A/N: We now have conspirators and Fuji has the notebook. Communication and fear of the unknown are the biggest problem for our four tennis players, and hopefully they will figure it out sooner rather than later. Enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 7 – Observations

Fuji got up a little earlier than normal and headed to the school. He wanted to find Inui before tennis practice and had a feeling the data man would be looking for a valuable item of his. Approaching the tennis clubhouse, his smile grew ever so slightly as he found the taller teen waiting for him, "Saa, Inui it's a beautiful morning, isn't it?"

Adjusting his glasses, Inui nodded, "It is."

"What are you doing here?" Fuji asked as he tilted his head to the side deciding to pretend to be innocent of any and all crimes or information.

"I believe you know why I am here."

Raising an eyebrow, Fuji's smile turned almost chilling, "Whether I do or do not, why don't you tell me why you are here."

Inui felt like he was caught in a trap and a spider was about to make a meal out of him. Fighting the urge to take a step back, he swallowed hard and pressed forward, "I am here because I am missing a notebook and I believe you may have… um, found it for me." He knew better than to accuse the shorter man if he wanted to live a long life.

"Ne, you know, I did find something to that affect. Would you like it back?"

"Yes, I would. It contains important data that I need…"

"So, you need to be able to predict personal information about Tezuka and me?"

"I use all data I collect in my calculations and for my purposes. Regardless of whom it is on, if it is a competitor, I will record all the information I obtain from my observations."

"Saa, why don't you tell me what you and Tezuka were discussing yesterday; and then you can tell me about what data you collected and presented to him. Finally, you can tell me what you are planning."

"Why would you suspect that I have something planned?"

Fuji eyes opened wide, giving full view of the brilliant blue as he scowled at Inui, "I know many things Inui, but apparently you haven't learned that about me yet. Tell me what I want to know. You have your data, and I have my own knowledge of the ins and outs of many things. Just remember that." He ended his demand with a beaming smile knowing his unnerved his bespectacled friend even more.

Sweat dropping, Inui decided it was probably best to divulge the information now rather than later, "Tezuka and I discussed the fact he is not dating Yukimura of Rikkai Dai." He saw Fuji's glare become more intense before he quickly continued, "I asked him about you and then gave him my calculations on why I believe he came back."

"What were those exactly?"

"It is 97% likely he came back to be with you, 100% certainty that he has strong feelings for you and loves you, 86% you don't believe he does have feelings for you based on the way he left." He decided it was best not to disclose the 92% success rate if Tezuka were to confess to Fuji now. Based on data he had collected in the past, Fuji may do something just to be contrary and torture everyone; however the likelihood of that happening anyway at this point is 83.4%... just because Fuji is, well Fuji.

"Saa, I see. And what was his response?"

"He told me to check my math again, and that is when you came upon me and heard me say that I had four times and I was right."

Fuji felt elated, anxious, and at that last bit of news a little hurt. Did that mean that Inui was wrong and Tezuka really didn't have feelings for him? How was he supposed to know or find out the truth? Smiling, he shook his head, "It is hard to put a number on someone's feelings and actions outside of the tennis court. You should remember that. So what is your plan?"

Inui could see that his friend was hurt by what he had just said, and he was 100% sure that it was that Tezuka had told him to check the math again. Hindsight was 20/20 and he knew he should have kept his mouth shut before he spouted off that last bit of information. Sighing, he held out his hand for the notebook and snatched it back when his friend handed it over, "It isn't always easy, but I believe it can be done and that I am right. As for a plan, I don't have one; however…" He pulled out a pen and opened the book to a blank page, "What are you going to do now that you have my data on the subject?"

Laughing, Fuji walked past Inui, "Why would I ever tell you? Saa, curiosity killed the cat."

"Yes, but I believe the retort is 'but satisfaction brought him back'," Inui muttered under his breath. He would not give up and he would have to keep his eyes peeled. Information could and would present itself in many shapes and forms; he would observe, collect, and analyze.

As Fuji walked into the clubhouse, he found Tezuka changing into his tennis gear and he stopped short. This was the man that could always make him lose focus, make his heart race, and steal the very breath away from him. He wasn't sure how long he had been standing there staring when he finally realized the object of his desire was calling out to him, "Hmm, what was that Tezuka?"

Tezuka pinched the bridge of his nose, "I asked if you were alright. You have been standing there for a few minutes."

"I'm fine. Why?" Fuji giggled and moved to his own locker so that he could get ready for morning practice as well.

"Nothing," Tezuka responded. If Fuji didn't want someone to know what was going through his head, no one could pry the answers out of him. Although the former buchou often did wonder if military groups or truth serum would be effective, but knowing Fuji, he probably has some natural counter to it and he would turn it around on his captors.

"Will you be going out to see Yukimura this weekend? I am planning on taking the train to see Sanada."

It felt like a dig and he felt like an arrow pierced him in the chest, but his stoic nature and the glare on his glasses allowed Tezuka to keep those feelings hidden from Fuji, "Ah, yes."

"Saa, then maybe we can ride out there together."

"Maybe," Tezuka stated before leaving the room and making his way to the courts. He needed to get out of that closed space and breathe. One more minute with Fuji, he was afraid he would be spilling everything to the tennis tensai.

As Tezuka exited the clubroom, Inui was leaning up against the wall scribbling in his book. The window had been cracked and he had been able to hear everything. Although seeing the scene would have yielded more information, listening in could give him some relatively good data as well. He decided that the question was not if Tezuka and Fuji loved each other and belonged together, they did; the question was how to get them together in the first place? And the answer to that question was still out of his grasp. Hoping Yanagi would be able to offer his own insight, Inui moved into the club room to change as soon as Fuji had walked out; he just felt it was safer if he waited for the tensai to vacate the building as well. It was true that Inui could be scary, but even the data man had a healthy appreciation (read fear) of the sadistic side of Fuji.

Just after morning practice, Yanagi heard his phone ringing and answered it quickly, "Moshi, moshi."

"Renji," Inui responded.

"What did you find out?"

"I gave Fuji the information he requested, but I am not sure what he is going to do with it. I have not talked to Tezuka this morning about my data, however, if I did that there is a 98.8% chance that he would have the same reaction as yesterday. Fuji is hard to predict, so I cannot calculate how he will react. Have you observed anything on your end?"

"Indeed," Yanagi admitted and proceeded to explain his own observations that very morning. It was more than he would have ever thought he would bear witness to, but he recorded the information and decided it was 100% progress in the right direction.

Flashback…

Yanagi had decided to arrive at tennis practice earlier than normal. Usually he was one of the first to arrive, but he wanted to be sure to be there before Yukimura and Sanada. He did not achieve his goal though; however, he was able to observe some very interesting things indeed.

When he arrived to school and made his way to the locker room, he saw Sanada unlocking the door and then walking inside. 1.27 minutes later, Yukimura arrived and walked into the room as well, shutting the door behind him. Renji quietly made his way towards the room and opened the door so that he could sneak inside. He wasn't sure why, but something told him that he needed to be as quiet as possible and remain hidden… and he was so glad he did. Finding a location that would allow him to remain unseen, but would allow him to see and hear everything wasn't that difficult and he could see that Yukimura was standing very close to Sanada, almost flirting with him, and Sanada was turning a little red. If only he had a video camera with him.

"Gen, how serious are you about Fuji?" Yukimura asked, a smile on his face that hid the tension and anxiety he was feeling.

Scowling, Sanada answered as he turned away from the bluenette, "Hmm, we are just dating."

"So not serious at all? You don't love him?"

"I wouldn't call it love, but I do like him. He is a talented tennis player and a good man."

Yukimura studied his friend for a moment before turning up his smile, "Are you ready to annihilate him and do whatever it takes to win, even if you play him?"

"Tennis and my personal life are separate."

"You say that, but don't you play tennis with Fuji on the weekends. Aren't you giving him an edge by playing you?"

"Aren't I getting an edge from playing him? What about you and Tezuka?" Sanada shot back unsure of where this attack was coming from.

"Tezuka and I are not up for discussion here. Do you really have it in you to do whatever it takes to win? What if it means destroying your own boyfriend?"

"We are Rikkai Dai and we do whatever it takes to win. Fuji knows how to take care of himself. He played Akaya in bloodshot mode. He made it out of that without any major damage. Don't worry about me or him. I will do what I must when the time comes," Sanada announced and slammed his locker shut and turned around with the intention of leaving the locker room, but he wasn't expecting the bluenette to be right behind him; and when he swung around, he and Yukimura were just a few inches apart. It seemed as if both of them were frozen in time, waiting for something to happen, but nothing did. Instead Marui and Jackal walked into the locker room breaking the moment, and that is when Sanada decided to make his exit.

Giggling, Yukimura finished changing and passed by Yanagi's hiding place, "You can come out now Renji. Really spying now? I know you like to collect data, but I would have thought that was beneath you." The smile the bluenette had on his face clearly stated, "Stay out of my way or face the consequences. I don't care if you are a friend."

Yanagi walked out of his space and stopped in front of the bluenette, "It appeared you and Genichiro were having a serious discussion. I did not want to interrupt."

"Did you collect some good data?"

"I always do," Yanagi stated and moved to his locker, and indeed this morning he had collected a mountain of information.

End flashback…

"So as you can see Sadaharu, I believe there is an open door and the chances of everyone ending up with the right people are 99.7%; however, if we allow them to figure everything out on their own, this will be a timely process. In addition, the more time goes by, the chances of failure will increase exponentially," Yanagi explained.

"Hmm, I agree with you. What do you propose we do?" Inui questioned.

Glancing up, Yanagi noticed that a certain bluenette was watching him with a critical eye and he knew he could not be found out right now, "Yukimura is approaching. I will call you this evening. Sayonara Sadaharu."

"Sayonara Renji," Inui said before disconnecting the line. Yukimura and Fuji... they both seemed aware that they were being studied and that plans were forming around them, and they were the two sadists of the two schools involved. If anyone could make Inui and Yanagi's lives hell for getting involved, it was the bluenette and the tensai. Life was about to get much more dangerous. Maybe they should recruit some of their team mates to help them with their plans. The more people to take the punishment, the less it might hurt... Then again, this was Fuji and Yukimura they were talking about.