Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis is not mine. I swear.

The Rikkai tennis team held no practice for two whole days after the National tournament. It was the longest vacation they ever had. Yukimura didn't attempt to contact anyone either, so no one even knew when he was planning on holding the next training session; it could be in a day, or in a week for all they knew.

Sanada tried not to be worried about whether or not Yukimura was drowning in his self-pity at home. He had half a mind to barge down to Yukimura's house and yell at him for being lazy. Back when Sanada lost in the Kanto Finals, the stern vice-captain had immediately gone back to training even harder the day after. It had helped him get over it quickly and he was sure it would do the same for Yukimura. But… Sanada knew he couldn't just run to Yukimura's house like that. Yukimura had to overcome this himself. No matter what Sanada said to Yukimura about how much of an amazing and determined player he is, it had no meaning unless Yukimura thought that about himself as well and accepted the loss. Yukimura had to realize that it's not the end of the world just because their three-year plan was ruined.

But that didn't stop Sanada from deciding that if Yukimura was quiet for another day, then he would use his authority as vice-captain to schedule a practice before their tennis skills became slack and the team became lazy. Being this quiet after a loss showed disappointment and defeat. If they got back up quickly, it would show everyone, especially the underclassmen who were the future of Rikkai, that the team wasn't so weak as to give up easily even after having lost.

That was not to say Sanada had nothing to do at home without tennis practice to occupy him. On the contrary, Sanada had far too much to do with or without tennis. With the two days he had off, Sanada was able to catch up on the homework the teachers had given him over summer vacation. Plus he got the chance to get back in practice with much of his other hobbies. He practiced kendo with his grandfather for those two mornings. Even if the elder Sanada said nothing, he appeared happy that his grandson was showing interest in kendo once again. To Sanada's grandfather, kendo was infinitely more honourable and an altogether better sport than tennis, so he had never liked how Sanada usually went out to morning tennis practice everyday yet couldn't spend one whole morning in the dojo.

Sanada even got back to calligraphy like he had been meaning to do ever since Yukimura had come over for the first time. For a whole evening, he practiced drawing out different kanji characters, trying to decide on the perfect one for Yukimura. He tried writing Kami no Ko for Yukimura's nickname, but the mixture of kanji with one hiragana letter in the middle just ended in a disaster of ugly lines so he scraped that one. He tried many words: Honor, Respect, Ambition, a lot of them being words already drawn out on Sanada's wall. But no matter what he did, none of the kanji words ever came out perfect so he scraped them all, feeling angry. To calm down, he took deep breaths and drew out a quick calligraphy for himself, one that read Patience.

When he felt up to it, he tried again, lightly dipping his brush in the black ink and standing still. What sort of calligraphy would suit Yukimura most, he wondered. Maybe he should just give Yukimura another one that read Determination, but a better and more elaborate piece this time. Sanada thought hard about Yukimura, wondering what would make him happy. The vice-captain let his mind wander and his hand move idly across the paper, tracing the black ink down in several light strokes.

It was only when his hand stopped moving that Sanada looked down at the livid black lines on his paper and realized what kanji he had written out.

Love.

There was a pause before a loud shout of "TARUNDORU!" erupted from Sanada's bedroom. The scream could be heard all over the house, followed by a loud crashing sound as Sanada panicked and pushed his table away, managing to spill his black ink pot all over the table and carpet.

As a rather flushed Sanada cleaned up the spilled liquid moments later, realizing there was going to be a huge stain on his floor and table from now on, he decided that maybe it was a good thing if he forgot about calligraphy for a while and returned to tennis.

Sanada was doing some intensive kendo training by himself the next morning, thinking about calling Yanagi and ordering a tennis practice in the afternoon. Three days without tennis practice was far too long. He had to intervene.

Beads of sweat rolled down his face as he struck his heavy sword forward. Usually he had a wooden sword for when he practiced, but today he was attempting one thousand thrusts of his real, heavy kendo sword. His two hands were solidly holding the sword like he held his racket when using Rai of his FuuRinKaInZanRai. Kendo was the reason for Sanada's strong grip. He swung forward once again, a strong hit slicing through the air.

859… 860… 861…

Each jab was strong, solid and perfect. Sanada was determined to get to four digits today. His arms hurt and burned and he was sticky with sweat under his hakama and light kimono. The only sound in the whole dojo was his grunts each time he hit the sword forward with exact precision.

It took great concentration in order not to be sidetracked, especially when his mother's voice rang out from the house.

"Genichirou, your friend is here to visit you!" she called out.

Sanada didn't flinch at that but he had barely any time to prepare himself when the door to the dojo slid open a few seconds later and a lithe figure walked in, closing the door behind him.

Sanada's eyes only shifted to his left for a second, but it was more than enough to see that it was Yukimura who had walked in. Sanada nearly missed his next sword thrust by keeping his eye on Yukimura a millisecond too long, but he straighten up on time, continuing his rhythm as if no one had walked in.

"Sorry for the interruption." said Yukimura, sitting cross legged on the floor of the dojo.

Sanada merely gave another grunt, never ceasing his movements. He was able to keep Yukimura within his sight, out of the corner of his eye. He snuck a few glances at the bluenette once he made sure he wouldn't be distracted enough that it would harm his pace.

Yukimura watched, saying nothing. The captain did look a little better then last time they had seen each other. Mostly because Yukimura was actually talking and didn't look utterly lifeless. Sanada was relieved at that. Good. Yukimura was partly over his loss… or at least, he was not dwelling on it too much. It was a good sign.

900… 901… 902…

Yukimura was not saying anything, looking at Sanada rather intensely. Sanada wanted to ask why Yukimura was here but he wouldn't allow himself to stop his swings now. He would not be distracted over an unexpected guest. But even so… he wished Yukimura would just say something or just stop looking at him. It was making him feel rather self conscious.

Maybe Yukimura was waiting for Sanada to finish his training. Maybe because he wanted Sanada's full attention. Perhaps the blue-haired captain had something important to say.

Oh god. What if this was about what had happened after the Nationals? Sanada's face burned at the memory, remembering how he had hugged Yukimura, pressing them together and sliding to the ground. He had thought of it as nothing at the time, but once he went home and thought back, he couldn't believe he had actually done that.

Even worse was that he had actually confessed how he felt towards Yukimura. But… Yukimura had not said anything about that yet. Maybe he had already forgotten. Sanada pushed his flush away, trying to focus on his sword swings even more. If Yukimura had something to say, than he would say it… although Sanada really hoped Yukimura would hurry up with it. He forced him mind back to his kendo training. It had now become freakishly hard to concentrate.

956… 957… 957… ... Wait, didn't he already count that number? Sanada hesitated for a second, frowning. He took a second too long and his rhythm broke. Sanada saw Yukimura tilting his head to the side, as if asking why Sanada had hesitated. The vice-captain sighed, feeling himself lower his sword and stop. Well so much for reaching his goal today. With Yukimura around, he didn't seem to be able to do any of his usual exercises that required focus.

"Do you have to tell me something?" asked Sanada, looking at the bluenette wearily. He walked towards the far end wall, putting his sword back in its hilt and into its proper position. His fingers were stiff and hurt when he flexed them.

Yukimura stood up and walked forward. Sanada heard his presence, his heartbeat racing faster as the captain approached.

"It's the first time I've seen you practicing kendo. Your movements are a lot like in tennis, aren't they?" said Yukimura. He could see how Sanada's tennis was influenced by this martial art. He felt almost jealous that Sanada could take something he loves so much like kendo and bring it into his tennis.

"Ah." said Sanada.

"Kendo almost seems to suit you. Your focus and your movements are great. And…" Yukimura paused for a second before continuing. "You… you look good in a hakama." he said, almost embarrassed. "You must have been training hard even now that the Nationals are over. You never slack off even when you are at home."

"What are you here for?" asked Sanada again. It wasn't like Yukimura to say such pointless chatter. It was as if the bluenette was stalling for time.

"Ah… well, I'm not quite sure. I've been having a lot of questions running through my mind lately. Perhaps I'm just here to seek comfort." said Yukimura.

Sanada turned around to face Yukimura. The captain was smiling sadly and Sanada could see the vulnerability in those cerulean eyes. Maybe he had been wrong… maybe Yukimura did need a bit of help to overcome this, thought Sanada. He was so used to looking over Yukimura since his illness. And now seemed like another one of those times where Yukimura needed help. Why should Yukimura have to overcome this alone afterall?

Sanada sat down on the polished wooden floor. Yukimura followed him, doing the same. They sat across from each other, legs crossed.

"Have you been practicing your meditation?" asked Sanada, getting into his usual position for meditating.

Yukimura frowned. "I'm no good at it."

"It's because you give up too fast. You said you never lost before the Nationals right?" said Sanada. "I think you are a little too used to winning. Victories seem to come naturally to you. So if you aren't good at something or if you lose, do you think it's okay to never stand back up? Do you think it's okay to just give up? You can't go your whole life without losing. One day it will catch up to you like it did at the Nationals."

Even if Sanada lost in the past, the losses were his driving force, making him want to become even stronger. When he defeated Tezuka, it felt like all of his hard work had paid off. It was the same thing with Akaya. No matter how often the second-year ace was defeated by one of the Three Demons, it only made him want to work harder. But it appeared to have the opposite effect on Yukimura. Losing didn't motivate Yukimura at all.

Yukimura turned his head away, scowling. "I work hard just like all of you. I may not have lost before, but I work just as hard."

"I won't deny that. However, you only work hard on things you know you are already naturally good at. You work hard in fear of losing your place as number one. And now you are having a hard time because you lost a match and it is disrupting your entire life balance." said Sanada. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, waiting for Yukimura to reply.

Even if Yukimura went a few minutes without talking, Sanada wasn't distraught. It meant Yukimura was digesting the words, mauling them over.

"I don't know how you can observe such things about me yet still be so dense, Sanada." said Yukimura, tone mocking.

"I'm merely telling you to get over it. You'll be stronger next time. Everyone loses; you are not the only one. Taking this long to get over it… well, you aren't getting my pity."

"So strict… I suppose seeking you out for comfort is not my greatest decision." murmured Yukimura. Another pause. And then, "Sanada, can you show me that meditating thing again?"

Sanada cracked his eyes open, nodding. He explained it in the same way as before. He showed Yukimura how to breathe in deeply and slowly, letting the air reach down and fill his lungs to the maximum, expanding his stomach before releasing it just as slowly.

Sanada was patient with him, reminding Yukimura to stay still, making sure his abdomen was shifting instead of his chest. Yukimura wasn't very good at it, appearing to be a naturally shallow breather, but he didn't stop or run away like last time. The bluenette's stomach moved up and down in sync to each deep breath he took.

After a little while, Yukimura smiled. "This isn't very relaxing." he noted.

"You are simply not yet used to it." said Sanada. "Keep at it and it will come naturally, just like tennis."

Sanada observed Yukimura closely, as if looking for any signs that would show what he was thinking.

"Why do you play tennis, Sanada?" Yukimura asked suddenly.

"What?" said the vice-captain.

"What do you like about tennis? I mean, you enjoy kendo just as much. The school has a kendo club. Your family all practice it too. Why tennis and not kendo?"

Sanada paused for a second. He didn't have to think much about his answer. There was no specific reason for why anyone liked a certain hobby more than another.

"I tried it and it was fun." said Sanada simply. "I liked it. It was a sport with so many infinite possibilities and I could incorporate many other martial art styles into it. As I continued practicing it, I became attached to the sport."

"I see." said Yukimura, looking out at the swords up on the wall. "I wonder… what do I like about tennis?" He spoke to himself idly. "I like to win… and I was good at it since the beginning. But even if I lost the other day... I still don't want to quit tennis. I thought winning was the reason I continued playing it, but it seems that's not it. Perhaps I also have an attachment to tennis…"

"After playing it for so long, it would be likely."

"Ah…" Yukimura hummed, biting the inside of his cheek, thinking. "Tennis… I don't think it's all that fun. Back when I was sick, tennis caused me pain. Tennis pushed me to my limits in order to recover on time for the Nationals. No, it's not fun... it's a battle to be the best. Yet, despite all the trouble... I don't know why I can't just stop playing it… I want to keep playing and getting better. I don't know why. I don't know what's driving me forward anymore. I used to think it was winning, but it's no longer that."

Sanada nodded. "Even so, no matter what your driving force is, at least you aren't quitting. You forget that now, the underclassmen are counting on us. Akaya is counting on us. We must make sure the team is in top form for next year. Either way, I wouldn't let you stop playing. Not when the team needs you this badly."

Yukimura felt a bubble of dread within him. He had nearly forgotten about Akaya. Yukimura was supposed to be starting Akaya's training in order to form him into a good captain for the following year. Right. People were counting on him. He was so selfish to have only been concerned about himself. His friends... they must all be worried. Niou lost as well. Maybe Niou was having trouble coping with the loss. And Marui and Jackal too...

Yukimura stood up, brushing his knees free of dust. "There will be a practice this afternoon at two. Tell Yanagi to announce it to the team. I will accept no excuses of tardiness." he said, in his usual strict captain tone.

"Of course." said Sanada, feeling relief that he had been able to help Yukimura today. He watched the bluenette make his way to the door. Yukimura probably had a lot to plan for this afternoon already.

"Thank you for listening to me, Sanada." said Yukimura, opening the sliding door.

"Hn." grunted Sanada, waving him off briefly. He still wanted to get some training done before tennis practice began. He wondered if he had the time to try those thousand sword swings again. Sanada picked his sword off its shelf once more. He realized the door hadn't been shut closed yet. He wondered if Yukimura had forgotten to close it, but when he turned arond, he saw the captain still standing there in the doorway, observing him.

"What?" asked Sanada. He was not practicing with Yukimura staring at him again.

"I was wondering…" said Yukimura. "What you said after the Nationals… when you told me you liked me. Was that really the truth?"

Sanada stopped breathing. "Yes."

Yukimura's eyes softened. He stepped out the door.

"I'll see you at practice then." he said and then he was gone.

Author's Rant:

(Warning: This is going to be a long author's note, but I have something important-ish to say.)

Guys… I have been planning and plotting something lately, but I don't want to get in too deep without asking you readers and reviewers for your opinion first.

I have had the most fun writing this story out of all the stories I've written in the past. Although I have never done this before, I am asking you all this question:

Would you like to have a sequel to this story?

I'm asking because I want to know everyone's opinions first before jumping forward and assuming everyone wants a continuation. I already know some of you do want one. Now, if I do write the sequel, here's some basic information:

1- I wouldn't be suggesting it if I didn't have ideas/plot/whatever. I have the entire sequel more or less planned out like I always do before I start a story. So yes, I HAVE THEM PLOT BUNNIES.

2- The sequel would be a direct continuation to this story and following the New Prince of Tennis storyline where everyone goes to the U-17 camp… which might spoil things for those who haven't read the manga.

3- It would be less Rikkai-centric because of the location and how all the teams are together in the U-17 camp. Other schools will be playing a bigger part this time around.

4- It won't be as long as this story. The sequel would be around 20 chapters if I were to estimate it now.

5- (because this is apparently a big issue?) It will be T-rated.

I would really love to hear your opinion on it, either a yes or a no, whether you have any questions about it, or any concerns at all. I'll try to answer if I can.

So uh… yeah, that's it. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Tell me what you all think about the possibility of a sequel.