Author's notes: A late update! Sorry sorry!

This fic is going to be complete in another 2 chapters! (And finally I can update Affections Across Time...) Enjoy this chapter and please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Chapter 14: Step By Step

"Yuushi, are you getting the tickets?" Gakuto asked.

"Huh? Er, hmm…" Yuushi answered half-heartedly.

"Yuushi!" Gakuto stomped his feet impatiently.

"I am getting the tickets." Yuushi answered. Gakuto was fuming but refrained from doing anything else to his doubles partner.

"Saa, who do have here?" A voice sounded.

Gakuto and Yuushi both turned in surprise to see Fuji smiling as always.

"Fuji!" Gakuto spoke up. Fuji nodded at Gakuto and said to him:

"Gakuto, I think Amagi-sensei is looking for you."

"Ah!" Gakuto jumped up. "I forgot! See you guys then, Yuushi, Fuji!" Gakuto said and ran out of the classroom.

Fuji glanced at Yuushi with a twinkle in his eye. "So Yuushi, are you attending Sakuno-chan's concert?"

"How is she? Er, I mean, yes…" Yuushi answered.

Fuji smiled a knowing smile. "She's fine and she wanted me to pass you this." Fuji passed two VIP tickets to Sakuno's concert to Yuushi.

"Fuji? What's this?" Yuushi held on to the tickets, astounded.

"VIP tickets to Sakuno-chan's concert!" Fuji replied.

"I know, but…" Yuushi was still looking at Fuji in disbelief.

"Apparently Sakuno-chan wants you to attend the concert. Saa Yuushi, why don't you turn up, especially now you have such good seats?" Fuji said.

Yuushi looked at the tickets in his hand. It seem as though he was having an internal struggle within himself. This did not go unnoticed by the ever-sensitive Fuji Syusuke.

"Yuushi!" Fuji gave Yuushi a pat on his back which startled him. "Where's the Oshitari Yuushi who is full of confidence and even hailed as the 'tensai' of Hyotei, similar to Seigaku's Fuji Syusuke? Don't shame my name, Oshitari Yuushi!"

Yuushi looked at Fuji in surprise. He never thought he would say all that to him.

"Now I have done my part. It is all up to you now!" Fuji smiled and waved goodbye to Yuushi who was still very much surprised.

Yuushi plopped himself on his bed immediately after he had reached home. He stared at the ceiling, as if hoping it would give him an answer. He knew he loved Sakuno, but he did not know her feelings. He thought about what Fuji had said to him. Sakuno had wanted him to attend the concert. Was she planning a rejection? Yuushi could never accept a rejection, especially if it never officially begun. He was too, afraid of being hurt. He thought of Fuji's words again, about the 'lost' Oshitari Yuushi. He had totally lost himself ever since he realised he was in love with Sakuno.

"That's what love does to people eh?" Yuushi thought to himself.

Yuushi then caught sight of the tickets on the table beside his bed. "Oshitari Yuushi! Be a man!" he thought to himself. He then sat up in his bed.

"Who can I ask anyway? Gakuto is probably going with Ohtori. I wish I could go there alone where no one can notice my expressions but I don't want to go alone too. Argh!" Yuushi said to no one in particular and plopped back down on his bed.

A female voice then sounded from downstairs. "Yuushi! Your…"

Before her sentence could be completed, Yuushi's door threw open.

"Yuushi! What are you doing around in bed! Your stamina has gotten worse that you get tired so easily is that it?" A boy standing at his door snorted.

"Kenya! What is the meaning of you coming to our house and barging into my room like that!" Yuushi glared at his cousin. "To top that up you have to insult me?"

"Cool it Yuushi!" Kenya said as he entered Yuushi's room.

"What are you doing here?" Yuushi asked straight-forwardly. He and Kenya had been rivals for as long as he could remember.

"You are so lucky to be able to study in Hyotei, Yuushi!" Kenya's eyes sparkled as he spoke. Yuushi did not like this one bit.

"Spit it out Kenya. What do you want?" Yuushi eyed his cousin warily. It wasn't like him to praise Hyotei, especially since the two had a penchant for competing with each other in who was the best in everything.

"Could you do me a favour Yuushi?" Kenya's eyes sparkled even more.

"So you are begging me now?" Yuushi smirked. He knew it was going to irritate the hell out of his cousin.

"Whatever Yuushi!" Kenya lost his cool. "I don't care now! But I will do anything just to get that!"

"So what is that I can get but you can't?" Yuushi smirked.

Kenya glared at Yuushi. "I'll get you for this later Yuushi. I want tickets to Sakuno-chan's concert. From what I know, Hyotei students have an advantage."

Yuushi stared at his cousin. "You like Sakuno-chan?"

"YES! Why do you think I travelled all the way to Tokyo for? So can you…" Kenya stopped when he spotted a pair of tickets on Yuushi's bedside table. He went over and picked them up.

"What do you think you are doing!" Yuushi tried to stop Kenya but in vain. He had the tickets in his hand already.

"Wow! VIP tickets to Sakuno-chan's concert!" Kenya screamed excitedly. He then glanced at Yuushi.

"You don't have anyone to go with do you?" Kenya asked.

"Where did you hear that from?" Yuushi replied indignantly.

"Well it is not like you have a girlfriend yet, or there is someone you like…" Kenya remarked.

Yuushi wanted to give his rebuttal but was stopped. "Of course I have." He muttered under his breath. "It's just that she's the one on stage…"

"Did you say something Yuushi? Anyway, I am going with you. Thanks Yuushi! I will pay you back sometime!" Kenya grinned.

"Kenya-kun! Yuushi! It's time for dinner!" a female voice sounded.

"Coming Auntie! I'm hungry after that long ride! Be quick Yuushi!" With that, Kenya bolted out of his room to the dinner table.

Yuushi stared at the leaving Kenya then at the single ticket remaining at his table.

"Guess my problem's solved now…" Yuushi sighed.

"All right everyone! Take a rest now! You too Sakuno-chan!"

"Ha…hai!" Sakuno answered breathlessly. The rehearsals were in the last stage. Soon it would be her actual concert. A tinge of nervousness engulfed her as she thought about the day. She was afraid of it coming, yet wanted it to come. She wanted to say something to Yuushi. She hoped he would attend the concert to hear what she had to say to him.

Sakuno's face, red from her vigorous dance moves, blushed a deeper red after she realised she was thinking of Yuushi.

"Yuushi-senpai…Will you ever hear what I truly want to tell you?" Sakuno thought.

Notes:

1. sensei - teacher

Credits:

Chapter 14: Step By Step

Artist: Ziggy

Anime: Detective Conan

Author's notes: Am I the first person to bring Kenya into a PoT fic? If yes, yayy! If no, well, nothing... Anyway enjoy chapter 14 and please review!