A/N: Tadaima!!!! XD

I'm back everyone and (Guilty) I was writing fanfics in-between my boring essay XP

Anyways…

Even if their have only been 2 side stories in-between this chapter and the last it feels like it's been forever!

As for the side stories! I assure all of you who may favor the rest of the regulars, each will have their own side-story in-between the regular story sometime in the future so no fear…

As for how long this stoy will drag out…I'm going to be very honest and say I don't know but it'll probably be ending after Nationals…

Get ready for a BANG of a start for this chapter!

Selyn- LOL Like Fuji mentions, the kids have certainly evolved in thinking. Kira had been a character I left shrouded in mystery for a while and I had a sudden urge to show with his story, the true nature of his personality. I hope you enjoyed it and the little twist at the end was just to show that no one truly would understand Kira's ways of going about. Himiko is a 1st year in High School so she's only a year older. That pairing was something I had been thinking about for a while since Himiko is his friends' sister and his parents' boss daughter…eek…

Little Silver Kitten- It's always a good way to see the other Regulars as well since many people have complained that they favor their own Regular besides Ryo and Matsuma so I think this will open more people to the others XD

Nyankochan-52- I hope you look forward to Inui and Matsuma's side-story sometime next week then

bLoodY vEngEfUl sOul- I hope you'll end up liking each of the for their uniquness or whatever you may come to find lovable in them…even Kitawaru who's a playboy according to Kira :P

knighted lioness- It was never my intention to make them all gay XD they'll like who they like! As for other pairings… I'll leave that up to the future!

Cheska- I assure you that my intention is to get on with the story… the side-stores are just to introduce a little more than needed sometimes ROFL It's basic entertainment for me to play with my OC's…as for Side stories… you'll notice I stick them in every two chapters I write or so XP

Empress Satori- It makes you wonder why Kira isn't Buchou huh? LOL That's his form of fun so let's let him have his way in this XD

Cin- Thanks, it always makes me happy when people like my OC's rather than hate them XP it's a big boost for me if I can incorporate my OC's in without killing the mood of anyone!

Trumpet-Geek- Well, as Kira has NOW demonstrated, he does have his ways!

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The Risks We Take

Chapter 15: The Unexpected Turns Of Life

Recap

"But… you were the best father I could get Aniki…I wouldn't have traded you for anyone" Ryo said with a small smile.

Ryoma returned his smile and for the first time since Ryo was a little boy Ryoma leaned over and took of his cap to kiss his forehead.

"Thanks Ryo…"

Ryo smiled. No…he wouldn't trade his Aniki for anyone…

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" He's amazing!" Tokinawa said in awe as they watched Ryoma serve super fast and smash it back afterwards to score.

"You should all learn from Echizen-san" Inui-sensei lectured.

"USU!" they all echoed.

It had been a week since they won Kantou and this was one of their training days to study professional tennis from Echizen-san. They had about a week and half left before Nationals and everyone knew they had to improve or they'd never make it past the first two rounds.

"Game, Set and Match Echizen…6-4" The referee called.

The crowd went wild. Ryoma had been winning for three days straight now without actually trying.

"Saa…" Fuji muttered when he saw Ryoma shake hands with the person and tell the guy he did well against him.

"You think he lost those four games on purpose to huh?" Ryo asked Fuji.

"Aa" Fuji agreed. It seemed Ryoma wanted to see the fighting spirit of his opponent today.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

Ryoma saw the team waiting patiently by the exit and felt a slight smile tug at the corner of his lips.

"Sugoi Echizen-san!" Aikawa commented when he neared them.

"Domo," Ryoma merely replied before pulling Ryo's cap down in his 'endearing' way and accepting a Ponta from Fuji.

"I'd like to learn your finishing move," Fukumachi said excitedly.

"I believe I'm more capable of it," Aikawa announced.

"Mada Mada," Ryo stated to the both of them while Matsuma finished by telling them if they were truly worthy of learning it, they would only need to watch and learn.

" Come on," Fuji prompted the group and everyone started out. It'd be at least and hour or so for Ryoma's opponent to be decided in the next match.

Ryoma smiled lightly at Fuji when Fuji slipped his hands into Ryoma's and started to drag him away.

"Echizen…"

Ryoma turned and his expression turned serious when it landed on who called him.

"Hajimoto," Ryoma greeted coolly.

" Ryoma?" Fuji looked in question at Ryoma. Fuji didn't like how Ryoma's expression was looking right now.

" I'll catch up," Ryoma said with a small smile to Fuji.

"Iie…I'll stay here as well." Fuji insisted. " You guys go on ahead." Fuji said to the others.

"We'll be right there Ryo," Ryoma assured when he saw Ryo turn back in worry. Ryo masked the worry with a slight frown and turned away with a loud "Che!"

Ryoma hid a smile. Although Ryo hated to admit it, he was somewhat insecure at times…

Glancing at Fuji, Ryoma gripped his hand a bit before they followed Hajimoto to the side.

"What is it?" Ryoma asked.

"I just wanted to know if there's any way I can prove that I knew Nanako…"

"There's no need," Ryoma said, " I've already confirmed it through Nanako's diary."

"Then you know that I'm…"

"Shitteru (I know)" Ryoma acknowledged, " but Ryo doesn't yet."

"So you don't want him to know?" Hajimoto asked.

"I will tell him… but not anytime soon." Ryoma stated.

"Why?" Hajimoto asked.

"Because Nationals is coming up," Fuji interrupted, " We'd rather he was unburdened with this…after all who are you to come claim him now after so long?"

"I didn't know…" Hajimoto protested.

"It seems strange that you wouldn't look for Nanako if you loved her so much." Fuji said with a slight frown.

"I couldn't…my wife…" Hajimoto tried to explain.

"How much money do you want to extract out of my Ryoma?" Fuji asked with a frown.

"I don't want money…I want my son!" Hajimoto protested.

"I'd rather give you my whole fortune than hand over Ryo," Ryoma said angrily.

"Then how would you live?" Hajimoto asked surprised that Ryoma would do that.

"We'd make it," Fuji stated holding on to Ryoma.

"I'd rather my son not be raised by…"

"By what?" Ryoma asked. "By two guys?"

Hajimoto was quiet for a while but he spoke again after a moment. " I'd like him to know soon…"

"After Nationals," Fuji stated.

Ryoma felt a bit relieved that Fuji was backing him up. He tightened his hand in Fuji's and saw Fuji's eyes clearly open and challenging Hajimoto.

"Till then…" Hajimoto said knowing he had lost, " But I would really like to know he's doing well…"

"He's perfectly fine." Ryoma said and watched as Hajimoto left.

"You okay?" Fuji asked wrapping his arms around Ryoma.

"Aa…" Ryoma said but the worry never left his eyes.

"What are you worrying about?" Fuji asked as they walked towards the front where the others were waiting.

"Losing him…" Ryoma admitted.

"We won't lose him." Fuji said softly against Ryoma's forehead. " We wont."

………………………………………………………………………………………..

Atobe sighed as Tezuka was once more searching the crowd for Fuji.

"Kuni…are you paying attention to me?" Atobe demanded.

"Aa," Tezuka said absently as his eyes searched.

"You love him huh?" Atobe asked softly.

"Why would you say that?" Tezuka asked.

"Because you haven't quit searching for him…and you never pay attention to me…"

"Sorry" Tezuka said with no emotion to Atobe.

"I always knew this was a mistake," Atobe said with a frown.

"So we should break up?" Tezuka asked.

"Yes," Atobe said haughtily. Although he was trying not to show emotion, the pain was killing him. " I guess I have a duty to get Fuji for you as well… you'll get your chance with Fuji…"

Tezuka finally focused his attention on Atobe for the first time that day. " Thanks…"

Atobe brushed it off, " Ore-sama was just killing time with you anyways…"

Tezuka didn't look hurt…as a matter of fact; Atobe felt he was hurting himself only…

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That Night

"You're not going to lose next week are you?" Ryo asked his aniki.

"What do you think?" Ryoma asked Ryo with a slight smirk.

Ryo returned the smirk and turned back to play with Karupin.

"After your tournament, are we still going to grab some sushi for Inui's birthday?"

"Aa…" Ryoma said

"Kawaii" Fuji said softly against Ryoma's head when he came from the kitchen to check up on the two of them.

"Che!" Ryoma said softly.

"Come on Karupin!" Ryo said aloud and stood to go upstairs. " Let's go get my tennis racquet!"

Karupin followed loyally and Fuji smiled at the chance this gave him.

"What's that you're eating?" Ryoma asked.

"Eh?" Fuji mumbled and saw the apple in his hand. " Fuji Apple."

"It's your apple?" Ryoma asked with a raised brow.

Fuji smiled, " Something like that…"

"I want a bite!" Ryoma insisted and Fuji gave it to him.

"Aniki…" Ryo said coming downstairs. " Let's practice for a bit."

"Aa," Ryo said in-between chewing the apple.

"What are you eating?" Ryo asked.

"Fuji," Ryoma replied.

"Fuji?" Ryo asked with a confused expression.

"Yep…He's eating my seed" Fuji said with a spreading smile.

Ryoma glared at Fuji as Ryo coughed and turned away.

"What?" Fuji said innocently back at Ryoma's glare.

Ryoma didn't say anything but hand the apple back and stand to follow Ryo.

"Saa…" Fuji mumbled as he took a bit from the apple. It was okay since he was getting his in-direct kiss from Ryoma through the apple now…

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Next Week

"Game, Set, and Match Echizen, 6-0" The referee said. The stadium was absolutely quiet as they watched Ryoma in awe. It was the finals of the Asia Open and for Ryoma to beat his opponent in such a short time and flawlessly was breathtaking.

"DAISUKI DESU!!!! (a/n: Literally means 'I Really Like You')" Himiko yelled out.

"AISHITERU ECHIZEN-SAN!!! (a/n: Literally means 'I Love you' to the extreme)" Other girls followed.

The laughter and applause followed the outburst of Himiko.

"You're an embarrassment!" Matsuma said to Himiko.

Ryo merely smiled and noted that Kira had a deep frown on his face.

"Not satisfied with the match Kira-senpai?" Ryo asked.

" It's not that…" Kira said replacing the frown with his impassive face again.

"Just mulling over some moves?" Aikawa asked excitedly, " Man, I want to learn his cool drive!"

"You'll have to master Drive C first!" Kitawaru said with a grin.

As if you've managed to learn that," Kira state from the back.

"Ne Okaa-san…" Ryo started and trailed off as he noticed Fuji was definitely not happy about the fan girls that were screaming their love for Ryoma.

"Scary…" Aikawa muttered.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

'He blushed!'

That was the only thought running through Fuji's mind. Someone other them himself had made Ryoma blush and pull his cap down! THAT was unforgivable!

He couldn't figure out if he should be angrier with the girls who continued their screams of love for him, Himiko being the ringleader, or Ryoma giving away his blush so easily.

Fuji smile deepened…Ryoma and he needed to talk.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

Ryoma blushed after he saw Syuusuke smile towards him. Hiding his blush and smile he had pulled his cap down and ignored the girls telling him they loved him. Shaking his opponent's hand, he then turned and nodded to the announcer as he announced Ryoma winning the tournament.

"…and so Japan…here is our representative for the US Open!!!"

" Eh?" Ryoma said, " Hold on…"

No one held on as the cheers went up and congratulations were passed around. Ryoma sighed and took the microphone from the announcer.

"Eto…I'm not participating in the US Open." Ryoma stated bluntly.

"But…"

"My son is participating in Nationals here and I will be here for his tournament," Ryoma stated, " Sorry to disappoint everyone."

"It's okay!"

Everyone turned to face a beautiful woman. She was dressed in a business suit that seemed tailored to be short yet stylish. Her black hair was in an upswept coiffure and confident gray eyes stared at the judges and Ryoma.

"Mother?" Jun and Himiko said at the same time.

"For that special purpose, we've decided to push Nationals back so we can enjoy you're performance to it's fullest before we both watch our sons win" She said with a smile. Handing her microphone to Kira mother, she advanced to shake Ryoma's hand warmly.

(A/n: Remember Kira's mom is Jun and Himikos' moms' secretary)

" Since Matsuma-san has stated this then you should go Echizen-san." The announcer said with his own smile.

"I…" Ryoma's eyes connected with Fuji's. " I'd be honored to represent Japan for the last time in the US Open."

Throughout the whole crowd, Ryoma only watched Fuji.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

"Tonight," Fuji whispered to Ryoma softly.

"What about tonight?" Ryoma asked with a raised brow.

Fuji didn't say more as he ushered Ryo and the rest of the team to Kawamura's sushi shop.

Ryoma merely sighed and kept walking. For the first time in a long time, he felt he fit somewhere and was needed.

"Come on!" Aikawa said enthusiastically. " We'll have fun after all it's your birthday soon Inui!"

"I'm actually 4 days away from my real birthday which was on July 31st at 5 in the morning in-"

"That's enough detail!" Kitawaru said hauling Inui into the shop before he gave details to the last second of how he was born.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

"You want to bring your bastard into my house?" Risa said angrily. "What about our little Hina?"

" Risa…darling… you know we're short of money-"

"You said you'd fix that!" Risa said with a pout.

"I will! Look, if I take my bastard in then we can get a lot of money!" Hajimoto said with a smile.

"A lot? How? Is your bastard from a rich family?" Risa asked.

"His Cousin is a very famous tennis player." Hajimoto confided.

"Really?" Risa asked.

Hajimoto nodded. " As long as we have him, his cousin will send money…"

Risa smiled. " For Hina… I guess we can."

………………………………………………………………………………………..

Ryoma smiled as he watched each member depart. Matsuma and Himiko had left earlier with Kira, Aikawa and Tokinawa had walked home together. Inui-senpai had just left with the birthday boy and Kitawaru.

"Oi…Fukumachi… you want a ride?" Ryo asked.

" Iie, I live close to here." Fukumachi said and grabbed his bag. " See you at practice tomorrow buchou!"

Ryo nodded and turned to look at Ryoma.

"Can I go with you?" Ryo asked.

Ryoma raised a brow. " Go where?"

"Back to New York," Ryo said, " I kind of miss…watching your match with your dad…"

Ryoma smiled and pulled Ryo's hat down over his eyes. "Sure…actually, Fuji and Inui, we all had a talk and decided we'd take all of you on a two week vacation there to see me play."

"Hontou?" Ryo said excitedly.

Ryoma suppressed a laugh as he nodded. It was rare that Ryo would change his expression into such a happy one.

"Ready to go you two?" Fuji asked stepping out of the shop.

"Aa" They both said and Ryoma couldn't help but smirk and ruffle Ryo's hair through his cap.

Ryo scowled.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

Fukumachi smiled as he walked away. Today was one of those days that he was extremely happy he had decided to join Tennis in his first year. The bonding of a team he thought there would never be in his first year was finally coming true.

"Stop!"

Fukumachi glanced up and saw two guys up ahead on the stairs bully a girl.

"Come on!"

"She said stop!" Fukumachi said with a frown. He recognized the uniform as Gyokurin's.

"Oi… who are you to stop us?" They demanded. Fukumachi frowned and came up the steps to stand next to the girl.

"Leave her alone!" Fukumachi demanded.

"Super hero wannabe's like you make me sick!" One of the guys said and shoved Fukumachi a bit.

"Pretty girl!" The other jeered and held her left wrist tightly.

"Quit it!" She screamed slapping him hard with her right hand.

"Bitch!" he swore and shoved her hard. Unlike Fukumachi, she didn't regain her balance but fell backwards with a scream.

Fukumachi dived for her…

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A/N: Review and I promise to update again soon…. So does anyone want me to release Somewhere In-between ch 3 today as well… or should I wait till tomorrow since I released this chapter already?

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