Title: Denial
Date: July 11, 2011
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Prince of Tennis characters.
It's not just a river in Egypt. For Fuji Shusuke, it was all about making his ex-boyfriend jealous. For Atobe Keigo, it was about throwing his rival off his game... we're talking about tennis by the way.

Before you read the story: They're in high school, because throughout all the episodes, I could never imagine them as middle school students. Also, there's a lot of trash talking between characters mostly to show what kind of interaction they have with each other, not trying to anger any readers who are fans of a certain character or whatever.

Denial
Chapter 1

Please be my boyfriend!

Confessions were usually something that came in abundance to Atobe Keigo. And he would usually brushed them aside because really now... it was just more trouble than it was worth, not to mention he had zero tolerance when it came to nagging girlfriends.

Yet, there was something different about this one... Maybe it was that look of determination in his eyes, or the way he spoke in that confident tone that left no room for rejection, or maybe it was his ass... Come on, looks mattered. Anyone who repeats that bullshit that it's what's in the inside that counts can stick their heads up their butt. Because physical attraction in relationships is step number one. Step number two was all that mushy wushy getting to know each other, whatever... He never made it to step two anyways. So, not important. And to make a note on this topic: he had no intentions of getting to know Fuji Shusuke.

... Truth be told, when Seigaku's tensai ran up to him and grabbed onto his hands spouting a quick confession, he accepted for one reason only...

... And it wasn't Fuji Shusuke's ass.

"Wait... Isn't that Seigaku's Fuji Shusuke?" Oshitari commented with a frown marring his face as they stepped into one of Hyotei's many tennis courts.

And Atobe could spot the pretty brunet with his cheerful smile and exaggerated waving.

"And wait... why did you just blow Seigaku's Fuji Shusuke a kiss?" Oshitari blinked, the frown never leaving his face.

"We're dating." Atobe shrugged, as he checked the grip tape on his tennis racquet.

Oshitari continued to frown, "Wait... Those rumours, they're actually true?"

"You're going to get wrinkles in all the wrong places if you keep your face like that." Atobe had to point out.

"Dating someone from a rival team, huh? Although, if I were to date someone from Seigaku I would go for their redhead." Oshitari shrugged, "He's the cutest of the bunch."

"Your thing for redheads." Atobe recalled with slight disgust as the image of their team's own redhead popped into mind.

"Wait... Isn't Fuji dating his captain?" Oshitari wondered, frown still in place by the way.

"Obviously not, since we're dating." Atobe tutted.

"I'm pretty sure they were. Ohtori caught them kissing the last time we had a practice match against them. Actually, that's not too long ago." Oshitari recalled, "You do realize he's probably dating you to make his... I'm assuming ex-boyfriend jealous."

Atobe blinked.

"Sorry, I had to say it." Oshitari sighed. It's been a while since his buchou picked up a significant other... shame it was going to be added to the pile of unfortunate break ups.

"Don't be." Atobe scoffed, turning momentarily to blow another kiss to the brunet sitting out of earshot on the bleachers. Said brunet hastily shaped his arms into a giant heart.

"... Excuse me?" Oshitari was once again frowning.

"You know that ugly line on your forehead is going to be permanent in this state?" Atobe pointed out, "Besides, I already know all that."

And for once in his life Oshitari actually felt an ounce of sympathy for the other third year, "To think that you would love someone so much that even though he doesn't love you in return and is only using you, you would still-"

"The fuck you talking about?" Atobe interrupted, "Just think about it, dating Fuji Shusuke would completely throw that asshole Tezuka off his game."

"... Are you talking about tennis now?"

"Frown lines Oshitari. Watch your frown lines." Atobe reminded, "And yes. We're talking about tennis. Don't look so offended."

"I am!" The navy haired teenager retorted, "I can't believe I felt bad for you just a second ago! Love is something pure and wonderful. Does Fuji know you only agreed to date him for the sake of tennis?"

"I don't think that ever came up in conversation. But as a far as he's concerned, I'm the perfect boyfriend, we'll be the perfect couple and Tezuka can suck it along with Nationals." Atobe shrugged.

Oshitari sighed, "Love isn't something to be fooled around with. You know this isn't going to end nicely; karma's going to make sure of it. Whatever you're doing with Fuji is a disgrace in the name of romance. But seriously, I just can't believe you and that... what the heck is Fuji doing?"

"He's doing the Love and Joy dance by Yuki Kimura, obviously." Atobe explained, "And are you saying that your relationship with Mukahi is any more acceptable?"

"It is acceptable!" Oshitari replied, "Because I love Gakuto."

Atobe lowered his tennis racquet and really took a moment to stare at his navy haired team member, "... Why?"

Oshitari gave the other a dark look.

"Are you offended again? Or do you have shit somewhere under your nose? I can't tell the difference."

Fuji Shusuke sat back down on the bleachers overlooking the Hyotei tennis courts, making sure to blow a certain Hyotei tennis captain a kiss which the other pretended to catch before keeping it in his pocket.

"You're both disgusting." Kikumaru Eiji, who had been sitting next to his best friend the entire time muttered, "I can't believe you dragged me all the way over to Hyotei for this..."

Fuji ignored the redhead beside him by catching the air kiss that was blown towards him.

"I can't believe that Hyotei's captain actually agreed to date you." Kikumaru added.

Fuji finally turned towards the redhead while nodding his head agreeably, "I can't believe it either."

"Ew... It's that jerk who thinks he can imitate my tennis... What's his name? Mukaki... Mucky or something like that?" Kikumaru pointed out all the while trying to avoid the other redhead's loathing gaze, "He's looking this way isn't he? The guy creeps me out... Like a stalker."

"... Although, that bastard probably has some slimy plan." Fuji murmured darkly.

"Stalker Mucky?" The redhead blinked.

"Atobe." Fuji answered.

"Your new boyfriend?" Kikumaru blinked.

"Is there another Atobe?" Fuji replied.

"No, but... Why would you ask him out if you hate him this much?" The redhead wondered.

"I don't hate him or anything... Sure, he's arrogant and a complete ass hat to practically everyone. And it's not like his redeeming qualities end there. As a person, he can be awfully cruel and ruthless; I mean look at his tennis style... totally not my type of guy. But still, it's not like I personally hate him. There's just something about him that makes him so dislikeable... I can't seem to put my finger on it." Fuji puckered his lips in thought.

"You know what it is?" Kikumaru replied after a long pause, "He's like one of those celebrities that don't know how to dress themselves. He has all this money and he thinks that because something is designer, it looks good. But actually he looks ridiculous all the time."

"... That actually makes sense. I mean, anyone would get grossed out by all that purple." Fuji nodded in agreement.

"So back on topic... Why are you dating Atobe?" Kikumaru asked.

"I thought I told you already... It's all to make Tezuka jealous." Fuji explained, "We've been dating for a year and he wants to take a break in our relationship so he can focus on tennis? Seriously? Did he think I was just going to sit back and wait for him to realize that I'm the most important thing in the world to him? ... Over tennis? I'm going to make him realize it right now by dating his biggest rival and showing him what he's missing out on."

"... But it's Atobe." Kikumaru replied in disgust, "If it were me, I would go for Taka-san. Have you seen his abs? ... And I suppose he's a nice guy too..."

"Too nice. And we're friends, so it'll be awkward when Tezuka comes crawling back." Fuji sighed.

"That's right... He always takes things so seriously..." Kikumaru also let out a sigh.

"Tezuka?" Fuji blinked.

"No, Taka-san. But Tezuka too. It's like he has a stick up his butt." The redhead replied.

"Whatever. Knowing Atobe, he probably only agreed to date me so he could throw Tezuka off his game." Fuji shrugged, "Actually, this might work out. Tezuka will get really jealous by what an amazing couple we are and won't be able to play tennis properly throwing Nationals-"

"I kind of want to win Nationals..."

"-Then he'll realize that being together with me is actually beneficial for his tennis. And because he'll realize that, he'll for sure prioritize me and realize that he should focus 100 percent of all his attention on me... instead of tennis." Fuji concluded his brilliant plan.

"You sound like Inui." Kikumaru stuck his tongue out at the thought of the spiky haired teen... more like his vegetable (?) juice.

"Do you think red is his natural hair colour?" Fuji immediately changed the subject... Not that being compared to Seigaku's creeper was an insult or anything...

"Dyed it. Look, you can see his ugly roots coming out." Kikumaru (the only true natural redhead) announced, "By the way, you do realize that if this all goes sour I might have to hold rehearsals for a new best friend? I mean, he has all the capabilities of hiring tomahawk wielding mad men to butcher you up and throw all the evidence into Tokyo Bay. With all the guy's money and connections, he could probably get away with murder."

"... If he has all that money, why not off Tezuka instead? That way he can parade around as the greatest tennis player in the Japanese high school division instead of going around dating me to make Tezuka jealous so that Tezuka has a higher probability of slipping up in his game. I mean, why go through all that effort?" Fuji pointed out.

"Maybe he just wants to play tennis against Tezuka?" Kikumaru shrugged, "Hey, do you think Atobe knows that the only reason why you asked him out was to make Tezuka jealous?"

"... Hm... It never came up in conversation. But as far as he's concerned, I'm going to be the perfect little boyfriend, we're going to be the perfect little couple and Tezuka will take notice." Fuji shrugged.

"Ew... Your boyfriend's sending you hearts or something." The redhead pointed out.

Fuji replied in kind by arching his arms up, shaping them into a giant heart.

"You know, I don't know the guy or anything... but I would have never pictured Atobe being the hearts and kisses type guy. The worst part is, now that I've actually seen it, I can't get the image out of my head... I feel sick. And look at you... your act is pretty gross too." Kikumaru (always one to speak his mind to his best friend) didn't bother sugar coating any of his words.

"Yea? And have you heard of a couple named Eiji and Oishi?"

"... Yes, yes I have... Want to go on a double date?"

To be continued.

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