I do not own any Prince of Tennis things but I think I somewhat own the OC.

'English'

"Japanese"

Reviews greatly appreciated even if you slaughter my piece.

Kthnxbye.

Enter Isabel (chapter one)

"Coach Sakaki, you have a niece?"

"Yes, I do," he said boringly, "is it truely that surprising for you boys to understand?"

The Hyotei regulars looked at the meek girl standing next to their coach. When she felt all the stares directed at her, she blushed and stepped behind her uncle. She definitely looked like she could be his niece, if only she was less timid. She wore a rich cream flannel over a black t-shirt and dark jeans that covered the top half of her tennis shoes. Her hair was put up in a high ponytail that ended near her shoulders. She tapped her uncle's shoulder and he turned to her. He leaned in closer to her so she could whisper whatever she needed into his ear.

"Yes, I believe Atobe-san over there speaks English."

Atobe raised an eyebrow and looked over to the girl. 'Are you from America?'

The girl looked surprised as she shook her head. 'I'm from England actually. Can I suppose you are too?'

Atobe smirked and took a single step forward, causing his coach to step closer to the girl.

'You would be correct. My name is Atobe Keigo, or Keigo Atobe, since we aren't speaking Japanese right now, I guess.'

'Hello! My name is Isabel Sakaki.' The girl put her arm out and they shook hands.

"Atobe, can I assume that you can take care of her while she tries to learn Japanese?" Coach Sakaki asked. "She'll be attending Hyotei and she's a third year. I don't want her to be completely lost in a place where she can't even speak the native language fluently."

"Of course, Coach, but I can't assure you that I'm in any of her classes."

"Oshitari, do you think you can help a bit too?"

"Yes, Coach. I'll help in whatever way I can."

Nodding, he sent the regulars back to practice and Isabel sat on the benches to observe. She watched but without any actual interest. Her eyes roamed over all the games until she found one that was slightly more entertaining than the rest.

Shishido was playing against Oshitari.

She leaned forward and watched with the same bored expression she held when the matches just started. Her hands folded in front of her face as she concentrated.

"Shishido Ryo vs. Oshitari Yuushi. Shishido to serve."

Shishido threw the ball into the air and sent a fast serve over to Oshitari. It bounced once before it was returned right at the corner of the court.

'Isabel, who do you think is going to win?' Coach Sakaki asked.

'Quite honestly,' Isabel stated, 'all of us know that Oshitari will win. Even the boy named Shishido. It's wonderful that he still tries, even knowing that he will lose. None if the girls back home would even try to do that.'

Coach Sakaki nodded and turned their attention to the next court. 'And that one, dear?"

He motioned over to Jirou and Chotaro's match and Isabel watched. Her initial reaction wasn't something Coach Sakaki could've entirely expected.

'That second year... Chotarou was it?... He's adorable.'

The coach turned to his niece with a shocked expression written noticeably on his face. 'Excuse me?'

Isabel giggled. 'Sorry, you didn't ask my opinion about the boys, just the match.' She put her serious expression back on and observed the match in front of her. 'Jirou... is he half asleep?' After receiving a conformational nod from her uncle, she continued. 'Jirou is still quite good considering he is practically sleeping right now. That second year's serve is also pretty cool, but it won't help him win the game.'

Her gaze fell upon Gakuto, who was currently jumping until he was eye to eye with the referee. He was waiting for his match against Shishido or Oshitari.

Kabaji and Atobe stood off to the side to watch. Atobe was smirking at some if Jirou's antics and Kabaji kept the same unreadable expression on his face.

'Well, I guess that's all you have to worry about today,' Coach Sakaki said, 'You should go back home.'

Isabel put on the cutest face she could and looked up at him. 'Can you drive me back? Please?'

Coach Sakaki sighed. 'Fine, but then you're staying for the rest of practice.'

Although upset about having to stay and watch boring matches go on and on, Isabel was happy that she would get to drive back with her uncle. Walking alone just didn't suit her.

She wasn't ready to be alone yet.