AN: So thanks for all the reviews!
Sigh… Another late update… My apologies!
Enjoy!
-Coco
…
Chapter 11: The Beginning of the End
Rikkai was in a buzz. In a week, the tennis team would be going to Nationals for their third consecutive win. Yukimura couldn't be happier with how things were turning out.
Their practice match with Shitenhouji had been successful. They hadn't lost, but the game had gone until Singles 2.
"'Yukimura-sama, we made you some food to wish you luck with your training.'" Niou read. There was a meal; no it was more like a feast, on Yukimura's desk, courtesy of his obsessive fanclub. "Has Emily seen this?"
"No. It'll be gone in a little while though," Yukimura answered calmly.
"She's going to freak out if she sees it.'
"She'll understand."
"Who'll understand?" Emily asked, walking to stand beside Yukimura.
"Hey, Em-chan, what's up?" Niou greeted.
She pouted. "Don't call Em-chan!"
"Has Yukimura told you about the gifts his fangirls gave him?" Niou smirked.
Emily's eyes narrowed. "No. He didn't mention it. Niou-kun, do you think you could give us a moment?" she asked. Her voice was deadly calm.
Niou nodded and walked out of the room.
…
"How have you been?"
"School's a bit boring, but other than that I'm fine," Emily answered.
"That's not what I meant," Shiraishi replied, frowning.
Emily sighed. "I know what you meant, and my answer hasn't changed."
"When are you going to tell him?"
"I… He's busy with Nationals. I wouldn't want to distract him."
"He won't care."
"Yes he would."
"Then he's not a good boyfriend," Shiraishi said firmly.
She rolled her eyes. "I guess it's not that he'd care, but I would. I don't want to mess him up because he's really excited for Nationals."
"What's your point?"
"Well, you know… I don't want him to go into the courts feeling guilty."
"I bet he'd want to know."
"Doesn't matter, he's not going to find out."
"Emily," he replied seriously, "if you don't tell him, I will."
Emily's eyes narrowed. He wouldn't, would he? "Don't you dare," she answered acidly.
"You need to tell him. It's his right to know!"
"No! He'll get upset."
"So you'd rather suffer in silence?" Shiraishi yelled back.
She glared at him. "If it means sparing him, then yes!"
Shiraishi frowned. After a moment of thought, he slumped down. "Fine, you win. However, let's say he finds out. What will you do then?"
"Won't happen," she shot back automatically.
"Let's be theoretical."
"Let's be rational."
"Just humor me."
"Well, I suppose if that happened I'll just make up some excuse as to why I didn't tell him."
"You think that'll work?" he questioned.
She shrugged. "We'll burn that bridge if we come to it."
Shiraishi's brow furrowed. "You mean cross?"
"Nope, if it happens, we'll be crossing the point of no return."
…
Flashback
Yukimura was in his room pacing when Sanada knocked.
"Yukimura, are you sure you're alright?" Sanada had asked.
"Yes, I'm fine, Sanada. Why do you ask?"
"You've… seemed… out of sorts this morning. Has something happened?"
"No."
"Have you and Emily gotten into a fight?"
Yukimura raised an eyebrow. "Why would you ask that?"
"Well," Sanada started cautiously, "Niou mentioned that she saw the things your fangirls gave you."
"And…?"
"It's just that I know that Emily has a tendency to get overly jealous."
"I see…" Yukimura smiled. "Well, I'm touched by your concern, but it just so happens that everything is fine between us."
"Really?" questioned Sanada skeptically.
"Yes."
"Then why were you pacing when I got here?"
Yukimura's smile faltered for a second. "I… I was trying to think up a line up for Nationals. Something we haven't done before. Maybe like putting Niou in singles or having Yanagi play doubles. Especially for when we go against Seigaku in the Finals, we'll want to do something they won't expect. I want us to go out with a bang."
"You seem sure that we'll be playing Seigaku."
"Have you any doubt about it?"
"What about the team we played last year at Finals? Don't you think they'll make it?"
"Seigaku has gotten stronger. We must be prepared for anything."
"… I see…," Sanada said hesitantly.
"However, we shall not lose to them again. If I must, I will play their rookie and beat him. Rikkai will win," Yukimura replied determinedly.
Sanada could only nod in agreement.
End Flashback
"Regulars, line up!" Sanada shouted.
"Well," Yukimura started, after the Regulars came, "with a week left before Nationals, we are going on a short trip. We'll only be gone for four days and we'll be having some intense training."
"Yukimura-buchou?"
"Yes, Yagyuu?" Yukimura smiled.
"What about school?"
"I've already discussed this matter with the principal and he assured me that the teachers would be okay with this."
Yagyuu nodded satisfied.
"What should we bring?" Jackal questioned.
"You should bring the usual things that you would need if you were going to spend the night at someone's house," Yanagi answered.
"Where are we going?" Niou asked.
"The woods," Sanada replied simply.
"I don't want to go camping!" Akaya whined.
"Akaya," Yukimura said gently, "we are going camping, but we're training in the woods."
"Mura-buchou?"
"Yes?"
"Not trying to be nosy or anything," Marui said, "but have you talked to Em-chan about this?"
Yukimura's brow furrowed. "No, why?"
"Seiichi, you barely even see her anymore," Yanagi stated.
"I'm sure she'll understand. She knows Nationals are coming up."
"Just because she understands doesn't mean she happy with it," Niou shot back.
Yukimura couldn't respond.
…
"Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up. It could stay this simple. I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart. No one will desert you. Just try to never grow up. Never grow up," Emily sang. She had the volume on her iPod turned all the way up.
Her phone vibrated on her bed. Caller ID said that Yukimura was calling.
"Hey," she said, turning her iPod off.
"Hello, Emily. Do you think that we could meet somewhere to talk?"
"Sure. When and where?"
"How about in ten minutes at the park?"
"Perfect, I'll be there."
Once she hung up, she grabbed her jacket and walked out the door. When she got to the park, Yukimura was already there. "What's up?"
"The regulars and I are leaving for training camp for a few days."
Emily narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists. "What?"
…
Yukimura ran over what he was going to say a million times. But, when the time finally came, he just let it out.
"The regulars and I are leaving for training camp for a few days."
"What?"
An idiot would have been able to tell she was pissed off. "We need to train harder. Nationals are coming up."
"So?"
"It's a big deal for us."
"I don't care! That's been your excuse for everything lately! I barely even get to see you anymore!"
"Emily, please calm down," he asked gently.
"Shut up."
"Look, I'll find a way to make it up to you."
"What's the point?"
"What do you mean?"
"Are we even dating anymore? We never go out anymore, although, it's not like we ever did. I'm lucky if I get to see you at all because you're either at practice or surrounded by your rabid fans."
Yukimura smiled at her gently. "I'm sorry. I've just been really busy."
"As if that means anything, Seiichi. Shiraishi is just as busy as you – if not busier – and he makes it an effort to call or text me every day."
Yukimura's eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained the same. "What are you trying to say?"
"I don't think this is working out." Emily turned away.
"Give me one more chance."
Emily sighed. "After the training camp, I want one day. One day where it's just me and you. No tennis at all."
"Okay." Yukimura smiled. It wouldn't be that hard.
"Promise?"
"I promise." He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her gently on the lips.
Let's face it. What could possibly go wrong?
…
AN: So what did you think?
I'm really sorry about all the OOCness with Yukimura, but it's really hard because practically none of them are shown in a relationship!
Review!
