AN: Hey, this is my first fanfiction. I only started watching Prince of Tennis this year and I've stopped after the Black Jackets return to the U-17 Camp. So this will be based only until then. It's set when Tezuka and the others enter high school. Also, constructive criticism is much appreciated and if anyone can advise on the ratings that would be a big help as well. Thanks! So here's the prologue of Forgiveness. Enjoy!
PROLOGUE
He first caught sight of her next to him, the captain of the opposing team, Rikkai Dai Fuzoku. She was watching the doubles match between the Platinum Pair of Rikkai and the Golden Pair of Seigaku intently, her lips moving as if she was speaking. However her companions seemed not to hear anything as they continued to watch.
She wasn't the type to catch his eye, him not being the kind of guy to look at girls at all. Not that he was gay or anything, he just wasn't interested. It was strange that he noticed her at all. Normally he would be too focused on the match to look at the opposing team.
She had purple-blue long hair, up to her waist and big blue eyes. Her pink lips were constantly in motion as she continued watching the match. Tezuka Kunimitsu on the other hand, continued watching her, wondering what words those luscious lips were forming.
His eyes raked over her petite frame. He wouldn't have been a guy if he didn't notice that. She had a very nice figure, he decided. She looked like she played sports and was very fit. He noticed she had a very slim waist and had slight curves. When he realized what he was looking at, he flushed and turned his attention away. Time enough to look at pretty girls after Seigaku won against Rikkai. Their team was even stronger than before, and this was the team that beat them in the National Championship the year before.
This was Tezuka's first year as captain of the team since he led his team to the Nationals last year when he had still been in middle school. He was feeling the pressure. The thing is, he never expected to be in Japan for high school. He had planned to go pro in Germany, but as things turned out, he was back in Japan.
Now was his first year of high school. Within 3 days of arrival back in Japan, he somehow had ended up as Captain of the tennis team. His vice-captain was a senior, Kuno Ryozo. The other 6 members were, Fuji Syuusuke, Oishi Syuichiro, Kikumaru Eiji and Inui Sadaharu from his old team and Matsubara Yoringa and Hojo Sotatsu, two seniors. Even though the team was lead by a freshman and most of the team were freshmen, they were strong and no one complained about the team.
He was glad that this team was strong, perhaps even stronger than the team he left behind. Doubles one was Hojo and Kuno, doubles two, the Golden Pair. Surprisingly, Hojo and Kuno were even better at doubles than the famed Golden Pair. The rest were strong single players.
However, Rikkai was stonger than he anticipated. The Three Demons were back, namely Yukimura Seiichi, Sanada Genichirou and Yanagi Renji. Also with them were Niou Masaharu, Yagyuu Hiroshi, Marui Bunta and Jackal Kuwahara. The last member was a senior who nobody quite remembered as he never played. His name was Koga Giichi.
Although Tezuka had played and won against almost the exact same team the year before and had a stronger team than last year, he found the matches harder than the anticipated. Rikkai had suddenly become stronger. The other players had somehow gotten as good as or possibly even better than The 3 Demons of Rikkai were before and the 3 top players were even better than before. He wondered how they had gotten so strong.
After the friendly matches were over, Rikkai won all the matches besides one, the match of Tezuka and Koga,who only played because it was a practice match. Tezuka was quite upset, but his stoic face showed no expression. He stood by the side of the tennis courts, watching the other freshmen clean up.
"Tezuka-buchou" a light voice called him. He turned around to see Rikkai standing in front of him. The girl he had noticed was next to Yukimura and holding onto his arm fondly. He briefly wondered if they were dating.
"Yes?" Tezuka said.
"Thank you for the match." Yukimura said, smiling. "It was a good match. Much better than I expected."
"But…" She spoke up. Her voice was rather light and airy.
"Sshh… We'll talk later." Sanada said.
She pouted. Tezuka thought that was the cutest pout he had ever seen. But he shook the thoughts out of his head. If she really was Yukimura's girlfriend, he couldn't like her.
"Aa.. Erm..." Tezuka tried to form the words that would help him find out what her relationship to the team was, and whether she was off limits.
"Ah, Tezuka, this is my younger sister, Yukimura Arisa. She's helping us with our training." Yukimura said.
His eyes widened. She smiled at him gently. "Nice to meet you." They both said at the same time. Sanada frowned.
"Time to go Ari-chan, Buchou. The last bus will be leaving soon." Sanada said. A firm handshake with Yukimura Seiichi later, the team left. Arisa smiled at him over her shoulder as the team steered her away. Tezuka wondered at the fluttering feeling in his heart. He decided to ignore it. It was unlikely he would ever see her again, or so he thought.
