A/N: Yo, back once again. The weeks are going by fast! Just to remind you, I gave a gender-swap to the Fuji family. Like I said in chapter_8:

Yumiko = Yukio (Older brother/ Aniki /Boy)

Shusuke = Sumiko (Middle child /Aneki / Girl)

Yuuta = Yumi (The baby in the family/ always called Yumi/ Girl)

Disclaimer: *Ahem "If Prince of Tennis belonged to me, and not Takeshi Konomi, Fuji would have A LOT MORE screen time! Tee hee!"

Edits: Too many Kun's, not enough Chan's 13.11.09


Chapter Twenty-four

"Is everyone here?" Arai called.

Shikawara was the last one to make her way to Shikinomori Sports park. She rolled up in one of her father's flashy cars but by no means was she late. She waved bye to Takahashi, her guard, and joined the team. They had to sign in by 9:30am and their matches started after 10am. It was 9:18am at the moment they all gathered together.

"Sensei's already at the table. We better get going before she has a fit." Arai said and everyone made their way into the park. Unlike the preliminaries, the weather was not bad but it was not perfect. The skies were patchy with the odd spots of sunlight spilling through the clouds over and around the park. A light wind picked up from an easterly direction. All the players knew the wind hindered the power and direction of the ball. It became an extra obstacle on the courts. It was not something that the Seishun girls had to worry about, merely be mindful of it.

They were in Block C and their first match was against Narishima.

"Anyone know how good Narishima are?" Jinhana asked. "I don't remember seeing them last year."

"I'm sure they played last year." Kikumaru said. "But they were knocked out by the top seed in their block. Who were the seeds last year?"

"Wasn't that… Miura?" Arai answered.

"That sounds about right." Kikumaru agreed, switching her bag to her left shoulder.

"No, " Fuji cut in. "it was St. Rudolph. I'm sure of it."

"Oh yeah, how can you be so sure?" Arai asked back.

Fuji glanced around hoping to see the familiar tennis dresses that St. Rudolph's wore; a white dress with a thick brown bar across the chest. "It's the same school my sister transferred too."

"Huh?" The girls murmured.

"I didn't know you had a sister Fuji-senpai." Nariko tried to think back to when she started school in and could not picture anyone that might have been Fuji's sister.

"Me neither, but I do vaguely remember another 'Fuji' in our year when we first entered." Shikawara continued.

Though the pace of the team slowed down to think about this new piece of information, Fuji carried on. She was not in the right frame of mind to be sentimental about her sister, not if Yumi harboured negative feelings towards her. She couldn't decide between wanting to see her sister and focusing on the matches ahead. Fuji knew her older brother, Yukio, wouldn't forgive her if she went a whole day without saying a word to Yumi. She would have to find a moment to see her.

"How is your sister doing? Did she continue playing tennis?" Suzu asked buoyantly.

Fuji slowly turned to face Suzu and her team. The sullen look on Fuji's face warned her team not to bring up the subject again after this.

Fuji could feel the look on her face. She was not annoyed by the questions, Fuji had grown sad about the whole situation, made worse that she did not know why her sister had put a wall up against her. She sighed and made no eye contact with her team.

"Suzu-chan, I don't know how my sister is." She said as calmly as she could and continued on to the registration desk.

Like before, Ryuzaki-sensei was already waiting for them. She spotted Fuji walking towards her and waited for her to get within earshot.

"Hmm? Why are you by yourself Fuji-san?"

Fuji glanced around and saw her team a fair distance away from her, huddling around each other, clearly whispering between themselves.

"I don't know Sensei."

"It better not be more foolish talk?"

Fuji smiled warmly. "Better check it out Sensei."

And she did. Ryuzaki-sensei marched over to her team, not before handing Fuji the submission form. Fuji checked over the games they were put in. Ryuzaki-sensei kept the doubles the same. Nariko and Jinhana were doubles two; Kikumaru and Arai were doubles one. Singles three went to Suzu, Fuji was given singles two and singles one went to Yokoishi. She benched Shikawara again. It was an interesting line up, more so that Fuji felt sorry for the person who had to play against Yokoishi. Then again, her best game could only come out if she's last on the court.

Loud cries of apology were heard from the rest of her team. No doubt Ryuzaki-sensei heard what they were talking about. Fuji turned to see sensei had them all bowing their heads. Spectators and other schools smirked and giggled at the sight, some even going as far as to question Seishun ability this year.

"Fuji-san! Get over here!" Ryuzaki-sensei roared.

She jogged over to the team quickly.

Ryuzaki-Sensei told Fuji to read the names out on the submission form for the match against Narishima. She explained that the orders would change or remain the same depending on the way they played in the coming matches. Before making their way to Courts C, Ryuzaki-sensei warned the girls to get serious. While she lectured them, Fuji's mind wondered onto unwanted matters. Her sister… Yumi Fuji… If Yumi picked up tennis at her boarding school then she would see her here today. She's be in year eight now-

"Fuji-san!" She jumped when Ryuzaki-sensei yelled in her ear. "That's exactly the kind of day dreaming attitude that I don't want. Didn't I already warn you to get it together! If you lose these games, you lose out on the Kantou tournament - don't even think about the Nationals if your head is already in the clouds!"

Fuji quickly apologised and stepped in line with her team.

"Don't worry Sensei, we won't let Seishun down." Yokoishi said to lighten the mood as she gave a confident thumbs up. "We're going to win this with ease Sensei."

As she said that, the familiar colours of Miura's team wandered by. Their lilac, navy and white dresses caught everyone's attention. All but the year nines turned to stare. Miura's captain, Hitomi Hattori, glanced over at the Seishun girls. She didn't give them a second glance.

"Keep walking girls, there's nothing interesting to see here." Hattori said aloud making sure all could hear.

Every nerve in the Seishun girls shot up their spine. Their focus and determination was kicked up to the max and they all lead the way to courts C where Narishima were waiting for them.

The girls from Narishima, in their dark green tennis dresses, watched as Seishun Academy walked onto the courts. Just like Seishun took note of Miura, Narishima took note of Seishun.

"Who's playing first?" Someone asked on the team.

"Kira-chan and Kiyo-chan." Their vice-captain replied.

"Is it The Eden Pair they're up against? The captain asked.

"Nah, it's Jinhana-chan from The Eden Pair but she's partnered with a rookie."

Their captain smirked. "You know what to do then for the first match you two?"

Kira Suzuki and Kiyo Miyata nodded. Their team took to the courts to bow in. The umpire explained that it was to be a 'best-of' game. The team with the most wins will advance to the next round. First to play were doubles two.

"One set match. Narishima to serve."

"Argh man! They get the first serve." Yokoishi grumbled as she sat between Fuji and Ryuzaki-sensei.

"I don't like their tennis." Kikumaru murmured into her hands.

"Why not?" Arai asked.

"They play off of each other."

Arai paused. "That's the point of doubles. Don't tell me your games until now have been flukes?"

"No. I mean… you'd think they were opposites but… they kinda empower each other. I watched them last year. Remember they got far enough to play St Rudolph… I remember their aura, wasn't nice."

"Strong auras? That's fine by me." Yokoishi grinned.

"So what are you saying? Those two are in for a tough game from the start?" Shikawara asked.

Kikumaru nodded. "I'm not sure if they'll be okay."

"Damnit! If Jinhana-chan loses, all hell will break lose." Arai murmured.

"If I hear one more doubtful word from you lot, it's a pint each of Inui's drink." Ryuzaki threatened.

The girls, including Fuji, exchanged blank looks. What was she talking about? Inui doesn't make drinks! Not much of a threat Sensei, were what their silent looks read.

"Look, they've started." Suzu said and they all quieten to see if Kikumaru's suspicions would play out.


tbc…

A/N2: Ah, this chapter was nice and short. Yeah, I could have added their match here, but I got lazy. It means a quick update.

Chapter 25: Jinhana and Nariko are in trouble!