Chapter Three: In Which One Faces the Wrath of Himeno

"I hate you so much right now, Kuni-chan." I growled at my cousin as I carried balls out to the court. "This is your entire fault."

"Yeah. You told me that yesterday. Several times, in fact."

"Why'd you make me join the team, Kuni-chan? What'd I ever do to you?"

"Do I need a list? Hime, you needed something to occupy your time, or you'd just drive the rest of us crazy. So I gave you something to do." Kunimitsu said in a reasonable tone of voice.

"Yeah, okay, I understand that, but why did you stick me with Sadaharu-kun? I don't have anything against him or anything but…" I crashed into my cousin as he came to a sudden stop. "Ouch. Why'd you hit the brakes?"

Peering around my cousin, I noticed a strange guy with flippy-spikey hair talking to Shuichiro. As Kunimitsu went over to talk to him I walked over to the co-captain. "Who is that?" I questioned as I set down the balls.

"Kirihara Akarya, from Rikka-Dai." He named off a starter for another school that was participating in the tournament. I raised an eyebrow at the boy, who was talking with my cousin. He didn't seem very… tennis-ey. "Thanks, Himeno-chan. You know, you don't have to do this. I can talk Kunimitsu out of this if you want."

While I had groused and complained about it, the truth was that I didn't really mind helping out. Kunimitsu was right; I was the type of person who had to keep myself occupied or I'd go crazy and take other people along with me. I couldn't actually play tennis, but I could at least help Seigaku get ready for the preliminary matches. I had nothing better to do. I smiled up at Shuichiro.

"I don't mind, honest." I said, shaking my head.

A ball suddenly went flying past my nose, and I looked up to see Momo holding his head and yelling. I winced as Kunimitsu yelled something – about laps or whatnot – and gave the co-captain a weak smile. "I think you're gonna need all the help you can get."

The bell rang in the distance, signaling we had ten minutes until class started. I gave a sigh as I helped put things away. Off to class. I didn't hate the classes themselves, or the teachers. But God had decided to smite me, and had put Fuji Shuusuke in all my classes, and I hadn't exactly made friends with anyone - except Eiji – by announcing my hatred for him.

Ooops. Probably should've done that in private, shouldn't I?

"Hoi, Hime-chan, wait up!"

Raising an eyebrow, I waited for Eiji and - ugh- Fuji to catch up. "Hime-chan? Now there's a new one."

"Do you mind?" he asked, slinging an arm around my shoulders.

"Nope, I like nicknames." I assured him.

"Then why do you protest why I call you "Twerp"?" inquired Fuji.

"Because of the same reason you protest when I call you "Fujiko-chan"." I retorted sweetly. Fuji scowled at me, and I turned my attentions to Eiji. "Are you nervous for the preliminaries?"

"Nah, not really. Whatever happens happens. I just want to have fun and do my best."

I laughed. "Well, I hope you have fun." Then, deciding to be nice, I told Fuji, "You too." Hey. Just because I hated Fuji didn't mean I wanted him to fail. I mean, that would let the whole team down and I'd have to hear Kunimitsu gripe about it for weeks. Not my idea of a good time.

Fuji gave me a startled look, muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "freaky bipolar girl" and held the door open for us. Setting his bag down, he asked me, "Are you coming to watch?"

"Maybe in the second day, if I can. I have to help Ayana-oba-san run some errands in the morning. Hopefully in time to see you play, Eiji-kun."

"You don't want to see me play, Himeno?" Fuji asked me lazily, though his eyes were fixed on mine intently.

I really didn't want to. But I said blandly, "I'll try." Not very hard, but I would. "Now, Eiji-kun, did you do your homework?"

"Ack! Hime-! Help me!"

***

"Mm-kay… salt, butter, pasta… that should be all." I put the remaining food in the fridge, and glanced at the clock. Doubles had to have started by now. Wiping my hands on my jeans, I picked up my cell phone and called Shuichiro.

"Hey, Shuichiro-kun, how's it going?" I asked when he picked up, maneuvering out the door. The park where the prelims were being held wasn't too far away from the house.

"Not very good, actually."

"Why? Are we losing?"

"Well… Takashi is going to the hospital. He hurt his wrist protecting Shuusuke from a monster attack from Fudomine."

"What?! Is he okay? And Fuji-kun?" I asked in alarm, speeding up to a jog.

"Yeah, both of them will be fine. Are you coming down?"

"Yeah, I'm right inside Shiki Park. I'll be there momentarily."

"Good. Eiji and I are up in like, thirty seconds."

"'kay. See you momentarily." I hung up, spotting Kunimitsu instantly. I jogged up to them as Ryoma waved me over. "Ohayo! Did I make it in time?"

"First doubles players, step forward." The umpire announced.

I gave a sigh of relief and flopped down next to Fuji. Out of the corner of my eye, I studied him. He seemed okay, though a bit tense. He caught my eye and smiled. I broke eye contact, focusing on the match. Just because I hated Fuji didn't mean I wanted bodily harm to come to him.

Well, unless it was by me, of course.

My eyes landed on Eiji, and my mouth just about hit the ground as I watched him hit the ball – from behind his back! I had heard he was flexible, but my God! He was amazing!

"He's good, isn't he?" Fuji commented to me, grinning.

"Amazing." I breathed.

A boom of thunder made me jump; seconds later it began to rain. Sadaharu didn't look very worried, though, and neither did the players. Shuichiro and Eiji were an amazing team – no wonder they were called the "Golden Pair". The rain didn't seem to even affect my new friend – he did a summersault while going for diving volley. This kid was absurd! The other team thought that was well, judging from the gaping looks on their face. Fuji got to his feet, picking up towels.

"Where are you going? The match isn't over yet!"

"It will be." Fuji made his way to the court, just as the umpire announced that the "Golden Pair" had won. Eiji spotted me following Fuji and came bounding over to me, giving me a huge hug and spinning me around.

"Hime-chan, you came!"

Laughing, I made him put me down. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." I assured him, giving both of them a hug. "You two are amazing!"

"Eh-heh-heh, thanks Himeno-chan." Shuichiro said, beaming.

"Hey, guys, Kaoru is up next." Ryoma said as we walked over to the stands.

I didn't like Kaoru very much. He was rude, crude and socially unacceptable. That and the fact that he scared the bejeebers out of me. Especially when Kunimitsu had to yell at him to prevent him from smacking the creepy, presumably, gay rhythm guy. But I dutifully sat down to cheer him on. Fudomine was a good opponent… but that Akira guy creeped me out though his speed was amazing/ But Kaoru wasn't out of the running yet; he wasn't even out of breath!

And it made sense after Sadaharu told us all the absurd things Kaoru did as training before practice. I might not like Kaoru very much, but he had earned my respect. After setting it in deuce three times, Kaoru won spectacularly. I cheered enthusiastically, bouncing up and down in my seat. Seigaku was made out of pure awesomeness!

"Ryoma's next." Fuji said next to me.

I sat up a bit straighter. I liked Ryoma, though wanted more than anything to finish of match from the States. I couldn't wait to see his match – to see how much, if any, he had improved. And I wasn't disappointed: the cocky 7th grader scored first point on his serve with a Reverse Spin Twist serve. The first match was won in a matter of minutes, with his opponent Shinji barely getting a return back. And even that was impressive; returning a Reverse Spin was a hard thing to do. I sat back, shaking my head. Ryoma was amazing… now if only he'd do something about that cocky attitude of his. He was the master at the "open mouth, insert foot" technique.

The second match started off without a hitch, though there was something that put me on edge. I narrowed my eyes at the Fudomine player as he hit a high lob, then a low one. Something was off. My mouth dropped open as Ryoma missed an easy ball – something a novice would do, not Ryoma! He stared at his racket, obviously confused, then shrugged it off. But then it happened again, and Kunimitsu, sitting to my right, frowned.

"He hesitated for half a second," he muttered to me as it happened again.

As Shinji slammed the ball over the net, I gasped, realizing with a surge of dread what was happening. Fuji and Kunimitsu looked at me. "Spot paralysis! The combination between high and low lobs repeatedly can cause one's arm to freeze up!" I explained. "This is really bad, something can go really wrong."

A splintering crack punctuated my words, drawing our attention to the courts just as a yell of pain broke the tense air. I leaped to my feet as Ryoma stumbled back, holding his eye. Blood seeped from between his fingers; his broken racket was in splinters before him.

"Himeno-chan, get the first-aid kit." ordered Shuichiro, already hurrying to Ryoma.

I snatched the box up and followed the co-captain, swallowing hard. My hand throbbed, and it was like déjà vu all again. Fear tied my stomach into knots: would he be able to play? Shuichiro, coolly efficient, pressed a gauze pad to his eye. The 7th grader had a pained expression on his face, though he didn't pull away from the co-captain's efforts.

"How is he?" asked Kunimitsu.

"The eye's fine, but the eyelid is split open. It won't stop bleeding." The co-captain replied.

Face pale, Eiji swallowed hard. "Ugh… looks painful."

The tense knot of fear in my belly loosened. He would heal, and would probably still be able to play soon.

"There's no way he can keep playing. It's a bummer after coming this far, but…" Shuichiro shook his head.

"Yo, Ryoma. I'm putting your broken racket in your bag, okay?" called Momo.

Eyes closed, Ryoma said quietly, "Momo… pull out another racket while you're there, will you?"

"What?!" I cried out in shock. He couldn't play now – he was injured! But Momo only smiled.

"Sure." He said with a grin.

"With that cut?! Are you insane!?" demanded Shuichiro.

"You can't pull this off! You're at a complete disadvantage!" Sadaharu added.

"Ryoma-san…" the umpire approached us, looking worried. "You're not thinking of playing, are you? If the bleeding doesn't stop, I can't allow you to play."

Sudden fury – at the umpire words, at Ryoma's injury, and Fudomine – bubbled up inside me. I whirled around, pushing past Eiji who gave a little "Hime-chan?" of surprise, and Fuji, who grabbed my arm, searching my gaze.

"What are you going to do?" he demanded, suspicious.

"Challenge that Shinji person." I snapped, yanking my arm from his grasp.

"Challenge – but – what- hey!"

I didn't wait for Fuji to lecture me, but stalked over to the opposite team. Fuji had no choice but to follow me, muttering to himself under his breath. I ignored him. The team's captain spotted me coming over and got to his feet. He, at least, had the decency to look concerned.

"You're from Seishun, right? Is Ryoma-kun okay?" he asked.

"His eye is fine. But his eyelid is split open." I said curtly. I leveled my finger at Shinji, who was muttering to himself. "You. You knew what Spot Paralysis does, and how it can be dangerous, yet you still did it? What kind of sick freak are you?" I demanded, literally shaking with fury, though my voice was very calm and even.

The boy stared at me, raising an eyebrow. "A tennis player."

I almost hit him. I really did. I'm normally a pretty passive person, and hate to resort to violence, even though my temper is hot. But this guy knew what Spot Paralysis could do and did it anyway. And someone had gotten hurt because of it. I despised people like him. That's what had happened with me – and now Ryoma. The only reason I didn't hit Shinji? Fuji laid a heavy hand on mine, catching my attention.

"Make no mistake, Fudomine. We will beat you." He said quietly. He looked at me, meeting my eyes squarely. "Himeno, Eiji just texted me. Ryoma can play. Ryuzaki-sensei bandaged his eye, making it stop bleed bleeding for fifteen minutes, though Kunimitsu gave him ten minutes to win, or he'd forfeit Ryoma's match."

I took a deep breath, then nodded. "You haven't heard the end of this," I warned Shinji as he passed me to go to the courts. He ignored me and waltz onto the courts.

"Himeno."

I glanced at Fuji. "Ryoma will be fine. You'll see."

I sighed. "I hope so."

"Remind me never to piss you off. You're like an evil cat of doom." He added.

I laughed. I couldn't help it. "Will do, Fuji-kun." Then I abruptly remembered: I hated him! No smiling allowed. I schooled my face into a blink mask, saying, "Let's just get back."

"Whatever, Twerp."

"Himeno! It's Himeno! You just said it not two seconds ago!"

"I did?"

"Aargh! Fuji-kun, I'm gonna kill you!"

A cheer interrupted his reply, and we both looked up. Ryoma, still somewhat pale, was walking off the courts while Shinji stood there in shock, holding a tennis ball in his hands. Eiji ran over to us and grabbed me in an enthusiastic hug.

"O-Chibi won! We're going to the City Tournament!" he cried, spinning me in a circle.

Laughing, I smacked his back. "Lemme go, you great oaf! That's wonderful!"

Fuji gave me that cat-smile of his, crossing his hands over his chest. "See? I told you he'd win."

"You said no such thing!"

"Oh really? I didn't?"

"I'm gonna strangle you!"