Chapter Twelve: Drained

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis.
I apologize for all/any bad language.


"How is she still moving?"

I ran as fast as my body would take me, chasing after the second years as though my life depended on it. Rip!

I'll honestly admit that I thoroughly enjoyed tormenting my Kouhai.
"Let's go Jackal-san." I gave Jackal a high-five, and we set off for the next pair at warp speed.

I'm not going to say that it was easy. That'd be a stupid lie.
Seriously though, I'm amazed that me and Jackal didn't collapse. Though, Jackal isn't human, so it's understandable. Even now, I'm can't comprehend how I didn't pass out.

We finally got onto our second lap, and we finally reached the front. Last ones! The thought made me almost jump for joy. No literally though, I didn't have the energy for that.

Rip went their stickers.

"Jackal-san, I did it!" I fist pumped the air.

However, without the adrenaline running through my body, I felt empty. Jackal ran off somewhere, saying that I should go on ahead.

Running without anyone next to you is rather lonely. All I could think of was how tired I was.

Several minutes later, a hat was put on my head, and Jackal was by my side again. I touched the hat, sure that I had seen it somewhere before. "That's Sanada-fukubuchou's hat. Buchou says 'Well done.'"

I smiled at Sana-chan's hat. "Did he actually say that?"

"He nodded at me, so I presume that's what he was trying to say."

We set off, now aiming to get back as soon as possible.

"Jackal-san, let's have a race for who can come in first, shall we?"


"I think I'm dead." I laid on a bench, drinking water as though I'd die without it. "Am I dead? I'm pretty sure that I am."

"You're not dead. Congratulations, Akiza-chan, you pulled all the stickers off." Yukimura sounded serious, like always, especially when it came to tennis.

"Yeah, but I lost my wager with Jackal-san. It was slightly impossible though."

I closed my eyes, my ego inflating. I did it. I actually did it!

I'm sure that if I had the energy, I would've done a victory dance. Instead, I lay there, on the bench, waiting till the nauseous feeling went away.

"As promised, there will be some cookies and sheet music. I did say there was a 70.65% chance that you had an affinity for this. I think you've proved my data right."

"You look like something from a horror movie, Kurani-sempai." Akaya chipped in.

"Thanks." I didn't have the energy to be sarcastic, nor did I have the energy to brutally murder someone. Shame, I know.


"Are you sure that you're okay, Akiza-chan?" Yukimura called.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just give me a sec to change out of these clothes. I'll be in my room, won't be long."
"Congrats on not passing out, even without the sunglasses." Yukimura shouted from the staircase.

I laughed slightly. "Thanks. Shame though, Jackal looked so good in those sunglasses. I promised that I'd get him another pair. Still feeling guilty towards your fangirls?"

Top… Ooh a top! Now trousers… I fumbled around in my wardrobe. Why do I have so many clothes?

"Not really. Are you done yet?"

I wondered out from my room, walking downstairs. Yukimura walked with me and we went to the kitchen.

"Thanks" He politely said, holding the tea I served in his hands. "Are you sure that you're okay?"

"I'm fine already." I smiled. "Sure you're okay?"

"I'm good. Actually, I've always wondered, with a house like this, do you have a garden?"


"What happened to this place?" Yukimura said, surprised.

That was the first time actually, that I had seen such a look on his face.

I looked out, and sighed. "Since I used to live alone, I never felt the need to keep it tidy. Auntie said that just cutting the grass would be enough but… I forgot."

Yukimura looked angry. "It looks more like a swamp than a garden." Scanning the garden, Yukimura sighed. "Can't you garden?" I shook my head vigorously. "Then it can't be helped. Mind if I give you a hand with it? There's someone I know from another school who likes gardening, we could get them to help."

"Why would they want to help?" I asked, sitting down.

"I don't think anyone would want to leave something in this state."

I laughed, but then realized how much hard work it would take. "I get it, the garden's a pig sty. Let's go get something to eat. You're paying."


Several days past, and then, out of nowhere, Yukimura said that his friend had arrived.

I waited at the garden on the rooftop, where the gardening club usually look after the various plants.

"Ahhh… Ecstasy!" Someone said.

Who said that? I bet they're ever so slightly crazy for saying something like that. And if they're here at Rikkai Dai, they'll have to be insane. I think everyone here is. Well- either threatening or crazy, or both I thought to myself. "This is Kurani Akiza, Akiza-chan, this is Shiraishi Kuranosuke, captain of Shitenhoji." Yukimura introduced.

"Nice to meet you." I smiled, my bangs blown in the gentle breeze.

"Same here." Shiraishi replied. "I really love the garden here. So many flowers. This is Kiiroibara*, right? It means jealousy."

I sighed, not understanding what they were saying. Yes, I'm fluent in Japanese, but please understand that I'm still English, and so I call flowers by their English names. I know absolutely nothing about Hanakotoba*.

Sighing again, I went to go get myself a drink. "Want anything, I'm going to get a drink."

"Water, please." Was Yukimura's response.

"I'm fine, thanks, Kurani-san."

"How long are you going to take?" I asked, whilst reading a study book. Though I said that, the calm atmosphere was enough to sooth my qualms. "Shiraishi-san, is it?" I thought aloud. "Shiriuki? No, Shukaku? Shitsuji…"

I heard laughing. "It's Shiraishi."

"So I right the first time? Anyway we need your help. You see, um, my garden gives off an ominous aura. Kind of like a forbidden land… or a swamp, depending on the perspective."

"Shall we get going then?"


Sorry if there's anything that's not accurate here. If there is, don't be afraid to point it out.

Improvements are welcome. A huge thanks to everyone who's favourited and follows this story, it really makes me happy.

*Kiiroibara = Yellow Rose

*Hanakotoba is the Japanese form of the language of flowers. In this practice plants were given codes and passwords.