Will of the Heart

By: SamLien (SamanthaLienne)

Super Disclaimer: I do not own Tennis no Ohjisama or any of the characters.

Warning: Yaoi/Shounen-ai, May contain OOC's

Pairing: Still undetermined between—EchizenXAtobe or EchizenXYukimura or EchizenXAtobeXYukimura

Full Summary: A few weeks had already passed after Seishun Gakuen had gained victor over Rikkaidai Daigaku Fuzoku in the National Tournament. News had suddenly been sent over to Seigaku regarding a request for Echizen Ryoma to represent his previous school in America for the upcoming UJF Cup. But the most intriguing part is that a certain Atobe Keigo and Yukimura Seiichi are also going along with him. Suspicion arises as the trio flew back to America. Would the mysterious shroud of secrets be revealed?

A/N: Pardon the grammatical errors and the incorrect spellings. English is not my native language. This is my first attempt in writing a Prince of Tennis fan fiction so please bear with me. Flashbacks and Dream sequence are in Italics while English words would be typed in bold. Thoughts are italicized and has single quotation marks enclosing it.

Now on with the story. . . .

Chapter One

The Letter

He took a peek in the small gap left by the slightly opened door. Curiosity took the best of him as he saw his best friend Keigo kneeling by the carpeted floor while his father, Uncle Satoru stood before him looking at his son tenaciously. He involuntarily winced when he saw his Uncle move towards Keigo and shook the boy vigorously. Keigo yelped in pain when his father clutched his shoulders, nails almost digging on his flesh.

"I don't have a son like you. You're a disgrace to the family!"

His eyes widened when he saw Uncle Satoru lunge towards his helpless and fallen friend with his cane in hand. On impulse he pushed open the door and jumped up towards the scene, shielding Keigo from harms way.

"Ryoma!" He gained a brief eye contact with the older man and he saw how his eyes widened upon his sudden appearance. It was too late for him to prevent the cane from gaining contact with his body.

"Ryoma get away." Keigo yelled in fear. Tears were flowing abundantly down his eyes as he desperately tried to push him away. It was one of those moments of vulnerability his friend rarely shows. But he refused to let go as he tightened his hold on his friend's fragile and crumpled form.

Suddenly a burning pain had hit him, throwing his lithe body across the room. He heard something crash and broke as he fell on the floor with a loud thud. Unmoving and numb. His vision became hazy and the last thing he knew was Keigo rushing up to him and crying his name out.

Ryoma instantly bolted up from his bed, drenched in sweat and shaking slightly. It was that same dream he had been having for the past few days. It was like some forgotten memory that kept on reminding him of something he couldn't even remember happening. The dream had been bothering him for quite a while now. Every time he wakes up he would always feel like a part of him was missing, and a cold nagging feeling of emptiness burns within him. No matter how he tried, he just couldn't stop thinking what it was all about. He tends to space out, in class and even in tennis practice. Even his senpai's are starting to get concerned about him because of his unusual behavior.

His alarm clock then started ringing and he sighed. Turning off the noise maker, he kicked off his blankets and walked towards his bathroom. Maybe a nice cold bath would make him feel better again. It was still an hour too early when he finished preparing for school. He grabbed his tennis bag and walked downstairs.

"Ohayo Ryoma sama," Nanako greeted cheerfully while she was busy bustling around the dining area preparing his favorite Japanese breakfast.

He plopped himself down onto his chair and greeted her back in his usual bored tone. "Ohayo."

"You seem to have woken up earlier than usual today," she noted while placing down the grilled fish down the table.

He nodded without offering any further explanation. "Ittadakimasu." He started chugging down his meal.

"Is there something bothering you?" she asked after sitting down beside him. He blinked, breaking out from his musings and looked at her. He just shook his head and finished his meal in one swift move before pushing himself back up and grabbed his bag. "I'm going to school."

As expected, only a few students were already at school. It was too early after all. He ignored the surprised look he got from the school guard, when he entered the school gates. He knew what the old man was thinking. 'He's early.' Honestly, is it such a phenomenal thing if he would go to school earlier than usual for once?

He tugged the tip of his white cap lower as he made his way to the changing room of the tennis club. After changing to his tennis uniform he started warming up for morning practice.

"Ryoma, I see that you are here quite early," Ryuzaki sensei said as she came out from the administration building of the school.

"Che." He muttered while running towards the ball and hit it back on the wall. 'Great, this is just something I need. Another person mentioning how early I was.' He thought sarcastically.

"It is a good thing that you're already here. There's an important matter I need to discuss with you."

He gracefully caught the ball with his hand and turned to their tennis coach. "Nande?"

She pushed her hand down on her pocket and fished out a small white envelope from inside. "Here you better read this," she said handing him out the envelope.

He shot her a confused look before getting the material. He flipped the paper and recognized the familiar seal stuck on the flap. "Herrington?" he mumbled incoherently as he peeled it open. A sudden feeling of dread over took him as he started reading the letter. Somehow he felt that whatever the letter states, it is nothing good.

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Atobe threw on his white robe before heading towards the outdoor pool area, where the rest of the Hyotei regulars are lounging at. Earlier that morning he had decided to give the school a call, and ask the teachers to give them the day off from school. They were wise enough not to contradict his requests and just willingly agreed with him. They knew that failure to comply to ore sama's wishes would mean death, not in the literal sense I mean. In simpler terms they would be getting the taste of the divas infamous wrath.

"Obocchama."

He stopped his tracks and looked back. He saw the butler of the household approaching him.

"Obocchama, a letter had been delivered for you." He bowed at him politely before giving him the said parcel.

He raised his brows and accepted it. Upon entering the pool area he immediately spotted Jiroh carelessly draped on one of the beach chairs, lined up just beside the pool side, snoring loudly. It didn't surprise him to see Hyotei's 'sleeping beauty' wandering off to lala land. He was already asleep anyway when the regulars arrived at Atobe mansion earlier that morning. The rest where soaking them selves in the water, with Gakuto showing off his acrobatic skills while swimming back and forth on the Olympic sized pool.

"Oi Gakuto would you stop showing off. You're making me dizzy," Shishido yelled from the other end of the pool.

"You're just envious that I'm better than you," the acrobat mocked as he continued his swimming exhibition.

A vein ticked off on Shishido's forehead as he dove towards the other. "Yamero Shishido san," Choutarou yelled after his doubles partner.

The two were already off on an intense swimming battle. Oshitari smacked his forehead and shook his head in exasperation as he too swam forward to help Choutarou stop the two. Kabaji on the other hand was busy keeping an eye on Atobe's pet dog, which was rolling on the grass while harassing his chew bone. Hiyoshi, was just leaning back on the shallow area of the pool.

He silently slipped back on one of the empty beach chairs and took a better look at the letter. His forehead creased a little as he saw the seal pasted on the envelope. He flipped it back up to take note of the return address. "Herrington University Tennis Council."

A small, barely visible smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he started tearing away the edges of the envelope. "This is interesting." He smirked as he unfolded the letter. Indeed, the message was something interesting as his smile grew wider than usual.

He folded it back and inserted it on the envelope. He graciously stood up from his seat and called out to his team members. "We're going to school. Kabaji wake Jiroh up."

"USU," he replied and moved towards the sleeping regular.

With that Atobe walked back inside the mansion leaving the others confused.

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Yukimura smiled as he slipped the letter, he had just read a while ago, back on his tennis bag. He was busy preparing for morning practice when a member of the tennis club handed him out a letter which according to him had just arrived a while ago. He was a bit surprised to see that it was from his previous school in the U.S., the prestigious Herrington University. It is considered as one of the best teaching units in the states. With complete year levels, ranging from grade school up to college. Not only had it been commended for its academic excellence it was also known for its outstanding sports organizations, most specifically the tennis club. It is the reigning champion in both divisions: Senior and Junior.

Professional Tennis Associations are also noted to have been keeping an eye on some of the most promising players that had blossomed on the team. But three of those notable players, mainly the previous captain, vice captain and manager who were previous students of the school are long gone to a different country and separate schools.

He hadn't heard anything from the school for three years ever since he moved back to Japan with his family. And now not only had they been mailing him, they were also inviting him as a representative.

"Mr. Yukimura Seiichi,

A pleasant day!

The American Tennis Association had been overjoyed and impressed with the outstanding results of this years Goodwill games. Thus a rare agreement had been passed on within the organization.

A competition, UJF Cup, would be held in American lands a month from now. As the acronym implies three countries would be participating in the competition. Namely U.S.A, Japan and France. The aim would be to promote sportsmanship among fellow players, strengthen friendly ties and encourage others to play the game. Selected members from various schools would be representing their countries. However, a special rule had been imposed. The schools may chose whoever player they would like to earn the slot on the representing team, may it be a current or a graduate student.

The Tennis Council of Herrington together with the current tennis club regulars had discussed the matters at hand and we came to the agreement that it would be wise to send three of our best past tennis members; Echizen Ryoma, Yukimura Seiichi and Atobe Keigo, as a representative of the school.

Selection Camp would start a month before the actual competition, so as to prepare for it. In behalf of the whole tennis society of Herrington, we would like to invite you as a representative of the school. We would be hoping for your kindest consideration regarding the invitation. Kindly contact us as soon as you come to a definite decision.

Respectfully yours,

James Brown

Herrington Tennis Club Coach"

He stood up from the wooden bench he was seating at and grabbed his racket lying on the other side. He walked directly towards the outdoor tennis courts were their coach had asked them to assemble earlier. According to him, he would be giving a very important announcement. He was oblivious just like the others right before he read the note. So now he was clearly guessing that the announcement has something to do with the upcoming competition. Upon arriving, he saw that everyone where already on their respective lines. "Hmmm, it seems that they are also eager about this one," he shrugged and took his place beside the Rikkaidai Fukubuchou.

The coach looked at his direction briefly before turning his attention to the others. "I had asked all of you to assemble here today for a very important announcement. Yesterday evening, I had received a call from the American Tennis Association."

Yukimua mentally cheered. 'I was right. This has got something to do with the competition.'

"They would like to express how overjoyed they were for the good results of this years Goodwill games. They were also impressed on the dedication this years Japanese Team had showed for the matches. Therefore they had come to an agreement that for friendly purposes, another competition would be held. The UJF Cup. Wherein, three major countries would be participating. Mainly U.S.A, Japan and France."

"Sensei you mean that two countries would be traveling here in Japan and compete with us?" Renji asked after raising his hand.

"This competition would be held in America a month from now."

"America?!" they exclaimed in excitement except for Sanada who was silently pondering over this knew bit of information.

"How would the players for the representing team be chosen?" Jackal spoke up next.

"The procedure would be the same as that of the Senbatsu camp. Selected players from different schools would be going to camp and the players would then be chosen afterwards."

Akaya snickered. "So I could take my revenge sooner than I expected. I would surely be chosen for that lineup and not that Echizen brat." Everyone sweat dropped.

Marui blew his bubble gum and started chewing again. "Well if you would be able to beat Yukimura Buchou. There's a chance that he would be taking a slot this time."

"I had already chosen the players who would be going to camp," the coach called out, catching everyone's focus again. "It would be Sanada Genichirou, Kirihara Akaya and Marui Bunta."

Everyone was silent before words sank in, that their respected Buchou was not included in the line up.

"NANI!!!"

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Echizen yawned as he listened to Ryuzaki sensei make her announcement. He already knew about it anyway so he didn't find any use for him to listen to her anymore. He just busied himself in drinking his Ponta or checking the strings of his racket. As usual, everyone had turned into their hyper mode as soon as they heard of the competition.

"For this camp, I decided to send all of the regulars," Ryuzaki sensei ended her speech. "Ganbatte minna."

"This is rather unexpected. Another competition, only a few days after Nationals had ended." Fuji said thoughtfully. He turned to his 'boyfriend' Tezuka who remained immovable despite the shocking news. Their pseudo relationship had been made formal and public a day after the Nationals. Nobody was shocked since they already saw it coming anyway. Considering the tensai's obvious attachment to the captain. "Ne Tezuka what do you think?"

The stoic captain just shrugged.

"Interesting turn of events," Inui mumbled out as he started scribbling down his notebook.

"Hoi Hoi I'm going to America," Eiji grinned and showed his familiar V sign.

Momoshiro laughed. "Viva America."

"Fsshhh, Baka Momoshiro. How can you be so sure that you'd be included when you weren't in the Senbatsu camp?" Kaidoh hissed disdainfully.

"Teme. Are you looking for a fight Mamushi?," Momo balled his fist with a vein almost popping out of his head.

"Bring it on baka Peach," He challenged, matching the latter's burning stare. Everyone gulped as they almost saw electric sparks being transmitted between the two.

"Yamero Momo, Kaidoh," Oishi yelled and stepped in between the two.

"Nya, Let's do our best Ochibi," Eiji glomped the freshman enthusiastically.

"Ittai," he grimaced when he felt like the acrobatic redhead was choking the life out of him.

"I forgot to tell you. Echizen won't be participating in this camp," Ryuzaki sensei added, and Echizen shot her a glare almost saying that 'Thanks a lot for remembering.'

That caught everyone off guard. Momoshiro and Kaidoh, who were busy fisting with each others clothes, had stopped their fight and just stared at the coach.

"Hoi?" was the only thing the surprised acrobat managed to say.

Fuji even snapped his eyes open when he heard what the coach said. "Ano. . . Ryuzaki sensei what do you exactly mean by that?"

"Echizen would be going back to America."

"America!!," the startled tennis members yelled in unison. Echizen chose that it was the right time to slowly drift away since no one would even notice him escaping. He doesn't want to waste his time explaining to them why he wouldn't be joining the camp.

"Ochi—" Eiji couldn't finish what he was saying when he noticed that the freshman was already nowhere to be found. "Nya where's Ochibi?"

"That Ryoma," Ryuzai sensei shook her head in exasperation.

"Sensei what do you mean Echizen's going back to America?" Horio, the self proclaimed member with two years of tennis experience, spoke up.

"His former school in America Herrington University had informed us that he was chosen to represent the school for the selection camp." She said trying to make her explanation brief.

"So you mean that there's a possibility that Echizen might face off with us during the matches?" Fuji inquired as he quickly understood what their coach was pointing at.

The older woman nodded her head in agreement. "But isn't it that Echizen is enrolled here in Seigaku. Wouldn't that be violating any rules?" Tezuka decided it's time for him to voice out his own thoughts.

"No, because a special rule had been imposed. The schools may chose whoever player they would like to earn the slot on the representing team, may it be a current or a graduate student. Which means that Echizen is very much qualified to play for them."

"But why would they want Echizen to play for them instead of just choosing from their current tennis club members?" Taka asked curiously.

"Their tennis council and the current members of the team had agreed upon this decision of choosing Echizen as one of their representatives. Ryoma was the former captain of the tennis club of the school adding to the fact that he is currently the U.S. Open champion for Juniors division."

"Captain!!!!"

She nodded. "He was a fifth grader when he achieved the title of Captain for the tennis club. At that time there was a rift between the tennis club for Juniors and Seniors. The captain of the Seniors club had then challenged Ryoma for a match. Whoever wins would be captain for both teams?"

"Echizen won," Momoshiro said mouth hanging open.

"Yes he won six games to love. After he assumed the position of Captain for both teams, he had managed to bring consecutive wins in the Nationals that made them the invinsible team in American Tennis."

"No wonder he's such a cocky brat, fsssshh," Kaidoh hissed equally perturbed by the information.

"Given the situation there's a possibility that the players who might dominate the positions for the Japanese team would be Tezuka, Sanada, Tachibana and some other players." Inui deduced as he examined his notes.

"What about Atobe and Yukimura?," Oishi looked at the data master.

"According to my data those two wouldn't be participating in this camp just like Echizen. Possibility 98 percent" His glasses flashed as he closed his notebook.

"Yes there's a possibility that Inui's analysis could be correct given the fact that Atobe was the former Fukubuchou of Herrington and Yukimura as the former Manager of the team."

"Fukubuchou—"

"Manager—"

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In Hyotei the same announcement was being made. The reactions he got from the regulars to the ordinary Hyotei populace was the same: shock. Jiroh who was listening to the announcement earlier instantly woke up upon hearing that Atobe wouldn't be joining them. After the ruckus, Sakaki sensei had decided to dismiss them earlier than usual. On their way back to the Atobe mansion, Jiroh was still whining about why Atobe wouldn't be coming along with them.

"Atobe are you sure you would accept that invitation?" Shishido asked.

He shrugged. "Yes. I know that the council already knew what Ore sama's answer would be, even before they sent the letter." He peered on his compact mirror making sure that not a single strand of his elegant hair was out of place. "Besides, with ore sama vacating my sure spot in the participants I would be giving all of you a much bigger chance in participating."

Shishido rolled his eyes and just decided to join the others who were back in waddling in the pool.

He stopped flicking his hair in place when he felt his cellular phone vibrating in his pocket. He closed his mirror and fished out his phone. "Be awed by ore sama's magnificent voice. Who is the unworthy soul who had dared to call Ore sama?" he said his usual welcome greeting whenever he picks up a call.

He heard light laughter from the other side which he easily recognized. "Yukimura." He stated plainly.

"I see that you're still the ever vain Ore sama from before," the Rikkaidai buchou commented.

"What do you want? Ore sama is busy and I don't want to waste my precious time exchanging crappy lines with you." He huffed arrogantly making the other laugh again.

"Well I was just wondering if you had received a letter from Herrington?"

"So this is what it's all about."

"Yes."

"Ore sama did receive one a while ago."

"I see." He fell silent as if thinking for something else to say. "Would you be accepting it then?"

"Of course. Ore sama decided to give them another glimpse of Ore sama's prowess given that they were politely asking for it."

"I see."

"And I suppose you would also accept the invitation, No." He said eyes drifting off towards the sunny sky.

"Yes. I already told the rest of the team regarding my decision. . ."

"Ryoma?"

"He already received one this morning. According to Renji, Ryoma would be going to America as well."

"I see." He sighed.

"Do you think it's time for us to fix what went wrong in the past?"

He fell silent. Really not knowing what else there is to say. "Let time take its course. Acting so irrationally at this kind time wouldn't do any of us any good." That's all he had decided to point out.

"I suppose you're right. Everything would eventually be alright."

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"Tadaima!!" He removed his shoes and stacked it back on the shoe rack before wearing his house slippers.

"Okaeri Nasai," Nanako replied from the house.

Nanjiro appeared from the kitchen, and he caught a glimpse of his father's magazine hidden underneath his robe. "Oi seishounen, you're late." He yelled.

"Che." He walked past his ranting father and walked upstairs.

"Aren't you eating dinner?," his mother Rinko was the next to appear in the room. He looked at his mother apologetically. "I'm not hungry. I would be going back to America tomorrow to represent Herrington in the UJF cup." He turned back on his heels and continued going up to his room not seeing the worried expressions his parents were pointing at him.

Unknown to him they already know about his impending journey to America tomorrow morning. Coach Ryuzaki already told them earlier.

"Do you think he would be alright?" Rinko asked her husband worriedly.

"Kei-chan and Sei-chan would be there with him." He reminded her.

"I hope so." She sighed before taking another look at the reaction where her son went off too.

Ryoma zipped open his traveling bag and started arranging the things he would be bringing to America. As he rummaged through his closet he managed to knock down a small frame buried from his thick pile of clothing.

"Meow," Karupin started rubbing off his feet and he gave the cat a small pet before crouching down to get the fallen object.

Recognition immediately dawned on him as he saw what it was. It was a picture of him with Atobe and Yukimura taken a few years ago in Herrington with them wearing their regular jerseys. A small bitter smile formed on his lips as he gently traced the outline of his ex-best friends smiling faces.

"Ryoma I'm sorry but I'm going back to Japan with my family," Atobe said monotonously and walked out of the door.

"Ryoma chan I'm going to Japan," Yukimura said without looking at him and left the room in a haste.

Ryoma felt the tears that were starting to form down at the corner of his eyes when he remembered the bitter memory of his past, which he had decided to bury along with other memories he wish not remember anymore. But the wound was still fresh after all, like it had only happened yesterday. Atobe left him alone. And so did Yukimura. They both left him.

He angrily brushed the tear that had escaped his eyes before throwing back the picture frame on the thrash can. "It's the past Ryoma. You chose to move on. There's no need to turn back now and be hurt again. They're not worthy of your tears."

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A/N:

Herrington University and UJF Cup are just products of my wild imagination. While the American Tennis Association, if ever there really is one, then I am sure you already know that I don't own it. Similarities of nicknames used with other stories are unintentional.

I am also looking for someone who can be my trustworthy editor. Anyone who are interested please drop me an e-mail.

So what do you guys think? Should I continue or not? Please read and review. Reviews are very much appreciated. Constructive criticisms, can be tolerated. But NO FLAMES please.