Sorry for the long wait everyone! Life got busy on my end and I had a hard time trying to sit down and finish this one. More about this later. For now hope you all enjoy!

~*Truth About One's Feelings*~

"Hahahaha!" Riko was holding her gut while Tonya glared at her. Her glare lost all effectiveness however when she let out another squeak due to the cold air. Sending Riko into another fit of laughter. That's about the time the brunette abandoned pitching practice and pounced on her third baseman. A scuffle ensuing short after.

Miyuki sighed as he rolled off the balls of his feet and back on to his ass. Knowing his services wouldn't be needed for a while as he watched the two girls go at it. He'd been looped into catching for Tonya today while Lily worked with Rei on her form before the scrimmage. Why was Miyuki with them you ask? The Kitigawa girls were borrowing one of Seido's fields. Turns out a water line had busted at their school. Flooding all of the outdoor facilities. Naturally Kataoka had agreed to let them borrow a field. Letting them get their game in before their own practice match was supposed to start. Besides, Miyuki didn't mind being used. One, he never got tired of catching for Tonya. Just like how he was the favorite catcher of the two first year idiots, she was his favorite pitcher. Two, the girls were an endless source of entertainment. As Tonya and Riko were currently proving.

"Should we break them up?" Miyuki called to Lily who was correcting Rei. Not really wishing to get between the two but figuring he should make the offer regardless.

"If you want to incur bodily harm by getting between those two, be my guest." Lily grinned. Wishing for once someone would be dumb enough to try and break them up just to see what would happen.

"Riko-senpai and Tonya-senpai always fight like this. Don't worry. They never seriously harm each other." Rei assured Miyuki before going back to her own pitching.

Miyuki continued to watch the two for a bit longer. Knowing well that he didn't have to worry about Tonya. At least when it came to wrestling. He'd found that out on his own. To this day he was still confused as to how she always managed to slip out of his grasp and pin him to the ground in some kind of hold that would've made Kuramochi proud. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of having to face the feisty little brunette. Another set of shivers running through him when he actually realized he didn't mind the idea of being pinned underneath Tonya. Miyuki shook his head hard. Erasing that train of thought quickly. Seeking something else to help distract him from the noisy girls before him. Glancing behind him, he saw Lily sigh and go through corrections with the timid little pitcher. Rei reminded him very much of Kawakami. The way the two threw very reserved. Afraid to take a chance should it blow up in their face.

'Hmm. Maybe Kawakami could give her some pointers. At the very least watching her throw will give him a prime example of what how he tends to look on the mound.' Miyuki thought to himself as he stood up. Dusting the dirt off his butt in the process. Plus, it would give him something else to focus on other than what had almost happened at his party.

It was then the other team decided to show up. Tonya and Riko stopped their brawling almost immediately upon hearing excited squeals. Both looking up from where they were in the dirt to see their opponents eyeballing Miyuki as he made his way back up to the dorms. Ignoring the girls completely. Tonya unconsciously tightened her grip on Riko's hair. Causing the red head to grunt in pain. Making the brunette realize what she was doing as she let go of her friend. Getting off her and back to her feet.

"Damn Tonya what was that for?" Riko asked as she rubbed her head.

"Sorry. Those girls were just annoying me." Tonya muttered. Narrowing her eyes at the group as they headed to their own dugout.

"Because they were eyeballing your man?" Riko teased as she nudged her friend. Receiving nothing but an eye roll from Tonya. "Don't deny it. I saw how you two were tangled up with each other during his party."

"Says the girl who let Kawakami use her chest as a pillow." Tonya reminded Riko. Making her third baseman turn as red as her hair. Ending the conversation there.

Tonya turned her back on the group. Settling for a jog around the field in order to warm her legs back up since her catcher was gone. Doing her best to get back in the zone before the scrimmage started. But she lost all composure when she passed by the other dugout. Especially when she learned that Miyuki was the topic of conversation. Tonya gritted her teeth as she pushed past them. Only realizing once she was back at her own dugout what was coursing through her. Possessiveness.

She tilted her head at this realization. Why was she feeling so possessive of Miyuki? It's not like the two were dating. She had no claim over him. The two were nothing but friends after all. And she had no problem with her team around him. Hell, most of them had only tried to flirt with the guy when he'd first started coming around their practices. So why was hatred for her opponents coursing through her at the thought of them getting near Miyuki?

"Say, you're Miyuki Kazuya right? That really high ranked catcher?" Tonya tensed up upon hearing Miyuki's name spoken in an unfamiliar tone.

She turned to see the same girl that had been eyeing Miyuki like a piece of meat trying to talk to him. Tonya felt her blood boil as she glared at the girl. Already contemplating how she was going to intervene in the conversation and get the girl away from Miyuki. Before she could even take a step though, it clicked. All her anger leaving almost immediately as realization washed over her. Tonya didn't want any female taking her spot beside Miyuki. The guy himself had only said he didn't do the friendship thing. Tonya herself could remember in the beginning just saying they were friends in order to help make his transition easier. Over time though things had changed. The two trusted and cared for each other now. And neither wanted the other going to someone else besides them for anything. That much had been made clear on Miyuki's part when he'd gotten jealous of Tonya and Kuramochi sneaking around for his birthday.

"Tonya~?" Riko called out. Waving her hand in front of her friend's face. "Anyone in there?"

The girl ignored Riko as she looked to Miyuki. Not really paying much attention to the girl trying to chat him up. Just being polite since Kawakami was making him do so. Tonya felt a smile slip on to her face as a wave of calm washed over her. She didn't have to worry about a thing. It'd taken her quite a bit to reach where she was at with Miyuki now. No random girl could ever hope to get that close to him so quickly when it'd taken her a little over a couple of months. All the proof she needed was the fact that she now had permission to use his name. Something that not even his teammates called him by.

"I'm a dumbass." Tonya laughed to herself. Making Riko arch a brow.

"I knew that. But about what this time?" the red head pressed. Already having a pretty good idea as she glanced back to Miyuki.

"I was worrying over nothing." She waved off. "Hey Kazuya!"

Almost immediately Miyuki's head snapped to where Tonya stood. She held a ball in her hand, giving him that look that said she wanted to throw a few more. Miyuki's usual grin slipped on to his face as he just abandoned the girl and Kawakami. It took all Tonya had to not throw a smirk at the girl who was glaring daggers at the brunette.

"Done rolling around in the dirt?" Miyuki teased as he reached out and tugged on Tonya's ponytail.

"You'll be next if you don't get back down and catch these last twenty for me." Tonya warned. Pushing him back towards his spot as she headed down to her makeshift plate. The two wearing their usual excited smiles as they took up their positions.

"Miyuki is letting her use his first name?" Kawakami whispered to Rei and Lily who were both also surprised.

"Riko, what happened at the party that we missed?" Lily asked. Looking to her third baseman who shrugged.

'I'd be willing to bet it had something to do with why the two were tangled up together. Not that I'll ever tell.' Riko looked away. Knowing that if she breathed a word about what happened Tonya would blackmail Riko with those pictures of her and Kawakami.

_._._

"That pitcher really has it out for you doesn't she?" Lily asked Tonya. The two lounging on the bench as they glanced to the busty raven haired pitcher for the other team Glaring at Tonya from the mound as she waited on the batter.

Tonya wore a look of boredom on her face. Ignoring the pitcher as she stretched her knees out before her. She'd heard of girls like the one currently glaring her down. Ones that instantly hated any other female that so much as looked at their crush. It'd been going on since Tonya had called Miyuki by his first name. The pitcher had made it her personal mission to try and show Tonya up. Giving Miyuki a flirtatious look every so often that the catcher just ignored. Going about his usual routine of teasing Tonya during her game. Which only fueled the pitcher's anger.

"If looks could kill you would've died many times over my friend." Riko whistled from where she sat.

"And you all wonder why the only girls I can stand are our teammates." Tonya muttered. Grabbing a helmet and bat before heading out.

"Be careful." Lily warned as Tonya waved it off.

It wouldn't be the first or the last time Tonya would come across someone who hated her. The brunette didn't think anything of it as she stepped into the box. Taking her time setting up before loading her bat. However, in the pitcher's eagerness to take Tonya down, she hadn't noticed the hand holding her up. The pitcher had let her pitch fly. Freaking out when she realized where it was heading. Reaching out to try and stop it as Tonya looked up to see the pitch coming at her. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to dodge in time, she turned her back to the ball. A loud smack could be heard as the ball struck Tonya in the back hard. The girl fell to her knees as she reached up to cradle the spot she'd been hit.

"Are you okay?" Lily asked. She'd rushed to Tonya's side the minute the girl had gone down.

"Yeah. I'll have a massive knot but I'll be fine." Tonya assured her captain as she moved to stand up and walk off the hit.

"Stay down." Lily whispered low enough only for Tonya to hear. Keeping pressure on her friend's back to prevent her from standing up.

"Why? I can still play." Tonya tilted her head as Lily motioned with her eyes to the pitcher. A hint of pleasure in her eyes despite the blank expression on her face.

"That bitch hit you on purpose. Despite her act, I can tell." Lily said. Spiking Tonya's own anger.

"She did what?!" Tonya hissed. Wincing a bit due to the pain in her back.

"Relax. We're going to use her own emotions against her." Lily smirked. Quickly talking to the ump as she kept a hand on her friend. Tonya did her best to block out the whispers running through the crowd. Hating having to put on this act just because Lily was planning something.

"Can you stand?" Tonya looked up to see a concerned Miyuki kneeling in front of her. So that's what Lily had in mind. With a nudge from her captain, Tonya winced again. Drawing concern from Miyuki. Practically feeling hatred seeping off the pitcher for their stunt.

"I don't think so." She admitted, just going along with the charade. Shooting a glare at her captain who smiled innocently at the girl. While she was going along with the plan, that didn't mean she had to like it.

"Climb on then." Miyuki instructed. Turning his back to her.

With a little help from Lily, Tonya got on to Miyuki's back. The spectators clapped for the girl as Miyuki took her off the field and back up to the trainer's room near the dorm to have her looked at. Tonya spared one last glance towards the field. Seeing the pitcher really fuming now as Lily stepped up to the plate. A pinch runner already on first to replace Tonya. She watched just long enough to see Lily slam a shot over the makeshift fence Seido had put up. Sneering at the pitcher as she rounded the bases.

'I'm glad Lily is on our team. She can be really scary.' Tonya thought to herself as she turned around and leaned her chin on Miyuki's shoulder.

"Tell me, was it really as bad as it looked?" Miyuki asked.

"No. I could've played through it. But I'm pretty sure Lily wanted to bait her into throwing an easy pitch just to stick it to her." Tonya sighed.

"And they say I'm twisted." He chuckled. Climbing the stairs and heading to his room.

"Wait, I thought we were going to the training room?" Tonya asked. A bit surprised to see him detour. Figuring he'd want to get her back looked at.

"My bed is much more comfortable than that stiff bench." Miyuki said as he opened the door to his room. Kicking it closed afterwards.

Miyuki knelt down and let Tonya slide off his back and on to the bed. He motioned for her to take her top off as he dug around in his drawers. When he turned back around Tonya was lying on her stomach on the bed. Miyuki moved her hair to the side, surprised by what he saw. A bruise was already forming where she'd been hit.

"Damn she hit you hard didn't she?" Miyuki noted.

He placed the rub down beside Tonya as he gazed over her back. Slowly, he reached out and touched the area. Hearing a low hiss from Tonya. The area was a bit swollen and would be tender for some time. He laid his hand on the mark, feeling how warm it was as Tonya gradually began to relax. Getting used to him touching the area. Plus his cool hand felt good and was acting as a temporary ice pack.

"That hurts more than I thought." She whined.

"This must be nothing compared to your knees." He teased as he looked over the off colored area.

"It's not, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. And it's your fault too." Tonya pouted. Miyuki filling her vision as he leaned over her body. Arching an inquisitive brow at her. "The damn girl who hit me was the same one trying to chat you up. Jealous bitch needs to learn to keep her emotions off the mound. She's lucky it only hit my back."

"So she hit you because of me?" Miyuki asked. Feeling just a tad bit guilty even though he in reality didn't have much to do with the situation.

"I'm just giving you a hard time." Tonya grinnedd. Tapping his glasses and causing them to slide down his face a bit. Laying back down and waiting for him to start working the muscle that was beginning to knot up. Before that however….

Miyuki's usual smirk slid on to his face. His devious nature flaring up as he looked at the bruise on Tonya's back. Remembering how a few nights ago Miyuki had been blaming Tonya for his injury. Now the roles were reversed. And he planned on doing just exactly what she had. He moved slow as he leaned down and over her. Pressing his lips to the injured area lightly.

Tonya was glad she was facing away from Miyuki. If he'd seen the shocked look on her face he'd never let her live it down. She'd already been wondering what was taking so long when she'd felt the bed shift. Now she knew why. His lips were pressed to her back. Tonya felt her breathing hitch just slightly as her face turned red. Of course, all her efforts were in vain because she knew Miyuki had felt her tense up upon contact.

"What was that?" Tonya managed to ask in a low voice. Refusing to look back at Miyuki. Knowing the exact look on his face.

"I was just doing like you did for me. I was kissing it and making it feel better." Miyuki chuckled. Yup. He was wearing that damn annoying grin on his face.

"Are you going to rub my back or not?" Tonya snapped. Doing her best to hide her embarrassment. She finally felt Miyuki's hands on her. Slowly working the muscles out as she had for him so many times before.

She'd never expected Miyuki to use the same move on her. Tonya had just kissed his cheek that one time just to surprise the snarky catcher. She hadn't actually imagined it would have the effect it did on him. The way the two had stared at each other as she'd sat on him, looking into each other's eyes and waiting for the other to make a move. Tonya had never been so happy to have Riko show up when she had. She didn't know what would've happened otherwise.

This is what Miyuki had wanted though right? For the two of them to get closer. Just how close….that was the real question. Tonya herself didn't even know. This was the closest she'd ever been with anyone herself. Even with her teammates. Hell, the two lived together. Saw each other half naked on a daily basis. Ran their hands over each other. Tonya had never thought much of it till now. She knew Miyuki could be kind and caring if he tried. But she'd never thought he'd use such an intimate gesture. Didn't really think he was capable of such a thing. And the really scary part? Tonya had actually liked it.

It was then the chill in the air decided to make itself known. Shivers rocked her body as Tonya did her best to hide her squeak. Unfortunately for her, her jersey and compression top were on the floor and she was lying on the blankets. The minute she felt Miyuki's hands leave her back she bolted and turned into him. Surprising the boy as he looked down at the girl pressed up against him.

"Cold." Was all Tonya managed to say as another set of shivers rocked her body.

"You really can't handle the cold can you?" He teased. Reaching out and grabbing his jacket that he'd left in his room earlier that day.

"Shut it." Tonya growled. Feeling him wrap the jacket around her shoulders before wrapping his own arms around her. Trying to add to her body heat.

It was then, with her face pressed to Miyuki's chest that she realized something. Never before had she wanted to be near someone. Especially a guy. Sure, she'd gone on her fair share of dates. But most had just ended with disappointment. All only wanting to say they conquered the Wolf of Kitigawa. Just wanting her as a trophy and not for the person she was. Miyuki was the first person to ever treat her like a real person. Not as a prize. She vaguely wondered if he felt like she did. Did he want to be the only one close to her? Did he get protective whenever another guy came around her? Did he see her as just a friend or possibly more? Tonya wished she knew the answers as she shook her head. Alerting Miyuki to her thinking.

"Something wrong?" He asked. Glancing down at the now warmed up girl.

"Yeah. You need to get your ass back to the field so you can warm up your pitchers." Tonya narrowed her gaze at him. "I'm surprised they haven't come to hunt you down yet."

"Good point." Miyuki nodded in agreement. Untangling himself from Tonya as she wrapped the jacket all the way around herself. Miyuki stood up slowly, looking down at her with concern in his brown eyes that were serious for once.

"I'll be out there to harass you shortly. Go. Go on, shoo." Tonya motioned with her hand. Earning herself a grin and chuckle from Miyuki. He waved over his shoulder at her before leaving her alone in the room.

The smile Tonya had plastered on her face only moments ago was slowly disappearing. Her grip tightened on the jacket around her shoulders. As she'd stared into Miyuki's eyes, everything had become clear. Why she'd been asking herself all those questions. Why she'd freaked out as such an intimate gesture from Miyuki. Why she didn't want any females that she didn't know around him. Why she seemed to brighten up at his mere presence.

"Fuck. I like him." Tonya said aloud. Confirming her feelings as she fell backwards on to his bed.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The scent of Miyuki slowly wafting into her nose from his jacket. Tonya pulled it around her tighter as she lied in his bed. If you'd asked her back when Miyuki had first moved in that she would have developed such feelings towards the catcher, the girl would've laughed. She'd long ago given up on finding a quality boyfriend. Even if she'd managed to find a guy who wasn't after her just for their fifteen minutes of fame, trying to find one that would fit into her hectic schedule was out of the question. Most guys wouldn't stand for it and would eventually dump her or cheat on her. That was something Tonya just didn't want to deal with. Relationships were too much trouble. So she'd avoided them like the plague after the last failed date she'd been on over a year ago before she'd injured herself. Yet, somehow those pesky feelings that usual came with the idea of wanting a relationship had snuck up on her.

"I don't know what's worse—getting pegged by a damn ball and getting taken out of a game, or learning that I have feelings for Kazuya." Tonya remarked as she swung off the bed and grabbed her discarded tops. Liking a little too much how his name had felt on her tongue.

Tonya quickly dressed and headed back out. Staying in Miyuki's jacket since her body had long since cooled down and wouldn't be used to the cool weather outside. She headed back down to the fields to see part of her team already building the mound back up for the guys and covering up the holes in the base path as they moved the bases back to their normal lengths. The girls all called out to her. She gave them a wave before heading towards her stuff. Glancing up upon hearing the sound of a ball hitting a glove. She immediately looked towards the bullpen to where Sawamura was bragging to Furuya about his throwing that day. Ecstatic that Kataoka was going to let him start. And she knew that just a ways down from him, hidden by the dugout, was Miyuki. Probably wearing that annoying smirk on his face.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Riko asked. Jogging over to Tonya's side as the brunette sighed. Yanking her hair out of its ponytail and scratching her head.

"Okay I guess." Tonya said softly. Turning to take up a spot on the bleachers to watch Seido's game. It was only polite since they'd cheered the girls on.

"You guess? I didn't think that ball hit you that hard." Riko glanced to Tonya's injured back. Debating on whether she should poke Tonya or not. Wondering why she seemed so out of it.

"Sometimes I wish I could be as heartless off the mound as I am on." Was all Tonya would say. Getting comfortable as the boys rushed out to wish each other a good game.

Now Riko really knew something was up as she followed her friend's gaze. Leading right to Miyuki who was still dressed in his catcher's gear. The red head thought back to what her friend had just said. Not taking long for it to click. The look on Tonya's face only confirming Riko's thoughts. Tonya was apathetic. Which means she'd just come to a very unappealing conclusion. And there was only one thing that Tonya tended to wear that face for.

"Uh oh. I recognize that look. Did someone try to ask her out?" Lily asked Riko as the red head shook her head.

"No. I think this time it's all her. And I believe it has something to do with Miyuki." Riko whispered to Lily. The blonde giving her a look that said to continue. Riko glanced over to Tonya, figuring she was too lost in her own thoughts to pay her much mind. "At his party I saw the two tangled up with each other. She was sitting in his lap facing him. I'm pretty sure that if I hadn't interrupted them the two probably would've kissed."

"And you didn't tell me this sooner why?!" Lily hissed. Glancing past Riko to Tonya. Eyes sparkling like a proud mother's. Happy to hear that Tonya was at least moving in the right direction with a boy finally.

"She has blackmail on me." Riko whined. Those pictures flashing in her mind as Lily nodding knowingly. Although she doubted the ones Tonya had of Lily were anywhere near as bad as what she had on Riko. Especially since the red head had managed to keep quiet for so long.

"Think Miyuki feels the same?" Lily asked. Really hoping that the answer was yes. Lily saw herself as the big sister to most of the girls and never missed a chance to play match maker.

"Who knows? With those two I can't tell if they're flirting or just messing with each other." Riko muttered.

Lily smiled as she turned towards Tonya who was oblivious to it all. Her eyes locked firmly on the game. Heckling Miyuki in the process as a smile graced her lips. Tonya could worry about all the confusing details later. Right now all she cared about was the game before her and her favorite player on the field.

And the part you've all been waiting for! Something romantic is starting to bloom between these two. Don't worry I won't divert too much away from the main plot which is the sport they love. Now we know how Tonya feels, the question is how does Miyuki feel? And what exactly will they do about these new and complicated emotions that are beginning to present? I'm an ass for building up suspense I know he he.

On a side note I've finally joined into the real world and have landed myself a wonderful job. So updates will be even slower. I'll have less time than before to type but don't fret this story won't just be left hanging. I'll try not to let it go longer than a month if things begin to get crazy. And if for some reason there is a delay I will let you all know instead of letting things hang in limbo.