A/N: Hi one and all. So sorry for the lack of updates, so to butter you all up, I've uploaded three chapters (because you read them so quickly!!!) Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and let's all work super hard in 2009!!! Happy New Year!!!

Hi too all the new reads. I appreciate the time taken to read my little-big fan_fiction.

Edited: Perfection doesn't come easily. 13.8.09

Disclaimer: New year, same old rules. T'is not mine, this Prince of Tennis phenomenon.


Chapter Eighteen

"Come on Fuji-chan! Just a few more points!" Were some of the calls from her school and teammates.

She pulled her dress down into place and returned to the baseline to receive the heavy shots from Momo Shimizu, who was Fudomine singles 1 player. She wasn't their captain but she was just as good.

Normally, Fuji wouldn't make such silly mistakes. If only those two cards had not come her way, she would have been fine. The mystery of the red card with the two beautiful flowers in them and the blue one, with the provoking words, plagued her mind from the moment she walked onto the court. When Shimizu pushed the game into a rally Fuji easily lost her focus. She would hit the ball back and forth so much that she didn't have to concentrate. When Shimizu put a sudden change to the play, Fuji's reaction was too slow to catch the ball. Because of the carelessness the scores crept up to 5-4, 15-30. Shimizu smiled knowing she was going to be the first person to beat Fuji this year. The win would be more satisfying knowing that it come early in the tournament.

"I'm a little disappointed Fuji-san," Shimizu called. "you're losing your game."

"Hm?" Fuji returned the ball with a back shot, sending it low over the net in a straight line. "I'm just having fun."

"It's too late for that. I'm going to enjoy this win."

The thought of losing so early on in the tournament didn't bother Fuji at all. The only thought that made her wake up was having to face Tezuka after a silly defeat. How could she face him if she lost early in the tournament? He'd refuse to talk to her seriously if she wasn't going to take the games seriously. No-no-no! She definitely couldn't have that. She had to get serious, and so kicked her game up a notch.

Fuji stretched out and caught the ball with another back shot.

"The same move won't work on me!" Shimizu said as she ran for the ball.

The ball hit Shimizu's racket and Fuji watched for the sudden change in Shimizu's gaze. She returned the ball but it landed in the doubles court.

"Finally, she's playing properly." Arai shouted so Fuji could hear. Fuji in turn gave a little wave of apology. "Rap it up, captain!"

Fuji faced Shimizu. "My moves are never really the same." She taunted.

Shimizu frowned. "I'll be the judge of that."

Fuji was about to receive the next serve that boomed towards her when a rose landed in front of her. Her concentration went out the window. The ball whizzed passed her and slammed against the netting, leaving Shimizu stunned. Fuji stared at the new gesture. The rose shone brightly with its fresh and tightly wrapped ruby red petals. A thousand questions wanted to cross her mind but she had to pull herself out of her dream state to shoot a look in the direction where it was thrown. Though that pink-haired girl came into view, Fuji agreed she couldn't have thrown it over the fence.

"Can Fuji-san please remove the object and continue with the game." The testy umpire ordered.

Fuji didn't give into his impatience. She picked up the rose delicately in her hand. She dug her nails into the steam to shorten it. She took off a few of the thorns and placed it on her left ear like one might do with a pen or pencil. Fuji went to the baseline and total Shimizu she was ready.

Shimizu, feeling insulted, served the ball and as promised Fuji never really played the same. Her spins rotated faster, her slices and her volleys were near impossible for Shimizu to predict. Shimizu volleyed the ball and was ready for a slam to come after it. Fuji refused to play into her hands and so volleyed it back over her head and it hit inside the singles court.

"Game, set and match. Singles 1 goes to Seishun Academy, Sumiko Fuji."

There were cheers all around the court as Fuji shook hands with Shimizu, who equally wasn't bitter about helping her school get to second place. The schools came together for their final line up. The umpire closed the games by congratulating both schools for getting to the city tournaments. They all shook each other's hands, even going as far as provoking each other that they'd be bigger and better next time.

Seishun made their way back to the benches where a satisfied Ryuzaki-sensei gave them a second boast of encouragement.

"You heard what the Fudomine girls said. They are going to come at us with more gusto and that goes for many of the other schools you'll face so go home and get some rest, because tomorrow I'm going to train you hard. I'm proud that you won, though silly mistakes were made," Fuji diverted her eyes. "you won nicely. Keep up the good work girls."

Yokoishi gathered the girls around for a final cheer. They packet their belongs away and went home in groups.

"Fuji-chan?" Jinhana approached her. "That's a red rose tucked behind your ear."

Oh, that's right. She forgot it was there. She reached up to take it in her hand.

"Someone loves you, but because it's still a bud it's a pure love." Jinhana winked sweetly, happy that people understood flowers like she did.

"Pure love, huh? Now all I need is for the person to show themselves to me."

Jinhana nodded and wished Fuji luck before she walked home with Nariko and Yokoishi. Kikumaru waited for Fuji and Arai waited around for Umeko, who was waiting around in the stands with other spectators.

"I'm so excited." Kikumaru beamed. "Let's hunt around for the person who gave you the rose and the cards."

"Let's not."

"Huh?" The joy quickly died.

Fuji packed up the last of her items. "I'm sure the person will show up in their own good time, and besides, I really wanna see Tezuka-kun."

"You're so loyal, but still, let's wait around."

Fuji picked up her bag and placed it comfortably on her shoulder. Once they where off the courts, she glanced around the park slowly and carefully hoping to see someone that was out of place. Everyone that came into view appeared to fit the scene. Mainly, Fuji was hoping to see where the little girl in the lilac dress went and who she was with. There was no way she was out here on her own, not in this crowd and so fair out of town. Fuji knew if she followed the little girl, she would find her guardian.

"Oh, Fuji-chan look." Kikumaru gasped.

She turned to see what Kikumaru was making a fuss over. Standing in front of them was that familiar sports uniform of grey and white that came into view, as did the two bodies that were wearing them. They stood in front of Fuji, deliberately blocking her path. People knew to walk around them and not between them fore the air didn't feel welcoming. The big guy, better know as Munehiro Kabaji, gazed off in another direction. He was totally uninterested in anything or anyone in the sports ground. The other, shorter person stood rather pompously with both hands softly rested on his hip, his head was slightly tipped and determination burnt in his eyes. And that heavy look landed straight on Fuji. Strange, it didn't have the same intensity as before. Despite the feeling being different she figured the one looking at her earlier was Keigo Atobe and if she wasn't mistaken, this red rose had to have come from him too. Fine, I'll play along. This could be fun.

"Nice to see you in the games this year Fuji-chan, not that I ever doubted your power." Atobe greeted her with praises as he walked up to stand directly in front of her. He had grown some, now being a little taller then her.

His voice was completely different to Tezuka's authoritative and sexy voice. Atobe's voice had a different ring to it. It rung oddly in Fuji's ear, which made her uninterested in anything and everything he said. If she remembered from last year, he really was too pretentious. Kikumaru walked behind Fuji, like she would when Oishi was around, and held onto her arm. Once Atobe was close enough Fuji could see just how immaculate his skin was and how beautiful the shade of his hair glisten in the afternoon sun. Fuji didn't like the style, yet she admired the fact he… or that other people took care of him.

Atobe reached out and catch Fuji's hand. Surprisingly, she didn't pull away. His hands were cool and soft. You wouldn't think he played tennis with such a smooth palm. He leant down and kissed the back of her hand just above the knuckles. More shockingly then the touch of his hand was the feeling of excitement that began to sail over her own skin until a soft smile pressed on her lips.

"I'm to assume you gave this to me?" Fuji took the rose from her ear with her free hand and presented it to him.

"Yes, that's one of the roses from my private garden. And I'm very glad you picked it up. You indirectly accepted the significance of the rose."

She didn't say anything as she glanced down to the deep red petals. Love? His love? She wanted to laugh but had to hold it back behind deep and prolonged breaths.

"Before you think about refusing my offer, I want you to know that I know what your weakness is this year. So if you don't accept my invitation, I will break the foundation of your strength."

Fuji opened her eyes slightly, Kikumaru held tightly onto Fuji's arm as the feeling in the air grew more unwelcoming.

"Oh," Fuji began, wanting to arouse this developing threat. "how would you do that?"

He chuckled into the back of his hand and turned away. "It's so obvious, it would be an insult if I spelt it out to you."

"Oi!"

They were sharply interrupted. The tension between them was broken for a moment as they looked towards the courts.

"Arai-chan?" Kikumaru said surprised by her appearance.

Arai stepped forward, being the only one who felt comfortable in such an unwelcoming place. She stood inline with Fuji. She didn't look happy, in fact, enraged.

"What business does a pompous ass like you have with our captain?"

Again, Fuji had to contain her giggles, as did the others who stood a few steps back.

Atobe cut his eyes to Arai. "Who the hell are you?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Arai spat her words. Fuji placed her hands on Arai's arm and told her it was all right, but that didn't quench Arai's bubbling blood. "The likes of you has no business with anyone in our team so get lost."

Arai didn't give Atobe time to say something at his leisure. She hooked onto Fuji's arm and pulled her away. Fuji loved that fearless energy in her vice-captain but she still wanted to talk to Atobe. Before they passed him, Fuji leant on her back leg to stop Arai's tugging arm. Both Atobe's and her face were calm and unaffected by Arai's interruption.

"Was your card the blue or red one?"

He chuckled while closing his eyes. He called to Kabaji to start walking, and with his back to the girls he said the blue one. "Remember what I told you Fuji-chan, because I'm serious."

Arai had had enough of his voice and hauled Fuji away. Kikumaru, Umeko, Nishi and Shikawara all followed behind their vice captain and captain. Confusion and curiosity were all on their minds but none more than Fuji's mind.

The rose and the blue card belonged to Atobe, then the red one with the flowers came from someone else, hopefully from that little girl. Now she chuckled freely at the whole situation. She wanted to see Tezuka even more. Atobe had triggered her affection with his threats. She wanted to fill her eyes with only Tezuka.

"What did that pompous ass want Fuji-chan?" Arai demanded an answer.

Fuji slid a patient look to Arai. "I take it you don't like him?"

"Phf! Rich people piss me off. Pompous, arrogant swines…" She muttered and continued to insult him under her breath.

"That explains a lot." Shikawara said purposely but Arai didn't hear.

"But your family is pretty well off, Arai-chan." Fuji said as a matter-of-fact.

"There's a difference between shoving it in peoples faces and living humbly after accepting your parents fortune. I hope we wipe the floor with Hyotei this year. God, I hate those arrogant pigs…" She continued in her distaste for the whole existence of Hyotei, especially Atobe.

The girls don't bother Arai when she goes off on one of her moods. They walked to the bus stop and waited for their bus back into town. Before they boarded, Fuji took one last look at the park. She would be back here in two weeks but she had so much to take away with her. For now she didn't know what to make of Atobe's forwardness, or even the gift from the little girl. For now she would have to go with the flow of things and see what exactly those two people had in mind. At least she had something to look forward too that wasn't only the mystery of the two card givers. Next week the boys were to start their tournaments and she definitely was going to see Tezuka and the others in play.


tbc…

A/N2: Ooh, lots of things happening.

Chapter 19: Fuji skips school to watch the boys' tournament! Thanks for reading one and all.