Disclaimer: I own not, you sue not. Unless you take Kiyokawa, because she's mine and I'll hunt you down.

Kiyokawa stretched as the last bell rang. The excitement from the tournament had died down and things were returning to normal. Walking to the door to change for practice, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see who it was and found herself staring at the stoic face of Tezuka. Her heart fluttered. "Kiyokawa, I won't be able to walk home with you for the next couple of days. I have the Intra-School Rankings to attend to."

Kiyo nodded in understanding. "It's ok. What do the rankings determine? They must be pretty important if they take a few days."

Tezuka nodded. "They rank the players in the club according to their current ability and also determine the regulars."

"That makes sense. Well, I have to get ready for practice now. I'll talk to you later Tezuka-san." She offered a quick bow and set off for the door, waving over her shoulder as she exited.

Tezuka's eyes followed her as she left the now deserted classroom. Feeling the corners of his mouth tug upward, he raised his arm and waved back.

Kiyo looked at the tennis courts after she got out of practice. The rankings looked intense. She wanted to go watch, but she had a dentist appointment and needed to hurry home. Cursing her mom's impeccable timing in scheduling it, she headed to leave, only to spot a familiar face mumbling to himself as he read his little green notebook. She always thought Inui to be a little weird, and couldn't help but wonder if he had any data on her in that book. Hearing her footsteps, he glanced up. "Hello Kiyo-chan."

"Hello Inui-kun. Whose data are you reading up on?"

"Tezuka's. I'm playing him tomorrow in the rankings and I have collected new data on him that needs to be analyzed. If you'll excuse me."

Kiyo said goodbye and left for home. So Tezuka was playing a serious match tomorrow. She hoped practice didn't run over tomorrow so she could watch him play against someone who actually knew what they were doing. "Well it looks like I have something to look forward to tomorrow." Kiyo thought, smiling.

Time did not want to pass the following day. Even practice, which usually flew by, dragged on. When her coach finally dismissed them, she changed as quick as she could and headed toward the tennis court. She felt relieved when she saw the entire team crowded around the fence. The match wasn't over yet. Walking closer, she found a spot where she could still see the match, but not be too near everyone else. As much as she liked everyone, she wanted to watch this alone. It appeared the match had been going on for some time. Both Inui and Tezuka were covered in sweat. Inui served, Tezuka returned it with little effort. She watched the two boys in awe. Tezuka hardly moved around the court; it was if he was manipulating Inui to hit the ball toward him. Even with her little knowledge of tennis she could see that Tezuka had the upper hand; a puppet master to his puppet. Tezuka's control was almost scary, yet beautiful at the same time. He was truly in his element, and Kiyo was glad she was able to witness it. Before Oishi could shout, "Game and match, Tezuka" she decided to slip away quietly, missing the pair of cerulean eyes and knowing smile that witnessed her departure.

In the locker room after the match, Tezuka was putting away his things when Fuji walked in. "Nice match Tezuka. You even had an unexpected spectator."

"Who was it this time?" He asked, used to people coming to scout him.

"Kiyo-chan. She looked like she was enjoying herself very much." Fuji grinned further.

Tezuka's racket slipped out of his hand and clattered to the floor. Hastily picking it up and stuffing it into his bag, he turned to Fuji and said, "I told her I couldn't walk home with her today. I thought she understood."

Fuji laughed. "I don't think that was it. I think she likes you Tezuka." He turned to go leave, grinning at Tezuka's expression. "But I could be wrong. Well, see you tomorrow."

Tezuka's eyes narrowed at Fuji's comment. What did he know that Tezuka didn't? Or rather, what did he see that Tezuka didn't see? "Maybe I'm refusing to see it." He thought. While true that he could have his pick of girls from the school, Kiyo had gotten under his skin. Plenty of girls had watched him play tennis before, but the news that Kiyo had been one of them, in a rather intimate match nonetheless, made him feel strange. "Why am I feeling like this? She's just a girl. I have Nationals as my goal, not this girl who suddenly became good friends with my teammates." He argued with himself.

"Why not have two goals? It's obvious you have some sort of feelings for her if you're thinking about her this much. Fuji isn't blind. She likes you too. Why don't you wake up and see that instead of ignoring it?" A small voice in the back of his head told him. Tezuka scowled, cursing his conscience under his breath as he left the locker room in a huff.

The following day after practice, Ryuzaki-sensei asked to speak with Tezuka in her office. "It won't take long." She assured him. "I just need to ask you something."

Curious as to what his coach had to ask, he turned to Kikumaru and said, "I'll be a little late walking home today. You and Kiyokawa don't have to wait for me."

Kikumaru grinned. "We'll wait for you. I think Kiyo-chan would rather wait too. You haven't walked with her in three days." Tezuka nodded and headed up to speak with Ryuzaki-sensei.

"You don't have to make a decision now, but it's something to think about. I know America is far, but a lot of great players have attended this camp." The elderly woman explained.

"Yeah." Tezuka answered halfheartedly, glancing out the window. His gaze fell upon Kiyokawa and Kikumaru; apparently she was teaching him a few stances with her shinai (kendo sword). He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as he watched the two of them. Kiyo looked up at the window and met his gaze. She smiled and waved. Turning back to his coach he said, "I can't go. We have nationals to worry about."

"If you feel that is the right decision, then I can't force you. That's all. You're free to go."

Tezuka bowed and left the office. Hurrying to meet up with Kiyo and Kikumaru, Tezuka's head met Kiyo's shinai as Kikumaru attempted a strike. His brow twitched. "Sorry about that Tezuka." Kikumaru laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head.

Kiyo had to bite her tongue to keep a giggle from escaping her lips. "I think that's enough kendo for you Eiji-kun." She said, placing her shinai back in her bag. "You aren't in trouble are you Tezuka-san?"

"No. Let's go." He replied coldly.

Kikumaru did most of the talking one the way home. When the subject of the prefectural tournament came up, Kiyo turned to the duo and asked, "What school do you guys play next anyway?"

"We won't know till next week. The opponents are chosen via a blind draw. The captains from each team are to meet together with the officials and everything will be decided at that time." Tezuka answered.

"I see. Well, let's hope it's someone you guys can beat easily right?"

Kikumaru nodded. "Each team has good players, but we'll do our best. Well, my house is this way. I'll see you two tomorrow."

Kiyo and Tezuka said their goodbyes and continued to walk home. Shortly before they reached Kiyo's house, her brother Daisuke came waltzing out of the front gate. He grinned evilly when he saw the two of them. "And who is this walking with my dear sister? Could it be that she's fallen in love?"

"Daisuke!" She yelled, feeling her face turn crimson.

Turning to Tezuka he said, "I'm Kiyokawa Daisuke. Nice to meet you."

"Tezuka Kunimitsu. Nice to meet you."

"Daisuke, don't you have somewhere else to be or something?" Kiyo asked, staring at the concrete.

Daisuke looked taken aback. "What is this? Is my little sister trying to get rid of me?" He flung his arm dramatically over his forehead. "Fine. I shall leave you two love birds alone. They grow up so fast don't they Tezuka-kun?" He added, pretending to sob as he walked up the stone path to the house.

Tezuka watched Daisuke walk back inside. Kiyo had never mentioned having a brother. Then again, he seemed a little…off so he didn't blame her for not mentioning him. He turned his gaze to Kiyo. The blush had crept to her ears now while she played with the bow on her uniform. He had to admit, she did look rather cute. "He's so stupid sometimes." Kiyo muttered, looking up. "Sorry you had to meet him like that. He likes picking on me. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Tezuka-san." She hurried in her house.

As Tezuka turned to leave, he heard laughter coming from the open window, followed by what sounded like an angry Kiyo. "I'm going to kill you!"

The following week, Oishi and Tezuka sat in a room with the representatives from the other teams waiting to see who their next opponent would be. As the brackets filled, each captain walked up with baited breath, hoping to not pick the number fifteen, pitting them against Seigaku. "Hyotei Gakuen." The official called. Atobe Keigo strode to the front of the room and dipped his hands into the remaining numbers. He turned to face Tezuka and Oishi and flashed them the number fifteen.

"Well it looks like we're going to be playing each other very soon Tezuka. How is Kiyokawa doing? That is, if she hasn't decided you're not worth the effort yet."

"She's fine as long as you stay away from her."

"Oh my, I didn't realize you were her knight in shining armor." Atobe smiled evilly. "Regardless, we shall see who the victor will be both on and off the court. Right Kabaji?"

"Usu."

"You're playing Hyotei?" Kiyo asked the following day, racking her brain to remember where she had heard the name of the school before. "That jerk is on that team! He was so arrogant. I don't know how anyone could like someone like that."

Tezuka nodded. "Atobe Keigo. Hyotei's captain. His skills aren't to be taken lightly, but I will not lose. I absolutely will not."

AN: Thanks for all the reviews guys! Coming up next is the Hyotei match. Just what does Atobe have in store? Well, you'll have to wait and find out.