Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the Prince of Tennis series...only my OCs (hehe)


Our Road Onwards

Chapter 1

"You ready for your first day of high school?" Narumi Asuka's mother, Narumi Hisuna asked. Narumi nodded her head and added a clip into her long auburn hair. She was an excellent stylist and always did her sister's hair in the morning. Her mother, sister and herself had just moved from France to Japan this year while her dad stayed in Paris to keep his company running. He was the CEO of a book company and Narumi's mother got a job as a doctor in Japan.

"Sis! You ready?" Narumi Yumia skips into her sister's room in her dark green skirt and jacket. It was the uniform of the Junior High school: Rikkaidai Fuzoku. Asuka's uniform was the same except that her skirt and jacket were black.

"Yes, I'm ready!" The girl groaned. Her family asked her too much questions.

"Asuka, be more polite to your sister." Her mom scolded which led to a sigh and more grumbling from Asuka.

"I'm leaving," the older sister waved and walked out of the door. The air was magnificent from the light rain last night and she made sure to take in lots. Narumi threw her tennis bag over her shoulder and began pondering about the school year. The Japanese school year schedule was so different from the one in France. School started in April! She wondered about whom she was going to meet, whether her Japanese skills were going to be good enough. They should be since she had a Japanese tutor come everyday in Paris.

Narumi snapped out of her thoughts as she saw the bus stop. She stood and waited until the bus finally came.

Asuka didn't bother wasting any time talking to people when she got to the school grounds. She quickly found her homeroom 2-A and walked in. There seemed to be some people who had the same ideas as her. One included a girl with straight, long purple hair. She sat at her desk resting her chin on her hands. Asuka found an empty seat behind the girl and sat down. The classroom started filling up eventually and a boy with curly black hair plumped down in the seat beside her. He also carried a tennis bag. The room started to get noisy which just irritated Asuka. She was glad when class finally started.

"Hello everyone, I am Tanaka sensei and I will be your Japanese teacher. Today, we are all going to just do some simple introductions. We'll start from the front roll."

Asuka learned that the boy beside her was Kirihara Akaya and he was a regular of the boys' tennis club. It seemed that they had won the nationals twice in a row already. She thought it was a great achievement. The girl in front of Narumi was Honoka Asa. Narumi didn't know why but she thought that she might become friends with her. When class ended, another girl pulled Asuka aside to an all girls group.

"Hey! What was that for?" Narumi exclaimed.

"You seemed lonely. You should really make some friends you know." Narumi recognized the girl as Kimura Chiasa. It seemed she was in the girls' tennis club.

"I guess. So what are you guys talking about?" Narumi asked raising her eyebrows.

"Boys, isn't Takumi just the cutest?" A girl with curly red hair squealed.

"I think Ishida pretty cool too." Another smiled.

Narumi decided that she might as well join in. She wasn't that interested in boys but Kirihara still caught her eye. "Kirihara's cool isn't he? Are the tennis regulars popular?"

"Oh! He's excellent! I love the regulars. I'm in their fanclub." Another girl squeaked. Narumi saw an uncomfortable movement come from Honoka. Her eyesight was extremely well. She could catch any movements, habits or weak points of anyone. Everyone called her the Hawk Eye in her previous school.

Eventually, the group scattered and everyone headed to their next class. Narumi just happened to have the same schedule as Chiasa.

"Isn't that cool? Maybe we should be friends. We can also be doubles partners in tennis!" Kimura exclaimed.

Narumi's face brightened, "Sure. I would love that Kimura-chan."

"Oh, call me by my given name. I hate friends who call me by my family name. It's weird." Chiasa remarked.

"Fine, same for you Chia." Kimura grinned at her new nickname and together, the two went to mathematics. Narumi was excellent at the subject. In fact, she was excellent at all subjects except for probably Japanese and geography. Oh, geography was such a pain in the back.

In physics, Narumi and Kimura recruited another girl as their friends. She was carrying a tennis bag as well. Her name was Kawano Mai. The three went to the tennis courts together. Mai and Chiasa both had their freshmen tennis uniforms and Asuka got a new one since she wasn't here in the freshmen year.

"Okay! Everyone gather!" The captain blew her whistle. Kimura explained to Narumi about the regular matches at the beginning of every year. The captain and vice-captain that were chosen the previous year were to give the instructions and they were regulars already.

"There are six more regular spots! Four of them are doubles, two are singles and one is a sub! Those who wish to become a doubles pair are to go to court B to play round robin matches. The winners go and tell the score to Nishimura fuku-buchou! The singles players go to court A and play a round robin matches there. Those who win will tell me, Miura buchou! Freshmen are NOT allowed to play these matches. They should go and prepare to pick up balls. Dismissed!" Miura shouted and all the tennis players scattered in their yellow and black sport shirts.

"Asuka-chan!" Chiasa called out and the two went over to court B. The two were a great pair. They ended up winning all their matches except for the girls team's inseparable pair of Kawasaki Sakura and Nishimura Shina.

After all the matches were over, the captain called everyone in again.

"Thank you all for joining the tennis club. Nishimura fukubuchou and I have decided our regulars. We ended up having three doubles positions since Nishimura herself is a doubles player. These are the regulars: Second year – Narumi Asuka and Kimura Chiasa are our two doubles players as well as third year – Kawasaki Sakura and Nishimura Shina. The singles are: Second year – Kawano Mai, Third Year – Shimizu Kimiko, Itou Kanako and myself, Miura Ran. Those who did not get a regulars position are always free to challenge our regulars at our challenge matches during the year. Now good luck team and lets win the nationals!"

"Let's go to the boys' courts!" Chiasa exclaimed after changing back into her school uniform.

"Why? Isn't their practice over as well?" Narumi questioned.

Mai sighed, "Nope. Yukimura-senpai makes the practices longer than ours. Let's go. I was here in junior high so I know all of their regulars."

Together, the three second years walked to the courts and watched from a distance.

"Marui Bunta - third year: the volley specialist and the self proclaimed tensai. Jackal Kuwahara - third year: the man with four lungs. Niou Masaharu - third year: the trickster and the man with the moves. Yagyuu Hiroshi - third year: also known as the gentleman." Kawano paused before starting again.

"Then there are the three demons or the big three. First, Yanagi Renji - third year: also know as the Master. He is the treasurer of the team. Secondly there's Sanada Genichirou, the Emperor and also the vice captain. Lastly there is Yukimura Seiichi, the Demigod or child of god. He is the strongest of the whole team and he is the captain." Mai finished.

Asuka could've sweared that her navy blue hair friend sounded a bit nervous when saying Yagyuu Hiroshi's name but she didn't mind it. She must've had her reasons. Suddenly, Narumi felt Chiasa freeze beside her. She took a look at where her friend was looking and saw the captain walking over. He had dark blue hair and wore a green headband. His jersey blew in the wind on his shoulders. He was like a king, no a real demigod.

Kimura stared at the figure and choked out at her friend, "Oh my god Asuka, Mai. I think its love at first sight."

Narumi didn't find the boy that good looking. She found him quite plain in fact. She knew that he was the captain of the team but there was no need to show off by having his jersey as a cape. Geez.

"Will you three please leave? We have enough trouble without you guys disturbing us all the time." Yukimura Seiichi ordered in a stern voice. Narumi despised his tone.

"What's with you? Can't we just watch? I don't see how this is disturbing your precious practice. However, if you insist, we'll leave. I have no interest in seeing a team with such an impolite captain." She stood out and shouted back at him and stormed away. Mai and Chiasa called out to their friend and ended up running after her. Before they were out of hearing range, they heard another boy laugh.

"Hey, that girl actually spoke up to you instead of falling for you. Guess you are losing your shine Yukimura."

"Niou, 20 laps right now." The captain ordered and Narumi walked faster. She thought it was ridiculous and disgusting. Someone can't make his teammate run laps for such a small issue.

Kimura thought the boy was just cool. She was quite angry with her friend for shouting such mean words at him. However, she guessed that what he said was kind of mean as well. Nonetheless, she still scowled at her friend. "Asuka! Why did you say that? Now he's gonna hate you-"

"Let him do what he wants. He disgusts me." Narumi grumbled.

Mai observed the two's arguments. She was too caught up in her own thoughts right now. Yagyuu never did answer her confession in junior high. It has been two years now and her crush hasn't died down one bit. It might be impossible though; the way things were right now.

"Hey you guys, I got to go home. I forgot that I needed to take care of my little brothers." Mai excused herself.

Narumi paused her argument, "Oh no problem Mai. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, bye." Kawano walked off to the direction of her house. She lived close to the school.

"I'm back!" Mai called out.

"Welcome back dear." Her mom shouted, "I'm going to buy groceries. Take care of your brothers okay?"

"Sure thing mom." Kawano shouted back and took off her shoes and carried her tennis bag upstairs. She opened her homework book and started working. Her brothers came inside once in a while to ask a question before leaving. After about an hour, her mom came home and took over the babysitting. Minutes later, Mai's phone rang.

"Hello? Kawano here." She asked.

His voice was still the same as two years ago. Maybe a little deeper but it still had the gentleman like tone. "Kawano-chan?"

"Y-Yagyuu-senpai…" She stuttered to surprised to even think.

"Sorry, was I interrupting something?" Yagyuu asked politely.

"N-no! Not at all! I was just…doing nothing!" Mai chuckled nervously.

Yagyuu stopped to ponder the girl's nervousness. He wondered if she had already forgotten her confession two years ago. She probably have, it was his own fault for not agreeing back then.

Yagyuu tried to remain as calm as possible, "So I heard that you came to watch us practice today?"

Mai was disappointed, so he wanted to apologize. "Yeah. Yukimura-senpai kicked us out though." She laughed.

"I am sorry for Yukimura's behavior. There was a group of girls before you and they were very noisy. He thought that you and your friends were a part of their group." Yagyuu apologized. He couldn't get the right words out.

"It's fine. Besides, I had to take care of my siblings anyhow." Mai smiled sadly. She thought that Yagyuu probably forgot all about her confession.

There was an awkward silence.

"Um Yagyuu-senpai, is that all you wanted to ask?" Mai broke the silence.

"Uh…no. I just wanted to apologize for not calling you for two years. I was quite busy with student council work." Yagyuu apologized again.

"A-ah…no problem. I had friends…um about two years ago…" Mai stopped herself. There was no way he liked her. He definitely forgot.

"Kawano-chan, I am also very sorry for what happened two years ago. I never did reply to your confession. If you still remember it, do you want to meet at the park near your house right now? I want to answer you." Yagyuu exhaled softly. He got his words out.

Mai couldn't believe her ears. He remembered! However, he may be rejecting her so she shouldn't get her hopes up.

"I remember! I'll come right now Yagyuu-senpai!" Mai replied hastily.

"Ok, I'll be waiting Kawano-chan." Yagyuu hung up and got ready to accept the girl. He threw on his coat and walked outside.

Mai rushed downstairs and then rushed upstairs again. What should she wear? Her school uniform was so dull but it would be weird if she wore something fancy. In the end, Mai just threw on a jacket on top of her school uniform.

"Mom, I need to go get some fresh air. I'll be back before dinner!" Mai shouted.

"Ok, be careful dear." Mrs. Kawano shouted back. Mai sprinted as fast as possible to the park and when she got there, Yagyuu wasn't anywhere. Kawano searched and sighed sadly as she slumped on a bench. What if he didn't come? Kawano felt something hot coming from her eyes and she found that she was crying. She wiped them away before staring at the ground again. Suddenly, a light tap was felt from her shoulder. Mai looked up and saw the gentleman staring at her worriedly.

"Y-Yagyuu-senpai!" She jumped and bowed deeply.

"Kawano-chan. Did I make you wait?" He asked.

"N-No! Not at all! I only just arrived as well!" Mai blushed from staring at the boy's perfect face. He smiled.

"That's good. Now, let me answer you question from two years ago." Yagyuu started.

"Wait! I should repeat my confession first…Um…I like you Yagyuu-senpai! Please go out with me!" Mai shut her eyes and she felt something warm around her. Slowly, she peeled her eyes open to find the gentleman embracing her lightly.

"Me too Kawano-chan." Yagyuu politely agreed. Kawano's eyes widened in shock before she slowly shut them again to enjoy the embrace.

"Chia…I'm sorry for my outburst earlier. I was just pissed off." Narumi apologized to her new friend while the two walked around the streets of Kanagawa.

Kimura was surprised. She never even expected Narumi to apologize. Besides, how Yukimura acted was kind of rude.

"It's not a problem really! I was just overly paranoid!" Kimura waved her hands and Narumi smiled.

"Thanks…so, where do you want to go?" Asuka casually asked.

Kimura looked around and spotted her favorite café. "Let's go there! Riche Café is really awesome."

Narumi's face paled. Truthfully, she worked at the café as a maid and most of the people know her. "Let's not…I work there. It'll be awkward."

Kimura smiled, "You work there? Really? When?"

"Tuesdays and Thursdays. I just recently got hired."

"Ehh? I'd love to see Asuka is a maid's uniform!"

"Hell no! And don't ever mention it again!" Asuka stormed off and Chiasa complained while following her.


A/N:

Erm... Okay, so new story. So...what do you think? This story will most be centered around the tennis girls and their lives but expect to see a lot of the tennis club guys as well cause I just love them so much. Each chapter will kind of be focusing on one girl mostly. If you don't see that..well that just means I failed...haha. Well PLZ review. I love those things. They are much appreciated. I really want to know how the story is.