A/N: It's really amazing how NOT having constant Internet access gets the creative juices flowing. I went home last weekend and I was without TV or Internet so what did I do? I wrote! I think I spent a good four hours writing and thus the result is a new chapter! YAY! Firstly, I apologize for the lackluster effort I put into my previous chapter. It was full of non-tender Kaidoh/Uma moments. It's amazing what writer's blockage and desperation to get a chapter out does to a body...really. Secondly, I want to thank you all SO MUCH for reading!! I can't say it enough, I feel so special when I check in and that people are reading this and commenting on it. You totally make my day! I LOVE YOU!!!! Thirdly, my fingers hurt. Four hours of typing makes them all stiff and sore...(sighs).

Anyways, here is chapter 7, I hope it lives up to your expectations. Please read and enjoy! Comment if so moved. It's always accepted with open arms. Thanks for looking!

PS: Standard disclaimer applies...

(Chapter 7)

"Oy, Kaidoh!"

Kaidoh hissed angrily. He all ready to head home when Eiji-senpai called for him to wait up. After the matches, Oishi-senpai had treated them all to a game of bowling. It had been pretty fun until he had gotten a gutter ball and was forced to take a shot of Inui-senpai's latest concoction. It had knocked him out flat and he was still a little woozy from the experience. To top it off, Ryuuzaki-sensei had announced that Tezuka-buchou was leaving for Kyushu to get treatment for his arm. It had pretty much surprised everyone.

After all that, he was already at his emotional limit and now Momoshiro and Eiji-senpai were running up to him.

"Whatcha think of Tezuka-buchou leaving?" Momo asked as the two walked on either side of him. Kaidoh hunched over and glared at the pavement.

"Huh…" he muttered noncommittally. Even though the captain was leaving, that left no room for error. He was even more determined to succeed since Tezuka-buchou had basically given up his arm so that the they could win.

"It's pretty crazy," Momo continued as the three of them walked along in a sober silence. Kaidoh glanced over at Kikumaru-senpai. He was unusually somber at the moment. Suddenly Eiji perked up and jumped in front of the two younger boys.

"Oh-ho! That's okay!" Eiji exclaimed excitedly as he struck a jaunty pose. "Even with Tezuka gone, we'll still win and make it to Nationals. When he comes back, we'll all go to Nationals…together!"

Kaidoh raised his eyes in surprise. So Kikumaru-senpai could think seriously. Kaidoh nodded and moved to go past his senpai, when Eiji held up his hands.

"Whoa, there, Kaidoh-chan!" Kaidoh hissed again. He hated when someone called him 'chan'. "We're not done yet!" Eiji was wearing a conniving grin on his face. Momo had turned and was looking at Kaidoh with a similar expression.

"Yeah, you can't just walk off like that. You just can't," Momo added a slight hint of teasing on his voice.

"Fine, what do you want?" Kaidoh asked, although he was pretty sure he knew EXACTLY what they wanted.

"Well, we were just wondering," Both boys looked at each other and giggled. "We wanted to know, are you and Ito-chan going out?" Eiji asked eagerly bouncing up and down on the sidewalk.

If looks could kill, both boys would have been dead…twice.

"I don't think that's any of your business, senpai," Kaidoh finally chewed out. Why couldn't they let this go? Uma was just his friend, his conversation partner at school. That was all…right?

'Is that what you really want?' the question had popped into his head without warning. He shook his head. That came from no where!

Eiji pouted and Momo laughed. "So that's a 'yes', then? I knew it! They way you two look at each other…"

Kaidoh used all his will to keep from punching Momo right then and there. "For your information, we are NOT going out, you idiot. Uma is just my friend at school, okay?"

Momo and Eiji looked disappointed. "That's all?"

Kaidoh let out a breath he had been holding. "Yes, that is all."

Eiji scratched his head. "But, didn't you guys go on a date?"

Kaidoh really wanted to leave. All these questions were embarrassing. Why was his love life, or lack of one, so damn important anyways? "We just went out for dinner at Kawaruma-senpai's restaurant."

Momo couldn't believe that was all that happened. Just dinner? How boring! He got right up in Kaidoh's face and stared at him straight in the eye. "So, you guys haven't even kissed yet?"

Eiji squeaked and about fell over. Momo actually asked that! What a bold question! Even though he had wanted to know too, he wasn't going to ask that!

Kaidoh's mind went blank. What the hell!? Didn't he just get done saying that he and Uma were friends? Was this guy an idiot or what?

"I don't have to tell you that!" he spluttered angrily.

"So you did?"

"No…we did NOT kiss!" Kaidoh exploded with rage and embarrassment. Momo looked even more disappointed.

"Have you even kissed a girl before?" he asked. Kaidoh's face flushed bright red. No, he hadn't, but he had come close. His ears burned at the memory of Uma lying there on that hill by the river.

"I'll take that as a no, then," Momo concluded. Kaidoh growled.

"Well, have you!?" he shot back. Momo blushed. He hadn't either.

"I have!" Eiji announced suddenly. The younger boys widened their eyes. "Really, senpai?" Momo asked, immediately interested.

Eiji nodded. "Yes, everyday! All my girlfriends kiss me hello in the mornings and I kiss them back."

"Oh! On the cheek! You cheek-kiss them, then!" Momo realized, slightly relieved. "Have you ever kissed them on the lips?"

Eiji frowned. No, he hadn't done that.

Kaidoh rolled his eyes. "See, you guys have no room to talk about me kissing Uma, especially, when you haven't even kissed a girl yourselves!"

"But, didn't you want to?" Momo continued with his interrogation. Kaidoh opened his mouth to protest when he stopped. How could he answer that?

"Well…." Eiji prodded slightly. He wanted to know too!

Before Kaidoh could answer they heard someone yelling. "Hey! Eiji!" All three boys turned around and to Kaidoh's relief, they saw Oishi-senpai running up to them. Eiji smiled and started waving and bouncing wildly at Oishi.

"Oishi! You came just in time! Kaidoh was about to tell us what he thought of Ito-chan!" he called gleefully. Oishi about tripped over his feet and Kaidoh whirled back towards Kikumaru-senpai.

"Senpai!"

"Oh, c'mon, Kaidoh-chan!" Eiji whined pitifully. "Everyone on the team wants you two to get together! She's so good for you!"

"Eiji! You forgot your jacket," Oishi interrupted as he came up to the trio. Eiji took the jacket and hugged Oishi.

"Oishi's the best!" he cooed. Oishi blushed.

Kaidoh took this as a chance to leave. Quickly, he side-stepped the group and hastily walked away.

Momo called after him, "Go for it, mamushi! Give her a big smacker!"

"I'm going to kill him," Kaidoh muttered dangerously as he continued on his way home.

xoxox

Later that night, Kaidoh lay in bed, his mind racing. He was listening to that CD in his player. The one that Uma had lent him a long time ago and he still hadn't returned. The CD was on repeat and he was listening to the first track for about the fourth time. The lyrics were good and they really spoke how he was feeling.

He rolled over and buried his face in his pillow. He was thinking; thinking of Uma, thinking of dating, thinking of kissing. He liked Uma. He really did. He had blurted out that he did when they had sat down by the river, but in his mind, that wasn't a proper confession. And he figured she probably had thought much of it anyways.

"What can I do to make you love me, what can I do to make you care? What can I say to make you feel this? What can I do to get you there…"

"What can I do?" he muttered into his pillow. His pillow offered no answers. He sighed and rolled back over and stared up at his wall. "Maybe I should just give her a big smacker…" he slapped his forehead. Stupid, Momoshiro! Putting ideas in his head! Now he really was going to kill him tomorrow. But still…

Kaidoh groaned. Why was this all so difficult? Did he want Uma to be his girlfriend; that was the question. What was so wrong with what they had right now? That was good enough, wasn't it?

'No,' the voice in his head whispered. 'You know there can be more...'

That's right! Kaidoh sat up in bed. There can be more! She doesn't run away! She talks, she listens, and she acts as if there was nothing strange about him at all! Uma liked Kaidoh for Kaidoh. She was the one he wanted to be with.

"I do," he said out loud. "I do want her to be my girlfriend. I want her to be with me."

He settled back under his covers and closed his eyes. He had to get her to go on another date with him and soon! He had to tell her; tell her everything!

xoxoxox

"You mean you actually drank it!?"

"Yes, believe me; you never want to try Inui-senpai's juice."

"I'll take your word for it. It even knocked out Fuji-senpai?"

"He was one of the firsts to go."

"Really?"

"Really, really."

Kaidoh was relaying the latest adventure of the tennis team. Uma was impressed that Kaidoh was even walking. She had heard rumors about Inui-senpai's juices...

"And Tezuka-senpai is really leaving?" she asked.

"Yes, he leaves this afternoon."

"Wow, so soon?"

"Yeah…I know."

Uma knew that Kaidoh looked up to Tezuka-senpai more than anyone knew. It would hurt him a little to see one he respected so much just leave in the middle of Kanto. "Well, just think," she said. "When he comes back, he'll be twice as strong and the team will dominate Nationals!"

Kaidoh laughed. Uma always managed to put things so simply. "You're right. With him gone, I'm going to have to work twice as hard to make sure that the team makes it!" They laughed.

Ever since Kaidoh's sudden outburst at Chiyo, the class pretty much figured that Kaidoh and Uma were going out and since no one wanted to be on the receiving side of Kaidoh's wrath, they didn't bother to mention it out loud. So, they just left the two to themselves. Even Sensei left the two alone, pleased that they were getting along so well with their English. She didn't have to worry about them going through the workbooks; they had finished most of them anyways. Although, she didn't exactly 'eavesdrop' on their conversations, she did overhear a few interesting tidbits here and there. But, she left it alone. They did their work and that was all she wanted.

Kaidoh cleared his throat and stared down at the ground. Now was the time. "Uma," he began. Uma perked up and looked at him. "Yes?"

"Hmm…well, after our matches this Sunday, would you like to, maybe, go out again?" he asked quietly and immediately blushed bright red.

Uma was a bit surprised. He asked again, so soon? "Yes," she replied confidently. "I'd love to! Just tell me where I need to be and I'll meet you there!" she added. Kaidoh smiled.

"Well, uh, I'd actually, would, you know, like to pick you up at your house."

Uma about fell out of her seat. He wanted to come to her house!?

"Uh, okay," was all she said. Kaidoh laughed. Mentally she smacked herself. Smooth as always.

xoxoxox

Saturday came all too quick in Uma's opinion. She had to go shopping with her mother so she couldn't go watch Kaidoh play. It didn't bother her, but was rather irritating. She hated shopping with her mother. She would act just like Chiro at times.

However, Uma did end up giving Kaidoh her cell phone number and email address so he could tell her how they did. But, it was just an excuse. She wanted him to have those anyways, you know, just in case.

As she and her mother were browsing through the department store, her phone began to buzz.

"Such an irritating ringtone!" her mother chided. "Is it a message from your boyfriend?"

"MO-OM!" Uma practically wailed. People stopped and stared. Uma shrunk down between the racks, "He is not my boyfriend!" she whispered scathingly.

Her mother laughed. Uma growled. Yep, just like Chiro. "Of course, dear of course! My mistake!" she laughed as she floated away towards a sales rack.

Uma straightened herself up and looked at her phone. She had gotten a text message…from Kaidoh. Smiling to herself, she opened it up. It was a short message, with only five words: We made it to Nationals.

Uma clicked her phone shut and did a very un-likely thing. She let out a girlish squeal of approval. How exciting! She was so proud of Kaidoh and his teammates! As she basked in her fangirl moment, her phone went off again. She looked at, it was another message from Kaidoh: Will pick you up at 7:30

She looked down at her watch. It was almost five. "Mom!" she called out as she looked around the store. She spotted her mother trying on hats. God, her mother LOVED hats. She raced up to her. "Have you gotten everything? We need to get going soon!"

Her mother smiled. "Oh? Okay, let me get this hat, don't you think it would go good with my…"

Uma sighed, "Yes, yes, it would! Can we go, PLEASE?"

Her mother laughed. "You are so like your brothers!"

Uma winced. That was the LAST thing she needed to be like, she thought as they walked out the store and headed home. But, she decided to let that slide, since after all, she had a date tonight!

xoxoxox

"Yo, Kaidoh! What's the rush? We're going to go celebrate at Kawaruma-senpai's!" Momo called out as Kaidoh shoved things into his bag and prepared to make a hasty retreat. Kaidoh hissed. Typical.

"Well, if you must know," he said angrily as he flung his bag on his back. "I am going somewhere else tonight." He turned and bowed to Taka-san who was standing nearby.

"I'm sorry, senpai," Kaidoh said sincerely. "I must decline your invitation. Thank you for inviting me."

Taka-san waved his hand in embarrassment. "Oh no, no! Don't be sorry, please, have go have fun tonight!"

Kaidoh nodded and quickly started off. He had to get home quickly. He had a date tonight!

As he watched his rival go, a light bulb went off in Momo's head. "Ah!" he declared. "He's got a date!"

The whole team paused and turned towards the direction Kaidoh went. "Really, Momo?" asked Eiji excitedly. Momo nodded. "I'm sure of it!"

"Lucky! Uma-chan, is cute too!" Eiji pouted. The group laughed. Ryuuzaki-sensei laughed along with them.

'Good for Kaidoh,' she thought as she herded the boys towards their original destination.

"Yes, yes, let's go boys, you can bug Kaidoh about it tomorrow," she declared as the group reluctantly turned around.

Momoshiro smiled wickedly as they walked away. Oh yes, lucky indeed.

xoxoxox

Uma's stomach did a flip. The doorbell just rang.

"Omigod, he's here! He's here!" she said frantically as she raced down the stairs. "I got it!" she shouted as she jumped down the last three stairs. Her mother came into the hallway and gave her a reproving look.

"Geez, Uma," she said astonished. Uma rolled her eyes and checked herself once more in the hallway mirror. She went with her new dark fitted boot-cuts that her mother had gotten for her birthday, her brown belt, a white tank top with a pink and green flower pattern under a dark green ½ sleeve-length shrug sweater, and finished off with green casual shoes, similar to her blues that she wore on their first date. For once, she felt girly. "Very cute, my dear," her mother offered. Uma turned around and smiled.

"Thanks, mom," she replied. Quickly she walked to the door took a deep breath and opened it. There he was. Uma couldn't help but ogle. Kaidoh had been looking up at the wind chime near the door and she caught him at his profile. She swore he could have been a model; his silhouette was amazing! He was wearing those dark jeans again, she noticed, white tennis shoes with red trim, and a plain white shirt with a single red star printed on the left side of his shoulder and chest. His hair was mussed just right and falling slightly in his eyes. He was so hot.

As Uma stood there dumbfounded by his appearance her mother pushed passed her. "Ah, good evening, young man!" she exclaimed as Kaidoh turned and faced the door. He bowed to her slightly. "You must be Kaidoh-kun, please, won't you come in?" Uma's mother offered. Kaidoh bowed and walked into the hallway.

"Thank you very much, Ito-san. I am Kaidoh Kaoru, it is very nice to meet you." He said. Uma's mother laughed.

"Such a nice boy! Uma, wake up dear! Don't be so rude to our guest!" Uma snapped back to attention. Oh god, she mentally slapped herself. Pull yourself together woman!

"Kaidoh! Sorry, uh, this is my mother, Ito Ayako. Mother, this is Kaidoh Kaoru," Uma stumbled through the introduction.

"Yes, I know, we've already been introduced."

"Oh, well, I guess we'll be going then!" Uma declared as she took Kaidoh by the arm and turned to walk out the door.

"Wait a minute dear! I must take a picture!"

"WHAT!?"

"Is that okay with you Kaidoh-kun?" Uma's mother asked innocently. Kaidoh looked at Uma who looked like she was ready to die and then back to her mother who wore an evil smile that could only mean trouble.

"I have no complaints," he said. Uma stared at him in disbelief. "Seriously?" she asked. Kaidoh nodded. "Seriously,"

"Splendid! I'll be right back!" Uma's mother darted into the kitchen. Uma was shocked.

"Quick! While she's distracted, let's make a break for it!" she said as she began to head for the door. Kaidoh grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Kaidoh?" she asked slightly confused. He was acting odd. She never took him for a picture person.

"It'll be fun," he said as her mother burst back into the hallway, her digital camera hand.

"Oh boy! My little girl's all grown up!" she cheesily. Uma groaned in embarrassment.

"If you don't mind me asking, Ito-san, but where is your husband tonight? I would have liked to have met him." Kaidoh asked politely.

"Oh, Tarou-san is out on a business trip to America," she said lightly as if it were nothing. "He flew out yesterday and will be in the States for about two weeks. Did Uma tell you that two of her brothers are studying in America? He'll also be visiting them as well," she chattered aimlessly.

"Yes, Uma-chan did mention that in class," Kaidoh answered. Uma was itching to go. She did NOT want her mother making chit-chat. But, it looked like it couldn't be helped. Defeated, Uma sighed and leaned against the balcony.

"Oh, that's right," he mother was saying. "You and Uma are in the same class. Aren't you guys English partners?"

"Mom! Picture?" Uma prompted. She was ignored.

"Yes, ma'am, we are. Uma-chan has been very helpful with my English." He said. Uma's mother grinned.

"So, where are you guys going tonight?" she asked in English. Kaidoh was slightly startled, not expecting this. He thought a moment and replied back in English, "We will be going to eat, then to the Park."

Her mother nodded. "Very good, Kaidoh-kun. Well, let me get this picture please, Uma looks like she's going to kill me if I don't."

Kaidoh turned his attention back to Uma who was now shooting death glares at her mother. He chuckled lightly.

After a couple of minutes of moving and positioning, Uma's mother finally got the two right where she wanted them. Both were turned toward each other, Uma's hand was at his waist and his arm was wrapped around her shoulder. It was perfect!

"Okay, everyone! Say, 'cheese!'"

"Cheese…" they both droned unenthusiastically. The flash went off and Ayako quickly recalled the picture. It was a perfect picture. Uma had leaned her head toward Kaidoh's shoulder and Kaidoh had turned his head and was looking down on her with a soft smile on his lips. Yes, beautiful.

"Wonderful…okay, okay, you two go have a good time. Kaidoh-kun, please take care of my daughter!" Ayako said quickly. She was starting to get sentimental. Uma sighed with relief. Finally!

"I will, Ito-san, it was a pleasure meeting you!" Kaidoh said sincerely as he bowed once more. As they walked out the door, Ayako watched them go.

'What a good boy for my girl,' she thought. 'Such a perfect gentlemen.'

xoxoxox

After they ate, they walked towards the park hand-in-hand. Uma really liked hand-holding. She couldn't get enough of it. The streets were unusually quiet at that time of night and the sun was just beginning to sink into the horizon.

"I'm really sorry about my mom," Uma sighed. Kaidoh laughed and gently squeezed her hand.

"That's okay, she's a very nice person, now I know where you get your wit!" he said smirking slightly. Uma groaned.

"Really?"

"Really, really," he replied. Uma laughed.

"I guess I had to get it somewhere…Oh!"

"What?"

"I almost forgot!" she exclaimed as they walked through the park towards the lake that sat on the west side. "Congratulations! Making it to Nationals! Kaidoh, that's simply amazing!" she said swinging her arms out wide. "How many teams can say they qualified for a National tournament, huh? How many? Not many, I tell you, not many at all!" she rationalized as they came up to the lake.

Kaidoh laughed as she continued her rant about Nationals. "Thank you, Uma that really means a lot to me."

Uma paused and glanced over at Kaidoh. He looked a little different tonight. Almost soft and vulnerable, like he had something on his mind.

She touched his arm. "Troubles? Anything you want to talk about?" she asked concerned. Kaidoh shook his head.

"No, no trouble at all. I'm just happy you're happy," he said simply.

Suddenly Uma wrapped her arms around Kaidoh and gave him a squeeze. Kaidoh was a bit taken aback at her suddenness. Nevertheless he hugged her back.

"You can tell me anything, Kaoru, I'll listen," she whispered softly. Kaidoh about lost it there. She hardly ever used his first name. There was so much he wanted to say. He pressed his cheek to her forehead.

"I know, let's sit," he said as he motioned towards the grassy bank. Uma let go of his waist and sat down.

Kaidoh plopped down next to her and immediately stretched out. Uma looked down at him and swallowed thickly. He had his hands behind his head and his eyes were closed. He looked completely at peace. A soft sigh escaped his lips. Uma had to turn away. It was…too tempting.

"You played two teams today didn't you?" she asked as she picked up a pebble and threw it towards the water.

"Yeah, it was a long day," he said still stretched out with his eyes closed.

"So, you must be really tired then," she added. Kaidoh didn't say anything. "Do you, want to go home?"

Kaidoh opened his eyes and sat up. "Why would I want to go home now?" he asked seriously. Uma blanched. He narrowed his eyes and stared at her.

"Well," she said looking away, her cheeks burning. "You've been acting different than usual, like there's something bothering you. Plus, you've had a long day and I bet you didn't even get to take a nap before you came to get me tonight so you're really tired. I'm just saying that…"

"Uma," she stopped as Kaidoh's voice penetrated her rambling. She looked and saw that Kaidoh had stood up and was holding his hand to her. She grasped it and was quickly lifted up. She looked at his face and was immediately caught in his eyes. They were so soft, so warm, so loving. She stood there speechless as Kaidoh quickly pulled her into his arms. Her heart was thumping, pounding in her chest, he was so close to her. Her eyes grew round as he slowly lowered his face towards her. "Uma," he whispered as his lips sat millimeters from hers. She could feel his breath and it sent shivers down her spine. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I want to be with you…" his sentence trailed off as his lips connected with hers.

It was a light kiss, a soft kiss, that barely lasted ten seconds, but it was still a kiss nonetheless. When he pulled away he touched his forehead to her and wrapped his arms around her. She instinctively touched her lips with her fingertips. "Should I have done that?" he asked softly, his pulse racing. It had taken him all of his courage to do that. She stood there, slightly stunned. He pulled his head away and looked into her eyes.

Finally she nodded, "Yes, you should." She placed her hands on his face and pulled him back towards her. "Kaoru," she whispered and returned his kiss.

After they parted they stepped back and looked at each other. Kaidoh was blushing a deep crimson red and Uma was staring at the ground. Both were a bit embarrassed by the whole thing.

"Uma,"

She looked up. "Yes?"

Kaidoh took a deep breath and took her hands in hers. "I like you," he said. "I like you so much. I know I've said this before, but I must say it again. You are an amazing person. I love your smile, I love your laugh. I love how you're always so calm and aloof during class. I love this secret confidence you have inside; how you're so at ease with anybody. I just love everything about you. So, please," he paused quickly and squeezed her hands. "Would you go out with me?"

He held his breath and waited. It seemed like forever. Finally, Uma smiled and shook his arms. "Idiot," she said lightly. Kaidoh blinked, surprised. "Will you relax? You don't have to be serious all the time!" she laughed. Kaidoh was getting confused.

"Well, I.." she shushed him with her finger.

"Kaidoh Kaoru," she said her eyes shining with excitement. "I think we've finally stopped missing each other." She smiled and grasped his hands harder. "Yes," she answered. "I would love to go out with you."

Kaidoh suddenly let out a laugh and tugged her back into his arms. Both of began laughing slightly hysterical. It was a beautiful night.

xoxoxox

"Oh no way!" Momo exclaimed excitedly as he watched Kaidoh and Uma embrace. "He really did it!"

"Momo-senpai, I don't think this is a good idea to be following…and why do I even have to be here?" Ryoma asked from behind him where the rest of the team sat watching.

After the boys had eaten at Taka-san's, Momo had declared that they should go spy on Mamushi's date. At first, no one really wanted to, but they were all curious about Kaidoh's attraction to Ito Uma. They didn't know much about her, except for what they saw at the tennis matches and from Inui's interactions with her. And being the curious teenage boys that they were, they just had to see first-hand what she was like. So they all agreed to track him down and spy on him. Everyone, that is except Echizen. He had been forcibly dragged by the others to follow along. Not that he cared, really, about Kaidoh-senpai's life, but now he was hiding out with everyone else behind the bushes waiting.

"Hmmm….good data," Inui muttered as he scribbled frantically in his notebook. "Chances of starting a romantic relationship with Ito-chan, 95.6"

"I didn't know Kaidoh was such a romantic," Fuji said thoughtfully. Taka nodded in agreement, his heart overflowing with happiness. Now he didn't feel so bad about the rumors.

"On the contrary, Fuji, I have written down here…" Inui replied as he flipped back a few pages. Fuji and Taka leaned over for a glance reading intently.

Momo growled in frustration. His senpais were too noisy. "Will you guys be quiet!? We're missing all the good parts…"

"Sshhh! What's he saying to her?" Eiji asked as he leaned over Ryoma to get a better look. Ryoma growled. He hated being the footstool.

"I think..he's asking her to be his girlfriend…" Oishi said slowly as he squinted his eyes to try to get a better look.

"Did she say yes?" Momo asked. Oishi stared at the younger boy with amazement.

"I would imagine so!" he said. Ryoma bit back a snort and was immediately shushed by the group.

"Quiet!" Momo hissed.

Inui looked up from his notebook. "I think we've seen all we're going to see here. I suggest we give them some privacy."

They others agreed. Momo sighed and gave in reluctantly. Things were starting to get good.

As the boys slowly backed out of the bushes and headed back out of the park Oishi made a decree. "Gentlemen, now that Kaidoh and Ito-chan are 'official', we shouldn't really bother him about her unless he mentions her during practice. I believe it's only fair, since we did spy on him!"

Momo and Eiji moaned in protest. "No fair! He never mentions her! We'll never get to tease him!"

Inui placed his hands on their shoulders as they walked along. "I agree with Oishi, it would be better left unsaid. Of course, if you do bother him about her, we could penalize you with my latest juice…"

"No, no! We won't say a thing!" both boys exclaimed the thought of dying from Inui juice fresh in their minds.

Fuji smiled. "Well I am happy for Kaidoh. I believe that Ito-san has been a positive influence on him so far. I can't wait to see what will transpire next."

"Can we just go home now?" Ryoma interrupted as they all parted at the corner. Everyone laughed and called their farewells as they headed for their homes. Momo lived near Echizen so the two walked together.

"So unfair Echizen! Uma-chan is cute! Mamushi is so lucky!" Momo babbled as they trekked home. Ryoma sighed and pulled at his cap. 'Nobody listens to me.'

xoxoxox

When Uma got in later that night so noticed the kitchen light was on. She tiptoed through the hallway and stepped into the kitchen. There she saw her mother sitting at the kitchen table cradling a cold cup of coffee, looking a bit lost in her thoughts.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Uma asked immediately. Her mother looked up at Uma and smiled sadly.

"Oh good, Uma, you're home. You need to sit down, there's something we need to talk about…"