Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or Lilting Glamour's characters.

A/N: Guys, if you've followed or favorited this story but haven't reviewed please do! I appreciate all types of feedback, and I want to know what people like so I can work with that more and try to experiment in different areas.

~xXx~

"I've fallen from grace

Took a blow to my face

I've loved and I've lost

I've loved and I've lost"

-Ellie Goulding, Explosions

~xXx~

"This is just ridiculous," Erena groaned, fisting her black and green hair. "How the hell are we supposed to beat Seigaku if we're missing three of our best players?"

Tsukiko, Yuuka, and Shun still hadn't shown up by Thursday. With only three days left before the big match, things were not looking good. Erena, who was the closest to an authoritative figure left, had grudgingly allowed herself to take charge.

Oshitari awkwardly patted her on the back, quickly shooting a glance towards the door. They were in the girls changing room, and the rest of the team would be here any second. He did not want to get caught, even if he was helping a dear friend. It was one thing to be rumored as a pervert, and then there was being a pervert.

"Have you tried talking to Sorano-san or Akechi-san?" he asked, wondering how they could have said no to her. Erena wasn't charming or sly, but when she wanted you to do something you damn well ended up doing it.

She shook her head guiltily, hanging it down so he couldn't see her face. "I've thought about it, but I haven't actually done it yet," she admitted wearily.

Oshitari raised a brow, confused yet also stern. "They're your best friends, Erena."

"No, they're my best girl friends. You're my best friend, Yuushi," she said quietly, finally looking up. Strangely though, he was now the one who couldn't look at her, examining the floor tiles ever so curiously.

According to the general population, Oshitari's best friend was Atobe, which he laughed at the mere thought of. Atobe was clearly closest with Kabaji, and Airi could probably count as a second best friend. Oshitari suspected he was the third Atobe went to, which he was perfectly fine with.

On the boys' team, he was closest to Mukahi, who was still much closer with Shishido and Jirou, his childhood friends. Oshitari was very close with Erena, but he couldn't call her his best friend, more like first confidante. He guessed his best friend was Kenya, though by now the bastard was probably closest with his pretty boy of a captain

Speaking of Kenya, actually…He coughed, shifted his weight from foot to foot. "Then why can't you go to Osaka with me?" There it was. The question he hadn't yet dared to ask finally laid bare.

Erena stared at him, full of disbelief and sorrow. "Yuushi…I just don't think it would be right," she shrugged, cracking a tired smile. "Weren't you so interested in asking out Hayashi? What happened to that?"

"Flat out rejection," he spat sarcastically, glowering through his glasses. "I would have told you earlier, had we not all been so bent out of shape over the loss of three of your best players. And speaking of which, why have you not spoken to Sorano or Akechi yet?"

She glared. "Maybe I just don't want to because I know they won't listen!" she snapped.

He hated to admit it, but Erena was probably right. Yuuka was as stubborn as she was smart, and Tsukiko was completely bent out of shape. Odds of convincing either of them were low.

Too wrapped up in his thoughts, Oshitari didn't realize the door to the changing room opening. A first year girl squealed, staring at him with wide eyes before quickly dashing out.

That, he took, was his cue to leave.

One day I need to invest in painkillers.

~xXx~

On Friday, there were still only five girls. Erena's patience was wearing thin, and the rest of the team was trying to stay positive.

"If we weren't in such a bad situation this would have been funny," Ikue sighed, leaning against the fence for support.

Chizuru nodded in agreement. "Do you really think Himura-fukubuchou was serious about quitting? She wouldn't, would she?" she asked worriedly.

Anna shrugged. "I've known Himura for six years and I've never seen her joke around." The blonde girl was braiding her ponytail behind her head, fingers slipping through flashes of gold.

Ikue chose not to mention how Shun had once quit. But that was a story for another time.

Not only was there tension among the regulars, but more among the sub regulars. They knew that five people were not enough for a lineup, meaning two of them would have to step in if Tsukiko, Yuuka, or Shun didn't come back. If anything, they were excited and hoping none of them came back, all wanting to play in the Seigaku match and perhaps more.

Ikue was disgusted by it.

"Has Erena-senpai made up her mind?" Chizuru wondered nervously, wringing her hands. "We don't have much time left."

Anna cast her a fond glance, ruffled her hair. "Have a little faith in your seniors."

That, Ikue thought wryly, was as ambiguous and vague as Anna was good looking. Who exactly did she mean by having faith in, and what faith? Erena? Or the three that had yet to show up. Or even her and Anna?

On the far court, Erena and Airi were engaged in an uneven match. As stressed and impatient as she was, Erena was still winning handily. Airi, however, had gotten better since the last time they'd played, and her drive volleys were more powerful. Kabaji was observing, every now and then giving Airi a smile that was so genuine and rare Ikue wanted to smile herself.

She wondered vaguely what it would be like to have a childhood friend. How things could have been so much easier if she'd ever had one.

~xXx~

"Yuuka?" her mother rapped smartly on the bedroom door. "Someone is here to see you."

Yuuka grimaced, rolling her eyes. "I don't fucking care," she muttered, covering her eyes with her arm. "Tell Tsuki I'm not going to apologize."

She heard an annoyed huff, which could only mean her mother was crossing her arms and glaring. "It's not her, it's Atobe-kun. Now I suggest you come out right now and talk to him."

Yuuka rolled her eyes again. Not to Tsuki, not even to you Keigo. "I'm still not going to apologize."

~xXx~

Anna wasn't too sure what she was doing here, standing in front of apartment number 416. Ikue had errands to run, saying she wouldn't be back until eleven. For some reason that had spurred Anna to come here, though she was beginning to regret her choices.

The door swung open before she even knocked, almost hitting her in the face. Shocked, she jumped back, tripping over her own feet.

A pair of green eyes widened, their owner taking a step back. "Hayashi-san? What are you doing here?" Daisuke asked curiously, offering a hand to help her up.

Embarrassed, Anna tried very hard not to notice how firm and warm the tall man's hand was. "I think I left my phone charger here," she lied.

"Oh?" Daisuke raised a brow, catching the pathetic lie. "I'm stepping out right now, but Hotaka's here so you can talk to him for a little."

Her stomach dropped. She liked Hotaka, but would much rather prefer to talk to Daisuke. He was so much more approachable and easier to talk to. This is going to be harder than I thought.

"Daisuke," a voice said, coming from behind the black haired man. Hotaka was tugging on his partner's sleeve, blue eyes as majestic as the ocean and soaring as the sky.

"Hmm?" Daisuke murmured, turning to meet his eyes. Wordlessly, they stared at each other until the taller man smiled warmly, patting his jacket pocket. "I didn't forget it this time." He pressed a kiss to the side of his temple, so gentle and intimate Hotaka closed his eyes and exhaled softly.

Suddenly feeling very intrusive, Anna shifted her gaze to the floor. This was what love was, she thought, and she had once seen something similar to this in her parents too. And then I had to ruin everything.

"Be back in a few hours," Daisuke said, squeezing Hotaka's hand gently. "I'll probably wait to pick up Ikue, actually, so don't stay up too late."

Hotaka just nodded, eyes never leaving his partner's retreating figure. Adorable, Anna thought with a smile. They're so adorable.

~xXx~

The world was vast and stars numberless, glittering beacons up higher than the sky. Dreamers were able to reach up and touch them for a single fleeting moment before they made their descent back down, back to the earth where their chains lay, so close yet so far to freedom.

Bullshit, she thought, purposefully smudging her charcoal.

The lights suddenly flickered on. "You're still here, Akamine-san?" a smooth and soft voice questioned, followed by a blue haired boy leaning against the door. "Practice ended an hour ago."

Her mouth twisted into a fierce smile, amber eyes flaring like a lioness. "Then what are you doing here, Yukimura?"

Yukimura Seiichi, for all his self-righteousness and power, only ever bent from one person. And she had graduated last year, leaving a lasting impact on him. Hana knew that much and still more.

"Ikeda and I were having a meeting, nothing more," he said simply, eyeing the sketchbook in front of her. "What were you drawing this time?"

Hana smirked, sliding it over to him. "See for yourself."

~xXx~

Of all the people to come banging on her door, Shishido Ryou was among the last. Hell, even Federer would have been less shocking, but apparently the world just liked throwing everything in her face.

If she'd known that her gruff, hardworking classmate was going to be here, she'd at least put more of an effort in her appearance. Her hair was tangled at the ends, and she was only wearing a tank top and shorts. Talk about mortifying.

Luckily, Shishido didn't seem to care or notice, as he, in typical Shishido-esque manner, avoided all bullshit and went straight to the point. "Get your act together, Sorano," he ordered, half glaring and half sympathetic. "Your team is falling apart, and they don't stand a chance against Seigaku without you."

She raised a brow. They were neighbors, had always lived in houses right next to each other since childhood. Their parents were good friends and they'd been over for dinner many a time, but Tsukiko had never gotten to know Shishido on a more personal basis. Probably because I spent all my childhood tending to someone that doesn't even care.

"Ican't go back," she shook her head desperately. "There's no way I can play doubles without Yuuka." She couldn't remember the last time she'd played singles in an official match, only that it had always been doubles with Yuuka, always.

He huffed exasperatedly. "So don't play doubles then," he pointed out as if it were clear as day. "You still have a high chance of winning in singles."

"It's not that simple, Shishido-kun!" Tsukiko cried out, striding over to her bedside table. She picked up a framed picture, threw it at him. "I've known Yuuka for fifteen years, fifteen freaking years, and apparently it means nothing to her! I've always listened to her, took care of her, protected her, and all I get in return is her wanting to end our friendship like that!"

She was screaming now, tears welling up in her eyes. Shishido doubted she'd ever screamed at someone before, and it wasn't a good feeling to be the first. He looked at the picture in his hands, one of Tsukiko and Yuuka and Erena all together.

That's it. "Then what about Fukumitsu? How do you think she's feeling?" he pointed out. Tsukiko's head snapped up like a taut bowstring. "You know how she feels about leadership roles, yet you're too caught up with Akechi to help her. What kind of a best friend are you?"

Tsukiko glared, mouth set defiantly like a child's. "Erena's the strongest person I know, I'm sure she's fine."

"She's not, though. She spends every day waiting for you and Akechi and Himura to come back, and when you don't she gets upset. How do you think she fucking feels when two of her closest friends have left her like that?" Shishido demanded, jabbing a finger at the picture. "Fukumitsu's a part of this too, isn't she? She's in this picture too, so maybe you're the one who doesn't care about your friends!"

Her face crumpled, mouth quivering from tears that would soon fall. But they didn't. Almost as if she could swallow them, her eyes were no longer watery and instead angry, flashes of blue-black that were ready to kill. "Shishido-kun, get the hell out of my house, now."

Too shocked to argue, too fed up to talk, he did just that.

~xXx~

Hotaka was not stupid.

While most people mistook his silent demeanor for idiocy, some realized that he was actually pretty damn smart. He just wasn't a people person, preferred quiet nights alone instead of out with friends.

Of course, alone meant with Daisuke. Because they were two halves to the same whole, always an irreplaceable part of each other.

Speaking of Daisuke, Hotaka really wished he were here right now. Not only was he not a people person, he also had no idea how to talk to other people, especially not tough spirited and closed off golden haired girls that were friends with his adoptive daughter.

They were sitting across from each other at the table, awkward and so terribly uncomfortable. Hotaka wasn't one to initiate conversation—or really listen to it, for that matter—so he was waiting for Hayashi Anna to get straight to the point.

At last, she cleared her throat, awkwardly not meeting his eyes. "So…Ikue never mentioned her family before I met you two…"

Hotaka frowned. Is this kid serious? I'm getting that talk?

"I can imagine why," he replied dryly, glaring down at his cup of tea. "We weren't exactly asking for your approval, though."

Hayashi shook her head hastily. "I don't have anything against it!" She protested quickly. "I was just pretty surprised, you know. Actually, when it comes to Shiina I don't really know what to think, so I get surprised at everything she does."

"Oh really." This was all old news to him.

"Yeah…but if you don't mind me asking, can you tell me about you and Okamura-san?"

He snapped his head up, glaring. What the hell?

Quickly, she corrected herself. "It's just that my own parents are divorced, and I was kind of curious to know more about Shiina. She doesn't really tell me anything, and it kind of got me wondering."

Hotaka frowned. Oh whatever. "Fine. What do you want to know?"

Daisuke and Ikue wouldn't be home for quite a while, so he might as well find a way to pass the time.

~xXx~

Suzuki Takara: Hey. You're playing Seigaku on Sunday right?

Himura Shun: Not me.

Suzuki Takara: Wait what?!

Himura Shun: I am so fucking done with tennis.

Suzuki Takara: Okay, first of all tell me what happened.

Himura Shun: Akechi snapped, Sorano snapped, I snapped. Nothing else.

Suzuki Takara: Sorano Tsukiko, the Hyotei captain famous for her sweetness and pretty voice, snapped? Yeah right.

Himura Shun: …you wanted the story and there it is. Take it or leave it.

Suzuki Takara: Sheesh, calm down. Anyway, I think you're the only one who snapped.

Himura Shun: What the hell are you implying?

Suzuki Takara: That you've got a bigger temper than the rest of them—even that Akechi Yuuka. Also, you need to pull your head out of your ass.

Himura Shun: Haven't I been told that enough.

Suzuki Takara: Whatever, Shun. But have you ever considered letting loose a little and not being so tightly wound all the time?

Himura Shun: I have no idea what you're talking about.

Suzuki Takara: Do I have to spell this out for you? Just fucking face the fact that you don't want to quit and you're just butthurt about something stupid.

Himura Shun: …

Himura Shun: You're just like everyone else, and I can't believe I thought you were different.

~xXx~

"Oh," Yukimura stuck his head back in. "Suzuki-chan mentioned you took something of hers earlier that she needs back?"

Hana just smiled as she took a phone out of her pocket.

~xXx~

Strangely, Anna found herself enjoying talking to Hotaka. While taciturn and reserved at first, he slowly began to open up and tell her details about his life with Daisuke, how they'd been best friends their whole lives and couldn't even remember how they'd met because they'd always been in each other's lives. Everyone back in their small town called them a married couple, not out of spite or mockery but because they all knew before Daisuke and Hotaka did themselves.

"When did Shiina come along?" Anna asked, glancing at the wall. There were many framed pictures hanging there, some individual but most of them featuring all three. She didn't think she'd ever seen Ikue smile like that before, like she could give you promises from the sun if you smiled back. "Did one of you have her, or was she adopted?"

Hotaka frowned, and suddenly she realized just how personal that question was. Ducking her head in shame, she hastily apologized. "I'm sorry, Koike-san, that just slipped out. I didn't mean to be so rude."

He shrugged, frown gone to her relief. His blonde hair fell into his eyes a little, and for some reason it made her think he was trying to hide from the world when he did that. You shouldn't hide, Koike-san. You've got two people that love you more than anything.

"We were good friends with Ikue's mom, and she got pregnant senior year," Hotaka said without meeting her eyes. "Her parents made her move out to a relative's place, but Daisuke still kept in contact."

"The university we chose was pretty close to where she lived, so we'd go and visit her sometimes. Then one day, when we were almost done with college, she asked if we could take care of her daughter for her because she couldn't anymore. Ikue was five by then. Daisuke, being himself, of course agreed, and I didn't object to it either. We only saw her a couple times after that, and then she changed her phone number and moved somewhere without telling us."

Now it was Anna's turn to frown. Something about this story rang true to her own family, and suddenly she didn't want to hear the rest of it.

Hotaka spoke impassively, yet she thought that if his hair weren't blocking them his eyes would be pained. "Maybe that would have been okay, but Ikue was only five and even though she was used to us she wanted her mom. It was hard for her for the first few years, but eventually she settled down. She hasn't asked about her mom ever since."

"Is that where her surname's from? Her mom?" she couldn't help but ask.

He nodded. "Shiina Mayu."

~xXx~

"So you still don't have a date?"

Yuushi ground his teeth. He could hear the smirk in his bastard of a cousin's voice. "I said, I haven't asked all my options yet," he muttered through gritted teeth.

Kenya laughed on the other line, howling laughter that probably included his head being thrown back and hand on his stomach. "So much for being a ladies' man," he snorted. "Even Shouta's got a date, but you still don't!"

Very carefully counting to ten, Yuushi exhaled. "And how exactly did Chiho-nee react when she found out you were bringing your friends to her wedding?"

"She didn't mind, actually," Kenya mused. "And it's just Shiraishi and Zaizen and their dates, which by the way you still need."

"Shut up."

Kenya laughed again, then paused thoughtfully. "You know, I could always ask Nakagawa-chan if she'd be willing to go with you."

"Who?" Yuushi wasn't too fond of the idea of going to his cousin's wedding with his other cousin's girlfriend's teammate, but this might just have to do.

"Nakagawa Seika-chan, she's the captain of the girls' team. Kind of short, but she's pretty. Think you'll give her a try?"

Suddenly, Yuushi had another call on the line. "Sorry Kenya, give me a second," he apologized, blinking in surprise at the new name on the screen. Why would she be calling me?

"Hello?"

"Hey, Oshitari. Listen, I think we can make a deal."

~xXx~

Sometimes, life was just too hard.

She found herself here a lot, sitting on the grassy hill next to a highway. This was the only place in Tokyo where the stars seemed real enough to her, like she could reach out and feel it kiss her palm if she tried. But she didn't.

Hugging her knees to her chest, she wished she'd brought a sweater. The tan blazer was stylish and comfortable, but it didn't do well to preserve heat. And early spring nights were still so cold.

Or maybe they weren't that cold. Maybe she just too frozen to feel the warmth.

She heard a car coming to stop just off the highway, heard the door open and footsteps walk their way over. "I figured you'd be here," he sighed, except she knew he was smiling that smile that could thaw her just a little. "Come on, let's go home. It's too cold for you to be out this late."

He offered her a hand, which she gladly took. "Thanks, Daisuke."

"Mm."

As she sat in the passenger seat on the way home, she couldn't help but notice how the stars didn't seem so real anymore. Everything fades away with time. And so will I.

~xXx~

Saturday practices were two hours longer than normal practice, which Erena sometimes couldn't stand. Some days she just wanted to stroll around the streets of Tokyo somewhere and take pictures, or just go home and sleep.

Today was one of those days then, she thought wryly.

"Erena?"

That voice. She knew that voice so well after years of being friends. Has she really…?

She looked up. Eden eyes met hers, and someone she'd always been taller than but had never thought of as small suddenly seemed so tiny, like she was trying to shrink back and hide. Erena didn't think she liked this version of her, but for now that didn't matter. She's actually come back.

Without a word, she reached over and hugged Yuuka to her, eyes brimming with tears of relief.

And she might have heard Yuuka cry too, but maybe it was just her.

~xXx~

End

~xXx~

A/N: Well this chapter was just all over the place…yeah, I don't really know what to say.

Sorry if that was kind of a handful. The last part doesn't really make sense, but there's a reason why Yuuka came back first and not Tsukiko or Shun.

Anyway, all reviews/feedback are appreciated! I put off introducing the Seigaku girls yet again (ugh, I'm such an idiot), but I swear they will appear next chapter!

Love, Cara