A/N: How time does fly... Got a little carried away with this one, so it is a longer then I wanted, but that's all good. (It's a little slow because of Char. intro's)
Edited: 'cause I'm not perfect. 12/5/2009
Disclaimer: It is illegal to use someone else's disclaimer!
Chapter Six
"Morning Sai-kun. How are the matches going over here?" Fuji asked.
Hisoki Sai turned slowly to face Fuji. He stood thoughtfully with one arm across his torso holding up the other so his fingers could brush over his chin cheek.
"Even with your own eyes you can see it is… surprising."
Sai lowered his head and huffed a laugh leaving Fuji to deduce the out come of the match. With diamond shaped eyes, he watched silently.
Fuji leant forward to get a better look. "Is he any good?"
"Without playing him, it is hard to say." Sai said.
Through the green fence they could see Arai-kun struggling to make this match his own. Once again his arrogance got the better of him. Fuji glanced over to the little boy with the cap concealing his eyes. He played with ease, like the whole thing was second natural to him. Fuji suddenly opened her eyes. There was something strange and satisfyingly familiar about him. At first she couldn't understand why his serious play, that shadowed his complete enjoyment, tapped at a nerve in her mind. With a recalling smile she turned to Sai.
"He's left handed."
Having not noticed Sai said he hides it will while muttering into his hand.
Fuji wanted to keep an eye on the first year. He had to be good – great even to arouse her senses and curiosity. She was pretty sure Tezuka and Oishi were peering down from the classroom with wondering and prying eyes.
There came a loud hiss from the right of Sai. Fuji looked around to find a younger regular scorning the match.
"Idiot – to lose shamefully like that." He walked away with his hands in his pocket.
"Don't mind Kaidoh-kun. He gets like that." Sai informed her.
"I see he's grown up."
"That's life."
Fuji found Sai to be a difficult one to talk to. At times she wasn't sure if he cared for the conversation. He's words were always laid back and depending on his mood indirect or very direct. He never look in your eyes when in conversation. He always kept his sight ahead of him or behind the sunglasses he wore off the tennis court. But like Tezuka, Inui and even Leiko, Fuji was well adjusted to their behaviour. Sai brushed his dark blue hair from his eyes like it annoyed him. That's what most people thought. Once you got to know him you realised he was lost in thought. By the looks of it, he was thinking of a strategy.
Sai was Oishi partner in doubles. With their huge differences they became very aware of each other, giving them – no, earning them a worthy title 'The Golden Pair'.
"Ne, Sai-kun? We're starting our ranking this afternoon. If Tezuka-kun and Oishi-kun haven't decided anything yet, see if you can come over and watch."
"Is that an invitation?"
"It depends if you show up."
Fuji searched around for Jinhana. She spotted her delicate friend standing close to the fence, engrossed by the amusing game.
"Are you ready, Yumi-chan?"
"Have you noticed?" She chuckled. "He's got a worn-out racket. The strings are broken too. That's crazy."
She was in fact cuter than Kikumaru. Everything was beautiful to her, she could see no crime in anything… but… she hated losing and hated it when she lost to Fuji. After their match in year eight, Fuji beat her 6-2 in eight minutes. Jinhana cried and wailed and begged for a rematch. Having been refused, she hated Fuji with a passion. If not for Kikumaru, tension would still be high between them.
"He's really cute, not that I can see his eyes." Jinhana said.
Jinhana gave a quick wave and headed off with Fuji to HE class.
* * *
The first week back to school was always a slow one. Books and timetables had to be sorted out and classroom arrangements too had to be checked and checked twice. Sometimes there would be new friends and new groups formed. Old friends spoke about their summer vacation. The first week back became a bother after three years that the girls couldn't wait for their tennis match to begin. As soon as the last bell chimed Fuji made her way to the courts.
"Afternoon Fuji-senpai." Someone called.
"Oh, Afternoon Nariko-chan."
Her year eight star who seemed to have as many unique moves as Jinhana. Nariko walked along side Fuji to the courts. For a while they were silent, making sure they didn't bump onto anyone. Fuji waved to the majority of students who said hello to her and wanted to tell her to make it to the nationals like she did last year. By chance Fuji glimpsed down to Nariko and noticed her serious dark eyes watching her. They were half-open with a sharp flick to her black lashes.
"Something wrong Nariko-chan?"
She blinked once and stared down the corridor. "I was just wondering. Don't worry."
"Thinking about the line-up?" Fuji asked as they walked down to the ground floor.
"N-no, not really. Just thinking, that's all."
There was no smile that assure Fuji her deep stare was innocent, but then again, Nariko wasn't one to smile so freely. Not allowing someone to believe she was okay so easily. And why should she? She had other ways to show her content for something. Sometimes it was her voice or the thoughtful and stern way she spoke. You learnt to trust what she said and not question it. At least, most people did – Fuji wasn't like most people. She pushed the exit doors open and the two headed towards the courts.
"Do I seem popular to you?" Fuji finally asked, guessing that that might have been on her mind.
Nariko flicked a look to Fuji, one that told her she was close to the truth.
"I wasn't always in the student's interest. I was seen but never recognised for a long time. Even when I was playing tennis no one really took that much notice of me until… after that match… I guess the school found a reason to say hello."
"I wasn't really questioning it. Just observing the hope others have in you."
"I wouldn't say a hope – a friendship and then hope."
"Why a friendship?"
Fuji stopped at the water fountain. She placed her bag on the floor and offered Nariko to do the same. She turned on the tap to take a sip of water and pointed to the three a short distance ahead of them.
"That's why."
Fuji dried her hands off when Nariko glanced over. The piece of equipment in the woman's hand gave her that understanding.
"Oh, I see. The magazine editors. Getting the school's name in the sports pages and feeling as if they are a part of it."
Fuji smiled. "… No, that's not it."
This made Nariko rethink her original idea. "You mean there is another reason?"
"Yeah…"
"Can you tell me?"
Fuji turned tap off and replaced her bag on her shoulder. "If you think about it enough, the answer will come to you."
"I'll have to be patient."
"In the mean time concentrate on your match with Kikoishi-chan."
It was about time Inoue and Shiba showed their faces. They would start off reporting the girls' team before being lured away to the boys' court. Ryuzaki-sensei often had to inform them of the two teams she had.
Nariko and Fuji made their way to the changing rooms. Kikumaru had already started jogging around the courts with her underlings. The others were inside getting changed.
"Good afternoon ladies."
Yokoishi glanced up and saw the two by the door. "Because Nariko-senpai is with Captain, does that mean she's late?" She teased.
"Only if you run with me." Nariko said.
"That's a good idea." Fuji added.
Before she could finish Yokoishi insisted she was only joking – nothing was intended by her harmless bit of fun.
They all got changed and made their way onto the courts. Fuji addressed them of the details and they could get started on their matches.
"Yes captain!" They called out when she finished and everyone without a match walked off the courts to watch.
"Captain," Arai called from behind. "can I have a word?"
"Can I get back to you Vice Caption? I also need to have a word with Suzu-chan. I'll be right back."
Fuji went over to the marking table where Suzu sat quietly. She wasn't really looking at anything and when she did she was found to be in a daydream.
"You should have brought a magazine." Fuji spoke softly so not to startle her. "I wanted to tell you something."
Suzu looked up and placed her arms on the table paying close attention.
"I want to see you in a regular's uniform."
Suzu widen her eyes. "Do you think I can?"
"Just do your best."
And with that small hint Fuji went off to find Arai. "You wanted a word, Arai-chan."
Arai turned to Fuji slowly, again with that self-absorbed posture.
"Everyone seems to be happy with your line-up."
Fuji stood beside her and watched the matches "That's good to know. Ne, Arai-chan, does that include you too?"
Arai tapped the racket in her hand, simply staring at Fuji. "Anyway, I just thought next time it would be better if you gave a little more thought into how you do things."
"Thank you Arai-chan. I'll bare that in mind."
Arai nodded and walked onto the tennis courts.
Matches didn't really last long. One-set matches never did. A good player against a weak opponent was no longer than fifteen minutes, unless you really destroyed them then it would not go past ten minutes. Those were the 6-0 scores. Then your average match of 6-4 or 5-7 took about 25 to 45 minutes depending on the style and the players physical fitness.
"Good afternoon Fuji-chan."
She looked over to see Sai and Oishi walking over.
"I see you're taking to my invitation, Sai-kun." She greeted them.
"How could I refuse? When do you play?"
"I'm next on court A."
The two matches that took place finished quickly. Arai wasn't in the mood but her temper made her a better player. They went over to Suzu and wrote their scores down. Fuji made her way onto the courts and waited for her opponent to arrive. She retrieved two balls from the first years and went onto the top court. Suzu slowly walked on after getting a big cheer from the spectators.
Fuji held out her hand to shake Suzu's.
"Go easy on me, okay."
"I should be saying that to you!" Suzu laughed.
They took to the baseline and were ready for their match.
…tbc…
A/N2: Suzu's skills, and Fuji's loss in the next chapter.
Thanks for reading. x
