Title: Bad timing
Author: runningondreams
Disclaimer: Tennis no oujisama belongs to Konomi-san and Shonen Jump. I own no characters, names, images, plot-lines, places, or production rights.
Warnings: utterly pointless
Practice matches at Hyotei Gakuen were always something to see, especially when someone had something to prove. Of course, Oshitari mused from the sidelines, Hiyoshi always had something to prove, but today was different. After losing to that Seigaku first year and forfeiting the team's chance to compete at the National tournament the alternate was feeling especially…..vengeful. The tensai was rather surprised that the boy's opponent (a third year who rivaled Atobe in self-importance) hadn't collapsed into a pathetic puddle of so much demoralized goop.
"Hiyoshi's in good form today." Oshitari glanced sideways to find Outori leaning on the chain link fence beside him, apparently engrossed in the match.
"Mnn. He fell straight into the Kobujutsu this time."
"Sensei should be pleased with that at least."
They watched in silence for a moment until a shout of 'gekokujou!' rang out across the courts. Oshitari smiled, turning slightly towards his kohai.
"Did you hear what that Seigaku brat said, during the match?"
"About 'gekokujou'?" Outori grinned. "I though Hiyoshi might drop the racket and just deck him."
Oshitari snorted. He wouldn't put such an action past their hot-headed revolutionary.
"Sometimes I think he was just born in the wrong time." The tensai blinked and turned to give his companion his full attention.
"What do you mean?" The second-year shrugged.
"Well, that whole revolution thing and the martial arts, and just, the level of dedication he gives everything, that honor code that he adheres to so strictly, it just seems like he would have been a lot better off a couple hundred years ago. During a war or samurai oppression or something. He would have…fit in better, I guess." Another shrug and a self-deprecating grin. "Or at least, he would have been able to find people who really understood him at least."
Oshitari turned back to the match, watching Hiyoshi deliver yet another unforgiving smash and sparing a thought to wonder at Outori's rather shaky impression of history. The other doubles player had a point, however.
Always skulking in the background, only noticed when he's needed, burning passion for overturning authority while maintaining blind service, honor-bound, ambitious….
He nodded in agreement.
"Yes. He would make a rather good ninja, wouldn't he."
-owari-
Inspired by a random
crack generator: 'Oshitari Yuushi/Outori Choutarou, ninja.' I am just that bored.