Painting Your Colors

Pairing: Tezuka X Sakuno

Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own Prince of Tennis

"…" speaking/conversation

'…' thoughts

oOo time pass

---- Perspective change

Chapter Five

"Sakuno-chan. Sakuno-chan" A passive male voice mingled with concern was calling out to a girl with long pigtails dangling onto her side. She seemed oblivious to his voice for despite the fact that he had been repeatedly trying to get her attention, she didn't respond to any of them. But the boy observed the spellbound state of the girl with fascination rather than annoyance. With a silent smile lingering, he finally placed his slender hands on her shoulders and shook it.

"Wha!...Fuji Senpai?"

"Are you alright? You seemed to be in a daze… Are you sick? If you want, I'll ask Nanase Sensei to switch the order around for us."

The boy who seemed to be a little older than Sakuno was the well-known Fuji Syusuke. He relocated his hands onto the girl's forehead as a candid gesture to express his worry for his kouhai. All the while, his smile was growing bigger with a very vague hint of mischievousness.

"You don't seem to have a fever. Hmm…"

"Ah…gomen nasai, Senpai. I didn't mean to. I, um, just, um, something caught my attention. Hontou gomen nasai! It won't happen again."

"Iie. I'm fine. Everybody goes off track from time to time. But that something must be quite extravagant to hold your attention so deeply that you couldn't hear me calling. Perhaps it was a guy? "

At his unexpected comment, her cheeks became pink. Fuji's smile broadened further at her reaction.

"Oh! Was I correct? He must be very handsome," Fuji said with his smile and closed eyes ever still present. He was enjoying this. He needed to only know one more thing in order to prove himself right.

"…Senpai…" Sakuno wriggled in discomfort.

"Just teasing." He gave a small pat on her head, and with that, Sakuno relaxed and her lips curved into a sweet smile.

"Anyways, is it alright for you to show me what you have drawn so far? I'm sure that it will look exactly like me, but I'm just a little curious."

Sakuno's face instantly contorted at Fuji's favor. She looked down at her sketchbook and her expression scrunched further. She definitely couldn't show her senpai this. It would not only be disrespectful but also humiliating. It wasn't that the drawing was absolutely horrendous neither was it because it was too early to show it off--actually the sketch had quite depth with composition, movements and defining colors--but she couldn't show her picture because it wasn't one of Fuji Senpai. The subject of the drawing was of a bespectacled teen with unruly hair engaged in a conversation with a teacher. It was Tezuka.

Sakuno gave a sigh at her actions. Since the day she asked him to be a model, like a pathetic stalker, she had surreptitiously drawn sketches of her senpai; sometimes she did it without actually noticing what she was doing, just like now. She didn't understand why she just couldn't yield. He had already refused to be her model.

Flashback

"Tezuka Senpai, Will you be my model?"

Sakuno immediately grasped her mouth with her two hands when the realization hit her. The proposal that she just unintentionally blurted out wasn't only audacious but it was far beyond ridiculous. She was distraught at the fact that she actually asked such a question. And when she looked up at her senpai, she became even more miserable.

Sakuno was at par with the level of shock as the elder teen. When he approached her to tell her that she needed to go home, the same fragrance of the open waters that she smelled earlier traveled up her nose once more. It wasn't anything that reeked like the repulsive sea odor, but quite the contrary. The smell was clear and crisp as if impersonating a starry night amidst a vast body of water with colors that followed the overpowering darkness. Wild Colors, like the Aurora Borealis of the Alaskan night sky, but with intense hues, not soft pastels. So before her brain could digest the thought, it seemed that the words just escaped automatically. Probably it was the because she has been searching all day for something worthy as a subject for the exhibition but found absolutely nothing that satisfied her until Tezuka Senpai came.

After organizing her thoughts and reasons, Sakuno decided to go through the immensely embarrassing moment once more. She didn't think she would be able to find anything that had such fierce character as the person that stood in front of her and she needed him to revisit Sydney. She straightened up and slowly made eye contact with the now stoic teen.

"Anou, gomen ne, Senpai. I know this might sound crazy and everything, but…I'm wondering if you can…umm…." Sakuno shut her eyes tight and took one deep breath."…become my model?" She had it out. She didn't open her eyes and didn't plan to until she would hear a response. Unfortunately, only a pregnant silence ensued.

"…"

"…"

"Ryuzaki. Let's go home. I'll walk you to your bus stop."

Sakuno's heart fell. Her senpai ignored her completely. This was even more mortifying than getting any type of rejection.

"Senpai…" Her soft voice was demanding an answer from him.

"Ryuzaki…" He was thinking. "I don't have time for such thing."

"Anou…"

Before she could finish her sentence, he turned his back on her and began to stride his way toward the back gate. He really didn't seem to care for her offer and probably, he wasn't going to change his mind any time soon. Heaving a grave sigh, she tailed the bespectacled teen out of school.

End of Flashback.

"Sakuno-chan. So, can you show me?" It was Fuji that was speaking. A cold sweat dripped down her back. How could she show a portrait of Fuji Senpai to the actual Fuji Senpai when it didn't even exist? She needed an excuse…fast. And suddenly, it clicked.

"Umm…Senpai…I need to go to the bathroom," she squeaked and sprinted to the girl's room, not forgetting to tumble a little along the way. She would draw a very quick sketch of Fuji Senpai in the bathroom. She could sear an image into her brain and recollect it on paper. It was one of her unique talent that came in handy at moments like now. And she was thanking God for it. But, one thing that she didn't realize was that she her hands were completely empty. The sketchbook was fluttering in the wind on the table that Fuji was occupying. And Fuji was just smiling that pleasant smile as he watched Sakuno disappear at the corner.

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When the sight of the young Sakuno disappeared, Fuji gracefully held the sketchbook in his hand and without an ounce of guilt, he swiftly turned the pages. His eyes opened a tad bit showing enthralled cerulean eyes. His blood was boiling in excitement. Though he had to admit that the works of each and every page were magnificent, it was only about the last ten pages that put him in such utter contentment. The sketches were of one subject and the subject was Tezuka.

'Great.'

About a week and a half ago, Fuji was waiting for Tezuka to finish up the works so that they could walk home together. He didn't inform the captain beforehand to make it kind of a small surprise. While waiting, he went to the bathroom to wash his hands, but when he came back, the room Tezuka was in was locked and empty.

'He must have left.'

So with a calm smile, he made his way to catch up to his tennis captain. When he got near the back door, Fuji stopped in his tracks when he heard voices. He figured out that the two people were Tezuka and Sakuno. The situation was predictable: Tezuka was telling Sakuno to go home. He was on the verge of interrupting when suddenly, an interesting thing happened.

"Tezuka Senpai, will you be my model?"

Now this was something. It wasn't everyday that the timid young Ryuzaki asked the very well respected Tezuka to be her model. Inui would probably say that the possibility was near 0 percent.

After intently witnessing the whole scenario of Tezuka declining Sakuno's offer, he turned around with a satisfying smile as his head already began to concoct a plan. He couldn't let this amusing situation just slip through his finger. That would be no fun and Fuji was all about being in the "fun." It defined him. He had to make the all so well-behaved buchou of his comply with such a seductive offer. But Fuji had to let it settle for a while. He would just wait and watch, and pounce on it when the time was ready.

A little less than two weeks later, Nanase Sensei announced a short term project that involved students finding a model and the artist were to express the characteristics of the others through art. Because the school combined the advanced photography and the drawing class together, Fuji was able to immediately snatch Sakuno as his partner. This way, he would be able to observe everything up close and personal. And maybe he could manipulate the circumstance into something more interesting.

oOo

Fuji heard footsteps coming his way. Swiftly he ripped out a page from his object of attention and then placed the sketchbook to the original spot, making sure it was in the exact same position as she left it: Closed, angled left with a ¾ of a pen jutting out from the page she was recently working on.

"Fuji Senpai."

"Sakuno."

"Anou…Fuji Senpai…umm..I don't think I can show…"

"Ah. Sakuno. Gomen ne, but I think I've got to go. Tennis practice is starting soon and of course I can't be late. Gomen ne." Fuji cut Sakuno's comment off.

The petite girl's shoulder seemed to relax; she was relieved. Fuji chuckled inwardly at her reaction. She was too cute.

"Iie, Senpai. We'll continue next time. The project isn't due 'til Monday so we still have the weekend to finish."

"Yes. The weekend. I'll call you later and we'll set up our schedule. Maybe next time, you'll be able to show me your drawing. Ja ne, Sakuno-chan."

With this said, Fuji strolled over to the tennis court and smiled like he always did. But, if observed closely, his smile was more genuine. Probably the folded piece of paper with quickly ripped edges that he was fidgeting with deep inside his pocket was the reason behind everything.

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"Oishi!!! Where is Fujiko-chan! If he doesn't come soon, Tezuka is going to make him run laps, nya?" It was quite obvious that Kikumaru Eiji was the one speaking. He was the same even after four years passed. With a small pout, he dangled on to Oishi's neck.

Oishi's face was altering colors. He was starting to gag. "Kak…Eiji….I can't…kag…Let g"

"Oishi!!! Where is Fujiko-chan?" Apparently, Eiji didn't know or simply didn't care.

"I…don't…gag…know. Eiji…Let…"

"Eiji, Let go of Oishi now! Everybody gather!" A booming baritone voice intruded.

"Tezuka!" Eiji leaped off of the tortured Oishi and stood in front of his buchou along with everyone else. But Oishi was still in the corner, wheezing and trying to catch his breath. Though Eiji's personality stayed consistent, his physical strength was a lot stronger.

"Where is Fuji?" Tezuka demanded. He didn't tolerate tardiness.

"Eh….Tezuka, Fujiko-chan is…umm…in the bathr…"

"According to my data, Fuji should be with Ryuzaki Sakuno, Ryuzaki Sensei's granddaughter." This time, Inui interposed into the conversation.

At the mention of Sakuno, Tezuka's eyes dilated a slight bit. Though he didn't want to admit it, Tezuka noticed that he became a little tense at anything referring to that girl. Probably it was because of that night about a week ago. Though he could've just passed it as a ridiculous thing, he just couldn't erase it from his head. And her coming and lingering around at tennis practice everyday made everything worse. He tried to ignore her, but it was easier said than done. Every time she looked up, it seemed that her gaze was always fixed on him. Tezuka pretended that he didn't notice, but this was getting out of hands.

"Nya? Nani? Isn't Sakuno-chan the one who used to be Ochibi's girlfriend? Why is Fujiko chan with her?"

"I think Fuji is her model."

At Inui's comment, Tezuka visually twitched. He couldn't get rid of the twinge of an unknown emotion washed over which sent him to confusion. It felt weird, as if someone clutched his heart for a mere second and let go. Ryuzaki found a new model. It was Fuji... That was the reason why she was always hanging around the tennis courts after school.

"What!!?? Fuji's a model? For what?"

"An art project. The two are in the same advanced art and photography class, period four."

"Ha!! Fuji-senpai a model? I bet it's nude?"

"Momoshiro! Don't say such embarrassing thing!" Oishi blocked Momo's mouth while his own cheeks adopted a red hue at the word nude. Everybody seemed to, but at the same time, they became curious.

"hmmm…" Inui pondered seriously and began flipping through his notebook. Suddenly, his glasses glistened in the sun and he put up an awkward smile, the smile that he has when he is about to feed one of the awful juices to anyone.

"It is less than 1percent that Ryuzaki will draw Fuji nude, unless it's required. I believe that nudity is not mandatory for this project."

Everybody began to relax while some gave disappointing remarks.

"….But, there is about 83 percent chance that Fuji will attempt to take pictures of Ryuzaki cloth-less."

Everybody, even including Tezuka, flinched and few seriously blushed red because what Inui said was probably true.

"What are you guys discussing about?"

"Whaa!!"

Everybody had a ghastly face on when Fuji suddenly popped into the conversation, as if caught when committing a naughty act.

"Fuji Senpai. Don't just appear out of nowhere!!!" Momoshiro had his hands over his beating heart and yelled at Fuji. Everyone, excluding few, nodded their heads in agreement.

"Gomen. Didn't mean to scare you guys."

"Fuji!! Are you really Sakuno-chan's model, nya?"

"Ah? You heard? Yes. I am Sakuno-chan's model" Fuji answered Eiji's question gracefully.

"Inui told us! You're soooo lucky. Was it fun?? If I was a model, I could do all type of poses, nya?" Eiji seemed overly interested. He stuck his head out toward the just arrived teen and bombarded him with questions.

"Hmmm…interesting actually. Sakuno seemed captivated by this one thing." Fuji flashed an innocent smile, leaving other's to be quite puzzled at his remark.

"What do you mean captivated? Huh?? By what?" Eiji, once again didn't seem to want to stop with his interrogation. But nobody seemed annoyed at this but instead was listening intently. Though, Tezuka at the corner had a deep disapproval face on.

"It's a secret." Like always, Fuji left the matter hanging.

"Wha!? That's not fair. Tezuka! Make Fuji say!"

"Everybody 30 laps around the court. Fuji run 20 more for being late," Tezuka barked. He was getting a headache.

"Hai." Fuji easily assented to taller teen's command and jogged out of the locker room to join the rest of the team. Tezuka perceived that the Fuji was in an unusually happy mood. He was definitely up to something.

Tezuka quickly got Fuji out of his mind. He didn't have the leisure the over-think things. Since couple of days ago, his mind has been completely packed and hectic with something that that he couldn't grasp yet. And it was only giving him a headache. Right now, all he needed to do was get out and run with alongside his teammates. So that was what he was going to do. He was about to step outside when a piece of paper on the floor came into his view. It was in his nature to ignore it, but just incase it was an important document, he decided to pick it up and place it on one of the benches.

When he bent down to collect it, he stopped short of his actions. He noticed that the folded piece of paper had a drawing on it and the subject looked way too familiar. And though his head was screaming to stop, he lifted it up and unfolded it. He stared at what he saw. The person on the paper was him. It was him playing tennis, and what further surprised him was that the style of the drawing was recognizable.

'Ryuzaki…'

The little sketch that he was looking at right now gave the same impression as the painting he saw that night.

'How?' was his first question

'Why?' was his second question.

'Isn't Fuji her model?' was his third.

Suddenly, he got up from his crouched down position, folded the paper, put it on the bench and walked outside. It didn't matter. He didn't know why he was overreacting. The drawing was nothing, and he didn't know if it was really drawn by Ryuzaki. It could be one of his many horrendous fan girls and even if it was drawn by Ryuzaki, it didn't make the circumstance any different. He would just leave it and forget about it.

oOo

It was Sunday afternoon and Tezuka was planning to rest since he could spare some free time. He found a comfortable seat at his couch with a book in hand. He wanted to read quietly, since nobody was home, and just get himself away from the week.

'Ring Ring. Ring Ring.'

Tezuka puckered his eyebrows at the interruption. He reluctantly got up and answered the ringing phone.

"Moshi Moshi."

"Ah. Tezu…cough cough... Tezuka." A raspy and sickly voice came from the other line.

"…Fuji?"

"Aa. cough cough. Tezuka, are you home alone now?" Tezuka frowned at Fuji's state. He inferred that Fuji had gotten a cold.

"Hn."

"Tezuka, cough cough... Gomen demo…cough can you do me a favor?"

Tezuka, this time, lifted up his eyebrows. He had a bad feeling about this. It wasn't common for Fuji to ask a favor, especially to him. But he seemed sick so it was proper for him to comply.

"…Hn."

"Can you cough…go to… cough cough…Ryuzaki's residence."

"For what?"

"cough... As you can see….I'm quite ill. I need to go the Ryu..cough cough…Ryuzaki's residence, but I'm bedridden and Yumiko one-san won't let me go. So…cough cough Instead of me, I'm asking you to be cough... Sakuno-chan's model."

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Author's note: HeyThanks to those you reviews. You're awesome. Sorry for the major delay. I just came back from South Carolina plus I was in a writer's block. I barely got through this chapter..so if this chapter sucks than I'm sorry. I can't think...and every single time I get an idea, I can't find a satisfying way to express it on paper. I was even actually thinking of discontinuing the story...And if you find any mistakes, grammatical or spelling, I apologize. I'm becoming lazy and I didn't actually reread the story after I typed it up. So, hopefully, you understand. . If you guys have any suggestion or any ideas that can give me guide to where this story is going to go or anything that will add spice...then don't hesitate to say.

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