Sharp golden eyes blinked open to see a blinding expanse of white. Where was he? What happened? All he remembered was a brief flash of pain and then…nothing. After that, everything was a blank. He heard a click to his left and turned his head, ignoring the eye-watering pain the motion caused.

"Oh, you're awake." The voice sounded surprised, but his vision was too fuzzy to see who the speaker was. "You scared us, ya know. You've been out of it for a long time, nearly four days. Anyway, I'm glad you're up. As soon as the doctors say you're fit to go, we're leaving."

He opened his mouth to say something, but no noise came out. He swallowed and tried again, but all that managed to do was let him feel how raw and painful his throat was. Luckily, the other person didn't seem to need words to know his question.

"We'll be going to Japan, all of us."

--

"Fujiko!" An energetic voice called, followed by a flying red blur that attached itself to the smiling brunette. "Nya, Bouchou said the ranking matches would be starting in a couple of days, right? I hope we get some good new players."

Kikumaru Eiji, third year high school student, rambled on happily moving from one topic to the next. The teen beside him made no response, but he didn't seem to care as he continued talking about this and that. When they got closer to the brick walls that marked their destination, they were joined by two more figures, one tall with a stern look of his face, and the other, slightly shorter, but with a kind, inviting look to him. The shorter one joined in the chatter immediately whilst the other two walked silently side by side.

The four of them headed to the tennis courts and the tallest began barking orders immediately.

"Kunimitsu," Fuji began and the tallest turned to him. "Good morning." He reached up and left a kiss on the captain's cheek. Tezuka spared him a soft glance before continuing with his orders.

"Bouchou," A second year wearing the regular's uniform approached them, his shoulder length black hair held back by a headband. Another regular trailed behind him, this one with a buzz cut, carrying both their rackets. "There's some guy hanging around the club room inquiring about acceptance."

"Oh?" Fuji butted in, "Did he leave a name, Arai-kun?"

The one who spoke shook his head. "He was dragging around this other guy with him, though, who looked –" Arai quickly cut himself off. "Um, he looked…familiar." He gulped.

"Ah. Well, Kunimitsu, are you going to check it out?" Fuji's smile clearly said that he was tagging along. Tezuka nodded and the two followed Arai to the clubroom. When they got closer, they could see two figures bickering with each other, one wearing a white hat. Immediately, Fuji and Tezuka stiffened. Could it really be?

Tezuka cleared his throat. "I'm Tezuka Kunimitsu, Team Captain. Can I help you?" The taller figure turned to them with a grin while the other tugged his hat low, his posture also stiffening.

"Yo." The other one said cheerfully. "I was wondering if the tennis team was still accepting members. If so, my brother and I would like to join." The shorter boy mumbled something under his breath and the taller jabbed him with his elbow.

"Yes, the team is still accepting and you might have a chance of joining the regulars as well. The ranking matches are in two days." Tezuka said.

"Regulars?"

"The top club members who then form the team that competes in competitions," Fuji inserted helpfully, noticing that the shorter one flinched slightly as he spoke.

"Ah. Well, what do we have to do to join?"

"Talk to the coach and show up at practice." Fuji's smile looked a little strained, but his voice was steady.

"Thanks! Oh, and by the way, 'name's Echizen Ryoga!" With that, he ran off, dragging his brother along. Fuji's smile vanished.

"Looks like it really was him…" Tezuka sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "We should tell the others."

Fuji nodded stiffly. "I'll get them." Tezuka stared after the brunette as he left, worried about the change in attitude. Sure, they were all sore towards the boy who had left them, but…Fuji's manner was showing more than awkwardness.

The clubroom, which was usually used for match briefings and the like, was being used, also for a meeting, but the topic of discussion had nothing to do with business.

"Is it true?" "Could it be?" "I heard Echizen was back." "Seriously? That can't be true." The questions were voiced by everyone as they shifted around, trying to gather their things and get out of the crowded room.

The metal door slammed open and a pretty brunette sent an open-eyed glare at everyone. "Regulars, Bouchou is calling us." Seven people squeezed their way out of the mob and followed the tensai.

"What's up, bouchou?" A boy with short, spiky, black hair asked when they'd all situated themselves into a circle. "What's with all the weird rumors?" The others looked expectantly up at Tezuka, casting furtive glances towards the non-smiling sadist. If Fuji was unhappy and showing it, it couldn't be good.

"Today, we were approached by a new member – two, actually – one of whom was wearing a white Fila cap. The other introduced himself as Echizen Ryoga." The response was instantaneous. Every single person in the room stiffened and their expressions turned hard.

"A-ano…are they going to be accepted into the club?" Arai asked.

"We have no grounds to refuse their acceptance, so, as of tomorrow, they will be new members." Tezuka said firmly. The rest of the club politely ignored their captain's twitching brow. It appeared he was just as uncomfortable with this as they were.

--

Echizen Ryoma tugged his hat farther down, hiding his eyes completely from view. Damn Ryoga, why'd he have to go and bring him here? This was the last place he wanted to be.

He sighed and slung his tennis bag over his shoulder. They'd been told to start practice immediately, and that meant morning practice. So much for his hopes of sleeping in. He cursed Ryoga again. It wasn't just him that was uncomfortable with this. He knew that the others, his old teammates, must feel just as awkward, and they hadn't even met face to face yet. Though, unfortunately, that couldn't be said for the one he'd been dreading to meet most. And he'd been with him, dammit. Even just thinking back on it, his chest clenched painfully. And now he'd be seeing them every single day. Joy.

He glanced around, re-familiarizing himself with the house. It was the same one he'd lived in when he'd been in Japan previously and very little had changed, though it was in desperate need of a new paint job.

Everyone was living back in their old rooms, with the exception of his cousin, Nanako, who was living in a college dorm. Her room had gone to Ryoga. It was unfortunate Nanako wasn't the type to paint her room bright pink or something. Ryoma would've loved to see his face if that happened.

"Yo, Aniki, we're gonna be late if you don't hurry your ass up." He shouted. He got a vague reply before said boy burst through the door and ushered him out of the house.

"Well, this'll be fun, won't it? It's been ages since either of us have played for a team; it'll be a nice change." Ryoga was all smiles as he chattered on and on.

"Ryoga?" The tennis prodigy turned to him, a sweet smile on his face.

"Yes?"

"Shut up." He growled. Ryoga looked vaguely hurt, but brushed it off as they got closer to the school. "Oh, and Ryoga?" Ryoma paused outside the gates, leveling his brother with the most threatening glare he'd ever come across, "I hate you. With a passion."

Ryoga laughed nervously and quickly headed towards the locker room. The minute they opened the door, a silence feel over the assembled players. Ryoma didn't really mind it and just proceeded to change into a red t-shirt and shorts. Ryoga, on the other hand, looked more than a little uncomfortable, his previous smile slipping from his face. Okay, he knew Ryoma had left abruptly before, but wasn't this a bit much? At the moment, he was cursing himself for ever deciding to come here with the snarky brat in tow. How the hell could he act so indifferent, anyway? Oh, right, he was used to this…which led them back to why they were currently in Japan. Ryoga let out a slow breath and attempted to stop his mind from running in circles. Any time now, that little thing called sanity would float back in…hopefully it wouldn't be too late.

Ryoma calmly ignored everyone as he finished pulling on his practice clothes and headed out of the clubroom, racket in hand. He acted nonchalant, even when he passed Tezuka on the way to the courts. On the inside, though, he was going through a mental breakdown. Everyone kept staring at him and it was beginning to get on his nerves. Why couldn't he just be like any other freshman, anyway?

Club activities began and Tezuka gathered everyone. "These two will be our newest club members. Help them adjust and fit in." Even as he said so, not once did his shoulders relax. No one else was any better, either. A great many people had tensed up as soon as they spotted the white Fila cap and they certainly spent their sweet time adverting their eyes.

"Uh, hi, I'm Echizen Ryoga. Nice to meet you?" He said uncertainly, a bead of sweat traveling down his neck at the intense stares directed at his brother. Mr. Popular once more, it seemed, though not necessarily in a good way.

"Echizen Ryoma," Said person ground out, barely audible. It was enough though, when he pulled down his hat in the signature move. Immediately, whispers started to break out.

"Get to work." Tezuka snapped. Already he could feel the migraine coming on. And it didn't help that Fuji had been oddly silent and somber ever since Echizen's arrival, his ever-present smile was conspicuously missing.

Practice passed on, uneventful, though many found it surprising that Ryoma willingly did the warm-ups with the rest of the first years, collecting balls and the like. Not once did he ask for a match or to be anything more than a simple freshman and that, quite frankly, scared most of them more than it should. What had happened to the cocky rookie they once knew? Not that any of them were actually expressing their concern, but the thoughts were present, nonetheless.

Throughout practice, Ryoma was inadvertently avoided, mainly out of awkwardness, because no one knew how to approach him. Ryoga, unfortunately, was also avoided, for which he was not very happy, but he supposed he could live. Finally, practice ended and everyone headed to their classes, determined not to be late.

As he was headed out, Ryoma was stopped by a short boy with a common haircut. The moment he opened his mouth, Ryoma knew he knew him, especially as that obnoxious voice floated out and inquired where the heck he had been. Ryoma sweatdropped. Apparently three years hadn't changed the boy any. Hopefully the same couldn't be said for his tennis, though Ryoma doubted it.

"I believe I said I was going to America. That's where I went." His voice was soft but firm as he spoke, making it clear that this conversation was over. With that, he stalked past the loudmouthed boy and continued to class.

The day passed on normally, and he felt lucky that he had no classes with any of the regulars. Ryoga was less lucky, his class containing both the hyperactive redhead and the sadistic tensai. Oh yeah, life was going just great. He spent most of the day mentally reciting every curse word in every language he knew.

--

Afternoon practice found the club members gathered in front of the captain, vice-captain, and coach. They were informed of the ranking tournament that would take place in a few days time and advised to practice thoroughly for the event. For that purpose, the coach proposed a new idea.

"I want everyone to participate in a practice match, including the freshman. It doesn't matter who you play, but you are expected to play at full force. Those who don't will be running laps until the end of practice, clear?" The man barked. The high school coach was a tall man with darkish skin and short black hair held in place by a black visor. His name, as they'd picked apart from different conversations as they'd never really been told, was Nakamura Seiichi and he was treated with respect, though it didn't escape their notice how everyone turned to Tezuka for reassurance rather than listen to the coach directly.

The members drifted off and paired up as ordered. In a corner, Ryoma could hear that loudmouthed kid bragging about five or so years of tennis experience as Kachiro and Katsuko walked onto one of the courts. Ryoma followed his brother, absentmindedly and found himself facing off with the net between them.

"It's been a while since we've played a serious match, hasn't it, Chibisuke?" Ryoga smirked at him.

"Shut up, bastard." Ryoma hissed in English. Why was he always getting nicknames that reflected on how small he was?

"Language, Chibisuke. What would your mother do if she heard you speak like that?"

"Presumably the same thing she'd do to you, moron. We have the same mother, in case you've forgotten." As he spoke, the freshman noticed that their banter had become a source of entertainment for many of the tennis players. They'd stopped their own activities to see what would happen.

"Oh, that's right, isn't it? Hmm, well, no matter. Ready to lose?" He taunted.

"I'll make you cry." Ryoma glared. For the others, it was almost comforting to hear him talk in the same cocky tone they were used to before. "Which?"

"Smooth." Ryoga was rewarded the serve and he started off with a simple everyday serve that made Ryoma growl in irritation as he returned it.

"Didn't you hear the orders to play seriously?" He barked, his bad mood becoming apparent.

"Whatever. What's got your boxers in a bunch, anyway?" Ryoga grinned as his brother choked.

"What the hell!? Nothing, and quit using freakish terms."

"Or what?" Their rally continued simply for a while, neither making any sort of effort and hardly even panting.

"Need examples? I'd think last time would be enough." He smirked, reminding the older boy of an incident involving duct tape, cheesecake, and lots of silly string. Ryoga flinched visibly and retaliated with a cross shot. Ryoma caught it and lobbed it high, inviting the inevitable smash that he knew would follow. Ryoga hit it, displaying a huge amount of power, and Ryoma hit the ball after it bounced, sending it back with the Super Rising he'd learned years ago. Some of the club members that were unfamiliar with Ryoma gasped in surprise that a freshman could pull off such a move, but their shock was short lived when Ryoga actually connected racket and ball, sending it back across the net. Unfortunately, it was out, but the fact that he caught it made many people gape at him.

"You'll have to do better than that, Chibisuke." Echizen taunted.

"This coming from the one who hit it out."

"Shut up."

Ryoga served a speed ball and scored a service ace. The next time he tried, though, Ryoma caught it and sent it speeding back, adding more power to it. Ryoga flinched slightly at the heavy ball, but lobbed it back. Ryoma jumped and smashed it to the far corner. His brother ran for it and almost got it. The small, green ball collided with the edge of his racket and flew across the court, only to connect with the net.

"30-15" The younger boy called. They continued for some time, the score remaining pretty much even, but the moves becoming more and more advanced. Each player was subtly breaking out new, complex moves as the match went on. By now, all the regulars had their eyes trained on the game and the old freshman trio watched in awe.

The match had been going on a full thirty minutes and the coach began dismissing the players that weren't watching. He didn't stop the game, though, even as the courts became deserted, too engulfed in the fabulous play presented before him.

Both Echizen's eyes were alight with thrill. The game took everything they had and they loved it. It had been so long since they played a serious match and they found themselves missing it. After all, it wasn't often that they found anyone worthy of a challenge on the courts aside from their Baka Oyaji, and they were enjoying this rare moment when they could forget the pretenses and just play.

Finally, Ryoma ended the match with his Cyclone Smash and won, 7-6. The tiebreak had actually gone on long enough to reach the thirties, but Ryoga made the mistake of lobbing the heavy ball he'd received. When it was over, the audience began clapping, starting them back into awareness of their current whereabouts. Ryoma blinked in surprise before tugging his cap down over his eyes quickly. Ryoga chuckled lightly and grabbed the hat, pulling it off and ruffling the boy's hair, much to his chagrin.

Nakamura-sensei walked over to the boys, a happy look gracing his features. "Echizen-kun, that was fantastic. You both played an amazing match." They bowed, embarrassed, but pleased. "Practice is long over, so go ahead and change." He dismissed them. "Tezuka," He called the captain. "I haven't seen such talent in quite a while. Now, I know that we usually don't allow first years to participate, but I really think the boy should be given a chance. He certainly showed more promise than those other freshman."

Tezuka's lips had formed a thin line, but the coach had yet to notice. He wasn't the only one, either. The regulars looked at each other in discomfort and a look of pure horror had washed over Arai's face. There was no way in hell he'd give up his regulars spot to a brat who'd abandoned them!

"Well, in any case, Tezuka-kun, please consider adding him to the ranking matches. It would be a waste if his talent got away from us." Tezuka gave a bitter smile and nodded politely. "Ah, it seems I've held you up long enough. You should all go change." The nine regulars and the freshman trio marched off the courts, varying emotions carried on each face.

(The nine regulars includes the manager, who doesn't get to play in matches, but I'm going to count him as part of the regulars anyway.)

--

Tezuka changed in silence and met Fuji at the locker room door. They strolled away from the campus, a comfortable silence held between them as their hands clasped and fingers entwined. After a while, though, when they approached the juncture they had to part at, Tezuka spoke up.

"Syuusuke?" He began, concern leaking into his voice. "Are you okay? You seem…spacey."

"Mmm?" Fuji looked off into the distance, his eyes not meeting Tezuka's. "I'm fine, really, Kunimitsu." He reached up and planted a kiss on soft lips. "I'd better head home. Neechan wanted me to help her with something. See you tomorrow." He smiled softly and Tezuka nodded, turning in the direction of his own home. As soon as his back was to him, Fuji's smile vanished. The stuff about helping Yumiko at home was a load of bull and he was willing to bet that Tezuka knew. Still, he was glad his boyfriend didn't push the matter. This was hard enough without having to talk about it.

Sighing, Fuji walked off, absentmindedly making his way to a park he often favored for pictures. The scenery was beautiful and natural and he couldn't help snapping photos of it whenever he had his camera on him. Now, however, the tranquil surroundings did little to appease him. Why did the kid have to return now? Couldn't he have stayed away? Or maybe…couldn't he have never left?

Fuji's lazy feet brought him to the base of a large oak and he settled down on the grass to just think. It was rather hard, he found, to focus, but he did manage to sort out a few thoughts. At least, that is, until he heard a shout from the other side of the tree. He peeked over and was surprised to see the subject of his thoughts standing right in front of him. Well, not right in front of him; Syuusuke was still partially behind the tree and there were a few things obscuring his vision…like the flying body that was headed toward him. With a yelp, he pulled his head back to avoid a collision. When the body landed in the grass, hard, he took a moment to look at it. It was a young boy, probably around his age, dressed in all sorts of bizarre clothes. He looked like the stereotypical punk, as did his companion that went flying after him. Syuusuke quirked an eyebrow and glanced back at the fight scene.

Echizen, innocent little Echizen, was not as innocent as he appeared. At the moment, he was busy beating the crap out of another punk, ignoring the ones already scattered in the ground, groaning.

"Now, what was it you said?" Fuji couldn't see Echizen's face, but he was pretty sure the words were coming from him. Weird, the voice sounded strange, filled with malice, not at all like the voice he remember the young freshman to have.

"Y-you…brat!" The kid forced out, gasping for breath. Ryoma's fist shot out and collided with the man's jaw. A loud crack was heard and the boy slumped in Ryoma's grasp. Echizen dropped him, carelessly, and turned toward the tree, spotting Syuusuke. Fuji's eyes snapped open in surprise, particularly when the boy sent a fist flying towards him. Fuji backed away, confusion evident on his face.

"Now, now, Echizen, that's no way to treat a sempai." He consoled, dodging another punch.

"What do you want?" Ryoma hissed, his voice deadly. Syuusuke blinked in surprise and missed the fist headed towards him. The punch rammed into his left cheek with enough power to send Fuji flying backwards. He landed on his butt and stared at his kohai, wide-eyed. What the hell was going on? Echizen Ryoma had rarely been the type for unnecessary violence, so why was he suddenly attacking Fuji?

A shout caused them both to turn, and Ryoma moved away from his sempai to attack the newcomer. Said person ducked and aimed a kick to Ryoma's gut. It connected and the boy fell back, smashing into the tree. With a groan, Echizen Ryoma slipped into unconsciousness. Fuji stared up at his savior and blinked. "Echizen…Ryoga, wasn't it?" Fuji wondered what the hell was going on. First, he finds his cute little kohai in a fight, then said kohai attacks him, then said kohai's brother attacks said kohai…okay, he needed an aspirin. Badly.

Ryoga cleared his throat nervously. "Ehm, Fuji-san, could you possibly…ignore this? Okay, probably not, but see…it's kinda hard to explain. Chibisuke's not really himself, ya know? So…" He trailed off nervously as Syuusuke picked himself up from the ground and brushed off his clothes.

"Fine," Fuji said, leveling the older Echizen with a blue-eyed stare, "but I expect an explanation. A good one."

"Uh, y-yeah. But…not now…Chibisuke's…I gotta get Chibisuke home." Ryoga stuttered, cursing himself. When had he turned into such a coward, anyway?

"Fine. We'll have a little…chat tomorrow." A sadistic smile appeared on his face before he took one last look at the unconscious boy. A brief look of sadness passed through his eyes before they were shut from the world. He walked out of the park, one hand coming to rest over his throbbing cheek. Who knew the kid pack such a punch? Hell, if he weren't getting hit by it, he might compliment the boy's right hook.

--

"Nya, Fujiko, what happened!?" Eiji called out in distress when he saw his longtime friend nursing a bandage on his left cheek.

"Oh, it's nothing. How was your evening?" Fuji smiled, quickly changing the subject. Eiji launched into a description of some movie his family had watched, but Fuji tuned him out. His chat with Echizen Ryoga was going to prove very interesting, he thought. Very interesting.

All through morning practice, he was constantly getting asked about his injury. Although he waved the questions off, he noticed Tezuka giving him suspicious looks and graced with an innocent smile. Tezuka didn't look convinced in the least, but he adverted his gaze anyway. A low voice caught Fuji's attention and he turned his head to see Echizen Ryoma talking to the loud freshman kid.

"Ne, what happened to Fuji-sempai's face?" He asked. His face was drawn into a frown as he stared curiously at his sempai. Fuji's eyes opened slightly.

"Oh, he said he fell or something. Anyway, I, Horio-sama, with five years of tennis experience would never fall." At that moment, Ryoma looked very tempted to trip the boy, but resisted the urge in favor of staring at Fuji. Fuji turned his head so that he didn't seem to be staring, but continued to watch out of the corner of his eye. The boy's expression didn't change at all. He seemed honestly curious as to what had befallen his sempai and Fuji just couldn't understand it. With that in mind, he flitted over to the other Echizen and graced him with his sweetest smile. Ryoga gulped and smiled nervously himself. He followed Fuji away a bit, ready for a thorough grilling.

"Now, Echizen-kun, perhaps you can explain why I was attacked by your brother who now doesn't seem to know anything that happened?" Fuji's eyes were open and staring directly into his.

"Um…well, he doesn't, not exactly. See…"

--

Ryoma noticed that Ryoga was missing during practice and also spotted that Fuji-sempai wasn't among the practicing players. His brow furrowed in thought as he began the freshman training regimen, consisting mainly of 50 swings and 20 laps. Such things he could do without any thought at all, so he willingly let his mind wander. Fuji-sempai fell and injured his cheek? Was he the only one that thought things seemed a bit…off?

Spacing out, he didn't realize he was being called until Horio shoved him to get his attention. As Ryoma fell, just barely catching himself, a short chain fell from his shirt, attached around his neck. It sported a small, hexagonal sapphire encased in a silver metal. Odd, they didn't remember Ryoma to wear jewelry before…

Ryoma straightened, pulling himself up from the ground and leveling Horio with a death glare. "What?" He growled.

Horio whimpered. "Um, Bouchou asked to see you." He whispered, face going pale.

"Where is he?" Horio pointed to the clubroom and Ryoma walked off, a dark aura around him signaling that he was not pleased. He knocked on the door to the room before walking in to see Tezuka and Oishi. "You called for me, Bouchou?" He asked, his voice quiet.

Both turned and Oishi gave him a small, uncertain smile. "Um, Nakamura-sensei recommended you for the regulars and, well…"

"You'll be participating in the ranking tournament tomorrow." Tezuka finished, his voice emotionless as always.

"Hai," Ryoma bowed his head slightly, tugging his hat down.

"Good luck." Oishi dismissed him, awkwardly. Ryoma nodded and left the room silently. Oishi frowned. "He's changed…he's changed a lot." He murmured. Tezuka nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps he's just…growing up." Tezuka said softly. Oishi smiled.

"I hope that's it."

--

Sorry if Tezuka's out of character. Or any of them, really, but Tezu was the hardest to write for this chappie. I absolutely hate the perfect pair, which makes me wonder why I'm including it, but the plot asked for it, so…I just hope it's not too OOC or anything.

Don't forget to review. Criticism is always welcome, so please, feel free…