Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis and the characters do not belong to me but to Konomi-sensei, IG productions, TV Tokyo and the other corporations who make fangirls spend money on PoT merchandise.

Black Vinegar

* * *

Chapter 3: Beginning of the End

Echizen Ryoma, Fuji mused, was definitely not an average Japanese teenager. Whereas most youngsters took to life one step at a time, Ryoma did it by leaps and bounds.

He slept through most of his classes, yet he always received the highest grades among his peers. The English teacher, Nakamura-sensei, learned never to call on Ryoma during the class, lest he desired to be humiliated by a mere student. Similarly, the other teachers were surprised that when roused from sleep, he could easily answer problem sets and questions thrown his way. The mathematics teacher was overheard complaining to a colleague. "He even corrects MY mistakes for crying out loud. Reminds me of that kid who was also in Tennis club, you know... Tezuka-kun?"

Fuji once asked his boyfriend about his stellar academic performance. Ryoma just shrugged and said, "I don't care. I always study in advance so I could practice in the courts without my mom nagging me about my grades."

He should have known. It was all about Tennis. For Echizen Ryoma anyway. In some way, what he said made perfect sense; he should finish everything else (non-Tennis related) so he wouldn't be distracted while practicing.

As with tennis and school, Ryoma was way ahead of his peers when it came to relationships. While the other boys were preoccupied with sports and cram school, he already began dating. Fuji was thankful that Seishun Gakuen was an 'elevator'-type school. Which meant that the students could enter the affiliated high school with little trouble if one did well in Junior high and passed the annual promotional exam. Which also meant that Seigaku was blessed with the junior-high, high school and university departments being relatively nearby to each other. Which was the reason he began dating the other boy in Ryoma's third year and during his stint as Tennis club captain. Strangely enough, Fuji could thank Inui for that.

* * *

A year ago...

"Ochibi did what?" Kikumaru asked in disbelief. He accidentally hit the ball too hard and it sailed over the fences of the tennis courts...

And neatly knocked Arai (who had the misfortune of being ordered to run laps by the captain) unconscious, who had been running just outside the perimeter.

"He asked me to help him during practices." Inui said, amused by the minor accident Kikumaru had caused. He took out his notebook. "This should be good data..."

"Nya!! Arai! Are you all right?"

Fuji turned his attention away from the apologetic Kikumaru and grinned at Inui. "I'll go with you."

"Why?" Notebook and pencil were readied.

"No particular reason. And you don't need to write that down. It's only a visit."

"Are you sure? My data contradicts your statements. There is a 76.4% chance that you want to come with me because of your fixation with Echizen. May I remind you that he is already a third year in Junior High and come next semester, he will be accepted into the high school judging from his excellent academic performance. And since the tennis club would no longer need much attention because the Nationals and other tournaments are over, there is a miniscule 0.6% chance that Echizen would decline your proposal for a rematch."

Fuji almost choked. Was that what Inui thought? That he wanted to play against the younger boy? "Then what are we waiting for?" He didn't have the heart to tell the data tennis player that he wasn't interested in Ryoma's tennis skills, instead, he was interested in getting into Ryoma's pants.

On the other hand, he wanted to see Inui SQUIRM from the realization that his precious data was wrong. Fuji's sadistic side perked at the idea.

* * *

A few months after...

Ryoma wouldn't care less who he dated as long as his boyfriend (or girlfriend perhaps) could play Tennis. He didn't even bat an eye when Fuji asked him out on a date. As long as he could play against Fuji, he was happy. It was like that for the first few months. Tennis. And more Tennis.

Eventually it sunk in that Fuji wanted to do more things other than play around the courts. Lately, the have been making out a lot more often. They haven't gone beyond just making out yet. And Ryoma began to notice that Fuji had gotten a bit more... enthusiastic. They were teenaged boys after all, hormones and all that.

When Ryoma graduated from Junior High, he was immediately drafted into the High school tennis team. A part of him was elated to see his teammates. But that feeling was quashed when Fuji personally "greeted" him on his first day of practice

The other regulars didn't know that they had begun seeing each other. Hence the varied reactions when Fuji "greeted" him by thoroughly molesting him in front of all his teammates.

Momoshiro was the first to react. The others followed suit.

"ECHIZEN?!? WHA-? YOU... AND ... FUJI-SENPAI?!? SINCE WHEN WERE YOU GAY?!?"

"Unnyaaah! Fuji!! Why didn't you tell me? Oishi!! Say something!"

"Eh? Uh... Congratulations?"

"OOISHI!"

"This is illogical... it can't be right. The data doesn't lie... Unless...!"

"Fuji, Echizen, I... uh... Eh? Thanks but what do I need a racket for...."

"Fushuuuuuu~!"

"GUUREEEITOO! BURNING! OH YEAH! COME ON BOY! ORE-SAMA WILL PUNISH ANYONE WHO GETS IN THE WAY! CONGRATULATIONS!!"

"...."

"Tezuka? What's wrong?"

"Fuji. Echizen. 100 laps for disrupting practice. NOW!"

"... It's all your fault."

Fuji gave him a harmless looking smile. "Saa..."

* * *

Back to the present...

Echizen Ryoma was avoiding him like the plague, Fuji thought as he sneaked another look at his boyfriend. He must still be angry about the Inui-juice incident. And if he was correct, the younger boy was plotting revenge. Interesting. In the meantime, he should get ready for whatever Ryoma was planning.

"You've still got a long way to go before you can beat me, Echizen."

* * *

tbc...