Playing Mixed Doubles

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis

Chapter Ten: Their Fight For Her and His Words

Fuji sat on the bench and adjusted his shoes. He picked up his racket and stood up.

Attention: Singles three will now begin. Seigaku's Fuji Syusuke. Shitenhouji's Shiraishi Kuranosuke.

Fuji walks up to the net and Shiraishi does the same. Shiraishi shifts his eyes toward Kizu and then back to Fuji.

"So you're Kizu's new doubles partner. I thought you only played singles."

Fuji smiled slightly and looked at Shiraishi.

"Yes I am."

Shiraishi slanted his eyes and glared at Fuji. He shifts his body a little bit and raises his racket toward Kizu. He then smiled and looked at her, and then back at Fuji.

"Let this match be a way to decide who is stronger then. If you lose this match, you can no longer be Kizu's doubles partner, nor her friend or anything to do with her anymore."

Everyone in the stands gasp in shock. And look at Kizu. Shitenhouji didn't even believe what they had just heard. Their captain had just made a bet for a girl.

Fuji gave Shiraishi a hard stare and then looked back at Kizu. She was giving Shiraishi a rather repulsive look. Fuji looked back at Shiraishi, who had offered his hand for a handshake and to seal the deal. Fuji looked back at Kizu one more time, who gave him a very disapproving look. But he looked back Shiraishi and took his hand.

"You've got yourself a deal."

"Ehh I don't understand. Does it really matter whether or not Fuji-senpai loses the position of being Kizu's doubles partners?"

Everyone stared at Momo and then covered his mouth. Eiji goes up to him and places a finger up to his own lips telling Momo to be quiet.

"Eh, Momo you're so dense! It's not only not being her doubles partner, but not being her friend as well. And believe me, Fuji doesn't want that!"

Everyone glances over at Kizu who was now watching the match quite in depth. She grasped the railing and lowered her eyebrows. The rest of regulars felt sympathy but decided to keep quiet and watch the match without interfering with Kizu.

Kizu watched the match as it progressed. She felt as though she might have a nervous break down. But she would have never dreamed about such a match between her old partner and her current partner.

What was she supposed to do? She wanted Fuji to win, at the same time Shiraishi would no longer be a friend.

She couldn't make up her mind who she wanted more to stay. Kizu tried her best to try to contain herself and decided not to watch the match herself. She turned and ran out of the stadium. She couldn't watch the match any longer, even though it had just begun.

Fuji and Shiraishi watched as Kizu left the stadium. They both could understand why, and both knew that now that she was gone, they wouldn't have any distractions. They returned back to the match and played with their best.

The rest of the regulars could see that Fuji wasn't playing at his best; in fact he was struggling against Shiraishi. Shiraishi was attacking from the beginning and showed no mercy toward Fuji. He used his Bible tennis and won 3 straight games from Fuji.

Fuji took in deep breaths and tried to regain his piece of mind. But he couldn't, the pressure of losing Kizu was taking a hold on his concentration for the match. During change court, he sat on the bench and drooped the towel over his head. He was frustrated with himself. He knew losing this match meant losing Kizu forever. And losing Kizu again was something he wouldn't let happen.

Coach Ryuzaki glanced Fuji and then the regulars. She knew that the rest of the regulars understood why Fuji was losing, but didn't want to say anything. Fuji continued to sit on the bench and under the towel, until it was time to get back on the courts again. He stood up and tossed the towel on the bench.

Shiraishi knew that Fuji was starting to feel even more pressured and knew that if he doesn't get any motivation soon, he would lose the match. Shiraishi smiled to himself and stepped back on to the courts.

Kizu stood under the tree and closed her eyes.

I couldn't watch the match…and I just left him there. I don't want to see the outcome of this…

She leaned against the tree and looked up at the leaves. There was a slight breeze and the leaved swayed. Kizu closed her eyes again, thinking of what she should do. Suddenly memories Fuji and her together flooded into her mind. She lifted her arm and admired the bracelet. Fuji's face drifted into her mind and she knew what this meant.

She turned back to the stadium and made a sprint toward it.

Syusuke, I'm coming!

The regulars watch in pain as Fuji lost game after game, but they couldn't say anything. Shiraishi was winning 5 games to love. It felt as though Fuji winning was now slim and almost impossible. Shiraishi now basically dominating the match, was up to serve. Fuji seemed to have lost the will to play and couldn't keep up. Match point for Shiraishi finally arrived, and Fuji felt desperate.

Suddenly footsteps from the entryway came echoing through. Everyone turned to face the entryway and saw Kizu emerging from the entryway.

"Kizu!"

She was running full speed toward the courts and without even thinking, she jumps up into the air and lands at the top of the railing. Still maintaining impressive balance she stands on the rail. She was breathing hard and possibly a little tired from the run but still stood up straight.

"Syusuke! You can't lose!"

Fuji and Shiraishi both looked at her and Fuji smiled. Kizu gave him a smile and held up a "V" with her fingers.

"Syusuke, victory. Or else there will be no reason for me to come back!"

All the Seigaku regulars looked at Kizu, then all turned to Fuji and all gave him a thumbs up. Fuji smiles and looks back at Kizu who was no back on the ground.

Shiraishi gave them all a long hard stare, especially at Kizu.

Is he really that important Kizu?

Fuji turned back to Shiraishi and his eyes now glowed with motivation.

I can't lose this match, I will win this and tell Kizu…

Shiraishi serves and Fuji hits it back immediately, winning one point from Shiraishi. Fuji turns to Shiraishi and points his racket at him.

"It begins now."

Kizu smiles and continues to stand up, rooting for Fuji. She now knew that Fuji was one of her inspirations to become better, and now she wanted to be his inspiration to win.

As the match continued on, Fuji began to make a comeback and evened the score to 5 games all. From there, he announced that Shiraishi could no longer win.

Shiraishi now tired out, glared at Fuji and attempted to gain back one point. Everyone was now watching the match in excitement. Kizu was watching on and continued to cheer for Fuji. And Fuji now knew that Kizu was truly who he loved.

No…I don't want to wait any longer. When I win this match, I will tell her!

With that thought in his mind, he hit one final overhead, and sent the ball high up into the stands.

Game and match, Seigaku's Fuji Syusuke. 7 games to 5!

Everyone was silent but then Kizu started to shout.

"Yay! Syusuke!"

Then the Seigaku regulars started to clap and shout in joy as well. The whole stadium applauded Fuji and his victory. Even Shiraishi himself had to give him some credit. They both walked up to net and shook hands.

"That was good match…take care of Kizu."

Fuji was surprised that Shiraishi would even say such a thing, but smiled and nodded.

"Don't worry, I will."

Shiraishi turned and walked back to the stands. Fuji did the same and everyone cheered. Kizu jumped from the stands and ran to Fuji to give him a big hug. He embraced her back and smiled.

"Wait, Kizu I want to tell you something. But not here."

"Huh?"

Fuji placed his racket inside his bag and took Kizu's hand. He led her outside of the stadium and under a nearby tree. He gently placed his hand on Kizu's cheek and looked lovingly into her eyes. They both felt their hearts beat faster but both didn't mind. Fuji leaned in closer and opened his eyes.

Facing her, he smiled and leaned in closer.

Fuji kissed Kizu passionately and held her. Kizu was surprised by the kiss but kissed back anyway. When they broke from the kiss, Fuji looked deep into Kizu's eyes and smiled at her.

"Kiryu Kizu, I love you."

Fuji's eyes sparkled as he said those words. Those three words. He has waited three years to say them, and now he finally told her.

"I've loved you ever since then, you're my first love, and will always be my only love."

Kizu blushed and smiled.

"I love you too Fuji Syusuke."

They both smiled and leaned in to kiss again.

After three years, Fuji and Kizu are finally together. And Fuji finally told Kizu those three words.

I love you.

End Chapter Ten

Celsius 13 Degrees: Finally together! ^_^ So cute no? Anyway, we're almost done, only one chapter left! With interesting twists xD! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Keep on reading! Thank you!