Chapter 1: The Ranking Tournament

Disclaimer: Not mine.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I noticed the misspelled names in prologue and fixed them. And also, I have a feeling the judo movement was kinda illogical as the offender didn't really move so there was less momentum but lets just ignore the detail and go on with the story.

"By the way Ryuzaki-sensei, didn't you have a student in mind?" Tezuka frowned slightly as he listened to the conversation going on behind him between the coach and his vice-captain, Oishi. He knew perfectly who they were talking about and he didn't particularly like the way they kept hinting.

"By our standards, 1st years are not allowed to enter the team until summer. Of course there is special case like Tezuka here," said Ryuzaki-sensei, purposedly rising her voice to gain Tezuka's attention. "Well, that's also for the captain to decide."

Glancing at Tezuka's stiff back, Ryuzaki-sensei grinned smugly, perfectly sure Tezuka won't let a talented player wait until summer to join the regulars when the team need him to win the nationals.

But her pleased expression quickly turned to confusion when she finally saw the completed tables left on the desk by the stoic captain. Contrary to her and Oishi's beliefs, Echizen Ryoma was not on the list.

"And I was so sure the freshman would be in the tournament," Eiji was complaining loudly as they gathered in front of the notice board where the tournament tables were pasted. "So boring nyaa..."

"Me too,I thought Tezuka will certainly grab the chance," said Oishi from beside his red-haired partner.

"I was hoping to get data on him during this tournament," Inui's deep voice came from behind them causing a few freshmen to jumped and screamed in surprise. Used to his creepiness, the older members only nodded in greeting.

"I wonder why? He was quite interested in the freshman when he played Arai yesterday," Oishi said with a slight frown. He was sure he and Ryuzaki-sensei succeed on convincing Tezuka yesterday.

"As a matter of fact, I don't think Echizen is ready for the responsibility," Tezuka's voice came clearly over the noise, gaining everyone's attention. "I know most of you think he is good enough but i disagree. As what I told the coach just now, a regular must have a sense of responsibility to the team. And as Echizen and the other freshmen had only joined the club less than a week, I don't think this is the right time for him to take part on the ranking tournament."

"Che!" Echizen Ryoma, who had been listening from his position leaning against a tree, snorted loudly in a clear disrespect to the captain. Tugging on his cap, he only glanced challengingly at the captain before stalking away with a mumbled 'mada mada dane'.

"Wow, what a rude brat," Eiji said with a grin, clearly enjoying the freshman's attitude. "He's different nyaa."

"Without element of surprise, I think it's safe enough to say there won't be much changes," Fuji said as he joined the other 3rd years in their small gathering around the notice board. "But of course,we can always look forward to see how far each of us had developed during the spring break."

"Fuji is right of course,"nodded Tezuka solemnly.Ordering everyone to gather, the tournament began soon without a hitch.

"I wonder why Ryoma-kun is not playing," Sakuno said questioningly as she watched the boys' club members playing against each other." He is so much better than most of them."

"The seniors must be jealous of him.That's why they don't let him play," her friend, Tomo-chan, said loudly with a disdainful sniff. Ignoring the shocked look on Sakuno's face, she continued just as loudly. "It is so obvious that Ryoma-sama is the best and they surely won't win without him."

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Horio yelled angrily at the annoying girl. "Echizen might be good but the sempais are so much better.Why,they do went to national last year without Echizen. And even though they only made it to second round, Tezuka-buchou never lose and that mean he's very good."

"Well said Horio-kun," a gentle voice came from behind them, startling the 5 freshmen. Fuji smiled down at them before fixing his attention on the matches in front of them. "I'm sure your friend is very good but I think it's better if you don't go around disparaging the other players in favor of your hero-worshiping."

The girls bent their heads down at the gentle scolding while Horio puffed his chest proudly.

"So, when will buchou let Ryoma-kun play?" Kachiro asked timidly after a little hesitation.

"When he thinks he's ready for the responsibility," answered Fuji still smiling."I think, Tezuka didn't want to use him as a tool for victory but rather wished to make him a part of the team first."

"I think you're right Fuji-sempai," Kachiro said, nodding solemnly. "Ryoma-kun is not a team player right now."

"You guys are sure bright," praised Fuji. Noticing the time, he left the group of freshmen to play his own match. He nodded at Oishi as he passed by the anxious vice-captain. The freshmen's conversation had gained more attentions than they were aware of and the regulars, especially Oishi, were quick to notice the hostile looks on some of the non-regulars faces. Echizen's attitude was bad enough to attract unpleasant attentions without his friends adding more to fuel it. He certainly hope non of the club members will act thoughtlessly and gained Tezuka's disapproval. The stoic captain can be very scary when angered.

"Why?" Ryoma questioned the taller teen in front of him, his big eyes staring defiantly. "You know I am good enough to join the team."

Tezuka sighed inwardly as he looked down on the proud freshman. Most of the club members were already gone leaving the regulars and a few freshmen who were busy cleaning up. Echizen had confronted him a few times these past few days and he had been giving the same answer every time.

"And don't give the same bullshit that I'm not ready.I know I'm more than ready to take on some middle-schooler amateurs," Ryoma said just as Tezuka opened his mouth.

"You're not ready until you learn that tennis is not a brawl to show who is stronger,"snapped the stoic captain. The other regulars who had been doing their own extra practices turned to look at their direction as though they could feel the tension between the two. "I've heard from Ryuzaki-sensei about your confrontation with the high-school student and I've seen you on your 1st day in the club."

"Isn't that what it is?What's wrong with showing them I'm so much better than them.They started it anyway," replied Ryoma uncaring. "Are you scared I'm better than you?"

"I see," Tezuka sighed at the boy's response. "I might as well show you what tennis is to me.And to Seigaku."

"Tezuka?" Oishi, who had been standing worriedly a few feet behind him, called out questioningly.

"1st year, set up court A!" Tezuka ordered a couple of freshmen nearby as he grabbed his own racket. Turning to look at his friend, he nodded reassuringly. "It won't take long Oishi. Tell the others they can go ahead. I'll take care of the key."

"That's not it," Oishi said quickly in response. "Are you sure it's ok to have a match without telling Ryuzaki-sensei first?"

"She will be ok with it," replied Tezuka confidently. Signaling to the freshman, they took their position in the court. "Oishi, do you mind?" he asked, motioning to the referee seat with a slight movement of his chin.

"Ah..." Oishi mumbled hesitantly. He sighed heavily as he noticed the others gathering around to watch the impromptu match.

"Sugoi!" Horio exclaimed loudly as Tezuka smashed the ball into Echizen's court, taking another set. "Tezuka-buchou is certainly the best.!"

"I can't believe Ryoma-kun is losing that badly," Kachiro said disbelievingly. To their right, the regulars were talking to themselves while their eyes focused on the match.

"You guys are lucky," Momoshiro said good-naturedly as he came to stand behind the group of wide-eyed freshmen. "It's not often that buchou played during practices. Look carefully now."

"Tezuka is only using about half of his skill,maybe less," Fuji said quietly, gaining their attentions. Next to him, Inui was nodding in agreement while his hand busy writing on his note book. "But Echizen has great potential. Next time won't be this easy I'm sure."

As expected, Tezuka had easily crushed Echizen, leaving him slumped on the hard concrete to swallow the bitter defeat. Looking down on the crushed boy, Tezuka calmly told him to realize his full potential and lead Seigaku to victory in the future.

After the fateful match, Echizen became the regulars' favorite practice partner and was often seen playing against the best members of the club during practice hour even though he was not one. Tezuka, however, keep refusing his request for a rematch much to his frustration.

"The kid sure is good for the team," commented Ryuzaki-sensei as she watched the team practicing. Beside her, Tezuka nodded slightly in agreement. "So when will you let him be a regular? He's obviously better than most of our player."

Tezuka didn't say anything to answer her but instead yelled to the arguing Momoshiro and Kaidoh to run laps.

A/N: I had the mysterious match between Tezuka and Echizen when I wrote this chapter. The one where he told him to be the pillar, remember? Despite this chapter, I won't be writing this story along the series time line. Don't worry,this won't be another blow by blow repeat of the series. And remember this is an AU so I got to twist some facts to my own desire.