Violet Blossoms

I absolutely love my reviews. Thank you all so much for supporting me. I love you all so much! But today, I'll like to thank ChocoMickey and Hala for reviewing last chapter. I really appreciate your reviews and I always look forward to be seeing some more!

Now onto chapter 7! *cheers!

Chapter 7- Dandelion

7- タンポポ

The mysterious Maikoya Sato once again stood me, a dangerous smirk plastered on her face.

I narrowed my eyes and opened my mouth to speak, but only to be stopped as Maikoya suddenly shot out a hand towards the sleeping Zaizen.

"What-" I grabbed her hand, restraining her to touch Zaizen, "Are you doing?"

Maikoya took her hand back, "Protective Hanamaru, who is he? Boyfriend number two?" she replied back with smug face

I glared at her, "No." I sternly answered back, "His just a friend."

The smirking Maikoya chuckled back in an unpleasant tone, "He must be a very good friend to you then, otherwise you won't let him sleep on your lap." She hummed out

Sighing, I glowed at her, "What are you doing here?"

Maikoya frowned, but didn't reply. Instead, she stared down at Zaizen again, "Zaizen Hikaru, second grade, Shitenhoji Middle School, class two-"

"Enough!" I yelled out, "We've being through this."

My voice must have been too loud, as Zaizen fluttered soon fluttered his eyes open and gazed at me with his jade eyes.

"Zaizen," I muttered, more softly this time, "Your awake."

Zaizen slowly sat up and sat up, " I remember leaning on Oshitari senpai's shoulder, and now I wake up in your lap," he raised a brow at me, "What on earth happened?"

I shook my head, "Nothing Zaizen, you were just tired." I answered, returning my cold hard stare back onto Maikoya who watched Zaizen with a close eye

Quietly scowling at my unhelpful response, Zaizen glanced around his surrounding and frowned after his eyes met with Maikoya.

"So this is Zaizen Hikaru huh?" Maikoya turned her attention away from me and onto the second year sitting next to me, "What a pleasure on finally meeting the Tensai of Shitenhoji." She announced in a low, deep tone

Zaizen blinked at her, "And who are you?" he asked with slight confusion

Maikoya began to laugh, earning another glare from Zaizen, "Your weird." He declared out in his usual bored voice

"What did you just say to me?" Maikoya stopped her laughter and glowered

Merely shrugging his shoulders, Zaizen repeated himself, "I said your weird, and it's unnatural."

Gritting through her teeth, the now angry Maikoya remarked out in a stern tone, "How dare you speak to me in that manner!" and shot a hand out, ready to deliver a slap to Zaizen

"Zaizen!" I warned as he hand shot closer and closer

Without moving a hair, Zaizen surprisingly managed to catch Maikoya's inbounding hand just a few centimeters away from his face.

"If you wanted to me to talk to you, at least be polite and not blurt out someone's personal details." Zaizen stated, "It just turns people off."

Maikoya simply blinked and stared with disbelief and slowly took her hand back as Zaizen loosened his grip.

"Y-you."

"His not a genius for nothing." I exclaimed back and glared at Maikoya, "Now get the hell out of here."

Giving me a frown, Maikoya turned around and pronounced out, "We'll see about that." She claimed before walking off, defeated by someone two years younger than her.

I relaxed as Maikoya left and gave Zaizen a smile, "Thank you Zaizen." I expressed

"I didn't do anything senpai," he replied back

Sighing, I twirled my head back to face the big iron court gates in front of me and softly said, "Please don't tell anyone about what you just saw Zaizen." I pleaded, "Not even your Buchou or senpais."

Zaizen rolled his eyes, "As if I'd want to talk to my two stupid senpais." He uttered back

I softly laughed, "You should sometimes respect them Zaizen, after all, they are your senpais." I gently lectured

Glowing, Zaizen fetched for his tennis bag that sat just a few meters ahead of us and rumbled for his drink bottle.

"We're back!" Oshitari's voice suddenly rang through the air as a group of yellow and greens approached us.

Quickly putting on a smile, I stood up and welcomed the group of regulars back.

"Hey!" I exclaimed and threw my arms around Kura-chan as he walked into my arms with a grin

"Enjoyed your time with Zaizen?" he murmured and tenderly pecked me on the cheek

Letting out a small laughter, I retorted back, "Some quality Kouhai and Senpai time." I remarked between short giggles

Kura-chan chuckled and passed me my brought lunch, "Chicken and lettuce sandwich?" he offered with a wink, "Companied with a bottle of water."

"Will do."

Grinning even wider now, Kura-chan gently linked his arm with mine before stating, "Let's go for a walk," he suggested, "the weather is beautiful today."

I nodded and let him lead the way when suddenly, Zaizen exclaimed out my name,

"Hanamaru senpai." He blurted

Turning around, I glanced at Zaizen, "Yes?"

"Ano…" he began and stared around his senpais whom all caught his attention, "I'll promise you to keep quiet about what happened earlier." He finished and lowered his eyes

I smiled, "Great then, thank you Zaizen." I implied before twirling back around to Kura-chan, whom gave me a small surprised stare

"What happened earlier huh?" he asked with a small hint of envy in his voice

Laughing, I shook my head, "Nothing for you to worry about Kura." I replied back as we walked away

"But I want to know.." Kura-chan whined and tugged at my self like a puppy

"It's nothing important." I retorted

Kura-chan snorted, "Did you kiss him or something?"

I widened my eyes at him and broke in a giggle, "You're the only person ever in the world who has kissed my lips." I notified him, "You better remember that."

Kura-chan chuckled as he lead me away, "I'll take note."

~20 minutes later~

"It's beautiful here," I breathed as I leaned onto Kura-chan shoulder, both of us nesting under a big shady tree

Kura-chan murmured back into my ear, "Just like you." And kissed me bit below my left eye

Sighing as my heart felt it was about to burst into a thousand happy little pieces, I glanced out into the distance filled with people and tennis courts. Kura-chan took me to this spot as he declares it was peaceful and calm, on top of a small slope and away from all the noisy cheering crowds.

As I laced my hands through the soft grass, my fingers suddenly met with a stalk of dandelion. It's big white fluff like ball of petals gently swaying amongst the wind.

I smiled and bent forward, "Dandelions," I announced as I picked it off the ground

"Rare for winter." Kura-chan remarked as he amusingly watched we twist around the stalk

"I am going to make a wish." I announced and bought the flower up to my lips

Kura-chan smirked, "What are you going to wish for?"

I chuckled, "That we'll win this match"

"Is that all?"

"No."

"What else?"

My smile widened,

"That I'll spend forever with you."

~After lunch~

As we arrived back at our assigned court, we're surprised to be greeted by Miyuki, who was talking to her brother and Oshitari about her matches this morning.

"Hey Kagami!" she squealed and pulled me into a hug as Kura-chan and I arrived back

I grinned and fell into her hug, "Hey Miyuki" I addressed back, "How did your matches go this morning?"

Miyuki's eyes shone like stars as she let me go, "I am into the Kansai regionals next week!" she cried out with excitement, "I can't wait!"

"Congratulations!" I exclaimed and pulled her into another hug, "That's so good!"

She squealed, "Thank you Kagami! I wish you all the best for your mixed doubles match with well," she took in a breath, "Your husband!"

Blinking, I pulled myself away, "D-don't say that Miyuki!" I gaped, "I am not married to him…"

Miyuki chuckled and watched me blush with her light grey eyes,

"N-not yet married to him…" I stuttered and looked away from the smirking Miyuki

"But you will marry him right?" Miyuki urged on

I jaw dropped, "W-w"

"Who is she going to marry?" Kura-chan suddenly came through after organizing Oshitari and Gin-san's doubles match. A grin plastered on his lips.

Miyuki laughed, "Who do you think Shiraishi Nii-san?"

Kura-chan grinned at me, "I think I have a pretty good idea…" he stated, making me pout.

"You guys make me blush!"

~An hour later~

"Game and match, Shikauki Kokimura, Sayuko pair, seven games to five."

"Uso…" Miyuki, who stood next to me breathed, "Kenya Nii-san and Gin Nii-san lost?" she muttered out with disbelief

I narrowed down my eyes as I watched Oshitari and Gin pack up their equipment. Oshitari who had a few raw cuts on his legs, frowned at Kura-chan.

"I am sorry Shiraishi." He apologized, "We could've done better."

Kura-chan shook his head, "No Kenya, you did great. Thank you." He retorted

Oshitari's frown merely got deeper, "But we're going to lose." He exclaimed with light anger in his voice

"We still have one last match Kenya," Kura-chan reminded, "We can make it."

Oshitari sighed as he picked up his bag and swung it around his shoulder before leaving the courts, Gin-san and Kura-chan both trailing after him.

"Get ready Kagami," Kura-chan warned as he stepped off, "We're up next."

I nodded and quickly turned around to fetch my tennis bag, checking my surroundings to see anything I left out.

"Good Luck Hanamaru," Chitose remarked with a grin, "We're counting on you."

Looking up, I smirked back, "Ah. Leave it on me. I promise to win this so you guys can go to the nationals."

"We hope so, Hanamaru." Oshitari joined in from behind, "This match is important."

"You bet Oshitari."

~10 minutes later~

"Mixed doubles one match. Shitenhoji, Shiraishi, Hanamaru pair against Shikauki Kisumono, Yamato pair."

Half smiling, half smirking at the girl standing before me, I gladly shook her hand.

"Let's make this a memorable match, Hanamaru-san." She declared

Smirking even wider, I replied, "No regrets, Kisumono-san."

We both gave each other one last simper before heading away to the back of the court, along with our assigned partners.

"One set match, Shitenhoji to serve."

Damn. Me serving first up?

Groaning softly, I took the two tennis balls Kura-chan offered me and trotted back to the serving line, bouncing them with my racket along the way.

"Try your best Kagami," Kura-chan murmured into my ear, "We can do this."

Recapping these words, I shoved the extra tennis ball into my skirt pocket before throwing the other one up into the air.

Bending my knees, I released all the energy into my right hand as the ball soared back down. Raising my racket, I smacked the ball with my might and watched it fly through the air before landing onto the diagonal square and bouncing off.

"15 love.' The umpire announced out the first point

"Yoshi! Serve's ace." I heard Oshitari exclaim out from behind the gates

Smirking, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the extra ball, bouncing it with my racket and getting ready for my second serve.

"30 love." Another ace hit.

Turning around, Kura-chan gave me a wink and a small thumbs up. I grinned back whiles the other team gave a cold glare.

"This is only the beginning."

~30 minutes later~

"Game, Shitenhoji three games to one."

Giving me a hug, Kura-chan lead me off the court and to benches for half time. Behind the fences, the group of regulars all grinned and smirked at us, while Kintaro cheered.

"You guys are doing great!" Miyuki pronounced with a huge smile on her face, "And I never thought you could no serve aces Kagami!" she squealed

I chuckled as I watched the team harassed their captain with teasing words. But my chuckling stopped as my right hand suddenly tensed and began to feel numb around the drink bottle I held.

Glancing at Kura-chan who was laughing at his team, I gazed at his left bandaged hand, seeing if he had the same symptoms as I did. But nothing seemed to bother him as he was able to move his hand around without any trouble.

Shaking the feeling off, I replaced my lips with a smile and joined in with the conversation, hoping the numbing and tension will soon depart from my hand.

~20 minutes later~

This feeling, it was strange. It felt like I lost my sense to touch a feel things. My right hand was completely numb by now and every time I used a forehead, the ball on my racket didn't feel like anything, not even heavy or lightness.

I stared at Kura-chan who sliced a drop shot, he didn't seem to be effected at all.

"Dazing out?" Kisumono remarked out as she rallied back Kura-chan's drop shot, hitting the ball straight to me.

Gritting through my teeth, I reached for the ball, ready to punch it back. The ball successfully landed on my racket, but my hand suddenly turned fully senseless, making the racket fly out of my hand.

"15- 30."

Lifting up my numbed hand, I carefully examined it. It was shaking, quivering from fear and numbness.

"Are you ok?" Kura-chan asked as he approached me with a worried face

I glanced at him, then back at my hand, "Y-yeah." I stuttered, "Just lost power for a minute."

Lie, I had overwhelming power in my body, ready to be used out to win this match. But Kisumono and Yamato's balls were dangerous, they kept on numbing my hand, making me lose control of my racket.

"We'll start from now." Kura-chan smiled at me "We'll win this."

I gave back an assuring nod, "let's do this."

Returning back to our places, we readied ourselves for the next ball, for the next match. For the next winning point.

~15 minutes later~

"Game, Shikauki, four games to three."

Curse those two players. Both of my left and right hands, arms and shoulders we're now numb. Was tennis really this painful to play? Was this the same tennis I played back then?

From across the courts, Kisumono gave me a wicked stare, her blue eyes narrowing down and her lips curling into a smirk. I glared at her, eyes piecing at her ever so gorgeous face.

Standing ready to serve, Yamato also flashed a nasty grin at me, before throwing the ball into the air and smashing it across.

Running for the ball, I swung my racket around….but missed. The ball instead landed on the ground before twisting up like a snake, but sharp as a knife. Flying past my face and cutting through my hair, snapping my hair tie in half.

"15 love."

My eyes widened in terror as my long hair loosened and flew into the wind like strings of hay. What as this? Was this tennis? Why was it so scary? I thought tennis was a fun sport?

"Oh I am sorry." Yamato slurred in a sarcastic voice, "But your hair was to beautiful to resist."

I growled and glared at the two dangerous players on the other side of the net. They dark T-shirt color reminding me of darkness.

Everyone was quiet, until I heard Zaizen's soft voice from behind,

"Hanamaru Senpai is losing her senses." I heard him announce

"Eh? What are you talking about Zaizen?" Oshitari questioned in a surprised voice

Zaizen sighed, "It's a form called Yips. When a player takes out-"

What! Zaizen? Keep talking! Why can't I hear you anymore?

Shooting my head around, I gazed around my surroundings. But everyone was talking, Zaizen, Oshitari. Miyuki, Chitose, even the referee was talking! Then why couldn't I hear?

I returned my vision onto the court. Yamato and Kisumono were both staring at me with murderous expressions. Kura-chan ran to me and circled his arms around my shoulders. But I couldn't feel him, even his usual warm touch couldn't be felt.

Kura-chan looked worried, his brows furrowed together. He was saying something to me, but I couldn't hear. My eyes were only the object that greeted the world around me, the rest of my body all numb and useless.

My eyes. Wait! Are they going to take my sight away too?

~30 minutes later~

Ne Kura-chan, we're losing right? I could see it on your face. I am sorry.

Everyone around me was saying something, wanting me to be strong again. But I couldn't, I've lost my hearing, touch and now, my site was blurring.

But I am not giving up. I promised everyone we'd win this and bring them forward. Bring this team, this school…

Kneeling one knee onto the ground, I softly closed my eyes. Knowing it was halftime and I had time to think by myself.

Locking myself into darkness, I recapped everything that happened during that set. Kura-chan having to play all by himself while I stood like an idiot. I want to say sorry, to say I was a horrible girlfriend and that he didn't deserve me. There was also Kisumono and Yamato, those two heartless players who was also now trying to take out Kura-chan senses, but failing.

What was my deed here? I stopped playing tennis a long time ago. Then why was I here? Standing here, losing all my senses and watching the person I love block me while nearly injuring himself.

I was horrible, I hated myself and I hated tennis. Tennis, the sport that ruined me. Tennis, the sport that made me make enemies with Maikoya, made me fight and argue with my friends.

But yet, amongst all these feelings of wickedness, was the one light that shone straight at me. His light, they light.

Kura-chan's light. The person who I fell over and over again just by staring at him and admiring him. The first person in the world that made me feel loved, loved by tennis and loved by his bright light.

There was also everyone else. Everyone who helped me train, everyone who supported me and showed me how fun tennis really was. How it brought people together, how it made a new family. Yes, they're different from my old team, but they're more caring, loving and happy, teasing each other and acting like a big cheery family. I envied them, the care they received from one another, they never fought, never argued and always loved each other. The light and power of a family.

But, I was part of this family as well. I was also a member of this teasing, loving and kindhearted family. The darkness was fading, light was taking over again, recharging me with energy. Each one of them giving me a share of their special vitality.

Yes them. The group I promised to win, the family I promised to be part of, the team that I promised to lead them to the nationals. Them…each special member,

Oshitari, Chitose, Zaizen, Koharu, Yuuji, Gin, Kintaro and well…..Kuranosuke.

Sou, I couldn't fall here. Not when there was dream to be accomplished. A dream of nationals. A dream that every team wants, but only Shitenhoji can take it.

Shitenhoji. The school, the team, the family where I live…..where I belong.

Light finally won over darkness, bursting me with energy, with laughter, and with the power that all eight players gave me. The senseless disappeared, I could hear, feel and see again. See this world, feel the love and hear the cheering and support my family offered.

I was able to stand up, stand tall and face this match once again.

"Kagami?" Kura-chan's voice welcomed me back to reality.

He had his arms around me and stared down at me with his hazel eyes,

"Kura-chan." I breathed and glanced up at him

"Can you hear me?" he asked after hearing his name from my lips

I nodded, "I can hear you, and everyone else." I answered

Kura-chan pushed me inside his arms, "God your back." He whispered

He was shaking, I could feel his chest trembling against my body. It was the first time I ever seen him like this, scared and worried for me.

"I am sorry I left you." I apologized, slowly standing up

Kura-chan shook his head, "No, it's good your back."

I smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek before turning around and glanced at the team standing behind us. Everyone seemed worried but dropped they anxious expression after seeing me stand up, instead, it was replaced by their usual grins and smirks.

"About time you returned to us Hanamaru." Oshitari remarked

I laughed and twirled back around to Kura-chan with light in my eyes, "Now let's win this. So the dream will come true."

Kura-chan was all smiles, "Ah, let's do this!"

Smile widening, I gently took his hand and turned back to our opponents, "I'll accomplish this team's dream." I declared

And then I felt the sudden ball of energy inside my chest explode and circle around us like dust, sprinkling down golden sparkles.

"This is my wish, my dream, the dream that will come true."

End of chapter 7

7章の終わり

Gah! I was nearly crying while writing that part. Sniffs * I hope you all enjoyed that. Sorry if it was a little bit sad….

Well, remember to review huh? Tell me what you thought of that chapter!