A/N: Sorry for taking so long with this new chapter. I guess I just ran out of inspiration. However, thanks to the efforts of other authors writing Prince of Tennis fan fiction, I once again had enough ideas in my brain to finish this chapter. I hope you enjoy the newest installment.

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis, nor Harry Potter.

Moving Forward ch 10

Morning practice went by smoothly after the whole Arai event. Akira was currently pondering something as she walked to her Psychology class.

During the morning practice, she had seen a couple of adults. She had scanned their minds to see the reason they were watching the tennis practice. They were reporters. She had nearly cringed away, fueled by her instincts, but had dug a little deeper.

Apparently they were assigned to document the regional middle schools' tennis clubs. They weren't bad people, except for their professions; the younger woman might be a little eager an inexperienced, but the older one was pretty knowledgeable and even played a little tennis himself. He would be able to keep the younger, and more importantly, nosier one out of trouble.

But they weren't what she was thinking about. No, what she was currently musing upon was something her ears had caught the reporters talking about.

She had forgotten that first years weren't allowed to try out to be regulars until the summer camp. They weren't allowed into the ranking tournament until then. Part of her was a little glad that she wouldn't have to decide whether or not to try for a regular position - and thus some amount of media attention - until later; the other, larger part of her mind was sure that something out of the ordinary was going to happen - probably because of Ryoma.

Akira shook her head, deciding not to bother herself with that train of though anymore.

She walked calmly into the Psychology classroom, once again empty because of her tendency to come early to all of her classes. She settled into the seat she had taken for the past two days, and just as she had yesterday, pulled out her Chemistry textbook to read.

'That's it.' she thought to herself as her skimmed over the pages. 'I'm going to check the library at lunchtime to see if they have anything good to read.'

This time, there was no conversation to be had with Fuji, as he came into the class just before the sensei. The class went by without incident, the work just simply reading a chapter of their textbooks and some homework assigned at the end.

When the bell rang, signifying lunchtime, the classroom emptied in a hurry. Akira took her time, and was wondering where exactly the library was, when her thoughts were interrupted by her class partner.

"Kitamori-kun, would you like to join Eiji-kun and me for lunch again?" Fuji asked with his slight smile.

Akira, slightly surprised, turned to the 'tensai'. Sure, she had gone to lunch with him the day before, and he had been perfectly friendly. She was still a little surprised that he was. Why was he so interested in her? There was the fact that they were partners in class, but she wasn't that intriguing, was she? Did he actually want to be friends?

"Actually Fuji-sempai, I was going to try to find the library this lunchtime." she said bemusedly. "Thanks for the offer though." she added out of politeness.

"Ah, is that why you were reading that Chemistry textbook yesterday?" Fuji asked curiously. "You didn't have anything else to read?"

"Mostly, yeah." she deadpanned. "I do, of course enjoy the subject as well."

Fuji's smile stretched a little wider. "Would you like my help in finding the library? This is only your third day here, after all."

Akira, having no real reason to refuse, took him up on his offer. "What about Neko-chan?" she asked him. "Is he waiting for you somewhere like yesterday?"

"How considerate of you Kitamori-kun." Fuji replied. "But he particularly asked if we could have lunch together again today. I don't think he'd mind me helping you find the library. After all, the sooner you find it, the sooner we can eat." he said serenely.

Akira didn't remember agreeing to have lunch with them, but didn't bother pointing it out. Yesterday wasn't that disagreeable, except for the glomping she had gotten from Eiji. So she hoisted her bag onto her right shoulder and followed the physically older boy out of the classroom.

With Fuji leading the way, they walked to the library, which thankfully wasn't very far and they were able to stop at her locker on the way. She stuffed her lunch into her book bag and continued following Fuji.

Akira's green eyes roved over the bookcases. She had no idea where to start. She only had a vague idea of what she wanted to read.

"Do you have any recommendations for me Fuji-sempai?" she asked quietly in the silence of the library, sure not to arouse the wrath of the middle-aged librarian who was watching them out of the corner of her eye.

"What exactly are you looking for?" Fuji asked thoughtfully. This was actually useful for him, as he would be able to figure out what kind of books his new interest read. Kitamori wasn't very forthcoming with personal information so far.

"Something thrilling." Akira mused, oblivious to what the boy next to her was thinking. "Maybe a mystery with a little fantasy mixed in…" She always enjoyed reading the things normal people came up with about magical things.

Fuji held his chin in his hand for a moment, which seemed to be a habitual thinking pose of his, and walked to a nearby bookshelf and plucked a relatively thick volume from the row.

"Try this one." he suggested. "It's only the first in the series, so if you do happen to like it, there are more in line."

Akira flipped the book over, reading the small paragraph summarizing the book's contents on the back cover. With a shrug, she walked over to the librarian's desk and got the book checked out.

"Thanks for your help, Fuji-sempai." she said absently, but sincerely as she flipped open the book to the first page and promptly got absorbed in the words.

Fuji was amused at how quickly the boy could immerse himself in the book, but replied in kind. He then started to walk to where Eiji was waiting, checking his peripheral vision to see if the black-haired boy was following him. Apparently the boy was adept at walking and reading simultaneously, because he seemed to instinctively shift to avoid any obstacles. Yet another intriguing thing about his new interest.

"Kitamori-kun, you might want to put that away now. We're going up a flight of stairs." Fuji stated as he stopped moving and looked back at his underclassman.

Akira blinked owlishly for a moment before looking up at him and then stuffing the book in his shoulder bag. Fuji once again turned forward and walked up the stairs with the smaller boy following.

Almost as soon as they stepped through the door to the roof area, Kitamori was tackled in to a suffocating hug by Eiji, who was thoughtful enough to not jostle the smaller boy's left shoulder. He was even more excited than usual because the Ranking Tournament would be taking place that day.

Fuji watched with amused eyes and his tranquil smile as Eiji pulled the green-eyed boy down to sit next to him and started to chatter.

He studied the boy again as he pulled out his lunch and started to eat while halfheartedly listening to the catlike redhead's prattle. The green-eyed boy was shorter than most, though taller than his somewhat bratty friend, Echizen was it? He was cute as well, in a feminine sort of way, though Fuji couldn't talk about that really.

Fuji had also noticed some nasty scars lacing his arms yesterday, when Akira had been wearing a sleeveless shirt. He was also pleasingly skilled at tennis from what Fuji had seen of the display yesterday. He seemed to like reading, or perhaps he just hated being bored. He didn't seem very social though - seeming to stay out of most conversation and apart from gatherings of his classmates.

Akira also seemed to have a very high pain tolerance, which could be linked to the scarring. He had brushed off having his injured shoulder smashed into a locker like it was some minor irritant. This new interest would keep Fuji from boredom for a while it seemed.

Akira leaned back against the roof wall as she stretched her legs out leisurely, taking a break from eating the lunch set beside her. She easily ignored the piercing stare she was getting from Fuji. She wondered if he finished figuring her out yet.

"I don't get how you can like wasabi, Midori-chan!" she heard Eiji exclaim. "You and Fujiko must be the only ones I know who actually like it."

"You must not know very many people then, Neko-chan." Akira commented bluntly. Somehow, hanging around these two made her more talkative than usual. Maybe it was just because they were the first friendly contact she had experienced for about three years, aside from the Echizen family and Yuuta. Whatever it was, it was kind of nice, and even if they weren't friends, at least they saved her from having to find something to do at lunchtime.

Eiji pouted at her comment, before regaining his boisterous spirit and continuing to talk. "Why don't you guys like nice foods? Like… fruit? Fruit is nice! Except for the really sour ones like lemons and limes…" Eiji trailed off as he wrinkled his nose.

"I do happen to like fruit Eiji-kun." Fuji stated. "Apples are some of my favorite foods."

"Oh yeah." Eiji perked up slightly, remembering that tidbit of information about his friend. "What kind of fruit do you like, Midori-chan?" he asked his newest friend, Fuji listening interestedly.

"Oranges." Akira answered immediately, snatching some slices of said fruit from her lunchbox.

"Yeah, oranges are good too. I like strawberries the best." Eiji continued on. "They're good with whipped cream on top."

Soon, however, their chatting (mostly Eiji's) came to an end as the school bell rang, indicating it was ten minutes until their next class.

Akira hurriedly stuffed her lunchbox into her bag, before slinging it around her right shoulder once more.

"Thanks for keeping me company at lunch, sempai." she said politely as she stood. "Chemistry is on the other side of the building though, so I'd like to get going."

Eiji pouted somewhat, before aiming a good-natured smile at her along with Fuji. "See you at tennis practice then!" he said excitedly. "The Ranking Tournament starts today!"

Akira nodded, before quickly walking through the roof door and down the steps.

She arrived at Chemistry about five minutes before the bell would ring, having stopped at her locker to put her lunchbox back. Inui was already there, though this time he was not experimenting with some concoction. Instead, he was scribbling notes - perhaps on the performances of all the freshman tennis club members that had started yesterday.

She actually couldn't know for sure. Somehow, the thick lenses that he wore blocked out any minor attempts at Legillimency, and if she used more power and did get through, she could damage his brain, so she just didn't try.

Akira greeted her Chemistry partner politely, and after he replied in turn, she sat next to him and pulled out her new library book. She heard him flip a few pages in his notebook and mutter something about data, but paid it no mind.

Chemistry went smoothly as well, Maruko-sensei was very strict, so there was no misbehavior that would cause any commotion. She had an interesting conversation with Inui about their assignment, but other than that, nothing happened.

"I'll see you at tennis practice, Inui-sempai." Akira said as they finished cleaning up their work station.

"Yes. I will see you at the Ranking Tournament, Kitamori-san." Inui said as a light sheen covered his glasses.

'Guess the Ranking Tournament is a big thing, even for the regulars.' Akira thought to herself as she walked to her next class.

Well, she'd find out just what it was like after school.

Akira met Ryoma outside the boys' locker room when he was done changing, and they both walked at a reserved pace to see who the competitors in the Ranking Tournament were.

Akira's quick eyes soon found a familiar name, and a smirk crossed her face. "Looks like you're going to make even more waves, Ryoma-kun." she said as she pointed to his name where it was listed on the Block D board. She scanned his opponents, but the only other name that she knew was his fifth match, where he was up against Inui Sadaharu.

'He's going up against Inui-sempai, huh? That'll be interesting to watch.' she mused. Her thoughts were interrupted by a tap on her shoulder.

She turned to see Ryoma pointing to a name in Block B. She squinted at it, only to have her eyes widen in surprise as she read 'Kitamori Akira, year 1'

"Why was I listed?" she asked herself.

"Because you're good." Ryoma said as if it were obvious.

Akira raised an eyebrow at him. "It's not like I've shown much skill at Seigaku, Ryoma-kun. Even if I am good, how would they know it?"

Ryoma shrugged. "Does it matter?"

Akira thought for a moment, before deciding that it didn't really. Instead of worrying about it further, she turned to see who she would be up against. Once again, however, she only recognized one other name. Her first match would be against one Momoshiro Takeshi.

She followed Ryoma absently as he walked toward the registration.

'That Momoshiro's ankle must still be a little sore, so I'll have an advantage there. I kind of regret not staying to watch him play Ryoma, but then again, if I had, I wouldn't have met Yuuta. Anyway, from what I saw when Momoshiro dented that can, he must focus a lot on strength.' were the things going through her mind. However, her train of thought was knocked of the rails by a familiar and irritating voice.

"Echizen wouldn't stand a chance against the seniors!" the Unibrow boy stated smugly, his arms resting carelessly behind his head.

The other two boys with him frowned slightly.

"But I'm still going to cheer for Ryoma-kun." one of them said firmly. "All the freshmen will be counting on him."

The other one nodded in agreement, before turning his head and seeing Ryoma and Akira walking toward them.

"Ah, Ryoma-kun! We'll be cheering for you! We're counting on you to win against the regulars!" the two boys told him optimistically.

Ryoma didn't even bother opening his eyes, which made Akira roll hers. The golden-eyed boy would have continued walking onward, if they hadn't been stopped by a hissing noise.

"Stop eating my fluffy unicorns."

Akira nearly choked on her spit trying to keep herself from laughing as the source of the hissing was revealed to be the bandana-wearing second-year from yesterday. The semi-intimidating face really did not fit with what she had heard in Parseltongue.

Apparently, he had no idea what he was saying in snake-language.

"Hey freshmen." she heard him say lowly, after she managed to stop laughing mentally.

"Hai!" the three boys who had been talking aimlessly answered, their postures straightening automatically at being addressed by an upperclassman.

"Stop slacking off." he ordered as he changed positions where he was sitting.

He turned abruptly to face them with a fierce expression. "Now go!"

"Yes, sir! Excuse us!" the three squeaked, running of somewhere where there weren't any hissing, bandana-wearing sempai.

Ryoma, who was as contrary as a cat, decided to stand his ground, his racket still tucked comfortably under his arm, and one hand in his pocket. Akira just decided to stay with her neighbor.

Fluffy-Unicorn Boy turned his glaring scowl upon Ryoma and Akira.

"Hey."

"Yeah?" Ryoma answered him nonchalantly.

"Hm?" Akira answered as well.

There was a long silence, where Fluffy-Unicorn Boy's glare only intensified. Ryoma just stared right back with his usual cockiness, and Akira with blank boredom.

"Aren't you two freshmen?" Fluffy-Unicorn Boy said, more as a statement then a question. Akira supposed he was referring to his earlier order about not slacking off.

"Yes." Ryoma said, before turning his back on the sitting sempai. "I'm leaving now."

Akira tilted her head to stare at the bandana-wearing boy a while longer, an odd smile crossing her face, before turning to follow Ryoma without a word.

"Ooh, scary…" she heard Ryoma mutter, loud enough for the Fluffy-Unicorn Boy to hear. A smirk spread across her lips at his usual bratty attitude.

They soon caught up to the three freshman boys. Who were sadly panting even though the run was short, though that may have partially been fear.

"That was close." one of the black-haired boys muttered.

"Wasn't that Kaidoh-sempai?" the other one said.

"Yeah" Unibrow answered. "And he's one of Echizen's opponents in the Block D Ranking Tournament!"

Akira barely listened to the rest of their conversation, which consisted of Unibrow boasting about the functions of the Ranking Tournament to his less knowledgeable classmates.

It made her glad that she had her higher-level classes around lunchtime, or she'd be spending it with Ryoma - who probably had those three following him around like lost, not to mention unwanted puppies.

"Hey, shouldn't you three be putting up the nets?" she heard a somewhat stern voice say.

It was Bowl-cut; or rather, Oishi, the guy Eiji played doubles with and the vice-captain of the tennis club.

The three yelled their affirmative and ran away to do as they were told.

Akira shook her head slightly at their hero-worship of older students, before quickening her steps to catch up with Ryoma.

A few seconds later, she fell in step with him, and as they turned a corner, she saw a semi-familiar girl making inexperienced practice-swings with a tennis racket.

'That's Ryuuzaki's granddaughter, hm?'Akira thought absently as they went to pass her.

Ryoma however, seemed to feel like helping her out, a very odd thing for him.

He tapped the back of her knee with his racket s he passed by, making her gasp in shock.

"Ryoma-kun!"

He passed by without replying, holding his racket out above his head.

"You bend your knees too much… Don't flip your wrist like that… You opened your shoulders too wide… and your hair is too long." he listed offhandedly over his shoulder. "You should cut it."

She heard a small groan of disappointment from the girl behind them. Once they were a bit further ahead, she took the opportunity to tease Ryoma.

"You must like her, Ryoma-kun, if you helped her out like that." she said with a mocking smile. "You even told her how long you like hair on girls."

"Tch." Ryoma turned his head away in annoyance. "Maybe it was just painful to watch anyone swing a racket that badly."

Akira nodded sagely. "Denial is the first step." she said, and would have continued, if she hadn't heard a horrible thing coming up behind them.

Girly, excited squealing.

"Hurry, hurry! The Ranking Tournament is starting soon!"

"And those freshmen are playing, right!"

Her face immediately went blank. "I'm heading over to Block B now Ryoma-kun."

She could almost see the smirk on her neighbor's face. Sure, he found fan girls irritating, but he was always amused at her reaction to them.

"I hope you can concentrate properly on your match when that girl you like comes to watch you." she tossed over her shoulder.

She heard another 'Tch' of annoyance, and a small, victorious grin crossed her lips.