Hey again, peoples... Yeah, I know, you all hate me right now because I haven't updated in what must seem like forever. I know I should be rotting in the pits of hell because of this, but hopefully you will forgive me with this update...? Please?

I still do not know where this story is going, but hopefully I'll get hit with some inspiration soon enough. I want to finish it and I do not like leaving my readers hanging, like I have been, but this story is so hard for me to get out and I am starting college this week so I will be on and off busy. But, I do promise to update and won't leave everyone hanging for such a long period of time again.

Special thanks everyone who prodded me to continue writing this story, especially lil'mi1 for his/her rather vehement review threatening me if I did not update. Thank you. I think I really needed someone to give me a kick in my behind to get me started on the next chapter of this story...

Pairings: TezFuj, OishEiji, some other minors implied...

Warnings: Shonen-ai, yaoi, whatever you want to call two boys in love... If you don't like it, how the hell did you get this far in my story...?!? Also, some swearing... And, OOC (out of character-ness --- characters not acting how they usually do in the series)

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I just chucked out several hundred for my college textbooks this semester and I am now officially poor. sigh...

Anyways, without further babbling or other comments, the next chapter....

Chapter 6: Plans

The next day, both Fuji and Eiji tried to act as normal as possible around the other boys. They knew that their behavior the previous day did not go completely unnoticed, especially their quick departure, so they decided to avoid the others and act as if nothing was wrong.

[ Flashback... to the night before... ]

"That was kind of close, Eiji..." Fuji said.

"I know... but it was so much fun to just play tennis that I kind of lost myself in the excitement."

"Yeah, usually we can play more than two games before getting that tired, but we were both enjoying it a bit too much. It has been quite a while since we could play someone new..."

"It was great, wasn't it?" Eiji asked. "I had so much fun! Just imagine, tomorrow..."

"Eiji." Fuji said, sharply. "Didn't you see how suspicious they were when we left? We can't let them find out. They'll be so disappointed to know we can never play on their team."

Eiji sighed. "I know, but..."

"Do you want that to happen? We can probably play a little with them every once in a while, but not too often and nothing too showy or they will become more demanding for answers."

"Too showy? Aren't you one to talk? You shocked them with two of your Triple Counters.." Eiji suddenly smirked. "Or, were you just trying to impress a certain golden-eyed captain... hmmm?"

"What are you talking about?" Fuji asked, blushing lightly.

"Haha, I saw you leaning against him, Fuji! You like him, I knew it!"

"I was tired... I couldn't help it."

"Right..." Eiji said, laughing.

"Oh, shut up." Fuji said, throwing a pillow at his friend. "And what about you, with Oishi?"

Eiji turned red, before stammering. "No-nothing..."

"Uh-huh... I believe you... right..." Fuji smiled.

"Fuuujjiiiii!"

"He is kind of cute, I guess... but a little too mothering if you ask me..."

"No, he's not!" Eiji replied, hotly. "He's just being nice. And what about Tezuka, he's so cold and stand-offish."

"I think he's sexy." Fuji said with a sly smile.

"Fuji!" Eiji cried, blushing. "Well, you go get him then."

"Oh, I will. Don't worry... You can keep Oishi. He certainly seemed interested in you."

"Really?" Eiji asked, happily. "Tezuka was staring at you, too. He also seemed worried when you were so tired after the match."

Fuji just smiled wider. "Really? That's good. But, that brings me back to my earlier point. We need to be careful and if we do play with them, to be aware of our limits. Don't overstrain yourself."

"You sound like our mothers..." Eiji grumbled.

"Yes, well, they are just worried. But, they do have a point..."

"Alright..."

[ End Flashback ]

So, now sitting in class waiting for the lunch bell to ring, both Fuji and Eiji were fidgeting. They could feel the stares of Oishi and Tezuka on their backs, but refused to turn around and acknowledge them. Avoidance and denial were their new best friends and they were going to stick by them.

Arriving just before the first bell rang, they had hurried to class. Though both had wanted to see the tennis practice again that morning, they both knew they should avoid the courts for a while. But they couldn't avoid the two captains, sharing classes with them as they did.

Just then, the bell rang and Fuji and Eiji hurriedly packed their things, practically running out the door. They heard Oishi call out to them to wait, but both ignored him.

Heading to their locker and grabbing their lunches once again, the two boys headed outside.

"Ne, Fuji... I don't like ignoring Oishi like this."

Fuji sighed. "I know, but when they catch up to us, they're gonna ask questions. I'm not sure if we can answer them."

"We can't avoid them forever, especially if we want to form some relationship with them."

"Yeah, I know..."

Sitting down on a bench, they began eating, each lost in their own thoughts.

.................................................

Tezuka was getting irritated. He had woke up this morning, determined to confront Fuji and figure out what was wrong, but Fuji was not at morning practice. In class, he had avoided Tezuka's gaze and both he and Eiji had bolted out of the room as soon as the lunch bell rang. Now, he was not under the tree eating lunch as he had yesterday, and both Tezuka and Oishi had looked around and had yet to see the two boys.

"I don't know where they went, Tezuka." Oishi sighed. "They're probably going to be avoiding us for a while. They'll know we want to know what's going on with them."

"Aah." This only made Tezuka even more irritated. Fuji was nowhere around and he wanted answers to his questions.

"Let's go eat before lunch ends at least..."

The two captains headed to their usual tree to eat and saw the others already there.

"Hey, where are Fuji and Eiji?" Momo asked.

"We don't know where they went. They are probably avoiding us after yesterday."

"Aren't you two in their classes?"

"Yes, but they ran out of the room before we could speak with them."

"Sheesh, well, we'll have to find them after school then."

"So, the local tournament is coming up..."

"That's right! It's this weekend, right?"

"Yeah, so we all need to work hard. We want to go to Nationals this year, remember."

"Our chances of progressing that far and winning would increase by 20% if Fuji and Eiji were on our team." Inui commented. "They seem like strong players, especially Fuji. Eiji would probably work better in doubles."

"We can't do anything about that at the moment. We have to work with what we have and hope we don't need to use our subs. Those two need lots of work." Oishi said.

"Yes, but what if we talked to Fuji and Eiji?" Momo said.

"Baka, weren't you listening?" Ryoma asked. "Those two are avoiding us and probably with good reason, though I don't know why either..."

"Sssssshhhhh...." Kaido inserted.

"Tezuka and I plan to look for them after school. If you guys see them, corner them or something 'til we arrive."

"Alright, Oishi! We'll find out the truth... whether they want us to or not..."

To be Continued

Yeah, I know it's short, but I trying out an idea I have of what is going to happen next. I have already started the next chapter, so expect it up in the next week or two... I won't leave you guys hanging any more!

Review please. I DO read them and listen to all advice and prodding for more chapters. Try to heed my warnings though for the story and don't comment on things I have already warned you about, like out of character-ness and the yaoi-ness.

Catch ya all later... SOON, I promise.