A/N: You… you want to slap Jinhana? Well after this chapter you all might want to slap her! I know I do. (-.-)

Disclaimer: If it doesn't have Takeshi Konomi on the tin, then it ain't Prince of Tennis (random)


Chapter Seventy Eight

Bunsei. The school seemed to dominate the surrounding atmosphere. Their confidence over shadowed the Seishun girls as they peered over and watched them on their third return to the arena. The crowds were in high spirits, excited by the coming matches, but the girls were too busy worrying about what had happened over the past few days.

Ryuzaki-sensei wasn't with them on this occasion. She went off to the country to help the boys' train for their matches. They were annoyed that the boys got propriety and wanted to go along with them. They were refused because the away-training conflicted with their tournament dates. So in Ryuzaki-sensei place, they had their normal PE teacher. Although she knew a thing or two about tennis, she didn't know too much about the girls and their individual playing style. This added more worry on top of the load they were already faced with.

Fuji watched as the girls got themselves organised. She sat in the same seat as last time, on the top row at the back. From this short distance, she could see their doubt by the way they carried themselves, and wondered how they were going to keep it together at such an important match.

Fuji hated to admit it, but Jinhana's dressing down to Arai a couple of days ago seemed to give her a certain boost in confidence. With that said, Fuji was indifferent to Arai's earlier pep-talk.

Arai had gathered them around and told the seven that she wasn't going to change the teams around at this late stage. She wanted Jinhana and Nariko up first, then herself and Kikumaru, with Jinhana, Shikawara and Umeko in Singles. There was no favouritism in putting Umeko in singles one. The thinking behind putting Yokoishi in singles three was to ensure a quick win or a redeeming game. Yokoishi was the better person to get a win. Though Shikawara was strong, she has displayed a few problems in her game. Umeko, if needed would provide an easy win if it got as far as singles one as she could attack them on a physical level, but it wasn't encouraged that she go for the easy win. (if Bunsei played any dirty tricks then Umeko could do as she pleased.)

As for the so-called pep talk, Arai told them if they lost she wouldn't take responsibility for it. She didn't care what they thought of it and she told them individually that it would reflect on them. Just because Fuji wasn't on the courts with them, were they suddenly going to become a bunch of losers?

"Jinhana-chan," Arai said. "I know how much you hate losing. If you're so scared of losing then make sure you win, and rely on Nariko-chan a lot more. Nariko-chan, stop second guessing yourself. Hit the damn ball. Yokoishi-san, amazing people never lose a match. If you lose this one I no longer what to hear your self-proclaims of being amazing. Umeko, if you continue to hurt people you'll end up being ban so learn to play the game to the end. Shikawara-chan, I know you're another strong one but don't play into the opponents game so easily. Kikumaru-chan focus. I don't know where your mind is but get it back on the game…"

Thinking back on what was said, Fuji knew what she was doing, more so with Yokoishi. Her tactics made sense. Don't say you're great if you can't win a set. Though Fuji didn't know if it would work in the teams' favour. Arai reminded them how they would look individually as well as a team.

Fuji wished she was playing Bunsei. Their captain was someone she remembered from last year. She was a master of illusions, mixed in with her craft of music. She played three different instruments, the bass guitar, the flute and violin. Her games were always intense. How on earth was Umeko going to defeat someone like that?

Bunsei's supporting spectators began to cheer, clap and making enough noise for most to glance over and take note of them. Fuji took a deep breath. She didn't know what was going to become of these games.

Down on the courts, Jinhana and Nariko were up. Having had a few training session with Jinhana, Shikawara and Yokoishi, Nariko felt a bit more confidence returning to the courts. She knew what moves she was going to use, and with Jinhana leading, she knew which of her moves made the better combo.

Nariko was hoping Jinhana would give her a winners smile. But when she saw a sudden shock in Jinhana's eyes, her heart sank. That gaze wasn't aimed at Nariko. It was aimed at the Bunsei doubles pair, but why would Jinhana make such a face?

The one facing Jinhana was taller than both of them and had a satisfied smirk on her lips that was directed straight at Jinhana. Nariko looked over at the partner of the taller girl. The Bunsei girl smiled a gentle smile hoping for a good game.

"Long time no see, Yumi-chan." The taller one said to Jinhana, even going so far as to say her first name.

Jinhana turned swiftly to the baseline, leaving Nariko to wonder who this girl was to her.

Mimori Ogata, the taller one, waved to Nariko, and Nariko bowed quickly.

"My, aren't you cute. Shame I'm going to bring out your partner's crazy side."

Nariko didn't know what to say to that and took her place in the service box.

She glanced back to Jinhana to see if she was okay and began to worry when Jinhana started muttering to herself.

"One set match, Seishun academy to serve. Begin!"

Just when Nariko thought Jinhana would take a cautious approach, to test out the skill of the other team, the ball was served within seconds of the umpire saying start. The sudden serve didn't take the Bunsei girls by surprise. Ooya Marimo, the shorter one who gave the gentle smile, returned it with ease, giving Nariko a chance to backhand the ball between the two of them.

"Seishun, 15-love."

"Nariko-chan, what are you doing?" Jinhana yelled.

"Why is she shouting at Nariko-chan?" Suzu asked, but she knew the answer. Most of the other year nine girls understood as well.

"Of all the people for her to face… man…" Arai already dreaded the outcome of this match and slumped back in her seat." They all knew who Mimori Ogata was.

Arai wasn't aware that her mood effected everyone now that she was the captain. They couldn't help but follow in her mood.

"There's no way she'll keep a level head in this one." Yokoishi bit her thumbnail, when Bunsei levelled the score at 15-all.

They heard Jinhana yelled at Nariko to play properly. Aren't I doing just that, Nariko thought, her confidence slipping by the second. With Jinhana standing behind her, Nariko didn't dare turn around. She didn't understand Jinhana sudden change in mood.

"This that the girl, Ogata-chan?" Marimo asked Ogata as they swapped sides.

"Yeah, that's my old friend. Though, I don't think she holds me in the same regards." She chuckled and waited for her 'old friend' to serve the ball.

Jinhana panicked and throw the ball up too hard. It travelled forward and she missed her sweet spot.

"Oh? What was that, Yumi-chan?" Ogata teased.

"Stop calling me by my first name! Show some respect" Jinhana screamed back.

Ogata ignored her. "Still using the same old moves. No wonder you're making such weak shots."

Nariko cut in front of Jinhana with her lighting speed and caught the shot, aiming it above and behind Ogata. She was tall, but she wasn't fast on her feet and didn't expect Nariko to appear from the other half of the court.

"30-15."

"Mind your own business!" Jinhana hissed at Nariko.

"Se…senpai?" Why did Jinhana-chan just say that. Nariko looked back at Ogata. The two know each other very well. Well enough to throw Jinhana off her game. Nariko didn't understand what Ogata meant by bringing out Jinhana's crazy side.

"Oh, gosh. Nariko-chan, don't second guess yourself!" Suzu shouted down to her.

"What did Jinhana-chan say?" Umeko asked.

"Stupid girl! Why does she bare such a grudge?" Arai said. The girls continued to watch.

When the first game was won by Seishun there was a grand cheer from the team. But it was short lived when Bunsei won the next game easily. They couldn't understand why Jinhana was in such a panic. Whenever Nariko went for the ball, Jinhana told her to back off, and then she would miss it herself. It only meant that Nariko would freeze at the most inappropriate times. And even still, Jinhana would moan at her that she should have taken the shot. Everything was out of sync and in a mess.

Nariko desperately wanted to ask what was wrong with Jinhana, but only got a harsh reply to shut-up.

"But…" Nariko couldn't get through to her and turned to Ogata for some answers. "Ogata-san, how do you and-"

"Shut up and serve!" Jinhana interrupted her quickly.

Ogata, who was more than willing to answer any questions shrugged for the time being and crouched down, leaving Nariko with no other choice but to serve. Nariko couldn't think what move to use. Her mind was such a mess. She wanted to use the static that was building up inside her but she didn't know if she could and so delivered a weak serve that, by disbelief, eluded the Bunsei pair.

"Oh, Ogata-chan, this isn't fun at all. When are you going to use that move of yours?"

"Soon, don't worry. It'll get better once I use it."

On hearing that, Nariko turned to Jinhana once more and asked her to tell her what was bothering her. What about this girl is throwing her game off? But before Jinhana could tell her to hush up, Ogata jumped in.

"I'll tell you wants wrong with her. She's too closed-minded."

"That's not true!" Jinhana yelled back.

"Yeah you are."

"You… you destroyed their nature beauty and had the cheek to call it nature at her best!"

Nariko served and Marimo caught the weak ball, grinning more and more, but Jinhana wasn't focused on her at all. She only aimed the ball at Ogata and with each shot returned, Jinhana didn't share it with Narkio, meaning she was running around like a loon. Jinhana used three new and different techniques on Ogata. Sadly and more frustrating for Jinhana, Ogata easily figured out the move, cancelled out the rotation, performed the same move but better so that it glided, curved or landed out of their reach. The score was now 1-2, with Bunsei winning.

"You're cheating!" Jinhana shouted across the courts.

Nariko reached for Jinhana's arm to pull her back before the empire called on her.

"Senpai?" Despite having her attention, Nariko didn't know what to say to her. The truth was she thought she was going to be told to shut up again.

Ogata laughed pompously. "How am I cheating? I'm using all your moves but better. That's the beauty of hybrid."

"It's repulsive."

Nariko didn't get it. Were these two arguing on the court over flowers? Really!

"Jinhana-senpai, please focus on the match."

Again, Jinhana told her to mind her own business. Nariko looked towards her team. Her eyes drifting over to Arai. She lost more confidence. Her team, not just Arai but most of the year nine members didn't look all that supportive of the matter. Not even Yokoishi. Why wasn't anyone telling Jinhana to snap out of it and calm down? Ryuzaki-sensei would have said something. Why didn't anyone say anything to her? Nariko shook her hands out. The static was starting to build up. If Jinhana didn't let her get a shot on the ball, she'd hurt herself on the inside, but she didn't know how much more of her partners abusive words she could take. She didn't know what to do.

Fuji forgot about the likes of Mimori Ogata. When she heard the bickering on the courts, saw Jinhana's changing state of mind and Nariko's doubtfulness expand, Fuji knew what was to come… though she wasn't really focused on the games… Tezuka said he missed her…

Nariko had no choice but to carry on. Jinhana stole a shot that was clearly aimed from Nariko and perform her 'lily'. Once it hit the court it would stop dead. Ogata run in court to curved the shot over the net and out of reach.

Ogata shuddered. She never remembered Jinhana's moves feeling that negative before. Something had changed about it and she knew what it was. While the ball-girls organised themselves, she took the opportunity to speak to Jinhana.

"That felt like the lily. Your understanding of that flower is wrong, as usual. Or should I say, your white lily has become orange over the years. That move I just did, that was the real white lily. Yours has withered over the years."

Jinhana didn't listen. She wouldn't listen. If she did, she really would do something stupid, and she wasn't going to let Ogata win. That was what she said in her mind. Shame her thoughts didn't reflect her actions. Seishun were letting games slip and the score was now 1-5; Bunsei leading.

Nariko turned to Marimo to see if she was disturbed by her partners' game play, but she was supporting her. Even though Jinhana excluded her from the match, Marimo was right behind Ogata. They were in complete contrast to Seishun and the scores proved it. It was the first time Nariko saw Jinhana sweating in a match. It dripped from her brow and her face burnt red. She was running around too much, not relying on anyone but her own strength. Their substitute coach called a time out. She wanted an explanation as to why the two weren't playing as a team.

"It's none of her business." Jinhana murmured. After all that had happened she was still adamant to play on her own.

"How can you say that when the score is 1-5? What do you mean?" Their coach asked.

"It means I don't need her help."

"Senpai, that's ridiculous." Nariko said and leant forward to make eye contact with her. But when she did, Jinhana took her racket under her arm and grabbed the strap of Nariko's dress. Those watching were staggered. First she was playing badly and now she was blaming her partner. The year nine girls were half shocked. From the time Jinhana caught sight of Ogata, they could see she grew more and more into her bad ways.

"Listen to me. You have no idea how wretched that girl is. I only know her because we have the same interests. She has gone beyond the realms of natural beauty and started splicing genes and modifying DNA of plants. It's not something I can condone. If you let her win, I'll never forgive you. Stay out of my way!"

Jinhana shoved Nariko aside and went back to the courts.

"Is she always like that?" The coach asked.

Nariko was shocked into silence. She didn't want to step back onto the courts. Nothing was making sense and she didn't know what to do anymore. Their coach got her answer when Nariko didn't response.

"She seems ready to play by herself. Nariko-chan?" Nariko looked across to her coach. "If she's comfortable enough to grab you like that, it's best to stay out of her way, though I don't know what good that is with the score as it is. The match is almost over. If you think you can claw back some points, then do so."

Nariko managed a nod and forced herself back to the courts. It was Seishun turn to serve. Jinhana held tightly onto the ball. Nariko didn't have the strength to fight her for it.

"Stupid, stupid-idiot girl!" Arai groaned. "Over damn flowers. Why is she so narrow minded when it comes to these things?"

"What do you mean, senpai?" Shikawara glanced up to her.

"Of course there's going to be more then one way of doing something. She thinks her way is the best way and the only way. That's why she's freaking out like that."

"Then why didn't you tell her to calm down?" Yokoishi tested Arai, but Arai wouldn't be fooled twice.

"No, thanks. She's crazy, beyond reasoning at this point. You lot who don't know her, just stay out of her way after this."

Shikawara exchanged glances with the others and then wondered if Nariko would be okay. She had only heard rumours about Jinhana's outburst with Fuji. Could it have been that bad if the two were now on good terms?

Nariko did her best. When Marimo tried to get the trick shots out of their reach, Nariko would send an electrical pulse over the felt of the ball. When they tired to return it, both Marimo and Ogata felt the static shock and dropped their rackets. By doing this, Nariko was able to bring the score up to 3-5. Jinhana didn't complain but she still wasn't happy that her partner was getting in her way. The Bunsei girls kept an eye on Nariko. Knowing that she could control a strong current and release it on command, they deliberately avoid Nariko and concentrated on Jinhana.

Marimo was watching the two Seishun girls and was a little disappointed that the game was going to be won without a fight. Before the day of the tournament, she was looking forward to seeing Ogata's old friend that she would speak about from time to time. Had she known they were more enemies then friends, she wouldn't have anticipated the match so much. Her expectations were not helped by the fact that Jinhana tried to show Ogata that her techniques were better, yet did not really deliver the power in her shots. Seishun were boring.

"Ogata-chan. Can you use that move and finish this boring game off. Nariko-chan seems really interesting but Yumi-chan is no fun at all. We only need one more point anyway."

Ogata smiled and the girls prepared themselves.

"Yumi-chan, what's that flower you love so much. The red rose, right?" She lined herself up to receive Jinhana's bitter-fuelled serve. "I'll show you something better, rarer, worth more then your red rose."

There was a sudden change in the area. The two girls felt it, as did those in the stands. It conflicted with Nariko's energy and she felt sick in her throat.

"I call this move *Suntroy. It's named after the beautiful, Blue Rose." Ogata dragged the two into her energy. Before their eyes, blue petals began to rain down on them. The couldn't move. They were trapped in this paradise.

"Suntory – it is everything from love and jealously, youth and spiritual understand. It is the divine heaven's hidden treasure. You can't beat it." She aimed the ball at Jinhana. Before it got within her arms reach, it split in two and blossomed around her, before dissolving into a blue light. Those who had no talent to see it, merely saw the ball double bounce out of play.

"The match goes to Bunsei's Doubles pair, Mimori Ogata and Ooya Marimo. Six games to three."

"Did you see that!" Umeko gasped. "That was amazing. She's so cool!"

"See what?" Shikawara asked.

"I admit, that was amazing, but look at Jinhana-chan." Yokoishi pointed.

They looked down and saw that Nariko was on the verge of throwing up and Jinhana was shaking with rage. Her racket slipped out of her hand as she mumbled to herself.

"…usting… Disgusting. You've crossed the line! How dare you!"

Jinhana picked up her racket. Nobody expected Jinhana to chuck her racket at Ogata. Before it left her hand, a forgotten voice from above yelled down at her. The racket left Jinhana's hand but lodged itself in the netting. The was a forceful throw causing the racket to bounce back onto the court.

Those who heard the voice looked up to the top bench where Fuji took to her feet. Somehow, that distasteful air disappeared once Fuji spoke. She may have drifted off for a moment, but the feeling Ogata created was truly disgusting, that it pulled Fuji out of her thoughts to figure out where it was coming from. Of course, Jinhana would lose her patience after hearing someone call a blue rose heaven's treasure. To give it such a name would make anyone in tune with nature sick to their stomach. But Fuji couldn't let Jinhana attack someone before her eyes. It was the same fuel that caused Tezuka injury and she wouldn't allow someone in her school to display such bad sportsmanship.

Jinhana watched Fuji bitterly. Why was she only opening her mouth now? Fuji could never understand her hatred for that blue monstrosity. Be it that Fuji was the only one to challenge her throughout the whole match, she changed the direction of her aggression, meaning she had to admit defeat to Bunsei but she certainly didn't have to like it.

When Jinhana took her racket up, Ogata and Marimo stepped back. Nariko had to step out of the way quickly as Jinhana was going to plough into her. Just when they thought she had calmed a little, she hurled her racket at her tennis bag and kicked it off the bench, petrifying the substitute coach. Jinhana stormed out the gate and up the stairs. The team didn't acknowledge her. She went up to Fuji.

"You are not the captain of this team anymore. Don't talk to me like you know how I feel, you stupid slut! Tramp!"

The girls below didn't dare look up to see what Fuji would do. They held their breaths and gawked at each other. Fuji felt her dark side bubbling up, wanting to take the easy bait in front of her. Had Jinhana not carried on up the stairs and away from the team, Fuji would have pushed her down the stairs… maybe. To have walked away was the best thing Jinhana could have done. Nobody wanted to deal with her in this state, which was made much worse having lost several matches before this one. Against Ogata, who understood flowers like she did, her moves were easy to break. She was mad and nobody wanted to stop her.

Back on the court Nariko, who saw and heard her partners out burst, was baffled and embarrassed. That nauseating feeling left as soon as it came. After she heard Jinhana call Fuji a tramp, her mind went blank. Was this really Jinhana, the one who was more then happy to be apart of The Rose and Humming Bird team? Ogata walked to the net and spoke to Nariko. Ogata's voice startled her.

"She hasn't changed much, has she?"

"… What do you mean?" She fumbled over her words.

"That unreachable pride. She refuses to accept the science in botany. That's why she's so weak… to hide behind that unrefined rage. Not even the thorns on a steam are that ugly."

Nariko ran her hand over her collarbone. "But she's right."

"Hm? About what."

"That move of yours. It's disgusting. It was too artificial to be a divine treasure."

Ogata smirked, her move had its flaws. When something makes the user feel sick as well, such a move is hard to use, making it both rare and special. "You might say that but even gold is melted down into an alloy. Well, Yumi-chan is your problem now. Good luck."

The two walked off so the next match could start.


…tbc…

*Suntory: I didn't make this one up. It's a real blue/violet rose. Type Suntory Rose in Google and see the colours. (O.O)

A/N2: I feel like I've been foreshadowing this moment for ages! Finally, Jinhana thorns are out. Ooh~ I'm going to enjoy Jinhana's drama. Where Fuji is the silent attacker, Jinhana will tell you to your face! And she sure told Fuji what she thinks of her! Oh, character development... they are good things!

Chapter 79: Kikumaru does something unheard of!

Thanks for reading each and everyone of you and waiting ever so patiently (^_^)/