Authors' Note: Hey! The second chapter is now up! That was fast, huh? But moving on, this was written to try to match it up with episode 16 and 17 as closely as possible. I'm sorry if Kaidoh is a little OOC. I tried my best!
Disclaimer: We do not own any part of Prince of Tennis, but we are hoping to buy our own set of Seigaku sweats!
Warning: This story contains boy/boy love (later on).
FALLING
Chapter Two: Compliment
It was the finals of the district tournament and Kaidoh had to play singles 3. He sat down, leaning against a tree and observed the first match of Kawamura and Fuji playing doubles. Echizen was nowhere to be seen, probably buying his favorite Ponta. Momo being his usual simple-minded self stood amiably by the freshman. Inui was studying the match closely, rolling his pen across his notebook as lots of data was to be taken. As he had been doing all week since that day, Kaidoh's eyes naturally progressed over to the familiar silent figure.
He hadn't been able to sleep at night because of the Captain. Every time he was about to sink into a much-needed sleep, one image would flash into his mind and he'd become more alert and awake than before. However, he would make sure none of this would effect his tennis. Today he was going to win, proving his hard training had paid off.
Kaidoh patiently waited as Kawamura was escorted away to treat his wrist. Number 2 doubles had forfeited. Now it was even more important for Kaidoh to win.
During Number 1 doubles, rain began to pour down from dark clouds. Kaidoh had moved to shelter where the benches were. He leaned against the concrete half wall, almost directly behind Tezuka. His gaze continually shifted from the match, to the back of the still Captain.
Despite the rain, the Golden Pair had taken an easy win.
It was time for Kaidoh to step up. Adversely, they had postponed the singles matches due to the rain. Kaidoh could feel his fighting spirit slowly dissipate. It didn't help when the conniving freshman had made a couple sly comments towards him. If only Tezuka wasn't there, Kaidoh would have lashed out and gave the little brat a kick.
A few moments of decision made Kaidoh realize he needed to leave to refocus. He left the benches and began to jog, needing to warm up his muscles too. As the raindrops splashed on his cheeks, he tuned his mind from everything but the muddy path before him. However, it seemed that every time his mind was clear from anything else, a single someone squeezed its way in.
Kaidoh's thoughts were once again upon the Captain. For some obscure reason, Kaidoh felt the part of him that was still unsettled felt . . . absolute when the Captain's bold features were displayed in his head.
Before he knew it, wet drops stopped coming down and the departing clouds unsheathed the warm sun.
When Kaidoh returned to the courts, he went to retrieve his racket from his bag. As he was doing this, he heard Echizen pipe up in that smug voice, "You're late Mr. Singles 3."
Kaidoh narrowed his eyebrows and snapped back, "I don't need mouth from you."
What he didn't want to happen, did happen. Tezuka swiftly whipped his head and sharply rebuked, "Kaidoh, your opponent isn't Echizen."
All Kaidoh could do was agree as a funny feeling swirled in him. It was rare that the Captain addressed him. A small inkling of content entered him, but not enough to override the fact that Tezuka had scolded him over something that wasn't entirely his fault.
On the court, Kaidoh stood across from the irritating red-haired boy he was to be playing. Stabbing Kaidoh's anger button again, the foolish kid had called him a Snake. The nickname that he hated. Wanting to abolish that hideous smirk off his face, Kaidoh swung his racket hoping it would collide. Unfavorably, he only hit air.
"Kaidoh!" his name was yelled, harshly.
Looking over, Kaidoh could sense disappointment as Tezuka sent him a reprimanding stare. Kaidoh kindly apologized to the referee, but he certainly wouldn't apologize to that annoying 'rhythm' guy.
Things were not going his way. The fast bastard kept returning all of his snakes, and mocking him in the process. It wasn't helping that Kaidoh kept slipping on the slick mud. But Kaidoh wouldn't lose. He would never give up.
That's when it happened. Kaidoh ran to the other side of the court to return the ball when he felt his feet lift from underneath him. He was falling again but this time, he would still hit the ball! Out of desperation, Kaidoh reached as far as his long arms would let him. He felt the ball impact his racket and he moved his arm in the same formation he did for the snake.
Everyone, including Tezuka, watched in amazement as the ball zoomed around the net pole and curved back, landing inside the court.
Kaidoh roughly landed on his side, but he ignored the brief pain as he himself was surprised he did that. Amongst the cheers coming from his team members, Kaidoh heard a praising voice appreciate, "Kaidoh, that was a great around the pole shot."
Only for an instant could Kaidoh smile inside at this. Tezuka actually complimented him. But his mind went flying back to the match at hand. Now that he had this new shot, 'Boomerang Snake', he could surely beat this cocky 'rhythm' asshole.
Kaidoh was right and ended up taking the match, 7 games to 5. He basked in the sunlight with another accomplishment on his shoulders. He had proved himself today; proved that he wasn't an easy opponent.
While relaxing after his match, Inui had come over to him and offered to help him perfect his Boomerang Snake. In the back of his mind, Kaidoh heard a phrase replay in his mind, "Kaidoh, that was a great around the pole shot." He unquestionably wanted to learn it.
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With Echizen's win, Seigaku had won the district tournament. They walked over to Kawamura's Sushi Restaurant for a team celebration.
Kaidoh was contently eating his sushi, not being bothered by Kikumaru's whining voice or Momo's greedy one. He glanced over to the barstools where Tezuka was quietly sitting next to the Coach. It seemed that today was the first time Tezuka had ever given Kaidoh any sort of appraisal.
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After they were done eating, the sun was already setting. Golden amber hues illuminated the expansive sky, creating a tranquil feeling in Kaidoh as he paced himself with Inui.
When they walked it was always in silence, enjoying one another's company. So it surprised Kaidoh when he heard Inui's deep, sagacious tone interrupt the silence, "You're not the same."
Kaidoh unconsciously paused for a second, but didn't respond and just waited for his senpai to continue.
"You're only getting a couple hours of sleep at night. You've been eating less, but yet you still do extra training. So your body doesn't shut down on you, you need to get at least 7 hours of sleep and eat three times as much as you have been eating. Or, you can straighten out what has been bothering you for the past week."
Upon hearing this last sentence, Kaidoh's eyes grew in alarm. Did Inui know that at night, he rolled around in bed, trying to take his mind off those captivating sienna eyes? Or how he keeps stressing over what the hell was eating away at his stomach, making him feel uncomfortable and weird whenever the Captain came into his sight? Kaidoh didn't even know what was going through his mind, and he definitely didn't want Inui to know.
With a hasty, "Yes, Inui-senpai," Kaidoh hurried away without a backwards glimpse.
Inui watched the retreating form of his obviously overwrought kouhai. He reached into his backpack and opened his precious notebook to Kaidoh's section. He mumbled to himself writing, "Doesn't want me to know what is troubling him."
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That night, Kaidoh restlessly laid in his bed. His eyes were wide open and his mind was repeating one sentence over and over.
'Kaidoh, that was a great around the pole shot.'
These words were on endless replay and he didn't know how to make them stop. He grunted as it played in his head once again.
Kaidoh didn't know why he kept hearing this. Sure it was the first time Tezuka complimented him, but it was still Tezuka. He should receive these types of things from his teammates all the time. But then why did his face heat up more each time he heard those words?
Kaidoh took his pillow and smashed it down on his face, pushing hard on his ears. He hoped this would mute the nonstop sentence but he gave up hopelessly as it seemed to echo in his ears even louder.
More thoughts of Tezuka . . . another sleepless night.
TBC . . .
Poor Kaidoh . . . doesn't realize his own feelings yet. Next chapter will have a bit of Tezuka's POV. Anywho, please review because I need to know if I'm doing a good job so far.
