Similar: Love is a learning process

A/n: The first few chapters PROBABLY HAVE SPELLING MISTAKES AND GRAMMAR MISTAKS. I WILL CORRECT THESE LATER: HOWEVER; FOR THE TIME BEING, WORD IS NOT WORKING, SO I AM HAVING TO WRITE THIS STRAIGHT INTO HERE...the spelling thingie isn't working on here either...God doesn't seem to be humouring me today . WAAAA

Chapter Song: I'm waiting - All American Rejects

Chapter 3: Hand in my pocket

There was something up with Ayame. Tezuka was sure of it. The previous day, despite having beaten the majority of regulars, she had played poorly at best. He had hoped for her to show them up a bit in front of the rest of the club; the nationals were not to far in the distant future after all, and being beaten by a girl would be sure to spur them on.

It had certainly done something for Momoshiro, who, Inui had in formed him, had trained perilously had since being beaten by her a first time.

Tezuka sighed, he had also been interested in seeing her play properly for once, but she had still held back. She had not only held back, which had upset him a little, she had also given him a glimpse of what she could do, by sealing Fuji's moves, and then losing to his stratergy.

He had wondered at first if maybe it was because her arm was still not feeling too good. But he had realised soon after that there was no way Hannah would have let Ayame return home until she was completely healed. She had also shown no sign of pain whilst playing; so she can't have been in much discomfort, if any.

She could, of course, just be like Fuji, and not want to show off what she could do so much; not everyone wanted to have their data collected after all.

But to lose so easily?

Kamura he could understand; he had wondered how she was going to fair up against him, in all honesty; he had hoped she would come up with an interesting stratergy to seal off his powerful shots, but she'd just sat there and let him beat her; not even attempting to hit them back.

The only conclusion he could reasonably come to was that she was avoiding playing all out, even if that involved being beaten. He wondered how she could take it.

Tezuka turned a corner and saw Seigaku in the distance. He also saw another familiar sight, which was the two Echizens on a bike, with Momoshiro chasing after them, waving his arms around. The two on the bike appeared to be in fits of laughter; although Ryoma was coping with it far more inconspicously than Ayame was, who was doubled over on the back.

"How are you enjoying your extra training Momo?" he heard her call to him through her giggles as he got closer. He had to stifle a laugh; so that's what they were doing. The two brats had managed to nick his bike.

Momoshiro did not seem very happy about the fact, he was still chasing them, but every time he got closer to them, Ryoma sped up a little more. Tezuka wondered a little how the small boy was peddling so fast with Ayame on the back; with both their schoolbags. Apparently the freshman was alot stronger than he thought; or they were both alot lighter.

He followed them into school, watching as the two helpfully deposited the bike on the floor and ran for their lives. Tezuka caught up with Ayame on the third year corridor a few minutes later.

When he found her, he was not only surprised at the company she was sharing, but he was astounded. She was standing by the classroom talking to three girls whom he knew disliked him. A lot. When he approached them however, they waved him over.

"Tezuka", said the first, Chou Akemi, the girl's third year tennis captain; "We were just trying to pursuade Ayame here that, now the other", she paused and caughed here, "less desirable, shall we say, players have quit, that it would be in her best interest to join our tennis club"

Ayame turned to him and grinned, "And I was just telling them no"

"Ah", he replied, "Why don't you think about it a bit more Aya, you wouldn't have to wait around for me after school if you joined"

"I don't mind"

"You should do!" inputted Keiko Kazuko, a tiny blue eyed girl from the second year. "It's way more fun than waiting around!"

"No, it's not", Ayame told her, before turning to Chou, "I'm sorry, but I can't" she told her simply, before stating that her and Tezuka needed to get to class, so could they please excuse them. She didn't wait for an answer, and instead just pushed past them and through the door, pulling Tezuka along by his hand.

"Let's start again" she said as he sat down.

"Again?" he asked.

"Yes", she replied, leaning over and kissing him lightly on the cheek, "Good morning Kunimitsu, did you sleep well?" she asked, before sitting down and turning around to face him.

"Ah" he replied.

And that's when the conversation ended, because their teacher walked into the room.

Sorry it's so short...I'm not a morning person...and I have some ideas for my other fanfiction that I am writing...oh yeah...check out my other TezukaxOC fic sometime okay?! Reviews? x x x x x x x x