A/N: Hmm here are the play-offs for the Kantou tournament, just in case you get lost as the story goes on ^_^
Group A
1(Kanagawa) Ofuna Jr's Vs. 2 (Tokyo) Fudomine
3 (Tochigi) Utsunomiya Vs. 4 (Chiba) Toke Jr's
Group B
5 (Chiba) Wakamatsu Jr's Vs. 6 (Gunma) Kanna Jr's
7 (Tochigi) Bunsei Vs. 8 (Kanagawa) Shinjo Jr's
Group C
9 (Kanagawa) Ninomiya Jr's Vs. 10 (Saitama) Fujimi Jr's
11 (Tokyo) St RudolphVs. 12 (Tokyo) Seishun Academy
Group D
13 (Toyko) Hyotei Vs. 14 (Kanagawa) Suge
15 (Yamanashi) Tsuru Jr's Vs. (Tokyo) Miura
Group A go on to play Group D
Group B go on to play Group C : This is the way I draw it out on paper so I'm sticking with it!
A/N2: I wanted the two chapter to be one but I couldn't be asked to make them join… this seemed to be the easiest way, and sorry that the previews haven't been very truthfully I'll work on that… maybe.
Disclaimer: I asked Takeshi Konomi if he would consider making a Princess of Tennis to go with his Prince of Tennis. He didn't like the idea (T_T) (randomness/not true)
Chapter Forty-One
She looked on at her team but didn't focus on them… the thought that they were going to battle against her sister's school made her feel hollow. Suddenly, it didn't feel fun anymore. She didn't want to face her sister – she didn't have to. She wouldn't! They wouldn't put her sister up against her. It was an important match. They wouldn't risk it. Fuji rolled her lips in and decided to leave it at that. If she thought about it any more a headache would stop her from continuing on her evening.
Before they leave Wakamatsu Jr's, the announcers made it clear that the orders for the boys and girls tournaments were to switch around, giving the girls and extra few days to practise while the boys would play first. Plans had changed from what they first had, which was to have both tournament in separate areas but someone chose against it and they were now to play in the same parks as before. By the time the girls got back to their school it was nearing the end of fifth period. They collected their gear and headed to the courts to change for their after school games. Once everyone had gathered they announced the results of the draw. They were excited but had to restrain themselves when they caught sight of Fuji's disinterested expression.
A hearty cheer came from the boys' court and Fuji glanced over in that direction. No doubt they were getting ready to go home while her team were still working out the new rankings. Most of the team were around the courts, busying themselves with the skill before them, so Fuji turned and made her way to the boys' court… however much she wanted to ignore the results of the Kantou play-offs, she wondered if Yumi had the same thoughts. Would Yumi's feelings be of dread or would they be of excitement? Fuji sighed hopelessly and wandered round until she reached the boy's courts. The regulars had cleared the scene leaving the year sevens to clean the balls and roll the nets up. She heard the water flowing from the taps and saw Tezuka with his head under it, allowing the cold to rippled through his hair. What is he doing? Fuji drifted over to him. His glasses and a white towel rested on top of the sink. He stayed under the tap a little longer then normal. Something must be bothering him. She smiled at this thought. They were both troubled.
She got close enough to hear him sigh mindfully before flicking the water from his head and dampening it down with the towel. Fuji approached him with light steps. She held her arms out and hugged him. He flinched and looked back to see who touched him to find Fuji resting her head on his back. He couldn't see her face clearly and replaced his glasses to see an expression not to different from when she came to his house. He tapped her hand.
"... just a bit more." She said into his shirt.
He turned around. Fuji allowed him room to move within her arms so she could rest her cheek on his chest. He didn't say anything and she certainly wasn't going to move. Tezuka hung the towel around his neck.
"What's brought this on?" Tezuka wondered.
"...Fatigue." She murmured.
He reached out and touched the tips of her hair. "The journey to Chiba was long, wasn't it?"
"…The length of the journey wasn't bad. I got to see areas of my childhood and a few old friends who we might play against."
"How did the draws go?"
Fuji glanced up to him. Again, those same patient eyes glowed down on her. There was something within his dark brown eyes that wanted to draw the truth out of her. This time she'd give him a little of it, just to see how he'd react and to see what he'd say. "…Not as good as I had hoped." The words got caught in her throat and came out in a ruffled whisper.
"What happened?"
"…Our first challenge is St Rudolph . They are not a hard school to beat but… I'm a little uneasy."
Tezuka draw his arms around her waist to tempt her to explain more. Fuji took a deep breath in.
"What is there to be uneasy about?" He pressed on.
She didn't want to say anymore then that but she couldn't resist his supporting hands. "My… sister will be playing and… I want her to enjoy the match as much as I will. I don't know if she's bettered her skills or where they'll place her in the orders. I'm thinking they-." She stopped. She didn't sound like herself and she certainly didn't want to sound needy in front of him, but he encouraged her to go on. "…I… my mind is…"
His hand brushed her temple. "You know your sister respects you, right?"
Fuji wavered in her response. "…In the past maybe… but now…"
"She respects you Fuji-san." He said with no doubt, fully understanding the strength of his words. "If you have to play against her, make sure you play her seriously. It is what any tennis player would want."
However strong and meaningful his words were, they left Fuji speechless. Play her sister seriously… seriously? She couldn't. Instead of hearing that Yumi would look up to her, Fuji remembered the look on her Yumi's face and the nasty glare in her eyes. Fuji would somehow destroy, humiliate and embarrass Yumi if they played. It wouldn't be admiration. Fuji shook her head and buried her face back into Tezuka's chest. Not to her little sister. Not Yumi.
"She'll hold you in high regards if you play her seriously."
That's not what she wanted to hear. She frowned; He didn't see it. The one time she opens up to him and he says something that goes against what she believes. She lived to protect her sister… to then defeat her… if Fuji played Yumi seriously that's what would happen… She realised her thoughts didn't advance at all. What she did realise was she couldn't tell him about Atobe. She knew exactly what he would say and she didn't ever want to hear that.
How depressing. Fuji hoped to depend on him to make her feel better but that wasn't the case. Though, she would salvage the moment a little, as well as lift her spirit.
"I don't want to talk about that anymore. She might not get to play, so let's not waste time on it. I want to continue were we left off the other night." She reached her arm over his shoulders and pulled him closer. She had to tiptoe to reach his eye level. He bent with no resistance or recoil in his muscles. He didn't squeeze her to stop or turn his head to the side. This wasn't like him at all. Him not reacting negatively to it surprised Fuji, so much so that she stopped first. She glanced over to the courts and noticed some of the first years were watching them with great curiosity. She flicked her look back to his eyes.
"I want you to kiss me, Tezuka-kun."
"While we're at school?"
She tensed up and moved her hand to hold the side of his cold face. "I don't care."
"But I do."
"Are you saying you won't?"
She didn't move straight away. She opened her eyes only a little to see how serious he was. She saw the same stoic expression but this time those patient eyes were uninviting. What was this? Would he really only kiss her, touch her, or do anything to her out of the view of others? Was his reputation that much more important? She could feel her fingers press into the side of his face, shifting his glasses slightly. He didn't replace them. He dared her first on the night she turned up at his house. He made the first moves, now he wouldn't so much as budge. She couldn't read him. She could feel her heavy and angered breaths force out of her. Don't tempt me half-heartedly. Were they really half-hearted? She couldn't read him. Even back in his house she didn't know if they were real or just for the moment. Fuji didn't want to jump to conclusions but she was mad, she was upset and dissatisfied. Despite it all she smiled. If, somehow, he could have the same expression, although troubled, she would do the very same thing. Deep down, she didn't expect this. She didn't expect him to run away after given her such a powerful invitation. Was it only a fleeting change?
She didn't care. If they were to go back to square one she would tease him as she pleased. She locked her fingers together behind his neck and leaned in. "I came for a full kiss."
The only thing that stopped her from kissing him was Tezuka parting his lips to speak. "If we're continuing from the other night, won't you tell me what was on your mind?"
That killed the mood. Half glad, half annoyed. She couldn't kiss him after thinking through all the pains in her mind. Fuji tensed up and stepped down. She curled her hands into fists and moved her arms to her side. "You're not playing fair."
He fixed his glasses. "I'm not playing at all."
"You're not playing fair." She repeated.
If she wasn't angry with him she would have hugged him again, instead she crossed her arms and looked away.
"Why can't you tell me?" He wanted her to say something.
She didn't answer, but felt a twitch on the corner of her lip.
"Ryuzaki-sensei said you came second in your match, is that why you were annoyed that day, because you were careless?"
Those words again… Was he accusing her of something or was he trying to help? She felt it was the former. She now felt uncomfortable exposing her weakness like this. She didn't expose a lot but it was 'enough' for her. And the fact that he couldn't kiss her in public, and accused her of slacking off for coming second, when of course Tezuka and his team came first, forced Fuji to compose herself. She had to compose herself… even if it meant saying something stupid. "Tezuka-kun, you know, Kikumaru wants me to tell you, and I understand why she would think that but, the truth is, you haven't earned that right."
Hearing her own words in her head, she knew it sounded harsh and cocky but if it got him off her back she didn't mind it. He didn't move for a second, the words just hit him. He worried and got really concerned for her only to hear that she didn't value his feelings. It puzzled him. She wouldn't salvage his pride.
"When you think I'm ready, I'll listen."
He breathed out, not in a bothered way but he realised that he would have to be a little more patient. Though his eyes might have shown confidence, inside, he was a mess, worried beyond words.
He turned to leave before she could. She watched him walking off. Once he was out of her sight she whispered to herself. "It's your fault, but I don't despise you because for it. I'm like this because of you."
They where both unaware that Leiko Arai was listening to them from around the corner. It was by accident that she nearly bumped into them. She wanted to speak with Tezuka but with Fuji there, that would totally make things messy, losing her the chance to give him the picture… by the sound of it, he wanted to know and she wouldn't let him… perfect. More so on hearing that Fuji wanted to push things further. Once he saw the picture he would have ample reason to turn her away. She peered around the corner to see Tezuka walking away first. She caught the look on Fuji's face and didn't think it wise to walk past her. Arai walked back and waited for Fuji to come around in her own time, enter the changing rooms and leave for the day. Arai didn't mind the wait, she had to lock up the changing rooms and Nariko was taking the time to practise with Shikawara.
Arai called to the girls before leaving, telling them to find her before they go home. At once she darted off to find Sai. Without a second thought she went to the boys changing rooms. To her luck she didn't have to go far as Sai was getting ready to go home with Iwara.
"Ah, if it isn't the dark one." Sai said upon seeing Arai.
"You really don't have any respect for girls do you?" Iwara said, disapproving of his manner.
"Yeah, hi. Congrats on getting first in the City tournaments and all." Once that was out of the way Arai turned to Sai. "Sai-kun can I have a word with you. I'll be quick."
"Sure. Do you mind waiting Iwara-kun?"
Iwara shook his head. "Sorry man, I got things to do. I'll walk on ahead. Bye."
Arai asked Sai to follow her out of the view of others. They walked around the side of the boy's changing rooms, which had a great blind spot. She leant against the wall while he stood with his hands in his pockets and eyes shield behind those dark sun glasses of his.
"So?" He started.
"Yeah… something… something happened at the games the other day which kinda left Fuji-chan in a strange state of affairs."
"What's wrong with my Fujiko-chan."
Arai rolled her eyes. "Anyway, after getting your message from my brother I thought I would show you a little change in the plans."
She didn't give him a change to reply as she brought out the envelop from her ball holder and handed it to him.
"What's that?"
"Take it and look."
He took it, opened it and saw it.
"I'm going to show it to Tezuka so any time soon-"
While she spoke Sai took in the image, he had to lift up his sunglasses to get a better look. There was no mistaking that girl's frame. He knew that was Fuji and he knew that was Atobe beside her. He forced the picture back into the envelop and hit his hand on the wall beside Arai's head. She flinched, not expecting him to do anything.
"What… what are you doing?" She stepped to the side but he blocked her in.
He stood over her with one hand on his hip and a smile curved softly to his lip. Arai didn't like it. Why was he closing her in?
"Don't like the picture I see?"
Sai heard her words and didn't like what she was implying. He pushed his glasses back and stepped closer. With his free hand he grabbed the back of her head and forcibly kissed her. Arai tried to push him back but he deliberately used his strength against her. She couldn't move her head back because his hand held tightly onto her hair. She tried everything to get away from him but Sai held her still. She had to wait until Sai moved away and that wasn't before he bite and licked her lips.
Once he moved Arai wiped her face. Sai handed back the picture.
"What the hell Sai-kun!"
He stared at her before bursting into laughter. He placed his sunglasses back over his eyes and gave her his finally warning.
"Hurry. Up."
...tbc…
A/N2: Argh!!! What the hell is happening in this chapter?! Why is everyone getting mad! Fuji what are you doing??!! Sai what are you doing?!
Chapter 42: No idea, something along the lines of Umeko having a match and Arai giving Tezuka the picture!!!
