AN: I'm trying to catch up with Christmas. I'm almost there but it looks like that chapter will be a bit late either way seeing as it's Christmas Eve.
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Chapter 10Winter was well on its way over the country, and with it, the promise of Christmas. The spirits of the general populace took wing at the prospect, but for a small group of eight students at Keitou High, life was rapidly becoming too stressful to even consider a vacation.
Haru groaned, flopping down on the edge of the stage and burying his face in his hands. "I realize we still have half a year, so why do I feel like we aren't going to make it?"
Minou stopped beside him, the tip of his pen scribbling swiftly across the pages of his notebook. "That would be because most of us can't act."
Daisuke clapped his hand. "All right, people, let's try that last scene again."
Perhaps not all that surprisingly, the energetic boy was one of the only three people out of the group who could play their part and make it seem real. Among the other two, there was Shikara and the ever-smiling Fuji. The latter seemed to be enjoying himself greatly at Ryoma's discomfort, which wasn't really helping matters along.
"Winter break is in three days!" Haru wailed, climbing up onto the stage.
"Saa, that will give everyone time to memorize their parts and practice." Fuji jumped off the platform, opting to wait in the audience since he was not in the scene. "For now, I think the death scene could use some going over."
Ryoma snorted, moving backstage to watch and await his cue. "Che. This entire business is ridiculous."
He was really starting to regret setting foot in this school, let alone joined any club, tennis or not. And he doubly regretted ever laying eyes on Fuji Syusuke's perpetually smiling face.
"Let's replay when you get killed," Minou suggested, pencil ready.
Shikara moved to center stage. "Shall we begin?"
Haru took a deep breath. "Okay, let's go."
In one swift motion, Shikara pulled a fake knife from his sleeve and advanced on the vice captain. "I have given you fair warning, time and again. My patience has run out."
"Just a few more days," Haru begged, fighting to keep a straight face. "I—I—"
But he couldn't do it. He burst out laughing, wiping frustrated tears from the corners of his eyes at the same time. "I just can't do it! I feel so ridiculous."
Minou sighed. "Here, let's just say you already died and move on."
Haru lay down on the floor as Daisuke ran in, almost tripping over his legs, and Shikara exited. The jester opened his mouth to exclaim in horror then stopped, frowning.
"You are supposed to be a corpse, Haru. Stop smiling. People who die in pain do not smile."
Ryoma stalked off the stage, grumbling. "This is hopeless."
"Maa, maa, have a little optimism, Ryoma-kun."
Just then the door to the theatre opened and a girl poked her head in. "Would Samara Haru please go to the principal's office?"
Haru sat up, confused. "Now?"
The girl nodded before disappearing back into the hallway.
The group waited with baited breath as the bewildered vice captain exited the theatre.
Ryoma could not explain the sudden sinking sensation in his stomach.
"Trouble do you think?" Sanga muttered, sitting down beside his twin.
Sango nodded. "Mm."
It seemed like an eternity till the theatre door opened again. All eyes were riveted on the vice captain as he stepped back inside, twisting his hands nervously under the scrutiny of his team mates. He opened his mouth then shut it again as nothing came out.
"Well?" Ryoma snapped impatiently.
Haru faltered. "They—they've canceled our registration to any further tennis tournaments this year."
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Ryoma was sprawled on his bed with Kurapin on his stomach, sulking.
Personally, Fuji thought it was a wise decision on the principal's part to disclose the news to Haru instead of the captain himself.
Ryoma had thrown a temper tantrum at being deprived of one of the most important elements in his life. Still, his anguish and frustration had been somewhat quelled with a promise from Fuji to play him a serious game once a week.
It was amazing, Fuji reflected, what the prospect of a good tennis match could do for his boyfriend's moral.
The younger boy practically lived and breathed tennis. Or at least, that was before Fuji came along. After all, the prodigy could never stand to take second place.
It was probably not the best time to tell him Inui's promised gallons of special juice had arrived.
"Cheer up," he advised, heading for the door. "I'll be right back."
Once in the kitchen, Fuji pulled the oven door ajar and peered inside, unmindful of the heat radiating from within. They looked ready. Pulling a glove over his right hand, he opened the door all the way and extracted the tray of golden brown cookies.
Fresh baking always did smell so wonderful.
He paused suddenly, slits of blue gleaming.
His face never changing, Fuji set the still hot tray on the kitchen counter and went to the sink under the pretext of washing his hands. The large window over the sink was open and a bush stood beneath it, the leaves peeking over the sill.
Turning the water on, Fuji purposefully placed his hands up near the mouth of the faucet, causing the water to spurt in a jet into the tangled brush. A satisfied smirk tugged at his lips as he was rewarded by a sharp squawk. There was a flurry of wings and a crow erupted into the skies, struggling to spread its wings and fly away.
It did not get far as the water on its feathers seemed to flow. With a soundless screech and a hiss, the bird seemed to melt away, disintegrating into thin air. But not before Fuji had noticed something distinctly odd and out of place about the creature.
It only had one eye, positioned in the middle of its forehead above its sharp, red beak, which was lined with tiny, razor-sharp teeth.
Turning from the window, Fuji dried his hands and moved to pick up the cookies.
Maybe they would cheer Ryoma up.
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In the darkness of an upstairs room elsewhere in the city, Shikara cursed. Someone had destroyed his Watcher.
Clenching his fist, he frowned.
The question was, who had done it?
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AN: Thanks for reading and please review!