100 Percent – The Plan: Counter Attack

Fuji adapts the plan for himself… but will it work?

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis

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Chapter 9

Fuji sat on the edge of the dock, dangling his feet in the lake, cooling his body off with the water. His anger had subsided, replaced now with an empty, sad feeling that threatened to consume him. Maybe Tezuka and Echizen were better suited for each other, maybe Fuji had been deluding himself all along.

A twig cracked behind him and a rock whizzed by his head, skipping perfectly along the quiet surface of the lake, sinking beneath the moonlight. Turning, Fuji's heart leaped. Had Tezuka come after him?

"Fuji," Kawamura said, holding a cup of hot tea out as he sat down next to his friend.

"Ah, Takashi, thank you." Fuji took the cup, depressed that it wasn't Tezuka.

Kawamura sat quietly for a bit, gazing at the calm water and enjoying the buzz of the forest around them. It was a perfect night to be outdoors.

"Fuji, what's wrong?" Kawamura asked softly, his gaze fixed on a point off in the distance. It wasn't often that he saw his friend so sullen.

Fuji sighed and blew on his tea before taking a sip. "Have you ever been in love Takashi?"

Thinking, Kawamura took his shoes off and dropped his feet into the water next to Fuji's. "I don't think so. But I don't really know what love is. I like this girl…"

"Really?" Fuji smiled, turning to look at Kawamura. "You didn't tell me."

Kawamura acted bashful then grinned. "You didn't tell me either." He pointed out.

He was right, Fuji had not confided in him, choosing to confide in Inui instead. He hadn't even told his best friend, Eiji. "Ah, you got me there."

"It's okay, I already figured it out anyway. You're not very good at hiding your crushes sometimes." Kawamura kicked his feet, splashing water up Fuji's legs.

Fuji sighed again, this time with more relief. "So you know. I suppose everyone knows."

"I'm not sure about everyone, but tell me, what do you like about him?" His friend asked with sincerity.

"Hn, I guess I like his confidence. There's something about the way he moves, the way he speaks. I'm not sure I can put it into words." Fuji said wistfully. "He's thoughtful, yet stern."

"Thoughtful? Echizen isn't thoughtful." Kawamura wondered if Fuji saw something in their first year player that he hadn't noticed.

Fuji's head snapped to look at his friend. "Echizen? I don't like him, I like Tezuka."

Kawamura sputtered for words. "Oh, that makes more sense. Boy, I pegged that wrong, didn't I?" He smiled bashfully.

A lock of Fuji's hair slid across his forehead, caught by a gentle breeze. Something was curious about Takashi's comment. "Did you really think I liked Echizen? Why?"

"Well, you stand close to him and you're pretty nice to him." Kawamura answered.

"I'm nice to everyone," Fuji interrupted.

"Yeah, you are, but you watch him and always want to play against him."

"I watch him because he's good." Fuji wasn't sure how these behaviors could be misconstrued.

"Sorry Fuji, I just got confused." Kawamura shut his mouth, not wanting to unleash Fuji's intense analyzing.

"No, it's okay. He is cute, in an arrogant, stuck up sort of way. But it's Tezuka that holds my attention." He looked up at the bright moon, noticing it was nearly full.

"Why don't you tell him?" Kawamura asked, hinting at a possible solution.

"I think Ryoma likes Tezuka and that maybe, Tezuka is starting to like him back." Fuji said the words, though he knew he was being childish. Nothing Tezuka had done so far would fall into the realm of liking that pipsqueak on a romantic level.

"If Tezuka likes anyone, I'm sure it's you Fuji." Kawamura said.

"You're right. I think I'll just tell him." Fuji stood up, picking his shoes up. What did he have to lose? The plan had misfired and it would be the last thing Echizen would expect—the perfect offensive counter attack. "Thanks Takashi." Fuji smiled before rushing back to camp to find Tezuka.

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Eiji and Oishi were back by the fire, nestling together on a log, feeding each other marshmallows. Fuji stopped to soak in the scene, shocked by how confident he felt in admitting his feelings to Tezuka. Perhaps they too would soon be feeding each other tasty morsels by firelight, gazing intently into the depths of the other's eyes.

"Where is everyone?" Fuji asked, hating to break the Golden Pair apart.

Oishi pulled away from Eiji, his cheeks rosy and his smile golden. "I don't know where Inui and Kaidoh are, but Tezuka went inside to get ready for bed a few minutes ago."

"Nya, and Kawamura went to find you, did you run into each other?" Eiji asked, his arm slung around Oishi's neck.

"Yes, he found me. Thanks." Fuji tore his eyes away from the love birds and headed into the cabin. They hadn't mentioned Echizen or Momo, but Fuji found Momo spread out on the sofa reading a questionable manga. The sultry girl on the cover had her shirt hanging off her shoulder and a breeze had blown her skirt up to reveal a pair of ruffled panties.

Sounds from the third bedroom caught Fuji's attention, though Momo did his best to ignore them.

"Ah, Inui sempai…" Kaidoh's voice purred.

"You're very tense Kaidoh, please relax and allow my hands to melt away your tension." Inui's voice answered back.

Fuji looked to Momo. Without looking up from his manga, Momo waved toward the third bedroom and said, "Inui's massaging Kaidoh or something. I try not to get involved."

"Ah." Fuji giggled, he'd have to take a peek in a bit, but first, he had to talk to Tezuka.

The door to their bedroom was cracked open and as Fuji approached he heard low voices talking. His heart raced as he moved up behind the door, one eye spying on the conversation.

"Buchou, you need to hurry up and do something because I can't wait on you forever," Ryoma stated.

"I know, I know. I don't mean to keep you waiting, it's just… how do I tell Fuji?" Tezuka shook his head, visibly perplexed.

"It's best if you just tell him and get it over with, then we can all move on."

"You're right Ryoma," Tezuka said, putting his hand on Ryoma's shoulder.

He called him Ryoma! Fuji nearly freaked out. Only the overwhelming sadness brewing in his heart kept him from yelling out. It was true. Tezuka liked Ryoma back. Tezuka had chosen Ryoma over Fuji.

"Fuji…is that you?" Tezuka looked toward the door and Fuji froze, his breath catching in his throat.

"We can see you Fuji sempai," Ryoma rolled his eyes and approached the door, opening it wide.

Fuji's eyes gave away his panic. He looked between Tezuka and Echizen, barely able to hold back tears. But how stupid would that be, to cry in front of buchou and ochibi.

"Buchou, can I have a moment alone with Fuji sempai?" Ryoma asked, addressing his captain.

Tezuka nodded, slowly making for the door. He too looked as if he were at a loss for words. He glanced at Fuji then glanced away, making a beeline toward the front door, heading out to the campfire again.

Fuji's heart sank, his dreams shattered. But then he was being pulled into the room, the door shut behind him, and he was pressed into the wall. Lips suddenly assaulted his and Ryoma's smaller body held him captive.

Now this was truly unexpected.

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A/N: We're almost to the end and I promise it will all make sense in the next chapter! LOL, sometimes things aren't as they seem… and sometimes they are. Gosh, poor Fuji, I've just put him through the ringer in this fic… have no fear, he's not evil like I make him out to be… just emotional. LOL