Kizuka: I don't own Prince of Tennis. I just play a role in it along with many other OC's such as my best friend…Hazumi. (sighs)

Hazumi: It's ok, Kizu-hime. With the way things are going we could have our own show…or story…or whatever. It's cuz we're special like that.

Kizuka: I guess. Well it's safe to say that the chapter has been revised and no telling when the next chapter is going to come out. I mean these were pre-written.

Hazumi: It's because I'm your muse and I'm not near you at the moment, but we'll talk later. Enjoy the chappy peoples!

Kizuka: (cries) WHEN WILL THIS EMOTIONAL TORTURE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????

I am stuck biting my nails the rest of the match. My nerves are on edge and I can barely comprehend that I am actually breathing. Each time the ball hits the court my heart stops and I have to keep myself from falling. Many times I end up using the closest person for support.

"Game: Seigaku 6-5." The team cheers at the announcement but I'm still worried.

By the middle of the next game Tezuka's arm begins to bother him and the only indication he gives is rubbing his arm. Unfortunately Atobe wins the game tying it to 6 games all. I sigh dejectedly. My nerves can't handle this kind of pressure.

The tie-breaker game has commenced and morale is at an all time high. Tezuka is fighting all out trying his best to stay one step ahead of Atobe if possible. With each match point Atobe seems to keep it at a stalemate and it is beginning to piss me off.

'Why won't he just stop?' I wonder to myself even knowing the answer.

"Oh, Kunimitsu." I sigh "I hope you come out of this fine. You don't even need to win." I mutter mostly to myself.

"Nani?" The first to come to their senses is Eiji and unfortunately he just happens to be the loud mouth today.

"WAH! Kizu-nee, you're calling Tezuka-buchou by his first name again?!" I blush. I guess I wasn't muttering quietly enough. They begin conversing to each other about this new revelation, ignoring my presence, which pisses me off even more than I was before.

"GAH!! SHUT THE HELL UP!!! It doesn't mean anything. Just an old habit!!!" Everyone nods looking a little disappointed and turn their attention back to the match not wanting to get too far on my bad side.

Things in the match are getting really complicated. The match has been drawn out too long and they are both fatigued. My heart goes out to both of them as I pray no one ends up hospitalized. Atobe may be a jerk, but has great taste, even if he is misguided in his approach.

It's all gonna come down to who wants to win more.

'God I hope it's Tezuka.' Or do I?

No one can say a word as the two battle it out. It's an inspiring scene to watch and I think everyone understands my feelings.
Well, almost everyone.

"Kizuka-senpai! Why don't you stop them!? Why do allow them to go on!?" pleads one of Ryoma's first year friends as he pulls on my sleeve. I don't look at him, my eyes glued to the amazing event before me.

"Don't you see? It's not just Kunimitsu. It's so much more than that." I say tears welling. I may have attracted the attention of the Regulars with my statement, but I don't want to break down in front of them.

"It's a battle of wills that not even I can interfere with. They're both at their limits and yet they still fight." The young boy stops his pleading to gaze at the game as if trying to understand what I mean.

Numerous arms wrap around my body in a group hug. The tears start falling. I'm not even playing and I'm getting emotional. It's almost like an insult to myself.

"Thanks guys. I don't know why--"

"Kizu-hime, you of all people don't need a reason why. You just do." Hazumi assures with one her smirk/smiles. I laugh lightly wondering how lucky I am to have such good friends

'Kunimitsu.'

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After the match I just want to rush to Kunimitsu, wrap my arms around him the instant we make contact, but I know I can't. He still thinks I've done horrible things and I haven't. I thought he knew me but he's still bitter about something I tried to prevent.

Ryoma is up next. His match is over in about, according to our data player, 13 minutes and 64.33 seconds. How he does it still eludes me.

'I wish everything back to normal.' I think solemnly, handing a pack of ice on to Oishi for Kunimitsu's shoulder. I watch as he secures the pack and clean up the excess until Hazumi elbows me to get my attention and then nods her head in a certain direction.

In said direction is Claire, sashaying toward us (Kunimitsu) with, what she thinks, is a seductive smile on her face. I glare maliciously having heard the story from my two best friends with added info from the others, during my brother's match. I step in between her and Kunimitsu protectively.

"Claire, do you really need to be here?" I ask annoyed. Hazumi and Juni stand beside me equally disgusted by the display.

"Of course. I have to make sure Tezuka-kun is okay."

"He's fine."

"Says the girl that broke his heart." The urge to choke her to death builds. This girl is testing my last nerve.

"Only because you set me up." My glare is back tenfold and I swear she shrinks back.

We're speaking in low tones and Tezuka is preoccupied enough not to notice. She steps into my personal space.

"It doesn't matter if you know, he's never gonna believe you." Then louder she proclaims.

"Slut." My hands twitch into fist and my arms begin to shake. A pure aura of hatred and killing intent permeates my body notifying the others of my anger.

"What did you call me?" I ask deathly calm. The others stand and move in closer to the exchange to ensure safety of innocent bystanders. Claire cackles like the bitch she is and smirks.

"What? Are you deaf as well as delusional? I called you a slut." She repeats. I go to lunge at her but stop. She's not my competition anyway. Kanna is.

"Claire, you know what?" She smiles.

"You may have taken him from me, but that's only temporary." At this she rolls her eyes. I ignore her and go on.

"Even if it wasn't. He still doesn't want you. If I'm going to be replaced at least I'm glad he picked a girl with a little more class."

Hazumi laughs from three feet behind me. I swear that girl has sonar hearing.
Claire's face is priceless. You can tell she never considered the possibility that she wasn't next in line.

"Oh what's wrong Claire?" Hazumi pouts with fake sympathy.

"Sad you lost to two girls? Aww. You're not even second best. Are you even third?"

"Get a life Claire and stopping having impossible fantasies about other people's boyfriends."

"Pathetic." Says Yukiko monotonously. We all take a step back in slight fear. Mika cracks her knocks with a smirk. [& just to rub her face in her defeat a bit more]

"Kizuka-buchou is the best captain we've ever had at Seigaku for the girls' tennis division. She actually cares that we want to go to Nationals and pushes us to our limits. I've never had so much hope. And I want her to stay with us and watch us progress to the best players I know we can be. And you, Claire, '. it." Mika says and smiles at me then turns and glares at Claire. I've never felt so loved.

By girls anyway. They tend to hate me.

The girls all stand in a line, Isabelle and Meeky-chan included. With everyone Claire disappears a little more from view. I would have cried if I wasn't so concentrated on the fact that they care too much.

Hazumi suggests ending her public humiliation since she isn't even worth documenting. Besides, it seems to be getting hostile. I sigh and nod as I begin make my way through the crowd of regulars pushing each person gently out of the way. When I arrive at the front of the line I see Claire whimpering and in hysterics on the pavement. I bend down to her level.

"You know I normally would have let them beat the hell out of you for what you did to not only me but them as well." I start causing her to look at me. I sigh again and close my eyes in thought before opening them and giving her an intense gaze.

"But since I've been here I've changed. Believe it or not these amazing people behind me are my first real friends. People who accept me for who I am on the outside and the inside, no complaints. And I've never had that until now." I glare at her harshly.

"And if you ever pull some shit like that again, I assure you hell is something you'll be begging for. Do I make myself clear?" Claire nods understanding the seriousness of my words. I stand and hold out a hand for her to take.

"You don't deserve the treatment you're getting but let's just say I'm in a very forgiving mood right now." Hesitantly she takes my offered hand and stands shakily. Everyone looks on in shock. Even after what she did to me and everyone else, I know things will be alright, so why bother?

"Now that that's settled…" I trail off pulling out my cell phone. "Maybe someone should get the other captain some treatment." I say as dial the sports clinic.

'Everything will get better I know it.'