I would like to give my thanks and reply to these guys:

michelle88222: Fuji sure is sadistic, but I love that side of him! It makes me want to write him more, lol!.

LeoniaOtaku: Thank you for the compliment. Your review made me my day. Sometimes, I think Ryoma is being OOC, don't you think? Just warn me if he does =D.

Disclaimer: I wish I own the characters of Prince of Tennis. But of course, that will never happen.

Sae stood in front of her shoe locker. She took a deep breath before she reached for the door and opened it carefully. She breathed a sigh of relief when she found her new pair of shoes inside with no trace of dirt or whatever surprise it may bring.

Ryoma was watching the girl's reaction from where he stood. From the looks of it, the culprit did not make any more trouble for Sae. However, his eyes narrowed as he saw someone approaching the girl.

Sae's sight became dark as two hands blocked her view. She suddenly felt frightened at the thought that it could be the person threatening her.

"Guess who?" a familiar voice whispered to Sae's ear.

"Sy-Syusuke!" the girl pulled the hands away from her eyes and turned to the lad behind her, "you scared me."

"Did I?" Fuji is wearing his usual smile, "come, I'll walk you to your classroom."

"Eh? But-"

"That would be unnecessary," a voice was heard from behind them. When they turn around, Ryoma was looking at both of them. "I'll walk her there. We are in the same class after all. Besides, your class is on the other building, right?"

"Hn? I did not know you worry for me, Echizen." Unknown to the Sae, sparks flew when Ryoma and Fuji's eyes met. "But, I don't mind walking a bit to accompany my girlfriend to her class," Fuji spoke making emphasis on the words "my girlfriend". Fuji then wrapped his arms around Sae's shoulder as if to show Ryoma that she belong to him. Sae face grew flustered at his gesture. Ryoma's eyebrow twitched just watching them.

However, the boys' expressions changed when they felt someone watching them from the end of the lockers. They exchanged a meaningful look at each other, confirming that they are thinking the same thing.

Fuji's held loosen,"it seems like I cannot go with you today after all. I remember something I need to do."

"It's fine. You don't really need to do that."

Fuji's attention turned to Ryoma, "take care of her for me."

Ryoma just smirked at him in response.

After Ryoma and Sae left, Fuji remained to check the presence he felt earlier. However, the person he was looking for was already gone in the area.

"That person is more slippery than I thought," Fuji thought to himself.

"Sae, get in the court," Coach Ryuzaki called out to the girl who was busily taking down notes during the afternoon practice.

"Pardon?" Sae asked not sure if she heard it right the first time.

"You will join today's practice match," Inui pushed his glasses as he spoke.

Sae blinked.

"Eh!? I was not informed about this."

"Sorry. There was a sudden change of plans."

The girl was left with no other choice and entered the tennis court, much to everyone's surprise.

"Sae? Why is she playing?" Momo asked referring to no one in particular.

"This is interesting," Fuji commented.

It was announced earlier that there will be practice matches between the regulars but as to who will be each other's opponent will be named only before the game starts.

"Kaido, you will be Sae's opponent," Caoch Ryuzaki said.

Kaido entered the court silently. Thoughts run through his mind as to why Coach Ryuzaki would pair him with a girl in a practice match. She is not underestimating him, isn't she?

The first game started as Kaido's service game. On the side court, Inui made his pen and notes ready to jot down data. Everyone watched intently as the game progressed.

After a while:

"Game, set, match, Saeri Ichinomiya, six games to love."

It did not take long before the match ended. The spectators stood dumbfounded at the outcome of the match. Kaido did not score a single point against the girl. Even his signature move "Snake" was easily returned to him. Looking at the two players, only Kaido was sweating hard while catching his breath.

"That was a good game Kaido-sempai," Sae approached Kaido and offered her hand.

Kaido's looked at Sae's hand before he squeezed it in his large hand.

"I didn't know that you have it in you."

On the side court:

"What happened? How could she beat him?" Kikumaru asked Oishi.

"I'm not really sure but it looks like Sae can play tennis," Oishi said with his hand under his chin. "You must have known about this, right coach?"

Sumire did not answer Oishi. A smile showed on her face as she watched Kaido and Sae leave the court. She knew that the girl plays tennis but she did not know that she is this good. She decided to check it out after hearing Tezuka's recommendation this morning that's why she suddenly decided to include her in the practice game.

Tezuka, wearing his usual stoic expression, felt satisfied at the outcome of the match. He expected no less from from the girl.

"Sae!" the girl heard someone calling her name right after she stepped out of the tennis court, but before she could utter a response, two arms were squeezing her tight making her hard to breath. "That was a great game! I didn't know you could play!"

"K-Kikumaru-sempai, please let go."

"Eiji, it would be best if you let Sae go," Oishi sweat drop seeing the girl turning blue under Eiji's tight embrace.

"Eiji," Kikumaru felt something cold run through his spine as a hand held on his shoulder, "you better let her go now." Kikumaru froze hearing Fuji's threatening voice from behind him. He immediately let the girl go and hid behind Oishi. It is not a secret from the whole team that their assistant manager and Fuji are going out. Thus, no one dared make a move on her if they don't want to taste Fuji's wrath.

"Fuji-sempai really is acting too realistic. But thank goodness, Kikumaru-sempai let go," Sae thought to herself as she placed her hand to her chest still trying to catch her breath.

"You should play with me sometimes," Momo greeted while grinning at her.

"Momo, Kawamura! Get in the court now!" Coach Ryuzaki's loud voice rang across the court.

When the practice matches ended, Inui explained the result of their observation for each of the regulars, stressing the weak points of each of them. Afterwards, Coach Ryuzaki stepped forward.

"This weekend, we will be having a three-day camp." Everyone got excited on the announcement. "Don't think of this as a vacation! This is to hone your skills before our next tournament. I expect everyone to be there."

The sun is starting to set when the afternoon practice ended. Ryoma and Sae were walking towards the school gate when Sae stopped.

"Ah! I forgot my book in our classroom," Sae turned to Ryoma, "sorry, could you wait for me? I'll be back soon."

"Can't that wait tomorrow?"

"No. That is very important to me."

"Five minutes, or else I'll leave you behind."

Sae nodded and ran back to the school building.

The building looked deserted since most students had already gone home. Sae easily located the book under her desk. She flipped through the pages and found what she was looking for. She sighed in relief as she held the book close to her chest. Her gaze drifted through the window and saw the orange hue spreading across the sky.

"It's this late already?" Sae hurriedly ran towards the door. When she opened it, someone was standing in the doorway, looking down at her. The stranger looked familiar to her but she cannot quite remember where or when.

"Um, excuse me, if you could just let me through."

Despite her request, the lad walked inside the room without letting her pass. Sae had to walked back to prevent her from bumping into him.

"Do I know you?"

"I don't think so." The stranger continued walking towards her as he spoke. On the other hand, Sae kept distancing herself. She stepped further inside still facing the stranger.

"What do you want?" Sae asked as her back touched the wall behind her. She felt her knees starting to tremble.

"Simple," the lad's eyes narrowed. He suddenly grabbed her wrist while his other hand touched lifted her chin, "I want…" the lad leaned closed to her ear,"…you."

"Let go of me!" Sae struggled to free herself but the grip of the guy was too strong.

"I already warned you, didn't I? But you did not listen. Instead, you remained in the tennis club and kept befriending all those other guys! And what's more? You went out with that- that Fuji!" The guy shouted angrily at her.

Sae could not believe what she just heard. Has he gone mad? They don't even know each other. Is he one of those who you call a stalker? Why do the likes of him are always causing troubles for her?

Sae kicked the guy hard on the knee, but it seemed like it had no effect on the stranger.

"Oh? Trying to be brave, aren't we?"

The guy moved his face closer to hers. Sae turned her head to the side with eyes close.

"…elp"

"What did you say?"

"Someone, help me!"

The guy laughed at her.

"Even if you scream, no one else will-"

Sae felt the hold on her was gone. When she looked up, the guy was being held by a familiar figure.

That's all… for now.

(=^.^=)