"Maa, Why can't they just be quiet," Eiji fretted.
"They're celebrating… a bit too loudly, though," Oishi sighed.
"Yes… Buchou is that special," Momoshiro grinned despite himself.
"I never knew the senpai-tachi could be so… brutal," Echizen shivered a little.
"BURNING!" Taka was playing a match against Fuji but he missed and hit the ball out.
"Out!" Fuji said calmly. The only way you could tell he was annoyed was that his eyes were opened and narrowed, "Taka-san, I think you're too distracted."
"Who wouldn't be," Kaido grumbled a little as he slaked his thirst.
"I agree," Inui said, rubbing his temples.
"Just dose them with your Aozu, that should shut them up," Momoshiro joked.
"Break!" Tezuka shouted as he rubbed his temples. One day back and he already has to deal with his fangirls.
"Tezuka-sama, would you like a bottle of water?"
"No, take mine!"
"I have a towel for you Tezuka-sama!"
"Hey all of you, back off!" All the fan girls backed away from Tezuka at the sound of the high pitched, snotty voice. 'not her,' he groaned internally.
"Yoshikuni-san, please leave me alone," He ordered stiffly.
"Nonsense, 'Zuka-kun, you don't mean that, do you?" she cooed. Yoshikuni Akaya was a junior and the ugliest but richest girl in all of Seigaku, so no one dared to cross her. She had a face like a pug and a fashion sense to match. She got what she wanted, and she was the president of the Tezuka fan club so you can guess what she wanted, ne?
"Hehehehe, Tezuka-kun, you look like a pimp," A very familiar voice giggled through the green mesh. Haruko was laughing at the sight of Tezuka being swamped by girls, and very loudly as well.
"Haruko-senpai!" Sakuno and An were with her, the latter trying to control her own laughs while the former was chiding her captain.
"What? It's true!" Haruko grinned.
"Somehow, I don't think that Tezuka-san is that type of person," An giggled.
"True… he looks like he's about to explode," Haruko tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Hey you, what are you doing here?" Akaya looked down her little squashed nose to Haruko, "This is a middle school, you know."
"Training a beach volleyball team," Haruko grinned a little, "Yamashima Haruko, senior, Nice to meet you too." She made a mock bow.
"Is it the school team? Cause, you know, that little girl's from Fudoumine. She's Tachibana's little sister, right?" She grinned snottily.
"Yep. That's why she's not wearing a Jersey like Sakuno-chan and I are," Haruko rolled her eyes as she explained it like she would a third grader.
"How do you know my Onii-chan?" An asked.
"Oh, I was the one who helped you move, remember?" She grinned evilly.
"You-! Damn you!" An screeched as Sakuno held her down.
"An-chan, calm down," Haruko snapped. There was a harder edge to her voice as she turned to Ayaka, "I really don't give your opinion, so butt out. This is a training session with younger disciples and I have every right to ask you leave us alone. An-chan, go get Yukino-chan and Hana-chan. They owe you a match, no?"
"Hai, Buchou!" An nodded and ran off.
"What captain are you?" Ayaka asked idly as she tried to wipe Tezuka's face.
"Volleyball team. We're training Sakuno-chan and An-chan for other tournaments," Haruko responded casually.
"Sakuno, as in Ryuuzaki's granddaughter?" Ayaka looked up in malicious surprise, " I heard she deserted her grandmother to play Volleyball. It broke her grandmother's heart, of course, but she was too considerate for her own good." Anger flickered in Haruko's eyes as she said those words. The whole tennis club turned and watched what would happen next, afraid to breath so to draw attention to themselves. Sakuno's eyes were brimming with tears
"Say that again," It wasn't Haruko that broke the silence, but Tsuchi. Her eyes a dark, almost black, brown as she bit out the words. Behind her, the whole Volleyball team stood, stone faced and angry.
"Oh, look who it is, the crazy schizophrenic. Is she going to kill me today or tomorrow?" Ayaka pretend to act scared as she laughed at Tsuchi. Taka noticed the sad glint in her eyes as he remembered what she had told him yesterday.
"My own father left me because of my dark side"
"SHUT UP! YOU F-" Tsuchi exploded but Yamiko interrupted her coolly.
"Tsuchi-senpai, don't waste your breath on a pathetic little weasel," Yamiko glared at Ayaka as she said that.
"Hey, isn't that Yoshikuni-senpai?" Aomi tugged on Yukino's sleeve as she said this.
"Finally one of riff-raff knows beauty!" Ayaka smiled self satisfaction.
"Isn't she that mean, old, nasty witch who likes to pick on people because she's rich but she has the face of a pug?" Aomi continued as if she had not heard Akaya, who's face was turning purple.
"Why you! My father will sue you for this!" She screeched.
"Aomi-chan can only speak the truth," Hana shrugged nonchalantly. Her voice was casual yet it had an edge of deep satisfaction and steel in it, "And don't try to sue her you'll end up with the worst side of the deal."
"What are you going to do? Sue me?" Akaya sneered.
"Let me explain this, Hana-chan," Ino stepped in, "You keep up with celebrity gossip all over the world, right?"
"Of course, you little nerd," Ayaka sneered.
"So you'd know about Margueritte Lafleur and Felicia White, right? Daughters of a very influencial businessman and a Duke?" Ino continued, "Well, we know them, by the way."
"Oh them? Oh they're that beach volleyball pair that couldn't decide which country to play for. Ha! They wouldn't need to decide, they're so pathetic. I beat them in a game," Ayaka bragged, lying through her teeth. She got some surprised exclamations from this declaration, "Besides, how would you know those two? They're high class."
"Hey Yuki?" Hana called to disgruntled Vice-captain, "Do you remember playing this slime?"
"Can't say I do. Perhaps we should teach her what us Europeans do with big fat liars," Yuki turned her ice blue eyes on her.
"Stop bluffing, you two can't possibly be-"
"Wanna bet?" Haruko grinned maliciously.
"Sure. I'll even leave all the Tennis club alone for ONE WHOLE DAY." She sneered. All her little followers gasped. In their minds, that was the biggest sacrifice that their leader could make.
"Ok… Introduce yourselves, girls," She mock bowed to Hana and Yukino.
"Merci beaucoup, Capitan. Je suis Margueritte Lafleur, Mais je ne suis pas enchante" She bowed. (Thank you very much, Captain. I am Margueritte Lafleur but I am not pleased to meet you, in French)
"I totally agree with the statement. And I am Felicia… Shiroi," Yukino said in English.
"Not Felicia White! Told you so!" Ayaka grinned.
"Yoshikuni-senpai, White means Shiroi in Japanese," Ryoma explained simply.
"Well… well… well… I'm not leaving!" Ayaka screamed, frusturated.
"My, my, we got your promise on tape," Ino fiddled with an mp3 player from England. She hit play as they heard the bet again.
"Wanna bet?"
"Sure. I'll even leave the Tennis club alone for ONE WHOLE DAY"
"We could very easily charge you for falsification and harassment. My family lawyer is one of the best," Hana's eyes glinted with a deep resolve.
"And mine is too," Yukino added, expressionless, "Your father will squashed like a bug."
"You might not even be Felicia White!" Ayaka stormed, refusing to give up.
"You know about Felicia's High jump Volleyball ability, right?" Yamiko rolled her eyes, "Watch."
"What do you- EEEEEEEEE!" Ayaka screamed as Yukino landed right in front of her. Every body looked at her in awe since she had jumped right over the fence separating the two.
"Shoot, I hate jumping that high. Bloody god," She swore as she winced a little. She had lightly sprained her left ankle.
"Height of jump: Aproximately Four metres!" Inui gasped a little.
"That is with a pole," She allowed a slight smile cross her face as she pointed to the stiff Hana.
"I'll never get used to you doing that," Hana complain.
"Suck it up, Hinagaku," She grinned.
"Fine, You're Felicia but she has no proof that she's who she claims to be!" Ayaka said grudgingly, not giving up without a fight.
"Alright, if the fact that I can speak perfect French doesn't say anything, I'll show you my birthmark," She brushed away her long purple hair to show a flower mark by her ear.
"B-"
"You know what, with all due respect, senpai, Shut up. You've got enough proof. Now get your riff-raff out of here before I go ballistic," Yamiko spat out between her gritted teeth.
"B-"
"Go," Tsuchi pointed grimly to the gates.
"And I'm no push over when it comes to fighting," Yukino balled her fists.
"Leave or I'll unleash my whole team on you," Haruko had the final word.
"FINE!" Angrily, Ayaka stormed out of the courts while every one breathed a sigh of relief.
"Arigato gozaimasu for helping us, Yamashima-san," Tezuka bowed formally.
"I wasn't doing it for you," The hard edge remaining in her voice shocked everyone, "She stepped over the line when she insulted An-chan and Sakuno-chan."
"We'll leave you now," Yukino bowed formally before she followed the girls away silently.
"That was unexpected." Ryoma remarked coolly.
"I never knew Hana-senpai and Yukino-senpai were Gaijin. They speak Japanese pretty well," Momoshiro reflected
"I noticed there was something wrong with their accents but they hid it well. I couldn't guess the country," Inui fiddled with his glasses.
"I knew! Hana-chan told me!" Eiji bounced up and down.
"Aa. Me two, Yukino-san told me as well," Oishi added.
"When was this?" Fuji's customary smiled widened a bit.
"She bought John. It was an accident we met, that's all!" Eiji protested.
"I met Yukino-san at the Aquarium for a biology project. She was a lot more open then," Oishi explained.
"Open, eh, Oishi-senpai?" Momoshiro grinned.
"Momo!" Oishi had the grace to blush.
"By the way, Momoshiro-senpai, why did you stutter and blush when Tachibana-san asked you if you wanted to play Volleyball with her and Ryuuzaki? I never asked you that, did I?" Fuji saw the hidden smirk Ryoma wore as he asked the question.
"Really? Well, well, well… does our little Momo have a crush?" Fuji grin grew even wider.
"F-Fuji-senpai!" Momo turned crimson.
"Hey, hey Fuji, leave poor Momo alone," Oishi admonished, "Besides, I heard you spent quite a bit of time with Chizu-chan in the Aquarium."
"How did you find that out?" Fuji's smirk lessened a little.
"Just a hunch. Yukino-san told me that she was here and in the whale department as well," Oishi said casually.
"Oh yes, that was fun. She fell into the pool after a snapped a picture and then dragged me halfway across the Aquarium to the café," Fuji shrugged a little.
"Hey, at least it was the girl dragging the guy, not the guy following the girl like a sick puppy," Momoshiro joked.
"Urusai!" Kaido growled, "She owed me something!"
"So you admit it!" Momoshiro laughed.
"Urusai!" They two got into their inevitable squabble. Tezuka rubbed his temples in sheer frustration.
"I owed you nothing, girly man!" Everyone turned to see the sound of the voice. Yamiko was leaning against a tree, smirking, "And we beat your butts yesterday."
"You did not!" Kaido protested.
"Did too, Girly-man!" She stuck her tongue out.
"That's enough!" Tezuka shouted, completely frusturated.
"Sorry, Tezuka-senpai," She wandered away with a shrug, slinging on her earphones.
"Tezuka, I'm sorry but I have to go," Inui called as he packed up his bag, "I've got tutoring."
"Alright, go," Tezuka's temples were seriously throbbing, "We might as well just stop practice anyways. You may go."
"Arigato, Tezuka-buchou!" The whole club bowed as they chattered and left for the change rooms.
"Gee, are you always such a stick in the mud Tezuka-kun?" Haruko wandered over with her hands behind her head.
"No, I'm not," He wanted to just relax and then figure out what to do with those noisy girls. They were distracting his team.
"Oh well… Hey, you wanna go grab a drink?" She offered.
"No. I don't have time for your silly antics today," He said coldly, more than he intended.
"Alrighty," She shrugged. Only Yukino and Hana could see the slight tinge of hurt in her eyes.
"Wanna come for burgers with us, Haruko?" Hana offered. "I don't wanna pay for these two bottomless pits!"
"They only bottomless pit is you, Hana-chan," An sweatdropped.
"An's right. Besides, I promised I'd hang out with Masaya if I had time," Haruko slung her stuff over her shoulder and left, "Ja!"
"Are you guys coming?" Hana asked Eiji, Momoshiro and Ryoma.
"Sure, why not? We usually do anyways," Eijki shrugged indifferently.
"Eh! Eiji-senpai!" Momoshiro groaned.
"What? I'm hungry!" He whined, making everyone laugh.
"What are we waiting for?" Sakuno laughed a little.
"You're coming, right Ryoma?" Momoshiro asked a little forcefully.
"Sure, why not?" He shrugged, not caring.
"Then off we go!" Eiji exclaimed happily. Hana and him walked in front of their companions, chattering on and on about who knows what. Behind them however, it was very, very quiet. Sakuno and Ryoma where being their selves, saying nothing, but An and Momoshiro were quiet because of embarrassment. Needless to say, it was awkward.
"You guys are as silent as a grave!" Hana called back. She and Eiji stopped and waited for them.
"Why are you so slow today?" Eiji whined.
"Gomen, Kikumaru-senpai," Sakuno ducked her head shyly and continued to walk forward.
"Look where you walk, Hime-chan or you might just-" Hana never got to finish her sentence as Sakuno ran straight into a pole.
"Gomen!" She exclaimed.
"We really need to work on your apologizing and your coordination, Hime-chan," Hana shook her head as she helped Sakuno up. Hot tears whelled in Sakuno's eyes as she got up.
"Ne, Hinagaku-senpai, you have no tact," Ryoma muttered.
"Gee, so protective of your little Hime-chan, ne?" Hana grinned a little, "But you're right, Echizen-kun, I am Tactless. Sorry, Hime-chan. Besides, I can't tell you guys your bgi news if you cry."
"A-alright, Hana-senpai," Sakuno wiped away her tears and got up.
"We're he-re!" Hana called, stretching like a cat, "I'll order since I'm paying."
"You don't have to Hinagaku-chan," Eiji protested.
"I've got more than enough money. Besides, this is An-chan and Hime-chan's little party so chill," She waved nonchalantly as she slung out her purse.
"Don't try to argue with her. Her parent's give her a huge allowance and she's as stubborn as a bull. Believe me, we've tried," An grinned as the guys looked a little shocked.
"Here we go: 20 burgers, 10 fries and 6 drinks," Hana set down a tower of food on the table for everyone, "Dig in!"
"Itadakimasu!" They started wolfing down the huge amount of food.
"So what was the announcement, Hana-senpai?" Sakuno asked.
"Well," Hana gulped down a huge wad of Hamburger she was chewing, "Yuki and I think you're ready to play some actual games, as in tournament! Isn't that great?"
"Yay! Congratulations," Eiji glomped them both, "when's your first game?"
"Ask Hana. This is great! We finally get to play!" An exclaimed happily as she punched her fist in the air.
"We don't know just yet, but we're thinking end of this week," Hana smiled. She was glad An was happy but it looks like her team member looked a little anxious, "What's wrong, Hime-chan?"
"Well, um, I don't think I'm ready," Sakuno muttered.
"Why not? It's going to be an amateur competition and you and An have better harmony than any one else. Besides, you technique is amazing. What do you have to worry about?" Hana tried to reassure her.
"Well, what if we lose horribly? I don't want to disappoint anyone," Sakuno's lower lip started to quiver.
"Don't worry about that. When Yuki and I first started, we failed miserably," Hana patted her on the head, "Besides, you guys know each other's patterns so you're way better off than most of your opponents."
"Besides, you beat us," Momoshiro pointed out.
"But Yamiko-senpai was there," Sakuno muttered.
"Yamiko-chan didn't do very much until the end. C'mon Sakuno!" An whined, "next year you'll be playing for Seigaku! The least you could do is try, ok?"
"Alright," Sakuno gave in.
"Yes!" Hana grinned, "So starting tomorrow you'll be working with us a lot more, ok? You're going to be the main focus!"
"Don't you have the Nationals to worry about?" Ryoma frowned.
"Ryoma-kun is right, you shouldn't waste your time," Doubt crept into Sakuno's eyes.
"Course we do! But unlike tennis, team bonding is a huge part of the game," Hana scolded him.
"Now look what you've done, you've made Ryuuzaki-chan sad," Eiji bonked him over the head, Say sorry!"
"Gomen, Ryuuzaki," He muttered.
Tears clouded Sakuno's vision. Ryoma-kun thought she was useless! She could hear it in his voice. Why'd he always call her Ryuuzaki, anyways?
"I just remembered I had to leave early. Thank you, Hana-senpai for the food. Ja ne, minna-san!" Sakuno said in a rush. She ran out the door and pushed passed a bunch of people, just wanting to leave.
"Go after her Echizen," Hana ordered.
"Why me?" He grumbled.
"because you made her sad, now you have to make sure she doesn't bump into anyone," An explain.
"But why would she care what I thought?" Typical clueless Ryoma.
"Boys," Hana and An sighed simutainiously.
"GO before I sick the whole Villeyball team on you, it won't be pretty," Hana ordered, cracking her knuckles threateningly.
"Im going, I'm going!" Ryoma hurried along the same path as Sakuno, not wanting to be left behind with the angry girls.
"Took him a while," An snorted.
"I know! Echizen is so mean to girls. He's gone on a date with Ryuuzaki-chan before and yet he's so cold to her!" Momoshiro ranted.
"Really!" Hana's one visible Green eye grew wide as she drew her chair nearer, "Tell me what happened, Momo-chan. I insist as your senpai!"
"Me too!" Eiji grinned. And so, Momoshiro passed the time telling a very elaborated upon (Read: falsified) version of the time Ryoma took Sakuno to the stringer. Ryoma, however, was in a pretty deep pickle with said girl.
"Ryuuzaki!" Ryoma exclaimed. Where in the world is she?
"Ryoma-kun…" Ryoma's sensitive ears picked up a soft voice whispering his name.
"Ryuuzaki?" Tentatively, he turned his head towards the sound, "What are you going here?"
"Ryoma-kun!" She looked up shocked. Ryoma cringed a little. Some how, he knew he was responsible for her red eyes, "Please leave me alone."
"C'mon. We have to get back. The others are worried," He grunted, turning away.
"Not you?" Sakuno couldn't help but whisper to herself.
"What?" Ryoma asked, not catching what she said.
"Nothing," Sakuno shook her head, "I don't want to go back."
"Do you want Hinagaku-senpai get mad? Let's go!" Ryoma grimaced.
"Hana-senpai will understand," She shrugged. Ryoma had never seen Sakuno so cold, "I'm staying."
"Please, Ryuuzaki?" He asked. Ryoma wouldn't beg.
"No! Why do you care?" She looked him straight in the eyes, letting all her emotions show. Ryoma was shocked. Shy, gentle Ryuuzaki was staring fiercely at him with so much determination and hurt it nearly toppled him.
"Ryuuzaki, this isn't like you," He retorted. This couldn't be the timid girl he had known so well.
"How would you know? You don't even know my first name!" Sakuno couldn't care less that Ryoma was right. She was so tired of this!
"Sakuno, let's just go. It feels too... different without you," Ryoma sighed, hoping she'd take the hint. Sakuno was taken aback by the sudden use of her first name and the slight pleading undertone Ryoma used. He was right, though, Hana-senpai would get mad.
"Alright," She murmured softly as she walked back with him to the burger shop. This time however, she didn't walk behind him, but beside him.
h1
"Typical Hana-senpai," Yamiko shook her head, "I'm leaving, Ja!" She waved as she started jogging in one direction, hard rock blaring from her ear phones.
"Me too. Sayonara, minna-san," Kaido bowed formally and left as well.
"That isn't Kaido's normal way home," Inui observed, "He usually goes that way."
"He probably changed directions because Yamiko-chan's going his usual way," Ino snickered, "I can't believe they go the same way. They have so much in commen, by the way."
"Right… anyways, shall we go?" Inui asked Ino.
"Sure, why not? See ya, Minna-san," She stuck her hands behind her head and followed Inui in the direction of the library.
"Well, it's been fun," Aomi waved, "Are you coming, Fuji-senpai?"
"Hai," He smiled at her.
"Where are you two going?" Yukino asked surprised, "I thought Aomi-chan were coming with me to the Aquarium."
"Chizu-chan owes me some photographs," Fuji explained, "I'm sure Oishi will be happy to accompany you since he's heading that way as well."
"Oh yes," Oishi blushed a little, "well, why not?"
"Then it's settled. See ya!" Aomi grinned as she tugged Fuji away.
"We also need to be going of Dad will get mad," Taka said sheepishly as he and Tsuchi left together.
"Bye!" Oishi waved. He faced his quiet partner cheerfully, "What's wrong?"
"Somehow, I think our captain likes yours. She looked pretty hurt when he turned her down," Yukino frowned a little.
"Don't worry, Tezuka's just… well… girl-impaired. Beside great tennis skills, that's the other thing he shares with Echizen-kun," Oishi sighed.
"Sou ka," She muttered.
"I wonder where Tezuka got left to anyways?" Oishi frowned a little.
"Who cares?" Yukino snorted. Right now, she wasn't feeling very charitable towards the Captain of the Seigaku Tennis team, "let's go."
"Hai," In comfortable silence, the two made their way down the long streets towards the Aquarium.
h1
"I see. Thank you for telling me this, Tezuka-kun," A short and plump man was staring out the window. Tezuka stood to attention as he spoke.
"You will address the issue, Masato-sensei?" Tezuka asked.
"Yes, yes, of course. We can't have our National level team failing, now can we?" Masato grinned. There was an evil glint in his eyes that Tezuka didn't care to know the reason for.
"Arigato gozaimasu," Tezuka bowed as he left.
"At long last…" Masato smirked as he stared out the window to the Volleyball court, "They'll finally get what's coming to them."
A/N: The end! This is one of my first Cliffhangers and I'm afraid you'll find many more as the story goes on. But on the other hand, if you don't review, you'll never solve this cliffhanger:P.
I hope you like this chapter. This was just a little more character development except for the last bit which was setting the stage for where the going gets tough, very tough. I hope you like the part where Sakuno decides to get more back bone and Ryoma finally starts using her real name and they weren't too OOC.
So, leave a review and the next chapter will come out soon, hopefully.
Lub,
Nyte