Oh look! An update!

It has really been a while and yeah, sorry. I have bigger plans for this story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis


The street lights in the street tennis courts illuminated the area. There were two figures in the court, one sitting by the bench with a worried look while the other standing in the court, dribbling the yellow tennis ball before hitting it with his blue racket. The poor challenger was beginning to regret challenging whom he thought was more inexperienced than him. High school tennis isn't supposed to be this complicated, damn it!

The ball passed him with an amazing speed that no one saw it, until the low wall stopped it on his tracks. When the older player turned to the ball, he only saw darkness. "O-oi! Why are the streetlights closed?" His voice quivered in fear. Perhaps, this is the one whom they called 'Child of God,' Yukimura-

"Seiichi!" The girl from the bench suddenly called, stepping inside the court to stop him. "It's time to go home!" She was in front of the blue haired boy, her hand grabbing his wrist to lower his racket. This has to stop… he needs to stop.

"It's not yet-" Yukimura's gaze travelled to the sides of the court where a lot of players either lay on the benches or sat on the floor, all drained from their match against him. His opponent, in turn, is moving towards casualty.

He only looked away, pulled his arm and went back to the bench to gather his things.

Asusagawa tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and followed him, brows furrowing in worry. He lost in a one set game against Watanabe with a score of a 6-2, 6-1, and 6-0.

He couldn't do anything.

And now he's falling, falling, falling-

And grudgingly, there's still a single ray of hope coming to him. That he hasn't lost his skill in tennis, and it hasn't been taken away from him. Just, just-

Watanabe is a barrier that he needed to break.

To overcome.

To defeat…

And he plans to do it all.

He just needs to grow stronger…

O~O~O

Watanabe and Futaba supervised practice, this time the first years were included in the higher year's training routine. Much notably, however, was the missing blue haired teen amidst the crowd of first years who had accepted the challenge on the condition that first years will be given the same treatment as the higher ups. Extended time however, were bestowed on them because they have balls to pick up.

"Bu-"Jackal had caught himself, and shook his head to correct himself. He has to keep in mind that Yukimura was not their buchou… at least yet. "Yukimura has been ditching for two days now." His brows furrowed in worry.

Niou only snorted, choosing silence over making some witty remark on his part. That person was acting like a brat… a diva. He lost, so what? He needs to get over it and just be stronger!

Another snort came out from Niou. Easier said than done. He thought, increasing his speed so he was in front of Marui.

Marui caught sight of the silver head that chose to be part of practice since they entered high school. "Maybe he'll return one day with a super awesome move that will overthrow the captain." The red head suggested cockily, believing in Yukimura's abilities. "Niou has shown us that miracles do happen, after all." Yanagi and Jackal turned to the said man with a questioning look. "He's being obedient, and changing his rebellious weird child image."

Niou only rolled his eyes before he shrugged, not even bothering to slow down or at least turn to them. "Well, puberty happens, so don't be surprised if I become a rebel again."

Sanada only shook his head. Miracles do happen.

That was when Yukimura finally recovered after rehabilitation.

But losing his confidence and the will to play will take more than a miracle. Yukimura had shown him that when he dragged himself out of the clutches of the hell he had went through.

O~O~O

Two weeks had passed since Yukimura started ditching tennis practices. A lot of changes were seen in the daily routine of the said man.

He would only arrive on time during class hours, seemingly fresh from a shower but they could see his tennis bag with him. Some even thinks he still attends the diligent student he is.

Asusagawa would arrive to school early without him, and she would be sent questioning looks from Sanada and Yanagi to which she would only shake her head. Sanada will respond by looking away begrudgingly, while Yanagi would only sigh.

Marui and Jackal would inquire of his whereabouts, considering that she lives in his household but she would claim that she doesn't know, and they would just drop it despite knowing that she knows well. All hell will break loose if she really doesn't know his whereabouts, considering that she cares a lot for people who had shown their value, and they grew up treating each other as siblings.

Yagyuu would subtly drive their conversation about Yukimura. The gentleman would ask how he was, the words ever since after his defeat would be left unsaid but implied in the question itself. She would give a small, confident smile before shrugging. It was a small smile, but confident nonetheless and Yagyuu didn't know how to interpret that.

Niou didn't seem to care whether or not Yukimura would attend practice. He knew, however, that the blue haired boy wouldn't just escape this situation without even having a successful scratch against his opponent. Yukimura, albeit how conceited he sees the guy, is a strong person. Standing up from defeat just takes time. The silver head wouldn't let himself be a subordinate to someone weak!

They only got a definite answer that Friday, when Watanabe and Futaba approached her after classes of Yukimura's whereabouts.

"You're Yukimura's cousin, right?" Watanabe asked with a frown. He stood his full height as he literally looked down at her from her seat. The first few days were acceptable, the first week tolerable, but fourteen days was too much.

She regarded them from her seat, rising up and giving a curt bow before standing straight. "To what do I owe this pleasure, Watanabe-senpai, Futaba-senpai?" Chin up, hands on the sides, and eyes looking straight at someone who is a lesser being. "Your inquiry is correct regarding my relation with Yukimura Seiichi. Are you here for an explanation for his absence?"

Futaba winced at her formal way of talking. It was not just the standard Japanese, it was the Japanese of high class people. The way by which she held herself to them was enough to make them feel inferior to her.

Watanabe's lips twitched in irritation. If the person he was speaking to wasn't a girl, he would have grabbed her by the collar. He couldn't even hold his gaze against her piercing, sharp eyes. What's with that kind of language? Where were they, in a board meeting or something? Rich people and their sass!

"Yes. Why won't he come to practices?" Watanabe's eyes narrowed, still trying to keep on looking at the girl, keeping his resolve not to break away from the eye contact. "He got his side of the bargain after I challenged him." His voice was leveled and maintained. He hoped he had not intimidated the girl.

"And you got yours as well." The black haired girl answered, crossing her arms on her chest. "You have had a match against him. It is only rational that there are no debts to be paid here." It was true after all. Both parties had met the conditions, so there shouldn't be an issue regarding that.

A nerve was struck on Watanabe and he resisted the urge to lose control. He should have let Sho take care of this. "Tell him to come next week or I might kick him out of the club."

Sanada abruptly rose from his seat, and opened his mouth in protest but Yanagi stopped him. For some unknown reasons, the brown haired data collector was there, though he should be in his own classroom.

Asusagawa smirked. "I am afraid that I cannot relay your message, senpai." She answered without second thoughts. "I am not obliged to be a messenger, related to him by blood or not." She tapped her index finger on her elbow impatiently. "Might kick him out is just a threat. You shall not, would you not, senpai? You need him more than any of your regulars."

Sanada was now thinking of possible places to find Yukimura, because it looked as if she was serious.

Futaba and Watanabe had known that truth all along. If they wanted to win, Yukimura should be part of the line-up.

"Listen, I don't care what he's doing-" Watanabe lost it, and Futaba only sighed. He shouldn't have called the hurricane if he can't control it.

"Besides," The blond third year was cut off, and they were all looking at her. She was smirking, eyes narrowed as if mocking them in their endeavor. "I'm sure that by next week, if he comes…" Watanabe and Futaba shared a look. "And he shall. You will see how he had overcome you, senpai."

This time, it was Watanabe who smirked. He had accepted that answer, and walked away.

Futaba gave a curt nod and followed suit.

There were two things that Watanabe had learned:

One, he didn't break the kid's spirit. That kind of resolve is something they would be needing.

Two, he hates Asusagawa Avery.

O~O~O

The noise coming from the dojo where the competition held had dissolved from the distance. He had lost interest in the game itself. How could they even enjoy watching high schoolers dressed in traditional robes to hit that red mark some meters away from them?

Niou's eyes wandered around, yet again to amuse himself. It was Nanase's birthday, and he had picked up a planner, since she tends to forget things, and had given it to her before the competition started. He turned to the path leading to the dojo, only to be surprised at the sight of a black haired girl approaching him. She hadn't seen him yet because she was too preoccupied at looking at her sprained wrist.

Her hair grew longer, he noted. He looked away, feigning ignorance of her presence when she finally looked up.

"I'm sorry." Akira looked away from the silver head who sat on one of the benches, felt that she was compelled to explain. "Nanase-san asked me to wait for her until the competition is done." She explained to him, her cheeks becoming a shade of red. She glanced at him, only to find that his attention was elsewhere. It seemed that the grass lining the path is more interesting than a person who might offer companionship. "I… uh, I'll go then, Niou-kun."

For the span of months, Akira had been berating herself that she should be calling him Niou, instead of Masaharu, especially in front of Nanase. Oddly, the formal way of addressing him did not sound like she hesitated.

Niou regarded her before sighing to himself. He just cannot simply hate her entirely despite wanting to throw her away. For his own good, and for her sake as well. "Why did you leave the dojo?" He knew the answer, but he needed not to make things awkward. She would overthink things, and eventually blame herself. He wouldn't want her to blame herself for something he decided to do for his selfishness.

Akira stopped on her tracks, her gaze fixed longingly at the direction where the competition was being held. All the regulars were doing their best, aiming at the red mark center of the target and her teammates were cheering for them. She should be there as well, to assure them of her support.

Her green eyes darkly looked at the hand that wore the wrist support. She had longed to hold the wooden bow and arrow for the past weeks. She had longed for the euphoric moment when she comes face to face with the target meters away from her, and all she has to do was to aim well and release the string.

Being inside that dojo was like being inside a torture chamber. She could almost grasp her passion, and yet her disability hinders her to do so. It was so painful to be inside the four walls of that place, so she went out instead.

"There are a lot of people. I felt kind of claustrophobic, so I went out to have some fresh air instead." She turned to Niou and faced him with a smile that spoke of her fears, and uncertainty. "How about you, Niou-kun?"

Niou's eyes narrowed as he examined her. This injury had taken more than her wrist, it seemed. He could only wonder to himself since when did she start masking how painful things are for her. He wanted to know everything. "I could say the same, I guess." He said with a bored voice.

Akira only nodded in agreement. Her eyes widened and her mouth hung agape when he patted the space next to him. She regained her composure and looked away, clearing her throat instead as she looked away.

"It will be better for you if you take a seat." Niou suggested as he scooted over to give her space. "They will not be finished until another hour or so."

"I guess…" She nodded, and headed to the bench across him, much to his surprise. He didn't say where and it will be uncomfortable for her if she sat beside him, knowing that there was something unsettled between them.

She wished that she could go home. The knot inside her chest was starting to tighten again. She let her hair veil her face, looking anywhere but not at him. She had been observing Niou since they became friends, at least she wanted to think that even he thought they were friends. She was naïve of her to think that she could be an exemption from his shield. Because in the end, she wasn't able to break through his defenses, he just simply let her in the outer area of his kingdom.

"You've changed." Niou stated, eyes now fixed on her. He could only smirk when he could clearly see how much she was afraid to even glance at him.

"Is that so?" Akira responded with a slight nod. "You didn't." She looked up, only to be met by Niou's smirk. She still failed to understand what the things he did mean. "Still doing those weird stuff at people to pass time, they should have known better than to be played by you. You haven't changed a bit." It has always been to amuse him, and sometimes he does things whenever necessary. He would only let people know what he wanted them to know.

"If you put it that way, then you failed at changing whatever you want to change." He shrugged, as if telling that she's the silliest person he ever met. She was only trying after all.

Akira's brows furrowed, lips turning to a frown. She shouldn't have took the bait. "Stop it, Niou-kun." She hissed. The conversation was becoming uncontrollable and she wouldn't want to avoid him in her entire life. If what he said was true, then she failed at trying to be a better person.

"See what I mean?" He leaned on his elbows, smirking widely at her as if this was amusing. His piercing gaze was thin, and sharp at the same time. "You fear things that you cannot control so you retreat in your own world."

Akira clenched her fists tightly. "Are you making me hate you?" The rage inside her was hurting her uncontrollably and she needed to say it. "We're just the same. I escape from them just as how you escape from yours."

Niou was good at masking what he truly feels. But the fire that was burning in her eyes was the same when she spoke up at people who mocked her passion. He regained his composure immediately. He raised a brow at her as he shrugged. "I don't remember escaping from my monsters. Stop acting tough Akira. You can't even protect yourself from the shadows you created by trying to be some sort of light."

He never did escape from them, because he ignored the monsters until such time that he became the monster to protect himself.

"I am not trying to be some sort of light!" She rose from her seat, glaring down at him and his preposterous attitude. "I don't want to ruin our friendship."

Niou's eyes narrowed at her. The smirk vanished on his face. There was darkness looming over them, and Akira failed to see that. "It has ended, Akira. You should learn that things change as well."

She opened her mouth to say something but bit her bottom lip instead. She released a breath to get the heavy feeling out. Things would have been different had they not been met with the circumstances that happened.

If he wasn't born to a family that is struggling to be family, he would have been filled with warmth and aspirations.

If she wasn't born to a family who almost had everything only to start crumbling, she wouldn't be the weak and naïve girl who needs to be protected.

"I love you Niou-kun." Akira finally said after the long uncomfortable silence had settled. Niou turned to her with a look of disbelief. "I realized that after months of you acting as if I never existed. It's really painful to be ignored by someone you love. I have been infatuated and acted rashly because I tend to follow what my heart tells without sorting things out." There were tears spilling and she hated herself for it. She could never be strong as him. "But looking at this situation now, it will always be one-sided."

She tried, and yet failed to hide her crying face from him. She wanted to look at him without the guarded emotions. She wanted to look at him with the raw expressions she could muster, without having to think if she could be someone he could see as a strong person. "You became someone I grew accustomed to that I haven't noticed how big your impact was. Is the person I fell in love with is just the image of someone you wanted me to see?"

Niou didn't answer. He simply stared at her.

She didn't expect him to. "But you see, even when you were disappointed in me, you still cared." She clenched her fists tightly to even out her voice. There are a lot of things she has yet to say but it was becoming hard to speak. "So the least I could do was to show to you that I can stand up for myself, because that's what you wanted me to become. I want to hate you right now, after the treatment that I have been enduring.

But when you spoke to me, all I felt was happiness. It was wrong of me to bring up that topic. I won't go to you anymore. I will play your game as well, if that is what you wish. You can go protect yourself by being the fear itself." Painfully, she turned her back at him. "I was the first one who rejected you, so I will disappear from your world as you wished." She walked away from him, silently crying the heavy feeling in her chest.

In truth, Akira had admired such a weak man. He was good at making façades. She didn't want to be like that.

Niou numbly listened to the weakening sound of her footsteps. It was better this way.

He didn't want it to end this way. He glared at his palms with hate and disgust. He hadn't meant it to be that way. His instincts kicked in. He wanted her to stay. He shouldn't have spoken.

And yet he showed to her what he's best at.

He's a monster.

And he had betrayed the person who will forever keep him dear. It's scary how Akira loves. She would give her whole heart despite how much she had been hurt by that person… to even disappear for him…

He had no right to receive that kind of love.

O~O~O

Watanabe's eyes widened as the ball passed him barely a hair's length, and was stopped by the fence, spinning uncontrollably until it buried itself there. His blue eyes fixed his gaze on the ball before abruptly turning to the one who created such force.

"Game Yukimura 2 games to 1!" Futaba finally found his voice. He still couldn't believe how the kid was able to evolve in the span of one week. It was as if he was able to work miracles against the 'god.'

The court was filled with silence. Everyone looked at the blue haired first year in awe. They were astonished at how he had improved in such a short span of time. No one uttered a single word throughout the span of the game.

They watched in silence, not bothering to ask for what happened. They simply watched the game.

Watanabe, for the first time, returned the ball in all games with effort. He had found a worthy opponent of his skill. He was smiling, though he was already struggling for air, and he could feel his muscles complain with every strenuous moves he perform.

Yukimura was also in the same predicament. And yet, he could feel the sudden surge of energy filling his veins, supplying his body. He could feel the pain, but when he saw the ball, everything was forgotten. He was able to counter Watanabe's realm.

It was about time that the 'God' turn over his title to the 'Child of God.'

The game ended and everyone barely registered it.

Not until Futaba finally shouted the score. "Game set and match, Watanabe! 7 games to 6!" The vice-captain himself also had a hard time regaining his composure.

It was then that everyone cheered.

Not for Watanabe… but for Yukimura. He might not have won in the game, but he had earned their respect.

"Such a scary kid." Watanabe muttered as he lay on the dusty grounds of the court in exhaustion, letting go of his racket.

Yukimura, from the other side of the court, was already lying on the ground, blankly staring at the cloudless sky. It seemed so far away. He raised his hand, and as if grabbing onto something, he clenched it tight afraid of letting it go.

Futaba only smiled from the umpire's seat as he looked at the two players.

The others entered the court. The regulars went to their captain and helped the blonde get on his feet.

Marui, and Jackal stayed by the bench while Yanagi, Yagyuu and Niou stayed outside. Yanagi was busy writing the data he had gathered, both on Watanabe and Yukimura.

Sanada was the one who helped Yukimura get on his feet. The former vice-captain's eyes widened at the sight of the brilliant smile that the blue haired boy was wearing.