A/N: Gomen! Life has been a little crazy the last few weeks and my grandmother passed away, so I went on hiatus in order to have some time and deal with that. The funeral is at the end of this week, so I might disappear again for a couple days, but not for another three weeks. I promise. We have come to the end of this story and I hope everyone enjoyed it. I already have more ideas for PoT stories that I will be focusing on now that this one has been put to bed. I am also in the process of writing a bonus chapter for Choices In Life that I will publish probably next week. Be on the lookout for the new stuff and thank you for reading this story!

Chapter 19 – First Dates

Rumors were quick to spread around the high school tennis circuit (and although not really spoken of in this story… the rumors flew through the middle school too, which a few players like Ryoma, Momo, Kaidoh – well probably not him, and Kirihara got quite a laugh when the word spread) about how Sanada and Fuji broke up after a brawl at Atobe's house where Sanada was injured fighting off other tennis players who were trying to attack him, Fuji, Yukimura, and Tezuka (ok, as you can see, the rumors were a little off). The stoic fukubuchou was there to defend them all, and in the end, he broke up with Fuji and carried Yukimura off into the sunset, while Fuji and Tezuka played a game and Tezuka bet Fuji for a date and he won the tensai's heart and the date in the end (I think maybe the fangirls out there were the ones embellishing). Now anyone who really knew what happened that day, or let's face it, if they knew the four teens in question, they would know that some of these rumors were a bit stretched and parts were untrue, but as they say, there is some truth to most rumors… be it as small as a grain of sand, there is something there.

Our two star couples finally got their relationships straightened out and moving in the right direction, and this time with the right people at their side. The players that had thrown the two stoic teens and two sadists into the room together at Atobe's mansion, although slightly scarred for life thanks to those same two sadists, felt proud that they had a hand in bringing these two couples together (so what if they slept with a nightlight now and gave Fuji and Yukimura a wide berth going forward… well except Jirou, he thought it was all some sort of dream since he was sleeping through most of it). Everything the tennis players endured was well worth it, kind of, maybe only a little, a miniscule amount… ok not really, but they can't change the past and they were still happy they helped.

Since no one was with the wrong people any longer and now had the person they truly loved at their side, it was time to go on their first date. However, since both couples started dating at the beginning of the week, they had to wait five days until they could have their first official dates with their new boyfriends (school and tennis are important… although, we might be able to count the tennis match between Fuji and Tezuka as a date, but I digress yet again). Throughout the week both couples carried on with their normal lives much as they did before the alpha pair and perfect pair were created, albeit with a few differences. Now the couples would leave school together and study at each other's homes instead of alone. They spent as much time as they could, and all four sometimes had a hard time believing that this was all real (Fuji and Sanada more than the other two).

Once Saturday rolled around both pairings were ready for their first date (and no, they were not double dating this time… maybe in the future, but do we really want those two sadists to have too much time together? Their boyfriends might have a heart attack). Now, everyone from Seigaku and RikkaiDai knew that the couples would be going on dates that very weekend, and two people tried to get some of their friends to help them to spy, but no one would… too afraid of what might happen. Thus Inui and Yanagi had to do their own investigation (*cough* stalking *cough*). You would have thought those two would have learned their lesson before, but data was always worth it according to them. These were their findings…

Case: Yukimura/Sanada first date by Yanagi Renji

Participants: Sanada Genichiro and Yukimura Seiichi

Place: Various, ending in tennis

Time: 3:00pm after tennis practice, and after they went home to get ready

Number of times spotted: 0, but I know Yukimura knows I was following (99.98% chance). I need to be prepared for punishment later (likelihood of punishment 98.74%, likelihood it will be worse than the crime 100%, likelihood I will stop my data collecting due to this 0%).

Synopsis of date: Since Sanada is the one that asked Yukimura on a date first, I figured it was best to start my investigation with him (89.56% chance he would pick up Yukimura, 7.14% Yukimura would pick him up, and 5.3% that they would meet at a predetermined location). Either way, I knew following one of them would allow me to observe the date without issue (unless I am caught). I followed Sanada to Yukimura's house. They both carried their tennis bags (100% they will play tennis at some point in their date). From there they went to the art museum, held hands periodically, but I did not observe any other form of PDA. After the museum, they went to a sushi restaurant to eat. Yukimura had eel, salmon, and tuna rolls. Sanada had salmon, tuna, and crab. They shared their meals with each other. When they left the restaurant, they passed a movie theatre and looked like they were going to stop, but after a few minutes of debating (I was unable to hear their conversation), they moved on and arrived at the public tennis courts. The courts were busy, so they teamed up and played a couple others for the rights to the court. I could have told the challengers that when those two teamed up, the chance for winning against them was 0%... I would go negative, but that would not be a logical number. They won 6-0 and then started to play their own game. They played two sets, but I could tell neither of them were using all of their tricks… not that it would work on either. Sanada had already gotten past yips in camp. Yukimura won the first game 7-5, and Sanada won the second 6-4. After tennis they, went to the water fountain and then walked in the park. I wish I could have been close enough to listen to what they were saying, but the risk was too great. Sanada dropped Yukimura off at home and kissed him goodnight and then returned to his own home. Date ends here.

Here is the real date for my readers who want more than Yanagi's synopsis:

It had been decided that Sanada and Yukimura would go on their first date after tennis practice that Saturday. Instead of leaving from practice and increasing the chance their team members would want to spy, they decided to go home and get ready first instead of getting ready in the locker room. They figured they would have at least one spy because when it came to data their friend Yanagi was addicted and could not walk away. They were right… not only did it feel as if someone was watching them, but they caught him at least 13 times during the course of their date.

Sanada picked Yukimura up at his home and from there the stoic fukubuchou took his boyfriend to the art museum, knowing how much Seiichi loves art and going to museums. They currently had an exhibit of impressionists on display and he figured the RikkaiDai buchou would love to see them. He had been right, and many times throughout the course of their time at the museum, Yukimura would grab his hand and hold firm as he exclaimed about the beauty of each of the paintings. They talked some too, but it was mainly about the art. Sanada's found a smile tugging at his mouth when the bluenette got particularly excited about a Monet that was on display and they stood their staring at it longer than any other painting; although Sanada found his eyes drifting to his boyfriend the majority of the time, just to see him that happy while looking at a painting made the onyx haired teen happy.

Unsure of what they were doing for their first date, Yukimura was a little surprised when Sanada had taken him to an art museum. He loved it and found himself enamored with the breathtaking art that surrounded him. Time and time again, he would find Sanada's hand and hold tight, wanting the contact between them and knowing that Sanada would not be the person to make a move such as that, which meant it was up to the bluenette. One of Monet's Water Lilies hung on one of the walls for all visitors to see and he couldn't take his eyes away from it. Yes, there were others that could be counted as more beautiful and definitely had more detail, but there was something about the way the artist painted that pulled the visitors in, and that is what happened to him. Sanada didn't seem to mind that he had stopped and just stared at the painting and in fact, encouraged him to take his time. They talked about that and the other paintings and Yukimura had to ask himself, "Why did I turn Genichiro down the first time?"

After the art museum, they went to dinner at a sushi restaurant and just talked. When their food came, they shared some of the pieces that were different from their boyfriend's and had fun. They laughed and joked about everything, and Yukimura was surprised to see Sanada smile a few times… the laughter was a bit scary though and thankfully the fukubuchou didn't do that more than a couple times; however, the bluenette did like his boyfriend's smile. They also talked about Yanagi and how many times they had spotted him (it was like playing Where's Waldo). Yukimura had seen him more than Sanada, but they were only one off from each other (by this time the count was 7: Yukimura and 6: Sanada).

Leaving the sushi restaurant, they talked about going to a movie, but had decided against it because they wanted to play a game of tennis with each other. It wasn't like they wouldn't be able to go later, they would, so decided to save that for their next date. Instead, they made their way to the public courts, and found them extremely busy. They waited for a few minutes when a couple of other older, bigger teens decided to get snide.

"Oy, you may as well pack it up and leave because you will never get a court," the first punk laughed.

His partner got in on it, "That's right. Now you two run along home."

Now, this was a huge mistake on the punks part because Yukimura and Sanada were well known in the tennis circuit (come on, how could they not be?) and decided to take the challenge. "Ne Genichiro, are you up for teaching these two a lesson?" The bluenette smiled, his hand on Sanada's forearm holding back his boyfriend before the fukubuchou could torundoru the punks. That might have led to satisfaction, but he wanted to make sure the other teens knew what real tennis was.

"Hai!" Sanada agreed quickly.

Turning to look at the two teens that had been so rude, the Yukimura's smile increased and clearly told anyone that knew him the two punks were dead… time to get ready for a funeral, "How about we play you for the court?"

"Haha! If you think you can keep up!" The first teen barked and waited for his partner to join him as the alpha pair took their places on the other side. They never even had a chance. The game was lost quickly 6-0. Where did these two come from? Who were they? This was not normal? What kind of tennis was this? It did not matter because they lost and therefore had to leave the courts… and they did, running away with their tails between their legs.

The alpha pair continued to play two more games before calling it quits and taking a walk through the park. The weather was beautiful and the mood shone brightly that night. As they strolled hand in hand, they talked about the future, the team, and again how many times they spotted Yanagi (12: Yukimura, 12: Sanada... this time Sanada saw him once more than Yukimura, and they would both see him when they said goodnight). Sanada turned to Yukimura and asked, "What are you going to do to him on Monday?"

"Not sure yet, but I am sure I can come up with something. Since he didn't interfere, perhaps I will take it easy on him and just give him laps or something. Maybe I will play a round of tennis with him. You never know," Yukimura chuckled.

Pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand, Sanada shook his head, "I think I don't want to know."

They finished their walk and Sanada returned Yukimura to his home so that they could say goodbye. Both spotted Yanagi hiding in the bushes and holding up his phone to apparently record the moment. They would deal with him later. Kissing each other goodnight, the bluenette went indoors and the fukubuchou walked towards his own home, leaving Yanagi in the bushes to do whatever. It had been a wonderful night and first date and both members of the alpha pair hoped for many more.

Case: Fuji/Tezuka first date by Inui Sadaharu

Participants: Fuji Syusuke and Tezuka Kunimitsu

Place: Dinner, movies, Tokyo Tower (no tennis involved)

Time: 5:00pm

Number of times spotted: 3 (96.37% Fuji will do something to me next week).

Synopsis of date: Tezuka and Fuji met at Tokyo Tower. My data was off since I was 86.56% chance that Tezuka would pick up his date. He went out with his grandfather, so I waited for him at Fuji's house. Fuji arrived ten minutes early and spotted Tezuka, but did not approach until 5:00pm. Fuji kissed Tezuka on the cheek in greeting. From there they went up in the tower. I had to be careful so that I was not spotted, but apparently my disguise did not hide me well enough because they both noticed I was there. After they left the tower, they went to a nearby family owned restaurant and ate. Fuji carried on the majority of the conversation. Leaving there, they went to the movies. They shared popcorn, but had their own drinks. They also held hands and Fuji laid his head on Tezuka's shoulder. I noticed from here a 14% increased incline of Tezuka's head towards where Fuji lay, resting his cheek on our tensai's own head. Once the movie was over, they walked to Fuji's house where they kissed and said goodbye. I was spotted again when Tezuka was leaving Fuji's house and he told me, "Don't let your guard down." I think come next week there will be a 78.97% chance I will be dead. I need to re-review the data though.

Here is the real date for my readers who want more than Inui's synopsis:

Tezuka had to help his grandfather with something after tennis practice that Saturday, so he and Fuji agreed to meet at Tokyo Tower at 5:00pm. That would give him plenty of time to make sure his grandfather did not need him for anything else. Walking up to the meeting place, Tezuka was a little nervous, but really happy at the same time. This was it, their first date, something he had dreamed of even when he was in Germany. He got there twenty minutes early, but those minutes flew by as he waited for Fuji.

Fuji left his house and immediately noticed Inui hiding high up in the tree with a pair of binoculars. He had known the data collector would probably try to spy, and laughed to himself as he shook his head. Arriving at Tokyo Tower, he easily found Tezuka standing there waiting for him, but instead of approaching, he decided to study the man that had captured his heart and convinced him they needed a chance. The ex-captain had proved himself and now Fuji was happier than he could remember. His relationship with Sanada had not felt so complete, but now… now he was with the person he truly wanted and that made all the difference in the world. Yes, Tezuka was stoic and didn't really show his emotions, but he was a good guy and if one really got to know him, he/she would see the multitude of ways that Tezuka expressed himself. Looking at his watch, he noticed the time and went to greet his new boyfriend.

"Saa, Tezuka, Inui is watching," Fuji walked up to the bespectacled teen and kissed him on the cheek as he whispered in his ear.

"Ah," Tezuka nodded and grabbed Fuji's hand leading him into Tokyo Tower and onto the elevator. Sure enough, he found Inui in the crowd wearing a red wig, fake mustache, and a trench coat and fedora. He stuck out like a sore thumb.

After taking in the breathtaking view from the top of the tower, they went to dinner at a family restaurant that Fuji liked. The conversation revolved around school and their friends, and how they had an extra guest for their date. Fuji decided the following week he would tell Inui that he wasn't into a threesome.

Finishing up their meal, Tezuka looked at the time and reminded Fuji that they had to go so they could catch their movie on time. They strolled hand in hand towards the theatre and went in, Tezuka having already purchased their tickets. They noticed Inui had to hang back for a while and assumed he was trying to figure out which movie they were going to see. Too bad this is a smaller theatre and it would be easy to tell once they got their snacks and went inside. However, once the movie started, Fuji forgot all about their spy and enjoyed his time with Tezuka, and the ex-buchou did the same. They held hands and cuddled as they shared popcorn and watched the movie on the screen.

With the credits rolling, the couple left the theatre and Tezuka walked Fuji to his door. Leaning down, he kissed the tensai goodnight, the kiss lasting longer than many of the ones they had previously shared and it left them both breathless and wanting more. Once Fuji was inside, Tezuka walked away from the house and stopped under the tree Inui occupied and looked up, "Don't let your guard down." He left his follow tennis player there and returned home. It had been a good night and he couldn't wait for the next one. He only knew one thing; he would never leave Fuji like he had before again.

Both couples were happy and finally with the people they most wanted to be with; and although there were a few bumps in the road to get to this night, it had brought them closer together. The hard times strengthened them and taught them what was really important to them, and when they faced more difficulties, they would look back on this time and know they would make it through to the other side… even if a few sadists had to work together to put the fear of god in everyone.