Well, sorry for the almost late update. It's just that I caught up with fatigue-caused-flu and was down for few days because of the dizzy spells and the headaches. It just seemed that there was something which pounded inside my head. Bah!

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But fear not! I'm back and healthy again! Yay! So here we go, enjoy this chapter! Anyway, this story is really nearing the end chapter, I wonder if you guys having quite fun reading this piece of story. I know it is not the best story out there but I am doing my best so well please do drop by and comment or review should you guys wish to read more about them. I am thinking of continuing this though.

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Many thanks to my reviewers: mesmerizedbyceruleaneyes, tezuka, azab, shadowkaru15, mikkimikka, Abyssinian Rose and all my readers!

Many thanks to my reviewers on lj: ellipsis, pchan02, tacuma811 (really it is so scarce that I wonder if there are no one out there who like Saeki -.-;;; anyway perhaps the pairing is unusual? Hahaha ;P )

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Title: When He Falls in Love

Fandom: Prince of Tennis

Pairing: Sanada GenichirouxSaeki Kojirou

Genre: Drama, a bit of AU

Summary: What should Sanada do if he falls for a certain black/white-haired vice captain of Rokkaku?

Warning: Yaoi (means boys kissing), mild to moderate OOC, a bit of Higa-bashing later

Disclaimer: These boys are not mine, just borrowing them for fun!

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Chapter 7: Finals, Both Grand and His

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One day left to the grand final of National Junior High Tennis Tournament,

"Renji, I'm thinking to put Marui-Jackal on doubles one slot."

Yanagi turned to look at Yukimura a while then he resumed unbuttoning his school's shirt.

"You wish to drop the doubles two game?" Yanagi asked his captain who was smiling enigmatically.

Yukimura titled his head, "If I am guessing it right, Seigaku's Golden Pair will be the on doubles one slot and they will certainly be able to defeat Marui-Jackal pair."

"What has made you think they will lose?"

"A hunch, Genichirou."

Yet the both of them knew that it was not a mere hunch. Their captain, the usually pictured as gentle yet sweet captain of Rikkaidai Fuzoku's actually had a sharp mind and his predictions were usually correct since it usually turned out as a fact. It was just that the fact had only been realized first by him while nobody else had even realized.

"How about putting Niou and Yagyuu against them?"

"Yes. I am sure both Niou-kun and Yagyuu-kun can defeat them."

Yukimura seemed to contemplate for a while then he shook his head, "No, Gen, Niou and Yagyuu had played them on Kantou."

Yanagi mused then he said, "Put me on doubles two then. I will win it. Seigaku's doubles two had always been their weakest point."

"Then who will be your partner, Renji?"

Renji smiled at Sanada's question and answered, "Akaya will be my partner. He will not object it."

"A last favor from the favorite sempai of his, Renji?"

Yanagi merely smiled on Yukimura's query whose eyes were gleaming with perception.

"Then who will be on the singles?"

Yukimura started to unbutton his own shirt while Yanagi answered," Seigaku will put Tezuka, Fuji and Echizen on singles as they are their aces."

"In what order?"

Yanagi continued, "Fuji will play in singles two, Tezuka will be on singles one and Echizen will take the singles three."

Yukimura smiled and shook his head, "I think you might be wrong, Renji."

"I am quite sure that Tezuka will take the singles three's slot. He has just been discharged from Kyushuu. I do not think he will have the confidence to take the singles one." He continued while was putting on his tennis uniform.

"I see. So our line-up will be?"

"Seiichi, I'll take singles three."

Yanagi turned to look at Sanada, who sat on the bench and was tying his shoe laces, and raised his eyebrow then he turned at Yukimura's chuckle.

"Well, I shall put Niou on singles two then."

"How about you?"

Yukimura tied his headband and grabbed his racket then turned to them, "I will play on singles one and I shall defeat Echizen Ryoma."

He walked past them and opened the door to the club room, "Then we will be the champion." And the sunlight which illuminated behind Yukimura, gave him a godlike appearance, truly the son of god as was nicknamed.

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"It is such a fine day today yet we can almost see the tension in the air. Yes, it is finally the day of the most anticipated final of the National tournament of Junior High Tennis, Seishun Gakuen against Rikkai Dai Fuzoku. The new challenger versus the two consecutively title holder. Who will be the champion this year?"

The news reporter voice droned on and on then faded on the background as Rikkaidai players walked past their group.

Today Sanada was feeling practically more energized than any other days. He felt more focused and calmer. Thoughts of Saeki, of anything besides this final were driven to the edge of his mind and was locked there. He would not jeopardize his whole team just because of his stupid infatuation.

Later, after they got hold on the title, perhaps later then he would think about it again but not now. Not now, definitely.

He was still in a mission and like a good assassin, he would not let his feelings to be the obstacles when he murdered his enemies. While Sanada was not an assassin but a mere tennis player of junior high, he still respected his mission and his mission today was to bring Rikkaidai towards the upmost throne, the National's champion. Hence, for that he needed to be focused and he would defeat his enemies, particularly, Tezuka Kunimitsu.

Sanada still remembered the humiliation he suffered when he was still on the first year on junior high. It was the first time he suffered such a loss and it was by Tezuka's hand nonetheless. But now, he would pay it back and he would be the victor. He would redeem his pride over his loss that long time ago. Not to mention, the personal issue he had against Tezuka would do well to his advantage if he did channel it right.

Thus, Sanada knew for sure that he would win today and Rikkaidai should be the one who sat on the throne once again.

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Saeki moved past the crowds who gathered around the court toward the small clearing where he could see some student from various schools gathered around in their wait. He walked past them to the another section of the clearing where it would led to another courts that were empty. He looked at the court then he walked again to turn left just beside the court. He walked again for some distance then he stopped as he spotted the bright yellow jersey, signature of Rikkaidai's. He looked around and found that the Rikkai's players were all warming up there.

Saeki contemplated whether to approach them or not and while he was still standing there in his thought, a familiar voice greeted him.

"Saeki-san."

Saeki turned around and faced on Yanagi's calm face. He thought that he almost saw those lips curved ever so slightly but he brushed it off as a polite gesture if it did mean anything.

"Ah, Yanagi-san!"

"Why are you standing here all alone, Saeki-san?"

Saeki smiled a little nervously then answered, "Well, I don't mean to sneak upon you guys. Actually I was looking for you guys to say thank you for the flowers."

"The flowers?"

"Yes. It was delivered by the nurse and she said that a student asked her to deliver it to Ojii-san, said it was from Rikkaidai. So I thought it would be nice to come and express our gratitude for such gesture."

"I see."

"But I feel bad on interrupting so…" Saeki smiled sheepishly.

"It is fine, Saeki-san. You are not interrupting anyone."

The voice came from Saeki's back and the gentle tone was unfamiliar, Saeki turned and there Yukimura Seiichi stood whilst smiling warmly.

"Yukimura Seiichi." Saeki instantly recognized the famed captain of Rikkaidai's

"Hello, Saeki-san. A pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, Yukimura-san."

Upon Yanagi's questioning gaze, Yukimura continued, "I saw that you are talking to Renji, so I came."

"Well, I'm just dropping by to say thank you for the flowers. It really means a lot to us that you even bothered to send flowers to us."

"It is not a bother, Saeki-san. After all, we know better that Rokkaku is the winner of that match. Not Higa."

Saeki laughed heartily and said, "Thank you for the compliment even though we did lose 5-0 straight."

"Sae-chan! Where are you?"

Saeki turned his head toward where his teammate's voice came from. Then he looked at Yukimura and Yanagi and smiled apologetically, "Sorry, I think Itsuki-kun's calling for me."

Saeki offered a hand shake on Yukimura which was taken swiftly by Yukimura, "Nice to meet and talk to you, Yukimura-san. I know it's late but congratulation on your recovery! I heard from Fuji about your match against Higa. He said it was impressive as one expected from Rikkaidai's captain. Too bad I could not make it for the match." He smiled almost apologetically.

"It is fine, Saeki-san. Thank you for the praise!" Yukimura chuckled warmly. "It does feel good to be on the court again." He said quietly but contentedly.

There Saeki smiled at him, "It is good to have you back again in the junior high tennis circuit, Yukimura-san." Then he released his grip and grinned, "Even though that means Rikkaidai will be tougher as I heard that Rikkaidai had practically crushed Higa on the previous match. Don't know if I should sympathize for them or not." He continued good-humoredly.

Yukimura chuckled on Saeki's statement which actually held no anger toward Higa whatsoever.

"We only delivered justice upon them as well as teaching them about modesty." Yanagi answered evenly.

Saeki laughed, "Well they do need that, I suppose. Can't say that I didn't dislike how Sanada defeated Kai though." He grimaced a bit and continued, "That does make me like a bad person, doesn't it?"

Yukimura only smiled and shook his head, "You are a nice person, Saeki-san."

Saeki only looked at Rikkaidai's captain who was smiling enigmatically but seeing that he could not feel any malice beneath that statement, Saeki only smiled sheepishly, "Thanks for the praise, I guess."

"Sometimes feeling a grudge toward a certain person especially after deliberately hurting someone's important person is a very normal thing, Saeki-san. Do not belittle yourself just because you resent Higa Chuu's team. After all it was them who started the whole scene. They just reap what they have sow."

Saeki looked at Yanagi appreciatively, "I guess I should thank you guys on, well, that matter."

"The feeling is mutual, Saeki-san."

"Sae-chaaaan!! Where are youuuu?"

Saeki laughed as he heard Aoi's loud voice.

"Well, I need to get going now! Sorry to detain your warm-ups. And...I know you guys won't need it but frankly I don't know what to say not to offend you guys, but best of luck for the match!"

"Thank you, Saeki-san." Yukimura said while Yanagi nodded his thanks.

After that Saeki walked away, but then he stopped and turned around.

"Oh, say hi to Sanada-san for me. Pass my thanks for defeating Kai and tell him too, that next time, just come and find me. It was a shame that he did not find me when he was in the hospital."

Both Yanagi and Yukimura looked mildly surprised on Saeki's almost teasing tone and that the fact he knew Sanada had visited. They were silent as they watched Saeki got caught on the bald boy who was actually speaking on him rapidly then he was promptly hauled by the shorter boy away from there.

"Sae-chan! There you are! We have been looking for you! Me and It-chan! Where have you been? The match will begin soon! Bane-san and Davide have saved spots for us so hurry hurry!"

The boy's voice trailed off as they walked/ran further from them.

Yukimura chuckled on the display. "He is interesting."

"I think that is why Genichirou falls for him."

"Aa, I see."

When they both walked back to the court to where other Rikkai members were, Yanagi said, "I am quite surprised that Saeki-san knew it was Sanada who came."

Yukimura only smiled, "It must be his cap."

"Ah. Perhaps we should persuade Genichirou to lose his cap or even change into another cap?" Yanagi mused.

"Have Niou to bet on it later." Was Yukimura's reply and both of them seemed to be pleased.

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Sanada had just finished his warming up and was rallying against Yagyuu when he noticed that his captain had exited the court to join Yanagi who was outside the court too. He squinted and he saw that both of them were apparently talking to someone. With whom they talked to he could not see as Yanagi's body was blocking on his or her. So he shrugged and return to his rallies.

It was a faint familiar shout that was calling on the familiar name which had Sanada to looked up on his surrounding again. Then he saw a blur of white hair leaving the court toward the bald boy, which was later he recognized as Rokkaku's captain, while was waving his hands.

It was Saeki that was conversing with both of his best friends then. Sanada frowned on his own conclusion and he did hope that neither Yukimura nor Yanagi had said anything that should not be said to Saeki. It would not be good.

Yet while he returned Yagyuu's shot, he could not help but wonder why the vice-captain of Rokkaku had came to visit them. Perhaps extending their gratitude or words of encouragement? Or perhaps to see someone?

Sanada almost missed the next shot but he managed to return it while snorted at his mind and telling himself that he was deluding himself. Then unconsciously he hit too hard on the next coming ball that caused the ball bounced hard thus it got stuck between the wires of the fence.

Yagyuu looked up to him questioningly then back to the ball then he said nothing but just adjusted his glasses.

"Sanada-kun?"

Sanada said nothing but "Sorry" deadpannedly.

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When they were watching on Yanagi-Kirihara pair played against Inui-Kaidoh pair, Yukimura could not help but to think if it was fate that once again Yanagi faced off Inui, his childhood friend who had defeated him during singles three in Kantou Tournament.

"Na, Genichirou…"

"Aa?"

(15-0)

"I like Saeki-san."

"…"

(30-0)

"He is a sincere and strong person."

"..."

(40-0)

"He has nice eyes. Focused and sharp."

"..."

(40-15)

"He said thank you for defending him against Higa."

A grunt as well as a slight flush which amused Yukimura greatly.

(40-30)

"Genichirou?"

"Aa?"

"He asked you to come and find him should you look for him next time."

(60-30)

A frown but the faintest flush was still there stubbornly across the cheek which made Sanada to pull down his cap.

"Genichirou?"

A growl which told Yukimura to back off from teasing him but as usual Yukimura was immune to that.

(Game set! 3-0 Yanagi-Kirihara to Inui-Kaidoh, change court!)

"Fuji is Tezuka's."

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-End of chapter 7-

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Author's note:

1. At last! Finally!

2. The match point between Inui-Kaidoh pair and Yanagi-Kirihara is being made up by me.

3. I am abusing Saeki's teammates on calling him, am I not?

4. Oh well this is AU and this is fanfic so I think I can alter some of the facts and details here and there so do not bother to ask me about that.

5. Enjoy! Please read and review/comment!

It's cross-posted all around