AN: Thanks so much for the reviews!

So, who's ready for some more past and present with Niou and Rie?

Enjoy!

-Coco

…

Chapter 10: Their Journey Together

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Niou asked apprehensively.

"What's wrong, Niou-san?"

"Do you remember when we first met?"

"… Yes… You were honestly rather annoying."

Niou looked away. "I meant when we first started going out."

Rie thought for a moment. "… Yes… I remember that also… You acted very much like a player."

"Didn't it bother you?" Niou asked.

"Not really. I'd been friends with Yuushi for years before I mett you so it didn't really bother me. However, you were very persistent."

Niou smirked. "It paid off eventually, too."

She stared at him. "Was it worth it?"

"Of course, we were kind of happy together."

Rie frowned. "That's not what I meant."

Niou stared ahead. He did know what she was talking about, and no, it hadn't been worth it.

Flashback

"Hey," Niou said, throwing his arm around the girl.

"Hello, Niou-san," she replied as she gently removed his hand from her shoulder.

"Did you miss me?" he asked cheekily, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Rie rolled her eyes. "Niou-san, please let go."

"Don't wanna."

She frowned. "Niou-san, let go."

Niou pouted. "But your body feels so nice to hold." His pout turned into a smirk when he saw her blush.

She remained silent knowing he'd let her go.

"Fine," he said, releasing her. "Happy?"

"Ecstatic."

"Well, what do you want to do today?"

"It doesn't really matter to me."

"Let's get some ice cream," Niou suggested, and without waiting for her answer he started heading down the street.

Sighing, she followed the silver-haired boy.

They entered the ice cream shop and grabbed a booth. Then the waiter came over and asked what they wanted.

"We'll have an ice cream sundae," Niou answered before Rie could even open her mouth.

"What are you doing?" Rie asked once the waiter had left.

"Is there something wrong with me ordering ice cream for my girl?" he asked, seemingly innocent.

"Not really, but considering I'm not your 'girl' I don't think that applies to the situation."

"Aw, that hurt."

Rie rolled her eyes.

"Don't be so cold. This is a date after all."

"This isn't a date," she replied smoothly.

Niou looked at her with puppy dog eyes that could give Akaya a run for his money.

"What?"

"Oh come on, how can you say 'no' to all this?" he asked smirking at her.

"Actually, Niou-san, it's quite easy."

"Dang, a hit right in the ego," he chuckled

"Can't you be serious?" she asked exasperatedly.

"Serious? Me? Nope, sorry, serious ain't my forte."

"Isn't."

"Isn't what?"

"Proper grammar would be 'serious isn't my forte' not 'ain't'," she corrected.

"Whatever."

They sat in silence for a little while until Niou couldn't take it anymore.

"Who are you engaged to?"

"Hmm?"

"You said you were engaged. Who to?"

"You don't know him."

"Well what's his name?"

"Why do you wish to know?"

"Because I want to know what I'm up against," he smirked.

"His name is Oshitari Yuushi. He's a regular at Hyotei."

"Hmm… really…. So I'm up against some stuffed shirt?"

"No," she turned to look at him, "you're up against my best friend."

Niou stared at her and one thing ran through his mind:

Oh, shit.

End Flashback

…

They weren't here to relive their past. It's was behind them and it didn't do anyone any good to dwell on it. They were here to talk about his bullying of Akaya and how it needed to stop.

"Niou-san, let's get back on track. You need to stop bullying Akaya-kun," she said firmly.

"Why? It's not that big a deal. Me and Marui always bug him about stuff," he replied shrugging.

"First of all, it's 'Marui and I', and second of all, that doesn't make it right."

"Well why do you care?" he shot back.

Rie sighed. This was going to get them nowhere. "Niou-san, what's it going to take to get you to stop being mean to Akaya-kun?"

"Be my girlfriend again," he said simply.

Rie stared at him in shock. Had he planned this? Was he trying to use her good nature to help others against her? "What?"

"Got out with me again and I'll leave the brat alone."

"… I… that's not… Niou-san, I fail to see how the two of those relate."

Niou shrugged. "It's his fault."

"…"

"What?"

Rie took a deep breath trying to calm herself. "Niou-san, it is not Akaya-kun's fault we broke up."

Niou shrugged. "It kind of is."

Rie stared at him. "How?" she hissed. "Did he force you to go out with her? Did he force you to kiss her?"

"So what? That doesn't mean he has the right to move in on you," he shot back.

"Niou-san," she said exasperatedly, "I am tutoring him. We aren't dating."

"Whatever."

Rie sighed. She'd never get through to him at this rate.

…

He woke up the next morning completely tired. His meeting with Rie hadn't gone very well yesterday.

Within 20 minutes he was showered, dressed, and on his way to Rikkai. He was on time, barely, and went to change in the clubhouse. When he came out, he noticed something off. Someone was there that had never been there before. However, amongst all the fangirls, he couldn't tell who.

So, shrugging it off, he went to warm up. "Hey, brattling," he said throwing an arm around Akaya.

"Hi, Niou-senpai," Akaya replied softly.

"Akaya, Yagyuu, finish warming up and go start a match," Yukimura said from across the court.

Yagyuu nodded and made his way towards the empty court.

"Good luck, brattling, you're gonna need it," Niou smirked.

Akaya hung his head and made his way to the court where Yagyuu was waiting.

"Let's have a good match," the Gentleman said, holding out his hand.

"Yeah, let's have fun, Yagyuu-senpai," Akaya answered, shaking his hand.

About ten minutes into the game, the score was 3-1 in Yagyuu's favor.

Niou was, of course, cheering on Yagyuu. He loved watching Akaya try to beat his partner, mainly because he knew it was hopeless. No one survived long against the Gentleman.

"Players, please re-enter the court," Yanagi said from the referee's chair.

As the two players entered the court, and Yagyuu got ready to serve, one familiar, feminine voice shouted out:

"Come on, Akaya-kun, you can do it!"

The regulars turned toward the voice and saw that it was none other than Kumiko Rie.

They turned back to the game, and the players went into position.

However, Niou's eyes narrowed at the new fire that burned in Akaya's eyes.

Why was Akaya trying to impress Rie, rather than Yukimura?

This was not a good sign.

…

AN: I'm really sorry, but I won't be explaining the tennis matches for the most part. I don't really know how.

How was it?

Also, I want your opinions on a sequel. Would you guys want that or would you prefer it just be one story?

Review!