A/N: Sorry for the delay! I was busy and had a computer virus that was MALICIOUS (dun dun duuun) so yeah… Hope you enjoy chapter 10!

FYI: there is a bit of a time skip here… read carefully… and yes, it is a long chapter…

Chapter 10

St. Rudolph

Miku was running as fast as she could. Seigaku could get a chance to go to the nationals if they won today. But they were facing a tough enemy- St. Rudolph. Miku hoped that she wasn't going to be late for Seigaku's meeting and first matches.

Finding the gate to the competition grounds where the tennis team was competing, Miku dashed up the stairs and through the gate. She looked to the right and left while running, looking for the Seigaku team. But since she wasn't looking, she ran into someone who was walking towards her.

Miku found herself lying on the ground next to someone who had short black wavy hair and was wearing a uniform. Her head hurt; she must've hit it on the ground when she fell.

She coughed.

"I'm sorry I ran into you," Miku said, moving herself to a kneeling position so that she wasn't sprawled out on the pavement. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"It's all right," the boy said, supporting himself on his arm and sitting up. With his right hand, he twirled his bangs around his finger, and continued, saying, "I'm St. Rudolph's tennis team manager, Hajime Mizuki. I'm guessing that you're from Seigaku?"

"Y-yes, I am," Miku answered. This guy was a bit weird. "I'm a tennis team supporter, but I play other sports as well. I'm Miku Kasuragi."

Mizuki nodded to show that he understood. "Nice to meet you."

Miku remembered the rush she had been in just a moment ago, and looked down at her watch.

"Uh oh… I'm sorry, but I have to leave," she said. "I don't want to miss anything. See you!"

Mizuki watched her leave, and then got to his feet. 'Maybe she's one of the tennis team's weaknesses…?' he thought, making his way to the courts.

Miku ran until she found the tennis courts, and the Seigaku team, but this time she actually was looking where she was going.

She saw that Inui and the coach were already starting to brief the squad on the lineup and about the team they would be playing. Miku wedged her way in next to Fuji and Eiji. Fuji looked over and greeted her with a smile. Then, Eiji looked at her.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked. "You're really pale."

"KIKUMARU!" the coach yelled at him.

Eiji pouted.

"This team is the best that we've faced so far," Coach Ryuzaki was saying. "Remember, if we win this we'll get a ticket to the nationals!"

"Right," Inui continued. "Their captain and manager, Mizuki, has stayed with the team and beat our captain in a match last year. The players are strong and have undergone special training. And there's one more thing… Fuji's younger brother is on that team. He's trained to go against left-handers, and has earned the name 'Lefty Killer.' His personal goal is to 'Defeat brother…'"

Miku leaned closer to Fuji and whispered, "It's your fault again, ne Fuji?" This earned a chuckle from the tensai.

Coach Ryuzaki's voice boomed out once again. "The lineup is as follows: Doubles 2: Momoshiro and Kaidoh! Doubles 1: Kikumaru and Oishi! Singles 3: Ryoma! Singles 2: Fuji! And finally, singles 1: Tezuka! Do your best! Show them what we've got!"

Eiji, who was getting excited, yelled, "SEIGAKUUU!", and the rest of the team joined in the familiar cheer. "FIGHT-O! FIGHT-O! FIGHT-O!"

On the other hand, Momo and Kaidoh were confused. They were arch enemies, the coach knew full well, and yet they had been put in the same doubles match together. They glared at each other, blaming their having to work together on the other.

Miku approached Tezuka and Coach Ryuzaki slightly timidly.

She coughed, and said, "Excuse me."

Both looked at her, and consequently, so did the rest of the regulars.

"Um…I was wondering, if you guys win today-"

"What do you mean by if, Miku-chan?" Momo cut in indignantly.

"Okay, then, when you guys win today, would it be okay for the team to come over to my house to celebrate?"

The captain and coach looked at each other, then back to Miku.

'Wow, telepathy is actually possible,' she thought.

Coach Ryuzaki was the one to answer her question with, and Miku was surprised to see this, a smile.

"That would be great! Thank you for hosting, Miku-san."

Miku nodded and grinned. "No big deal! I'm glad it will work out." And with that, she walked back to where Fuji and Eiji now were.

"GO! SEIGAKU!" Miku cheered.

It was now Eiji's turn to play a match. Momo and Kaidoh, despite all their arguing and fighting, had pulled through and beaten the other two. However, the match was ended early because Momo had hit an extremely powerful smash that accidently hit his opponent's face and knocked him out. Miku was officially scared of Momo.

Now, though, Miku was cheering Eiji and Oishi on. They had just started their match, and they seemed to be doing well, winning one game after another…

Wait.

The opposing pair were intentionally hitting every ball to Eiji, making him do his acrobatic play to cover. He was rapidly losing his stamina and focus, making lots of mistakes that were easily avoidable.

Miku, angry at the other team, cheered with all her might, hoping that it might help Eiji concentrate as it had so many other times.

After a little while, Eiji had started twirling his racket around his wrist, which was a good sign, and kept up his acrobatics. But one time he started to spin the racket around his wrist, he dropped it, and labored to pick it up again.

What followed was this:

After losing another game, Eiji and Oishi walked back to their bench for water and a pep talk. Oishi was listening to Coach Ryuzaki while she was telling him what he could to improve. When she was done, and the referee blew his whistle for the players to get back to the court, and Oishi obeyed. When the ref told the players a second time to get on the court, however, Oishi looked around, alarmed. Eiji was still sitting on the bench with a towel over his head, panting. Oishi ran over, and checked to see if Eiji was okay. To this, Eiji replied "What? I'm ready, let's go!" in an out-of-breath voice.

Eiji stood in one spot on the court after that, not moving at all, and Oishi covered for him. Miku gripped the chain fence that surrounded the courts and bit her lip, thinking, 'Eiji, you can move now…please do something…'

When the game count was 5-6, with St. Rudolph leading, Oishi was in trouble. Playing 2-on-1 with such good players was very difficult. The score was 30-0, and Oishi and his opponents were rallying. Then, a ball was hit past Oishi and it was match point for the other team. The remaining Seigaku player continued on until the other team hit a drop volley, which Oishi read and hit back. However, it was a trap, and an opposing team member smashed the ball past where Oishi could reach. He tried to run after it, but faltered. Miku looked down and sighed with sadness.

"40-15!"

Miku's head snapped back to the game.

Eiji was jumping up from where he lay, high fiving Oishi and giving him a peace sign.

"I was worried you weren't going to make it, Eiji."

"Nope! Recharge complete!" Eiji winked.

The game ended with a tie break in which… the other team won.

Eiji and Oishi had tried their best to the end, however Eiji's recharge hadn't been enough to last him all the way through the end of the game. Oishi put Eiji's arm over his shoulder and helped his still barely standing teammate out of the court area. Miku ran over and supported Eiji's other side, helping Oishi set Eiji down by where Miku's spot was. Miku sat and allowed Eiji to lean against her for support.

"Sorry…Miku…" he said, breathing hard.

"It's okay," she said, smiling. "You tried your best. Fuji will kick their butts for you, now."

Miku cheered as much as was possible for Ryoma, without moving too much, as he played Fuji's brother, Yuuta. . At first, Ryoma was at a serious disadvantage because of two awesome shots that he couldn't return. After a while, though, the stubborn 7th grader broke through the shot and found a way to counter both of Yuuta's shots with his new technique- drive B.

During that game, Eiji fell asleep out of exhaustion with his head on Miku's shoulder.

After that, it was pretty much a one-sided victory for Ryoma. Yuuta did well, but not well enough to win. No more needs to be said.

Finally, it was Fuji's turn. Miku was surprised to see that Mizuki was playing. He now had on tennis clothes instead of a formal uniform- as well as a very angry expression. At that moment, Miku wanted to see Fuji totally beat him.

At first, though, Fuji lost one quick game. 'Okay, he's just finding out his opponent's weaknesses,' Miku thought. 'Come back strong!'

Miku's wishes didn't come true. Fuji lost one game after another, and pretty soon the game count was 5-0 and the final game for Mizuki. The latter was wearing a very smug expression and staring at Fuji.

"I know all of your weaknesses, Syuusuke Fuji," Mizuki said with a smirk. Fuji just glared at his opponent with open eyes.

The last game started, and Mizuki again targeted Fuji's weakest spot. Fuji returned it in a flash, to Mizuki's surprise.

"Did you think that you were targeting my weak points?" Fuji asked, in a scarily polite voice. "Too bad, those are actually my best."

After that, Fuji never lost a point and won the match 7-5. Miku cheered loudly, and accidently woke Eiji up. But he joined in the merriment when the fact that Seigaku was advancing and going to the Nationals was explained to him by Miku, in a very slow and clear voice to make sure the sleepy redhead understood.

"MR. GREEN IS EVIL!"

"HAHA! YOU LANDED ON MY PROPERTY! PAY UP, BUDDY!"

Miku never knew Monopoly and Clue could be this competitive.

The nine regulars were at Miku's house. Taka had brought sushi over for dinner, so Miku didn't have to cook for all of them, and she thanked him profusely.

Momo, Ryoma, and Taka were playing Monopoly, and Ryoma owned most of the properties. Taka was holding a racket, and Miku was surprised he didn't break the board, or the table for that matter, when he took his turn. Momo just made the game exciting by yelling commentary.

Kaidoh, Inui, and Oishi were playing Clue. Oishi had to be dragged over to the game, because there was killing involved (God forbid). Inui's data was getting him nowhere, much to his disappointment. Kaidoh, on the other hand, was a rockstar. He'd almost found out the person, place, and weapon in just a few minutes.

Lastly, Tezuka, Fuji, and Eiji were playing poker and other various card games. Tezuka and Fuji had great poker faces, while Eiji grinned when he got a good hand and pouted when he didn't. So, therefore, Tezuka and Fuji were winning almost everything.

Currently, they were engaged in a very competitive (and to Fuji, "competitive" in cards is silently pressuring your opponents until they fall over and give you all of their chips) game of poker. Eiji was, of course, losing. Fuji won a hand once in a while, and in those hands he won a LOT of chips. Tezuka was dominating the game, to say the least, somehow using his Tezuka Zone to get royal flushes almost every hand.

After a few more turns, Eiji was out, and he walked over to Miku with a pouting expression on his face. He sat down next to her on the couch.

"Miku, I'm a failure at poker," Eiji said sadly. Miku felt bad for him, but it was hard to keep from laughing. She just coughed instead.

"Eiji, is it just me, or is it really hot in here?" Miku asked.

"It's not very hot in here." Fuji was suddenly sitting beside Miku on her other side. "Yes, I lost already. Tezuka made me go all in and then got another royal flush, damn him."

Miku decided to ignore him, because the last time she did anything, she got in a fight with Eiji.

She coughed into her sleeve a few times.

"Hey, are you okay?" Eiji asked, with a concerned look on his face. "You've been coughing and pale all day."

"I'm okay," Miku said softly, scooting lower in her seat. She sighed. "It really is hot in here, though."

"NOOO! ECHIZEN, YOU CAN'T WIN!" Momo's voice tore through the room.

"NO! BURNING!" Taka yelled, jumping up with his hands high over his head. With his racket in hand, of course.

Miku stood up and walked over, somewhat shakily.

"Guys, stop!" she said, grabbing the racket out of Taka's hand. He immediately reverted back to shy form, saying, "Sorry, Miku-san…"

"Please, call me Miku-chan at least."

"Okay." He nodded, with a timid smile.

"Miku-chan, is there another game we can play?" Momo asked. "I need to get my revenge on Echizen!"

"Mada mada dane, Momochan-senpai," Ryoma said with a smirk.

Miku directed the trio to a box of assorted board games. "There," she said.

"Miku-chan, that's Mochi," Taka said, with a confused expression on his face.

"Oh. Well, then it should be…" she looked around. "Over there, beside the doorway."

"Nope, that's the box that the sushi came in," he said, shaking his head.

"Wow, I must be really tired. Um… then I guess it's that one that Kaidoh is leaning on."

Momo ambushed Kaidoh, grabbing the box and digging through it. Ryoma helped.

"Thanks," Taka said.

"Sure," Miku replied, and started to walk back to the couch. She coughed, and staggered slightly sideways.

Eiji jumped up and ran over, putting his hands on her shoulders to stabilize her. Miku looked at him. His face was a mask of worry.

"Miku, are you sure you're okay? You… Miku, you're sweating!"

"Oh, am I?" she said weakly, feeling her forehead.

"Has anyone you know had the flu recently?" he asked.

"Yeah… my mom, why?"

'And I'm supposed to be the slightly dull one,' Eiji thought. "I think you might have caught it," he replied simply.

"Oh." She was sweating quite a lot now, and had a very flushed face. "Eiji… I don't… feel… very…." and fainted.

Moving quickly, Eiji kneeled and caught her gently before she hit the floor.

Fuji appeared in front of him.

"What happened, Eiji?" Fuji asked, alarmed.

"She's sick," Eiji answered. "I'll take her to her room."

"Need help?" Fuji asked.

Eiji shook his head, and picked Miku up bridal-style.

"Her room is the one up the stairs and on the left," Fuji directed. Eiji nodded, and started away. He kept a secure but gentle hold on Miku, who was sleeping soundly with her head against his chest. Eiji laid her on her bed, ran to the bathroom and found a thermometer. He put it in her mouth, and when it beeped, he looked at the tiny screen.

"Holy crap," he said, shocked. "105.2?"

Eiji looked around, and seeing her phone on her bedside table, he called her mom and told her the news. She promised to come home right away. Eiji hung up, and ran back to the bathroom, returning with a cold washtowel. He laid it on her forehead, and sat down next to her on her bed.

'She really is cute when she's sleeping,' he thought, blushing slightly.

After a while of watching her and checking her temperature to make sure she didn't get any worse, he laid down next to her. A little while after that, he fell into a quiet, deep sleep.

"Eiji? Eiji? Eiji? Wake up!"

Eiji rubbed and opened his eyes and yawned. Opening his eyes, he saw Fuji leaning over him and lightly shaking him.

"Eiji, Miku's mom is here and it's time to go home. It's almost 11."

"How is Miku?" Eiji asked.

"I'm better, thanks, Eiji."

Eiji looked over at Miku, whose face was a few inches away from his own. She was smiling, and looked more comfortable than she had earlier. "I'm sorry if you catch this too…" she trailed off, and turned away to cough.

"I'm glad you're okay," Eiji said with a relieved sigh, looking up to the ceiling. "I was a little worried when your fever was over 105 degrees."

"Well, it is still a bit hot in here for me, but my mom turned on the air conditioner and gave me some medicine. She put a blanket on you, too."

"Eiji, we should probably go now," Fuji reminded him. "Sorry, Miku."

"Right."

Eiji took off his blanket and rolled over to the side of Miku's bed, putting his feet on the floor and stretching. Then, he got up and started following Fuji out of the room.

As he crossed the threshold into the hall, he felt a blanket thrown on him and someone hugging him from behind.

"Thank you, Eiji," he heard Miku whisper. "I don't want to expose you to the virus anymore though." She laughed weakly.

"You're so welcome," Eiji replied, looking over his shoulder. "Glad I could help." He gave her a wind and a peace sign, which she returned, with a yawn and a cough.

"Bye," she said, waving, and Eiji tossed the blanket back and descended the stairs.

As soon as he was out of sight, Miku raced back to her room, buried her face in her pillow, and blushed the color of an overripe tomato. She'd have to find out from Fuji what had happened, but Eiji had taken care of her. Was it possible that he-?

No. He would do the same for any of his friends. She knew what people acted like when the liked someone, and that wasn't it. No, he was just a nice guy who cared about those close to him. That's all.

She was going to have to tell him how she felt sometime soon…but how?

Miku just hoped that life wouldn't get any crazier.