A/N: oops, did a month just go by? I should pay more attention.

I split this chapter in two… cuz I want to!

Disclaimer: When Takeshi Konomi was sleeping, I crept into his room to try and sneak a peek at the new Prince of Tennis but I couldn't find it (T_T) (randomness – no idea what direction these disclaimers are going in anymore...)


Chapter Forty

Arai didn't get it. Since her first year of junior high, when she first set eyes on that unbroken smile, she has never felt more disappointed and irritated by Fuji's very being. Sure, as someone who was the same age as her, and shared classes and the same court, Arai had a sense of pride towards Fuji. She was the 'vice' to Fuji's 'captain'. Their relationship, as Arai understood it, was one of rivalry and respect. But after seeing that picture, after seeing Fuji with that swine beside her, and then to lie to her whole team about it, Arai couldn't shake the frustration. It was common knowledge amongst most in-the-know-students that Tezuka and Fuji were the perfect couple, so why did that picture reveal something new to her? Arai didn't get it.

What would Fuji gain by doing what she did? Arai tried getting Fuji to explain herself yesterday but Fuji wouldn't let anything slip… well, nothing that would explain the big slip Arai's camera took. She promised herself that she would be patient enough to see any signs of remorse, confusion or guilt. Instead, she got the opposite, if not stronger and more empowered.

Somehow it frightened her. To think her captain who, not only had the tennis team look up to her, but other students too, would be so arrogant and selfish. There was more to that smile then she and everyone first thought. In all their two years together Arai never thought there would be that much more.

After what happened yesterday on the courts Arai decided to take the picture to school with her to show or at least give it to Tezuka so he could deal with her. She would have given it to him had it not been for Ryuzaki-sensei ordering her to go along with Fuji to Chiba where they would hear the arrangements for the draws at Wakamatsu Junior High.

"Arai-chan, you don't seem yourself today." Fuji looked across to her, being only a bus seat away.

Arai shifted uncomfortably. "I'm fine."

Fuji didn't pry. Arai slumped down in her seat trying very hard not to allow her arm to touch Fuji. She leaned into the window and, so not to make any conversation, kept her sight outside.

Fuji didn't mind the silence, it gave her a chance to think over such things like Atobe. Every time she tried to figure out what exactly he was planning, she would hit a brick wall. She thought about telling Tezuka and shuddered the thought away. She'll tackle that later! Now she had the out come of the tournament to look forward to.

It took them several hours to get to Wakamatsu Junior High but when they finally reached they saw student from across Kantou walking into the cream building. Fuji recognised the area. She didn't live here, but this would have been the junior school she considered attended had the family not moved to Tokyo (but she was thankful that they did… or was she?) For a split second friends from the past popped into her head, and she wondered how they were doing.

They walked throught the main gates and heard a familiar voice ahead of them.

"Hey runner-ups. Nice to see you with your heads held high." Miura's Captain Hitomi Hattori gave them a greeting of sorts with a cocky smile. "Think we'll be paired up again?"

"Why? Do you want to be knocked out so early?" Arai murmured loud enough for Hattori to hear.

"More like a double blow for you if that were the case."

"Any familiar faces?" Fuji asked.

Hattori stepped closer. "You remember last year's winner's right? Saitama's Kokusai's academy? I heard Fujimi juniors' knocked them out."

The two were surprised by the revolution. Remembering back, Kokusai were worthy winners.

"Any idea what happened?"

Hattori chuckled and crossed her arms. "Rumours are saying that they were ordered to throw the match so Fujimi could have a go. School politics, you know." She glanced behind her to see her vice captain calling her over. "Well runner's up, I'll have to see you inside."

Arai tutted. "You talk too much. Even if Kokusai were here we'd still beat 'em."

Hattori looked over her shoulder. "Save that for the courts, vice-runner-up."

Arai was about to lash out but Fuji held her arm up for her to keep the peace. With Arai being tense the slight taunt would rub her up the wrong way. Arai dropped against a wall and signed loudly.

"Are you sure you're okay? Anything I can help with?"

Again Arai didn't bother saying anything or look at her. She shut her eyes tight and entertained her thoughts.

Fuji waited for Arai, who seemed to have lost her energy. Well not so much as lost but she was on the edge and couldn't be left alone with all these rival schools. Fuji figured, as soon as she turned her back, Arai would have her fist in someone's face. Fuji glanced around at the large Cherry tree in the centre of the walkway and admired the lush green circle of grass below it. A flight of stairs lead up to the main doors. The building was a lot smaller then Seishun.

"Come on Arai-chan. I'm sure they're ready."

Arai grumbled and murmured before taking to her feet. They reached as far as the flight of stairs guiding them into the main halls when they heard another voice calling to them. This one way more excited. They turned to see who it was. Arai had no idea but Fuji remembered those large green eyes and shoulder length light brown hair from way back when.

"Ohmigod, it really is you Fuji-chan. Ohmigod! I'm so happy to see you! Look, captain, it's Fuji-chan"

The loud girl beamed over and gave Fuji a big and warm hug. It was when her arms rapped around Fuji did she remember who it was. Little Momoyo Touge from her old primary school.

"Touge-chan, long time, no see!" Fuji said in her cool way.

"Ah, you remember me! But I had no idea you were into tennis!" Her excitement got the better of her and she couldn't help but shout.

"Didn't you see me last year?" Fuji asked her.

"Ah, about that, don't worry, but look at you, you look fabulous! Ah, I can't believe it we might get a change to play against you."

"It'll be something to look forward too."

"Oh! Oh! And-and Seaki-kun would be so happy to hear about you. You remember him right? Right?"

She leaned in closer to Fuji to get the answer she was looking for but Fuji evaded it quickly by nodding and looking away. Arai shook her head. "Who's Seaki-san?"

"An old friend." Fuji had to say quickly.

Touge giggled. "What do you mean old friend, you two practically where pre-school sweet hearts. He still lives in the area but goes to Rokkaku Middle School. You'll never guess what? He plays tennis too! Isn't that cool! Ohmigosh! We should totally have a friend match one day!"

"Oh really." Arai said making Fuji have defend her self.

"We were nothing more then friends."

Touge linked arms with Fuji. She wanted to hear all of Fuji's stories as they walked into the building, insisting that they had to catch-up on the few years that went by. Arai walked on ahead. They entered the large hall. Down at the front were some of the other schools. When added up, they were still waiting for four more schools. Fumdomine's vice captain and captain walked in with a school she'd seen before but didn't know the players. The third school were from Kanagawa it would seem. They sat closes to Ofuna High, who came second in last years Kantou tournament.

The last school to enter were from the Tochigi region. Judging from the brown and gold uniform, it was Utsunomiya Juinors. They gave those in the room a pardoning nod and took their sits. All eyes went onto the announcers who explained the process: Each school would draw a number from the box, the descending number after an odd numberwould be the opponent. Simple enough.

Seeing as last years winners weren't here Saitama's Fujimi Juninors went up first. They draw '10' and one of the hosts wrote the name of the school next to that number. It wasn't long until Fuji was called to draw a number. She felt confident that she'd get a good number. She placed her hand in the box when promoted and showed the number to the crowd. '12'. Murmurs rang round the room, most wanting to avoid '11' and others hoping to get it so they could knock Seishun out of the running.

Fuji sat back down beside a miserible Arai and an over excited Touge, whose captain pulled the number '4'

"This is so exciting! I hope we get a good school. I'm itching for an awesome battle. Who are you hoping to play Fuji-chan."

"Anyone is fine."

"Ah, still so very confident, aren't you Fuji-chan. We totally have to have a match one day!"

"Sheesh." Arai rolled her eyes and rested her head in her hands.

More school went up, but it wasn't until the captain of St Rudolph's academy went up did Fuji pay attention. Fuji glanced the board, there were only three school left to draw. She actually wanting her sister's school to get far in the tournament. They were a formidable school and had the ability to do so. All they had to do was pick the right number to the right school.

Their captain drew the number '11'. Arai perked up, raising an eyebrow at who they were going to play.

Fuji froze. At first she didn't believe it. She thought she was seeing things, but team '11' would play team '12'…

The room only went silent for a moment but for Fuji no sound returned to her when she realised what had happened and what was going to happen. She peered at the stage, the box and then back at the captain, who searched the seats for Seishun's uniform.

"Ooh, interesting, don't you think, Sumiko Fuji-chan?" Arai said, amused by the draw. Even she could see what was to happen.

Fuji glared at Arai but a glare at her vice captain couldn't change the outcome. Seishun were going to play St Rudolph. In order to advance to the next stage, they had to win.


…tbc…

A/N2: Ah, short 'n' sweet. Yeah, the preview I used last time I'll use again cos I split the chapter in half. *Ahem

Chapter 41: Tezuka cares and Sai doesn't care… (I tried.)