Unexpected
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Ego Trip: Hi thanks for your continual support of my story. Can't believe people actually like this… Anyway, I know I made Kazura too powerful last chapter, but I really wanted to see a strong female character in this male dominated story so… Kazura's definitely going to get some weaknesses, but I don't think they're going to be tennis related. So I suppose Kazura's powers are here to stay… * Sorry * I've been toying with the idea of having more characters in the story… please let me know what you think… Also been thinking about letting Misaki show his face in this story again… hmmm wondering how to do that and if anyone wants to read about him… Anyway, on with the main portion of entertainment for today…
Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis characters are not mine… but Kazura and Misaki are mine… all mine… * evil laughter in the background *
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Interesting fact for the day: Out of all my 17 POT mangas only the one with Fuji on the cover costs more. Wonder if the publisher is a Fuji fan…
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Just as Tezuka was leaving the school, he heard someone shout his name from behind. "Tezuka-senpai wait…"
He stopped and turned around, to find Kazura running after him from the school building.
" Ah caught up with you… Lucky!" Kazura said, flashing him a victory sign. Seeing his lack of expression, she immediately reverted to her serious face. "When are you free to have a match?" Kazura asked, going straight into the point.
Tezuka regarded Kazura intently, not really sure of how to handle her. Having seen her play the other regulars had been an eye-opener. Though he had an inkling that she had been hiding something, he never expected her to be this good. The only problems in her game were her disadvantages in strength and speed. She lacked the inherent strength and speed the guys had, but she more than made up for it in terms of skill. However, players such as Eiji and Takashi proved to be a problem, with their power and acrobatic shots. Even after seeing her play, Tezuka wasn't sure if he could beat her, sensing that she might have left a few tricks up her sleeve. But the desire to meet the challenge in her eyes was too great to resist.
"I'm free on Sunday afternoon. Would you like to meet me at the tennis courts near the park?" he inquired expressionlessly, keeping his own feelings hidden.
"Sure. See you Sunday!" Kazura replied, just as Fuji appeared around the corner.
"There you are… I was just wondering where you disappeared to…" Fuji said as he approached the 2 of them. He had arrived just in time to catch the last part of their conversation about meeting on Sunday.
'Was it his imagination or did Fuji just shoot him a suspiciously evil look?' Tezuka thought. But seeing Fuji's trademark smile, he thought he must have been mistaken.
The 3 of them parted ways at the school gate, Tezuka turning left, Fuji and Kazura turning right.
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Later that night…
* Pant * pant * "Sorry Fuji-senpai, I was setting up my new TV and VCR and completely lost track of time," Kazura panted as she skidded to a stop in front of Fuji who had been calmly swinging on the park swings.
Fuji couldn't help smiling at the way Kazura looked, completely dishevelled and looking slightly out of breath. He had been waiting for her at the park for over half an hour and had begun to feel worried when she had appeared. Seeing her apologetic face, he couldn't help wanting to tease her a bit.
"I've been waiting for quite long…" Fuji stated in a deceptively calm voice.
"Sorry sorry sorry… I just got a TV and VCR so it took me some time to figure out where everything was…" Kazura rambled on, gesturing wildly, a little frazzled.
Stopping his swinging motion, Fuji reached out and grabbed one of Kazura's gesturing hands, pulling her down onto his lap. Losing her balance, Kazura toppled over onto Fuji, landing on his lap. Before she could regain her composure and balance, Fuji's lips closed over hers in a slow, deep kiss that obliterated every thought in her head.
When would she get used to way Fuji's kisses always managed to cause her heart to race, the way they always came as a surprise, the way she found them so irresistible…
When Fuji finally broke the kiss, they were both slightly out of breath. Having lost all sense of orientation and direction, Kazura could only stare at Fuji's hypnotic blue eyes. Sometimes Fuji was just so hard to understand, those beautiful blue eyes always seemed to see more than they should, hiding secrets behind them.
Seeing her lost look, Fuji bent over and kissed the tip of her nose," That was punishment for being late." Liking the feeling of Kazura sitting on his lap, he cuddled her closer and set the swing into motion again.
To keep herself from falling off, Kazura wrapped her arms around Fuji's waist and settled her cheek against his warm chest. Even though Fuji was of a small built when compared to the others, she felt so comfortable cuddled in his warm embrace. Fuji made her feel safe, like a guardian angel, he was always there to catch her whenever she fell, which was quite often, always there when she needed someone to talk to. Even though she generally kept her inner most feelings to herself, she found herself confiding in Fuji, about her missing her friends in New York, about missing Misaki, about her feelings after moving here… Funny how having Fuji around her had made everything seem easier…
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To: anthony_servaro@servaro.com, leila_servaro@servaro.com
From: kazura_takezato@I_am_genius.com
Subject: SORRY!
Hi guys! By the time you read this email, you should be back in New York right? Remember when I told you guys I was going to Japan for a while? Ok see what I actually meant was that I would be staying in Japan indefinitely… Ok ok no need to shout… I knew you would be angry… please don't hate me for lying. Actually now that I think about it, I didn't actually lie, more like omitting certain details… ok ok don't shout, I was wrong… please forgive me! It a really long story and I don't really feel like typing it out, so tell you when I see you.
In case you're wondering, I'm doing fine, staying at a teacher's house. I've been made the manager of the school tennis team. Boy are they strong… I lost to a couple of them today… not sure whether to feel happy or disappointed… Anyway I'm settling in just fine… just have to finish unpacking and setting up my satellite dish and I'm good to go. Will soon be able to watch your fashion shows on VH1.
Oh my goodness, it just hit me that I miss you guys so much! * weep and cry * again I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I wouldn't be back in New York anytime soon, it wouldn't have done much good anyway, you guys were so busy in Milan, or was it Paris…
Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Wish you guys good luck for the upcoming shows. Ciao.
Kazzie
ps. Tony, I hear in Tokyo that blue is the new black
pps. Leila, the tennis team is made up of the cutest guys… I'll send you a picture when I get one. XP
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* Announcement *
"Kazura Takezato of Class 1D please make your way to the school office now."
In the school office
"I'm Kazura Takezato, there was an announcement…"
"Phone call for you," said the harried looking secretary, pushing the phone into Kazura's hand before turning back to the mountains of files on her desk.
A little puzzled as to who would be calling her in the middle of the day, Kazura looked at the phone quizzically. " Hello, I'm Kazura…"
"Sorry to disturb you in the middle of school, I'm Sakaki-san, the coach of Hyotei tennis team…"
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In the teacher's lounge
"Ryuzaki-sensei, I need to take the rest of the day off," Kazura said breathlessly, having rushed into the teacher's lounge moments before.
Before she could turn and leave, Ryuzaki-sensei said," Stop, turn and explain."
"I don't have time sensei, Misaki's missing…" Kazura said with more than a tinge of panic in her normally calm voice.
Seeing that Kazura was hanging onto her composure by a thread, Ryuzaki-sensei took her by the shoulders and sat her down on a nearby chair. The very fact that Kazura sat down without a fight showed her just how distraught Kazura was. "What's going on? What do you mean Misaki's missing?" Ryuzaki sensei asked authoritatively, her tone demanding answers.
In a hollow voice filled with worry," I just got a call from Sakaki-sensei from Hyotei, Misaki's roommate reported that he hasn't been back to the hostel since yesterday and they've been looking all morning. Because they still can't find him, they had to inform his next of kin and that's me…" Not knowing what else to say, Kazura lapsed into silence.
"Do they have any idea why he disappeared?" asked Ryuzaki-sensei in a more gentle tone, sensing Kazura's worry for her missing brother.
"He lost terribly to an Atobe-senpai yesterday…" Kazura replied softly.
"That silly boy…" Ryuzaki-sensei sighed, realising that losing would have meant he would not be chosen as a school team representative for the regionals.
Snapping out of her worries, Kazura stood up suddenly and said," Sensei please let me go and look for him."
Before Ryuzaki-sensei could reply, someone knocked on the door and after Ryuzaki-sensei gave permission, opened the door. Tezuka walked into the teacher's lounge and to his surprise, saw Kazura standing at sensei's desk, looking rather distraught. Noticing him, she looked at him and the apparent worry and slight panic in her eyes struck him. Acknowledging each other with a slight tilt of their heads, Tezuka wondered what could have caused Kazura to be so distraught.
"Tezuka, you've come at the right time. If I'm not wrong, your classes have ended right? Wonderful, Kazura needs to go to Hyotei but I don't think she should go alone. If you are free please go along with her, after all, she has never been there or anywhere out of this area before." Ryuzaki sensei said to Tezuka.
"I don't need…"
"Quiet. You've never been there and you've only just arrived in Japan for a while, I don't want anything happening to you. Besides, Tezuka will be more familiar with the surroundings and he'll be of some help."
"May I ask what it is that Kazura needs to do at Hyotei?" Tezuka inquired curiously.
Looking defeated, Kazura replied," My brother Misaki's missing and I need to go to Hyotei to find him. You don't have to come along if you're not free."
Remembering that Kazura's twin brother Misaki was a student at Hyotei, Tezuka finally realised why Kazura was so distraught. Since he had been advised by his doctor to take the day off from tennis, he decided to go along with her to search for Misaki. "I'm free now, it'll be easier to find him with 2 people looking instead of 1."
"Good, I'll feel better if Tezuka goes along with you. Remember to keep in touch with me to let me know if you've found Misaki," Ryuzaki sensei instructed before signing Kazura's permission to leave school early slip. Since Tezuka's lesson's had ended earlier because he had already been accepted into the high school of his choice based on past examinations, he was free to go. Before leaving, Tezuka remembered to hand Ryuzaki-sensei the note from his doctor, advising him to take the day off from training. That was the reason why he'd come to the teacher's lounge in the first place.
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In the cab on their way to Hyotei
Silence hung in the air, thick and filled with tension. Kazura had been calling Misaki's cell phone every 2 min since they left the school, however there Misaki had either turned his cell phone off, or was ignoring her. Looking at Kazura out of the corner of his eye, Tezuka noticed that her expression had changed from one of worry to fury. Her usual cheerful smile had been replaced by a cold, angry frown, her eyes no longer twinkled with mischief, but they fairly shot sparks of fury and her easygoing demeanour had evaporated into a tougher and more ruthless attitude. She spent the entire trip to Hyotei on her cell phone, either calling Misaki or sending messages.
When they finally reached Hyotei, as Tezuka paid the driver with the money Ryuzaki-sensei had given them, Kazura reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of glasses and a cap. Putting them on, she got out of the cab and after it drove away, turned and spoke to Tezuka, "Senpai, this is not really your concern so if you want to leave, I won't mind."
"Let's go, the school office is that way," Tezuka said calmly, turning towards the direction of the main buildings.
If he had not turned away so quickly, he would have seen the slight smile that flashed across Kazura's face. It would have been the first smile she had smiled since hearing about Misaki's disappearance.
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In Hyotei's school office
Kazura walked up to the receptionist and said," I'm Kazura Takezato, I was told that my brother Misaki was missing."
Without a word, they were directed to an office at the back of the room, where Sakaki-sensei and Atobe were waiting, Sakai-sensei sitting at a desk while Atobe lounged on a sofa. Noticing Tezuka, Atobe couldn't help expressing his surprise," Tezuka Kunimitsu… what a rare guest. If you here to spy on us, the tennis courts are outside, to the left. Besides, why has the captain of the famous Seigaku team been relegated to spying on us, isn't that the job of that tall bespectacled guy called what's-his-name?"
Before Tezuka could retort, Kazura spoke, "I'm Kazura Takezato, I was informed that my brother is missing." Her words were clipped and curt, showing her irritation at Atobe's mocking. Her speech was cold, controlled and it showed that she was used to putting people down with mere words. Even though she was the smallest person in the room, she showed no signs of fear or hesitance when speaking up. In fact, she carried herself like royalty, cool and aloof, speaking with authority and commanding all their attention. Her words managed to cut through the thick undercurrents running between Atobe and Tezuka.
Noticing her existence for the first time, Atobe turned to her and gave her a arrogantly measuring look. "So you're Misaki's sister… I expected someone… older."
Completely ignoring him, Kazura turned her attention to Sakaki-sensei and said," My brother is missing… Why? If I'm not wrong, he ran away during tennis training yesterday and hasn't returned since. That would mean he ran away during school time, which would allow me to hold the school responsible for his disappearance. I believe I have the right to demand a full explanation." Throughout this speech, her tone remained cool but a dangerous edge had crept in and the implied threat was not lost on Sakaki-sensei and Atobe. It dawned upon them that this was not a silly girl they could bully or placate easily.
"Your brother challenged Atobe to a match yesterday during training. When he lost, he got upset and left the area. Thinking he needed to be left alone, no one went after him. Nobody expected him to run away." Sakaki-sensei said, giving them a condensed version of the story.
With a slight frown, Kazura replied," Ah yes, it does sound like Miki to issue such a challenge. He never really understood the point of choosing your battles. I suppose losing would mean he would not be part of the school team representing Hyotei at the regionals…"
"Of course, the team has no place for people who issue reckless challenges even though he has no chance of winning," mocked Atobe insolently.
"And I suppose being the wonderful senior and captain that you are, you actually encouraged him to train harder instead of making fun of him…" Kazura retorted sarcastically.
Noticing that things were turning nasty, Sakaki-sensei interrupted," The important thing now is to find Misaki, if he isn't found within another 3 hours, we will call the police."
"There'll be no need for that, I'll have him back here within 3 hours. I apologise on behalf of my unfortunate brother for all the troubles he has caused you. I'll make sure he sees the errors in his ways. Thank you for your time, I'll be leaving now," Kazura said coldly, standing up and bowing politely at both Sakaki-sensei and Atobe, before turning around and leaving.
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Outside Hyotei
Having left the school office in huff, Kazura stood outside the school gate seething in fury. "Can you believe that guy? I swear if it wasn't for Miki's sake, I would have punched him right in the face! And I'll bet he thinks he's really good looking too… the nerve of that guy… so irritating…" Kazura ranted and raved. She had managed to hold onto her temper while in there because she didn't want to create more trouble for Misaki, but once out of hearing range, she let loose her fury, directed at the annoying Atobe.
Watching her tirade, Tezuka couldn't help feeling slightly amused. He had been surprised by her behaviour inside, surprised by her mature attitude, it was as if she had morphed into another person. However, this showed him that Kazura was still Kazura.
Finally, she ran out of steam and stopped cursing Atobe. "Feeling better? I agree that Atobe is very annoying but maybe you shouldn't have rejected their offer to help. After all, how are you going to find your brother all by yourself. Even with me helping you, that's only 2 of us," Tezuka said, with a slight frown.
"Oh don't worry about that, it's the least of my problems. What I'm worried about is what to do with him after I find him…" Kazura replied distractedly.
Pulling out her cell phone, she punched in a few numbers and proceeded to make a call.
(A/N words in Italics are said in a foreign language, Italian…)
Hello Adam, this is Kazzie… Yeah I'm fine… still in Japan. Look I need you to do me a favour… I know you're not supposed to… please… Its really important… its Miki… He decided to pull a disappearing stunt… yeah I know… how stupid can he get… But I still need to find him soon… actually now would be a good time… Come on Adam… it won't take much time to do a GPS lock on Miki, just track him by his cell phone… please… Thanks much, I owe you. Ciao.
Ending her conversation, she turned to find a slightly bewildered Tezuka staring at her. "How many languages do you speak?" asked Tezuka. Even though he had known she spoke English and Japanese fluently, since she was from New York, hearing her speak in another foreign language came as a shock.
"Oh I don't know, I speak Japanese, English, Chinese, Italian, Spanish and a bit of French… So that would be 6…" Kazura replied, counting on her fingers. Noticing the surprised look Tezuka had on his face, she explained," My granny was Chinese so I learnt to speak Chinese from her, I learnt Italian and Spanish from my friends and French from my parents. They're foreign diplomats at the UN, so they speak quite a few languages… I just picked up a bit here and there."
"Anyway, I just called in a favour, we should be able to find Miki soon. Come come, while waiting, I'll buy you a drink… Let's go," Kazura said, motioning for Tezuka to follow her to the vending machines.
End of Chapter J
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Sorry this one took so much longer than the others… been kind off busy lately, even this chapter was kind off rushed out so you darling readers wouldn't have to wait too long. I don't know how things became like this, but they just seemed to develop that way… please don't blame me… I'm just a poor writer that writes whatever comes into my warped mind. I kind off moved things away from Seigaku a bit so sorry if you don't like it. Feels weird… what an odd chapter. Even now, I'm not sure if I should have added in even more characters… Thanks much for reading my story J Please review to let me know what you think. * feeling insecure *
