A/N: It continues.

Disclaimer: Takeshi Konomi took me to a tennis court to reflect on Prince of Tennis. (Random)


Chapter Sixty Nine

Fuji zipped up her bag, buttoned up her school cardigan and took to her feet. Four days drifted by and it was time for her to go back to school. When she opened her wardrobe earlier she stared blankly at her regulars dress. The white polyester shined ever so brightly. She was reminded of Ryuzaki-sensei's words. For the first time since she got it, it would have to stay at home. She reached into the back of the shelve and took out her old P.E kit. It would be a tight fit, but she didn't want to wear her own clothes.

Yumi had asked why she didn't want to wear the regulars' uniform and never got an answer. The reason for it, she didn't have the fighting spirit in her. (Oh, she had a spirit to fight, but not one to defend herself!) She didn't want to have to square off with Arai… only if she got permission to kill her, then by all means, she'd wear the dress! Unfortunately, she didn't want to push her luck more then she had done. One more false move and she didn't have any more lifelines to stop her from expulsion. She could only shake her head in dismay at the thought of not being captain, and for something that really was her fault. It drained her. She didn't want the girls to see that ugly side to her again.

Fuji didn't want to completely be invisible, but she didn't want to make matters worse. She had all kinds of people on her team. As proven, all she needed to do was look at someone the wrong way, then, she could sit back and watch each person react to it. She couldn't afford to mess up again.

"Why do you think I got you his number? Call him, aneki. I bet he wants to know the real you behind that mask you were wearing." Yumi said from across the room. Awoken when Fuji got up for school.

"Yumi, I'm not wearing a mask."

"You think he's going to dump you for beating someone up? Are you telling me he's never seen that side of you?"

"He hasn't… I'm going." She felt Yumi to conclude what she wanted and made her way downstairs.

Today, there was no Yukio at the top of the stairs to tell her to march back to her room. After the phone conversation he had with Tezuka, he was keeping himself to himself. Just thinking about what her brother could have said to him made her anxious. Despite that, she wanted to speak to someone before going to school. She would have to go it alone this morning.

Nervousness ate away at her appetite. She could easily slip out the house without thinking about food. It was the last thing on her mind.

She forgot about the feel of the morning air on her skin. The inviting breeze always brushed through her hair. Nothing had changed about it. It calmed her for a moment. She carried on, not making eye contact with anyone along her way. She felt awkward because of her past behaviours. It really troubled her when others saw her bad side, though, grateful that Tezuka didn't see it.

She continued on towards school. Standing by the gate, she saw two familiar faces. Ryuzaki-sensei and Suzu were standing there. It was hard not to miss the pink suit, harder to accept that she'd no longer wear that white dress.

She stood a distance from them, not expressing anything on her face even though a heavy level of resentment cover her. Or was that her energy coming out of hiding?

"Morning, Fuji-san." Ryuzaki-sensei greeted first, sounding a bit stressed.

Fuji didn't say anything but lowered her head a little – not even that of a bow.

"Fuji-chan, morning." Suzu said next – half-expecting Fuji to be lacklustre. "We missed you, you know."

Fuji shook her head in disagreement. A large part of her didn't believe that. Suzu walked up to Fuji and took her free hand and gently pulled her passed the school gate. Fuji was thankful Suzu was there. Had she had to walk in by herself, she properly would have walked to the changing rooms and continued what she started, instantly letting her lifeline slip.

But they never went that way. Suzu took Fuji into the school building and up to the teacher's offices. Ryuzaki sensei walked close behind them and didn't said anything until the door to her office was closed and everyone was seated.

The last time she was in this room she received some very disturbing news. The feelings on that day seem to linger in the corners of the room. Perhaps sensei was over thinking. What would she hear on this occasion?

"How are you Fuji-san? I hope you've had a chance to reflect on your actions?" Ryuzaki sensei started only to get a chilly glare in return.

Suzu saw it a thought sensei deserved it and didn't nudge Fuji.

"Regarding your punishment, the head master won't budge on the idea of you playing in the tournaments. He's got it fixed in his head that you're a bad image to be leading the team to the Nationals."

"But sensei!" Suzu wanted to interrupt but stopped when Ryuzaki-senise raise a hand for her to be quiet.

"Someone ended up in hospital with what could have been a fatal injury, Suzu-san. He's the least bit impressed that a girl inflicted it on a fellow student. He's still toying with the idea to expel you Fuji-san. And the most frustrating thing is that nobody wants to leave a statement. Both Sai-san and Arai-san refuse to say anything with subtance. It's not looking good."

That cold stare in Fuji's eyes never changed. Even she knew the two of them wouldn't say anything. Sai was going to rape her had she not defended herself and Arai was being two-faced right up until the moment. Though Sai's more serious. Fuji was tired. Tired of talking about the same subject. Annoyed that nothing had really changed. Tired of not knowing what would happen next.

"Sai-kun is okay?" Suzu asked.

"He's recovering." Ryuzaki-sensei replied. "He's breathing on his own but not eating." Ryuzaki-sensei placed her hand over her left eye and her forehead and signed, irritated by it all. "I apologise for being subjective over the matter, Fuji-san. It was a shock to hear what happened." She paused, wanting Fuji to say something. "For the time being, you are allowed on the courts but, like I said, nothing changes until the truth comes out." She turned to Suzu. "Suzu-san is now the vice captain on the team. She asked to spend the morning with you to have a chat. An incident and accidents report hasn't been completed because no one is saying anything, but it's not something the school can ignore. So we're going to need your account of what happened Fuji-san sooner rather than later Fuji-san." And with that as her last word, she dismissed them.

Suzu picked up Fuji's bags and took her hand to lead her out of the room and down to the fields. Suzu wanted Fuji to hear the sounds of the ball hitting the racket and the soft cheers when a point was scored. In case Fuji had thoughts of giving up, Suzu wanted to give her reason to keep going.

She looked across to Fuji's eyes and was unsure about the despondent gaze in them.

"What you thinking Fuji-chan?"

It was a while before she answered. "He's taken his presence with him."

"Who?" Suzu realised it could only be one person. The same person who seemed to be a part of all the inner troubles. "I'm sure when he comes back, he'll want to see how much stronger you've become. You'll play tennis until he gets back, right? You'll smile for him while he's away, hm?"

"No. I won't."

"Why?"

"Suzu-chan, a part of me has opened, to which I cannot control. It's draining me to keep it quiet. If I snap again, I really will kill her and I won't take into consideration who sees me. I'm not interested as it goes." That unusual emotion was making her say too much.

"But Fuji-chan." Suzu didn't understand. "You're not going to give up on the team are you?"

"Her team now."

"We still think of you as the captain. If you surrender to this you'll let Arai-chan win. Knowing that she drove him away, do you really what to let her win?"

Fuji turned to her slowly. "How did you know about that?"

Suzu looked out at the team. "I've been speaking to the girls, and they all have their sides to tell, but you can't let her win Fuji-chan. You might not be captain but don't let them see you so defeated Fuji-chan. They still need to see you and they want to see you at the games. You're still our strength Fuji-chan."

Well, isn't that nice! She thought sarcastically. Her strength had jumped on a plane to Germany. How on earth was she to strengthen her team without it? The thought worried her greatly. She wiped her forehead as a bout of anxiety hit her. Gosh, what a horrid feeling. It fluttered around her. It was the same feeling she would get when Tezuka touched her. It reached every nerve end in her body, only now it was frigid and made her freeze for an instant. She coughed it out of her body, which made the team aware of her presence.

She heard them whispering her name. Many were surprised and others happy to be able to see her. Fuji choose not look at anyone. She kept her sight to the hand that pulled her along. Suzu didn't lead Fuji towards the teams but a bench that ran along the side of the court.

Suzu saw the many eyes on her and shooed them away with a wave of her hand. Arai quickly called them to attention, but all their hearts were conflicted. Now Fuji was back - really back - so close that they could feel her presence, the impact of what happened now felt real. Having seen what Fuji was capable of, they wondered what was to come.

"Hmm, Kikumaru-chan told me you've been getting the team in order." Fuji said.

"Oh… erm, well…" Suzu suddenly felt something strange from Fuji's hand and wanted to let her go. Could this have been the uncontrollable energy she was talking about? "Arai-chan," The feeling got very strong. "she wasn't feeling well so I had to."

"That's not what I'm talking about. I know you mean well, but... don't embarrass Yokoishi-chan."

"What?"

"You called her out. Don't do that again."

"I don't understand, Fuji-chan."

"Exactly! Don't make her confess things to do with her ability. If you really want to win the Nationals you'll leave her and let her do her own thing."

"She told you?"

"Yokoishi-chan wanted me to warn you not to go telling everyone. She really will lose her powers so keep it to yourself, whatever it is you know."

Suzu didn't know what to say, maybe she didn't understand Yokoishi all that much, but if she was strong she should use it regardless. As she respected Fuji greatly, Suzu wouldn't encourage Yokoishi to go all out however much she wanted to.

"Okay, I won't say anything." She changed the subject. "Wanna pick up a racket?"

Fuji flexed her fingers and curled them in slowly. "No?"

Fuji got up to leave but Suzu pulled her back down, surprising her. "No escaping, Fuji-chan."

Why did those words worry her? That's right, Tezuka told her not to run away once before. He wouldn't even let her look away while he had her in his hold.

"Just relax Fuji-chan." Suzu smiled and the two sat until the girls had finished their morning session and filtered out of the courts. They tried to make eye contact with Fuji but she developed a great level of stubbornness and won't look at them.

Once the courts grew quiet Suzu spoke. "Was that relaxing?"

"Dunno."

"How's you hand?"

"Tender."

"Can you play with that sore hand?"

"…Why?"

"If you can, how about coming to the games after school and hitting a few balls.

She wanted to refuse but those words bothered her.

"Don't run away."

Tezuka didn't want her to run so she had to go to practise. Her agreement made Suzu glow with excitement and Suzu followed her to her first class before dashing back to the changing rooms so she could lock up.

It was one of those days that moved along quickly. Kikumaru clung to Fuji, they were inseparable. Umeko reluctantly hung around with Arai. She was in a bad mood and was about ready to torment someone. Arai wasn't bothered either way. Nariko and Shikawara gossiped with Momoshiro and Kaido. Echizen was among them so heard all of it and began to wondered in his silence. Jinhana busied herself with her flowers and Suzu hung out with Yokoishi. She tried to apologise to her but Yokoishi acted as if the conversation never took place, and because of that Suzu understood a little.

They all noticed a strange separation in the team, if it existed before, it was certainly showing it's true colours now. The girls may not have shown it on their faces intentional but they were anxious about the after school practise. Suzu had told them that Fuji would be with them again. Most didn't think it was a good idea. As the time sunk by they had to gather over to the changing rooms. Fuji and all.

Arai in all her aloofness walked in without a care. She wasn't going to cry over split milk and was the first to go out for stretching. Shikawara hurried Nariko on, as did Jinhana. Nariko felt some blame on her shoulders for Fuji suspension.

"It's nice to have you back." Kikumaru wouldn't stop telling her. Kikumaru didn't like it that Fuji put on her old PE kit, wishing that she would still wear the regular's dress.

As Fuji was about to go out onto the fields, Umeko stopped her. She pulled on Fuji's arm to bring her around to face her. Fuji could see Umeko was in a bad mood. Just like herself. Umeko lowered her head wanting to apologise.

"What are you apologising for?" Fuji stopped her

Umeko stumbled over her words wanting to explain everything that Arai had planned behind her back, and not knowing where to start. Even wanting to confess her involvement in it all. Now that a different Fuji was standing in front of her, a violent, angry and powerful girl… it wasn't so easy to say. Did she now understand what Yumi felt on the courts?

"You too, Umeko-chan?" Fuji carried on out the room not seeing the angered expression on her face. It felt as if Fuji already knew, which she didn't, and her anger went towards Arai.

"What are you going to do Fuji?" Kikumaru asked her.

She tested her left hand by giving it a quick squeeze and it hurt more then on the first day. The stitches were still in. "Not gunna do anything."

"But Fuji."

And she meant it. As the girls went on around the courts, Fuji walked headed straight onto the courts and sat back on the bench were Suzu kept her this morning.

"What is she doing?" Shikawara said.

"Geez, why has she…" Arai started but thought better not say anything too critical. "I'll talk to her on the way round."

"Are you stupid Arai-senpai? Do you want her to really knock you out? Because she will! Leave her to Suzu-senapi." Yokoishi said to her as they rounded a corner.

Fuji didn't hear them but watched them, slightly amused. Was she rebelling? Maybe she should have worn her tennis dress like her sister said and watched what would have happened.

Once they finished running, the whole team came into the courts. Ryuzaki-sensei was nowhere to be seen. Anything could happen.

"Erm, Fuji-chan." Suzu approached her.

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to help the non-regs with some training?"

"Why?"

The sudden answer made Suzu hesitate and left a flustered look in her eyes. Fuji looked over Suzu's shoulder and saw Umeko and Arai walking onto the courts. Before Fuji could shift her gaze, it was the first time she caught Arai's glance. Umeko and Yokoishi felt something in the air, that dark energy again and their sight went straight for Fuji. Suzu saw it in Fuji's eyes and backed off when she felt a razor like pain over her skin.

"Fuji-chan why don't you-"

"Why don't I leave!" She stood up. It didn't pique her that she caught Arai's eyes. What warned Fuji to leave quickly was that glow from Tezuka was still on her lips. Arai and the others watched her, thinking she was going to walk up to them.

"Fuji-"

"I'll go and practise on my own. I can't look at her right now."

She excused herself and went over to the wall.


…tbc…

A/N2: Hmm, things aren't getting any better!

Chapter 70: Who's that talking to Fuji like they know any better?

Thanks for reading!