Author's Note: Hello! Schmank you for all the reviews! This story is surprisingly getting a lot of hits. Who knew people were interested in some KaiZuka, or TezuKai. But please review because we need to know if you like the direction.

Disclaimer: We don't own Prince of Tennis, but we can control the characters.

FALLING

Chapter Three: The Dream

During practice that Monday, Kaidoh couldn't prevent the small glances that always landed on the Captain. He still hadn't figured out what has been unsettling him. The only thing he did know for sure was that he had that same flustered feeling every time he would look, or even think about Tezuka.

The team had finished their drills and now it was time for a water break. Kaidoh made his way over to the benches and grabbed his water bottle. As the refreshing liquid flowed down his parched throat, Kaidoh heard a familiar voice address him. He set his bottle down and turned to see the Captain standing in front of him, arms crossed.

"Nice match on Saturday. Keep it up," Tezuka demanded in an austere tone with a slight underlying cordial.

"H-Hai," Kaidoh nodded his head, an unwelcome wave of heat rising to his face. The Captain departed and Kaidoh's face was still tinted a soft pink.

Suddenly, an amused voice teased, "Why such a red face mamushi? Thinking about a girl?"

Before Kaidoh could snap back, an even more delighted voice chirped, "What? Kaidoh is thinking about a girl? Who? Who?"

Kaidoh turned around to see Momoshiro's mischievous grinning face and Kikumaru's curious one.

Unexpectedly, another voice spoke up nonchalantly, "Kaidoh-sempai has a girlfriend? Heh . . ."

Kaidoh swirled his head to see Echizen sitting on a bench. His face was covered by his cap but Kaidoh knew there was a devilish smirk hiding under it.

However, upon hearing this exchange, the other club members stopped what they were doing and sent interested looks towards the mortified Kaidoh. He gave a quick peek over to Tezuka, who was standing next to Oishi. Even though the Captain wasn't looking, Kaidoh knew he was studiously listening.

"I don't have a girlfriend!" Kaidoh shouted, embarrassment flooding away and anger replacing it.

"Aheeheehee," Momoshiro snickered. "You wouldn't with that scary face." He began to laugh louder.

The mocking laughter hit a nerve in Kaidoh – a nerve you didn't want to even tap. Kaidoh's arm muscles flexed and he clenched his fists, preparing to shut the annoying bastard up. He raised his arm in a ready position and swung as hard as he could. However, he immediately stopped when he heard a vehement clamor.

"Twenty laps! Everyone!"

Kaidoh's fist dropped and Momoshiro wore a shocked expression. Tezuka had marched over to them.

"This is tennis practice, not the cafeteria! You two, fifty laps!"

Kaidoh's sudden anger quickly disappeared. With the usual hiss, he began to run his penance.

While running he wondered why he lashed out like that. It wasn't the first time someone had commented on his looks. And he and Momoshiro always fought, but Kaidoh had never gotten this outraged before.

During the whole confrontation, Inui was jotting down very useful notes.

15151515151515151515

The clock disappointedly read 3:24 A.M. Kaidoh had tried to go to bed early, hoping he would get more sleep than he usually did but it seemed like he was getting less.

His outburst on Momoshiro was still unexplained. Well, besides the obvious fact that the imp was ridiculing him. Yet, his aggravation seemed to peak when he looked at the Captain. It would have made more sense if his anger subsided, but no, it just rose.

Kaidoh shifted his position so now he was lying on his side, staring at the blank wall. Maybe he should ask Inui to help him discover what's been stressing him out. He was sure the data collector already had an idea.

Satisfied with this revelation in asking for Inui's help, Kaidoh closed his eyes in hopes of sleep. Yet before sleep encountered him, the frequent image he was now accustomed to, insinuated itself in his thoughts and his dreams.

15151515151515151515

It was late afternoon and tennis practice finally ended. Everyone was now leaving the locker rooms, engrossed in lively chatter.

"I can go for some burgers!" Momoshiro exclaimed, patting his stomach. "Hey! Mamushi! Wanna-"

"Shh!" Momoshiro was hushed by the benevolent Oishi. "Can't you see? He's sleeping."

As a matter of fact, he was sleeping. Kaidoh had only gotten ten hours of sleep this whole week. It just so happened that he flopped down on one of the benches in the locker room and dozed into a desirable snooze.

When they saw Kaidoh's peaceful sleeping face, Momoshiro and Kikumaru emitted stifled giggles before leaving the locker room.

Now there was silence except for Kaidoh's soft, rhythmic breathing.

Soon the locker room door opened and the Captain entered. He walked over to his cubby, smoothly taking off his regulars' jacket and folding it before placing it inside. But before he took off his jersey, he heard a small groan come from behind him.

Tezuka turned in alarm, but the view he was met with took him aback.

There, head limply resting on his shoulder and legs sprawled in front of him, was Kaidoh. The serene expression on his face, illuminated by the sun's graceful light, made the younger boy . . . becoming.

Tezuka gave a small, pleased smile as he stepped over to the sleeping boy.

"Kaidoh," he whispered, trying to wake the boy without startling him. "Kaidoh," he repeated, a little louder. With no success, Tezuka then gently prodded him.

Another groan escaped Kaidoh and his eyes began to slowly open.

All Kaidoh could see was darkness at first. As he forced his eyes to open more, he saw a looming form standing above him.

"B-Buchou?" he responded, trying to fully assess his situation.

"Kaidoh, everyone else already went home," Tezuka informed, now walking back to his cubby.

Still confused on why he had found himself in the locker rooms alone with the Captain, Kaidoh steadily stood up.

"Was I sleeping?" Kaidoh asked, now making his way over to his own cubby.

"Yes."

Kaidoh pulled off his jacket and then his jersey. As soon as he placed the two items in his cubby he felt strong hands suddenly push him against the wall.

"Buchou, what's wrong?" Kaidoh inquired, a little bewildered. The feeling of Tezuka's warm hands on his bare shoulders created an odd sensation.

Tezuka didn't answer back, but instead studied the person in front of him. Black hair was sneaking out from the green bandanna, veiling a part of Kaidoh's face. Tezuka didn't know why he would want to hide his face. His face was . . . immaculate. Beautiful in its own way.

Feeling allured, Tezuka gradually leaned in.

"B-Buchou . . ." Kaidoh repeated barely whispering.

Their lips were about to touch. Kaidoh braced himself when finally-

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Kaidoh's eyes snapped open as he was met with the sight of his wall. In bafflement, he slowly sat up in his bed. He was in his bedroom – not the locker room. He was alone - not with Tezuka. He was sleeping – not about to kiss . . .

At the realization that he had such a dream, Kaidoh gripped his head and screamed in horror, "AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" (A/N: like the 'It's A Date' episode).

His brother came barging into his room with a distraught contortion. "Are you okay?"

Kaidoh just sat there now, violently panting. He couldn't even answer his younger brother as his breathing was too heavy.

Kaidoh had just dreamed that he and Tezuka had . . . had . . .

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

15151515151515151515

Somewhere else at another home, a distressed Captain instantly awoke. Perspiration dripped from his forehead and his heartbeat was irregular.

That dream . . . felt so real. From the intense feelings to the tender . . .

Tezuka glanced at the clock, which read 5:57. He walked over to his desk and searched the directory of his phone. He had to tell him what he just dreamed.

A few rings passed before a familiar voice answered. "Tezuka?"

"I had a dream . . . Inui."

TBC . . .

Haha! Now will Kaidoh realize how he feels about Tezuka? Let's hope so, sheesh. Well, we hope this chapter pleased you. We're also grateful for all the delicious reviews, but it would be nice if there were more. ; 3