Co-written with zeratheliger.

Authors note

Hey, guys! Once again, thanks for the reviews and I'll just skip my lame attempts to apologize for the long wait. Thanks again, Yue, for the great editing. Enjoy!

Previously

After Sayaka got knocked down by Kai on the track, she found herself unharmed (only a scratch on her elbow) but instead Tezuka broke her fall and he ended up hurting his right shoulder. Sayaka got furious and was ready to pulverize Kai for doing this. She knew he did it on purpose but before things could get ugly, Tezuka interfered and stopped her.

In the infirmary Sayaka put back everything in place for him (she 'cured', kind of, his shoulder… you know what I mean). She asked Tezuka the reason for such a reckless move and he told her that their friends and he won't let her get hurt. This made Sayaka realize that her team and the rest in Seigaku meant a lot to her. Besides this, Yuki saw the whole thing and got really furious.

Meanwhile, in Ayumi's group it became clear that the culprit behind the vandalizing was indeed a girl. Ayumi even had a good guess of who it might be. After practice Yumi had to solve one problem: she had to get her towel from the very top of the tree. It was too high to get it but Sayaka came about and climbed it. The towel once again got stuck and Yumi couldn't reach it. Saeki came wandering out of nowhere and helped her. He got too close to her, thus resulting in Fuji getting utterly pissed at his childhood friend (Atobe, Fuji and Tezuka walked up, when they heard a startled Haruhi).

On the next day, Sayaka got pissed at Mitsuba for getting too close to Tezuka but that wasn't all that happened, there was a thunder storm and Yuki had to deal with her fear. She called for Atobe, while in panic but didn't think he might actually come. On the contrary, Atobe dropped everything and rushed to her. They finally got to see each other but Atobe got too obsessed with her and went too far, thus Yuki got pissed for a second but then forgave him. After this Yuki got to see her ex-boyfriend (sick jerk, asshole, bastard…khm) and get her revenge for her dear friends. Afterwards, Kai decided not to make Yuki angry, she just scared the hell out of him.

At the very end of the chapter Haruhi caught the culprit in an attempt to break more stuff. Now, how will she deal with this?

Chapter 36

Forgiven

"So it's you." Haruhi said, narrowing her eyes as she recognized who the culprit was. "Who would've thought that you would go to such lengths, Miss Rokkaku vice captian, Masao Yoko-san."

Yoko sneered. "Hou...what's a loyal pet like you doing so far away from your master?"

"Nani!?" Haruhi growled, balling her fists and letting her nails dig into the face of her palm. "You actually think you're going to be able to get away with this!? I'll report you."

Yoko threw her head back and let out a laugh "Ha! And just who do you think will believe you? I could say the exact same thing about you."

Haruhi gritted her teeth and let out a growl. Yoko was right. She had no real evidence that it was Yoko and not her. They were both alone in the dorm and there was nobody around to witness the crime. This frustrated Haruhi, but she wasn't just going to let Yoko do as she pleased.

"I won't let you do as you please." she said slowly "C'mon let's go. Right here, right now."

Yoko gave her a questioning look "What are you talking about?"

"Tennis." Haruhi snapped "I'll play you right now and when I win, you'll stop."

"Can you even play singles?" Yoko jeered, while giving the girl an amused smile.

Haruhi narrowed her eyes and said "What did you say?"

Yoko scoffed "You heard me. And besides even if you do win, do you think I'm really going to stop? No one's gonna believe you-"

"I will." a calm voice said.

Both girls froze and turned their heads to the doorway. There stood Haruhi's doubles partner, Ayumi.

"I will believe you, Haruhi." she said again, giving her friend a reassuring smile.

Yoko let out a forced chuckle.

Ayumi narrowed her eyes and said coolly "So you were behind this."

"So what if I was?" Yoko demanded, not at all the least bit ashamed of her actions.

"It's wrong." Ayumi said simply "You should own up to your actions, Masao-san."

"Make me." retorted Yoko. She folded her arms and glared at Ayumi. She responded by standing her ground and giving her a look of disappointment. A drop of sweat rolled down the side of Yoko's left temple.

"Fine." Ayumi said, breaking the hostile tension "Let's settles this like Haruhi said."

Yoko smirked "With pleasure."

Ayumi turned around and began walking towards the courts with Yoko right behind her. Haruhi followed both teens in silence, keeping her eyes on Ayumi. She had never once seen her partner this determined before. As much as she wanted to intervene in this battle, she felt that it wasn't her place to do so. All she could do was stand on the sidelines and support her friend with all her might.

Each teen knew that it was forbidden for them to enter the courts unless they had practice or their coach said so. But everyone knew that this needed to be done and were willing to take the risk of being punished to settle the score.

Ayumi took her stance at the baseline on the near side of the court while Yoko went to the far end.

"This is your last chance to back off, Masao-san." Ayumi said, but more to herself than to the actual person.

Yoko started to bounce the tennis ball up and down, giving Ayumi a smug look.

She shrugged her shoulders and then said carelessly "Well we've already broken the rules just by being here so why waste it? Besides I'm doing this for Saeki-san!"

That last bit of news puzzled her. Ayumi's eyes softened for a moment because she felt sorry for Yoko. That feeling instantly disappeared as Yoko tossed the ball into the air and sent it flying over the net.

'So it's begun.' Both teens thought simultaneously.

Ayumi returned the serve with a fast one handed backhand to the opposite corner. While the ball was smacked in the other direction, she ran towards the middle of half court so it would be easier to reach the ball.

Yoko smirked as she ran for the ball. She extended her arm out and was able to reach the ball with ease. She returned it with a hard forehand to the baseline.

Ayumi jogged back several paces, keeping her eye on the ball the entire time. She jumped into the air and with a simple flick of her wrist, sent the tennis ball crashing down right past Yoko.

"15-love" Haruhi stated.

Yoko let out a mangled cry and stomped back to the serving area behind the base line.

--

"Haru-chan?" exclaimed a certain hyper active red head, coming to halt as he spotted all three teens. He bounced over to the court until his face was practically pressed up against the fence. He was going to call to the said girl again until he realized that there was a match going on.

He watched as Ayumi jumped into the air and smashed the tennis ball back to the other side with all her might. Eiji let out a low whistle in awe of the girl's power.

Eiji smiled to himself and turned around. He had to go tell Oishi about this, it was just too exciting.

"Oooiishiii!!!" he bellowed.

--

Since Yoko had just lost the first point, she was really mad and embarrassed. It was her rage that fueled her to win the next few points.

"One game to love. Masao leading" Haruhi announced.

'Ganbatte, Ayu-chan.' she chanted, as she watched Yoko hit a sloppy serve.

Ayumi came to a skidding halt as she hit a smooth forehand. She aimed so the ball bounced off the net and rolled onto the other side of the court.

"15-love."

Ayumi observed Yoko and saw that the girl had even broken a sweat.

'Guess I'll just have to try harder.' she thought determinedly, waiting for Yoko to serve again.

They started to rally again, each girl managing to catch up to the ball no matter where it was sent.

Ayumi let out a sigh as she hit a high lob; buying her a few seconds. 'I guess I'll have to use that move…'

As Yoko made contact with the tennis ball, it grazed her racket in an odd way and then flew out of the court. Yoko was surprised but she shook her head. 'It was a fluke' she told herself.

The next rally and the rally after that was the exact same. Just as Yoko's racket connected with the ball it would just bounce off to the side, causing her to lose the point. Yoko picked up the ball and sent Ayumi an accusing look.

Ayumi returned her glare with a grin. "No matter how many times you try and hit the ball it will always fly off into a different direction."

This news did not make the vice captain pleased. She snarled at the blonde teen.

Haruhi got even more worried after seeing her doubles partner playing so seriously. She didn't believe that this kind of matter made her go against her promise.

'Ayu-chan, you promised the coach not to use that. You know it's dangerous, when the shots get stronger.' thought Haruhi.

--

"Oooiishiii!!!" wailed Eiji rushing to his doubles partner.

"What's wrong!?" said teen asked, startled by the way his friend was acting.

"Oishi, Oishi, they're- Haru-chan, Ayu-chan-Nyaa!" Eiji ranted, flailing his arms about like a lunatic.

"What's up with him?" asked Sayaka, approaching both teens.

Oishi shrugged. "Eiji, what's wrong? And speak slowly."

"What's wrong with him?" out of nowhere, Inui appeared and as usual he had his notebook open and was scribbling madly.

"I'm not sure. He mentioned Haruhi and Ayumi. Eiji!" Oishi said.

Finally after nonstop chatter, Eiji clamped his mouth shut, took in a really deep breath and then said "Ayu-chanandMasao-sanarehavingaserioustennismatchandAyu-chanlooksreallymad!"

All four teens tilted their heads to the side and Eiji stomped his foot.

"What?" they all asked.

"Tennis Match. Now. Come!" he said very slowly.

All said teens rushed to the said court with Eiji in the lead and Sayaka right behind him. She was very concerned for her teammates.

--

The match was getting way too serious.

Yoko's shots were getting stronger and she still hadn't found a way to counter Ayumi's special shot.

Ayumi wouldn't let up on returning Yoko's shot with her counter. Finally, Yoko snapped and smashed the ball with all her strength but it flew out of the court and towards Haruhi. Haruhi couldn't react in time and the ball hit her.

"Haruhi!" yelled out Ayumi. She came to a halt as someone rushed into the courts.

Out of nowhere Ryuzaki-sensei appeared. She crouched over Haruhi helped the girl to her feet.

Yoko stood frozen on the court. She had never imagined that she would end up hurting someone with tennis. Now she felt truly ashamed by her foolishness. (Note: she feels bad for hitting Haruhi not for vandalizing people's stuff)

"Just what the hell were you two thinking!?" Ryuzaki-sensei barked.

"Sensei-" Ayumi said, but Sumire cut her off.

"How dare you go behind my back and have an unofficial match." she said.

She turned her attention to Ayumi "I told you not to use that move. You knew how dangerous it was and yet you still did it!"

Ayumi cast her gaze to the floor.

Turning to Haruhi she roared "You! You could have stopped this!"

Haruhi dared not talk back to an enraged Sumire. She nearly let out a squeal when someone touched her lightly on the shoulder.

"Sayaka-buchou?" she whispered.

"Shhh!" Sayaka put a finger to her lip and the nudged her head in Ryuzaki-sensei's direction.

"What was the reason for going to this length!?" the coach demanded, her eyes staring at each girl.

Ayumi lifted her gaze to Yoko and noticed how horrified she looked. Ayumi noticed that Yoko was just staring at her racket, not really paying attention to what was happening. She felt pleased that the girl could feel some remorse. Ayumi knew what had to be done, but before she could do anything Haruhi spoke up.

"Sensei." she said in a quiet voice "Masao-san provoked Ayumi to play against her because of her stupid jealousy for Saeki-san." Haruhi confessed. Well what she had said was half true since she had been the real person to challenge Yoko. It hadn't even been because of a boy, but because Yoko was vandalizing people's property. She didn't get why Yoko was angry at Ayumi since it was kind of obvious that Saeki had some feelings for Yumi-or at least the way he behaved suggested something like that.

Sayaka narrowed her azure blue eyes at Yoko. She greatly disliked those types of people who had no sense of respect for tennis itself.

"She actually went as far as to-" Haruhi never was able to finish her sentence since Ayumi touched her lightly on the arm. She shook her head and gave her friend a grateful smile.

"Sensei, it's my fault." she said, staring Ryuzaki-sensei directly in the eyes. "I've had several conflicts with Masao-san so I challenged her to a game to settle things. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt."

'What are you doing!?' Haruhi slipped her hand into Ayumi's and squeezed it tightly.

"You know the consequences for breaking the rules, Kitajima." Ryuzak-sensei let out a sigh "I won't tolerate you breaking the rules or hurting people…accident or not."

"Hai." Ayumi said calmly, her head held high "I take full responsibility for what happened today."

Yoko raised her head and stared at the blonde teen with shock.

"Then-" Ryuzaki said in a firm tone "You have nothing left here to do. You're dropped from further practice in the group."

Ayumi nodded her head "Hai. I understand."

Haruhi felt like the whole world had stopped. Ayumi was her doubles partner. No, Ayumi was her best friend. The thought that Ayumi wasn't going to be here anymore…it hurt…a lot. What was Ayumi thinking? Was she even thinking about her and how she felt about this? It was too much for Haruhi.

"Everyone go back to your dorms and stay there." Ryuzaki ordered, turning away.

"Sensei, wait!" Haruhi called out.

"Haruhi!" Ayumi yelled, placing a firm grip on her shoulder. In a softer and quieter voice she said "Enough already.

Haruhi let out a sob. "Ayu-chan…"

"Mou…" she murmured "It's okay."

She brought Haruhi into a tight embrace and said cheerfully "You've become a lot stronger. I think you can handle things without me."

Haruhi rubbed her eyes and Ayumi let her go. She gave her best friend one last grateful smile before heading to the dorms to pack her stuff.

"Haruhi was telling the truth. Why would you cover for that girl?" inquired Sayaka, softening her gaze. She was genuinely curious at Ayumi's actions.

"I have my own reasons." she replied.

Sayaka let out a chuckle "I won't pry."

"Look after Haruhi for me, ne, Sayaka-chan?" Ayumi whispered.

"Ayumi, stop!" Haruhi cried out "Sayaka-chan, say something! Stop her!"

Haruhi tried to run up to Ayumi, but Sayaka stood in her way with her arms stretched out. She shook her head gently and watched as Haruhi broke down into hysterical sobs. It hurt her too much seeing her best friend sacrificing herself for the person who caused trouble. All she wanted was to prevent things from getting worse. Just how did it get like this?

Some of the onlookers walked away but some stayed. Mostly, Seigaku and Rokkaku, and some of the people from their groups.

Yumi approached Haruhi and tried to calm her down.

The whole Seigaku team felt sorry for her, but there was really nothing they could do. It was Ayumi's choice to do what she did and now they'd all just have to live with it.

Sayaka watched Haruhi cry into Yumi's shoulder and frowned. She didn't like how her friend had been hurt. It made her angry.

'Unforgivable' Sayaka thought darkly, turning her attention to Yoko-who was standing still on the courts. As Sayaka tried to walk over to the girl, Saeki intercepted her.

"Koyumi-san, please forgive her on my behalf." he bowed to the black haired teen.

"Move." she said, not caring whether or not Saeki wanted to apologize to her.

"Please, Koyumi-san-" Saeki begged.

"Move!" she snapped.

Still that did not stop the two-toned haired teen to give up "One trouble is enough. Surely you do not want to cause another one-"

"For the last time, Saeki-san. Move." this time Sayaka said it slowly and calmly, but with intentions on removing him with force if deemed necessary.

Saeki did as he was told and walked back to his team. Everyone watched with baited breath to see what Sayaka would do next.

She walked up to the terrified teen and stood in front of her, musing at Yoko's reactions. She stood towering over the girl for several minutes.

Saeki was almost sure Sayaka would slap Yoko.

"Nya! I've never seen Saya-chan so scary." Eiji commented, peering over Oishi's shoulder.

Suddenly Sayaka grabbed Yoko by the collar of her shirt and lifted her a few inches off the ground.

"How dare you stand here with that smug look on that silly face of yours?" she snarled "If you waste what Ayumi did for you, you'll wish it was you that had left and not her. You got that!?"

Sayaka threw Yoko to ground and spun around, storming out of the courts; with practically everybody behind her.

Saeki let out a sigh of relief and signaled for the rest of the people to leave Yoko alone.

Yoko was deep in thought. She compared her actions to Ayumi's and realized how childish she had been. She had tried to make Ayumi suffer while Ayumi had just taken the entire blame for something that should've been her fault. Now she felt really bad.

--

During the entire practice time, Haruhi couldn't focus properly. The coach let her rest for the time being because she wasn't doing anything useful.

Haruhi sat on the bench staring at her feet. Her head was about to explode with all the questions and arguments floating in it.

She didn't get why Ayumi did something like this. Why would she go through all the trouble to stand up for that despicable person? Why didn't she tell the truth? Why did she give up her spot? On top of it all, why did she leave Haruhi?

'I know I might sound selfish but I want Ayumi to stay here. I want her to play doubles with me. Ayu-chan, why?'

"You've become a lot stronger. I think you can handle things without me." Haruhi remembered what Ayumi had said before she left the courts.

'She knew that I was practicing on my own and wanted to become independent from her. It's true. I always wanted to play singles for once. I wanted to know the feeling standing there all by yourself facing strong opponents. Even the coach said that I've improved and that inspired me to push further. Still, I kept it from you, Ayu-chan, and wasn't honest even with myself. This pisses me off. Why do you always have to be this strong? I guess I might never surpass you…' Haruhi pulled her knees to herself and hid her face behind them. She was angry at herself and at Ayumi.

She was weak and stupid to realize that she actually wanted to be in the team without Ayumi for once. How could she face her doubles partner now?

-- Sayaka's group.

"We're going to practice with one of the other groups. You're going to have matches against each and every one of them, so that we can finally determine how far you can go." said the coach.

The group that they were supposed to go against was Sanada's.

"Hou." was Atobe's reaction.

"This is going to be fun." commented Kai.

"Let's start. Weights off first!" everyone started to take off their weights.

"Koyumi, except for you! Leave them until I say you can take them off." commanded the coach. Sayaka twitched and glared at Ryuuzaki-sensei.

'I have a good guess what she's up to.' thought Sayaka.

"Okay! First up…" the coach called out for the first ones to start their match. The practice was intense until lunch.

--

During lunch time Ayumi came in to wish everyone good luck before she left. Apparently, she had to handle some family business anyways.

"Do you really have to go, Ayu-chan?" asked Eiji.

"Eh." she nodded her head sadly. She gave everyone a grin "On the bright side camp ends tomorrow, so I don't feel bad leaving a day early."

Seeing her so peaceful, the Seigaku team didn't worry about her anymore.

The only person who didn't come up to her was Haruhi. She was still kind of angry at her. Ayumi looked her direction and gave her a sad smile. She left without saying another word.

Haruhi had hoped that she might come up to her, but no. Haruhi felt that she might regret it if she didn't tell her now. Tell her the things that she had been thinking about. So, she rushed out before she could lose sight of Ayumi.

"Ayu-chan, wait!" called out Haruhi.

Ayumi turned around with a smile already plastered on her face.

"What is it?" she asked. Haruhi opened her mouth but words didn't come out for a while before she took a deep breath.

"I need to be honest with you." Haruhi said with an unnaturally calm face "Ever since the coach dropped you from the team, I've been thinking. It might be a good thing for me because lately I've wanted to play singles and surpass the previous weak me. I don't want to depend on you all the time."

Ayumi listened carefully.

"But don't get me wrong. I also want Ayu-chan to stay, I wanted you to have a chance to be selected for the team. I'm sorry, I wasn't honest with you. I'm sorry for having such thoughts when you have to leave. I just felt like telling you-"

Ayumi smiled even wider.

"I know, Haruhi. I forgive you." said Ayumi. Haruhi widened her eyes.

"But, Ayu-"

"You haven't been yourself lately, but I'm glad that this was the reason. There's no reason for me to get angry at you. What's done is done and I hope you can become stronger without me now." she paused and grinned. "However, I hope you won't become arrogant and not want me to be your doubles partner anymore. Ne?" This caused both teens to burst into laughter.

"I understand. I'll do my best and won't let your effort go to waste." said Haruhi.

Ayumi nodded.

"Good luck and watch your temper." said Ayumi jokingly.

"Hey!" retorted Haruhi but then stopped when she noticed Ayumi laughing. "What about Masao-san? Aren't you angry at her?"

"Hmm. A bit though but you know it's easier to forgive than hold a grudge for eternity. All her wrong doings and attempts are forgiven from my side." said Ayumi looking at the sky. "What about you? Can she be forgiven from your side?"

"If Ayu-chan says so. I guess I can forgive her." said Haruhi sighing. Ayumi smiled in return.

"I'm guessing that Masao-san feels the same because here…" Ayumi pointed at her chest. "I feel at ease leaving with no regret." Haruhi widened her eyes and smiled at the statement. The both girls hugged each other before Ayumi left. Haruhi watched her best friend's back until the figure disappeared. Haruhi rushed back for practice and cheered herself on to do her best as promised.

--

The afternoon practice was very intense. The coach made the teens play against each and every one of them before she let them off.

Sayaka was having a little trouble in maintaining her stamina. She had to wear weights and every part of her body hurt like hell. Ryuzaki-sensei finally let her take her weights off when she had to face Sanada.

"Sensei, isn't it better to let her off? She can barely stand on her feet and I bet she'll collapse in the middle of the match." said Atobe analyzing Sayaka with a worried expression.

"Don't worry, Atobe-kun. This won't kill her, she might end up unconscious for the rest of the day." said coach Ryuzaki.

Atobe sweat dropped at the statement.

'Saa, I want to see what you will do in these circumstances, Koyumi.' thought coach.

Sayaka prepared to receive the serve. She twitched when she bent her legs.

'I might hold out until the very end. He had to go against a lot of strong players, I think there won't be a need for me to raise my speed.' thought Sayaka.

During the match Sanada gave her a lot of trouble because of his ultra fast swing. That made Sayaka rush to every ball in full speed but her reaction failed her due to fatigue.

In the middle of the match she fell to her knees, completely out of breath. The pain in her left ankle had started acting up again. Her whole body shook because of the strain.

"Tch! Damn this." she mumbled to herself. Her whole body hurt like hell. She tried to get up but failed; her muscles wouldn't listen to her anymore.

"Sensei, maybe we should end this. Koyumi-san is in no state to continue." said Sanada. The coach ignored him and looked at Sayaka waiting for her to do something.

"Sensei, you should spare her until the tournament." commented Tezuka.

"Just what are you waiting for, sensei?" asked Atobe.

"Heeh. Probably, she's waiting for 'that'." said Kai sheepishly. Ryuuzaki-sensei glanced Kai's direction.

"Tsudeyoshi, you know about it, don't you?" she asked. Kai shrugged his shoulders.

"Eh, ma. Just watch." said Kai. Tezuka glared at him but then turned back to Sayaka, who was chanting at herself to get up.

'No good. That old hag won't even let me walk out of here until I show her what she wants to see.' Sayaka smirked and closed her eyes.

"Hn. I guess I have no choice. Prepare yourself." Sayaka kept her eyes closed for a while. After a few seconds her body stopped shaking. She opened her eyes but they weren't the same as before. They seemed to be glasslike looking one direction. They were eyes that didn't show any emotion.

Next chapter

Sayaka shows the coach what she's been hiding… What she did before with her ankle. Tezuka gets overwhelmed by his feelings. Yuki's thoughts… The final decision of the team members. Sayaka refuses to join the team for some reason. Well, you'll just have to wait for the next chapter!

Authors Note

Sorry, another cliffy. I promise that I'll try to do that not so often from here on. Umm, the next chapter will end the camp and move on to the next problems that our dear characters will have to face. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and will keep up the great reviews! Bye!