Title: The Pillar and The Foundation

Author/s: Woohoo! A collaboration from Aki Rei and ice krystahl! And it's our first Prince of Tennis fic too!

Warning: This is Y-A-O-I.

Pairings: MomoRyo, could be Golden Pair, and whatever struck our fancy.

Chapter 2

Momo shook his head for the nth time that day. He'd woken up in cold sweat this morning from a horrible nightmare. He dreamt that he was in Ore-sama the yacht and that Ore-sama the person had blackmailed him about being the eternal rival of the Pillar of Seigaku. But of course, the nightmare had begun when Kabaji started eating his hamburger.

And here he was hoping that if he shook his head hard enough, he'd forget all about yesterday's events and nightmare. But as far as he can tell, it was not helping. Not even one, tiny bit.

Momo sighed. But he had to admit that not all of yesterday's events were bad. First of all, he was flattered beyond belief at the knowledge of Atobe-buchou acknowledging his potential. Even if the guy was a mega diva, he was still one of the best tennis players around.

Secondly, even if he denied that he liked the idea of being the next Hyotei captain; deep inside he was rather happy. Who wouldn't be? Not all were given a chance to lead a team. It's a privilege. It's an acknowledgement of your prowess. Therefore, Momo was extremely happy about the news. But he had tried to downplay it by saying he needed the time to decide.

But then Atobe-buchou decided to be difficult. He wanted the decision to be made right away and then added some bull about being the damned Foundation of Hyotei.

Momo stamped his foot as he stopped walking. He should've sensed it then. The whole Foundation thingie was suspicious in itself. He should've put his foot down and said no right away. But damn! Why the hell did Atobe-buchou had to know his weakness! If only that delicious burger wasn't around then he wouldn't be persuaded so easily and he might have realized that the Pillar of Seigaku was, in fact, his best friend Echizen Ryoma.

Momo then scratched his head hard as he released some frustration. He was on his way to meet said best friend at their usual hang out place. He was so not looking forward to this meeting. Because today was the day he decided to tell Echizen about being the next 'Foundation of Hyotei'. And that being that damned Foundation meant having to follow certain rules posed by Atobe-buchou.

After Atobe-buchou had conned him into being the 'Foundation of Hyotei', ore-sama had proceeded to lecture Momo about the dos and don'ts of being the next ore-sama. First and foremost was that he should not be fraternizing with the 'Pillar of Seigaku'. Secondly, but almost as important as the first, was that Momo should treat the other as his eternal rival. Meaning, taunts as often as possible and showing off in Echizen's presence to arouse feelings of jealousy and such. Thirdly, well Ore-sama can't think of anything else at the moment, so he just settled with Momo having to do everything ore-sama tells him.

Grrr... For sure, Echizen would be steaming mad. Momo thought to himself as he counted down the 'rules of being the next ore-sama'. Momo sighed to himself as he shook his head. This would be the nth time that Momo had let him down. First he had to bail about being together in Seigaku. Then there was the numerous times he had arrived late for their meetings. And then this one! He wouldn't be surprised if Echizen gets physical with him now. I mean, his trademark I'm-a-super-rookie-tennis-player-so-don't-mess-around-with-me glare wouldn't be enough for this mess!

Momo sighed as he finally reached the burger joint. Now all he had to do was to face Echizen inside and then start retelling the whole gory story starting with Ore-sama the yacht. With a heavy heart and heavy feet he opened the door to the burger joint when…

BAAAM!

"NYA! Gomen, I wasn't looking." Momo, who was knocked over, looked up to the source of the voice with his nose flared up. He was so not in the mood for this!

"Why don't you…" He started to say heatedly but stopped altogether when he saw who he was talking to. A boy with red, flipped hair, vibrant blue eyes and an apologetic smile was looking down on him, one hand outstretched ready to help him stand.

Without finishing his statement, Momo took the offered hand and was about to open his mouth again and say that it's fine and all that blah, when the other boy looked over his shoulder.

"Hey, I'm really sorry but I got to go. Bye, nya!" Momo could only blink as the guy zoomed past him yelling out a name that sounded like 'Oishi'. He stood there blinking stupidly at his hand, his hand that had been touched by that boy, and looking so dazed.

"Momo-senpai. You look like you've seen a ghost." A bored voice called out to him. And even though Momo was still shocked, he snapped at Echizen in auto pilot mode.

"I am not!" He scanned the tables to look where Echizen had been sitting. He noticed that a few customers were snickering at him. Momo felt his face go warm. Finding the brat, he stalked forward and scowled.

"That was mean! The whole place heard you." Momo said as he sat down opposite Echizen. The brat just smirked.

"That's punishment for being late. Again." Echizen stressed the word 'again' for Momo's benefit. Momo's pout was replaced by an apologetic grin.

"Hey, you know me. I can't resist making you wait."

"Haha."

"Tell you what, I'll pay for the food you ate and for the food you'll order again." Echizen looked at him skeptically.

"You mean, you have money?" Momo snorted. Whenever Ryoma and he ate out they always do it dutch. And just because of that, the brat assumed he had no money! How rude!

"Am I hearing right? Ryoma-sama had just cracked a joke! Where is the world coming to?" Momo said in his high pitched, girly voice. He was about to laugh at his heart's content when Echizen looked down his nose at him and smirked. Momo paled. He's got the feeling that Echizen's up to no good.

And just about he was to say sorry for the last statement he made, Ryoma stood up and smiled sweetly at him.

"Why don't we order now, Momo-senpai?" Momo could only follow Echizen to the cashier as he remembered how his best friend hated to be called 'Ryoma-sama'.

Ryoma didn't know what came over him awhile ago. He was so sure that he was going to combust at the sight of Momo-senpai making googly eyes at Kikumaru-senpai. He usually didn't mind. Momo-senpai was like that. He was really quick to appreciate a person. So Ryoma didn't know why he was making such a big deal out of it.

He sighed as he tried to block out Momo-senpai's babbles about some non-sense on his buchou. Normally, Ryoma would be amused at such stories of Momo's buchou, because they were really hilarious that they almost always drive him to the point of laughing while rolling on the ground. But today, he was distracted.

He let Momo babble on and on, while he tried his best to appear listening. His companion didn't seem to notice as he was quite satisfied with the nods and quick yeses Ryoma gave him. When he was sure that Momo-senpai was preoccupied with retelling a gory story about being conned by his buchou to do something terribly horrible, he reflected about why he felt that way earlier.

First of all, he never felt jealousy. For nobody. Not once. And not ever. So he was not, in anyway whatsoever, jealous of that speck of attention Momo-senpai gave to Kikumaru-senpai.

But he did feel something. Definitely not jealousy. It was more like… Irritation or resentment. He and Momo-senpai were best friends. They study in different schools. It was not easy to spend time together as they have school work and tennis practice. Meetings such as this one, happens rarely and Ryoma would like to think that each and every meeting was special. So that's it. He just felt irritated at the fact that Momo-senpai didn't dedicate this day as the 'Ryoma-hour'.

Feeling quite proud of himself for figuring out his feelings, Ryoma calmed down and smirked to himself. Really, why again did he trouble himself with nonsensical things! He was about to pick up a french fry when Momo's latest question shook him from his reverie. It was not a yes or no question that he can answer automatically.

"Huh? What is it?" He asked with a frown.

"I said, the guy I collided with earlier, do you know him?" Momo asked him again. Eagerly. Ryoma frowned. The feeling he felt earlier was at him again.

"Why do you ask?"

"I just realized that he was wearing a Seigaku uniform. So? Do you know him?" Ryoma looked at Momo-senpai's overly eager face. He wanted to lie and tell him that no, he didn't know Kikumaru-senpai.

But Ryoma's pride spoke up. He had never lied. And he did not intend to start lying. More so to an honest and open face like that. And so Ryoma took the brim of his hat further down to cover his eyes before answering.

"He's a senpai from the tennis club." He mumbled so low that he had entertained the idea that Momo-senpai didn't hear him. But a shriek in his ear, told him otherwise.

"What! Really! Damn, I really should've gone to Seigaku then!" Momo-senpai whined at Ryoma's ear so loud, he was afraid that his eardrums had shattered. The freshman's face turned red as his irritation level upped one notch.

"So what's his name?" Momo asked again, his eyes all sparkly. Ryoma raised a brow at this. Why was Momo-senpai looking like a high school girl having her first crush! Ryoma's sadistic side kicked in.

"Eh...? I forgot." He said as he hid a smirk. Momo-senpai clapped his back.

"You brat! He's your senpai! You should know!" Ryoma sighed dramatically.

"Hmmm..." Ryoma put a hand to his chin to add the effect of deep thinking. Momo-senpai was behind him looking so hopeful and excited as he fisted his hands and nodded up and down enthusiastically.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"Hmmm..."

"Yes?" Momo-senpai leaned in further.

"I really don't remember. Sorry." Ryoma finally said as he released his hold on his chin and shrugged. Momo-senpai suddenly caught him in a headlock, knocked his hat off and ruffled his hair.

"You brat! Stop teasing me!" Momo-senpai said that with a voice that sounds a tad irritated but more so amused than anything. Ryoma smiled. This was how their meetings should be. Momo's attention should be solely his.

Ryoma didn't realize until much later that he was acting, or thinking for that matter, selfishly.

Momo was slightly worried about Echizen. After they ordered their food and sat down at a booth, Echizen immediately spaced out. And his face seemed more blank than normal. Being an excellent Echizen reader, Momo realized that something was bothering his friend.

He tried his best to cheer him up by over exaggerating some details about yesterday's events. He knew that stories about Atobe-buchou keep Echizen entertained and amused. But today, he didn't seem to digest a thing he said. Echizen just nodded at him when he told him that Atobe-buchou got together with Kabaji. Momo grew more worried when Echizen said yes to his question about Kabaji and Atobe-buchou looking good together as a couple.

He decided that telling Echizen about him being the Foundation of Hyotei had to wait. He can't burden his friend any further by adding more worries to his shoulder. Momo sighed as he paused in his babble and thought of something else to babble on. Then he suddenly remembered the guy he collided with. Momo started to feel interested all over again at the mystery guy. He thought back and realized that the guy was wearing a Seigaku uniform.

He asked Echizen if he knew the mystery guy, hoping that Ryoma wouldn't just nod or say yes or no. And Momo would be relieved if Echizen would snap out of his reverie. When he finally asked, Echizen's eyes focused on him as if he finally realized that Momo was talking.

Momo sent a brief prayer of thanks at that. He'd have to confront Echizen if the little brat goes staring into space again. The brat must've been revived because next thing he knew he was being teased.

"You brat! Stop teasing me!" Momo said as he happily ruffled his friend's hair. He was glad to find Ryoma suppressing his laughter while trying to get out of his grip.

"Let go, Momo-senpai!" He grumbled half heartedly. Momo let him go and gave him a cheeky grin. Echizen just glared right back. Momo cheered inwardly. Now that's the Echizen he knew!

"So? You were telling me that your buchou brought you to his yacht yesterday… So what did you do?" Echizen suddenly asked Momo out of the blue. Momo raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. Echizen was listening! The guy was multitasking!

Momo thought before answering. Should he say to Ryoma that Atobe-buchou had just pitted him to be his rival? Would Echizen take the news okay? And since Momo was feeling like a coward at the moment, he decided to tell Echizen about being the Foundation of Hyotei some other time.

"Oh that. Atobe-buchou just wanted to show off his Ore-sama."

"So? How was 'Ore-sama'?" Echizen asked him somewhat curious. Momo scratched his head.

"Uh. Ore-sama was okay. I just think that it might be over decorated. Uhm, just a bit."

"Over decorated?" Echizen asked skeptically.

"Well, is it normal to border the name Ore-sama with fresh roses?" Momo asked somewhat seriously. Echizen snorted the ponta he was drinking and then coughed up.

"Fresh roses?" He exclaimed incredously.

"Whew... That's a relief. I seriously thought I was the only one who thought it was uhm, abnormal." Momo said carefully as he looked around. You never know when a Hyotei student comes around. It'll be dangerous if Atobe-buchou caught wind of him making fun of his style.

"Why'd you say that?"

"I think Kabaji fancies the roses too…" Momo whispered to Echizen's ear as he leaned forward.

"Heh."

"Yeah, I know. Some characters on my team right?" Momo shook his head melodramatically. Then he saw Echizen's unfinished burger.

"Hey! Don't waste the food! I brought it for you, so eat up!"

"But I'm full, Momo-senpai."

"I bought you that, you eat…" Momo stopped his litany when a shadow fell upon the table.

"What are you doing, eh? Momosharu?" Momo snapped his head to look up to the owner of the voice. He didn't need to see the face to know that it was their Atobe-buchou. With Kabaji behind him.

"Bu-buchou!"

Atobe Keigo stood in his full Hyotei uniform splendor, grinning menacingly at his own foundation, Momosharu and his apparent friend, Ryoma Echizen. Why is Momosharu commiserating with the enemy! Had he not told him specifically that his role was to beat Seigaku's pillar and Tezuka's handpick, Ryoma Echizen? This baffled ore-sama to no end. Normally, when ore- sama says something, everyone will listen. That's why he liked Kabaji so much. Speaking of which, behind him stood Kabaji, cracking his knuckles for effect.

Momo paled visibly and gulped.

"Momosharu, I thought you and I had reached an understanding? Hmm?" Ore- sama asked, reaching out a pale hand to twirl around Momo's hair.

"W- Well.. buchou.. you see, I was hungry… b-burgers…" Momo sputtered violently.

"Yes, hamburgers. That reminds me of a certain incident that involved hamburgers, too. In fact, it was this big hamburger from America." Ore- sama said again, subtly pulling Momo's hair in his fingers.

"R-really, buchou? A- America! That's r-really faaar!"

"I know. By the way, Momosharu. You haven't introduced me to your little friend yet." He gave another strong but subtle pull at Momo's hair. Just a bit more and he'd pull Momo's hair from the roots.

Hmmp. Ore- sama knew that it was so not his style to harass people, but Momosharu was an exception! If he were to be the next ore- sama then he should train him until he could pass as one!

Ryoma Echizen was just sitting there, watching intently at his hands. Ore- sama wondered idly why, but then he remembered that his hands has a star quality on it's own. Of course, anyone would be dazzled at his hands.

"Atobe- san, kindly release Momoshiro-senpai's hair."

Ryoma's words cut his train of thought, and their table fell into utter silence. It took Ore- sama a few seconds to digest his words before he could react.

"Release—"Atobe instinctively pulled harder at Momo's hair, who yelped even louder. The fact that this Echizen, a first year nonetheless, could talk to him like that, had hit him hard in the face.

"-And who in blazes do you think you are, giving orders to ore- sama!"

"Bu-buchou! I'm sure Echizen doesn't mean it that way! Please calm down!"

"Shhh Momosharu! Ore- sama would not be talked to like this!" Atobe hissed at him, pulling even harder at his hair now. Momo's eyes started to water in pain at this point.

"Mada mada da ne."

"Echizen!" Momo yelled reproachfully, wishing he could kick him right now. He was afraid of where this conversation was going. He hadn't had the time to tell Echizen about him becoming the Foundation of Hyotei, and that he wasn't supposed to talk to him at all! That and the fact Atobe have a strong grip. A really strong grip! If Echizen didn't stop, he'll have to walk around with a bald spot. And at age 14 too! However, Echizen looked as though he was in no condition to back down.

"And just out of curiosity, Atobe- san, who is this Momosharu?"

A gulf of silence stretched unto to the table once again.

"What?" Ore- sama's voice came out deadly.

"I said, who is this Momosharu you keep on talking to?"

"ECHIZEN! Shut it!" Momo yelled again. Atobe pulled harder. He felt a couple of hair break from his scalp.

"Are you implying that I, Ore-sama, of brilliant and dazzling prowess, do not know his own prodigy's name!"

"But… you don't really know…"

"Hah! You, Echizen Ryoma, have no idea of who you are talking to!"

"But I could say the same to you…"

"ECHIZEN! FOR THE LOVE OF TENNIS AND MY HAIR-" Momo interjected tearfully.

"You have a lot of nerve, insulting Ore- sama this way! Surely, you are merely jealous of my Godly beauty. I'll have you know that my prodigy's name is Momosharu Takeshi. A second year student at Hyotei. The foundation of Hyotei! The next Ore-sama! Ne, Kabaji?"

Silence yet again, except for Kabaji's loud "Usu!"

This time, it was Echizen who was taken aback. He looked back and forth from Atobe's gloating face and Momo's tear- streaked but guilty face.

"It's Momoshiro, Atobe- san." He said carefully, and stood up to go.

"Echizen, wait, let me explain!" Momo said, but he was too late.

Echizen was out the door.

t.b.c

Aki Rei: Sorry for the late update everyone! It would have been out long ago if only Ice-chan had been doing her part! -glares-

Ice Krystahl: Ehehe… I don't know what you're talking about! –whistles innocently-

Aki Rei and Ice Krystahl: Anyhoo, we hope that you still enjoy reading this! And we would like it veryt much if we hear from you! A big thanks and a bear hug to the following people:

kataruin: Yeah! We talked to Momo about his problem too, but he wasn't listening to us! Hehehe… but don't you think he's just so lovable?

Strawberries: Yay, we're so glad you liked it! Hope you like this chap!

Kloudy Reignfall: Echizen appears! And so does Eiji-Oishi! And don't worry, as long as you read it, no matter how late, you still make us happy! Hope you enjoy this chap as well!

Satoshi-ice: it matters a lot to us that you think we portray Momo well, and about ore-sama's conversations… We have a lot of fun writing them too!

Ashly: and so Ryoma appears! Hehehe… hope you liked his grand entrance!