I'm pleasantly surprised that I got this chapter done in such a short time. Right before clinicals too which is nice. Anyways I'll talk more at the end. Enjoy!

~*Truce*~

"So Miyuki, what's it like living with a girl?" Kuramochi snickered. Wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"If you want to know so badly I'll gladly trade spots with you." Miyuki griped. Not in the mood for his antics. Not after the week he'd had.

It was almost the weekend. Miyuki had made it through the week with the Greys. While Nathaniel was cheery and talkative, his daughter was a different story. She barely said a word to Miyuki, and the times they did talk it was usually to fire off some kind of smart ass remark at each other. It had surprised him how she was as quick witted as he was. Making him wonder if that was a good thing or if he should be worried. Realizing that it was the latter as the week had drug on. She was rude, crude, barely had any regard for personal space, and to top it off he didn't think she had any shame. Always coming home after her practices and stripping her clothes off to wander around in her sports bra and spandex. Not the least bit bothered by the fact that she was in a house, alone, with a sixteen year old boy, and her father didn't get home till much later. He would almost believe she was trying to seduce him if it wasn't for the glaring matches the two seemed to get into daily. Plus, there was the slight problem of the violent side that he had a habit of pulling out of her. Rubbing his head as he recalled his phone hitting his head rather hard that morning. Thankfully the phone didn't break. He'd been left with a splitting headache for most of the day though. Which would explain his bad mood.

"Coach said the earliest you'll be back is in three weeks. You really screwed up this time didn't you?" Kuramochi asked. Glancing to the boy who nodded.

The team hadn't been given all the details as to what had gone down. They only knew that Miyuki's old injury had flared back up and now he was getting special help for it. Kuramochi had known better though. His bullshit detector going off the minute he'd heard that explanation. He'd gotten the rest out of Miyuki that following day. Promising to keep his mouth shut, but using it to constantly torment him and remind the catcher how much of an idiot he'd been for trying to hide something from their coach.

"I royally fucked this one up. I'm just lucky Coach decided to let me stay on the team." He sighed. Hitting the ground floor and heading to his locker to change out his shoes.

After getting a full checkup it had turned out Tonya had been right. There were multiple micro tears all over his right side from over use and no proper rest. Both deep and superficial muscle had been affected. So once things had been confirmed, Nathaniel had started Miyuki off on a simple rehab routine right now. Light exercises and stretching, as well as ultrasounding the injured area to help heal it. While it didn't seem like it was much at the moment, Nathaniel assured him that it would be the first step in getting him back to practice.

"I gotta go. If I don't check in with my parole officer I'll get in trouble." Miyuki griped. Already dreading the walk to Tonya's school.

"I'll be more than happy to handcuff you if you'd like?" Chills ran down Miyuki's spine as he turned to see Tonya smirking at him. One hand resting on her hip as she waited by the front doors. Earning stares from the various Seido students around them. Miyuki vaguely wondered how she'd made it to his school so quickly.

"That's who you're living with?" Kuramochi muttered. Giving the girl a once over. He had to admit he was a tad bit jealous of Miyuki.

"Don't let her looks fool you." Miyuki grumbled. Reluctantly joining the grinning brunette. Waving over his shoulder to Kuramochi. Knowing rumors were going to fly now.

"So why are you here?" Miyuki asked. Eyeballing the girl in suspicion.

"Partial day of school plus no practice. We have a game tomorrow, so Coach doesn't want to risk an injury beforehand." She led the way out of the school and down the street. "Plus, your therapy session from yesterday got moved to today so I was told to come get you."

"We always practice before a game. You girls can't handle a little extra work?" He smirked. It was the one thing that never failed to get a reaction out of her. Pick on her skills as a player or her team. While he didn't doubt her abilities, it still brought him never ending joy to watch her get worked up. Even if it usually ended with her hitting him.

"Unlike you boys, we play in the colder part of the year. It's easier to injure yourself during this time. We push hard during the spring and summer so that we can afford to take breaks. We don't get the luxury of playing in nice weather like you guys." Tonya said. The two of them coming to a stop down at the corner to wait on the bus.

"Do you plan on escorting me all the way to therapy?" He asked. Arching a brow at the girl who nodded.

"Yeah. I need to get some things from my dad and then I got some shopping to do. Don't worry. Despite what you think I'm not out to make your life a living hell. Least not all the time." She giggled. Climbing on to the bus with Miyuki behind her.

The two made their way to the back. Miyuki sitting away from the girl. The two turning to stare out opposite windows. Glancing up in the window, he saw the reflection of Tonya putting her ear buds in and turning up the volume on her music. Mouthing the words to a song as her hand wandered down to her knee. Free from its sleeve at the moment. She slowly rubbed the aching joint, keeping her eyes averted. Her face remaining neutral. The action reminded him of what Nathaniel had asked him to do. To look out for her and make sure she didn't push herself.

'How am I supposed to watch her? We're not exactly best friends. Hell, we barely even speak to each other. And when we do….' Miyuki griped internally. Letting the thought die there. Focusing on what was outside the window instead of on the reflection in it.

Asides from their short time together at home, the two didn't exactly hang out. And it would only make things that much harder once he was allowed to return to practice again. Once that happened he had to go back to looking out not only for himself, but his team. How was he supposed to just add another person to that already huge list? He'd never really given Nathaniel an answer, but he didn't feel like it would be right to tell the man that was already doing so much for him that he couldn't do it. He'd been put in a compromising situation.

Without a word, the two hopped off the bus at their stop and made the short walk down to Nathaniel's building. Miyuki signed in as Tonya breezed on through. Happily calling out to the other therapists in the place as she made her way towards the back. Heading for her father and have a quick conversation before he pulled out a couple of boxes out of a cabinet and handed them to her. The two shared a brief hug before Tonya headed out. Giving Miyuki a small wave in passing.

"Oh, before I forget." Tonya muttered, reaching out and yanking Miyuki's bag off his shoulder. Digging around till she found the prize she was looking for. The glove Miyuki had been carrying around with him on and off since his move.

"What do you think you're doing?" Miyuki growled. Again, no regard for personal space or property.

"I noticed your glove was missing this morning. Had a feeling you were carrying it with you." She grinned. Placing the glove in her own bag before tossing his bag back to him. "I think I'll confiscate this for now before you get any ideas."

Now she'd gone too far. Taking his glove was like taking away his last link to his team. It was official. Miyuki hated Tonya. There was no way he could comply with Nathaniel's request now. Not when he knew she was taking sweet pleasure from watching him suffer like he was. She knew how hard things had been for him. If she was a true player herself then she must understand how difficult it was to be away from his teammates. Of course though, she was a pitcher. And in his experience all pitchers were just egotists. Even his own. But she had to be the absolute worst. Thinking that she could just do and say whatever she pleased without regard for anyone else.

"I swear I'll get that girl back and find some way to get out of that house. There's no way I can live with someone like her." Miyuki snarled. Throwing his gear down in the backroom as he stripped his top off to begin his therapy.

_._._

The sun was beginning to set as Miyuki stormed up to the house. Tonya had to be back by now. He would find his glove, gather his stuff, return to Seido, and find some way to continue his therapy that didn't involve him living under the same roof as someone who sought to make his life miserable. He kicked his shoes off and headed in. Feet pounding against the floor as he made a beeline to his room. Stopping in his tracks when he saw a small bundle on his bed. His glove sitting on top.

Confused, Miyuki dropped his stuff on the floor and walked over. Picking his glove up and looking it over. It shined a bit as he turned it around. The leather felt soft in his hands. He lifted the glove to his face and sniffed. The scent of leather soap filling his nostrils. He titled his head upon looking at the lacing on the top of his glove. The leather looked brand new. It was a slightly off color that didn't match the rest of his glove. He put his glove back down, turning his attention to the other items on his bed. Two black compression shirts lay folded with one on top of the other. There was a short sleeve one and a long sleeved one. Just by the feel of the material alone he could tell they were higher quality shirts than the ones from Seido. He put the shirts back down and turned his gaze to the two boxes on the bed. Two rolls of pre-tape and kinesiology tape. Brand new, still held together by plastic.

"Where did all this come from?" Miyuki asked. Exiting the room and heading down the hallway.

He could hear sound coming from the living room. The TV was on, but no Tonya in sight. Lying on the coffee table was a glove repair kit, leather strands, a small container of leather soap solution, and a rag. Miyuki wandered closer and picked up the strands, realizing they were from his glove. They were frayed in a few areas and it wouldn't have been long before the strands had snapped. Leaving him with a defective glove till he'd gotten it fixed.

"Oh, you're home early." The boy looked up to see Tonya walking down the hall. Dressed for once in a normal shirt and shorts. Her legs pink from having been in an ice bath.

"What's all this? And what's that stuff in my room?" Miyuki asked as Tonya moved to sit on the couch.

"That stuff is to help prevent your injury from getting worse." She said. Keeping her eyes on the TV as she flipped through channels. Stopping on a baseball game. "I know they're not school colors but I couldn't find you any blue tops. So black was the next best thing. They're a bit tighter and will help improve circulation, plus prevent you from straining yourself too much. The tape is for added protection for now till you start strengthening yourself back up. You'll be able to practice like normal, or with less pain than before if you combine the two. It's what I always do. Probably why I'm always crippled by the time I get home and take all that damn stuff off." Tonya muttered. Folding her legs up underneath her.

"I take it you fixed my glove?" He motioned to the tools and old leather still out.

"Yeah. I was going to soap my glove and figured I'd do yours too. That's when I noticed your frayed laces. I needed your glove to make sure I got the right color of laces, or at least a close enough match." She shrugged. Treating it like the action was no big deal.

Silently, Miyuki got up and went to start dinner. The two alternated each night. All his anger from before dissolved instantly. There was no way he could hate someone who would go out of their way to do the things that she had. She could've just told him what she'd planned on doing with the glove instead of taking it like she had. Then again, the two weren't exactly on speaking terms. He put that out of his head for now. Focusing on the task at hand. It wasn't much, but he could at least make a good meal to thank her for all that she'd done.

Once the cooking was done he prepared two plates and carried one into her. Heading back to grab drinks before joining Tonya on the couch. The girl's eyes were still locked on the TV. Hollering about some bad call that had been made. He heard her softly thank him for the food before digging in. Eyes lighting up in delight as Tonya quickly shoved another bite into her mouth.

"This is amazing! I didn't know you could cook like this." She squealed in delight. Quickly downing her water so that she didn't start choking. Going back for another big bite.

"It's my way of saying thanks." Miyuki grinned. Taking a bite himself. Swallowing it before speaking again. "Why?"

"Why am I always such a bitch to you, or why did I do what I did today?" She asked in between bites. Glancing over at him to see Miyuki staring down at his food.

"Both I guess." He sighed. Stirring his food about. "You can't stand me. All we do is fight. So why did you do something nice for me?"

"Technically, I can stand you. You've been giving me the evil eye since day one so I figured you'd already decided you hated me. If I'd tried to be nice you would've taken it as me saying I was sorry for doing what I did and putting you in this predicament. Which I'm not." Tonya said. Taking another bite of food. "I was stubborn and I'm still paying for it. Trust me, you don't want to end up like this." She motioned over her still slightly pink legs before going back to her food.

Miyuki remembered another person telling him something along those lines. It was when Chris had to step down and let Miyuki have his spot. He'd seen the light slowly fade from Chris's eyes. Knowing that he'd really over done things this time. Back then, Miyuki had thought Chris was only saying don't let yourself get injured. Now he understood what his senpai had meant. Don't let the pressure get so great that you feel you have to carry it alone. That you can't rely on anyone else for support. That you can't show weakness in front of anyone. Because it will lead to your own downfall. Miyuki gently touched his injured side. Finally getting what everyone had been trying to tell him.

"What happened?" Miyuki asked. Motioning to her knees as Tonya straightened them out in front of her.

"I slid into third. Clipped the fielder's ankle because she stepped in my way at the last second. Caused her to fall on me and slam my knee into the ground hard. Kept playing on it despite how much it hurt. Finished the game with it like that. Whenever someone asked if I was okay I lied, slapped a smile on my face, and pretended I was. Between practice and the games though, I got very little rest. I always made sure to stretch, ice, and tape up my knee. Figuring I'd be fine till the tournament was done. During a semifinal game, it finally gave out. My left leg is my plant leg when I pitch. So I ended up putting too much pressure on it that game. When I got up to bat for the second time I shifted my weight too fast and too hard. I got a damn good hit, but my knee gave out. I made it to first before falling over because of the pain I felt. I was rushed to the doctor only to find I'd torn my meniscus and had put a great deal of strain on the rest of my ligaments and tendons. Took about three months before I was back to playing. And even then I was pushing it. Which is why I'm still having issues with it now. Personally, I think I've just got bad knees. Damn things have been giving me trouble since I was little." She looked down at her knees in annoyance, earning a chuckle from Miyuki.

"How are you still able to play if you were out for so long?" He leaned on to his hand. Wanting to know the full story now.

"Our season goes from late fall, winter, and then early spring. That way we don't impede on you guys and you don't impede on us. I got my surgery done around late winter last year so all I missed was the spring tournament and some practice. Kept working on my arm motion even while sitting on my ass and once I was cleared, began light practice on my own." She shrugged. Putting her now cleared plate down on the table. "Look, I get how you feel better than anyone else. Sitting on your ass doing nothing sucks. Especially when you feel like you're letting your team down. That's why I got you a few gifts. Those compression shirts combined with taping will help immensely. If I were you, I'd start wearing the shirts for now and only rely on the taping when you start practice again."

"Wait, the shopping you had to do today was for me?" Miyuki asked. Blinking a few times as the girl nodded.

"Yeah. What can I say? I felt for a fellow injured player and wanted to help." She shrugged. Once again treating it like it wasn't a big deal. When in fact it was.

"Huh. Maybe you aren't so bad." Miyuki leaned back into the couch. Realizing just how wrong he'd been about the girl.

"Man, talking about all this now has gotten me worked up. I kinda want to pitch." Tonya grunted. "My rise ball could use some work."

"How many pitches can you throw?" He looked down at the shorter girl as she held up her hands.

"Let's see. I have my fastball, changeup, rise, drop, slider, curve, and a type of cutter. Seven in total?" She'd counted her pitches off on her fingers. Miyuki's glasses slid down his face a bit.

"You can throw that many pitches? I call bullshit." Miyuki narrowed his eyes as Tonya leaned towards him. That annoying smirk on her face.

"Wanna bet?" She challenged. "You catch for me. I'll tape you up before hand and everything. If you aren't impressed with my pitching you can ask anything of me as long as it's reasonable and within my ability. If I impress you, then I can ask for anything. Sound fair?"

"Deal." Miyuki smirked. Holding out his hand as Tonya quickly shook it.

The two put the dishes up before heading back to their rooms. Tonya had grabbed her knee sleeves and cleats, calling out to Miyuki to bring one of his compression shirts and the tape. As she threw her hair up, he stripped. Feeling a bit of excitement run through him. It'd been awhile since he'd been presented with an interesting pitcher. Having seen her pitch already, he was curious as to just how good she was. The last time he'd felt this way was when he'd first caught for Sawamura and Furuya. Tonya quickly taped him up, her expert hands moving across his skin with ease. Slapping him in the chest playfully once she was done. Miyuki could already feel a difference in the pain as he twisted and turned lightly to get the tape used to the movement of his body. Sliding the shirt on last. Once the material sat comfortably against his skin, he couldn't believe how much his pain had dropped. Looking up to see Tonya wearing an 'I told you so' look on her face as she moved out back to put her cleats on. Miyuki traded out his normal glasses for his sports glasses, just in case something happened. Finally adjusting his cap and punching his glove as he wandered outside. Feeling like himself for the first time in a long time.

It took a few tries for Miyuki to get used to catching the much bigger ball, but after a while he was good. The two falling into a comfortable silence as they tossed back and forth. Once Tonya had her arm warmed up over hand, she began her underhand motion. Taking a step back from where Miyuki squatted each and every time till she was at the pitching plate. Tonya threw a few easy ones from there just to get him used to the shorter distance before reaching down and rubbing her hand in the dirt.

"Ready?" She called out. Miyuki nodded and held his glove at the ready.

He watched as she took a deep breath before stepping on to the plate. Her eyes losing the warm playful glow they'd had only a few seconds ago. Her wide orbs had shrunken just a bit as she focused on his glove. Her face losing all emotion as well as she took her arms up together, back down, and then beginning her true windup. Arm went up, left leg kicked out, right leg pushed off the plate, left leg planted, arm came through, hips snapped, and the ball was sent flying. Straight down the middle to Miyuki's glove. A loud resounding pop greeted his ears. He could only appreciate it for a little bit before a stinging sensation began to spread throughout his palm.

"Ow! Damnit that hurt." He hissed. Yanking his hand out of the glove and shaking it around. Laughter reached his ears as Tonya crouched over, pointing at him.

"Dumbass!" She howled. Holding her sides as Miyuki picked up the huge ball.

"Yeah, yeah." He grunted. Tossing it back once Tonya had gotten a hold of herself.

Setting up again, Tonya pitched once more. This time Miyuki caught it right. Able to truly appreciate the power behind her pitches. Flashing her a smirk, he moved his glove to the inside. Tonya arched a brow before launching a perfect pitch right to his mitt. Doing the same thing over and over no matter where he moved his glove. Once he'd had his fun, the two got serious again. Remembering their bet. She let him call out the pitches and put his glove where he wanted.

To Miyuki's surprise, she hit every spot perfectly. None of her pitches lacking in control or power (except the changeup because it was supposed to be a bit slow). Miyuki looked up to see total confidence in Tonya's eyes. She trusted herself enough to throw the pitches to where he asked. None of the Seido pitchers could even come close to having the presence that she did when she stood on the mound. Miyuki wondered how long and how hard Tonya had practiced to reach the level she was at now. He suddenly had the urge to see her in a game. To see how she would lead her team. To watch as she shut down batter after batter. To truly see her in action.

"So you weren't just being cocky earlier." Miyuki pushed himself up off the ground. Walking towards the shorter girl and placing the ball in her glove.

"Nope. I just like to pitch. It's why I learned all that I could. I'll leave being cocky up to you." Tonya winked. The two heading back towards the veranda. "How's the side?"

"Okay." He said. Reaching up to feel the tape underneath the shirt.

"I would just leave the tape on unless it bugs you. It'll help you get some sleep." She quickly undid her cleats and carried them back in the house with her. "Oh, and as for what I want to ask of you…"

A sinking feeling hit him. In all their fun he'd forgotten about the bet. He wondered just what the little sneak was going to ask him for. Waiting with his own cleats in hand, glove tucked his arm. Knowing that what she asked couldn't be good.

"Call me by my first name from now on okay?" She asked. Looking over her shoulder at him.

"That's all you want?" He scratched his face, a bit thrown by such a simple request.

"Yup. I'm originally an American and still prefer to be called by my first name. That's all." Tonya shrugged. Turning to face him fully. "Besides, we're kinda sorta friends now, right? Or at least not enemies anymore right?"

"Yeah. I guess we kinda are." Miyuki smiled softly. Putting a hand on her head before heading past to go put his stuff up.

Tonya nodded. Trailing after him before heading into her own room. Miyuki entered his, putting his stuff back where it belonged. Slowly pulling the compression shirt off and grabbing a regular one to sleep in. Before pulling the shirt on, his eyes fell on the tape on his side. He shook his head softly, a smile working its way on to his face before yanking his shirt on. Switching out his glasses and putting his cap on the desk. Maybe living there wouldn't be so bad after all.

I gotta say I have so much fun writing these two. This has to be by fair my favorite pairing ever. Miyuki wants to kill Tonya half the time and for once she's giving him a taste of his own medicine. Not gonna lie I love Miyuki but man I've been wanting to see someone give him a taste of his own medicine. And the fact that they're both athletes allows them to relate to each other in a way most of those who don't play sports in that world can't. Okay I'm rambling now...Looking forward to hearing what you all think!