Spy Games

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Ego Trip: Woohoo! My blasted prelims are finally over… however the main event will be happening in about a month. Will my exams never end? Enough about me, still hoping that you'll like this chapter and always hoping that you'll like the story.

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis characters are not mine…

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Monday morning…

"Good morning Eiji, Oishi," greeted Fuji as he stepped into the kitchen, having been drawn there by the glorious scents wafting out of it. Today would be the first day of the new school term, the first day he and Tezuka would join Eiji and Oishi at Seishun Gakuen for regular lessons with other students. He couldn't help feeling excited at the thought of classes with other students their age. Even Tezuka's stoic indifference couldn't spoil his mood, he just couldn't understand how Tezuka wasn't the slightest bit excited.

Stepping into the sun lit kitchen, he was greeted by the cosy sight of Oishi sitting at the dining table drinking his coffee while reading the morning paper and Eiji in a floral apron at the stove humming while he prepared breakfast. It seemed so natural, so normal for them to be together that they'd already established a routine. Eiji was in charge of food while Oishi managed the other chores around the house like the proverbial 'mother'. The ease of their relationship was clear and it was easy to see they were the best of friends since they didn't bother to hide their obvious affection for each other. Noting wistfully that if only Tezuka and himself could have this kind of relationship, Fuji looked around for the object of his thoughts.

Almost as if he'd been conjured up by the sheer will of Fuji's mind, Tezuka appeared in the doorway of the kitchen, freshly showered and changed into the Seishun Gakuen uniform. On him, the uniform seemed dashing, coupled by his height and handsome albeit stoic face.

"Good morning Tezuka. Wow you make that uniform look good, I'll bet the girls will be swooning over you as soon as they see you. Wish I'd look that good," Eiji said woefully, earning himself a patented glare from Tezuka. Unrepentant or just totally clueless, Eiji continued rambling while Tezuka strove to ignore him by pouring himself some coffee and taking a section of the morning paper and immersing himself in the depressing news of the past weekend. Oishi who was used to Eiji's ramblings and Fuji who was used to Tezuka's lack of response to anything regarding his appearance, merely exchanged amused glances with each other over their morning coffee. The four of them living together would prove to be nothing if not eventful and interesting.

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Seishun Gakuen

[Whisperings in the hallways]

"Did you hear? The heir to the Fuji empire has just transferred to our school."

"Really? I wonder what he's like? Maybe he'll be all stuck up and spoilt."

"Who cares? I hope he's good looking."

"Does that really matter? He's going to inherit one of the largest companies in Japan; he'll be as rich as a king. Even if he's ugly, he can afford plastic surgery."

[Laughter ensues]

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Outside in the parking lots

Two BMW convertibles, one black and one silver, turned into the school parking lots one behind the other. It wasn't unusual for students to drive to school even though most preferred to come in their chauffeured Lexus and Mercedes Benzes. Welcome to the school educating the next generation of Japan's rich and famous.

Screeching into empty lots side by side, the doors opened simultaneously and the four emerged into the sunlight under the watchful eyes of their curious schoolmates. The world of the elite is very small and highly exclusive, any outsiders or newcomers are generally treated with wariness and suspicion, and what a curious group the four of them made. Tezuka with his stoic coldness and strikingly handsome face, Fuji with his trademark smile and beauty, Oishi with an inner warmth and concern for any and everyone and finally Eiji with his child-like exuberance and abundance of energy. Their arrival set many tongues wagging as those who witnessed their dramatic entrance went about ensuring that those who had missed it got a firsthand account. The rumour mill of any high school should not be underestimated, before the first bell rang, there wasn't a single person who hadn't heard about Fuji Syusuke and gang.

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In the principal's office

"If I may express on behalf of the school what a great honour and pleasure it is to have Master Fuji enrolled in Seishun Gakuen. Please let me know if there is anything you require, I sincerely wish that you may have a pleasant experience here and if there is anything I can do…" said Principal Tsumito, bowing to Fuji who was flanked by Eiji and Tezuka while Oishi took care of the paperwork outside. Though he was used to dealing with the children of the rich, famous and powerful, even Principal Tsumito found his newest transfer student and his bodyguards very intimidating. Though Fuji was wearing a smile, there was something lurking behind that smile, something that told him Fuji Syusuke wasn't someone to mess around with. His bodyguards were even more of a mystery, the expressionless Tezuka who seemed so much older than his actual age and Kikumaru who was the complete opposite. Principal Tsumito began to wonder if he had made the right decision in accepting their enrolment, as if he'd ever had a choice to begin with.

After the customary meeting with the principal, the three of them left the office to find Oishi waiting for them with their class schedules and info pack waiting. "Ok, they've put us all in the same class just as we requested so here are your individual schedules and information pack with a map of the school and other stuff," said Oishi as he handed each of them a package. "I think we should scout out the school later to familiarise ourselves with the environment should anything unexpected happen," suggested Oishi with a glance at Tezuka, waiting for an answer. With a slight inclination of his head, Tezuka gave the go ahead and Oishi continued, "Eiji and I will cover the West building and we'll leave the rest to you Tezuka."

Just as they were getting ready to go for their first lesson, a tall senpai rounded the corner and spotted them. With a friendly smile, he stopped in front of them and said, "Good morning and welcome to Seishun Gakuen. I'm the president of the students' council, Tenkawa Kai at your service." As Fuji went about making the introductions, Tezuka flipped through his mind to place the name Tenkawa Kai, for he was sure he'd heard it before and he'd seen that face somewhere before. 'Of course! Tenkawa Kai, heir to the Tenkawa family, a family with power to rival the Fuji family, one of the four ruling families in Japan,' though Tezuka as he identified the tall handsome senpai in front of him. Tenkawa was handsome in the traditional sense, with his wavy black hair and coal black eyes and the chiselled features that lent him an aristocratic air. Just about an inch taller than Tezuka, his status, appearances and friendly demeanour made him exceedingly popular in school, especially with the girls and had resulted in him being voted Students' Council President and he even had his own fan club that was an official school club.

"Well how about I show you around the school right now Fuji-kun?" asked Tenkawa, looking straight at Fuji. His pointed question made it clear that the others weren't invited on this school tour. Before Eiji could put his foot in his mouth and ruin everything, Oishi hurriedly dragged him of to class, mumbling about how at least one of them should go to class. Watching them round the corner, Tezuka knew very well that Oishi had just prevented Eiji from causing a scene by insisting he wanted a school tour as well. Eiji was a lot of things, but tactful and diplomatic he was not.

Turning his attention back to the problem at hand, Tezuka was just about to invite himself along for the school tour when Fuji looked at him and shook his head almost imperceptibly. To anyone else, it would have been undetectable, however Tezuka and Fuji had spent most of their life together and were attuned to the slightest signal from the other. Tezuka knew exactly what Fuji was thinking, since Tenkawa had made it clear he only wanted to give Fuji a school tour, it would seem rude for Tezuka to tag along, even under the guise of being Fuji's bodyguard. Even though he understood the pride behind such societal rules, there was something not quite right about this Tenkawa Kai, something that had his instincts up on red alert. However since Fuji had expressed his wish for Tezuka not to go against Tenkawa, there was nothing left to do except to go for class. Besides, what could go wrong on a school tour?

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[Ring Ring]

"Oh finally its lunchtime, I'm starving," exclaimed Eiji as he shuffled out of the classroom with Oishi trailing behind him. "You're always hungry," said Oishi, indulgently ruffling Eiji's red hair. "I'm a growing boy Oishi. Look what you've done, my hair's all messy now," pouted Eiji.

Fuji and Tezuka could only watch in amused silence at the pair before them. Their easy banter and mannerisms came so naturally that Fuji couldn't help envying them. Ever since they had come to the city, Tezuka had become even colder than usual, refusing even the slightest personal contact with him. Knowing that Tezuka probably needed time to adjust to being around other people, Fuji had told himself to be patient, not to rush Tezuka. But god knows that thick-headed Tezuka was taking a long time to see what was plainly in front of him. Tired of waiting, Fuji realised he would have to take some action soon.

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In a dark basement

Spread over the entire table were documents and photographs, all about a certain blue eyed heir. The chair behind the table swivels around to show… Tenkawa Kai. In the darkness, his eyes shone like headlights as he surveyed the pictures in front of him. Having obtained them previously, he'd developed an obsession with the blue eyed beauty. It had started out relatively innocently. Having heard that Fuji Syusuke would be transferring to Seishun Gakuen, Tenkawa had wanted to gather all the information on this mysterious heir to a rival family. Though their families were supposed to coexist in peace, it never hurt to have more information. Somehow things had gone quite wrong and now he couldn't quite get Fuji's face out of his head.

As he lovingly traced the pictures with his fingers, the highly respected heir to the Tenkawa fortune whispered softly, "Fuji Syusuke… Such beauty, such purity, such fragility… Makes me want to corrupt you, to make you mine… I mean to have you Fuji Syusuke, you'll never escape…"

In the surrounding darkness, two pairs of eyes suddenly opened, looking at each other with a mixture of disgust and apprehension. Ever since Tenkawa had ordered them to do a thorough check on Fuji Syusuke, they'd been expecting some sort of action, but this was completely beyond their expectations. Murder and mayhem they could handle, but this?

'What a perverted boss we have, eh Ryoma?'

'Hmm, now things are going to get really interesting.'

Sigh 'I knew you would think that way, why did I get paired up with you?'

'It's just your bad luck Momo senpai'

This entire conversation had been held in their minds, through the exchange of looks. If their boss knew the contents of their conversations, all hell would break loose. With resigned looks the pair melted back into the shadows of the basement.

End of Chapter

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Hello, another chapter done. Hope you like it! I've been having a bit of writer's block so it took me some time to complete this chapter. Please review to let me know what you think. Thanks much. See you next chapter.