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

A/N: Okay, so I'd love to give a shout out to the girl from back then, who has so nicely reviewed almost every chapter of this story and oh my god she's such a good writer go look at her story "Falling Up" NOW. I mean it. Don't even read this chapter, just go to hers first, because she has the most beautiful metaphors and characters, okay? Go! And once you're done, feel free to read this new chapter :)

~xXx~

"Even the best fall down sometimes

Even the stars refuse to shine

Out of the back you fall in time

I somehow find

You and I collide."

—Howie Day, Collide

~xXx~

"What the hell is that, Yoshida? Fix that god awful continental grip before going for a smash, and maybe you'll get the next one in!"

"Seriously Hayashi, is that supposed to be a backhand? Use one hand if you want, but you have to use your extended reach to your advantage!"

"Again, Erena! Your footwork was too sloppy!"

"Ten suicides, now!"

"Well," Chizuru panted after finishing the suicides. She was one of the better farers, her track skills giving her an advantage even if it was off-season. "Akechi-senpai's really back, isn't she?"

Ikue swore a decent length of profanities, wayward golden-brown hair sticking to her face. "For better or worse though, that's the real question," she muttered through her teeth. Still, she knew it was only positive news that Yuuka had come back. Their chance of beating Seigaku depended on it.

Chizuru looked around nervously. "Shiina-senpai, what do you think Erena-senpai and Akechi-senpai are going to do with the lineup?"

"I don't know." If she had to guess though, Erena would probably be Singles 1, Yuuka 2, Airi 3, and some weird combination for doubles. That would be the most strategic approach, but she didn't know how effective it would be against a team like Seigaku, who was definitely not weak. Who knew what Yuuka the tactician was going to do.

The mastermind herself was eyeing the team—or what was left of it—critically, like she was analyzing them on the spot. Finally she nodded. "That's enough for today."

"Oh thank god," Airi breathed out in relief. Out of all of them, she was in the most desperate need for stamina improvement and had considered asking to sit down several times during training.

Yuuka caught her by her jersey collar. "Not you, Yoshida. You need some special training before I'm letting you leave."

"What?!"

~xXx~

Hayashi Anna: Meet me at the park in half an hour?

Oshitari Yuushi: For what?

Hayashi Anna: To discuss the deal I mentioned last night.

Oshitari Yuushi: I get the feeling that I'm about to regret my life choices.

Hayashi Anna: But you'll never know for sure, will you, unless you go?

Oshitari Yuushi: Fair enough.

~xXx~

"So," Yuuka said as she stirred her black coffee. "What's the lineup for tomorrow?"

Across from her, Erena looked away. "I haven't decided."

Yuuka paused, raised a brow as she gave her a strange look. "You were waiting for us," she stated, all knowing because Yuuka always knew more than you did. "You didn't want to form an official lineup because you were waiting for the three of us to come back."

"And I'm still waiting for Tsukiko and Himura, except I don't think they'll come back," the taller girl replied, staring down at her mug of tea.

Yuuka's green eyes flashed, though whether it was out of sympathy or something else Erena did not know. "Tsuki will come back," she said quietly. "She's our captain, she needs to come back."

"Yeah." Honestly, she was surprised Tsukiko hadn't already come back. Wherever Yuuka went Tsukiko carefully followed, making sure the mastermind didn't get in trouble or cause any. That was the way it had always been, ever since kindergarten.

But Erena didn't know if that was the way things were now.

"Yuuka…I think you might have to play singles," she said quietly, carefully watching her friend's facial expressions. "I don't think Himura's going to come back in time, and Tsukiko might not either…" And even if she does I don't know if she'll want to play doubles with you.

The eden eyed girl just slouched back in her chair, nodded dejectedly. "I understand."

They sat there for a while longer, no words spoken but thoughts far too loud.

~xXx~

"You're crazy," Oshitari said in disbelief. "What on earth are you trying to do?"

Anna sighed, tried again. "I'm just trying to help Shiina! What's so hard to understand?"

"What's so hard to understand is that you want me to do something illegal and it might be a fruitless search!"

"Do you want a date or not?"

Damn. That girl was right.

He ran a hand through his hair, took his glasses off to rub at his eyes. "Listen, Anna-chan…why does this mean so much to you? You haven't even been friends with Shiina Ikue for that long."

"It means a lot," she said evenly, voice growing stronger with each word. "Because I don't think Shiina's happy, and she should be because she has a great family."

"And what if you end up breaking apart her family?"

Clearly she hadn't thought of that, because she recoiled slightly, hazel eyes showing worry. Then she shook her head and forged on. "Then we'll just have to hope that it doesn't."

He didn't like how she said we, like they were partners in crime, accomplices about to do something illegal. Which they technically were, but he chose not to dwell on that.

But he did need a date, or else he'd have to suffer through Kenya's teasing for all eternity. And all they had to do was not get caught, it shouldn't be that hard (lie).

"Alright then. You're coming with me to a wedding, and I'm going to risk my future to help you do something crazy. We've got a deal." I am definitely going to regret this.

~xXx~

The projector turned on with aclick. Inui surveyed the sight before him, his eight male teammates and seven girls. "Which team shall we begin with? Hyotei boys or girls?" he asked neutrally, flipping through the pages of his databook.

Momoshiro, always the first to speak up, shrugged. "Boys, I guess, since we could probably go through them quicker."

"Alright," Inui nodded, placing his databook on the projector. An image of the whole boys' team appeared with their data scribbled underneath. "Through my predictions, there is an eight-four percent chance of Hiyoshi and Ootori playing Doubles 2, Mukahi and Kabaji in 1, Shishido in Singles 3, Oshitari in 2, and Atobe in 1. Any objections?" There were none, so he continued. "That's why our lineup shall be Momoshiro-Kaidoh and Kikumaru-Oishi in doubles, then Fuji, Echizen, and Tezuka for singles. Any objections?" Once again, there were none.

Inui nodded in satisfaction, taking a small stack of pictures out. The girls all leaned forward in anticipation, eager for information about their upcoming opponents. Akiyoshi Hazuki, their captain, was the only one that looked calm and composed, a perfect poker face hiding all emotion. Unlike the boys' team, most of the Hyotei girls were different from the middle school team.

He placed the first picture on the projector. A girl with red hair was in the middle of serving, jumping up as her racquet made contact with the ball. "Sorano Tsukiko, captain. Right handed all rounder, with a vicious forehand. High stamina too, so don't get caught trying to drain her out and end up being the tired one."

Inui changed pictures, replacing Sorano's with one of a dark haired girl. Her mouth was in a neutral line though her yellow-brown eyes were impatient as she stood at the baseline. "Vice captain Himura Shun is a force to be reckoned with. A right-handed counterpuncher, but she has also been known to take the attack. Very fast, but her stamina is average. You'll need a good plan, but as long as you're careful you could beat her."

Matsumoto Tsubaki, a stocky girl with pale hair and paler eyes spoke up. "Why aren't you telling us where they'll be in the lineup?" she pointed out confusedly.

He just smiled. "There have been reports that the team is having some…trouble. With the ninety-five percent chance of the rumors being true, it would be best to be well informed on everyone."

"Now," he continued, switching the picture. "Let's move on to Hayashi Anna, third year. A left-handed aggressive baseliner, she doesn't hesitate to go for the kill. If you gain an early lead on her, do not let your guard down. She has been known for her ability to pull herself out of bad situations."

"So what's her weakness then?" Tsubaki interrupted, always the impatient one.

"Ah," he nodded, tapping on the picture. The golden haired girl was at the net, about to hit a volley. "She has a tendency to hit swinging volleys, and there is a twenty percent chance of her hitting them out. Lure her up to net, but never give her the chance to hit an overhead."

Hayashi's picture was swapped with one of a short girl with pale brown hair and dark eyes, a wide smile on her face as she hit a forehand. "Their new second year transfer, Yoshida Airi, has the opposite problem. She is a right-handed serve and volleyer from London. Her specialty is her drive volleys, and they always go in. Has a solid forehand too, though she has a considerably weaker backhand."

Sole second year Otaka Ami raised her hand in hesitation, uncertainty written all over her round face. "Um, excuse me Inui-senpai, but how accurate is this data? You've only been able to gather data from three matches," she pointed out.

Hazuki, the devil she was, smirked as Inui's brow twitched. "Yes, Inui, just how sure are you about this data?" The boys' side snickered, even Echizen smirking as he lowered his cap over his face. Tezuka shot them a reprimanding glare.

"Sixty-one point four percent," he admitted sheepishly. Clearing his throat, he added, "But since this is a very strong team you're up against, I thought the lower percentage could be pardoned."

"Whatever," Mayuzumi Ayuka, the girls' vice captain interrupted gently, flashing a sweet smile. "Partially accurate data is better than no data at all, so just let Inui-san continue."

He shot her a grateful look as he pulled up the next picture. A girl with golden-brown hair stood very close to the camera, close enough that they could see the color of her violet eyes. She had her arm extended for a smash, gaze completely focused. "Shiina Ikue, third year. Right-handed counterpuncher, she rarely comes up to the net unless it's because of a drop shot. Utilizes quite a lot of spin and slice however, and diffuses powerful shots with relative ease. She'll most likely be in doubles, though singles is a high possibility as well."

"Kataoka Chizuru is their other second year." Kataoka had auburn hair and tired rose colored eyes, caught midstride on the service line. "Like Himura, she's fast. Her play is quite ordinary, with no noticeable weaknesses and no noticeable strengths. However, she is still solid in all the basics and is very patient."

Inui paused after taking Kataoka's picture off, glancing down at the last two pictures. He placed one of somebody that everyone recognized, with her purple and pink hair and trademark smirk and gleaming eyes. They had all seen her before, in the headlines with Atobe Keigo. "Akechi Yuuka, third year. She is a left-handed all rounder with no noticeable weaknesses. Incredibly smart, she outfoxes her cleverest opponents by miles. The only way to beat this girl is to be better, to have a better forehand and backhand and volleys and everything else. Her smash is vicious, so never bring her up to net."

Hazuki in the back grimaced slightly.

Finally, he showed the last picture of a very tall girl with pixie cut black hair and a green streaked fringe. "And we end with Fukumitsu Erena, Hyotei's top female seed. She has been undefeated ever since she took the Singles 1 slot back in middle school, and she does this all with one arm," he pointed to the brace on her left arm, black and standing out from her delicate looking frame.

"Unfortunately, we have no idea what their lineup is going to be. Sorano and Akechi are usually Doubles 1, but the rumors say that Sorano has not come to practice for days. Himura is Singles 2, but she hasn't been showing up either. The only position we know for sure is Fukumitsu Erena in Singles 1, but besides that we can only guess."

Hazuki's doubles partner, Furuya Risae, a blonde third year with brown eyes the color of teakwood turned to her. "What do you think, Zuki-chan?" she asked.

Hazuki tapped a finger on her chin, deep in thought. "They're going to put Shiina or Hayashi in Doubles 2 with a sub regular, and the two second years will be 1. Then Akechi's playing Singles 2, and the one that doesn't play Doubles 2 will be Singles 3," she decided. "Assuming, of course, that Sorano and Himura don't show up," she added with a shrug that suggested she doubted they would.

Inui nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a reasonable lineup, though Hyotei has always given us some of the biggest surprises."

"We'll be keeping our standard lineup though," Hazuki continued, standing up and looking at her team. "Worst comes to worst Ayuka will have to go against Fukumitsu, but winning doubles should be easy. Yoshida and Kataoka were a mess in districts, and having a sub regular play is risky. It's just a matter of which singles match we can take after that."

~xXx~

Atobe only allowed a select few to be in his room. Those few included his parents, the maid, and of course, Kabaji and Airi.

The three of them were in there now, watching some new blockbuster action movie. None of them had bothered checking the reviews, but they didn't need to. The movie was terrible, with C at best actors and a ridiculously cheesy plotline. They watched anyway, too lazy to switch now.

Airi sat on the floor, hugging a pillow to her chest as she leaned against Kabaji. She was starting to doze off, and he could hardly blame her. Kabaji himself couldn't remember what was going on, which meant the easily bored Airi definitely couldn't.

Atobe had abandoned watching halfway through, picking up a German book and reading it while only listening to the movie. Kabaji really didn't understand how he did that, but he didn't ask either.

When it was finally over—ending with a cheesy kiss from the protagonist and his lover—, Atobe glanced over at them. "Would either of you like some food?" he asked, getting up and stretching out his back.

At the mere mention of food, Airi jolted upright, staring at him with pleading eyes. How she could make black eyes look so innocent, nobody would ever understand.

Atobe sighed out of half-exasperation and half-amusement as he ruffled her hair. "I'll go tell the cooks," he said, exiting the room.

After he had gone, Kabaji turned to Airi. "Have you spoken to Kataoka-san recently?" He asked quietly, thinking back to how Chizuru had been close to tears when Airi had embarrassed her in front of Hamaguchi Etsu.

She looked up in confusion. "What do you mean? Of course I talk to Zuru every day," she replied, tilting her head.

"But has she seemed upset since…Tuesday?" Since you quite possibly lowered her reputation by embarrassing her like that.

"No?" Airi was still confused, clearly not getting his point. "Why would she be upset?"

He was about to respond, but then he remembered Chizuru's sad eyes and trembling hands and decided not to. If she really wanted to be friends with Airi, they'd have to work this out by themselves, without Kabaji meddling. "Nothing," he said instead, giving her a small, reassuring smile. "Maybe she was just tired."

~xXx~

"I'm heading out," Anna called, dressed in her blue-gray and white tennis uniform. Excited and quite a bit nervous, she was ready to face Seigaku.

Right as she was about to open the door, however, her father appeared. Hayashi Masato, in his forty-second year but could pass for thirty-five, stopped her. "Anna," he called. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

She glanced at the clock. There was more than enough time for her to get to the courts, damn it. She really did not want to talk to him right now. "What?"

He ran a hand through his hair—the same golden shade as hers. "I know you haven't really talked to her much, but I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking about proposing to Yuzuki." Masato waited expectantly, carefully gauging her reaction.

"So what?" Anna snapped, turning her back to him. "Why should I care?"

The door slammed behind her, and she didn't look back once. Didn't care very much, either.

At least, that's what she tried telling herself.

~xXx~

She tried to mask how badly her hands were shaking, but she knew it didn't work. The paper in her hand was not enough to hide it, and everybody could see but no one chose to comment.

Erena glanced at the clock nervously. Ten minutes before registration closes. Come on Tsuki, come on Himura, hurry up.

"Fukumitsu," a voice said, not Oshitari and not one of the girls. She looked over to see Atobe, still holding his own registration form. His brow was furrowed in worry, or was that confusion? "Have you seen Shishido?"

Shishido? "No, I haven't," she shook her head. "It's not like him to be late though."

Atobe ran a hand through his brown hair, a frown on his face. "Are you still waiting on Sorano and Himura?" Was that concern in his tone? She couldn't tell, couldn't read him nearly as well as Yuuka could.

Speaking of Yuuka, actually, Erena didn't know how she would react if Tsukiko didn't show up. While she excelled at singles perhaps more than she did at doubles, Yuuka hadn't played singles in an official match since middle school, and she might have to today.

"Atobe-san…were you the one that convinced Yuuka to come back?"

His blue eyes narrowed slightly in an expression she couldn't define or read. "She wouldn't once let me talk to her," he shook his head, voice bitter. "I went to her house several times but she refused to see me. So it definitely wasn't me."

Atobe studied the paper he was holding. It occurred to Erena that although he looked slightly worn down and was shorter than her, he was still superior and powerful, radiating confidence and self-righteousness.

"When it comes to Yuuka-chan though…I don't think any outsider could or can convince her. She's always made her decisions by herself."

~xXx~

"Can you believe it? Hyotei's missing their captain and vice captain," Tsubaki grinned, jerking her thumb towards the crowd of girls wearing blue-gray and white. "We've got this in the bag."

Takahashi Kotone, a senior who looked far more like a model than an athlete, did not look convinced. "It's still Hyotei though," she reminded, crossing her arms. "We can't just let our guards down yet."

Tsubaki waved it off. "You sound like Tezuka when you say that."

Ignoring their squabbling, Ayuka and Risae turned to Hazuki. "Thoughts, Zuki-chan?" Risae asked, twirling her blonde hair around her finger.

The captain merely glanced over at the Hyotei team. The tall one, Fukumitsu was talking to the famous Atobe while everyone else appeared to be waiting. All except Akechi Yuuka, whose head of pink and purple hair stood out in any crowd.

"There might be some truth in Tsubaki's words," was all she said, looking down at their own lineup. They hadn't submitted it either, deciding to wait for the boys.

"Don't you dare," Ayuka the vice captain warned, eyes cautious. "You look like you're about to propose something crazy, and I don't think we can do anything crazy against Hyotei."

Hazuki tilted her head, smiling. "It's not crazy if it works, Ayuka."

~xXx~

He charged in like a storm he was, brash and powerful and earthshaking. She didn't quite know why he was here or why he still cared so much, but perhaps it was all for the better.

"Get changed, Sorano," he barked, jerking his chin towards her bag. "You've got a match today."

There were so many reasons why she could have said no, so many excuses she could have made. But she didn't, because there was something in his brown eyes that told her otherwise. They—he—wouldn't take any bullshit.

He's actually trying to convince me again? He still thinks I'm worth it?

Dimly, she was aware that this probably had something to do with him wanting to defend Hyotei's reputation, but she didn't care. She was still worth it, she just had to believe it.

And then he grabbed her wrist and began running, all the way to the tennis courts where she threw herself into Erena's hug. She thought, all the while, that all storms should come in the form of Shishido Ryou.

~xXx~

"The match between Hyotei Academy and Seishun Academy is about to begin. Players, please shake hands."

Interesting, Hazuki thought, so very interesting.

Next to her, Tsubaki hissed. "I can't believe Sorano actually came back," she muttered darkly, ignoring the golden haired senior whose hand she was shaking. "And in singles, nonetheless."

Hazuki shrugged, keeping eye contact with Shiina Ikue. "We'll just have to make do."

Shiina, she noticed with satisfaction, tightened her jaw and gripped her hand harder, like she was trying to stop the blood from flowing. "Akiyoshi Hazuki, right?" she said steadily, voice a little deeper than Hazuki had expected. "You might want to take us seriously."

"Do I, though?" the Seigaku captain asked mildly. "Honestly, I'd been hoping for Sorano and Akechi, not some last second combination." She cast a look at the auburn haired second year standing across from Risae. "I'm kind of disappointed."

"Your mistake then," Shiina shrugged, feigning nonchalance. But her hackles were raised, on edge and alert.

Hazuki smirked. That's the first mistake, Hyotei.

Takahashi Kotone, their Singles 3 player, was shaking hands with Sorano Tsukiko. Neither of them spoke, but they looked equal parts ready and weary. Let's just get this over with.

Next to Kotone was Araki Teruko, a third year with fiery hair and tranquil eyes. Akechi Yuuka was across from her, all claws and smirks and sharp eyes. Teruko, however, didn't seem very affected, engaged in a silent staring contest with Hyotei's mastermind.

At the end of the line were Ayuka and Fukumitsu Erena, merely regarding each other. Fukumitsu stood a full head taller than the Seigaku vice captain, but Ayuka didn't seem to mind. Caught in a stalemate, they never broke eye contact.

Yes, Hazuki thought with relish. This is so very interesting.

~xXx~

"I don't like Akiyoshi," Ikue stated flatly as they waited for Doubles 2 to begin. She stood with her arms crossed, glaring daggers at the Seigaku captain calmly sitting on the bench.

Tsukiko had to laugh at the childish expression. "She's got quite the effect on people," she agreed, peering over at the opposing team. "Furuya Risae's pretty good too, so be careful when you're playing them."

"I must admit though," Oshitari cut in with a small frown. "Anna-chan and Yoshida-chan are a strange pair. Are you sure it was the right choice?"

"It was a tough decision," Erena admitted sheepishly. "Kind of last second too, but it's not like we can do anything about it now. Hopefully they'll be able to work something out."

Anna and Airi were silently getting ready, checking their racquet strings and shoelaces. The older girl was serious and determined, hazel eyes grim. Even Airi did not smile.

Matsumoto Tsubaki and Otaka Ami were already waiting for them at the net. Seigaku was waiting for them.

Yuuka glanced at her teammates, a serious expression in her eyes. "Neither of you are very experienced doubles players," she stated bluntly, shrugging as if to say what can you do about it? "But that's not what matters. Matsumoto has a habit of over hitting, and Otaka's serve is weak. Got it?"

They nodded silently.

"Then give them hell."

~xXx~

End

~xXx~

A/N: And I FINALLY got to introducing Seigaku! How are you liking them so far?

Once again, if you've followed this story but haven't written a review please do! Maybe I should be evil and not post anything until I get a certain number, but I might not. Still, all reviews are appreciated and any feedback is gladly taken.

Some things on Sorano Tsukiko

She's always graceful and elegant but hates dancing because it's the only time she trips. Singing's so much better anyway.

Despite being all sweet and nice, she's obsessed with horror movies. Her favorite is "It" and she once asked a clown which sewer he lived in. Her mother could not get her out of there fast enough.

She had a two day crush on Gakuto last year. Thank God it didn't last.

The first time she met Erena she thought she was an older kid (due to her height) that was trying to steal her lunch money. That's an embarrassing story she hopes Erena forgot about.

She knows Yuuka better than anyone, even Atobe. As a result she's the only one that actually understands any insecurities or fears the mastermind has, and respects all of them. Yuuka does the same for her, which she will always grateful for.

Love, Cara