Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or anything associated with it.

Kirihara sat on the bench tying his shoelaces after school when he felt several eyes on the back of his head. He twitched in mild irritation, noting that the action had been happening since he came back from his long walk yesterday in the halls where he had run into An.

An.

His face lit up into a goofy grin.

Again, he felt several pairs of eyes looking at him. Grinding his foot into the ground, he snapped around to face his sempai.

"What?"

The others exchanged glances with each other, almost talking through their expressions. Kirihara's eyes jumped from face to face, growing angrier by the second.

"Would someone tell me what's going on?" He hissed, now facing them fully.

Marui gave a coy smile, "Kirihara, if anyone needs to tell us what's going on, it's you," he winked.

Kirihara his brows in confusion, "what do you mean?"

The others leaned closer to him, smiling knowingly.

Kirihara suddenly had a very tight not in stomach - their smiles never meant anything good.

"Its not good to hide things from your sempai, Kirihara," Yagyuu said, setting his water bottle.

Kirihara backed against the bench, still slightly confused, "what are you talking about? I'm not hiding anything," he muttered.

"Kirihara," Niou said, leaning against the tree, "how's the guide for book hunting helping so far?"

Kirihara was lost for a moment, but his eyes flickered in realization when he noted the title of book, "how do you know about that?" He questioned, half angry, half curious.

"Oh we know a lot more than that," Marui said, grinning.

Yanagi nodded, "you've got some explaining to do Kirihara - I don't want take this to fuku-bouchou."

Kirihara swallowed hard, about to speak when Jackal came running up from the other side of the field, his face melting into a knowing look when he eyed the group.

"Is she all right, Jackal?" Yagyuu asked.

Jackal nodded, "yeah she's fine, but she's still somewhat shocked."

"Who got shocked?" Kirihara asked.

Niou gave a small smirk, "the girl who almost tripped on you when you were on the floor...kissing apparently."

Kirihara felt his face burn, "who - what are you-?"

"She came running out here when she found out we were looking for you," Yagyuu explained, "she said some very intriguing things before collapsing head first."

"So who was the unlucky girl that had to go through hell and lock lips with your face?" Marui asked.

Kirihara sputtered, reddening further, "that's none of your business."

"Oh but it will be," Jackal said, in a merry voice, "and you're lucky that fuku-bouchou and bouchou have no clue about this affair of yours."

"I'm not having an affair!" He yelled back, a little too loud as he caught the attention of a few passers and people watching. Kirihara felt himself redden tenfold.

"That must've a pretty heated kissing session," Niou commented snidely.

Marui gave a nod of approval, "if it was enough to knock a girl out, then you must've been doing some pretty naughty things Kirihara."

The group smiled in unison as Kirihara stood their, stiff as a rock.

"So who is it?" Yagyuu asked.

Jackal patted Kirihara's shoulder, "I think we all know who it is."

Kirihara said nothing.

"Its not the best idea, Kirihara," Yanagi said in a serious tone. The others stopped smiling as well, knowing all to well what Yanagi was referring too.

Yagyuu tipped his glasses, "we have enough details to know that you haven't been studying at the library," he spilled.

Jackal nodded warily, "nor have you been going downstairs to get books."

"And your daily distractions are clear as daylight when you play tennis - it's like your mind is somewhere else," Marui added.

Kirihara slumped slightly, at loss for words.

"What are you doing with her anyway? I thought you hated her with a furious passion embedded in the depths of hell," Niou drawled lazily.

Kirihara ignored his sempai's attempts of humoring the situation. Frankly speaking, he was still shocked that they had figured out just about everything that had happened to him in relation with An. If anything, he was not content that his only privacy outside of school had been belittled too.

"I do hate her," Kirihara finally answered.

Marui snorted uncharacteristically, "yeah, and Jackal enjoys wrapping whales in a blanket in his spare time. Tell that to a group of people who'd believe that unholy statement."

Kirihara frowned, "okay, I don't hate her. But I don't like her either."

Yagyuu gave a small glimpse of a smile, "so you love her?"

"NO!"

Yanagi inwardly sighed, before picking up his racket, "Kirihara, if you don't like her then I suggest you stop associating yourself with her. You can study in the school library in the morning from now on and I will simply ask Sanada to double your practice after school if you can't get your act together."

"Ouch," Marui winced.

"It's only in your best interest, Kirihara," Yanagi consoled, "I'll talk to Sanada about it." He quickly sped of in the direction the lockers to find their Fuku-bouchou.

Niou ruffled Kirihara's hair lightly, "listen, even if you do like her, there's nothing you can do about it."

"I don't like her," he said gruffly, "and she doesn't like me."

Kirihara picked up his towel and headed off to the lockers, ready for a long shower to cool his head.

"Well, this is progressing swimmingly," Marui commented, watching Kirihara's retreating figure.

Jackal shook his head, "to think that the only girl who he's kissed happens to hate him - and at such an age," he sighed.

"Don't be such a mother, Jackal. Kirihara will be fine. If he had enough of courage to kiss her on the hallway floor, you can be sure there's plenty more where that came from," he said, eyes closed.

"Niou," Yagyuu said, testily, "well, in any case, consider yourselves on patrolling mode now."

Marui raised a brow, "and why is that - I swear last time I checked, we were baby-sitters."

"If anything, we're going to have follow Kirihara around a bit more...just to make sure he's on track," Yagyuu explained.

"You mean stalking?" Marui replied, popping a bubble.

Jackal grinned, "that term makes it sound like we're doing something bad."

"Well, aren't we?"

Niou shook his head, "nope, but that's really up to Kirihara to decide..."

"Lets go play tennis - my skills are gonna rot just standing her," Marui stated, stretching his arm.

"Right - someone go get Kirihara."

"I'm sure he'll be back on his own."

"Hmm."

True to Yagyuu's words, Kirihara did return and did play as usual, however angry he may have appeared. His shower was halted when he ran into Sanada and Yukimura who had changed his schedule for studying and tennis after Yanagi had suggested under strange circumstances, that Kirihara found the library...distracting.

Looks like Yanagi-sempai talked to them after all, he thought.

And although he tried his best to get 'her' out of his head, it was far more of a difficult task than he imagined.

He packed his equipment quickly, changed back into his uniform - however messily he put it on - and quickly paced out of the change rooms, eager to leave for the day and go straight to sleep for the next to days, as it was a Friday.

His team watched him leave wearily, almost too excited to leave.

Thank goodness Sanada was outside - he'd have none of that.

Moodily, Kirihara walked out the front gates, loosening his tie ever so slightly as the evening wind picked up, a breeze of leaves following. Sighing he walked along the sidewalk at an easy pace, occasionally looking up at the sun dipping below the horizon. Upon reaching the bus stop, Kirihara hopped on the last but, reminding himself not to fall a sleep. Inside, he grabbed a seat at the back, and leaned his forehead against the window, gazing at the landscape outside.

Suddenly his eyes widened when the bus wisped passed an all too familiar figure surrounded by many other not-so-nice looking people.

Kirihara's curiosity always seemed to get the better of him.

When the bus halted at a stop sign, Kirihara grabbed his bag and jumped out the bus, running back to the scene he had just scene. He stopped at the bottom of many steps.

A Street court, huh? He thought, walking up the steps.

Street courts were generally for street players who rarely had good intentions when asking for a game of tennis. Reaching the top of the steps, he snuck into the sidelines under a few trees, watching closely.

She's always gotta get herself 'involved' doesn't she? He mentally noted.

Kirihara leaned against the shaded tree, watching as An stood on one side of the court and around half a dozen street players on the other side. They looked mean and tough, but talk was cheap, and in Kirihara's book, so were they.

His eyes stalked back towards An and he suddenly felt hot looking at her. He ogled at her in tennis attire, slowly and carefully. An had dressed according to the weather - Under he thin jacket, she had worn a navy blue tank, he bottoms consisted of a loose pair of short white shorts followed by tennis sneakers. Her hair had been left open, as it was not too long.

Tch - why does her outfit have to be so exposing? Those guys can practically see through her, he thought, irritated.

"Listen, I was here first and I'm almost done practicing, so just let me finish up and you can have these courts after," An called out together side of the court.

One of the boys in the group across her smirked, wagging a finger, "that's not how it goes, babe - these courts are open to everyone. And you're out numbered, so pack your bags and get the hell out."

An frowned, placing her hands on her hips.

Kirihara mentally palmed, noting that this only made her look more attractive - to anyone.

"I don't think so," she replied, and returned to practicing on the court.

The boy stood there silently staring at her, before breaking into a devious grin, "listen bitch, get out or we'll make you," he threatened.

An ignored it, "I said no already."

Raising a brow, the boy and the others behind him walked closer to her. Kirihara dropped his stuff, now certain that they would not take her words well.

Why was he hiding anyway?

Oh right.

She hated him.

Of course.

Silently, the group paced towards where An was practicing, stopping in front of her. She ignored them still.

The boy at the front rudely grabbed her hand, making her racket fall. Finally having all of An's attention, the boy smirked.

"Listen let's have a match. If I win, you leave."

An gave a devious grin of her own, "and if I win?"

The boy laughed dubiously, "then we'll leave, bitch."

An nodded, taking her position on one side of the court, getting ready. She furrowed her eyebrows however, when she noticed that all half a dozen of them were standing on the other side of the court.

"Hey, what gives?" She shouted, as the boy sneered.

"I never said it was a fair match."

An gripped her racket tightly as the other side served first. After that a series of long rallies began.

Kirihara had been keeping an eye on the score for the first bit, and was happy to say that An was winning. But he hadn't been the only one to notice. The group of boys gritted their teeth, retorting to ulterior methods. Soon the balls were only aimed at her ankles and feet. An seemed to realize this as well, as she tried to avoid them - unfortunately, every time she did so, she would miss a point.

Kirihara had now stepped into the open, mouth open.

What is she doing?

Suddenly An collapsed on one side of the court, gasping in pain as she clutched her ankle.

"Already tired bitch?" One of them taunted.

An simply hissed back.

"You know what - we'll let you go easy. Go out with me, and I'll totally forget this happened," the leader said, walking to her side of the court now.

She spat in his face.

He raised his arm, and An closed her eyes, ready for the impact, but it never came.

"Sorry man, but she's going out with me, so why don't ya take a hike okay?"

Kirihara, she thought.

Opening her eyes, she watched wide-eyed as he deflected the blow with one of his hands. The boy was clearly surprised as An was since he took a few steps back.

Growling the boy was ready to attack again, when one of them behind him came up and whispered something in his ear. The boy drew his hand back to his side and eyed Kirihara's uniform ruefully, before picking up his racket and motioning for the rest of them to follow in suit.

Kirihara watched the street players retreat down the stairs before turning back to see An clutching her ankle rather tightly.

"Crazy women," he muttered, bending down to look at her severely bruised ankle.

"What are you doing here?" She said rudely, looking away.

Kirihara gazed back up at her face, noting that she was holding in tears of pain.

"Is that someway to treat your savior?" He asked, raising a brow.

An spun her head back to face him, "savior? You? Hardly. I didn't ask you to bud in and play hero for me did I? Why are you here?"

"If you must know, my bus comes this way," he replied coldly, "I saw you here with these guys and knew you were just asking for trouble so-"

"So what made you think I needed saving? I was perfectly fine," she said stubbornly, looking away again.

Kirihara frowned, "it didn't look fine from where I was standing."

"Yeah, well I'm fine."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Okay, then I'll just leave."

An bit her lip, but said nothing in reply as Kirihara got up and brought his bag from the sidelines, ready to leave.

He watched he struggling to get up, but she failed each time, cursing occasionally at her misfortune. Kirihara noted that she failed to meet his eyes - he figured it at something to do with the kiss, but that was simply a wild guess.

"What, did you forget something?" She spat from the corner of the court.

Kirihara merely watched her silently, before pacing closer and bending down once. He tried to pick her foot up, but she simply scooted further away until she felt the grass underneath her, prickling her skin.

"Stop moving," he commanded.

She didn't listen and kept backing away until her head hit the back of a tree, muttering a small 'ouch' in the process.

An realized as she was cornered and watched as Kirihara silently treaded forward, bending down once more.

He grabbed her ankle, examining it.

The sun was beginning to set, as a orange hue settled in the grassy area they were situated in.

"I'm fine," she mustered, "you can leave."

But Kirihara didn't leave. He simply gripped her foot lightly, and began removing her shoe and sock as An watched in shock, attempting to pull away her foot.

"I said I'm fine," she gritted out.

Kirihara gazed back up at her so intensely that An felt herself redden ever so slightly.

"Are you really?" He asked.

"Yeah, I am."

"Really?" He asked again, and wrapped a hand around her foot, gripping it tightly.

An hissed, "yes. Leave."

He gripped it even tighter until she yelped loudly.

"Ahh!"

"Are you fine?" He asked again.

She glared at him, "Kirihara you bastard, I'm fine so-"

"You're not fine," he interjected, having had just about enough of her silly stubbornness.

She said nothing and watched a he caressed her feet with his long fingers, looking for any other signs of damage. He found none and placed her foot back on the grass.

"You've twisted your ankle pretty badly," he concluded after a few moments.

She finally glanced at him, "you don't say..."

"Well, which way?"

An shot him a look of utter confusion, "which way to what?"

"To your house."

An realized his implications at once and vigorously shook her head, "no, go home now, Kirihara - just leave me alone okay? I've had too much of you in a week and your presence is driving me nuts."

Kirihara really did, with all his will power, try to maintain a cool head, but An was simply making a difficult task even harder. Could she not realize that he was simply trying to help her a bit? With his temper brimming at the boiling point, he gruffly looked around, but no one was there to help. Her stubbornness was ridiculous and her gaze was still fierce, however many insults he threw at her.

It was obvious that words wouldn't do the trick.

And as Kirihara had learned, actions often spoke more than words.

He watched as she pulled her shoe back on, clambering at the tree in attempts of getting up, but failed to no avail.

He mentally listed the consequences, before he grasped her shoulders. Before An could comprehend the situation, she felt herself being spun around and hoisted of her feet into the air briefly before being tossed casually around to meet a rather lean yet muscular back.

"Kirihara!" She yelled in protest.

But he simply hauled his bag and hers around his shoulder and started walked towards the exit of the tennis courts.

"W-what are you doing?" She asked, baffled.

"What does it look like? I'm carrying you."

"I know that b-but, wh-"

"Which way to your house," he cut in, growing tired of her stupid questions.

An sighed, "exit and keep going straight on the path...I'll tell you where to turn."

Kirihara smirked, "see what did I tell you - if you fight against me, your gonna lose."

An was at loss for words at his childish proclaim. She said nothing and simply adjusted herself on his back, finding it hard to move herself.

"Uhm, Kirihara...?"

"Yeah?"

She glanced sideways, "could you please, move me a little...I'm kind of squished back here."

Scowling, he properly propped his arms under her legs, his hands gripping her thighs as her legs hung loosely behind him. To balance herself, An leaned closer into his back, resting her hands on his shoulders.

The walk was slow but peaceful and neither of them said anything. The road was quiet and Kirihara could feel her soft breath on the back of his neck. His hairs stood up, but he figured it was merely the wind.

"Take a right here," she said softly, leaning closer to his shoulder.

Kirihara did as followed.

"This doesn't change anything you know," she muttered quietly, after a while.

Kirihara glanced back at her, watching her hazel eyes close slightly, "what is there not to change?"

"How about the fact that I hate you," she replied back, now yawning.

"Well I kissed you."

An's eyes opened now, and she glared at him, "I know you did."

"And you liked it."

She narrowed her eyes, "how do you know I did?"

"Because you kissed me too."

An sighed and tucked her head back, closing her eyes once more. She silently played with the curls of hair at the back of his head. He noticed this but said nothing as the pair walked down the road, the sun's last rays dipped down the horizon.

Kirihara suddenly realized the situation they were in, and grinned. He felt her lean even closer to him if that was physically possibly, while she stroked his hair. He could smell her shampoo, whatever the girls put on their head - it smelled good. And undeniably, her hands felt great. He silently prayed that whatever An was doing with her hands, she wouldn't stop.

She tugged at one of his hairs, "turn left after this house and it's the 4th one to the left."

Kirihara nodded, adjusting her weight on his back once more. He heard a soft snore emit from the person behind him. Clicking his tongue, he quickly paced to her house and upon reaching her door, stopped short.

"We're here," he whispered.

Any run-ins with her brother were least preferred, and if possible entirely avoidable in his case. When he got no response, he turned his head ever so slightly. His view was met with a sleeping An.

Shit - of all the places to sleep, he inwardly groaned.

"An," he hissed, annoyed.

She groggily rubbed her eyes, "what - oh," she noted, shifting slightly.

Getting off his back very carefully, An rummaged through her bag as he held on. Grasping her keys, she limped to the door with his help and slowly opened the door.

"My brothers away on a trip, he'll be back on Sunday, so don't worry," she said in a sleepy voice.

Kirihara snorted, "who said I'm worrying, idiot."

He helped her inside and dropped the bags shortly after the entered.

"You can go now."

Kirihara almost rolled his eyes.

"Are you planning on flying up the stairs?"

She shot him a weary glance, before he hoisted her across his back once again and took her up to the room. Kirihara naturally assumed the room with decorated teddy bears was hers - and he was correct.

"Okay, get off," he said, ready to drop her on the bed.

But An didn't budge.

Kirihara turned his head back to find the girl sleeping once more.

Cursing his luck, he slowly turned her around and carefully placed her on the bed. He sighed at the relief on his shoulders, but if fell short when he noted her arms hadn't let go of his neck. Awkwardly bending over her, Kirihara stood there, at loss for what to do.

"Kirihara, go to sleep," she whispered, before pulling him closer. He fell on top of her soft body, feeling its warmth radiate under him.

Oh crap, he thought.

He was in her room.

He was lying on top of her.

He was in An Tachibana's room lying on top of her.

Lord help him.

Author Note: Ah, that was a bit of a late update, but hey, at least it's up now. The next chapters gonna be really fun to write with all this...drama. As usual, reviewing are greatly appreciated~