A/N: Forgot to change my disclaimer. tee hee (^-^)

Disclaimer: I caught Takeshi Konomi reading Skip beat... nah, it's okay. (Might go through my collection of manga-I mean random...)


Chapter Ninety-Four

Never more did she need to take her painkillers then today. After yesterdays match, not even a long soak in the bath and a hot meal could get rid of the pain of her injuries and fatigue. She could barely open her eyes this morning. Despite the sun rising and the day starting her body didn't want to get up yet. It wanted more time to heal and recharge. But she couldn't get her body or mind to go back to sleep and so lay in bed until 9am.

She rolled over so her face was in the pillow, more on her right side then her left side. Fuji toyed with the idea of laying in until 11am, be it that it was the last day of the selection camp. She prolonged her stay in bed by thinking about all the hard work the boys had put into the five days in training. All of it was for this moment. And she wanted to see who would be picked. Would anyone from Hanamura-sensei's team be picked? Would anyone from her school be picked? She would crawl down the stairs if she had to.

If she remembered correctly, they would have one more match before the final decisions were made. Fuji tried to lift her leg, but the slightest of pain made her stay for a little bit longer under the warm covers. She really over did it yesterday. Fuji never liked using her energy, much less the manifestation of it. At the worst of times it would overwhelm her if she gave up too much control.

"Come on, body. When I want you to move, you don't want to."

She leant on her right arm, avoiding her elbow and rolled onto her back to sit up. The room span. She steadied herself and looked to her side table. She grabbed her pills as she took to her shaky legs. Normally she would take one and a bit. Today she swallowed three with water and got ready to get some food and find her group.

Her team were on the tennis courts. Hanamaru-sensei watched over them with a note book in hand. Fuji made her way over to the bench and sat down obediently. No more games for her, not until she was 100% better. But it now meant that she would have to go back to being a silent spectator.

"Morning. I didn't think you'd make it down today. For the fact that you are here, you know you're late, don't you." Hanamura-sensei said once she saw Fuji.

Fuji waited before she spoke. "Can sensei show me some mercy today? I'm at my limit."

"Even I know that's not true. It's a shame. I want to see you play more Fuji-chan, but yesterday will be my last chance to see your growing potential. Ryuzaki-sensei got some good ones this year. Oh, one more thing? Was Tezuka-san impressed yesterday?"

"I haven't spoken to him." Truth be told she'd blocked him out completely after their little talk.

"What did you talk to him about the other night? Hopefully not naughty things?"

Fuji narrowed her eyes and looked the other way. When she refused to answer Hanamura-sensei giggled to herself and continued until each of the games had come to an end. She checked the time and told the boys that this was the end. They could started cleaning out their rooms and relax until they were called.

There was a sigh of relief from some of the players, others were tense, hoping they had done enough to get called back. As they exited the courts the twins, Shinji and Amane Hikaru walked over to Fuji.

"Hey, Fuji-chan, are you okay?" Ryou asked first, adjusting his cap.

"Yeah, you look really beaten-up." Atsushi said.

She couldn't disagree. After looking in the mirror is morning she knew she looked a hot mess. And she felt it too. Thankfully the pills were starting to kick in.

"Has Kirihara-san apologised to you at all?" Amane asked.

"You should've listened to An-chan. That guy plays like a demon, but I can't believe he would do that to you Fuji-chan." Shinji added.

From the corner of her eye she watched the Fudomine boys walked by. Only Oshitari looked back. Shinjou Reiji headed off with sensei.

"I'm a little fatigued but okay and no, he hasn't apologised, but it's okay if he doesn't."

"Can we help with anything?"

"I guess I could use a strong arm to help me inside."

Amane was the first to lend a supporting arm. She walked with him to the lounge. They asked out of curiosity what happened towards the end of their match, what with Kirihara being brought to tears with pain. To them it looked like an ordinary shot, but the both of them couldn't move after it. They assumed it was because they were tired. And she agreed with them. She couldn't say what really happened.

Once Fuji was sat comfortably and Shinji had fetched her a drink and a snack bar they went off to sort out their rooms. A few others walked paused her by. They greeted her and asked if she was okay. She imagined everyone on the camp saw her match yesterday. After a while it grew quiet. Most were eating or packing up, which gave her a minute to close her eyes. Or so she hoped.

She felt someone's overbearing presence tower over eye. She peeked through one eye to see Kirihara and two other strong players. They reminded her of Tezuka. She resented that.

"Fuji-san?" The overbearing one with the blue baseball cap spoke first. "One of our players has something to say to you." He gave Kirihara a quick shove.

He clamped his lips closed and formed a fist with both hands. She couldn't help but noticed a redden bruise on his left cheek. Had someone hit him? Is that why they were here?

"He doesn't have to apologise if he doesn't want to." She said.

"Yes he does." The other one, whoes eyes were always close now spoke. "Akaya, go on."

As he bowed she saw a few tears well in his eyes.

"Thank you for our match yesterday. You showed me that I still have training to do." There was a moment of silence.

The one with the cap placed his hand on Kirihara's shoulder.

"I apologise for my lack of self-control and discipline. I will do better in the future with this match in mind."

He didn't stand up straight way. He turned so she couldn't see his face.

"Whatever happened in your match helped him realise something. We can at least show gratitude for that. Let's go." The one with the cap said.

She watched the three of them leave, patting his shoulder as they do. It's good that they are apologising and thanking her for showing him a better game but it wasn't going to ease the pain on her head, arm and elbow. She wondered if the one with the cap was their captain. She closed her eyes and got comfortable before giving them any more of her thoughts. For the next twenty minutes she was able to rest behind closed eyes.

And those twenty minutes went quickly. The next thing she knew, she had Sakuno and Momoko shaking her away.

"Fuji-buchou!" Sakuno realised her mistake and fumbled her words. "Oh, I, I mean Fuji-senpai. How are you?"

"Fuji-senpai, you are amazing! Keep putting those boys in their place! Let's go! The announcements have started now."

They pulled her out of her sit and helped her outside where everyone was lined up in rows according to their schools.

Those who helped out stood towards the back. The three were able to join the helpers in time to hear the names. While the others stood up, Fuji found a wall to lean against.

Sakaki-sensei, who Fuji hadn't seen much of since being here, called the names of those who would go to represent their country in America. Keigo Atobe name was called firdt. So he got picked. She rolled her eyes, of course he would. The one with the baseball cap, Genichiro Sanada, got picked. She only encountered him a little while ago but she understood why they picked him. That intense aura was that of a determined sportsmen. When she heard Yuushi Oshitari got picked Fuji frowned. Didn't she beat him the other day? She couldn't help raise an eyebrow when she heard Ayaka Kirihara's name. Were they just helping them save face because they lost to a girl? Someone called Sengoku got in the line up. The last two names were none other than their own Momoshrio* and Iwara. She couldn't be happy for them, but those around began to murmur. Echizen didn't get picked. Wasn't he in Tezuka's group? Was he bullying him again? No doubt Tezuka had a good reason for not selecting him but she would never know because she wasn't going to ask him.

Sakaki-sensei drew the whole event to a close and everyone began to organise themselves, they congratulated each other and said any final goodbyes.

An walked up to Fuji wheeling two suitcases in hand. She told Fuji that she cleaned up her stuff for her but asked if Fuji could go and give the room a double check just in case she forgot something. Fuji didn't mind and agreed to at least have a look. She began walking when a familiar voice called out to her.

"Fuji-chan?"

She turned and found Oishi dodging others to get to her.

"Are you by chance going upstairs?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Do you mind seeing if Tezuka is in his room? It's strange for him to not make the announcements."

That name. She stared at him for a moment then glanced around. Couldn't someone else go? Couldn't he go himself?

"What? What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing."

Oishi gave her a thoughtful look. "What has he done this time?"

She flinched. "Huh?"

"I thought you would have wanted to see him before he goes... Did he say something stupid to you?"

You don't know the half of it, she thought. "No. No. Don't worry. I'm just tired, but I'll go. See. I'm going."

Oishi didn't say anything as she turned to leave. He waited a moment before busying himself when getting his school on the right coach. Fuji took her time going to her room, not wanting to aggravate any of her bruises. When she reached she checked for what might have been left behind. An did a good job. It was nice and neat. Nothing was left on the window sill, inside the cabinets or the bathroom.

Fuji closed the door for the last time and headed up to his room. Her heart began to speed up. She was sure he'd complain and send her back downstairs. It wasn't as if she wasn't trying to keep her distance, but she didn't want to give Oishi suspicion to think things were not working out. She did her best to ignore Tezuka that she didn't even notice he wasn't at the closing announcements. She hoped he wasn't in his room. She didn't want to have to hear those words again.

She made it up the stairs and took a moment to breathe and calm herself down before knocking on his door. She leant in close and heard no reply. She knocked again. Still nothing. She looked down at the handle before placing her hand on it. She only had to look. If he wasn't there she could move on.

She turned the handle and it unlocked. She closed her eyes and pushed the door open slowly.

The curtains were drawn and the room still had his things laying around. His suitcase was open on the floor but only half full. This didn't seem right and it didn't seem like him. She opened the door completely and leaned in. He was there, laying on the bed with one arm over his eyes and the other over his stomach. What was he doing? What was he thinking? Is this the reason he missed the announcements? He was napping. Something wasn't right, but she never left the threshold. Not after what he said two nights ago.

"...Tezuka-kun?" She called.

It took a while for him to move. He lifted his arm and looked towards the bright light from the door.

"Come in." He said tiredly.

"I'm fine just here."

"Fuji-san?" He now recognised her voice and sat up.

"Everyone's ready to go. You need to hurry up. I'll see you downstairs."

She turned to leave. If she stayed any longer she'd lost her nerve to step into the room. He called her to wait, her hand had barely let go of the handle. He cleared his throat and asked her to come in. Fuji didn't say anything. Her hand slipped off the handle and she held them together. She peered back in the room and saw that he hung his head low and left his hands to rest off her knees.

"You told me not to go near you."

He now rested one hand on his forehead. "I didn't think you'd listen to me. You normally do what you want regardless of what I say."

She rose her eyebrow. Certainly there was an element of truth to his words. Maybe if he had phrased it a little better she wouldn't have taken offence to it. Clearly sneaking into his room at night was evidence of doing what she wanted.

"You seemed serious. I didn't want to upset you."

He sighed into his hands. "I'm upset that you ignored me."

She clenched her fists, flaring up. Right now wasn't the time to pick a fight with him or prove him wrong.

"Please come in." He said again.

She didn't move.

"I won't do anything."

"How can I be sure?"

"I said I won't." His voice grew agitated.

She thought about it. She wouldn't trust his word. He was tired and irritated. If the other day was anything to go by, he would certainly do something. It was when she remembered that he was going back today, she wouldn't see him again for a while. It's knowing that they wouldn't see each other for however long it took him to recover that made her step into the room, only up to the full length mirror on the wall, closer to the door and at a length from him.

Seeing where she stood he placed his head in his hands. "Why are you standing over there? I won't do anything."

She flicked the lights on and crossed her arms. "Can you hurry up and pack up. Everyone's waiting on you."

He didn't move. "Please, please can you come over here?"

Please, huh? He had resorted to begging. She glanced out the door hoping the others wouldn't leave without them or get upset that he was taking this long, but it seemed that he wasn't going to move unless she stood closer. She moved from the full length mirror and stood in front of him.

"What do you want?" She asked.

He didn't say anything when he reached out and slowly pulled her closer so he could rest his head on her right shoulder facing into her. He held his arms around her waist.

"You said you won't."

"I'm not." He closed his eyes and laid there.

His hair feathered her neck and cheek forcing her to close her right eye and turn a little. She didn't move. She couldn't move. She wanted to remind him of his stupid words the other day but she would allow him this small thing. His breathing grew steady and deep. He was heavy, his head irritated her shoulder but he never put all his weight on her. It was moments like this that reminded her that, although he looked like a university student, he really was a boy. Even someone like him could act like this. She wanted to be stubborn but he was too cute right now.

"Tezuka-kun, are you jetlagged?

"...probably..."

What time would it be in Germany now? Two in the morning. That would explain this. She smiled and hummed warmly wanting to lift her hand to place on his shoulders. Not yet. She didn't want to give his any signals to go any further than this.

"Everyone noticed that you missed the announcements. You weren't running away were you, because you didn't pick a certain someone?"

"... Can you forgive me...?"

"For not picking Echizen-kun?"

He shook his head lightly. "...I lost my temper..."

She wanted to ask what he was talking about but something didn't sound right. Did something happen that she didn't see? When did he lose his temper?

Tezuka lifted his head to look at the bruise by her eye. She had a cold press covering as much as she could but he could see the darkened purple skin and grimaced. He tutted and placed his head back on her shoulder.

"... When I saw him today I lost my temper..."

What had her energy caused in him to do this time? The night before he couldn't control his affection now this temper, but what did he have to feel angry about?

"I don't understand. What happened?"

"... I punched him... I couldn't stop myself."

When she understood what happened, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She pushed him off of her and held his shoulders. It wasn't that serious. It didn't bother her at all. She didn't even want an apology from him. Fuji didn't even give it a second thought, what he did to her. She decided that most of her pain came from unleashing her energy, not because of Kirihara's playing style.

When he refused to meet her eyes Fuji caught the side of his face and guided him back to her. She wanted to say it wasn't that serious but he's eyes were burning with anger. So much so, that all she could do was devoured this new expression. It was fierce, sharp and painful. She brushed her thumb over his eyebrow, wanting to take it away but he ducked away from her gaze and leant back against her shoulder, this time facing the wall.

"Tezuka-kun, it really didn't-"

"He shouldn't have done that to you." He raised his voice. She wasn't afraid. It was the anger and energy talking. She wouldn't be thrown off by it.

He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. She couldn't avoid placing her arms around him too. But she wanted to this time. She needed to reassure him.

"You don't need to worry. I was inspired when I watched your match with Atobe-san. I wouldn't allow such a small thing to bother me."

She had hoped to help the situation but maybe the mentioning of 'that' name caused him to loosen his hold around her. Before he placed them on the bed she caught his hands.

"Tezuka-kun, if I said I enjoyed my match, would that ease your concern?"

It didn't. She began to feel her energy seeping out, but it wasn't coming from her. It was coming from his. He didn't realise it. How could he? It was using his emotions and amplifying them. Before anything could come of it she forcefully flicked him in his forehead. That pain caused it to disappear. And then, so he couldn't react to her hitting him, she leant forward, brushing his fringe out the way, and kissed the spot where she flicked.

The area around them grew calm once more. If he was capable of hitting another player who knows what he would do in his room.

"Are you better now?"

That intriguing sharp look in his eyes that never belonged to him, was replaced with one of shock. Come to think of it, it was the first time she'd kissed him. Each time he was the one who initiated it. At least now she could understand why he would. It was exciting to steal a moment when they didn't expect it. She leant in again and kissed both cheeks.

"Calm down." She spoke softly.

She sat down beside him and watched him. Like a fish out of water, this boy sat there. He covered his mouth with his hand, to hide some embarrassment. Maybe he couldn't understand how she was able to calm that wrath within him. It was hers after all and the one thing it hated was pain. He wasn't to know that, of course. He glanced over to her and saw a smile on her face that he hadn't seen in such a long time that it made him melt inside. All those foreign emotions that he couldn't place or explain suddenly fell away and her sweet smile was waiting for him when he faced her.

"...Sorry..."

"Don't wor-"

She was stopped in her tracks when he leant forward. She suddenly leant back. Was he about to do something? She didn't drop her guard. He leant forward a little bit more. And she leant back.

"You said you wouldn't do anything." She reminded him.

"I'm not." He leant forward once more.

Fuji had to take a hold of his shoulders before toppling over.

"Kiss me one more time."

His words sent a shiver up her spine. This wasn't fair. He stole the moment back from her, just after she was enjoying it having discovered it. Not only that, he was somehow keeping his word (only slightly) that he wouldn't do anything to her. But where else could she kiss him. She had already kissed his forehead and both cheeks. All that was left was his...

...His lips that were still covered with that spell of fire. Only now the thought of the coach and everyone downstairs came to her mind. How much of a library were they taking? Could she slip out of it somehow? Would he let her go? Fuji straightened up. Somehow those flames seemed to be more visible to her eyes. The thoughts of not seeing him for sometime made her risk giving it a try. She leant in towards him one last time and kissed him. There was no unwanted burning sensation, just him. This encouraged her to stay a little bit longer.

It was only when he kissed her back did the sting of that unwanted fire kick into life. She pulled away slowly and for some reason he didn't look happy. He probably wanted more but she couldn't give him more. Not with that barrier.

Tezuka laid back down on the bed and closed his eyes. Fuji couldn't figure out what he was doing but he clearly had no intention of leaving just yet. She followed him and laid on the bed at his eye level.

"Well, this is new." Fuji chuckled.

He thought she was going to leave. He didn't think she would rest beside him. That astonished look appeared in his eyes and her smile grew wider. She was so at peace that she was able to close her eyes. He rolled onto his side and reached over to touch her hair. His hand sank down to her neck and back onto the bed. She in turn brought her hand up to hold his.

"...Will you stay with me a little longer...?" He asked.

"...I will..."

They gripped each other's hand. Fuji, not liking the distance moved over to rest beside him. She glimpsed the open door, wishing she had closed it, though right now she didn't care. She snuggled up beside him and he placed his arm over her. And they stayed like that, together.

...tbc...


A/N2: Ohmidayz, where did that cuteness come from?

*One thing I will say, in the anime Kikumaru and Fuji get sent to America... but in MY story, Fuji's placement is Iwara and Kikumaru's replacement is Sai. Sai's in hospital so I had to pick someone else and that's why Momoshiro is going. Simple as that :).

One more thing: This chapter turn out to be cuter than I planned, I'm so happy and somewhat teary (T_T)

Chapter 95: I have no idea! Seriously, it's not written (-.-); Okay let's say she's back at school.

I think we're in the last third of this over sized story, but still many chapters to go.

Thanks for reading x

(o^-^o)