Disclaimer: Forget what I said last chapter...I don't even own this computer. My parents do -.-. So sadly I don't own anything at all...

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The acrobatic, red head still had fifteen minutes to spare and he really didn't want to go to the library. He actually wasn't even quite sure where it was. So, there he was walking, very cautiously, at the hallways with hands on his pocket. His head was down and his auburn hair covered his face. He stopped on his tracks and turned to the window next to him.

The rain still hasn't stopped and it seemed to be getting worst. He leaned on the window, with his face pressed on the glass. The glass's coolness sent a slight shiver on his spines. When he breathed out a sigh the glass started to fog up and Kikumaru's thoughts started flowing. Nya! Why do things have to get so... difficult. If this...situation wasn't happening I would be at the cafeteria right now, with no food fights, enjoying it with Fujiko-chan...

He breathed out another exasperated sigh and fogged out his complete view. He took his hand to wipe the fog out. He watched as the rain pour heavily at the empty tennis courts. It seemed so dark outside that you'd mistaken it for midnight. Kikumaru continued staring at the gloomy scene with distress on his eyes. I can't bear to look at Oishi so...sad! I miss spending time with both of them. He lifted his head up and gently slammed it on the glass. Oishi...Fuji...

He slapped his hands on his face and started shaking his head. When he had finally stopped, he took one hand and traced a raindrop slide down the window. "I hate the rain..." He whispered out with sadness in his tone.

"Anything wrong, Eiji?"

The dazed Kikumaru looked up to see who it was.

"Tezuka..." Kikumaru replied, surprised.

The Captain crossed his arms on his chest and looked at the window also. "Hmm..."

Kikumaru also turned his attention back to the scene outside. They both just listened to the hard, pouring outside. The raindrops drummed over the roof and sounded like ten thousand footsteps running. Kikumaru tried to say something to keep the silence away. But every time he opened his mouth and look at Tezuka a sudden awkwardness would take over him.

Tezuka cleared his throat and turned his head down to Kikumaru. "Are you thinking about Fuji?" He asked bluntly.

The bouncy Regular was taken aback by his question. He didn't exactly know how to answer it. He looked up to Tezuka, whose gaze was back at the rain, and thought for a moment. "Eh...Sort of..." He replied silently, with his head down. His cheeks turned a little pink just admitting it.

The Captain didn't even move a muscle on Kikumaru's reply. He just continued watching the rain flood over outside. He shifted his glasses a little bit and finally said. "I see..."

That's all you can say?! Can't you be a bit more human Buchou?! Kikumaru's head screamed as his Captain replied non-chalantly. "Hmm..Are you thinking about Fuji?" He giggled a little from his question and felt triumphant that he would finally make the Captain feel uneasy!

Tezuka did indeed was a little startled from the question. Of course he was thinking of Fuji! In fact he wouldn't even try to not to. He wanted to tell the awaiting Kikumaru this; he wanted to tell him to also back-off Fuji. Unfortunately, he couldn't. He simply took a deep breath and didn't dare look at Kikumaru as he turned and left the red head waiting.

"Hoi, Buchou! You didn't answer my question! Come back here." Kikumaru wanted to chase after his Captain and get his question answered. Instead he just stood there and stuck a tongue out at him. He knew what the answer was already anyway. He can't stop thinking of Fuji too huh?

-----

The cafeteria has been finally cleared and Kawamura was taken to the principal's office with Ryuzaki-sensei, to discuss the matter. Momoshiro and Kaidoh have been sent to the disciplinary office, along with many other students who took part to the little fiasco. Inui was in the Science lab creating his new Inui Juice from the recent data he has collected. Echizen had just come out of the library, after spending some quiet time without his sempais.

The Prince of Tennis, walked down an empty hallway, with his hands on his pocket. He gazed out the window as he walked and thought of today's events. Hmmm... So Fuji-sempai and Oishi-sempai are having a match huh? He stopped in the middle of his tracks and watched a flock of birds outside fly to safety. "Poor Kikumaru-sempai..." He grinned and continued walking.

Not far from Echizen was Kikumaru, walking back to his class. When the hyper acrobat spotted the freshman a smile lit up on his face. Now there's someone I wouldn't avoid! "Ochibi!"

Echizen looked ahead and saw Kikumaru rushing towards him. A small grin appeared on his face. "Kikumaru-sempai..."

"Where are you going?" Kikumaru asked, as he bent down the small freshman.

Echizen looked directly at Kikumaru's large, eager eyes. "Class."

He crossed his arms and thought for a moment. "I see..."

"Kikumaru-sempai, were you serious about coming over later?" Echizen asked, as he watched Kikumaru in thinking mode.

The expression on the third year's face completely changed. He grabbed the first year and gave him a big bear hug. "Of course! What? You thought I was joking? You're so silly, Ochibi!" Kikumaru ruffled Echizens's hair and finally let him go.

"But Kikumaru-sempai I don't need..."

Echizen's complaining was interrupted by his senpai. "Ah, ah! No buts! I will help you with anything, okay?" Kikumaru winked at him and gave him a peace sign.

"But.." Echizen insisted.

"No!No! You can't talk me out of it. I will be your suuuuper sensei!" Kikumaru bragged with a bright smile on his face. "I'll meet you by the door after school okay? I'll be waiting Ochibi!" He didn't even notice the bothered look on Echizen's face as he walked away from him, humming.

Echizen's face turned from a grin to a scowl. "Baka, Kikumaru-sempai..." He walked back to his class with the frustrated feeling looming all over him.

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Kikumaru was feeling a little more relaxed when he reached his classroom. He was practically skipping and humming his way back to class. For some reason his time alone gave him some sort of aloof feeling. He knew he would see Fuji again when he opens the door so he decided to take a deep breath and be prepared for anxiety to come back. Nyaaa! When did Fuji started to make me feel this way?

When he slid the door open, Fuji was indeed there. He was on his seat talking to some other student. Kikumaru's heart started to race and his hands started to become clammy and sweaty. When Fuji turned his head to see who came in Kikumaru had the sudden urging to duck under a desk. Instead he stood in the middle of the room, frozen and tensed.

"There's my Neko-chan!" Fuji merrily announced.

All the heads turned to Kikumaru, making him mortified. His cheeks felt like hot coals has been placed on it. He just smiled to the awaiting audience and scratched the back of his head. He opened his mouth to talk but Fuji was already in front of him. Even if Fuji was shorter than him, he felt over powered by his presence. Without any warning Fuji wrapped his arms around Kikumaru.

"Fuji..." Kikumaru whispered out.

"Don't ever run away like that, Neko-chan. You made me worried." Fuji whispered to Kikumaru's ears.

The stunned red head didn't know how to reply. His arms remained besides him. He wanted to return Fuji's hug too but he didn't exactly know how to. Fuji's words simply paralyzed his body. He felt a sudden flutter in him, as Fuji's embrace got tighter.

Time had seemed frozen when Fuji held Kikumaru in his arms. He never wanted to let go. It didn't matter if the whole class was in complete astonishment. Fuji didn't care about anything at all. Kikumaru's body seemed so frail and warm in his arms. He was afraid that if he held on to him tighter that he would break, like a china doll. But he couldn't help himself. He just didn't want to let go. He wanted to remain like this forever.

The bell rang and the whole class's attentions were suddenly diverted. They all went back to their proper seats. Fuji's trance was shook up by the ringing sound and eventually had to let go. He gently took his arms back and looked at the stunned Kikumaru. He simply smiled at him and patted him on the head. "Gomen Neko-chan... I think I held you too tight. I don't want to break you...I just didn't want to let go."

Kikumaru looked at Fuji to try and search for some kind of emotion behind his smile as he spoke at those words. He couldn't find anything besides that smile that covered it all. He didn't know how to feel anymore. He wanted to hug Fuji back and tell him to never let him go too, but the other side of him kept reminding him of Oishi.

When Kikumaru opened his mouth to say something, Fuji placed his index finger on Kikumaru's lips. "I don't want to know what you're about to say. I'm happy on just thinking about the good possibilities on what you could've said." Fuji's finger was so soft on Kikumaru's cherry lips. The red head didn't want his finger to leave; it made him feel so warm inside.

Fuji turned back and went back to his seat. Kikumaru managed to go back to his seat too before the teacher came back. Fuji was no longer gazing at Kikumaru it was the other way around. Kikumaru would occasionally turn his head back and see Fuji looking out the window in pensive mood. He touched his lips with his finger and watch Fuji's thoughts drown out in the rain. F-Fuji...

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Oishi was called to Ryuzaki-sensei's office along with Tezuka. As the Captain and Vice Captain walked down the empty halls together a sudden tension grew. Tezuka had his arms crossed on his chest and his eyes straight down the hall. Oishi, besides him, had his hands on his pocket and his gaze on the floor.

Conversing with Tezuka didn't use to be this hard for Oishi. For some odd reason he couldn't even mutter out a word. Maybe it was because that every time he tried to open his mouth only Kikumaru's name wanted to come out. He couldn't get his tennis partner off his mind. Also, there was Fuji. He felt like the world really crashed down on him. It wasn't like Fuji did anything...yet. He knew that he had to do something soon before Fuji takes Kikumaru away from him. Not that Kikumaru was his...yet.

"Anything wrong, Oishi?" Tezuka asked, with his eyes away from Oishi's gaze.

The Vice Captain was startled by Tezuka's voice and almost jumped up. "Huh?" He asked, cluelessly.

"Are you okay?" Tezuka repeated.

Am I okay?! Am I okay?! No I'm not! Fuji is taking away the one I love! I'm not okay and no one can do anything about it...  Instead of screaming out his thoughts he simply smiled at Tezuka, who still wasn't looking at him, and said. "Ah...Yes. What made you ask?"

The Captain didn't even show any sign of emotion as he unfolded his arms and placed it on his pockets. "You look a little...troubled."

"Huh? What made you say that? I'm okay...Really." Oishi said as he tried to convince Tezuka with another wide smile.

"Hmmm...Are you worried about Eiji?" He asked bluntly.

"What?!" Oishi's mind raced and looked for a right reply. "Of course I'm worried about him...He's my..."

Oishi's answer was interrupted by Fuji's sudden appearance at the door not far from them. Fuji's arms were wrapped around the flushed Kikumaru. The Captain and Vice Captain both felt a sudden hard blow to their insides at the sight of their two friends holding arms. What bothered Oishi the most was Kikumaru seemed to like it. It just completely decreased his already low self-confidence.

Fuji spotted them, frozen in place, and waved to them. "Tezuka, Oishi! It seems like all of us are called out by Ryuzaki-sensei."

Kikumaru bowed his head down and muttered out a 'hello' to Oishi and Tezuka. He felt like everybody could see right through him. He really did like Fuji's arms around him, but with Oishi looking it felt like he was kissing Fuji in front of his mother. He tried to shake the thought away by taking a deep breath.

All of them entered Ryuzaki-sensei's office and saw the place, rather crowded. All of the Seigaku Regulars, Ryuzaki-sensei, a Second year teacher and the Principal all gathered around a table with teacups in front of them. The principal didn't look too please when he saw more Seigaku Regulars entered the room. His face was still bright red with the markings of racquet strings.

"Ah, this is the Captain of our team, Tezuka Kunimitsu." Tezuka bowed down to the principal. "And our Vice Captain, Oishi Syuiichirou." Oishi, standing besides Tezuka, also bent down.

Kawamura sat at a corner with his head down in complete shame. Momoshiro and Kaidoh sat at the opposite ends of the room with their heads turned back against each other. Inui was right behind Ryuzaki-sensei observing the whole fiasco attentively. Echizen, sat at a corner near Momoshiro looking completely fazed by the situation. The four who had recently entered the room seemed a little confused by the situation.

As if reading their minds their coach started to explain the whole situation. "As we all know, there was a food fight at the cafeteria awhile ago. It seemed like three of our members are quite responsible for it." Kikumaru suddenly felt guilt all over him. He wanted to raise his hand and admit that it was his entire fault, but he didn't think that it would make things better. "Our respective principal here got seriously injured by one them." Ryuzaki-sensei turned to the shameful Kawamura.

"Yes," The principal interrupted. "And I have decided to discontinue the idea of indoor practices for the tennis team."

Everyone, even the weary Echizen, all gasped in shock. Tezuka slammed his hands on the table and looked directly at the principal. "I'm sorry Principal, but...Please don't do this to us with a match coming up in a month. The weather this season is bound to be unpredictable. We'll need all the practice we can get, indoors and out."

"This is my final decision and maybe you should've thought of that before causing such a disaster in this school. I should actually ban your team for further more matches, but since you won the Nationals the faculty decided not to." The principal fixed his tie and cleared his throat. "Good day Ryuzaki-san. As for your practices you're just going to have to find another way. This punishment is effective from today to the end of the school year." With that the principal exited the room with the teacher behind him.

Once the door closed Momoshiro exploded in anger. "Why that bastard! We're probably the only team that actually wins in his godforsaken school! This is all your fault, mamushi!" He pointed to Kaidoh, hissing in his corner.

"What did you say?! My fault? You provoked me to doing it!" Kaidoh hissed in anger and turned away from Momoshiro.

"Stop it you two!" Tezuka bellowed out. He has never looked so serious before. It was nice that his expression actually changed, but it wasn't exactly to a nice expression. "We might've lost the indoor court but I can still make you run laps outside in the rain if you two don't stop!"

Everyone suddenly fell into silence and Ryuzaki-sensei put his arms on Tezuka's shoulder. "All right! We're not going blame anybody for this. It's nobody's fault. It was all a very bad accident." Kikumaru suddenly felt like melting into a mush as guilt started to take over him.  "The best we can do is try and persuade the principal more. Don't worry he's a good man. I'll talk to him again. In the mean time I want all of you to look for an indoor tennis court in this district we can play at. I heard that one of the freshman's dad works at a tennis club. Go and talk to him. We will raise funds to pay for the rent."

"According to my calculations we'll have to raise at least 108,830 yen. But with the freshman's discount we'll have to raise at least 81,622.5 yen. I am at least 99% sure about my calculations" Inui barged in adjusting his glasses.

"WHAT?!" Oishi screamed out. "Where can we get that money? Why do we need that much money for a court?!" Oishi sat down and tried to catch his breath.

"I've calculated it for the court use of two weeks. It's a fair price compared to other tennis clubs." Inui replied.

"Eh, well how can we raise money?" Echizen asked, now actually paying attention.

"I think we should have a bake sale!" Fuji exclaimed, with Kikumaru still in his arms.

Kaidoh hissed in disapproval.

"We'll think of something. In the mean time all of you get back to class." Ryuzaki-sensei dismissed all of them except for Tezuka and Oishi.

As soon as everyone left the room, they were all in fury because of the principal's decision. "I shouldn't have picked up the racquet! Gomen nasai minna!" Kawamura walked back to his class hitting himself in the head.

"Ah, that poor Kawamura-sempai. We all know that this is mamushi's fault anyway." Kaidoh just ignored Momoshiro's comment and hissed his way back to his classroom.  "Oi, Echizen! I'll walk you back to class."

"Hmm.."Momoshiro took Echizen's hand and dragged him down the hallway. "Let me go Momo-sempai..." Echizen complained as the carefree Second year took him to class.

"Ah, what a disaster this day was huh, Inui?" Fuji commented. Too late. Inui was already down the hallway with yet again his face buried down his green notebook.

Kikumaru and Fuji didn't talk on the way back; instead Fuji's hand remained on Kikumaru's arms. Nya! I want Fuji to let go...But... When they reached the classroom Fuji finally let go and let Kikumaru go back to his seat.

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The rest of the day went by with the rain diverting everyone's attention from class. All the students' heads were all turned out the window, wishing for the rain to stop. Rain, rain go away. Come again another day, little Eiji wants to play. Kikumaru sighed and looked out the window, with the rain getting harder.

When the bell rang, no one even seemed to have the energy to jump out of class. The dreary weather seemed to have taken all of the student's energy. Not out bouncy Kikumaru though. He was practically skipping out of the classroom.  Fuji didn't even bother to catch up because he certainly didn't want his Neko-chan to feel choked in his arms. Take care Neko-chan.

The high-spirited Kikumaru skipped to the exit with his bag on his shoulder. When he stopped his bent down to catch his breath and wait for Echizen to come, assuming that he would come. Kikumaru figured he would come because Echizen always exited the building this way.

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"Fuji, can you stay for awhile?" Tezuka asked pulling him away from the hallway. "I need to discuss something with you."

Fuji just looked at Tezuka with a confused smiled and then nodded his head. "Okay then Tezuka. But you're going to have to walk me home since Taka-san rushed out of the school, practically in tears."

"Hmmm..."Tezuka replied and gently nodded his head.

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"Ochibi!" Kikumaru ran to Echizen, walking really slowly towards the exit. "What took you so long?" He asked with his arms wrapped around the freshman.

Echizen simply remained in silence and bowed his head to avoid the further ogling of the people around them.

"Nyaaa! Let's go! I have an umbrella and we can share. I hate this kind of weather. It's so awful!" Kikumaru seemed like his normal, chatty self again around the quiet little freshman.

Kikumaru opened up the umbrella and held Echizen's hand to keep him the umbrella. The redhead kept talking and talking about random things while his company merely nodded and muttered out something incomprehensible once in awhile.

When they reached Echizen's house Karupin welcomed them at the door.

"Nyaa..." The cocoa colored feline meowed and rubbed himself in Echizen's legs, as he took his shoes off.

"KAWAIIIII!!!!!" Kikumaru picked up Karupin and ogled over the feline. "You must be Karupin! No wonder Kaidoh is crazy about you. You're just adorable." He nuzzled against the cat's fur and sneezed. He laughed and put the cat back down.

Nanako, Echizen's cousin, heard Kikumaru's shriek and rushed to the door. "Ryoma-kun! You're home early.  Who's your friend?" She asked with a pot in hand.

"No practice today. This is Kikumaru-sempai, he's here to help me with school work..." Echizen said monotonously.

"Konnichiwa, Echizen's sister!" Kikumaru gave out a huge smile and peace sign.

Nanako giggled and replied. "I'm Ryoma-kun's cousin, not sister, Kikumaru-kun. It's really nice of you to help him with school-work." Nanako returned to the kitchen with Karupin following her.

"You're cousin is so nice, Ochibi!" Kikumaru exclaimed as he took off his left shoe.

Echizen just nodded and took off his Seigaku jacket and hung the umbrella by the door. As Kikumaru was taking off his last shoe someone grabbed him from behind. Kikumaru was startled and fell on the floor.

"Oi, who's this pretty girl you brought home, Ryoma? She's quite flat in the middle but very pretty indeed!" Nanjiroh didn't let go of Kikumaru even if he struggled to get out of his grip.

The younger Echizen turned and saw his perverted dad practically fondling the struggling Kikumaru. "Oyaji! Oyaji!" Ryoma ran up to them and pushed his father away. "Get off of him!"

When Nanjiroh heard 'him' he quickly retreated to a corner and Kikumaru ran behind Ryoma. "HIM?!" Nanjiroh exclaimed in surprised. "Well, that would explain the flat chest and the boy's clothes..." Kikumaru took a shoe from the floor and threw it at Nanjiroh's head.

"Ochibi, you're dad is a hentai..." Kikumaru muttered out in anger.

Nanjiroh fumed up in anger. Being insulted at his own house by some young stranger! "Oi, you boy! What did you say?!"

A pot came flying above the two Seigakus and hit Nanjiroh right in the head. Nanako stood behind them with her eyes closed in anger. "Gomen oji-san...But you deserved it. Now go somewhere else before I tell oba-san..." She held out another pot to throw so Nanjiroh exited the room in such speed.

"Gomen nasai, Kikumaru-kun!" Nanako and Ryoma continuously bowed their heads in apology. "That...That hentai!" Nanako had fire in her eyes and a rather lard pot on her hands.

"Eh, it's okay. I think he got what he deserved...But yeah he is one ecchi." Kikumaru smiled. "Good thing Ochibi here didn't inherit anything from his oyaji."

"Yeah, thank all the gods for that..." Ryoma whispered out.

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Tezuka and Fuji have been helping out Ryuzaki-sensei at the office calling tennis clubs and places to practice at. They were hoping to somehow manage to get a big discount since they are National winners. So far no such luck. So Ryuzaki-sensei decided to dismiss the two and go over to Oishi, who was talking to the principal.

"Well, we'll have better luck tomorrow. I'm sure Oishi is on his way on getting our tennis court back." Ryuzaki-sensei opened the door for the two and bid her goodbye. "See you tomorrow."

When the door closed Tezuka and Fuji walked down the hallways together. The tensed Captain desperately wanted to converse with Fuji, but it seemed so hard with such a closed atmosphere with just the two of them.  He glanced over to Fuji and saw his face still in a smile, slightly exhausted, but still had that smile. Tezuka gave out a small smile at the very sight of the one he loves in front of him. Even if the walk was silence, it seemed to have spoken for itself.

"Ah, do you think anyone will ever give us a court to play at?" Fuji asked with exhaustion on his tone.

Tezuka switched his glance back down the empty hallway. He crossed his arms on his chest before answering. "I'm sure we will..."

"Hmm..Yeah. I guess." Fuji gave out an exasperated sigh and turned to the corner towards the exit.

Tezuka opened the door for Fuji. An immediate shower of rain welcomed the two as they stepped outside. Tezuka quickly opened his umbrella and Fuji came closer to Tezuka, touching his shoulder.

"You're umbrella is pretty small and cozy ne?" Fuji looked at Tezuka with a smile and grabbed on to his arms.

The Captain's eyes widened as he felt Fuji's warm hands on his shoulder. He cleared his throat and nodded his head. He tried to keep his focus instead of losing his control. Fuji moved closer towards Tezuka that he almost felt intertwined in Fuji. When they reached the school gate Fuji paused, so did Tezuka.

"Want to go get ice cream, Buchou?"

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Yes this chapter is much longer and finally some real slash action XD. Sorry for the delay of update. School is just plain evil and I've been getting moody and lazy lately ^^;;. Thanks for all your reviews!!! *tears* Anyone saw the 106 fansubbed release? Oh my Jebus! The half-naked Seigakus are steamy! And quite a lot of Fuji/Ryoma action eh? ^.~. And half-naked Eiji...I had to fan myself when they showed him in bath. Oh yeah a lot of you think that this is going to be Eiji/Oishi...Well I'm actually not sure now. I've been curving on to the Fuji/Eiji pairing. So I don't know how this is going to end ^^;;. I'm so confused now O.o... Well I guess that's it.... Oh yeah... Watch more POT kids and eat more Pocky! I am so gonna feature the lovely Pocky in later chapters XD

Here's a little Japanese glossary for the words you didn't know ^^

Oyaji - informal way of saying dad...How Ryoma says it.

Oba-san - Aunt

Oji-san - Uncle

And I found a dollar-yen converter over the net. So the estimate for Inui's calculations is around $800. I have no idea how much it is to get in tennis club. I'm too poor to go into one so I play at park =P. I'm just assuming they have to pay for each person. Don't ask me about math now...My head is hurting from it.

Next Chapter: Ryoma's advice!