A/N: Mou! This chapter is WAY overdue for all of you!

MARYLOVER – It's complicated but they all connect I promise.

AtikahFiction- I'm glad you enjoy it. Thought I'd get back into tennis with this one.

Ih Wan Koh – I most certainly did. It usually happens when I disappear for a while. I also love to string people along till the end so expect that more often.

Ciel D'or Serendipite- I tend to do that to people because of the huge gap in time between updates D:

That's why I've been recapping in the beginning of each chapter now.

I do like to throw in surprises so Mayumi being straightforward was something I wanted to try with one character in my story. I chose her because I wanted to have her be different from others.

If I feel like it, I'll throw Imperial in but it's just Atobe being territorial to someone he wants to defeat.

Because Of You

Rated: M

Summary: When Ryoma declares war on playboy Syuusuke who claims his sister as his prey, he might just find out his life isn't all it seems to be.

Ch V: Tsubame Gaeshi

Recap

"Shall we settle this in a tennis match?" Fuji asked opening his blue eyes to meet Ryoma's gold ones. He was getting turned on by the darkness that Ryoma could shoot at him

"I'll make you cry," Ryoma said with a serious look.

"Tomorrow, Seigaku after school?" Fuji questioned with a spreading smile.

"Bring it on."

XxX

Tokyo, Japan

Nakahara Residence

"Ne Aniki?"Mayumi asked turning from where she was perched on the chair reading her book. She looked, as usual out of place with a book in her hands.

"Hm?" Ryoma answered not looking up from his worksheet he was trying to finish. It was a nuisance to have to do homework but he'd rather get it all done and not worry about it the next morning.

"Why did you accept that challenge?" Mayumi asked cocking her head to the side in question. She placed her chin on her knee that she had drawn up and continued to stare across the table at her brother.

Ryoma didn't answer. He knew she wanted an answer but he didn't want to waste his breath answering her when she should already know why he was doing it.

"Ani-ni…." Mayumi said with a borderline whine-tone.

"it's time to teach that cocky rich bastard some manners." Ryoma said with a frown. "Go do your homework."

"I'm done," Mayumi said but suddenly she was straightening in her chair when the sound of a door being unlocked sounded.

Ryoma noted how Mayumi's posture straightened and a softer expression replaced her pouty one. Then again, he too straightened his posture and voided his face of annoyance. They had been raised to always be proper and controlled so it was a weakness to be caught off guard.

"You two still up?" Takumi asked walking through the door. It was late but he walked as if he was ready to take on the world without the slightest hint that he was tired from his long day.

"Aa… finishing up on some homework," Ryoma answered.

"You mother?" Takumi questioned looking towards the hall where Hazuki's room was.

"She's sleeping already." Mayumi said with a softer smile. "Did you want anything to eat?"

"I've eaten," Takumi answered with a small smile to Mayumi. "I'll shower and head to bed so you both should too."

"Aa…" They both chorused and watched Takumi disappear down the hall to his bedroom. They didn't speak till they heard the door click shut in certainty down the hall.

"As long as Hahaue and Takumi don't find out Aniki," Mayumi warned. "You might get too cocky and-"

"Shut it Mayumi…" Ryoma uttered and went back to his work. He too wanted to waste no time with that constant nuisance so of course he was going to finish him off quickly.

How hard could it be at his best sport right?

XxX

Chiyoda, Japan

Palace

Ren sighed in slight annoyance but he nodded his understanding. There was always pressure to do better in this position and the only one he could think to depend on was Akira at such times.

"You need to watch your back," Akira said with a small smile to his friend.

"Thank you," Ren said with a smile back at his friend. "This has helped me at least know my place."

Akira nodded and stood. "I have to get going."

Ren nodded and turned back to stare out the window. Akira turned and walked himself out of Ren's office. He understood the pressure was slowly mounting more and more on Ren as the Emperor. The stress was starting to show this past year as the man he once knew was visibly starting to tire.

Suddenly Akira's mind drifted to who he thought he saw at his favorite restaurant. It had been a while since he had thought of her but Hazuki was never too far from his thoughts.

Though he adored his wife Ashe right now, a piece of his heart hung on to Hazuki's bright smile and beauty. Even till this day he wondered where she could have disappeared to…

XxX

Tokyo, Japan

Tennis

"Best of one game?" Ryoma asked as he stepped out onto the tennis court.

"That's all we have time for unless you're going to be awesome nii-san!" Mayumi called out from the sidelines. She sat beside Tezuka on the bench so they could watch the match between Ryoma and Fuji. He had greeted her accordingly but it was awkward since she didn't really know the tennis buchou. She tried to push the thoughts out of her head because they were simply sitting next to each other and there was no attraction of any sort. Mayumi sighed a bit as she tried to still her girly mind that tended to over analyze every situation.

Ryoma bounced the ball a couple of times on the ground as he got ready to serve. He was going to make that annoying guy cry for being such a bother to his sister and his life. He threw the ball up and as it made its way back down, he swung hard. It didn't surprise him to see that Fuji was able to swing and return the ball flawlessly to his side. After all, who would challenge anyone to a sport they weren't good at?

Ryoma backhanded it towards the opposite corner to see just who he was up against in terms of skills when slight disappointment hit him instead. Fuji had let it land and missed it.

"15-love" Mayumi called out.

"That was just unlucky," Fuji assured him with a smile.

Ryoma didn't say anything. He couldn't trust that man opposite of him. For some reason he felt as if this was just a measurement of his skills and not the other way around. Suppressing a frown, Ryoma serve once more and watched as it was easily returned once more. He thought of starting a rally as the ball neared him again to see Fuji's endurance but decided against it as he tried a cross-shot instead. A smile touched his face as he realized Fuji was definitely fast enough to change tactics as he changed directions and tapped the ball over trying for a drop shot.

Ryoma ran up and tapped it over with the racquet as if they were playing volleyball instead of tennis.

"30-0" Mayumi said excitedly. It seemed like they wouldn't have trouble finishing this up and leaving on time.

Ryoma frowned. Something didn't seem completely right with Fuji. It just wasn't common for someone to challenge another to a game unless they were actually good at it. Meaning his opponent had been testing him as well!

Ryoma served once more and decided he was going to force Fuji to reveal his hand, even if he had to make it 40-0.

Fuji eyes snapped open in determination as he decided that was as far as he should allow for a gap for one game. He swung with slicing the serve with his top spin. The ball spun fast and dipped towards the ground where Ryoma was heading and hit the ground rolling with no bounce.

Ryoma eyes narrowed and Fuji smile.

"Tsubame Gaeshi…" Fuji uttered with a smile before Mayumi called out '30-15'.

Ryoma let out a 'che' before he rounded back to serve again. He had expected Fuji to show his true skills soon but he hadn't thought it would be something like that. Bouncing the ball only once, Ryoma started plotting a way to render his skill useless. It was starting to get interesting.

Fuji noted the way Ryoma was watching him though. He knew the boy didn't know that he was just using his top-spins and sending it back so fast that it was rolling and not bouncing. Another top-spin flew at him and Fuji smiled. He'd show him again and make him fear his strength. He'd create the doubt and close the gap he thought he had.

"30-all"Mayumi said though the excitement was no longer present in her voice.

"Looks like you're not going to make me cry ne?" Fuji said with a smile to Ryoma.

Ryoma didn't answer. He had gotten the basis of it down from watching the move twice now and only if he could get to it before it touched the ground.

Ryoma watched closely until he saw the smile touch that demon's face. He hit it and Ryoma ran forward. He swung the racquet from underneath and launched it over the net. The demon bounced the ball back at him and this time Ryoma smiled.

"Got you," Ryoma said hitting it back with a sinker.

Fuji chuckled as he realized the little prodigy had just found out that he couldn't use his counter unless he had spin in the ball prior. Lobbing it back he wondered if the little prodigy would take his bait for the next counter.

"Ah, Ani-ni(affectionate way of say older brother)!" Mayumi called out. "We have to get home!"

"Sou…" Ryoma uttered and caught the ball expertly with his racquet and walked to where his bags were. Though it bothered him that the score was stuck at 30-30, he knew there would be hell to pay if Takumi or their mom found out about their extracurricular activities every other day.

"Saa… what shall we call this?" Fuji asked zipping up his own racquet as he glanced over at Ryoma.

"A tie," Ryoma said and swung his bags onto his back. "Come on Mayumi."

"Ja Mayu-chan," Fuji called after them. He got the reaction he wanted from Ryoma as he harshly told his sister to ignore such pesky boys. Letting out a chuckle, he glanced up at Tezuka who watched the siblings disappear into the distance.

"That your pocket ace?" Fuji asked.

"Maybe," Tezuka said simply and turned to leave as well.

XxX

Tokyo, Japan

Nakahara Residence

"Hazuki," Takumi said as she tried to walk out the door to take an extra shift at the restaurant.

"What is it?" Hazuki asked pausing at the door as she slid on her shoes.

"Do you like him so much that you would risk all these years? You would risk exposing yourself and your children to him?" Takumi asked with a grim look.

"What does this have to do with not quitting my job?" Hazuki asked staring at the doorknob.

"The longer you stay, the bigger the chance you have of running into Akira-san!" Takumi said coming over to stand beside her. "Is it worth it?"

"Akira isn't like that," Hazuki uttered. "Besides, we need the extra money."

"It's not worth risking!" Takumi said raising his voice. He clenched his fist in an attempt to still his temper from grabbing her and shaking some sense into her.

Hazuki didn't answer. She merely swung open the door and left him.

XxX

Tokyo, Japan

Shibuya District

The next day

Ryoma sighed as he waited patiently for Mayumi to say her goodbyes to the café owner. They had just finished their short shift and were heading home. He was already thankful the café owner was being convenient for the both of them.

Holding the door open for Mayumi, he waited till she passed before he went through.

"Isn't it prohibited to work?"

Ryoma wondered why God hated him so much. It was a pain to always see this virus and he had paws all over Mayumi.

"It looks good on you Mayumi-chan…" Fuji uttered enjoying the way her uniform hugged her figure.

Fuji lifted a brow when Ryoma stepped in and pulled him by his shirt away from Mayumi.

"What the hell is up with you stalking us?" Ryoma demanded with hardened golden eyes.

"I just happened to be passing by when I saw both of you breaking school rules…" Fuji said with a wide smile. "It'd be a shame to be reprimanded huh?"

"Don't you dare say-"

"You can't tell!" Mayumi protested with a worried look. "We need this-"

"Mayumi!" Ryoma said reprimanding her with the tone of his voice.

"Then should you go on a date with me to keep it quiet?" Fuji asked with a teasing smile. He did love blackmail material when it applied.

"Over my dead body!" Ryoma said pushing Mayumi behind his protectively.

"Or shall we have a match to break our tie instead?" Fuji tempted feeling the thrill curl in his stomach at Ryoma's look.

"iiyo! (fine)" Ryoma growled out.

Fuji felt the excitement level in his life jump. He was so excited he could kiss the angry boy in front of him.

A/N: Looks like we have another match too see next chapter. Attraction is everything afterall.