Disclaimer: I don't own Prince Of Tennis.

A/N: And they're off . . . dang this is one early upload, Tezuka is in this chapter so if he appeares to be out of character in any way plz tell me, same goes for Fuji. Thank you for sricking with me this far. Enjoy!!

Chapter 4

"I never thought I was going to have to send two of you to Germany." Ryuzaki-sensei sighed. They were at the airport waiting to see Tezuka and Fuji off.

"We'll miss you both, but at least Fuji isn't going there for medical reasons." Oishi said humorously. During Hyotei's Atobe-Tezuka match Tezuka hurt his shoulder badly and a medical facility in Germany was recommended by a tennis coach Ryuzaki-sensei knew. "How long is this program thing?"

"Don't worry it's only for a week." Rin came up behind Oishi, "he'll be back before the Jyousei match. As for practice, don't worry the hotel where I'm assigned is five-star with all the facilities you can think of."

Oishi stared at her, "how can you be so sure."

Rin shrugged, "it's a top notch program that takes excellent care of its candidates. Here, look at this." She handed him a brochure.

Oishi eyes widened as he read the brochure, "You actually get to perform on stage? She's right about the hotel." Handing her back the brochure he said, "Good luck then."

"Thank you," she grinned as she turned around hooking both her arms around one of each of her travel companions as she dragged them on. "Let's go you two; we have to get our luggage in, check out the stores, libraries. . ." her voice faded off as they went past the security check.

At the duty free shopping area Tezuka's irritation was obvious on his frowning face. Rin was darting from shop to shop, mostly shoe stores. "Awe, cheer up Tezuka-kun, we've got two more hours to kill." At that Tezuka sweat dropped. Two whole hours of shopping did not sit well with him.

Turning on his heel Tezuka headed for the waiting area, "don't wander too long"

Rin waved at his retreating back. "Where do you think you're going?"

Fuji froze on the spot, he was hoping she wouldn't notice him leaving, "I thought I might keep him company."

Hands on hips she glared at him before grabbing his hand and dragging him to the next shoe store. "You're not getting away that easy."



An hour and a half later Fuji and Rin met up with Tezuka in the waiting lobby. Fuji was looking haggard and worn down as he slumped into the seat next to Tezuka whereas Rin was glowing as she went off to get them some drinks.

"Have fun?"

"I've never seen so many shoes in my life." Fuji straightened in his seat when Rin handed him and Tezuka their drinks. They both thanked her.

Rin nudged Fuji as she sat next to him, "just be happy we aren't headed for Milan."

Fuji chuckled. I don't want to think about what might have happened. They went to every shop there was, Rin tried on many shoes but came out without a single purchase, and she had even made two salesmen cry. He gulped, this girl can be scary.

Finally it was time to board the plane. Fuji and Tezuka moved aside to let Rin go first, once the attendant checked her visa she handed it back to Rin along with a sheet of music and a box.

"What's this?" Rin asked the attendant.

"We were informed to give these to you to practice on the plane." She smiled at Rin.

Rin gawked at her. "On the plane, but how?" the attendant pointed at the box. Opening the box she found a strange role of . . . something. Not wanting to hold up the line she moved along. Once on the plane and seated she opened the box again and took out what's inside and unfurled it.

"They look just like the keys on a piano." Fuji said. He was sitting to her right side while Tezuka was seated to her left at the window. The seats they were assigned to looked strange. The foldable tables in front of them seemed too wide.

"How do you play this thing?" she scrutinized it a while before figuring out that the strange fist sized box attached to the end of the keys was the battery and on switch.

"Wait." Tezuka said as he unfolded the table in front of him and asked Rin and Fuji to do the same. Once they were all opened they made one long table big enough for Rin to place her portable piano on it and play comfortably.

"Cool." Rin took out the music sheets and flipped through them. Her eyes scanned the contents. "This is an eight minute piece." She returned to the front 

page where she the title. 'Mozart's Rondo in A major.' Beneath the title was a note, 'To be played upon arrival.' "What the heck does that mean?"

"Found you"

"Eh? Who are you?" Rin looked up and saw a boy about her age. He was blond with blue eyes. He combed back his hair with his hand as he smiled devilishly. Whoa, he's cute.

"My name is Ranmaru Takeshi." He leaned over Fuji as he winked at Rin, "But you can call me Ran-chan." As he straightened he said, "I'm another candidate for the Munich Piano Program."

"I'm Rin Tanami, pleased to meet you." She held out her hand he took it and kissed it. Fuji frowned slightly. "Would you happen to know what they mean by 'to be played upon arrival'?"

Ranmaru laughed, "I can see this is your first time." Taking a deep breath, "Every year, when the program chooses its candidates it gives them a piece when they reach the plane, which they have to practice then perform the moment they arrive at the academy. Then they decide which level course is best for the candidate. " He blew her a kiss as he walked back to his seat, "see you later beautiful, I have to practice my own piece."

Fuji glared at his retreating back. That guy was getting on his nerves. He didn't know why he didn't like Ranmaru, he just didn't. Fuji's glare barely lasted a second before his usual smile was back.

Tezuka was the only one that noticed Fuji's frown and he raised an eyebrow at that. Fuji rarely frowned and usually when he did, it was for a good reason.

During the flight Rin was continuously practicing the piece over and over again, every time she played it she got better and better. Tezuka spent his time reading while Fuji sat quietly fighting with himself. It's not like he did anything wrong, I have no reason to hate him. He glanced back at where Ranmaru was sitting, there's something about him that I don't trust. Glancing back at Rin he thought it's not because he was flirting outrageously with her. It can't be because of that.

In that instant Ranmaru came over, "hey Tanami-san, why don't you come practice with me?" he was smiling devilishly again.

Rin hesitated as she looked at Tezuka, who simply shrugged. Then she looked at Fuji and for the first time in her life saw him frowning, his frown was directed at Ranmaru. "Erm, I don't know, I. . ."



"Oh come on. I'll tell you about the course placement and all you need to know about the program." He ran his hand through his hair.

"Well, alright then." She gathered her piano and sheets before she followed Ranmaru. She looked over her shoulder to see Fuji and he was still frowning but this time it was directed at her. What's his problem? What the heck is he mad at me for? That idiot.

"What's the matter Fuji?" Tezuka calmly asked Fuji as he set his book down.

"It's nothing." He glanced back at where Rin was, his frown deepened as he saw Ranmaru continue to flirt with her. He felt like he wanted to grab her and get her back in her seat.

Tezuka followed Fuji's line of vision, "You're angry at her?"

Fuji's head snapped back to Tezuka, "No, I'm just . . ." his voice trailed off.

"Mad at that Ranmaru boy."

Fuji's fists clenched as he frowned at his lap. "There's something about him that's just not quite right."

"He's flirting with Rin."

Fuji's head snapped back to Tezuka, his blue eyes showed shock. Tezuka had opened his book and was reading again, "Don't let your guard down." He told Fuji his eyes still on the book.

To Be Continued . . .

Bwahahahaha, in the next chapter they get to germany, what will Fujikins do? o.O'