A/N: Here ya go. Another chapter for your enjoyment. I'm not as fond of this one as I am the previous chapter, but it was fun just for going down memory lane. I'm talking about that great random episode where Ryoma and Shinji fight over grip tape. And it lives on! I don't know. I'll just shut up and let you read. Enjoy.

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"What's so special about this sport shop?"

"Nothing much. I've only heard we might be able to find some fellow tennis players there."

Atobe and Jiroh walked at a leisurely pace as the streets were particularly crowed and made moving any faster quite difficult. Jiroh reached behind and stuck his hand inside his tennis bag. Atobe watched him fish around for a few moments before he smiled triumphantly.

"Found it!"

He managed to find another box of Pocky and began happily munching on the little biscuits.

"How many of those can you go through before you can't eat any more?"

Jiroh looked over at Atobe and began counting using his hand.

"Let's see…After two boxes I'm kind of full…After about five, I don't need to eat dinner…I think I would have to stop at about seven or so boxes. Why? How many can you eat?"

"First off…You sound as though you've actually done this."

"I have."

"…That can't be healthy."

"Well, it's not like I do it all the time or something. Probably only about once a couple of weeks depending on what's happening."

Atobe glanced incredulously at him. Jiroh continued to animatedly explain how and why he consumes that much Pocky which left Atobe impressed on a really weird and messed up level.

"I eat about half if even that."

"Really? How can you eat only that? You got to at least eat a whole box."

"Not everyone can consume that much Pocky in one sitting. Besides, ore-sama does not want to be too careless about eating."

It was Jiroh's turn to look at Atobe incredulously. How somebody could stop after only half a box was beyond his comprehension. Atobe could not help but chuckle at how the other boy was responding. As they continued to walk, Atobe suddenly felt something lightly poking him in the side.

"What and why are you poking ore-sama's side?"

"I don't know why you would even bother thinking about what you eat."

Atobe swatted his hand away as Jiroh continued to examine him. Jiroh looked up at him in an almost patronizing manner.

"You of all people don't need to actually consider what you're eating. It's not exactly like you're close to being fat or something. Besides, you're not strongly built or anything. Actually, I would say you kind of have a girly figure."

He was interrupted when Atobe lightly whacked Jiroh upside the head.

"First, I'm not anorexic or anything. I just lack the ability to intake a box of Pocky. Second…Ore-sama does not have a girly figure!"

Jiroh grinned at Atobe still gnawing on a piece of Pocky.

"Yes you do."

He watched Atobe's eyebrow begin to lightly twitch. Jiroh was getting immense pleasure at having found something to poke fun at about Atobe.

"No, I do not. Ore-sama has a perfect figure. As always ore-sama is presenting a pleasing figure!"

"Well, I suppose I can't argue with that…Oh hey, there's the shop!"

Jiroh took off towards the little sports shop. Again, Atobe was left without an explanation for that last comment. He sometimes did not understand how Jiroh managed to not be on his black list. No matter how much he wanted to say Jiroh was annoying, he could not. He mentally slapped himself at his wandering thoughts as he attempted to weave around people to catch up with Jiroh.

"Welcome!"

Atobe stepped inside the door and nodded at the shopkeeper. He quickly glanced around in an attempt to find Jiroh. His thoughts were interrupted when he suddenly heard a small argument in the corner.

"I had it first."

"No, I distinctly recall having grabbed it first before you reached out and took it from me-"

"I did not. You took it from me."

Standing in the corner were two people arguing over what appeared to be grip tape. Atobe walked over and continued to watch with amusement. As he got closer, he also saw four other people.

"Oh man, not again. Ryoma-kun and Ibu-san are at it again!"

"Hey, just let it go, Shinji. I'm sure there's some other shop that carries this stuff."

"But Kamio, that's not the point. The point is that people shouldn't try to take something if they didn't get to it first. It's just rude. Besides, you got the grip tape last time and it's only fair that I get the tape this time."

"Stop mumbling and just let go!"

"Horio-kun! Do something!"

"What should I do!"

"Is this really how you spend your free time?"

All heads turned to face Atobe. He had his normal grin in place as he scanned the small crowd. He noted the three first years that seemed to follow Seigaku everywhere. He also saw the two in conflict as Echizen Ryoma and Ibu Shinji. The final person faintly perked his interest. It was none other than Kamio Akira; another person Atobe loved to bother.

"What's the Monkey King doing here?"

Atobe disregarded the impudent remark from Ryoma as he walked over and got a better look at the grip tape. He recognized it as being one of the better brands and figured it was the last one in stock. If he recalled correctly, Jiroh uses that same grip tape.

"I just came by to pick something up and maybe ask a few questions."

All of them stared skeptically at him. He noted that none of them seemed particularly fond of him. Then again, he was not surprised since he openly chose to ignore Fudomine and put Tezuka on the bench.

"Hey, they do have it here!"

Everybody turned their heads to face the source of the new voice. After Atobe's appearance, Ryoma and Shinji momentarily forgot about the tape and were no longer holding possessively over it. They had no time to move as they watched Jiroh happily grab the tape and skip over to the register. Atobe had to turn away to hide his grin. The others were left standing speechless.

"Thanks!"

"Thank you and come back again!"

"Hey, Atobe, look! I got some new grip tape. Believe it or not, but this stuff is kind of hard to find. It's so lucky that this store had it. I got the last one too!"

Ryoma and Shinji immediately followed Jiroh out the store. This left the first year trio and Kamio standing next to Atobe. He watched how the three first years seemed to cower under his stare and was amused as they left the store via the furthest route away from him. Atobe looked over at Kamio and smirked. Without saying a word, he gracefully turned on his heel and headed out the store.

"Hey, give that to me."

"Why? I paid for it."

"I had it first. That tape should be mine even though everybody keeps taking it away from me. It's like the world is against me. I can't do anything without getting harassed. I think they're just prejudice because they think I'm weird."

Jiroh stared wide-eyed as Shinji continued to mumble non-stop about how the world was against him getting grip tape. Ryoma did not even bother to acknowledge the mumbling as he continued to tug at Jiroh's sleeve.

"That grip tape should be mine. Besides, can't spoiled brats like you get this tape off like a special place or something?"

"Special place? There's no special place I'm aware of. I have to go to a pro shop just like any other person. Besides, only spoiled people call others spoiled."

Ryoma gave a small snort and practically pouted. Jiroh thought it was amusing and began laughing at the younger boy. Immediately, Ryoma regained his cool composure and deftly pulled out his tennis racquet.

"How about we play for it? If I beat you, I get the grip tape."

"But what's in it for me? If I lose, I have to give you the tape even though I've already spent my own money on it. If I win, I don't gain anything. So, there is no real incentive for me to play you."

Even though he was refused, Ryoma was still not going to give up. Shinji had now stopped mumbling and supported the idea.

"If I win, I'll pay you for it. Then it's like it never happened at all."

"That still isn't enough to get me to play. What would I get if I won? Nothing. So no matter which way it goes, I'm always left with nothing."

Here, Jiroh began to yawn and the others could tell he was losing attention fast. Again, Ryoma challenged Jiroh for the grip tape.

"How about if you win, we'll give you something. How about Ryoma-kun and Ibu-san against you and Atobe-san?"

All were stunned at the proposed plan or rather; they were more surprised at who came up with it.

"Wow, Horio-kun, I never thought a good idea would come from you."

At first Shinji was against it.

"If we play doubles that means I have to share the tape with him."

"Not necessarily. When we beat them and get the tape, we can then settle the score."

Shinji looked over at Ryoma who grinned mischievously. They looked over at Jiroh who seemed a little more awake now.

"Hmm…Alright, you're on. Though I hope you're prepared to lose!"

"Don't ignore me like that Atobe! Fudomine totally cleaned Hyotei's clock! Hey! Pay attention to me!"

Atobe waltzed calmly through the door to stand beside Jiroh with a fuming Kamio right behind.

"There seems to be a little fly buzzing around somewhere. It's getting quite annoying."

"Hey, Atobe, get your tennis racquet ready 'cause those two have challenged us. The victor gets the grip tape."

"But you already bought the grip tape."

"They said they would give something to me if or rather, when we win."

"Fine, but you really shouldn't go and challenge people without asking me first."

"Heh, sorry!"

"Stop pretending like I'm not here! Besides, I doubt you would win against Ryoma and Shinji since-"

"Who asked for your opinion?"

Atobe glanced over his shoulder at Kamio. He and the others were already making their way towards a set of street courts. Atobe grinned inwardly knowing that he has now fulfilled his duty to harass Kamio.

"So, you two play doubles together often?"

Jiroh looked questioningly between Ryoma and Shinji. They looked at each other, then at Jiroh.

"Of course. We're pretty good at doubles."

The three first years and Kamio about fell over from the complete lie. They were meant for single and singles only.

"That's interesting. This is the first time Atobe and I will play doubles!"

Jiroh began laughing excitedly much to the interest of Atobe. He wondered what was so exciting. He then recalled previous statements from Jiroh about trying new things and about playing doubles.

"Really? So what makes you so confident that you'll beat us? We've played doubles together before and having previous experience is quite useful. While I'm not fond of having to go through two sets of people to get the grip tape, I know that our experience will greatly benefit us on the tennis courts."

Everybody was now staring at Shinji's rambling. Even though it was slightly unnerving how somebody could continually mumble like that, they still had to stop and listen to what he was saying.

"Because with Atobe, I can't lose!"

Atobe nodded in agreement and spouted out one of his many narcissistic one-liners. However, he was actually wondering about what Jiroh had said. He knew that his skills were good enough to get him by even in doubles. Jiroh should also know that two singles players aren't automatically great doubles players. Atobe was having trouble deciding which got to him more. The fact that Jiroh assumed that he could make anything go for the best or that he had that much faith in him.

"You can't be serious. You two are totally singles players. Atobe especially."

"So what? It's fun to try new things and who decided that singles players can only play singles? Besides, Atobe and I are more than good enough to make something work."

Kamio continued to scoff at Jiroh who happily ignored him like everybody else in the world.

"Don't you think so, Atobe?"

"Of course we're good enough. Besides, if worse came to worse, we can always pull the same stunt Echizen pulled and play like it's singles."

Ryoma softly snorted at being called.

"Who cares? We won, didn't we?"

After a short walk, the group of tennis players arrived at the street courts. They were looking for an empty court when they were flagged down by a familiar voice.

"Hey! Shinji, Kamio, over here!"

Standing on one of the far courts was Tachibana An. She was energetically waving at them. The small crowd walked over to the court she was currently reserving.

"An-chan! What are you doing here?"

Atobe watched Kamio fawn over her like a love-sick puppy with amusement. Either the girl was oblivious or just attempting to ignore it.

"I was going to practice a little tennis. How about you guys? Oh, Ryoma-kun, how are you doing?"

"Fine."

"Oh, how's Momo doing?"

Kamio's eye twitched ever so faintly at the mention of the other Seigaku player's name.

"Fine."

She looked everybody over and then stopped when she got to Atobe and Jiroh. Jiroh immediately introduced himself.

"I'm Jiroh Akutagawa. That's Atobe Keigo. Hey, you're Tachibana's little sister from Fudomine!"

"Uh, yeah. It's nice to meet you. Hey, you're the one who hurt Tezuka and was such a jerk!"

"The one and only."

She shot Atobe a quick glare before turning her attention back to Ryoma and the others.

"So what are you guys doing here?"

"Shinji and Ryoma want Jiroh's grip tape so they're going to play doubles against the two from Hyotei."

Kamio was quick to answer An's question and to just talk to her as much as he could. She shook her head and looked over at Ryoma and Shinji.

"You guys can use this court. Boys…All this over grip tape?"

The four players went to their respective sides of the court and began planning.

"Hee hee! Isn't this exciting, Atobe!"

"Thrilling."

Atobe looked across the court at their opponents. Ryoma and Shinji did not appear to be talking at all; at least Ryoma. The other was mumbling about something and adjusting his racquet strings.

"Jiroh. Just do this the normal way. Stay up front and keep the pressure on them. I'll catch everything in the back."

"Okay! We finally get to play doubles!"

The Hyotei tennis buchou did not see what was so exciting about it, but then again it was Jiroh and Atobe decided not to even try to understand it. However, he had a little voice telling him exactly why Jiroh was so excited. But, he did not even bother to try to understand what it was telling him. He just put all his thoughts towards the match.

"You ready?"

"Always!"

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A/N: So there you have it. Chapter 6. What did you think? Good? Bad? Should I burn this compost with the heat of a thousand suns? I dunno. I was going to write the match in this chapter, but then decided to save it for the beginning of the next chapter. I think the story is going to be longer than I intended. Oh well, we'll see how it goes. As far as the conflict part, I'm getting there. I'm getting closer and closer. If you're good enough, you might even be able to tell what it will be somewhat about. Anyhoo, thanks for reading!