Old Author Note - You may find the end quite interesting. It doesn't shock me since I wrote it, but whatever.

New Author Note as of 28th/12/2007: ....Edited today. I want the dragginess out.

---

"The winner will get the ticket to the Kantou Region Tournament," Oishi said. "Let's play with no regrets."

"I never thought I would be playing against the 'all-Japan' Pair," Akazawa remarked.

When both teams went to both sides of their court to watch the match with Doubles 2, Momo and Kaidoh were caught fighting in the middle of the court.

"Were they always like this?" Taiya mumbled to Fuji, who smiled at the sight before him.

Taiya watched Momo's powerful and famed 'Dunk Smash' go into action and she smiled in glee. "Everyone has amazing moves!"

"If you're easily excited at that, wait until the Kantou tournament." Taiya blinked and turned to face him.

"Hah?"

Fuji opened his eyes, a smile playing at his lips. "We're going to win."

----

"Good job, Momoshiro-kun," laughed Taiya loudly. "I can't believe you knocked that guy out with a smash!"

"I didn't mean to- stop laughing, Tai-senpai!"

"Sorry, sorry...." Taiya broke into a series of laughs again. "I'll try to stop."

For Doubles 2 match, Eiji was targeted at the start and didn't have the stamina to hold on. After Eiji's pretend-to-sleep move, everyone was in high hopes again, but once it was Tie-break, Seigaku ended up losing, 6-7. Taiya tossed her classmate and one of her closest friends a drink.

"As unpredictable as ever," she said with a smile, causing Eiji to give a weak grin and a peace sign.

"Nya...."

"Don't beat yourself over it; mistakes are natural to make," Taiya said mainly to herself. 'Although I can't make a mistake...mine would be a bit too big to forgive easily...'

-

"Tai-kun, Singles 4; your turn." With her eyes closed, Taiya raised a arm and lightly hit Fuji on the head for saying that.

"Tai's my name, and violence is my game."

She got ready and took a slow drink of water. Readying her racquet, she stopped in her tracks when a voice called out to her.

"Taichi."

Taiya wheeled around and was face to face with her tennis coach, Ryuzaki Ryuzaki-sensei. Taiya gave a salute.

"Hai!"

Ryuzaki-sensei stared intently at the boy's face before giving a sigh, speaking in a low voice, "Are you sure you're alright?"

Taiya waved her hand impatiently in the air. "Of course I am!" Then she paused. "Why do you ask?"

"....I happen to know your father Ryu, Sanzushi Taichi, and I remember he used to have the same problem as you," she said looking stern.

'Problem...? Getting...tired easily?'

"...And I'm not sure how he is now, but-"

"You don't have to worry about dad anymore," Taiya spoke stiffly. "He's already passed on."

Ryuzaki-sensei's eyes widened and Fuji froze at where he was standing and looked up to see his friend walk pass without a word. Taiya walked onto the green court and revealed a strangely forced excited expression on.

"Who's my opponent?"

Some guy with dark brown hair with a small 'tail' of hair at the back stepped onto the court. He was about a foot taller than her and a lot better built.

"Your opponent is me."

"Name?"

"Shindou Harune," he stated with a bit of confidence in his voice.

"Sanzushi Taichi, nice to meet you. Let's have a good game." She smiled. Shindou returned a small one of his own.

"Yeah." 'We'll definitely have a nice game, right, Mizuki-san?'

"One set match, St Rudolphs Shindou to serve!"

Shindou served a normal under-arm serve, which frustrated Taiya. "Oi, are you underestimating me?"

"Well, it's hard to when you're so small-"

Suddenly a flash of yellow bounced past him, and a voice called out, "15 love!".

Shindou grimaced as he looked up and saw his opponent, head bowed down and angry steam rising from her body like off hot food. Except this aura was black.

"Small eh...? Comment on that again, and I won't let you go easy like I usually do," Taiya stated to him with a small, devious smile.

"I'm fine with that. Ready?"

"Of course."

-

"I don't get it..."

"Tai's moves....."

"Are being predicted," Fuji finished as the red-head nodded furiously. "This looks tough for Tai. That Shindou seems to have a lot of information on him, like everyone else."

"St. Rudolphs Manager sure is accurate in our teams techniques," commented the Seigaku coach as Taiya came stumbling onto the ground, coughing as she did and spluttering for breath.

"Tai, you alright?"

"Y-yeah," she said, almost in a state of mild shock, "Just tired..." 'I've been running for a fair bit; he knows my stamina weakness. How? Most opponents find out within at least half an hour into the game. It's only been about 17 minutes or so...' She held back a itching couch. 'Oh no, my coughing is coming in again. This always happens when I run too much at once.'

"Game, Shindou, 3 games to love (3-0)."

"My serve now, eh...."

Taiya concentrated as she threw it in the air, waiting for the right moment to smash it down. The ball slowly sank down and she did the quickest serve possible with her thin arms. It flew past Shindou without him noticing. Taiya stifled back a groan as she rotated her wrist. 'Still a little sore.'

"It's a Service ace!"

"Sanzushi's hanging on, but I think he can tell what's happening," said Oishi. "Even if he gets a point, he seems like he's really straining to earn one. That manager has done a good job in analyzing Sanzushi's movements."

"Hmph, nice speed," Shindou commented.

Taiya smiled. "Thanks."

The scorching sun burnt through the Seigaku shirt Taiya was wearing and heated up her body much too much for comfort. Perspiration dripped off her face and her wrist throbbed even worst than before.

She served again, with Shindou returning it powerfully and they watched as she made a spectacular and fluent dive for it before hitting it back with a hard expression. The rally continued on with neither of them getting a chance to smash.

"Kyaaaa! Sanzushi-senpai is so cool! His movement is so elegant!" cried out Tomoka, a first year girl in Seigaku.

"That's true Sanzushi has a fluent body movement and good footwork which leads to good speed. I think that's used in order to compensate for the lack of stamina he has, like Eiji and his acrobatics," Inui said, jotting down something on his notes. Eiji rubbed the back of his head sheepishly before he grinned.

"Tai and me are two of a kind!"

"Well, at least Taichi's catching up now. Let's just hope he doesn't push himself," Ryuzaki-sensei said in a hollow voice. The other Regulars turned to look at her, as though mentally asking what she meant. Ryuzaki-sensei sighed, resting her head onto her palm.

"Let's just say is Tai overexerts himself, things won't go very smoothly." said Ryuzaki-sensei. The others exchanged glances.

-

Taiya gave a grin as she managed a powerful forehand, winning her a game. 'Okay! Nice and easy wins the race!'

"Game, Sanzushi, 3 games to 1!!!"

Taiya panted heavily before she regained her composture, smiling pleasantly, making Yuuta shiver uncomfortably. 'Looks like aniki's smile....'

"You have done incredibly well to limit my movements around the court and attacking at my weak points," Taiya stated, pointing her racquet at Shindou. "But despite that....we need this win. And the make it to the Nationals....playing kick-ass tennis."

The Seigaku Regulars and the coach all smiled at her remark. "I wonder where she learnt how to say kick-ass in Japanese," smiled Fuji.

Shindou served.

Then Taiya returned the ball with a familiar roll of her racquet. It soared upwards through the air before dropping low near the net.

"There it is! Kibou Henkan!"

Sure enough, the ball gripped off the net and fell into the court with small bounces and the crowd was once again silence, excluding the small murmurs running amongst the crowd.

"What was that?"

"Was that a let?"

Mizuki placed his hand on his chin, deep in thought. 'Kibou Henkan....? The same move he used against Karushi Sen in the District tournament...? No, wait, it seems he has another move....' Taiya felt the adrenaline pump through her as she got ready for the next ball.

"15-love! Seigaku, lead!"

Shindou grimaced as he faced his opponent. "Heh, not bad. But not good enough either."

-

Taiya and Shindou ended up rallying for a long period of time, a disadvantage on Taiya's behalf. She kept fumbling with her racquet due to the pain in her wrist, and she was losing her concentration when Shindou kept hitting at her weak spots. She walked back to the baseline, breathing in and out deeply.

'Crap.'

Shindou did a fast return after making contact with the tennis ball Taiya shot back. This brough Taiya to the front near the net.

'Come on, leg muscles! Faster! Faster!' she urged herself and with a fluent movement upwards with her racquet, she 'elegantly' returned it as she was planning to use Kibou Henkan when he returned it straight. Shindou smirked before jerking forward rather sharply and returning it sharply near her face.

Taiya's eyes widened in shock as she felt the presence of the ball graze past her, cutting through the air swiftly.

"There it is!!"

"Shindou's Jet Shot!"

'How could such a lame English-named move get past me?!'

"A combination of a forward jump completely with a 127 degree upward volley," Inui said, writing notes, like usual, in his book. The others turned to him.

"Wha?"

"The sudden jump increases the power momentum in the shot, and by aiming it near the opponents face....the opponent can't react quick enough to return it," Inui explained. "But there's more. Because of the added power, unless they were power players like Kawamura or Momoshiro, a small percentage of people can actually return it with perfect control by applying their own power to it. And we all know Tai is a more flexible player, and not one who aims for power."

"Like Inui-senpai said a while ago, Tai-senpai changes his play style to match the opponents. This Shindou is a similar to a power player, so Tai-senpai will be aiming to out-run him and try find a counter. But, unlike Fuji-senpai, he doesn't have any specific counters," Momo commented. Fuji gave one nod.

"With Tai's techniques, it's only a matter of time before experienced tennis players counter it. Tai see's tennis as just tennis; hitting the ball across the court so that the opponent misses.

"15 all!"

'I can't smack it down well enough. What should I do...'

----

"N-no way!"

"That guy....sealed Shindou-senpai's move so fast!"

"Fast...? I ended up sacrificing a game for that. Who would of thought the sun would make me lose my stamina that badly that I can't concentrate?!"

"I thought that."

"I heard that, Fuji!"

"Game, St Rudolphs Shindou, 4-2, Shindou lead!"

"I can't believe I have to use it AGAIN...." Taiya sighed, before grunting in pain as she held her chest slightly and coughed a few times. Oishi half stood up from the seats.

"Sanzushi, you alright?"

Ryuzaki-sensei motioned to the referee. He nodded once before shouting, "Time out!"

"I'm fine!"

"Taichi, when did you become so stubborn?" said Ryuzaki-sensei exasperately.

"I want to win!"

Her team mates looked at her. She gripped her racquet tightly. "I didn't come here to be a burden." Taiya's expression was serious as she pushed her fringe away from her eyes under the cap. "I'm not going to be satisfied if I lose here- just so you know, I always end up coughing after running a lot. It's normal. It's stupid to stop for something that's not serious."

"Tai-chan's got our support," grinned Eiji, and he and Fuji put a thumbs up sign. Ryuzaki-sensei sighed. Taiya smiled at them, relaxing again. 'Those guys..'

"Fine. Go; play a good game," said Ryuzaki-sensei with a smile, albeit sounding slightly reluctant. Taiya gave a firm nod with a confident smile before heading back to the courts.

'One...two....three!'

Taiya served.

"Weak serve!"

Shindou pulled back his arm to smash it back, but as soon as the ball hit the ground, he saw it suddenly spin faster and bounce right back into the net.

"What?!"

"Ohhhh! What was that?!"

"W-what was that....?" Shindou said in a shaky breath. Fuji smiled.

'The less advanced version of the zero-shiki drop shot made by Tezuka in the form of a serve. Instead of a light roll towards the net, it bounces backwards. That will give a chance for the opponent to strike back though- you'd have to have Momoshiro's timing to be able to get it, or Eiji's eye sight.'

"Well I gotta win back my games, don't I?" said Taiya in a loud voice across the court with a playful smirk.

"Whatever- it wouldn't be interesting if you didn't try!" Shindou smirked back.

Taiya narrowed her eyes with a smile of delight.

Fuji's eyes, however, narrowed down in suspicion. 'I understand before but...he didn't run so much lately; why is he still so tired?

'It must be the hot weather.'

"15 love!"

Taiya used her Bounce-back through her whole service play and Shindou had no luck in returning it. Taiya could feel the fatigue seep into her joints, and her breath was faltering as she inhaled air. Fuji noticed, but didn't speak.

Fuji's smile became smaller into a slightly worried frown. 'Hang in there, Tai.'

"Game, Sanzushi, 4 games to 3, Shindou lead!"

Despite having the upper hand, Shindou couldn't help but feel uneasy. But after meeting eyes with Mizuki, he gulped before nodding slowly, remembering their little discussion when they were changing courts.

"Attack his right wrist."

'I'll do it...'

Shindou readied the ball before smirking slightly, tossing it high into the air. He lurched forwards and smashed it into the opposite court, and Taiya managed to return it. Shindou inhaled a deep breath of air before leaning back and hitting an incredible smash near Taiya's feet. Unable to return it, her eyes widened slightly as it hit her wrist. Her racquet clattered to the ground.

Taiya's back slouched as she gingerly held her wrist in pain, one eye closed as she winced. Mizuki gave a knowing smile. 'I knew it....it still hasn't healed yet....'

Taiya shakily bent down and picked up her racquet tight in her right hand, face contorted in pain as she struggled to hide it. 'Dammit. He knew.'

"You.....purposely aimed for it....ne?"

Shindou jumped before his racquet made contact with the ball, thus giving it more power. It slammed onto the ground before ricocheting off the ground and back into Taiya's wrist as though attracted to it like metal to magnets. Taiya, this time, did not refrain from letting out an cry of pain, earning wary looks from the supporters of Seigaku.

"What's wrong with Tai-senpai?"

"It can't be....Sanzushi-sama is unwell!"

"Oh no!! Tai-sama!! Good luck!! You have my love and support!!"

'Gaaaah, please stop saying that!!' Taiya cried inwardly.

"Game, St Rudolphs Shindou, 5-3, Shindou lead!"

An eruption of cheers and hoots came from St Rudolphs side as they acknowledged their advantage. The Taiya glared slightly, wincing, as she held her right wrist. It was time to change courts. Shindou was conversing with Mizuki, who had a mischievious smile on his face.

"Good job, Shindou-kun. That Sanzushi doesn't have a chance to win with a disablilty like that on his main arm. If we're lucky, maybe they'll withdraw," said Mizuki, chuckling lightly.

"I understand."

"Now go. It doesn't look like Sanzushi plans to take this lying down. Not that he has a choice."

Taiya was moving towards the other court until a hand stopped her. She turned and was face to face with Fuji, who didn't have his usual smile on his face.

"Yo, Fuji, what's up?" she asked curiously. He opened his eyes before lightly grabbing her wrist and she winced in pain, almost letting off her feminine-sounding voice.

"Geeeeeyah- ouch!" Taiya shouted, jerking her hand free. "Geez, don't pull so hard."

"Tai." Fuji stared seriously at her now-swollen wrist. "You said.....it was fine.....-"

"It is fine; this is nothing compared to Kawamura-san's injury," she assured, trying to pick her racquet up again, but to no avail. She sighed, scratching the back of her head with her left hand.

"Jesus, this is going to be a bitch," she muttered in Chinese rather spitefully. Fuji stood in the background not understanding a single word she said.

"Taichi, I will pull you out from the game if it gets too serious," said Ryuzaki-sensei.

"Everyone forgot, didn't they?" She slowly pulled her racquet to her left hand.

"Now, come to think of it....." Momoshiro started.

"Tai-chan is a nitouryuu player like O'chibi, nya," Eiji commented blankly. They stared at each other for a while, before triumphant grins stretched across the two's faces. Shindou's eyes enhanced before he turned to look at his manager for support on what to do. Mizuki looked equally as shocked, if not, maybe even more so.

"It can't be....he didn't play with his other hand during the District....!" Mizuki said to himself, dumbstruck. Taiya gave a cheeky grin.

"I'm naturally right-handed, but yeah, I'm ambidextrous, so I can use my left hand pretty well too," she explained a matter-of-factly. She bounced the ball a few times before catching it, and turning to face Shindou with a smirk, ball clasped in her hand near her face.

"Bounce-back time."

----

"Game set and match, Seigaku's Sanzushi, 7-5!!"

"Yes!"

"Another game has been won!"

"SE-I-GAKU!! SE-I-GAKU!"

Everyone cheered furiously at the new victory Seishun Gakuen received; it was an intense battle. Taiya didn't hesitate to repeat her Bounce-back serve each service play, and return Shindou's shots back flawlessly. The hardest part was sealing his Jet Shot, but by doing the offense, she made a good defence at it too.

However....

"Tai....."

Taiya's arms were slumped down as it held her racquet, and perspiration dripped down her face. She was at her limit. No, pass her limit already. All that stamina training......only held the game for half an hour more. The lactic acid ran through her leg and arm muscles, sagging their movement down, and she panted heavily, her fringe falling in front of her eyes. She was too lazy to brush it out, letting the single hairs tickle her forehead.

Taiya's mind was preoccupied with crowded thoughts. She felt disgusted at the state she was in now; it was pitiful.

'.....China.....in China....I never played matches this long or agressive before....I used to end the game in less than 30 minutes back then...way less.....this is the vast difference between....Seishun and Sheng Xin (Sacred Heart).....'

Taiya slumped onto the bench and asked, "Fuji....when did you have a little brother?" during Ryoma's match.

Fuji, still staring ahead, calmly replied, "Since the day he was born."

"Don't be smart, you," Taiya pretended to scold, taking a long drought form her water bottle. "You never told me about him." Taiya could suppress that accusation in her voice, her shoulders slumping down as they sagged from the overexertion.

"Saa, you never asked," Fuji started, "And plus, it's not that important."

"Tch, you being you as always," muttered the girl. "He's a skilled tennis player," Taiya said before walking away for a while. Fuji's eyes lingered on her for a while before returning to watch his junior and his little brothers match.

Taiya bought 3 cans of Ponta from the machine before sitting on the bench a little further away from the team, coughing slightly, feeling the sticky mucus escape her lungs and into her mouth. She spat on the patch of dirt beside her disgustedly, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She stared at Fuji, who in turn was staring at Yuuta and Ryoma's match in mild interest. Taiya was surprised when his eyes opened slightly, staring almost sadly- regretfully- at the ground.

"Fuji....?"

She wanted to go there and comfort him for whatever was bringing him down, but that would be awkward because then she would definitely be known as a girl. She could already see the name.....

HOMO-HOMO ISSUES IN SEIGAKU!

As selfish as it seems, she had pride like any other person, and she couldn't risk it. But she was worried about something.

'Truth will unravel and hardships shall rise. You do not have a pleasant event coming up, Taiya-chan...'

'Yumiko-san....does the truth mean Fuji and Yuuta, and hardships between them which affect me since I'm close to Fuji or.....or is it something else....?'

"Well, Fuji seems like a caring older brother, slightly evil, yet caring," Taiya concluded happily, sitting up from her seat, Ponta's in hand. Staring at the can in her hand, she smiled.

"好像大哥(Like older brother)..."

-

"Yo."

Fuji turned and saw his violet-eyed class mate striding up with a can of Ponta in her hand, outstretched in his direction.

"Drink up, it's hot out today. Just let yourself be carefree...and don't look like you're thinking too much," she said, playfully punching him weakly before placing the one can of Ponta in her bag and another to drink herself, heaving another tired sigh.

"Thanks, I guess." Fuji stated before opening his can and taking a sip. "Ahh, nice and cold!"

Taiya smiled at the sight of him, looking almost refreshed and genuine, as she sipped onto her own grape-flavoured drink. She liked seeing him this way better than all mask-like, like a clown.

Soon, a while soon, Echizen showed his new technique.

Ryoma won his match after sealing Yuuta's Twist Spin Shot and taking the game mercilessly. This was when Taiya started to cough lightly before they started to get a little more violent. Fuji turned his body a little more to face her/him.

"You okay? Are you sick?" he asked, face creased in a frown. She stopped coughing for a bit before shaking her head, smiling.

"It doesn't matter; at least I'm not sick during the game," she assured, thumping her chest lightly with her hand. "I must have overexerted myself just a bit too much."

Even though her chest started to hurt, and not because of the wraps....

----

"....Boy...." Taiya lazily waved the boy over, coughing lightly into her hands. Ryoma turned around at the sound of his senpai's voice.

"What is it, Tai-senpai?" 'Senpai looks old and tired like an old man....'

Taiya tossed him a can of Ponta and closed one eye in a tired but childish wink. "That's for winning. I'll buy ya two cans next time you win, deal?" Ryoma just smirked as he opened the can and took a long drink.

"I'm okay with that." Taiya laughed before turning to one of her closest friends.

"Fuji, it's your game next. That new manager made us go through a lot of Hell, so help us by kicking his rear." FUji smiled.

"Will do..."

Taiya felt cold as he said that. "Eiji...is there something wrong with Fuji?"

Eiji stared before he smiled. "Worried, ne?"

"Sort of...I mean, being around each other a lot, I guess it's a feeling which comes...naturally," said Taiya uncertainly. Eiji nodded. The crowds around all gave 'ooohs' when Mizuki, the manager for St, Rudolphs, seemed to be getting the upper hand. As Taiya watched, Eiji just shook his head.

"Fujiko is just toying with him; start watching near the end of the game, Tai," Eiji advised. "Anyway, I don't know that much about Fuji...only that his brother quit attending Seigaku because of something between them."

"Eh?" Taiya tiredly looked up and Eiji just gave an uncertain smile.

"Something like that. Are you okay though, Tai-chan? Are you still tired from your match?"

"I guess...."

"This hot weather might have affected us all I guess," Ryuzaki-sensei said uneasily. "Just take it easy; you don't have any more games so that we can be grateful for."

It was time for a change in the court. Fuji and Mizuki were walking to the opposite ends of the court, but as they passed each other, they aruptedly stopped when Fuji said something.

"Mizuki. I'm going to ask you this just in case..."

Taiya cursed the distance and the chatter everyone was making; she could barely make out what they were saying. She nudged Eiji.

"Nnya??"

"Eiji, I can't hear, so lip-read for me!"

"Eh?!?!"

"Ah, nevermind. Goddammit...." she strained as Fuji continued talking.

".....teach Yuuta the Twist Spin shot even though you knew the damaged I'd do to his shoulder?"

Taiya's eyes widened in realization as her grip on the metal fencing became tighter. No wonder Fuji looked a little angry before. Mizuki swivelled an eye to stare at Fuji.

"Winning's the most important thing," he said, making Taiya glare in hate, her shoulders slightly shaking out of anger. "To me, there are casualties to victory." he smirked.

'There are casualties to victory.'

'Casualties...?'

Taiya stared at her hands. Is that was she was doing herself? Though it wasn't a visible casualty, the friendships she made with everyone, the irreplaceable relationships she made with everyone...

With shadow casting over her eyes under her cap, she gritted her teeth. 'I was an idiot...!' She wasn't supposed to get close to any of them. But their extended kindness....was the worst bait for her to take.

Taiya lifted her head up and, if possible, saw Fuji's eyes get colder and his face become stonier. Fuji walked over to his bag again silently, his hair shielding his eyes, as he took out a gold coloured racket, replacing his greenish blue one. Taiya could only watch as he walked silently, an air of forboding hanging off him.

'If I was found out....or if I left without telling....would Fuji be that cold as well?' Taiya shook her head. 'Can't. No relationship can be that strong in 3 months.'

Point after point, Fuji kept scoring until he finally won at games 7-5.

"Yay! We won! Aren't you glad, Tai-chan?" cheered Eiji enthusiastically while the girl just smiled; a sign she was pleased, but too tired to show her enthusiasm as opposed to the happy-go-lucky red-head.

"Yeah...."

'I'm really tired...of all of this.'

-

"Come on Tai, they're announcing the end of the match now...." he said softly.

The 'boy' ignored him, drawing slow, rattling breaths into 'his' body. It reminded Fuji of the times Eiji was utterly drained of energy.

'When did I ever have asthma...?' After gulping for some air, Taiya slowly nodded her head. Under her cap, it was sweaty and sticky, and now more than ever she wanted to cut off all her hair regardless of her feelings and continue the act.

"Yeah....let's go...."

If only she did so earlier...

-

"Seigaku VS. St. Rudolph. Seigaku wins, 5-1."

Everyone bowed to each other. "Thank you very much!"

Everyone had stood around having lunch or resting, conversing with team mates and new found friends. While the other Regulars chatted amongst each other, Taiya clutched onto her chest, trying to breathe freely but failing miserably as pain swept inside her lungs and tightened her throat.

Fuji and Eiji, chatting, walked up to their class mate on the bench only to fall silent as they noticed the boys lack of speech and enthusiasm.

"Tai, you need anything?"

Taka-san also came over and sat down next to the girl on the other side of her on the bench. She nodded.

"A comfy bed...and some sleep..." she smiled weakly, breathing heavily as she, herself, grew anxious at her health. She, like Eiji, had always recovered fast and were in near-top-notch condition within 20 minutes or less..

'But it's been about an hour...' With her sweat towel hanging over the back of her neck, she lifted her bottle to her mouth for a drink. She was surprised to see her hand trembling slightly.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I'm just going to sit here for a while longer. Tell me when the end session comes, okay?"

"Okay...if you insist."

"Yeah..."

'What in the...' Taiya stared at the ground. 'I must have the flu or something...'

-

It was near sunset and all the teams lined up together for the end session. Taiya managed to stand as straight as she could and forced a happy smile on, feeling the dizzy spells hit her head like a brick. Of course she ignored it though.

"This completes our first day of competitions. Fudomine, Yamabuki, Ginka and Seigaku will advance as the four best."

'Hurry up...'

"These four have been granted participation in the Kantou regional. In one week, we'll play for the winner of the Prefecturals/Provincials, runner-ups and consolation. That's all. Please disperse."

"Thank you very much!"

Taiya seated herself on the bench again, too weary to move much longer. She looked up and saw Fuji 'chatting up' Yuuta, his little cute brother.

"Anyway Yuuta, you're coming home tonight, right?"

"No thanks."

"Mum made your favourite pumpkin curry."

"Eh..."

"Even nee-san was baking rasberry pies for you."

Taiya smiled at the sight before her, reaching her left hand down to her bag to pull it over her shoulders, head home and get a good nights sleep. But before her hand even touched the bag, a wave of dizziness overwhelmed her, and she staggered lightly from the sudden reaction her body gave out. An internal, sharp feeling exploded inside of her small form, causing her to double-up in pain......

There was a thud sound.

Everyone turned to catch the sight of Taiya collapsing sideways onto the bench before sliding off the wooden chair to the ground. Oishi was first to react.

"Sanzushi!" His voice had alerted the other Regular members, and they both were just as surprised.

"Tai!"

"Tai-senpai!"

Everyone hurried to catch up to Taiya's slow-breathing form, like a bundle of clothes on the ground, before they stopped dead in their tracks, stunned into silence.

"What......"

"What does this mean.....?"

"What in the......how the....."

A slow but shocked murmer echoed around the ground, as Fuji caught up to them.

"Tai, are you-" he stared with his eyes wide open at the form on the ground, just as shocked as his friends. The infamous cap 'Taichi' always wore was askew on the ground, having been knocked off when 'he' made contact with the ground.

"No wonder 'Tai'-senpai always wore a cap...." Momoshiro breathed.

Fuji, however, remained deathly silent, staring with wide-open eyes at the unconscious body on the pavement as he held his breath back in disbelief.

"T-Taiya-san.....?"

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Old A/N - Hahaha, you know how the ball hit her wrist and it hurt? Usually it wouldn't- but in the anime, things are exaggerated (for example, the racquet flying all the way off the court when a ball his the hand), so yeah. Just in case.

New A/N - Is it better when it's edited?