A/N: (Hey sorry for the slow up date. I couldn't finish the next one in time to upload together.)

At first I thought, Fuji goes a little OOC in this one, but then I thought, have we really seen a worn out down-in-the-dumps, kicked in the teeth, spittin'-mad, slightly possessed Fuji before? *Shrug.

This also took a bit of time because I couldn't decide on Sai's behaviour. I'll explain more in A/N2!

Disclaimer: Takeshi Konomi wanted to correct me on my last disclaimer… He now owns 18,000+ Prince of tennis fanfiction stories, and counting… hmm. (Random greediness)

Edited: Cuz the smell of mistakes rots the plot 17.1.11


Chapter Sixty One

She couldn't close her eyes any further then what they were. They were slightly opened to guard herself against the coming winds. The rooftop was windy but Fuji didn't care. Up here, she could feel his energy and it was enough until she could find him.

Fuji wondered where he was. She had looked everywhere and still couldn't find him. She slumped down on the fencing and ran the tips of her fingers along the floor. He definitely stood here at some point. And as time sunk by she wondered why he would be on the roof. She didn't realise she sat in that one spot for so long. The distance ringing of the school bell travelled up from the staircase and through the open door. There was no energy in her to take to her feet. Instead, she held onto the fence and rested her head on it, drawing in what little of his strength was left in this area. He must have been up here for sometime as it lingered among all the elements.

She tried to keep her mind blank, knowing silly thoughts would have wormed their way in from somewhere. And a sad mind drew every little thing up. On this occasion every bad thing that has happened in the pass few days was dragged to the front of her mind, from her team not supporting her, to her unexpected match with her sister, Tezuka telling her he was leaving and her own foolish thoughts of giving some of her affection to Atobe when all he wanted was to weaken her guard.

"Where are you, Kunimitsu?"

No sooner did she say his name did she feel something seep from below her. She opened her eyes a little wider and looked to the school grounds.

"What was that?" She stood up and tried to see who was walking below her. There were a few students meandering across the playground. And it didn't take her long to find where that feeling was coming from. To her delight, she saw him. Finally. Finally she was able to at least see him. Even from this height she recognised that head of hair. Even his mannerisms she noticed from high up. But someone was with him. "Arai-chan?" She smiled a little. "Tell him off for me."

Fuji waited until they stopped somewhere before leaving the roof to talk to him.

Seeing him gave her the strength to get up. She walked to the roof door and closed it behind her. Her heart was beating with excitement but she never quickened her pace. Merely knowing that she didn't have to feel like she was on the edge kept her calm. That dark side of her was taking over more and more, but she didn't have to worry. All she needed was to be close to him and she would feel herself again. Just like their first year of middle school when they meet on the tennis courts. It was then that she could smile the brightest, and it never changed. Sure, knowing that he was leaving didn't help. As long as she got to wrap her arms around him and see him off tomorrow, it would be enough until his return.

Strange, once Fuji walked down the staircase and out of the building, she couldn't feel that pulling flow of his and didn't know where he and Arai where. She walked out a little and looked to the roof. If the roof door was on the other side, it meant that the two of them where on the right of the roof.

Fuji walked around the corner. She saw Tezuka's arm and a genuine smile lit up on her face. So genuine that she had to touch her lips to tell herself that it was real. Now she could feel at ease. All she wanted was to be near him, hear his voice and be in his arms. Before he left, she wanted his strength around her and to hear his heart beat one last time.

Fuji was about to call out to Tezuka when Arai's voice ripped through the air. Fuji Jumped. Was Arai shouting at him? The anger in Arai's voice… Fuji never expected it. And then Tezuka sounded very annoyed when he replied.

What exactly was happening? Fuji shook any thoughts out of her mind but even that much was too hard to do. Tezuka, after all, did tell her that the person he's been speaking with gave him that picture… but not Arai, surely…

Fuji bit her lip and edged a little closer. Fear stopped her from getting too closer. She listened in on their conversation.

Any normal person would have walked up and interrupted them, not wanting to reveal too much of the truth, or possibly walked away for the same reason, but Fuji's heart was crawling against her chest and her eyes were as wide as a full moon. She was hearing things that shouldn't have been brought into existence by someone she trusted with all her heart.

It was scary. She felt the same notions as she did back in Chiba. She knew a normal person, in a state of alarm, their heart would only pound or beat quickly or their blood would run cold. *Fuji's heart was tearing her lungs and shearing her ribcages. Her sharp breaths damaged her insides and her pacing blood blistered in her veins. She doubled over, grasping at her bowtie. She never thought she would feel that intense pain again. Ever. Which only meant - she knew what was coming! Calm down… please calm down. She tried but her inner voice was just as strong as Tezuka's – no! Stronger.

Fuji rested the back of her head against the wall and listened. She listened carefully. To every word. Tezuka called Arai a liar. Such a hurtful word came from his mouth, but he was calm. So very calm. He called her a liar twice and Fuji jolted when she heard something fall on the floor and Arai yelled at him… Wait. What did Fuji hear?

…Was Arai talking about her? Fuji turned her head slightly. What was Arai screaming out? 'Which part of that picture was a lie?'

When did Arai see it? What did it have to do with her? Did Tezuka show her? And if he did, why? Arai then told Tezuka that Fuji had been hanging around the courts to talk to Atobe and that she was lying to Tezuka and her term.

Fuji pressed her hands against the wall. Each fingernail dung into the plaster, scraping away at the fine layers of cream paint. Why was Arai saying such things to him?

Tezuka called her a liar again and Arai told him to go talk to Fuji. Fuji curled her left hand into a fist and tapped the wall lightly. Something made her wait… She wanted to hear everything, hear exactly what was going on behind her back?

'Or what?' Fuji couldn't believe what just came out of her vice captain's mouth. Arai belittled him, mocked the fact that he was weaker then before. Unforgivable. That clinched fist tightened and Fuji's nails imprinted in her palm.

Tezuka said it would be better for Arai to tell him than to tell Fuji what her true intentions were. Oh, why would you think that Tezuka? Arai's next set of words made Fuji burn inside. She was ready to go over and confront them but 'it' made her wait to hear everything.

Distasteful words poured from Arai's mouth. Fuji knew Arai had a temper, and at times she admired Arai's readiness to let others see that side to her… but for Arai to go on like that to Tezuka… suddenly, Fuji didn't like it. Unforgivable. The problem was, Arai didn't care. She wasn't one to care how others viewed her, but to be able to speak to him like that… what was happening?

Fuji, if she were in her right mind; had she not opened her eyes and allowed that dark side to her pour out, could have understood Arai's outburst. She did lie to him. She knew that. And she did lie to her team. All but Yokoishi didn't know what Fuji was doing when she hung around after the games. The only different was, she (reluctantly) told Tezuka about it. He knew and understood why she did what she did… why was Arai making matters worse? Fuji began to agree with Tezuka, what was Arai really after?

Fuji didn't want to listen anymore but she was rooted, gathering fuel. Tezuka asked what Arai was hoping for. It got quiet. Fuji pushed herself off the wall to go see what they were doing.

From where she was hiding, Fuji saw Arai lean towards his face quickly. Fuji thought it was a whisper, when she heard that sound that finally broke her. Skin touching skin.

"…Guess I don't need to hope anymore. Hah... hah. Oh and, try not to come back too soon." Arai said before turning to pick up her things and leave.

Fuji wasn't given a chance to doubt what she heard. The sound was too telling. Arai kissed him.

Unforgivable. Unforgivable! Fuji held her breath to calm herself down. That side of her was finally crawling beyond her flesh and muscle only to press against her wall of skin. It wanted to get out. It wanted to touch the air once more and cause some damage. Fuji couldn't hold it back. She pushed herself off the wall and steadied her shaken limbs with her right hand and took slow steps forward to confront the both of them.

Fuji didn't hear the person who had walked up behind her, who soon reached out a strong hand to pull her back gently. "Fujiko-chan, I found you."

Fuji looked back quickly. 'It' was starting to seep out through her pores. Sai smiled pleasantly. She unknowing glared at him and he acted on it.

"Argh, Fujiko-chan! Don't glare at me like that. It cuts me to my very soul."

"Don't touch me." Though livid, Fuji never raised her voice. You'd think she was fine, if not for the expression.

He let go slowly and Fuji marched over to where they stood. Once she reached the corner, she paused and struck her hand against the wall, creaking it under her force. The both of them were gone. Dammit. I'll kill her. It now fuelled her thoughts.

"Oh, Fujiko-chan, was you looking for something?"

"Stop calling me that!" He listened. Even he could sense something unsettling in the air. The destructive intend that hovered over his head only amused him.

Fuji fell against the wall and clutched at her clothes. Why did that hurt? Why did that squeeze around her heart? She placed her other hand on top of her left and sunk down to the floor. Why did that hurt? Her beloved friend… behind her back… and to act as if nothing was going on, to walk by her side, to sit beside her and talk to her casually, when all of this was going on in Arai's heart. How deep was Arai's… h-… Fuji disliked that word but she couldn't describe it any other way. Fuji wanted it to be a lie… but everything landed towards Arai… Arai give him that picture. Arai was speaking to him. Arai caused their natural flow to snap. Arai gave him such distant eyes. It was Arai.

"I'll kill her." The words barely come out.

"What was that Fuji-chan?" Fuji looked away from him slowly, still unable to close her eyes, Sai followed her gaze. "I do love your eyes Fuji-chan, they tell me so much about you."

"Go away."

"And leave you like this? How much of a gentlemen would that make me?"

She didn't answer him.

"It's not often that I see you like this, like a wounded chow chow. Won't you let me… indulge?"

He lifted his hand slowly and cupped it over her flushed cheek. She didn't stop him. He felt something prick his skin but he ignored the needle-like sensation. "You're giving me what I want, Fujiko-chan?"

She slapped his hand away. Only Tezuka could comfort her. "You've no right to call me that." She stood back up against the wall.

That surprised him but… he felt the same. "Ah? Well, I only wanted to walk you home. It's been a while since I've had the pleasure. With a little pause to practise, it's all I ask?"

Sai could hear her harsh and deep breaths and was glad when they became unhurried. Fuji didn't know how or why but her energy calmed down by itself. It took a while for it to hush, and Sai lingered. But Fuji knew herself very well. What she once thought was it fading away was only it prowling. And because it took so long, she realised she wouldn't be able to find Tezuka or Arai for an explanation. Sai peered around to see if anyone was there, and saw no one. Because he didn't see anyone now, doesn't mean he didn't see anything before. Heck! He certainly heard enough!

He took her tense hand. Nothing pricked him this time. She didn't fight him back. She was too busy searching for that energy "You're my damsel in distress. Tell me what troubles you?" Sai said.

"You can't help me."

"But I am worried. Ah, my Fu… Fuji-chan, why do you find it so hard to show others your… weaknesses?" He didn't give her a chance to talk. "You're shaking. Ah, are you sad because Tezuka-san is leaving?"

"Sai-"

He placed his hands in his pockets. "Fuji-chan, let others comfort you."

He didn't understand at all. If Fuji ran after Arai that part of her would kill her. She forced her eyes closed even when they didn't want to close. She opened them quickly when Sai began laughing to himself. She didn't like the ring to it. Such as insulting tone.

"I'm sorry Fuji-chan. It's just… what I said just now… Letting other's comfort you… ah, **I guess Neko-chan is out of the bag now. It seems that you've already let another comfort you. Am I right?"

He scratched his head awkwardly when Fuji narrowed her eyes slowing aiming her gaze on him. She didn't ask for an explanation, which gave him room to keep talking.

Sai saw and understood the gaze, and couldn't help smirking. They heard some students entering the science rooms above them. Their chairs scraped across the room floor and they smacked their papers against their desks. Fuji turned slightly when some students walked pass laughing.

"Fujiko-chan, I'm disappointed."

She took a step closer to him. "Sai-kun, go home without me?"

He grimaced. "My heart is still broken and withered."

"Sai-kun?" She didn't understand. Why was he still worried about Kikumaru slapping him? More so, why was he even waiting for her? Right now, all Fuji wanted to know was when Arai started to harbour such intend. Fuji could only stare at him but all she saw were her own eyes reflecting off his sunglasses. She didn't like the hurt look in her own eyes and looked away. Slowly, very slowly, that energy within her was crawling to the surface again.

"Oh, Fujiko-"

"I said stop calling me that."

Without warning, Sai hit his hand against the wall, close to Fuji's head. She looked up the length of his arm. "My sweet, I could only tolerate you above all others."

"Sai-kun… move your hand."

"You're no better then the rest of them. You're just as loathsome."

"Loathsome?" What was he going on about now?

He slowly brought his other arm up, blocking her on both sides. Fuji remained calm, only getting signals when Sai's face twitched.

"The dark one… really understood the real you long before anyone else… to think she was right…" He chuckled weakly.

"What did A-" Fuji was about to say names but Sai moved one of his hands and placed a finger close to her lips. He didn't touch her; the finger was close. Fuji grabbed his hand and bent his fingers backwards. He didn't expect it and gave a short cry. "What did she say to you?" She asked him and he knew to step back. Sai rubbed the base of his fingers and waited before looking to her. That grab wasn't ordinary.

"Hmm… the dark one… she showed me a picture which made me wanna do bad stuff… to you."

The science room grew quit. Could they have left already? And those students who were walking around… the area grew very quiet. Fuji didn't know what to say. There was already so much going on and now for Sai to be caught up in it too. She didn't know what to say.

"You're not going to push me away? Hah! No wonder that *monkey king got so close to you. Do you enjoy the attention that much?" He gave Fuji room to talk but she said nothing. He wanted her to say something. "I was right in thinking you were the only one who could trouble captain… but you troubled me too. Don't glaring at me. Push me away, Fujiko-chan."

"Why were you really waiting for me, Sai-kun?"

He chuckled desperately and took off his sunglasses so Fuji could see the hurt in his eyes. Was his heart really that broken? Was his soul really withering? It seemed so.

"What do you think I came here to do!" He yelled at her. He suddenly grabbed her by the collar of her shirt and dragged her to the floor. Fuji didn't let a sound out. He pinned both her hands to the side of her head and climbed on top of her. He couldn't believe that even in such a dangerous position, she didn't struggle under his grip. If anything, Fuji relaxed under his hold and never let her gaze fall from his. Sai suddenly didn't know if he could do it, what he had in his head. He lowered his eyes and laughed weakly.

"Oh, Fujiko-chan… why did you give captain to the dark one?" He tried to provoke her further but Fuji wasn't playing into his hands. She'd wait to see what he'd do. "I see how the two of them talk to each other when no one else is around. In the library, that's their favourite spot. He'd laugh with her. Has he ever laughed with you? He'll talk to her about anything. Does he make light conversation with you?"

She rolled her fingers. She didn't want to react to his words, but she didn't know that much about their friendship. Though, right now she didn't have room to get distracted. She wanted to bend her knees but Sai was too heavy. She looked up to the sky. 'It' was calm in her, but for how long? Maybe she should have pushed Sai away. Maybe she should push Sai away.

Sai moved one of his hands. He let go of Fuji's wrist, testing to see if she would lash out at him, but she didn't move. He watched her. She did nothing. Sai shook his head. He knew Fuji wasn't stupid. What else could this position mean! He dared himself to touch her hair. Strangely enough she let him but he noticed that her sweet smile no longer curved across her lips. If she was in that much resentment she should throw him off.

He left her hair and slowly ran his fingers down the side of her head to her neck and collarbone. His expression was testing, seeing how fair Fuji would let him go.

"If you act like a dead fish with Tezu-tan, he really might look for excitement from the dark one."

She shot a look to him. That hit a nerve, and he quickly replaced his hand over her wrist.

"Are you seriously going to assault me Sai-kun?" The words came out calmly, in no way did it reflect the energy within.

Sai replaced his sunglasses and lent towards her ear and whispered softly while, with the same hand, he dared to pull out her school shirt from her skirt. "You're no longer special to me."

No longer special… Fuji didn't know why those words from Sai, while being pushed down, pinch her heart and emotions. His hot hands ran over her stomach. Could it be Yumi also had the same feelings – should she really be thinking about her sister!

He kissed her ear; the sound made her sick; the feeling of another made her sick… but was it worth holding back?

Holding back what? That dark side to her?

No.

It should be fuelling her right now. Sai really was going to abuse her. She didn't have a choice. She had to use that same strength that got Yumi hurt all those years ago!

A tear ran from Fuji's eye as she turned her hip, knocking and pushing Sai's left knee to unbalancing him. With that split-second chance, she forced her right arm, the one that Sai kept a hold of and forced her arm down to her side. She knew he held tightly onto her, because he hit his forehead into the ground. As Sai tried to lean upright, Fuji used his falling force to roll him over onto his back. Before he had a change to gather himself, Fuji swung her hand back, the way she remembered all those years ago in Chiba, and punched Sai to the side of his head. His glasses cracking and gashing the corner of his eye. He cried out. He tried to stand up but toppled over. He fell on his side and Fuji took to her feet. Before rolling her wrists, she drew her leg back (just like before) and kicked him fiercely in his ribcage. His winded breaths had no room to escape. She stepped back and watched him roll onto his other side in agony.

He didn't know where to put his hands. On his convoluting stomach or bleeding eye? He swore when he could. He couldn't get up. She delivered him two powerful blows. Where did that strength come from? He couldn't fathom it! He was in too much pain to think. Not even a punch from the guys hurt this much. He nearly vomited but held it down.

He controlled his breath enough to speak. "…That really…" He gasped. "…damn" He could barely breath. He coughed and shut his right eye when the thick blood ran into it.

Fuji dusted her clothes down and watched him. He went from struggling to rise onto his feet to laying on her floor motionless.

He passed out.

That much of it was for Arai. Fuji fixed her hair and walked over to him. The blood was thick and flowing fast into the dirt. "Did I push too hard, Sai-kun?" She went into his bag and searched for his phone. She unlocked it and called the ambulance. He needed one. Fuji could barely press the numbers. Her hands were shaking. And when she spoke, that demanding voice on the other end made hers' quiver. Once she gave the details about where Sai was laying, Fuji placed his phone down beside him and went back to the roof of the school to watch them pick him up. A little crowd accumulated when the screaming sirens rolled into the school playground. They followed Fuji's instruction and found him by the science rooms. Some teachers wandered down in alarm. When they saw the blood surrounding Sai they were disgusted. Two of them went with him.

She took a deep breath, and that part of her laughed inside; she wanted to go with Sai too. But her thoughts went to Arai. How could she face her tomorrow? She wiped her cheeks and went home quickly not knowing how she was going to face tomorrow.


tbc…

A/N2: I know, I know... You're probably wondering what's going on? But fear not...

Sai's character: I guess the little that I've shown you would have come out in chapters: 20; 33, 34, 35, 37. The end of 41; the end of 45; 49; mid 53; every other time he picks on Kikumaru… Those he has no special attachment to, he'll show no respect. Even though he teams up with Arai, he doesn't respect her at all, and that goes for most in the girls' team. But Fuji, he had a place for in his heart. But he did change after seeing that picture. He was equally shocked (how could his Fujiko-chan do that with Atobe?) So he too misunderstood what has already been resolved in chapter 53/54. Although Sai is a reserved guy and doesn't much show his emotions, he's not as objective as Tezuka. Tezuka got mad, but he knew he needed to speak with Fuji. I could have easily let Tezuka lash out on Fuji (original idea was for Tezuka to "outright" accuse Fuji of betraying him) but it didn't seem to fit his character. Sai, on the other hand, is only thinking about himself and how he was hurt.

So why does Sai seem to hate girls? There is a reason for that… ^_^ (back story, you know!)

*Letting Neko-chan / the cat out of the bag: In this chapter, Fuji heard stuff that she wasn't meant to hear. As Sai heard it too, he is able to tell Fuji that she wasn't meant to hear any of it. Arai "let a secret out accidentally" And by Neko-chan he's being his typical-self and referring to Kikumaru.

*Description of Fuji's pain: yeah it's over the top and exaggerated… I don't wanna change it. T_T

*Monkey king: You probably already know, Echizen used to call Atobe by this nickname and Sai seems to have adopted it in his chapter.

Chapter 62: The next day at school…

Thanks for showing an interest I know it gets weird but that's just how my writing goes at times. I can never keep it normal. xox