Author's Note: Now the fourth chapter! This story will only be about eight chapters. We know, we know, you wish it were longer. But thanx for all the reviews! It brings warm fuzzies to our hearts.

Disclaimer: We do not own Prince of Tennis. Typing that makes me sniff.

FALLING

Chapter Four: Inui's Proclamation

At school, Kaidoh couldn't concentrate at all. As the teachers lectured on, his mind was on one single thing. His dream.

In the hallways and at lunch, he didn't even acknowledge his team members with a hiss.

During practice, Kaidoh wasn't much better. He continually missed the ball, swinging at empty air.

Practice finally came to an end, and Kaidoh trudged toward the locker rooms.

"What's wrong, mamushi?" asked an annoying voice. "Distracted by the thoughts of a girl?"

Kaidoh didn't exactly ignore Momoshiro. He just simply didn't hear him as his thoughts were circling around the dream.

As Kaidoh kept walking without any sign of response, Momoshiro just mumbled, "What's up with him?"

Echizen just looked away disinterested. "Mada mada dane."

Inui's gaze followed Kaidoh.

In the locker rooms, Inui noticed how it took Kaidoh almost six minutes longer to get dressed. The younger boy kept fumbling with his school uniform jacket, but noticed he had put his shirt underneath on backwards.

Kaidoh belatedly left the locker rooms and Inui closely trailed.

When they had left the school campus, Kaidoh had eventually asked, "Why are you following me, Inui-sempai?"

Hearing this, Inui quickened his pace until he was next to Kaidoh. "We always walk home together."

Kaidoh hissed, but Inui detected even that wasn't right. The pitch was one octave higher and it was two seconds shorter.

The two walked in silence as usual, but Kaidoh's mind was screaming for him to ask Inui what his dream meant.

Giving in, Kaidoh spoke up. "Inui-sempai? Can I tell you something?" Kaidoh thought for a second and added, "But you can't tell anyone else."

Inui gave Kaidoh one of his calculating stares. "What is it?"

Kaidoh's memory of his dream came back to him for the millionth time that day. He was about to start speaking but the threatening thought of someone else knowing his disturbing dream came to him. Or maybe, he was afraid of the meaning of his dream.

Either way, Kaidoh mentally slapped himself as he blurted the next words. "I had a dream about buchou."

Inui had no visible reaction, which alarmed Kaidoh even more. Now he wasn't the type to lie, so his ensuing explanation was almost forced. "He and I . . . we . . . were playing each other. And . . . And I lost."

"That's all?" Inui queried.

Kaidoh just nodded his head. That's when Inui sighed and pushed up his glasses. "So my suspicions are correct."

Kaidoh regarded Inui, puzzled. "What suspicions?"

"That you have feelings for Tezuka," Inui proclaimed.

Kaidoh stopped in his tracks, dumbfounded. Inui stopped a few feet ahead, his back facing Kaidoh.

"What do you mean?" Kaidoh further implored. He listened fixedly as Inui explained his unusual behavior. Kaidoh never considered his actions before. Apparently whenever the Captain walked by him, he'd tense up and the faintest trace of a blush would sweep across his apprehensive face. Or, how whenever he missed the tennis ball while playing, it was because his eyes had adverted to the Captain.

"Sempai, I think your data is wrong. I am not in love with buchou." Kaidoh knew Inui's data must be correct but he was still going to deny any 'feelings'.

Inui turned to face Kaidoh. "I never mentioned love, but this just proves that you are still unconscious about your . . . feelings. So ask yourself Kaidoh, are your feelings mere admiration or love?"

Inui then abandoned Kaidoh, leaving him speechless and disconcerted.

Kaidoh then shook his head, refocusing. What was this about love?

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That night, Kaidoh lay in his bed, the same obstacle encountering him for the billionth time. His mind was clouded with various thoughts of Tezuka: Tezuka's strong shouts, Tezuka's formidable physique that stands poised, Tezuka's copper hair gracefully swaying in the breeze, brushing over his glasses – those glasses that protect the stunning orbs beneath them.

Why? Why did such conceptions invade his mind? But then Inui's words smuggled their way in.

Kaidoh rolled over once again. This was going to be another sleepless night.

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Inui sat in front of his computer, finishing his homework.

Once done, he reached over and grabbed his data book. He flipped it open and dialed a number on his cell phone.

Inui listened as it rang a few times before someone answered it.

"Tezuka . . . not yet."

TBC . . .

Now will Kaidoh finally realize his feelings after Inui pretty much told him them? Well, you'll have to wait to find out. Don't forget. More reviews . . . more warm fuzzies.