I'm trying to study for my SATs so I've decided to incorporate one of my SAT vocabulary words in each chapter. I'll go back to my previous chapters and insert a word.

SAT word of the day: Haughty - (adj.) conceited, proud, arrogant

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Intratournament I

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"Rise and shine Sleeping Beauty"

Miki groaned. "I don't want to go to school. Tell mom I'm sick."

Hikani sighed, "Miki you're always like this." Miki didn't respond and continued sleeping. "Today's the tournament for regular spots."

At that Miki's ears perked up. "Okay okay I'm up." She changed and went downstairs to eat breakfast.

On the way to school Miki kept yawning. "What's wrong Miki? Slept late?"

"Yeah, I was-" Miki was about to say she was thinking of Tezuka, but she didn't want to tell Hikani. Why was she thinking of him? He sure wasn't thinking of her.

"Yes. So what were you doing?"

"Nothing, not a thing, I just couldn't sleep."

Hikani knew Miki was hiding something, but she decided to let her slide for now. She'll find out soon enough.

Miki realized Hikani wasn't going to ask anymore and sighed in relief.

********

"Konnichiwa, Tezuka-san."

"Konnichiwa."

Miki sighed again. She knew she wasn't going to get a decent conversation from him. Then the bell chimed and their sensei walked in. Miki groaned and thought, "The torture starts now."

"Komoshi-san."

She stood up, alarmed that the teacher was singling her out already. "Hai Sensei?"

"See me after school."

"Hai." Miki thought, damn it, am I in trouble? And it's only the second day of school.

*******

"Komoshi-san, I looked at your grades from your previous school." Uh- oh, Miki thought. "They weren't that good, so I'm afraid you won't be able to catch up here. I think you'll need a tutor. Here's a list of the top 20 people in your grade."

Miki was shocked to say the least. She didn't expect this. Teachers always talked to her about her bad grades and the fights she was always in. None of them tried to help her, but then again she thought that this teacher probably doesn't know about the fights she was in. If he did he'd probably give up on her.

She remembered when she was a freshman in her old school. The first Friday of school was the worst. That Friday was known to all as Freshmen Friday, which meant it was okay if freshmen were harassed a little. Miki and Hikani had no problems with the upperclassmen with the exception of a few idiots who tried to come on to them. But Miki, while going home, happened to see a small girl who was wearing her school uniform, being picked on by three guys, also in her school colors. She hated people who picked on others, simply because they were larger in number. Miki went to help the girl who was backed up against the wall.

"I hope there's no problem here."

One of the guys sneered, "None that's of your concern."

"Unless of course, you want to play with us." said another guy.

Miki smirked, "if I wanted to play with children I would go to a playschool."

The three guys were mad to say the least. They couldn't believe this girl who barely reached their shoulders had the audacity to insult them. "I don't think you realize what situation you're in. You're sorely mistaken if you think that you can get away from here unharmed."

Miki simply scoffed, "The only ones that are going to be harmed are you guys if you don't let us go."

Of course the guys thought she was bluffing. After all what can a small girl do to them? They charged together.

Miki looked at them and yawned. To her their motions were slow and flawed. They had plenty of openings. Amateurs, Miki thought. When the first guy tried to punch her she ducked and delivered her own punch. The other guys didn't back down. They simply thought she pulled a lucky punch. It soon proved to be wrong as they each landed flat on their back in seconds. They were all disoriented and didn't make a move to get back up.

"It's a century too early for you guys to even think of defeating me. I have a 3rd degree black belt in karate." Miki turned to the girl who was sitting down with her back to the wall. "Are you okay?"

The girl who was looking at the guys on the floor looked up at Miki. All of a sudden she started crying. "Thank you so much. I don't know what would've happened if you didn't come."

Miki hated tears. They didn't solve anything. But she softened and brought the girl home. She thought she had made a new friend but the girl was afraid of being involved with Miki. The boys she had beaten up gave her trouble everyday. They rallied others and started picking fights with her. There were a few fights that were stopped by teachers, which resulted in her having detention. The teachers never listened to her side of the story. Since her grades were poor they simply thought she was a problem child. She hated those two years of her life.

"Komoshi-san?"

Miki looked up from the piece of paper the teacher gave her. "Gomen!" She was embarrassed to be caught in a daydream. There's no point in reminiscing now, she thought. She was given a chance to do better. And she was going to start with her studies.

"You can leave now."

"Hai," Miki bowed. "Arigato Sensei." She turned to go to the tennis courts. She met Hikani along the way. And they walked together to see whom they would be playing with. It turns out they were both placed in block D.

Miki scoffed. "They probably wanted to eliminate both of us together. We'll show them that we have skills."

*********

Miki's first match was against a second year. She ended the game within minutes with her quick serves and hard returns, shocking everyone.

"It's just because her opponent was weak. Anyone good could've had those results," Kirisago said haughtily. But deep down she admitted to herself, it's true a regular could have ended this game 6-0 but probably not with that time. Kirisago checked her watch; the game didn't even last 10 minutes.

Hikani played next, also against a second year. The game ended with similar results. Everyone started wondering who these new transfer students were.

"Way to go Hika-chan," Miki said as Hikani walked back to her.

"I can't lose to you," she said with a smile.

Miki smiled back. That's right, they were rivals this time. "May the best player win." She extended her hand.

Hikani shook it, "Of course."

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I'm so sorry I haven't updated like I said I would. It's just so hard writing this fic. I want to keep them in character but I'm having a hard time thinking of what Tezuka would say. And it's also hard thinking of names for their techniques. Anyone think they can help me? I'll describe the shot to you and you give me a name. E-mail me at cheri9394@hotmail.com