A/N: I have posted a new story called Rumor Has It. Thank you SugarTensai for suggesting a rumor story. Since I have added several rumors to this story, I have decided to create a new story that is all about the different rumors floating around the tennis circuit. Check it out. It is a collection of drabbles. Now for this one… Are you so sure that it's Yanagi stalking? You know what happens when you assume. Hehe. Enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 10 – Paranoid or Busted?

Thursday morning dawned brightly and Jackal got up and ready for morning practice. He felt better after his little talk with Marui. Part of that may have been the fact that they talked and part of it may have been the fact that he finally for the first time in history stood his ground and would not give into the redhead. He was so proud of himself, he marked the momentous day on his calendar… and planned to do so for the rest of his life, however, he wouldn't let that little fact get out. If it did, they might think he was as crazy as the others at Rikkai Dai and there was no way he was that crazy. Okay he may have lost it the other day, but given the circumstances he felt he handled himself well and lasted longer than anyone else would have. Hell, he shouldn't have been given punishment, he needed to be sainted or given a Medal of Honor; however, with a buchou like Yukimura, that was less likely to happen that a successful brain transplant and the defensive player would take what he could get. A light punishment was fine with him… for the most part. At least he knew he could deal with it (well, you couldn't actually be in Rikkai Dai without having to endure some form of punishment at some point in time. This was the status quo).

Stepping out of his home, the half-Brazilian made his way towards school making sure to take a different route because he didn't want to run into a half demon (or maybe it was all) tennis player than he used to have to babysit. Jackal didn't trust Kirihara at all and had this weird feeling that if they saw each other first thing in the morning, the ace would make the older teen buy him something or at least try to force him to do something. Right now, Jackal enjoyed his freedom and he didn't want it destroyed. Granted going in early probably prevented a possible run-in, but he wasn't willing to take the chance. If his actions made him look like a paranoid conspiracy person, then so be it as long as he remained free of the burden that was Kirihara Akaya. Making up with Marui did not equal making up with the younger teen in anyone's book (and if it did they probably went to Rikkai with that crazy thinking).

As Jackal made his way down the street, he felt like someone was following him. Glancing over his shoulder, he didn't see anyone… there was no one there. Or did there appear to be no one there, but someone was really there and they didn't want to be seen? Or were they invisible and wearing special technology that comes from the future? And if they come from the future, could it be his future self come to warn him about a possible dangerous situation that lie ahead? Would he be subjected to a torundorou? Clutching his head, he groaned, "Now I really do sound like a lunatic. I swear Bunta and Akaya have made me paranoid about everything. There is no one there!" He walked on deciding that his mind was just playing tricks on him, but he never lost the feeling that he was being followed.

Behind Jackal and coming out of an alley, two teens wearing a Rikkai Dai school uniform could be seen. One of them fiddled with his glasses as he shook his head at the other one. "Why exactly are we following Jackal-kun?" Yagyuu inquired.

"You're the one who mentioned that you saw that cake addict coming out of his house last night. I think our little Bunta is trying to get Jackal's help to win the bet and that isn't fair. I need those two for my prank. Puri," Niou answered.

"I saw Marui-kun leaving as I was on my way home from the store for my mother. I have no idea how long he had been there or what was said. I only informed you that I saw Marui-kun leaving Jackal-kun's house. That's all. Spying and following people like this is not the gentleman way, Niou-kun."

"Puri. Did anyone ever call me a gentleman? I think that title belongs to only you. Come on, you can't tell me you aren't the least bit curious about what is going on… especially after what happened on Monday. I have never seen Jackal go off like that. He looked like some rabid dog that was foaming at the mouth. It was great!"

"You seem to have a point. Then why am I with you?"

"Because you're the witness to last night's little infraction. They aren't supposed to see each other."

Pushing his glasses up again, Yagyuu asked, "Why are we following him?"

Niou shrugged, "Because it's fun."

"And we're spying because?"

"It's fun."

"What are you planning on doing with the information?"

"Puri. Who says I'm going to do anything…" Niou stopped when he saw the expression on his partner's face. The one that read, "If you continue with that sentence I will think you will need to be committed." Smirking, he replied, "I am going to make sure he doesn't help Bunta and I am going to get him to help in my prank."

Yagyuu sweat dropped slightly (because he couldn't hold it in and it is unbecoming of a gentleman to actually sweat drop… or a lot of other things), "What exactly is this prank?"

The smile that Niou had on his face at that moment could have given even Yukimura a run for his money, "Oh, you'll see. You are going to help me with it too."

"I am?"

"Of course. Your my partner, you wouldn't abandon your favorite partner, the one that taught you how to play tennis, when he needs you more than ever… would you? A real gentleman wouldn't do that."

And that was the clincher. Niou always knew how to coerce him into things and he was beginning to understand Jackal's meltdown on Monday. It would not surprise Yagyuu if he had his own by Friday afternoon… less than 36 hours, definitely possible in a school like theirs… correction, on a tennis team like theirs. Knowing he would regret his decision either way (if he declined Niou had a way of being difficult), he accepted the inevitable, "Fine. I will help. Now what are you going to do about Jackal-kun?"

Chuckling slightly maniacally, Niou told his friend, "Just watch…" He suddenly turned into Atobe and said, "And be amazed by Ore-sama's prowess." Turning back into himself, he marched ahead and just as Jackal was about to cross the street less than a block from the school, he called out and stopped the defensive master, "Oi, Jackal! Wait up."

Jackal knew the voice and groaned inwardly. When Niou sought out a specific individual, it usually meant trouble for said individual… and this morning it seemed as if it was his turn. Now he had a choice to make: face the silver haired teen now or run like hell and hope that the three demons would be there to protect him. His chances weren't good and thus he stopped and turned around, "What?"

Niou wasn't fooled by this sudden bought of bravery and smirked again, "So I hear you had a guest last night. I thought you and he were separated and your marriage dissolved."

Busted! That was the only thing Jackal could think of inwardly, but his exterior looked calm and cool, "Yah, so?"

"Puri. What would Yukimura say if they found out that you were consorting with the cakeaholic?" Niou wouldn't honestly tell the three leaders of the tennis team, but he wasn't above threatening blackmail to get help when needed.

"What do you want?" Jackal acted bored and pretended like he wasn't interested because he knew if he cracked he might A) go postal again, or B) give Niou more ammo. Neither one was good.

Smiling, the master of illusion stated simply, "I won't tell if you don't help Bunta win the bet and if you help me with my prank."

"How big is this prank that you have to have so much help?"

"Epic. This will probably be my greatest ever. Puri."

Jackal shook his head knowing he would later regret this, but feeling he had no other alternative, "Fine. I'll help, but just so you know… I already told Bunta I would not help him win the bet. I also informed him that I would not assist him with Akaya at all while he was supposed to watch him." Under his breath he muttered, "I swear. I don't understand why we have to babysit him if he is going to be in charge next year."

The other two teens heard the defensive specialists other comment and couldn't agree more. That kid needed to start learning control at some point and it was more than apparent having a babysitter, Kirihara only took advantage of the situation. Okay, Niou was taking advantage also, but he had a goal in mind and everything would be worth it.

"Excellent! I will inform you of your role later on. Now you better get going before a certain buchou or fukubuchou start looking for you. Puri," Niou snickered and started walking towards the clubhouse to get ready for tennis practice. It was an exciting time at Rikkai Dai… well at least for him.

"Yah, fine. Whatever," Jackal grumbled and started to jog past Niou and Yagyuu in order to get to the clubhouse first. He still had his extra duties to perform, so he had to get going and his so called friends had already held him up long enough… or at least one of them did. He had a feeling that even after his own punishment was lifted, he would still have hell to pay and all because he had finally lost it and said the one word no one expected out of his mouth, "no". Who knew a two letter word would cause so much grief. Oh well, it just made him fit in more with the others and it wasn't like he was going to take it back. There was something liberating about that word and he might actually have to use it more, incorporated it into his vocabulary. "NO" felt good. And as he approached the clubhouse and saw the three demons of Rikkai Dai, he dropped his head and hoped they could not truly read his mind (there was some kind of rumor flying about that the demons could actually read minds because they read their opponents moves before they made them). If they did, he was so screwed and even his new word would not help him. Oh well, maybe there was a padded cell available at the local mental hospital.