Authors Note: Thankyou to CelestialXChaos for beta-ing my chapters. I tend to write things at like 2 in the morning, and forget alot, and she really helps. Thank you for taking the time to read this! Thanks.

Betas note: Of course I don't own Prince of Tennis.. If you don't know what POV means, It means Point of View. Anyway, just read and review :D It'll make me happy.

-2008


So, I just went back and reread this and edited a bit. Hopefully this version is much better! I think it is! 3

-Michy 8-27-12


CHAPTER TWO: (AKEMI'S P.O.V)

Having finally reached the tennis courts, I dropped my bag to the ground, and sat myself on one of the benches. I resisted pulling my knees up to my chest and crying my heart out into them. I already had tears slowly making their tacks down my cheeks, I didn't need to look any more pathetic than I did. My bangs were soaked from the moisture and were sticking to the right side of my face. My head was down, and my hands were fisted on either side of me before reaching up to furiously wipe the tears from my cheeks.

"Hey, are you okay?" It was a girl's voice, and I glanced up in surprise. Standing in front of me was a girl with soft blue eyes and dirty blonde hair pulled away from her face with a few clips. I nodded my head and gave in to pulling my knees to my chest and pressing my face into them.

"Don't lie. What's wrong? You're obviously not okay." She denied, sitting down beside me and placing a hand on my back. I shook my head, a small whimper leaving my throat. I wouldn't load my problems onto a stranger, I wouldn't.

"Woah! What happened, you alright?" It was a male's voice, one that sent a spark of recognition through me, and I launched myself at the tall black haired boy immediately, not even bothering to check if his eyes were the right color of purple. It was Momoshiro, Takeshi. Another friend of mine, and one whom I didn't mind talking to when something was bothering me. He was always around at the right time, it seemed.

"A-Akemi-chan?" He sounded surprised, but returned my tight embrace, "What happened? Calm down! What happened?!"

"M-Momo..." I sobbed. I couldn't get out any other words. My throat felt tight, and my face burned. The girl who'd tried to help spoke up behind me.

"Momo-kun, who is she?" She asked.

"She's a friend of mine. I met her a few months back playing tennis here. Her name is Akemi Hazao. But I don't know what's wrong with her, Ann-chan, I've never seen her this upset." Momo replied, rubbing a hand on my shoulder.

"Her cousin's girlfriend is a annoying bimbo, and he's a prick! That's what's wrong. Akemi-chan!" Kirihara's voice growled out behind, before a hand was placed on my back. I sniffled, releasing Momo, and burrying my face into Kirihara's chest instead. His breath slightly, and his heartbeat turned a little frantic, but he returned my hug slowly anyway.

"Akemi-chan..." Bunta whispered softly behind me. Apparently he must have just caught up.

"What does that mean, Kirihara-san?" Momo questioned. The 'devil player' just shook his head, pulling me tighter to his chest as I clutched the blue shirt he was wearing.

"Her cousin's girlfriend was being rude, and threw a fit about Akemi-chan wanting to play tennis with us. The girl starting yelling at her cousin above choosing between them, and that she'd never done anything to Akemi-chan to make her hate her. Akemi-chan got really mad and grabbed her by the collar and yelled out all these rude things the girl'd done to her, and she told her cousin that she didn't care if he spent all his time with a 'plastic barbie'. Then when the girl whined, Akemi-chan turned around and shoved her ice cream down the girl's shirt and stormed off." Bunta explained behind me. I heard Momo choke on air, and the girl, 'Ann-chan' gasp a little.

"A-Akemi-chan... Wow. I didn't know she had a temper. She's so nice to everyone though..." Momo's voice murmured.

"I know... But that girl really deserved it. I just met her right before all that but I could already tell she was as fake as they come." Bunta sighed. I just sniffled into Kirihara's shirt, tears still streaming down. His hand rubbed my back, and he ran one of his hands through my hair. A few minutes later, I managed to stopp crying and just sniffled every once in awhile. I didn't let go of Kirihara though. I was a little afraid that if I did, I might tear up again. Plus, I probably looked awful, and besides all that Kirihara smelled fantastic.

"Who knew Kirihara-san was good at comforting girls though..." 'Ann'giggled. I giggled a little into Kirihara's shirt, and I could practically see him sweat-drop. When I locked eyes with him, he looked sad. I wiped my cheeks with one hand, still holding tight to his shirt with the other.

"Are you feeling better?" He whispered. I just half-smiled at him, and he returned the smile, hugging me tighter again, putting his head on my own. The moment was ruined when my cellphone rang in the pocket of my shorts. I pulled it out with one hand, and leaned my forehead more into Kirihara's chest as I answered.

"Moshi moshi.." My voice was soft and quiet.

"Hey, what do you want for di- What's wrong?!" My mother's voice when from exhasperated to concerned in less than a second when she heard my tone.

"L-let's say I'm done... making myself deal with the 'Barbie' to be around Taro." I whispered into the phone. Kirihara's grip tightened slightly, as did my own on his shirt.

"You finally flipped, huh? Where are you? Are you okay? You'll be home for dinner right? I'm making you a chocolate cake, okay?" She replied.

"Yeah... The tennis courts... Yeah I'll be home.. Can it be strawberry instead?.." I replied, a small smile tilting my lips at the mention of a chocolate cake.

"Sweetheart, you did the right thing, okay? I'm proud of you for lasting this long. I'll see you at home.. Strawberry it is... I love you, bye."

"Thanks... I love you too. Bye, mom." I replied. I placed the phone back in my pocket and nuzzled my head against Kirihara's chest, completely missing the blush that spread across his cheeks. I pulled away and wiped my eyes again, looking up at him with a small smile.

"Better?" He asked. I nodded.

"Arigatou, Kirihara-kun.." I blushed, embarrassed to have cried like that in front of him, and he shook his head.

"No problem. It's what best friends are for, right?" I just smiled in reply.

"I have to head home for dinner. Thank you for helping me feel better." I reluctantly let go of his shirt, and turned to Momo and Ann. I walked up and gave Momo a hug. "Arigatou, Momo-kun." He smiled at me, and replied that it was no problem. I stuck a hand out to Ann, who took it with a smile. "Arigatou, for making me giggle, and trying to help... whether I accepted or not." I blushed again, and she laughed.

"Don't worry about it, Akemi-chan." I smiled brightly at her, "Oh, my name's Ann Tachibana, by the way."

"Nice to meet you Ann-chan!" I replied. I turned to Bunta and hugged him too.

"Arigatou, Bunta-kun." He smiled and hugged me back just as tight.

"No problem, Akemi-chan!" I smiled at him, and went over to Kirihara. I wrapped my arms around his torso in a hug again. A small blush adorned his cheeks and he was smiling a bit, but he returned my hug. I looked up at him and smiled, leaning up to plant a chaste kiss on his cheek. His cheeks flamed as I smiled at him again, a small giggle escaping.

"Arigatou, Kirihara-kun." I let go, and grabbed my tennis bag, waving good bye, and heading toward the exit. I took a few steps forword out of the Street Tennis Courts, and headed home.


After dinner I found myself lounging silently on my bed. I sighed and put my arms behind my head comfortably, letting my right knee stay in the air, while my left lay flat. A light flush found its way to my cheeks when I held two fingers to my lips. I really did kiss Kirihara on the cheek, didn't I? A giggle escaped me, and I blushed and let my fingers drop once a smile tilted my lips. I never would have done that if I had been in the right state of mind. I had always wanted to, but wanting to do something and actually doing it are two very different things.

I had always held a small crush for Kirihara-kun, ever since I met him a year and a half ago. I didn't like him only because he was amazing at tennis- like the other girls did. I liked him because I took the time to get to know him, and he happened to be a pretty amazing guy. He was sweet and kind all the time around me, and we hung out pretty much constantly. We always had a great time, and never failed to make one another laugh. I remember just last month he and Bunta had come over and we'd ended up attacking eachother with the garden hose! We always had a ball together. I remember quite a few times he had told me to call him Akaya, but I refused, just because it made him pout when I called him Kirihara-kun instead. He looked cute when he pouted...

I never told him my feelings though, I mean, he was my best friend. I didn't want to ruin everything if he didn't feel the same. I knew he wouldn't stop being my best friend, but he would be different around me, no matter whether he wanted to or not. I would rather have him as my best friend who is completely himself around me, rather then a friend who gets shy and nervous around me and reads too much into what I do. Kami-sama help me if he ever gets a girlfriend, because I don't think I'll like her, no matter how nice she is. Either way, past experiences with friends, and cousins, have lead me to believe someone close to me having a girlfriend would make me suspicious of them either way.

I sighed as that thought came to mind, and rolled onto my right side, putting my right arm under the pillow beneath my head, and my left so that my elbow was at my chest, and my hand was under my chin. I would miss Taro, but he had made his decision. He had chosen Yazu, and I refuse to continue dealing with her just so that I can spend time with my cousin. It wasn't fair to me.

I shifted my gaze to my nightstand, sitting up and grabbing a picture frame from it. I smiled and let my eyes soften at the image captured forever. It was Bunta, Kirihara, and I. Kirihara was in the middle, with Bunta's arm slung over his right shoulder, and me hugging Kirihara's torso. His arm was around my shoulders, his face was slightly pink, and his smile was sheepish. Bunta was grinning, some cake smeared around his mouth. I was smiling at the camera, leaning myself fully into Kirihara happily. Kirihara's right hand, on Bunta's side, wasn't around Bunta's shoulder, instead was down as normal. Bunta's right hand was in a peace sign. I smiled when I noticed the slight shade of pink across my cheeks that I had missed before. I guess Kirihara wasn't the only one blushing in the picture...

The frame around it was a deep green. It was the same color as Kirihara's eyes. I had personally made it with yarn and cotton. Green for me, black for Kirihara, and red for Bunta. I had personally made each of us one, and below the pictures, on all three frames, read 'Besties'. In mine it was red, Kirihara's was magenta, and Bunta's was green. I had mix-matched our eye colors, which Kirihara chuckled about, and Bunta just grinned when I told him.

I let out a small giggle, then let out a sad sigh at the half of the picture with Kirihara and me in it. My mom had seen the picture and squealed 'Awww! You two look so cute next to each other!' I had never turned so red in my life. I matched Bunta's hair, honestly! Maybe even a bit darker!

I rolled onto my back again and stared at the picture. It was the best picture I had. It was absolutely amazing, but then again, all the pictures of the three of us were. Three best friends, two boys, and one girl. I guess it was bound to happen that I would fall for one of them. Kirihara had just been the lucky boy. I just hoped that one day I could tell him, and him return those feelings... but... maybe that was just a dream. I can say one thing though- I really wanted to kiss his cheek again... maybe even his lips next time...

I let out another giggle at the thought and sat up again, placing the picture on my nightstand, facing me. I sat with my knees to my chest, head resting on them, and smiled at it again. A small knock on my door caught my attention and I looked over my shoulder to the door.

"Come in!"

My mom walked in, closing the door behind her with her hip, and walked over with two cups of hot cocoa in her hands. The milky color was the same as the chocolatey color of her hair, and I grinned at her, and turned to face her instead of the picture. Two sets of magenta eyes locked, and a smile lit up her face.

"Figured you might want some." She laughed, handing me one of the cups, and sat down next to me on my bed. She spared the picture beside my head a knowing look, shaking her head at me. "Why won't you just tell him, Mimi?"

"Mom... He's my best friend... He's not just some guy from class that I think is cute. I've gotten to know him, and spent time with him. I see him every day, and I know what he's thinking half the time as he does me. We're too close... I don't want to risk loosing him.." I sighed, murmuring under my breath about how I was stupid to fall for my best friend, before taking a small sip of my hot chocolate.

"Sweetheart, Kirihara-kun doesn't seem like that kind of guy." She smiled. She had met Kirihara quite a few times herself. And I was well aware that she loved him and fully wanted me to have his babies some day. Yes, my mom is a strange one, indeed.

"I know, but it would be awkward..." I looked at the cocoa and took another sip once I'd swirled it around a bit. She leaned over and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Kirihara-kun would want you to tell him. Sweetheart, you can't leave your feelings locked up like that. See what happened with Taro and Yazu? What happens if he gets a girlfriend, and you randomly flip out on her. It'll be worse than you telling him out right. Besides, what if he likes you back? Tell him, it's better then always wondering what could have happened." She smiled at me. I felt like I was in a fortune cookie.

"But then I'll always be wondering what would have happened if I didn't." I countered.

"What is it you always quote to me? 'What's meant to be will always find a way to be'?" She kissed my cheek and giggled, leaving the room. She paused in the doorway,looking over her shoulder to thow me one last piece of her wisdom. "You won't regret it, Mimi. Sweet dreams." She shut the door behind her, leaving me to my thoughts.

I turned back to the picture and stared at the green eyed boy who held my heart, remembering how he'd comforted me just hours before. How nice he had smelled. How gently he'd rubbed my back, and ran his fingers through my hair to calm me down. How he'd been so mad just because someone had upset me. Kirihara did it all for me.

'What's meant to be will always find a way to be', huh? I questioned. What if it's not meant to be? What if I tell him, and I loose him...? What if I mistook the feeling of friendship for something more? I don't feel that way to Bunta-kun though. It's only to Kirihara-kun... What should I do now, Obaa-chan? I looked out my window into the starry sky, wondering. Would I ever tell him? And if I did... Would he feel the same way?


Authors note: Thankyou for reading. And thankyou to CelestialXChaos for the following note.

(Beta's note): I finally finished! Yay! By the way, don't you think that all XxMichyBabyxX's fanfics are just so sweet? :D

I luff them! -2008


A/N: ... I edited. Like, majorly. It needed it, so I hope you enjoy this new version better! 8-27-12.

-Michy