-1Hello anybody reading this!

ImmortalTigress- I'm glad you like it, and it's good that it makes you think of a soap opera, because it's supposed to be a bit more complicated and angsty then I would normally write. I also like it more complicated, so just tell me if I go too far! I'll try and get some more Kaido in here soon, so please be patient with me. Thank you for reviewing!

Blufox- Hahahahahahahaha! -Laughs even more.- Love the shoulder comment.

Dovaly- Hmm... I wonder if Niou will share his winnings?

Shuu-chan- -Blushes- ... Only for that chapter...

Wistful-Dreamer- Yay?

KaL KeY- Don't worry, if I lead up to something, I do it! -Laughs.-

Shimizu Miki- Sorry it was a little short. I hope this one is better! On with Rikkai! (Oh, and everyone else...)

DarkDemonCat- I don't get writers block very often, and when I do, I have ways to deal with it, so no worries! As for the in-character comment, I'm very glad to hear that, because I try very hard to keep them in character. Still, I am a firm believer that love changes people, and so I allow myself a little wiggle room.

SkyBlue147- Next chapter! Next chapter for Shinji and Kamio! I promise!

KiriharaAkaya- I'M SO SORRY!!! -Cries.- It just worked better to do it this way! (Adding in TangoPair scene later... Just a little though...)

Alaena Flame Dragonstar- The comment about Atobe was for AnimeFan06, I'm sorry for the confusion, but if you look back at the last chapter, the reply to your review is farther down. I wish I could see people dance in the air too... -Sigh.-

Yoshikochan- Yay! Sadism!

Disclaimer- I do not own Prince of Tennis

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Ryuzaki sighed for the zillionth time that evening, as all of the boys were slowly herded (an appropriate phrase, she thought) back into the main room. She had to make the announcement, of course, but it made her nervous to think about doing so. After all, there was a chance of the idea she had discussed with the other adults, Aoi and Tarou, would be immediately rebuked by those who it would effect the most, the TPPs. The music was cut, and Ryuzaki, followed by the two other adults, moved to place where everyone could see them. By now, the boys all knew something was going on, and listened carefully for what would be said. All except for Ryoma who just stood there and smirked, already knowing.

"Thank you for your attention," Ryuzaki said, scanning the faces of the crowd, checking again that they were all there. "The other adults and I have been discussing, and we've come to a conclusion, a solution to several problems you boys are no doubt facing because of this Trivial Pulse incident, as well as... Other things." He eyes connected with Tachibana's for just a moment, and his eyes widened a bit in surprise.

"My team has been living together in a house in the country," Ryuzaki said, "And I know that the Hyotei team is currently staying in a set of dorms on campus." A few people from schools not mentioned muttered to each other and glanced around, trying to make sense of what she was trying to say.

"We think that these kind of situations work better. Having room to exercise your individual changes without worrying about the outside world is beneficial, we've found, especially in those with extra powers." Ryuzaki looked back to Tarou, who nodded and took a step forward.

"I own a large property outside of the city limits," Tarou explained coolly, "It is plenty big enough to house all of you, and perhaps more, should others begin to develop later on. Anyone who wants to, is welcome to move in there, with permission from their parents."

Wild chatter began all over the room, as people began discussing all of this excitedly. Aoi took a step forward, and waited for silence. "Of course, if you want to room with someone you are 'romantically involved' with, you will have to ask your parents for that as well. Anyone staying there will also be able to go to their own school, transportation provided if needed."

"In the mean time, you should all call your parents, as anyone interesting in staying on the property should spend the night here until the details are made out." Ryuzaki said, "Also, could Shinji Ibu, Akira Kamio, Kippei Tachibana, Shusuke Fuji, and Yuta Fuji please come to the board room with us adults, we need to talk to you, as well as anyone with powers. Thank you." All three adults stepped down, and were followed by several students into the board room.

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Now was probably the best time to speak with Kirihara, Niou thought, especially as Bunta was in the board room with the rest of the power kids. He slowly made his way over to the junior, and stood beside him invasively. Kirihara glanced at him.

"Are you going to go? To this house of theirs?" Kirihara asked.

"I was thinking about it," Niou smirked, "Picking my roommate would be nice."

"Yeah," Kirihara agreed, though he caught the double meaning in Niou's words and blushed a bit. "I was thinking that it might fun. If there's tennis courts, I mean."

"I'm sure there will be," Niou said, "Did you have a certain roommate in mind?"

Kirihara hesitated.

"You can tell me," Niou smirked, "Your senpai will keep his lips sealed."

"I... Would like to room with a certain someone, but I don't think he'd want to room with me."

"Oh? And do I know this person?"

Kirihara gave him a look like 'You know you do.'

"Do you like this person?"

Kirihara made a face at him. "Why would I want to share a room with someone I don't like?"

"Like Like."

"Oh," Kirihara gulped. "...Yeah."

"Who is it?"

"Why should I tell you?" Kirihara challenged, eyeing the trickster warily.

Niou's grin widened. "Because I have a feeling I can help you."

Kirihara paused, and then said... "Alright."

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"First of all," Ryuzaki said, addressing the group of teenagers she had before her, "Are any of you interested in the offer to live on the property?" There was a little bit of chatter, and nearly everyone nodded their heads.

Only Kamio and Shinji kept silent. Ryuzaki saw Tachibana glance at them, and knew that they needed to get through their talk with the powers children before she could explain why they were in here. Trying to keep focused on the object at hand, she addressed the other boys. "Those of you with powers are in here because if you wish to stay there, we will need to be aware of your power, what it is, and a general idea of how it works, to insure our safety, the safety of the other residents, and your own safety as well." She sat down in a chair, paper and pen in hand, and waited. Tezuka stepped forward.

"You already know this, but my power controls the senses," Tezuka explained, saying so mostly for the other adults, and to assure the other power holders that there was nothing to fear by telling the adults. "However, rather then block certain objects and sounds from people's view and hearing, I have now figured out how to turn a sense off entirely."

"Could you show us?" Tarou asked, interested.

Tezuka nearly winced. "I tried on myself the other day, and it was not pleasant. I would rather not."

"Tezuka-kun, we need a bit of understanding," Ryuzaki said. "Please." She made it clear then that she would be the one he tried it on. Tezuka took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

"It will be easier if you are calm, Sensei," Tezuka said, trying to calm himself down as well, though he knew he looked outwardly composed already. Ryuzaki settled back into the chair, and Tezuka put his hand over her eyes. Ryuzaki felt Tezuka's hand pull away, put could not see. For a moment, she wanted to panic. The sudden, never ending darkness frightening. Then, gaining control of herself, she spoke in a small voice.

"I understand." Tezuka made a noise of agreement, and Ryuzaki could see again as he released her from his power. "Tezuka-kun, I'm going to have to ask that you never use that aspect of your power again."

"I wouldn't want to," Tezuka said, his eyes serious. Ryuzaki wrote down a few notes, and Fuji took a step forward.

"You know mine as well," Fuji smiled, "But, I might as well say it out loud, as I never really said anything to you about it. I take away pain. I can take any kind of pain or wound from anyone and harbor it myself."

"Do you think you could transfer pain from one person to another?" Aoi asked, looking a bit concerned. Probably about her masterpieces, should they get on Fuji's bad side.

"No," Fuji said, and then added, quietly, "That's not what I asked for."

Yuushi took his turn then, and snapped his fingers, creating a flame, and then used his power to twist and turn it into a few different symbols. Jirou phased through people and things, making some people laugh and others shiver. Ryoma told everyone about his power without once moving his lips from their smirk, and even more people shivered at that. Wakato used his power only twice, the first on accident as someone knocked into him, and the second time for the adults, changing before their eyes after barely brushing against Tachibana's arm, taking on his lion's mane. Dan hesitantly used his power to change people's emotions, staring first with himself, inducing himself to a state of clam, and then on Jirou, making him extremely upset, then happy, and then releasing him from his power, leaving Jirou quite confused.

Soon, the only people who had not displayed a power, other then the people that Ryuzaki had called in specially, were Bunta and Yukimura. When Ryuzaki asked why they had held back, Yukimura only smiled for a moment before answering that he hadn't been sure that Bunta should use his power in a group of so many people.

"He controls ice," The buchou explained with a smile. "It would become quite cold in here if he were to use his power, and there also happens to be a side effect that I figured should be taken in stride." He nodded to Marui, who closed his eyes. Ryuzaki felt the temperature in the room drop in a very unnatural, unsubtle way. A slight smile was spreading across Bunta's face, as a few ice cubes formed in his upturned right hand. He opened his eyes again, which Ryuzaki noticed had turned to an icy-blue, and began to do a sort of one-handed juggling.

"What's going on?" his voice was as cool as the ice cubes he tossed through the air. He looked around, as if trying to figure out where he was, and then smirked when he saw Yukimura. "Are you the reason he brought me here? Since when are you advertising my existence to so many people, Seiichi?" The way he said 'Seiichi' hit Ryuzaki as wrong, and she realized then, as did several other people in the room, that Marui was no longer 'Marui'.

"They're people like us, Ikasu," Yukimura said, ignoring any confused looks he was given. "Have you been sleeping?"

"Since afternoon practice. I can only watch him stare at the brat for so long before
I get bored," the Marui look-alike said, smirking slightly. He looked around at all of the people. "And what do you expect me to do here, build an ice sculpture?" The sarcasm in his voice made a bit of anger flicker through Yukimura's eyes, but then the buchou was back in control.

"No, you were only brought here to meet them, Ikasu," Yukimura said.

"Ah. 'Show them the 'extra', and then make him return the body to the other inhabitant'." He actually was pretty good at mocking Yanagi, as Yanagi had said something very similar when they had all told him of their newest 'position'.

"No, I'm not asking you to leave," Yukimura asked, "I'm asking you to stay away and pay attention. The decisions made here with affect you just as much as they effect Bunta." After saying that, Yukimura touched the other boy's shoulder lightly, and the temperature in the room returned to normal. Marui looked tired and sat back on his haunches, smiling up at Yukimura.

"How did your talk with him go, Buchou?" he questioned. Ryuzaki was relieved to see his eyes and demeanor back to normal.

"Fine, Bunta. He was more polite then usual, even," Yukimura remarked, making Marui laughed and shake his head, not believing it.

"Could the two of you please explain what just happened?" Ryuzaki inquired after a moment.

"Ah," Yukimura said, "When Bunta uses his power, his 'other personality' comes out. Of course, he can come out other times if he really wants too, and he can give control back to Bunta without the power turning off, but it just normally works out that he doesn't. He didn't want to be called anything that we called Bunta, so we started to call him 'Ikasu (Cool)'.

"The only real problem is that Bunta doesn't remember what happens when Ikasu is in control, while Ikasu retains Bunta's memories, if he happens to be awake."

"I see..." Ryuzaki frowned. "What exactly is your power, Yukimura-kun?"

"I turn powers off," Yukimura explained with a smile. "For some reason, that power also allows me to turn Ikasu 'off'."

"I see," Ryuzaki repeated, and added those powers and notes to her list. "Thank you, boys. Now, if everyone could leave except for those I had said needed to be here before..." The boys began moving out. "Thank you."

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Kirihara stood outside, letting the wind wash over him as he pondered over what Niou had told him.

"Just kiss him," Niou had said. "If he doesn't return your feelings, he'll laugh them off. You know Bunta, he won't make it awkward."

It made sense, and Niou never sugar-coated the truth, at least, not when he wasn't trying to get away with something. So, Kirihara decided, it might be best to just take that advice. He let out a long sigh, feeling resolved and strangely at ease now that he had chosen a plan of action. So much so, in fact, that he didn't even hear as someone came up behind him.

"I heard you were looking for me?" Kirihara knew that that voice was Bunta's, and he turned immediately, pressing his lips against those of his senpai, wrapping his into an embrace. He began to kiss the older boy lips only, waiting, hoping that his senpai will kiss him back.

Bunta's lips seem strangely colder as he does, even running his tongue over Kirihara's lips in a request for access. Kirihara opens his lips a bit, willingly, letting Bunta's tongue slip through into his mouth to deepen the kiss. They kiss for a moment longer, and then Kirihara pulls back, breathless and blushing, not meeting Bunta's eyes.

"I really like you, Senpai," He says, and waits for a reaction.

He hears Bunta chuckle, and looks up, surprised. Then he sees those eyes, and freezes.

Eyes of ice blue.

"How ironic," Ikasu chuckled, "That you would finally build up the courage to confess to him, and I am the one to hear it."

"Why are you here?" Kirihara asks, looking slightly mortified.

"I'm here because he retreated," Ikasu smirked, "You should have given him at least a little warning. You surprised him so much that I was forced out here. You scared him right out of his skin."

"Shut up, Ikasu," Kirihara glared at him halfheartedly, finally moving back, and taking his arms from around the other boy.

"Don't blame me, Chinchilla-Boy," Ikasu smiled, though it wasn't as harsh as it normally seemed.

"That's 'Chichillicious-Boy', to you."

"And what does he get to call you?"

"Whatever he likes," Kirihara answered.

"Ah," Ikasu nodded, understanding. "Then I suppose you want me to force him back out here."

"Yes," the younger boy nodded. As soon as he did, he saw a strange look in Ikasu's eyes he had not seen before. "Because if I talk to you about this, Bunta won't remember. I want you both to hear."

"Why?"

"Because you're a part of him." Kirihara shrugged. "And he's a part of you. The two of you are completely different, but you're both two halves of one whole. Both of you need the other to exist."

"He doesn't need me," Ikasu laughed, "I'm the byproduct of his power, remember?"

Kirihara shook his head, "I don't think so. I think that you've always been a part of him. You complete him."

"That doesn't make any sense," Ikasu sighed, but he was smiling. "Alright. Have your chat. I'll make sure to not let him run away this time. And kid..." he looked Kirihara right in the eyes. "Thanks." Then Bunta was back, and Kirihara was left to wonder what that meant.

"...Akaya?" Bunta asked, then seemed to remember what had been going on just before he forced Ikasu into control. He suddenly looked very vulnerable. Kirihara nodded to him, his eyes soft.

"Marui-senpai, I," Kirihara took a deep breath, "I like you a lot." Kirihara waited to be rejected. He closed his eyes, waiting for Bunta to laugh or maybe even slap him. What he felt instead was warm arms slipping around his shoulders, and warm lips being pressed against his hair.

"I like you too, Akaya," Bunta whispered back, silently wishing he could thank Ikasu for not letting him run away again. "A lot," he added, knowing that the junior would wonder otherwise.

"...Would you... Like to room with me, at the property?" Kirihara asked, and Bunta nodded, pulling Kirihara into a kiss, just in case his nod hadn't sealed it properly. As they kissed, he felt Kirihara's lips twist into a smile.