Disclaimer: Stop reminding me they aren't mine ;.;! -cries a river-

AN: So. Fuji-centric again. Le har. -wags tail- I really shouldn't enjoy writing this, but it's fun. -sweatdrop-

The morning matches had gone well. Fuji didn't bother abusing his victims today. It was too risky. Everyone had their eyes on him; especially Tezuka and Coach Ryuzaki. Of course...after missing for two days, it had to have been expected. Most of the tennis members were just glad he was back, except the ones he ended up playing, of course, and the other regulars. While they didn't have exact details as to what was going on, Fuji knew they were probably trying to get answers out of Tezuka. Especially Inui. Every time he chanced to look at the data player, he had his head down and was scribbling furiously, while the captain looked ready to order him another hundred laps or so. As long as he didn't say anything....

At that moment, Fuji was in the middle of a match with Arai. Distracted by his thoughts, he almost missed a chance ball, and quickly resumed his game. The hopeful second year was quickly shattered, though he still thanked his sempai for the match and took his loss without grudge. It was normal when playing someone who had been a regular for so long. Fuji could only smile after him, and wander off to find his water bottle. It was offered to him by Eiji, who was bouncing up and down in anticipation, "Fujiko! Our match is after the break!"

"Saa, it is, isn't it, Eiji-chan?" Fuji smiled at him, earning a squeal and another tight hug. He tried not to wince, but the hugs he got really were getting too tight. The first time Eiji had hugged him, Fuji had almost started crying from the pain it shot through his body, and then the pains of conditioning after so long...he was surprised he hadn't cried. He didn't mind though. So far, he had proven beyond thoroughly that he could still beat everyone down without trying. But at that moment, he needed a small...word with the data player.

Still smiling ever so innocently, he came up behind Tezuka and Inui, keeping quiet to listen to their exchange.

"You seem protective of the information, buchou." Inui didn't look up from his notes, "You won't even tell me where you found him? You two either had a serious fight, or something absolutely horrible happened to Fuji. Which is it?"

"For the last time, Inui. He got sick. I was just taking care of him."

"According to Yuuta-kun, he never came home. And if I remember right, you fled from the scene."

"It's rude to eavesdrop."

"I wasn't eavesdropping. I was merely passing by."

Fuji looked amused. Tezuka was doing quite well to cover up. He decided it was time to save his precious captain at that point, and tapped Inui lightly on the shoulder. The data player spun around, snapping his notebook closed with an accusing look. The tensai put up his hands in defense to show he was innocent, "I didn't read. I promise. I was watching the match."

Inui nodded after a moment. Fuji never lied. If he had read something, he would have told them he had, or made a comment about how amusing the information was. He smiled up at the data player, "Saa, actually. I wanted to talk to you for a moment, Inui. If Tezuka-buchou doesn't mind me stealing you for a few minutes." He looked up at his captain in a taunting smile. Tezuka merely glared at him, and turned back to the game. He took that as a good sign and beckoned Inui to follow him. He led him around the back of the club house, looking around to make sure they hadn't been followed, and Kaidou wasn't lurking about.

"If you're worried about Kaoru, he's taking his board shift. Momoshiro is with Echizen. Oishi is helping Kikumaru condition. Taka-san is in the middle of a match. You just saw Tezuka-buchou. Not that he should matter--"

"Ah. But he does." Fuji smiled, suppressing his urge to be utterly sadistic to the data player, "Because Tezuka-buchou does know. And you and I both know he won't crack under pressure. So, don't you think you're wasting your time?"

"I may be. But the buchou is also tired." Inui pushed his glasses up, countering the verbal assaults with his own, "Tezuka-buchou lets his guard down when he is tired...and then you throw in his habit to worry, that he picked up from Oishi over the past couple of days."

"But you're forgetting something, Inui."

The data player looked up, finding the cobalt blue eyes smiling at him, almost evilly. The tensai's voice was still the same, sweet tone it always was, though there was something dark dripping behind the boy's voice, "I'm not tired. Nor do I worry. Therefore. If I find out you've continued wearing him down...I'll personally deliver you into a world of humiliation. Beyond your wildest imagination, Inui."

He almost smirked when the data player took a cautionary step back, and waved sweetly, returning towards the courts. At least now he wouldn't have to worry about Inui provoking Tezuka anymore. Even he wasn't desperate enough for data after that threat, right? And if he was...well... Fuji shuddered a bit.

All the better for me.

Fuji stopped in his tracks, chancing to look around. The freshman trio was by the board, cowering in fear from Kaidou. Coach Ryuzaki's granddaughter and her friend were by B-Court, waiting for Echizen's return. Tezuka was still watching the D-Court matches...no one was near him. He was sure he heard the voice though. Just like before, it had been a fleeting voice, lasting for barely a second; just long enough to get out an opinion, then vanish. He considered telling Tezuka, again, only to find that Oishi had moved next to their captain, and Kikumaru was waiting for him on the court. Self assurance had fled again. Forcing himself not to sigh, Fuji happily entered the court, spinning his racquet about his wrist, the same way Eiji did.

The acrobat squealed happily at this, "Fujiko remembered!"

Fuji chuckled, pulling a ball from his pocket, "Of course I did, Eiji-chan."

Before he served, a thought struck him. Tezuka wanted proof that he could play like this, right? He should see it up close. He turned to the fence, "Buchou, why don't you judge this match?"

Oishi looked confused, and Tezuka looked between ready to choke him, and ready to fall over. Eiji agreed whole-heartedly, and began bouncing on his tip-toes, pleading with the captain to judge. Tezuka gave in with a sigh; Fuji knew he was getting a headache. He was loving every minute of it, too. He waved at the captain, sweetly, and Tezuka sighed again.

"Best of one set match. Fuji to serve."

Fuji gave the fuzzy ball a small bounce, thinking on what serve to use. In the end, he chose a normal, overhand serve, deciding it was best to save the tormenting, and took to mid-court. Just as he predicted, Eiji attempted to get the ball past him from that point, he had stopped. A simple Magic Volley saved him, and gained him a point.

"15-love."

"Nyahn! Fujiko's doing perfect!" Eiji didn't seem to mind losing the point, he was scolding Oishi from where he was, and completely ignoring the score called out, "And you said he might be out of it!"

Oishi gave an apologetic wave, gesturing for the red head to turn around. Fuji didn't wait long. The second Eiji turned around; the ball was already on his side of the court. Before he could hit it, it vanished. He blinked, "Hoi? Using a Disappearing Serve! That's not fair, Fujiko!"

"30-love."

Fuji just smiled, getting ready to use the serve again, "All's fair in love and tennis, Eiji."

Eiji grinned at the twist in the quote and began bouncing a bit. Fuji bounced the ball once, ready to spin it. So...Oishi thought he was having problems adjusting did he? He'd just have to prove the doubting player wrong. By crushing his doubles partner. The Disappearing Serve was sent, this time Eiji had followed it, but it hit it too hard. It bounced off of the fence, and the red head pouted.

"40-love."

"I'm going to break it, nyahn!" He declared matter-of-factly, crouching down a bit, still bouncing. Fuji decided it was ok to give him another chance at the serve, and gave him what he wanted. The perfect Vanishing Serve. He smiled when it was sent back and Eiji had jumped back into position. He returned it, good for him. Not good enough, this time.

Almost carelessly, Fuji gave him a chance ball. Everyone on the sidelines drew in a sharp breath, and Eiji had to force himself not to use a smash. Fuji smiled. They learned well. The return was a simple one, and Fuji took his last point with his Tsubame Gaeshi. If he couldn't use one Triple Counter, he'd use another.

"Game Fuji. 1 game to love."

"Nya! Fujiko's serious off the bat!" Eiji looked happy; not at all bothered that he had lost the first game so quickly, "I better play serious too, nya!"

"You should. It wouldn't be fun if you didn't." The smile didn't falter when Eiji served and dashed to the net. He was use to the acrobat's serve and volley. He returned it as he had originally planned. Cross-court. The Diving Volley came into play, and Eiji was back in center position to jump either way. But Eiji always forgot...about his back court. Fuji smiled at his friend, lobbing it over his head, and causing the boy to back up to hit it, then hitting it cross-court to the back corner.

"Love-15."

Eiji pouted, but didn't seem too bothered by it aside from that, as he pulled out another ball to serve. He faltered though, when a shadow came over the court, and both players looked up. Clouds had begun to form. Out the corner of his eye, Fuji saw Oishi look at Tezuka. He looked ready to call the match off.

"Tezuka--"

"It's not raining, yet." The comment made Oishi and Tezuka look at him, and Eiji jumped into the conversation.

"Yeah! Not raining, yet, nyahn! I want to finish my service game!"

Oishi sighed, Tezuka gave the acrobat a silencing glare, which Eiji ignored and bounced his tennis ball to serve, "Fujiko, ready!"

"Always." Fuji smiled. He knew Eiji couldn't argue with him. Especially if Oishi didn't say anything first. All the better to crush both of them. Beat Eiji; give Oishi a guilt trip...perfect. He played the next few points out, letting their scores even out.

"40-all."

When the last serve came, he took the point on the return, with a seemingly half-hearted Jack Knife. Eiji just barely managed to dodge it, following the path it took. The ball had left a mark in the corner it had been aimed for, and was now lodged in the fence. He blinked, and looked back at his best friend, to find that he was already getting ready to serve. Tezuka hadn't even made the call yet, and Eiji had to dodge the serve as well, noticing that ball as well got lodged in the fence behind him. Fuji was serving hard...really hard.

"Fujiko...?"

Eiji looked over at Tezuka and Oishi, confused and scared. Fuji had never actually tried to target him before...but it was fun. He began wondering why he'd never thought of it before. If it was fun to target someone he hated, like Mizuki and Kirihara...it was absolutely exhilarating to target someone this close. He pulled another ball from his pocket, ignoring that Tezuka still hadn't called the score, and was trying to get Eiji off the court. He wasn't even aware that it had begun to rain. He just wanted to prove he was still the best there was. Even over Tezuka if he had to. Just as he threw the ball to serve, he felt a familiar shiver that always came before the fleeting voice.

Yes...let us crush him as well.

Fuji finally snapped out of his daze, when he heard the voice, and looked up at the sky. He was sitting on his knees, he wasn't sure why, but he slowly stood up. The rain had gotten heavier; most of the courts were deserted by now. Except this one. He looked towards the gate, finding Eiji struggling against Oishi and Tezuka trying to get the other members away from the court. Why in the world was everyone so intent on getting in the court. Fuji cocked his head to the side, opening his eyes to look over all of them. Obviously it still had its effect, as everyone -save Tezuka, Oishi and Eiji- took a couple of steps back. Even Echizen and Coach Ryuzaki had backed up, and Eiji had stopped struggling, looking ready to cry. Or maybe he already was. The thought was shrugged off, and a confused look was thrown at Tezuka. He wasn't sure what he'd done, but whatever it was, was scaring everyone. His captain came over to him, looking worried. Obviously Fuji had done something.

"Buchou?"

"Fuji...are you ok?"

Fuji could only blink. Why wouldn't he be? Tezuka picked up his arm, and the tensai flinched; more at the pain than being touched. ...Pain? Looking down, he found his arm a bloodied mess, with a broken racquet hanging loosely from his other hand. The sight caused him a sick feeling, slowly beginning to remember and understand what he'd done.

"Fujiko..." Eiji whimpered, unable to do much else but dodge the raining power serves. Fuji was powerful. He'd proved that plenty of times, but he'd never used the power on his team mates. Eiji backed up a few steps, looking over at Oishi and Tezuka. They were trying to keep the rest of the team away from the court, and get them inside as it began raining harder.

"Buchou...Oishi..."

They looked over. Eiji had turned his back on the tensai, looking hurt and confused, "Fujiko's not listening...something's wrong..."

"...No there isn't..." Fuji gripped his racket. The other three 3rd years turned to look at him. He had his head down, gripping his racquet tightly in his right hand, and a tennis ball in the other, "Nothing's...wrong..."

"Fujiko--" Tezuka put a hand over Eiji's mouth, motioning for Oishi to come grab him. The minute Oishi left the gate, the other regulars tried to run in, stopped in their tracks by a harsh bark from Tezuka, telling them to get away from the fence, and get the younger club members inside.

"Nya! Fujiko needs help!" Eiji tried to squirm away from Oishi. The grip around the acrobat's waist only increased, trying to keep him still. It was almost lost when Fuji looked up, his eyes narrowed, cold blue.

"I don't need help! I don't need anything, from anyone!"

"Fuji!"

"Leave me alone!" The captain backed up a bit, and the tensai fell to his knees, oblivious he was still holding the racquet, until he punched the court, and felt the racquet shatter from impact, the splinters driving deep into his hand. He looked at it a moment. He could hear everyone trying to get him to calm down. He heard someone take another step towards him, and growled, "Stay the hell away from me!"

They listened. He looked down at his hand, starting to pull the splinters out with a shaking hand. For some reason, the blood didn't bother him. As soon as the splinters were removed, he took the racquet into his uninjured hand, and raised it, still bent over on his side of the court. Before anyone could stop him, he drove the sharpened, splintered end into his right arm. Eiji made a strangled cry, and started to struggle again. Oishi almost lost his hold, and could only give Tezuka a pleading glance, which the captain slowly, hesitantly obliged to help with.

Crush him.

"Get out of my head!"

Fuji had his hands clamped tightly on his ears, despite the pain and blood, and fell back to his knees. By that point, everyone had backed up, leaving their captain to deal with the delusional tensai.

TBC...

...So. Still love me, right n.n? I hope so. 'Cause I love all of you X3! ...SO! Anyways, gotta get ready to leave and stuff, goin' to Eiji's as soon as mom gets her call from the dorks in Austin -hisses at them for taking so long-

Next Chapter: A few rumors start to leak around. Not only Seigaku, but all the other schools in the region are starting to find out. And Fuji's about to get a surprise visitor.

...I know Fuji's way OOC. TT-TT trust me. I know. And I'm not exactly sure if the everyone on Seigaku calls Yuuta by his first name or last...so if someone knows, please tell me. I love you all! -kisses-

edit: fixed a few errors, namely that hideous bit where he's stabbing his arm. IT'S HIS RIGHT ARM, NOT LEFT, I'M SORRY -bows repetitively-