraishi were being broken one by one. First was Higuma Otoshi, then Tsubame Gaeshi, and Hakugei. Even though his Counters were proving to be useless, Ryoma saw that Fuji's spirit was still shining in his cerulean eyes.

And then he closed them. Ryoma nearly whined at the loss. Those eyes were the most crucial thing he looked forward to in a match with his senpai. He briefly heard Shiraishi say that Fuji's tennis wasn't elegant and he had to suppress the urge to snort. Really? Whose was, if Fuji's wasn't? He didn't know anyone with such beautiful moves, other than Seigaku's genius.

But then it began.

'Two more balls! Two more balls!'

Ryoma's eyes widened in shock for a brief moment, before they narrowed angrily. It was already the last game? How come he didn't notice? And how come Fuji was losing a match without getting even one game? He looked at his senpai, who was visibly distressed. He was panting hard, his eyes were closed and a painful frown marred his forehead. It would be difficult to get back at Shiraishi, everyone could see that. Almost impossible.

But Ryoma knew. It was never too late for a comeback. Till the last ball hits the ground, there is always hope. Though right now he couldn't see it in Fuji's eyes. All he saw was a lost puppy, laying on the court and staring blankly at the cloudless sky. He saw in those cerulean eyes how Fuji was starting to doubt himself. Doubt his tennis, his skills, his strength, his ability to win. Ryoma could see him beginning to get lost.

And he couldn't have that. Fuji Shyuusuke was the one to provide him with the endless thrill, the one to always leave him unsatisfied, to always make him yearn for more. He just couldn't allow him to crumble here.

'Play seriously,' Ryoma said, his eyes sparkling with emotions suppressed throughout the duration of the match. 'Ne, play seriously, Fuji-senpai.'

He was smirking slightly at the sight of those brilliant eyes widening in surprise. When he was told to go back to the stands, he did so without complaining. He attained his objective. He brushed off the others' complains about his actions. He didn't want to explain. It was for him to know, and for the others to ponder on.

His smirk gained a satisfied edge when he saw THE light in Fuji's eyes. Oh yes, finally. When the shouts of 'One more ball!' went off around them, he really had troubles in containing his amusement. They won't have any idea what hit them.

And it did hit them hard, indeed. Ryoma saw the burning passion he so longed for come to life. His smirk widened. 'That's how you should be,' he thought. 'That's my Fuji Shyuusuke.' But then, what his senpai did surprised even him. That was just so… Fuji. If the Triple Counters didn't work, he would find a way to make them work. Or even better yet, make new Counters, more powerful than the previous ones. Ryoma smirked. The Houou Gaeshi, Kirin Otoshi, and Hakuryuu. He caught the ball that bounced to where he stood. A slight shiver travelled down his spine. This was his Fuji Shyuusuke. The one and only, who could make him tremble with excitement.

Ryoma's usual façade crumbled, when Fuji's smooth voice ringed clearly through the air.

'It was just completed,' his cerulean eyes flashed dangerously and Ryoma had to bit his tongue to control himself. 'Let's go. Final Counter!'

Ryoma heard himself gasp, feeling numb all over with exhilaration. He wanted to play him. Oh God, he needed to play him. Needed. Badly. All he could do when Fuji's silky voice stated 'Hecatoncheires no Monban' was stare at him with emotions clearly visible in his eyes and gold fire burning deep underneath the surface.

When the game count came to 6-5 for Seigaku, Ryoma gripped the ball he was still holding tight in his hand. He saw it, everyone did. Shiraishi's balls were climbing the net with every shot, persistently, not giving up. Ryoma almost cursed out loud when it nearly passed over the net. The count was 0-40, Fuji in the lead. He could do this. He could win. It was just within his reach.

And then it wasn't. With 15-40 Shitenhouji's Captain started his retaliation, breaking through Fuji's Final Counter every time. And it was over. All the exhaustion, both physical and mental, made Fuji miss his last Hakuryuu about half a ball. Ryoma closed his eyes briefly in silent despair. He knew Fuji could have won, he had the ability, the skills, the strength. But he lost.

'Tennis is a cruel sport,' Ryoma thought as he watched Fuji sitting away from the rest of regulars with a towel over his head. He felt an unreasonable urge to hug him. With a slight frown he squashed it. For one, it was completely out of character for him to randomly hug people. And he himself was sure he wouldn't appreciate any form of pity after such a loss. But this uncharacteristic urge shocked him. Why did he feel the need to cheer up anyone at all? Forget cheering, but a hug? And Fuji of all people…

Ryoma shook his head to clear it from the vibrant images of him hugging Fuji's towel-covered head closely to his chest. He should play him soon to get rid of this stress. Yes, definitely. Very soon. He smirked at his own promise. Yes, very soon.


Soooooo... What do you think? Good? Not good? Please review~