Disclaimer; I don't own Prince of Tennis. I just like to play with the characters.

And sorry if Tezuka seems OC. They're in 6th grade right now.

Takanashi Leilani had been best friends with Tezuka Kunimitsu ever since she was 3 months old. Her mother and his mother had been best friends, so they were always visiting each other. It helped that the children were the same age as well. Leilani was a happy girl. She loved attention but she loved giving it too. Hugs were a staple in her life and she gave them freely to her friends and family. Tezuka, on the other hand, was quieter, much more mature than his age. The fact that Tezuka's parents had passed away when he was 10 also accounted for the fact that he grew up much quicker than a normal child. From what Leilani could see, Tezuka had difficulty making close friends. He was polite and kind, but he never really seemed approachable. Or that's what she would have thought if she hadn't known him better. Tezuka was Tezuka and she had come to understand what he thought even without words. After all, from the beginning it had been her and Tezuka. Best friends.

They learned tennis together too. Both were naturals, each too good at the sport to be called a beginner. Tezuka and Leilani played together all the time too. Sometimes Tezuka would win, sometimes Leilani would win. After all, Tezuka was still a little small and she had just had a growth spurt. The two began to talk about middle school and what it would be like. There would be tennis clubs to join, studies to do, tests to take, and dates to go on. Leilani couldn't wait for her new middle school life and she knew Tezuka was looking forward to it as well, if only for the tennis club. After all, Seigaku was supposed to have a pretty good tennis team. But the end of 6th grade signaled an end to these dreams.

-Ring Ring-

Tezuka answered, "Hello?"

"Oh my God Mitsu-chan, it's the worst thing in the world!" Leilani shouted

"Uh, what. And I told you not to call me that"

"My parents want to move to France!"

"What? Why?"

"Something about otou-san's work. I don't want to go!"

"For how long?"

"At least a year. That means at the earliest I'd come back in the 8th grade!"

"…It'll be fine. We'll keep in touch. You need to go with your family."

"I don't want to leave! You'll be here alone. If you don't have me, you'll forget how to have fun."

"Excuse me, I know how to have fun."

"Yeah, sure. Studying is not considered fun. And tennis only counts when you play with me because it's funny when you lose."

"…Hurry up and go away, Leilani."

"Bleh. Anyways, apparently we're moving in 2 days."

"That quickly? What time?"

"It's a morning plane."

"Oh. Then we can only meet up tomorrow?"

"Not even. You can swing by my house, but I won't be able to leave. I've got to pack everything and get ready."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah. Be thankful I'm leaving on a Saturday you jerk."

"Haha very funny. Hurry up and pack so you can actually talk tomorrow."

"Mkay, byeeeeeee!"

"Bye."

Tezuka hung up the phone reluctantly. Leilani was leaving in two days and the only day he'd be able to see her was tomorrow. He couldn't even go to the airport because there was no way he could make it there and back. He would miss her. She had caused him a lot of trouble, but in the end she was the one who had been with him through thick and thin. He needed to give her a present. Tezuka began to rack his brains. He didn't have much time. Leilani did not want to go in the least. Her life was here, her friends were here, her school was here. Everything she was familiar with was in Japan. And to be gone longer than a month? It was an entire year at the least. Leilani wasn't ready. At all.

Tezuka showed up at Leilani's house the nest day. He knew she wouldn't have much time to talk, but the least he could do was help her pack. After all, knowing Leilani, everything in her room was everywhere. And packing was probably her one chance to clean. Plus he had to give her the present he had finally thought of. When Leilani opened the door, Tezuka was engulfed in a hug. Normally he would have told her to behave and not do it, but he let her do it this one time. After all, when she left tomorrow he wouldn't have another one of Leilani's hugs for awhile. They walked up to her room and Tezuka was not disappointed. The room looked like World War III had happened in her room and quite frankly, Tezuka wasn't sure it hadn't. There were cups on the windowsill, candy wrappers on the desk, bed sheets curled into a ball, bags on her dresser, clothes on the floor, and papers everywhere. Tezuka decided to save the present for later and help clean first. He'd feel better after he could see the floor. Several hours, lunch, and a snack later, they were done. Tezuka gave Leilani her present and watched her expression. She was touched, he could see that. She was silent for once and she could only stare at it. He had given her one of his rackets, his favorite. She wouldn't forget him.

"I…don't know what to say."

"Good. I like it better that way."

"SHUT UP."

"I thought you didn't know what to say?"

Tezuka grinned. Leilani was the only one who had the ability to bring out the snark in him. He came forward and gave her a hug. She went still; this was the first time he'd ever initiated a hug.

"That hug was special. It was a going-away hug. So you have to return it to me when you come back. Don't be careless and go. You'll be fine Leilani. You always are. "

Tezuka left. And Leilani, too stunned to move, held the racket close. That fathead Tezuka had actually done something openly touching. She'd come back better at tennis and beat his swollen head into the ground. No way would she allow Tezuka to get conceited. Not that he was to anyone else besides her, but it wouldn't be good to allow such bad habits.

Leilani packed the racket Tezuka had given her into her tennis bag and went downstairs. It would be the last time eating in this house for at least a year. Her only consolation was that her parents put it out for rent instead of selling it. At least she would be able to come back.

Sorry if Tezuka is so OC. He will be normal when dealing with others.

Leilani; Now now, we all know he isn't normal.

Tezuka; Leilani, go home.

Leilani; I'm going to tell Jeen to write a story in which you crossdress!

Tezuka; Don't. You. Dare.

Jeen; --;; leave me aloneeeeee