A/N: I didn't realise the last chapter was so short (o.O). This update is a little late but such is life...

Edited: Cuz I iz nt perfect, innit?! 27/5/2009

Disclaimer: It ain't mine... well… PoT isn't anyway.


Chapter Eleven

Leiko Arai

I rushed off to the library after practice and sat there for a while studying and reading over several books in the hobby section. The quite hum of the library nearly sent me to sleep but I had to get this reading done. One book in practically turned out to be very useful.

"Good evening."

I glance over my shoulder to see a young man peering down on me. I thought it was a stranger but those shades and blue hair weren't hard to miss. Sai is so stupid at times and I don't appreciate his sneaky dark side. He tipped his glasses down and put his hands in his pockets.

"Can I help you?" I ask, clutching my books to my chest.

"I don't think so. I was looking for Fujiko-chan but I came across you. Can you help me?"

I frown. "Sai-kun, what do you want?"

He sits down next to me and unbuttons his jacket, staring ahead.

"From you, not a lot."

"I don't have time for this."

"What you doing?" He asks.

I drop the books down on my lap, exposing the title. He lifts his glasses up to read it.

"Oh, you're into photography?"

"No. I broke my camera and I need to fix it."

"Why don't you ask Fujiko-chan. She might be able to fix it for you."

I don't answer and place the books in my bag and stand up to leave. He grabs my arm and my bag drops to the floor. This is what I'm talking about! He clearly has no respect for others, and with this little incident, I know clearly that he doesn't like me all that much. By grabbing me, he's doing what he wants and without a care. I want to pull out of his grip but he holds on tightly.

"What is wrong with you, you idiot? Don't you have anything better to do?" I rage forgetting where I am.

"You're a lot like Fujiko-chan."

As if I wanted to here that! The very idea infuriated me would have even more if I didn't see a patient and small smile on his lips. I would have kicked him and beat him with the books I left on the table.

"Tell me what you want, before I hurt you." I tell him.

"You two have the same strength. You're both fighting for the same thing." He laughed, not at me but to his own amusement. "I wasn't looking for you, I had no intention of talking to you, yet, I find myself needing your help. Can you help me?"

Now what is he talking about? I ask him what it is he needs help with. He lets go of my arm, buttons up his black coat and walks off. I could only watch him until he was completely out of sight because I was expecting him to do something after asking for my help. Unsettling, very unsettling. No doubt when he's ready, he'll come and find me and tell me what's on his mind. He'll probably want something in return. I should prepare myself to give something up. God I hate him. So… yuck! Creepy guy.

I reached down to pick up my bag and decided it was about time to leave. I checked my books out. Sai definitely plagued my mind. Moron. He could tell from a distance that I'm not Fuji. She clearly has short brown hair. Mine is black and runs down my back – why am I even telling myself this. I wanted to scream as I got outside when I remembered why I was in such a hurry to got to the library. I flung my bag on the floor and rummaged through it until I found a group of keys. I gasp. I forgot to lock the changing rooms. I zip up my bag, throw it over my back and start racing round the school until I got to the tennis courts. Oishi and Tezuka were locking up their rooms. I darted back round the corner. I saw no sense in letting them see how careless I am. Once I'm sure they're gone, I dart towards the girls changing room. If anything went missing or got stolen, Ryuzaki-sensei would surely rid me from the tennis team. I shudder at the thought. I open the door to make sure no one unwarranted was in there.

Someone stood at the back on the room facing the lockers, even reaching up to take something from the top.

"OI!"

The person pushed their shoulders up and cranked their head to see me behind them.

"N-Nariko-san?" I breathed out relieved. She couldn't be stealing anything? "Why are you still in here?"

"I was just training an extra hour. I got permission."

"Geez – I thought… never mind, just hurry up!"

She placed her tennis shoes on the top of the lockers and carried her bag out the room.

"Ryuzaki-sensei lets me hang around some times. I didn't know you had the keys otherwise I would have told you."

"Yeah, just hurry up."

I made sure the room was unstirred before locking the door. I turned to Nariko to see she had already wandered off. I called her back.

"Why is it only you who's hanging around after practice?"

"Well, even though the up and coming tournaments won't be that hard, it'll still be my first time so I wanna make sure I'm prepared."

I sigh to myself, mainly because of Sai. "Tennis is tennis after all. All you gotta do is return the ball so the opponent can't."

"I know but we're all different and we have different ways of doing things."

"Tell me about it! I'm sure you've watched last year's games? Complete madness, but somehow we made it far enough to get to fourth place at the Nationals. Not bad, but be open-minded. Anything can happen."

I walked out with Nariko thought it's who is still on my mind Sai. Come to think of it, Nariko is a lot like Sai. A little weird, polite – extremely respectful and never really showed any emotions on her face. Sai is the same, so I asked her if she knew who Sai was and wasn't too surprised when she said yes but was surprised when she said she didn't like him.

"You seem a little distracted Arai-senpai. Is something bothering you?"

"It's nothing you need to worry yourself over. Just focus on the game. I'll worry about myself."

Were they problems? Probably, and probably not. For Sai to say I had the same interests as Fuji annoyed me. I know she likes photograph. I'm just starting to get into it. Hardly the same. Moron… Why'd he have to open his mouth. I kicked the pavement forgetting Nariko's beside me. I can feel her mellow eyes on me.

"I guess I'm a little high strung about something." I tell her.

"You don't have to tell me. I can see that."

She didn't have to be so rude about it. "But there are a lot of things on my mind. You really wanna know? Are you that interested?"

I watch as her head curiously turns to me

"Interested in what?"

"Changing a few things for the better."

She cast her eyes to the pavement thoughtfully and before we reach my turning I get an answer from her which makes me smile.

"If it's for the good of the team, yes I can help you."


...tbc...

A/N2: Oh no, she's even got Nariko in on her act.

Chapter 12: Back to Fuji's POV. The first tournament is close.

Chao.