A/N: I guess I should add why I screwed up Fujis family by giving all of them a gender swapping. W-e-l-l... Be it that Fuji's a girl, I wanted her to play against Yuuta - but it would have been impossible for that to happen so Yuuta has become Yumi. And I didn't want the WHOLE Fuji family to be girls so big sister Yumiko is now BIG BROTHER Yukio.

Isn't that just the craziest idea! Let's see if it works!

Edit: Some silly mistakes have been changed. 30.04.08

Edited cuz… erm... nobody's perfect i.e. me! 27/5/2009

Disclaimer: I did not invent Japanese animation or manga!


Chapter Eight

"I find your style very eye-catching." Sai commented.

Fuji had finished locking up the changing and equipment room before making her way to the school gates where Sai waited for her.

"I didn't do anything special." She said.

"You did. You allowed Suzu-chan to believe she had won and then came back to beat her. Makes one think you were out to show her up."

Fuji sniggered softly to herself. "Everyone believes that but it's not true. I have nothing but praise and recognition for Suzu-chan and what I did was only to help her."

"To help her hate you."

"Sai-kun, you know I don't like the intensity of that word."

"Intense enough to start a suggestion in her mind, one that her captain might have issues with her."

"I thought I was the trouble maker." She smiled at nothing in particular. "You know Arai-chan told me more-or-less the same thing that I embarrassed my opponents."

He flicked his hair and sighed to himself. "That's the game you show us."

"No, that's the game you wish to see. I was simply testing her ability. I know she is good enough for the tournaments that are coming up, but there is a likelihood that we will make it to the Nationals this year and I want to make sure me and Arai-chan make the right decisions. And I believe I have."

She propped her bag on her shoulder and continued walking unfazed by her play. But she wondered why Sai questioned it. He had no problem with her style of play before. She only ever used a 'comeback' style in practise matches and never in any real match. From seeing her play in the past, Sai shouldn't feel the need to question it. She couldn't tell anything from his concealed eyes but his lips seemed to tell her he was talking on behalf of someone else.

"Is that all that caught your eye, Sai-kun?"

He put his hands in his pockets.

"Yes, you're an interesting person to watch. I wish I could have seen you as a child playing; how you developed your skill; your mind."

"You want my secrets?"

"Impossible, yet, desirable."

Just like him to start speaking like that. Fuji changed the subject before he got too caught up between his thoughts and desires.

"How do you think this year will go for you guys?"

"I believe we can make it this year. Kaidoh-kun is up against that brat tomorrow."

"Hmm? You don't like him?"

"That precocious brat? Should I?"

"Good question. Are you gonna give me an answer?"

"Just like I've grown to like you, the same has to happen with him."

Her answer was a smile. They walked passed the shops and offices buildings to arrive at the residential areas. Sai lived at the top while Fuji had a few roads to go.

"About your match with Suzu-chan, was it really that challenging?"

"It's something you can only appreciate when you play her. She has some good techniques. But you asked if it was a challenge… Ask her for a match. Enjoy your evening Sai-kun. I'll see you tomorrow."

He blew her a kiss. She caught it in a smile and carried on her way. Still no one really understand her, even after two years, they only held on to exterior behaviours. She was either too happy or malicious enough to hurt people without a reason. Fuji has had many reasons to humble or hurt her opponent, but to do it as a sport was not in her best interest. She let the thought escape in a sigh and turned up her street to see her older brother stepping out of his car. He caught her waving and waved back.

"How was your week back at school?" He asked with his own unique smile.

"Interesting."

Fuji took her things upstairs to her room and dropped down on her bed. She took off her socks, catching the reflection of a picture frame in the light. It was a photo of Yumi Fuji, her younger sister. Fuji sat up and stared at the happy faces in the photo not really thinking about anything at first, then good memories came to her before the horrible ones pushed them away. All Fuji could see in her mind's eye was an angry young girl who wanted nothing to do with her older sister. The house has been depressingly quiet since Yumi left. Fuji reached over to take the picture in her hand and wondered why those brown eyes hated to look at her. Hate. Fuji always found that to be a strong word. Yumi had grown and manifested a hatred for her.

Just like many didn't know her true self, Fuji couldn't figure out why Yumi began to disregard her… maybe she was just growing up and wanted space – well, she has that space now! Fuji placed the photo back between her cacti and got changed into some casual clothes. She put on a long jumper, a knee length skirt and some in-door socks. She went downstairs to be with her brother.

While mum and dad were away, and that would be for months on end, Yukio took the house keeping role of cooking. Either that or have Fuji experiment with all kinds of hot and ludicrous spices. It was a mistake he wouldn't allow twice.

"No homework?" He asked, popping his head in from the kitchen.

"I finished my work at school aniki. Sai-kun walked me home."

"Is Sai-san keeping well?"

"Yes, he seemed very happy today. Maybe watching Arai-chan and my match got him thinking."

"You and Arai-san had a match?" He shouted.

Fuji got up to sit with him in the kitchen. "No. Arai's younger brother had a match with a first year."

"First year you say…"

"Suzu and I had a match. I planned it to be 5-0 then I would come back and win 5-7."

"Why was that?"

"To test her skill and ability. I wanted to see how good her moves were and her weakness too."

He closed the lid over the pork and vegetable miso soup. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yes, she substituted the basics for the special moves. I'm sure Arai-chan and I can think of a regime for the team."

"What about Inui-san? I think I've seen him once or twice. Tall guy with spiky hair, looks a bit bored half the time?"

"Sounds like him, not such about him being bored. He is a thinker. I'm sure he could help too."

Yukio ruffled his hair and looked towards the ceiling. "Maybe I should have become a tennis player too. We could have been the 'San Fuji's' or the 'Fuji trio'.

"Maybe." She laughed half-heartedly.

Fuji's noticed her brother crossed over to the sink and stopped to look down on her, to which Fuji curled her hair over her ear. Something inside him made asked her what was on her mind and Fuji began to wonder how only her older brother could sense something amiss behind the smile.

"Homesick." She lied.

"Yeah, I know how you feel." He said slowly.

"It might be even more then that."

"Well, don't let it get to you. Work is a little less heavy this year so I'll be able to watch some of your games."

"That would be nice for you. You'll need the fresh air."

"I like the way you flip everything."

"Excuse me for a moment."

Fuji left to go upstairs. She walked passed Yumi's room and leant against the wall, opposite the door and stared absentmindedly at the entrance to Yumi's room. Homesick became a fragment of her problems; new school, new friends, mum and dad hardly home, Arai-chan, but the one that plagued her mind the most was Yumi's choice to move school.

Fuji smiled and always would. She leaned forward and placed her palm on the painted door.

"See you at the tournaments."


tbc…

A/N2: A little late. My bad...

Chapter 9: Umeko Kikoishi has a secret.