A/N: Hello guys,,, I'm back and I'm ready to write again! I'm so so SORRY for the long wait (as usual)-due to some interruptions with the schedule and school stuff back then. Also, I couldn't help but play instead of type; I want to enjoy my summer while I can. I had thoughts of deleting the story but I've changed my mind. I was guilty because some people still reviewed/read the story. To these people, thank you for reading. Here is chapter 10 of Rejections. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis.

Seigaku…

It was an early morning. Also a very early one for the boy's tennis club to run 50 laps. No one expected that- you get to school in a good mood, and you end up running like everyone else, except the captain who gave them. The captain wasn't as friendly as he could be.

Tezuka wasn't in the mood for jokes or anything, and totally he had an aura which made the regulars stay away. Even Oishi can't come any nearer. And of course, Tezuka didn't carry the usual stoic expression. He had a firmer and more serious one- creepier than the usual. It's like he casted a barrier that would hurt you when you get too close.

"Mou, early running makes my kneefs stiff!" Eiji yanked.

Just then, Tezuka shot a glare at him. Eiji held his breath, hoping Tezuka wouldn't add more laps. Luckily, he didn't. He just shot him a scary glare- too scary that Eiji froze for 3 seconds in his position.

"Just run Eiji, it's the best you can do to stay away from trouble" Oishi spoke from behind. "Besides, it helps build your stamina"

"Well I think it doesn't if I would run too early" Eiji said in a low voice, so that Tezuka won't hear. Oishi pushed him and he had no choice but to run.

Ryoma and Momo were at the back, talking about the same thing-WHY TEZUKA HAD THE WORST MOOD IN HISTORY.

"Momo-sempai, why is buchou acting weird?" the boy asked. "and why is Fuji-sempai late than the usual?"

Why was Fuji late? He wasn't usually late like this. In fact, he could be the first person you will see when you enter the grounds. And only Fuji could make Tezuka's mood, or approach Tezuka in a time like this. They knew Fuji had a VIP pass to Tezuka- free to talk anytime, anyday, anywhere. Where the heck is Fuji?!

"I dunno ochibi, maybe traffic jam" Momo said.

Echizen gave the older boy a WHERE-DID-YOU-GET-THAT-IDEA look. It was too early for a traffic jam, and also too early for them to run laps. It's like everything was wrong today.

Meanwhile, Taka-san and Kaidoh were at the bench, done with the 50 laps they were asked to do. Kaidoh approached Taka, who was holding his water bottle.

"Sempai, I've never seen buchou like THIS." the viper whispered to Taka.

"Me neither." the boy said.

Inui, who was beside Taka, murmured while writing and scribbling continuosly, "At around 6:15am, Tezuka isn't in a good mood. Reason:Unknown." It was like writing a diary rather than collecting some weird data.

At 6:30, everyone was done running- including the freshmen. Poor guys, they had to join in the suffering instead of carrying tennis balls and mopping the courts.

"Practice!" Tezuka shouted for everyone to hear. Each of the regulars got their rackets and headed to the courts without any complain- only thoughts of it but no one attempted any further. They started practicing in a while: Momo with Taka, Kaidoh with Inui, Eiji with Oishi, leaving Echizen with no one to play with.

Tezuka suddenly approached the boy and said,"Echizen, get in"

Ryoma got in the courts and served the ball to Tezuka. Tezuka gave a quite unexpected return- it was too strong for a first shot that made Ryoma's racket fly away. The others watched Tezuka. There was tension building up- more anger rather than tension. It was the first time they saw Tezuka like this- out of control with his mood, like the brick wall that hid his emotions broke. Everyone noticed this, and only one question popped in their heads- What's wrong with him?

Of course the Tezuka they knew was hard to read, hard to predict and usually composed. But the Tezuka they see now was reading like an open book. His expression was too obvious, he lost the coolness in him.

Then, finally Oishi got the courage and asked aloud, "What's wrong Tezuka? What's the problem?"

Tezuka snapped. He suddenly realized how he was acting all morning. Then he looked and saw the regulars, looking worriedly at him. He realized he broke down in front of them, so he breathed in deeply, regaining the composure and cool aura. He shook his hair, the drops of sweat trickled down to his neck. The sun shone at him, the sweat particles glowing like diamonds. He was back to his usual self.

Oishi asked the same question, "What's wrong Tezuka?"

All the regulars were waiting for an answer. Tezuka was about to speak when suddenly, Ryuzaki- sensei butted in the conversation.

"Fuji Syusuke dropped out of Seigaku. He dropped out this morning. Only I and Tezuka were here." she said, revealing the shocking news.

All of them were shocked, except for the one who was acting unusually that day. Tezuka knew it first, that's why he wasn't acting in his usual self.

"Wha… What?" Eiji asked, his eyes were watering. "I thought he… Why?"

No one answered the question, making Eiji wear a gloomy face. It was sad that Fuji made the decision to transfer- everyone knew that he would transfer. It was just that they didn't expect it to happen so soon.

"So, Tezuka- you knew." Oishi said to Tezuka.

Tezuka nodded, making Oishi sad too.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Ryoma asked. Tezuka could see Ryoma was mad.

Once again, Ryuzaki-sensei butted in. "Tezuka wanted to tell you, but he just waited for the right time. Tezuka wanted that Fuji will be the one to tell you, but it seems Fuji doesn't have any intention of telling it to you."

Then, a long period of silence came. It wasn't deafening, it was soothing to Tezuka's ears. Maybe because acceptance was on his way, he started to accept the fact that Fuji transferred, and the blue-eyed tensai won't come back to Seigaku. And he started to move on, that Fuji won't be his, and he won't be coming back.

Then, Momo spoke out of the silence. "Where did he transfer?"

Ryuzaki told them. "He didn't mention it."

Tezuka spoke. "Hyotei Gakuen"

Everybody was shocked. Fuji transferred to Hyotei. Fuji- one of their best friends and team mate would end up being their opponent. It was sad that Fuji was gone, worse that he would be an opponent.

"And also, Fuji said that you should be ready when the time comes- that you will be facing him in the opposite side of the court, because he said he won't be holding anything back." their coach said to them.

Finally, everyone understood why Tezuka was acting that way. And they knew they would be acting that way too- when they would start to accept the situation. It would be hard, but they knew it would come.

"Minna, gomen nasai" Tezuka said

"It's okay buchou. We lost one eh?" Ryoma said

Tezuka gave Echizen a nod.

And they had the day off.

A/N: Terribly sorry for the late update,,, I hoped you like it. Please review if you have any suggestions. I would also appreciate the flames, I learn from flames.