A/N: Well, this is my first attempt at a POT fanfic.... well my first attempt at ANY fanfic! After several days of work, this is the result. Enjoy!

Chapter 1 – A new Beginning

The sun was barely up when Kunimitsu Tezuka woke up. He was ready and downstairs very early today, it being the first day of school. He was officially starting his senior year at Seishun High School Academy. (A/N: yes they're in high school... as mentioned in the summary). He didn't want to be late (like he ever was) and after all, he had to live up to his reputation and set a good example. He eventually left to meet up with his friend Oishi at the subway train station.

"Hey, Tezuka. Another year huh?" Oishi commented as they entered the subway. "Another chance at the Nationals. Do you think we can win this year?"

"I don't know," came the stoic reply. "But either way, we must practice hard." Oishi smiled, knowing well that his friend strives to take Seigaku to the Nationals. Tezuka, this will be our year!

The two got off at their destination and were greeted by none other than the very clingy Eiji Kikumaru.

"OISHI!! How was your summer?? Mine was great!! My family and I went to so many amusement parks, oh and there was this one ride where…"

The bouncy red-head trailed on until they reached their classroom, where they were greeted by Fuji, Taka, and Inui. Eiji began telling his story once again as Tezuka walked to his assigned desk (third row, right next to the window). Out of habit the guys followed, leaning or sitting atop the surrounding desks discussing their vacations. There were a few other people in the room; a couple of guys by the door, and the objects of their attention - Midori Sayuki and her friends.

Character Intro

Name: Sayuki Midori (3rd year)

Age: 17

Hair: black, straight, medium-length (just past her shoulders)

Eyes: green

Hobbies: reading and cooking

Likes: gardens and quiet, peaceful places when alone

End

"Ah, konichiwa Oishi," her friend Rukia said shyly.

Character Into

Name: Koizumi Rukia (3rd year)

Age: 17

Hair: brown, wavy, long

Eyes: dark brown

Hobbies: playing at beaches

Likes: ice cream and puppies

End

"Oh, uh… good morning Koizumi," Oishi replied, turning a shade of pink. Tezuka rolled his eyes away from them, choosing instead to look outside the window. Over the summer, his friend and Rukia had become very close and at the moment, it was a little sickening to see their infatuated faces.

Brinngg!!! The bell rang, causing Rukia and Oishi to break from their trance, and as the teacher entered, everyone shuffled quickly to their seats. Rukia's friend Midori silently took her seat, which happened to be next to the all-too-famous Seigaku captain, one which was very thankful it wasn't a fangirl (Midori definitely wasn't one of them).

"Welcome back everyone. Now let's begin…" the teacher said, starting the class.

Class dragged on in its usual manner until the lunch bell rang, which brought a wave of excitement over the students. Tezuka got up, collected his things, and walked out in his typical impassive way, causing girlish giggles to fill the room. Midori, noticing this, rolled her eyes at his fangirls. She had never really been able to understand their liking for Tezuka. Yeah, he was good-looking... Very good looking, she had to admit. But besides that, he was just cold and distant – despite his popularity.

She couldn't say she knew him very well either. The only time they'd ever talked was last year, during an English project they were paired up for. And even during that time, he had only spoken when it was absolutely unavoidable. Midori hadn't resented him or tried to get him to talk like his fangirls would've and for that he was grateful, more than she knew it.

The only thing that'd come out of that week was the mutual respect they'd developed for each other. Although they'd never voiced it, they respected each other because they were equal in many ways; school, popularity, grades… tennis.

"Hey, ready for lunch?" Rukia's cheery voice brought Midori out of her trance. She slowly smiled as she regained awareness of her surroundings and agreed as they made their way to the cafeteria. They were early, Midori realized, as there were only a few students around. Tezuka and his egg-headed friend Oishi were there, seated at the end of the cafeteria at their regular table. (A/N: pun slightly intended. I couldn't help it!! Hehe)

Rukia did a double-take when she saw Oishi and turned to her friend with a pleading look.

"What?" Midori asked confusedly. She looked from her friend to the table at which the two boys were seated and immediately realized what was about to happen.

"Oh no… No. No. No! We're not going there so you can talk to Oishi!" she whispered furiously, but Rukia had begun to drag her and they were now nearly in hearing distance of the table.

"Please! For me," her friend mouthed as they approached the boys. Midori was about to argue but Rukia had sat down and was already in deep conversation with Oishi.

So, deciding it would be rude to walk away – not that Tezuka or Oishi would care – she sat herself down in front of Tezuka, who gave his unspoken acknowledgement of her presence with a slight nod. Midori returned it with a quiet hello. Rukia and Oishi had slowly scooted to the side to get some privacy in their chat, leaving their two friends to eat in silence. Neither was the type to start a conversation, especially with each other. But then again neither of them minded the quietness. Unfortunately for them though, it didn't last very long.

The cafeteria began filling up rapidly and so did the table they were sitting at. Within minutes, their table was easily the loudest and most crowded there. The boys' and girls' tennis teams usually shared that table and of course it was constantly surrounded by fanboys and fangirls.

Even though almost everyone was chatting happily and discussing their vacations, Tezuka sat soundlessly eating his lunch. He didn't at all appear eager to talk, nor did he notice any of the girls eyeing him from across the room. Midori talked with her friends Fuji and Hikari for a bit but for the most part, she too sat in silence.

This silent treatment continued for the next few days but neither of them cared enough to break it.

Character Intro

Name: Takeda Hikari (3rd year)

Age: 17

Hair: brown, straight, short (up to her neck)

Eyes: amethyst

Hobbies: reading literature and playing the piano

Likes: spicy foods

End

One day after school, she, Rukia, and Hikari made their way to the city street courts. They often came here to practice and since school practices were due to begin soon, it was the perfect time to get into shape.

"So Ruki, I see you and Oishi spending all lunch together," Hikari said cheekily as she and Midori starting playing in the empty court. "Is there something going on?"

Rukia blushed red from the bench. "Well… I, uh…" she stammered on, making Midori giggle as she hit a solid smash and won the point.

"15-LOVE, right Rukia?" Hikari teased.

"Oh, shut up! You have a boyfri-"

"He's not my boyfriend!" Hikari said, clearly punctuating every word. She stopped playing and turned to Rukia, giving Midori a lead of now an entire game.

Midori stopped too and laughed. "Sure, but everyone knows you and Shusuke are practically together."

Hikari was about to argue – even though she knew they were right – but stopped as she noticed a couple of people entering the courts. Midori and Rukia turned too, quickly recognizing the visitors. They were a couple of 3rd years from Gyokurin. One of the guys smirked when he saw them and approached.

"Hey. Do any of you girls wanna play a quick match with me?" he asked, eyeing them – especially Midori.

"Sure, I'll play," Midori answered coolly and the guy looked thoroughly pleased. Despite her calm demeanor, inside Midori was determined to beat this pervert. She secretly winked to her friends, who smirked knowing what was to come, and stepped on the court.

She got into position and pulled out one of her tennis balls, and served. An ace. Her opponent stood rooted to the spot, looking stunned, she was pleased to see. Determined to keep going, she didn't bother asking him to return the ball. Instead, she pulled out another one and served.

After 20 minutes or so, Midori had won easily with 6-0.

"See you next time," she smiled sardonically at her opponent as she and her friends left the courts.

"Did you see the look on that guy's face?!" Rukia laughed. "He looked like he was gonna pee his pants when you first aced him!"

The three laughed until they parted, where they bided goodbyes. As Midori made her way home, she couldn't help but wonder about something. When she had aced her opponent, she'd seen what looked like a Seigaku tennis shirt. She remembered seeing the blue and white near the steps leading to the courts, but didn't pay too much attention as she was too absorbed in the match.

For a second, Midori had thought she'd mistaken herself, but now that she thought about it, she was sure it was a Seigaku tennis shirt. She wondered who it could've been.

It had to be one of guys on the tennis team; a regular most likely, she thought as she entered her house. After all, the guys do go there often. She sighed and gave up, and eventually the thought escaped her mind.

The next day, lunchtime…

As Midori walked into the crowded cafeteria of Seishun, she sighed with disappointment upon seeing the regulars' table. She was secretly hoping a certain someone wasn't there – so that she could be spared from another awkward lunch – but he was.

Tezuka sat there, stoic as ever. But there was something different in his manner today. Usually he would avoid looking at anyone particular, but today he kept glancing at the entrance doors as if waiting for someone. Once again he turned towards the entrance doors, although this time he didn't wait too long as what he'd been waiting for had walked right in.

Tezuka caught Midori's eyes and after a second – in which he seemed to be pondering about something – he turned his look away. Midori stopped; to her this was a strange behavior for Tezuka. Although she wasn't a hundred percent sure of it, she felt certain that he'd been waiting for her. It was one of those gut feelings.

Closing her eyes, she sighed. It's not likely. Why would he be waiting for me anyways? She asked herself logically. After gaining composure, Midori walked to the table. It was crowded like always. She noticed Rukia and Oishi in deep conversation like always, and sighing she sat down opposite Tezuka – as always. As she took her seat, he did the strangest thing. He rolled a tennis ball across the table towards her. Midori caught it swiftly and gave Tezuka a puzzled look before she noticed something written across the ball.

Sayuki Midori

It was her name; she remembered writing it in herself out of mere boredom.

"My tennis ball…" she mumbled. "I thought I lost this somewhere." Then more clearly she added, "Where did you find it?"

"At the street courts," he answered in an indifferent manner. He picked up another biteful of his lunch and chewed. It was a minute of so before he realized her eyes were on him. Midori was waiting for a more clarified explanation, though she already had a pretty good guess as to how he had her personal tennis ball. "I picked it up after you left."

"You were there?" she asked as his reply triggered her to remember something. Suddenly the blue and white she'd seen yesterday made more sense as to why they were there. So it was you I saw… Midori thought.

"After you left - yes." After a pause of awkward silence he said, "You played well."

Midori stopped mid-chew upon hearing this. "You saw me play?" she asked after swallowing hurriedly.

"Yes. And you played quite well," he said nonchalantly. Midori was really surprised; such a compliment from Tezuka was rare and never had she expected to get one, especially one regarding tennis.

"Thanks," she mumbled and quickly finished her lunch; chewing kept her safe from having to say anymore. Several minutes later when Midori had finished her lunch, she got up and muttered another word of thanks.

"… for returning the ball," she hastily added though. As Midori walked around Tezuka towards the entrance doors, he turned and asked, "What about you friend?"

He was indicating Rukia, who was so busy talking to Oishi that she hadn't noticed Midori – or anyone else for that matter – all lunch. Midori smiled when she shot a fleeting look at the couple.

"Don't worry, they're too absorbed with each other to notice if I leave." With another smile she added, "I guess that means you're free to ditch too."

Tezuka turned around and gave a rare smirk at her remark. Thankfully for him though, nobody caught it.

Well? What do guys think of the first chapter? (I hope it wasn't too pathetic for a first attempt).

Anyways, please review!