Kari: Eh, I'm finally updating?

Yukimura: Hmm, It's been a while no? *angelic smile*

Kari: *sweatdrops* A-aa….

Genichiro: Get to work!

Kari: ha-hai! *cowers* Eto… the usual disclaimers apply and the warnings in addition I'll be deviating from the actual story line now… the changes should be obvious

Yukimura: Saa, ikou desu

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Chapter 4: Of rackets, teams and cockiness

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The next day was the same as the last, it was completely boring and in his opinion (the stares were finally getting to him) completely troublesome. Shrugging on his red shirt Ryoma closed his eyes as he stretched his arms upwards, feeling the strain on his back loosen, with a quiet sigh. The chairs were hard. Making sure to leave his bag in a safe place he grabbed his favored red racket and ignored the trio that followed him and exited the room without much care. He truly did hope that the regulars were as good as Yukimura-san had promised, if not he would have to attempt to request his mother to transfer him to a school with a better team (maybe he could ask to go to Rikkai? He did know how to live on his own, he had the experience multiple times)

Yawning into his hand he lined up with the ichinen and stared impassively as he ignored the idle chatter around him. Wide gold eyes trailed across the courts with an approving hum, they had good facilities at least, not as advanced as his own used to be in the US but good enough for a local school in Japan.

Quite suddenly the noise came to a sudden hush as several seniors and juniors entered the court. Vaguely he remembers a few of them from his classes. One had a green bandana over his head, his face set into a dark scowl. The other was the sempai from before with the broom like hair (idly he noted that his foot was better) another had a notebook in hand muttering creepily and another looked shy as he chattered with his honey haired Fuji-sempai. A little off to the side a bouncy red head hung of a strange looking sempai's arm (His hair looked like an egg or rather a bowling bowl). Beside him the most annoying one, with so called "two years experience" exclaimed.

"It's the regulars!"

Moving his racket to hold press it to his lower back, he leaned unto it with a thoughtful hum as he observed with more intent. They were a strange bunch and he wondered if someone should check their mental health or something (he had to admit even he was surprised when the shy sempai suddenly screamed "BBUUURRRNNNIIINNGGGGG!!!" when he held a racket). Most of them were seniors.

Ryoma was startled from his thoughts when a hand pushed against his shoulder with enough force to make him step back. Glaring from beneath the brim of his cap, golden eyes narrowed as he saw the boy that pushed him. It was the cheating sempai.

"Oi! You again!" He said in aloud arrogant voice "what's with that gaze ha?"

Ryoma stares at him eyes placid before quickly flipping his racket too softly (he didn't want to hurt the guy, regardless how annoying he was) hit away the hand from his body. Unbeknownst to them a few had stopped to stare at the ruckus they've caused.

A few courts away the regulars were busily training, the exercise was done in pairs, with one serving the ball to the other and the other smashing the ball into a basket in a certain direction. It was an effective exercise. But Ryoma knew better.

Walking away from the boy (who watched him go shouting all the while) he began to walk nearer the actual courts. A sudden shout a distance from him had him look up in time to see a ball speed towards his face with alarming force. On reflex he brought his racket forward and hit back the ball straight into the basket with enough force to make it clatter. Spinning the racket in his hand, a smirk stretched across his lips.

"hn, not that hard to do"

And that was the fodder that fired up the rumor mill.

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Rumors were stupid, Ryoma decided. Laying his head unto his desk that morning a scowl tugged at his lips as he felt more eyes on his form. Cant this people find anything better to do? Every time he passed there were always whispers. He hated the lime light unless it was on court. People were much too troublesome.

Changing into his usual red sports shirt, Ryoma stuffed his cap unto his head with a light frown. He was disappointed to know that most of what the first years do were basic drills. They were too much of a bore to do. Placing his bag unto a safe place he sat on a bench to tighten the laces of his shoe with a hard tug. Satisfied he left the room with three horrified ichinen pointing at the wrinkled blue jersey he left behind.

Walking onto the court Ryoma began stretching his legs with a light hum before jogging towards the tracks for a few laps. People avoided him for the most part, it was well known that he had bad blood with Arai's gang (not that he cared anyways) but it didn't stop them from talking.

'When will these people learn to stay out of my business?'

Running faster Ryoma lost count of the laps he made. He never noticed the arrival of the regulars (who at the moment were warming up) and the angry eyes of a certain head band wearing junior. The feel of the wind against his face was all that he cared for, the heat running up his legs from running and the steady breaths he took. Now people couldn't ignore that he had a wonderful posture while running, some even pointed out that it was quite similar to Fuji's grace. (and for a fact Fuji agreed to it as well and they quote "Saa, maybe he took dance lessons as well?") Oddly enough no one seemed to mind that he missed the regular drills assigned to the first years, (they attributed it to the fact that Tezuka was currently no present)

Feeling satisfied with the light sheen of sweat that glistened along his forehead from the run. Ryoma finally decided to join the first years, who gaped incredulously at him. The run gave him the sudden urge to play and he would about challenge anyone (even if they sucked… the number would hopefully make up for the lack of challenge) but as he attempted to walk back a shadow fell over his face, obviously someone had blocked his way, and with an annoyed tsk he looked up to glare balefully at the boy before him. It was that a-something or another guy that kept bothering for one reason or another.

"Oi! You shouldn't be too cocky brat" he began with a haughty voice "You should have more respect for your sempai"

Eyes burning, his face remained placid as the other continued.

"You think you're so great ha?" Arai's voice rose a notch catching the other club members' attention "How about a match then?"

"Yada" Ryoma answered in a partly drawling voice. He wanted a match sure, but this guy was too bothersome to play with. Stepping aside he began walking back to the club house to take his racket when that annoyingly loud voice interrupted him again.

"Who knows, those precious" Arai paused, his voice laced with bubbling rage and arrogance "rackets of yours might turn up again"

Ryoma froze at the implication of those words. For sure if he was to check his rackets, maybe even his whole bag, would be missing. Fingers twitching he raised a hand to pull his cap further down his face as his expression became colder. It was not that he couldn't afford another to buy new rackets (Well with the amount of money he got from those tournament in the US he was bound to have more than just spare change no?) but rather it was his pride that was stroked, he didn't like being messed with. He didn't like bullied in general.

Turning on his heel Ryoma tilted his head up to stare at the junior beneath the bill of his cap. "Eehh, are you trying to imply something sempai" the word sempai was drawled sarcastically, making Arai turn a few shades darker in anger.

"Are you accusing me of something ichinen?!"

"Betsuni" Eyes still locked unto his form he walked closer, stopping a few feet from him "ne, you wanted a game right?"

"Aa" Arai had a wide smirk on his lips before turning his head opening his hand to motion to one of his cronies. Immediately a worn, old racket was tossed to him which he flipped in his hand before throwing it towards Ryoma "Things like that should be enough for you" his smirk turned into a sneer as he saw the Ryoma asses the racket "You should know your place ichinen"

Plucking at the strings of the racket critical golden eyes studied the worn thing that was thrown to him before an idea came to mind. A smirk danced unto his lips and with a graceful turn he walked into an empty court.

"You wanted a game sempai, let play"

Raising an eyebrow Arai didn't know whether the damn brat was sane or not. There was no way he could play with a racket like that.

"Are you scared sempai?" Tilting his head he looked back at the other, eyes wide with anticipation as his smirk widened into a grin. To say that the change in personality was startling was an understatement.

"Who would be scared of a brat like you!?" walking into the court he looked at his nose to glare at the petite boy "Don't cry when you lose"

"Uisu"

Unbeknownst to them their small (yeah right, if Arai's shouting didn't catch their attention, then the screaming first years surely did the trick) argument had most of the tennis club members watching them, and that 'most' included the regulars.

Fuji's eyes had opened sometime during the exchange and he can't help but feel amused by it all. Beside him Oishi fretted, worrying over everything and anything while Eiji hung off Syuusuke's back, light blue eyes trained unto the developing match.

"Ne, Fujiko-chan, it wouldn't be possible for Ochibi to win with a racket like that can he? I mean look at it! nya" Eiji exclaimed

"Saa, we'll have to see ne?" A smile tugged unto his lips. Either the boy was really confident with his skill or he was willing to embarrass himself in front of the whole club.

"Demo~" Eiji continued "It old, and dusty and rickety and mou! It looks like it would fall apart at any second! Nya"

"I should stop this, Tezuka won't be pleased" Oishi said worrying his bottom lip. "I should before someone gets hurt"

"You won't" Fuji's voice was sharp as he turned striking blue eyes towards Oishi "Lets watch what will happen ne?" he continued in sweeter tone, Oishi gulped it was never good whenever Fuji used that tone "Saa, don't you think this is interesting Oishi" He didn't want anyone stopping this. It was much to interesting, and if by chance the boy didn't have the skill to back up his cockiness he wanted to see his face when he was crushed by Arai (because admittedly out of everyone in club Arai was the only one with enough skill to consider getting into the regulars). He was sure that Echizen, Ryoma would have a darling face if it ever happened.

"Mou, Fujiko why do I feel there's more to things than that" Eiji muttered moving to hide behind Oishi who sweat dropped.

"saa"

"Ii data" Inui muttered "I'd have to agree with Fuji though, this is a rather interesting development" Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, light glinted against it ominously.

"Sou ne" Fuji smiled, trust Inui to be side by him. Aah, data was data after all.

"Arai can't do that, he cant yo" Momoshiro suddenly piped up from beside a partly worried Taka.

"Fshhhuu, his an embarrassment towards the juniors" Kaido hissed angrily. Arai was too arrogant for his own good in his opinion.

"Hush now" Fuji intervened as he felt another argument begin to rise between the rivals. "Their beginning"

On court Arai threw the ball in the air before smacking it across the court straight to Ryoma. Ryoma on the other hand hit it back.

-twak-

The strange sound echoed across the now silent court as the ball flew harmlessly before hitting the net.

"What a strange impact sound!" Katsuo shouted

"I knew he wouldn't be able to play like that!" Horio screamed

"Ryoma-kun!"

"Saa, it is indeed, a strange sound" Fuji eyes trained unto the first year. Ryoma was pulling at the strings again head tilted with a curious expression on his face. He looked like a cat, Fuji thought idly, a very curious cat.

"Understandable" Inui spoke "The racket, most likely, is an old one just by assessing its appearance and with strings like that there's not enough tension to create a proper impact to hit the ball back by normal means"

On court Ryoma pulled at the string with a thoughtful hum. "Omoshiroi"

"What are you muttering about? Afraid already" A smirk could almost be heard in the others face. This was too easy "You can't run now, we have to finish this came to the end" Taking another ball Arai served the ball stronger than before. Again Ryoma hit it back producing the same sound with the same result.

"It's no use nya! You can't use a racket like that!" Eiji pouted.

"This is bad, bad, bad" Oishi muttered "We really have to stop this"

"No, continue watching" there was something about the others expression that had Fuji leaning further into the fence fingers clenched around the metal chains.

The game progressed in the same fashion until finally Arai got the first two games. Ryoma who paid no attention to his opponent let a smirk grace his lips.

"sou ka, that's how it is" Preparing to receive Arai's service he gripped the racket tighter. Arai, who by that time was very confident that he'll completely crush the freshman, served the ball. What happened next brought a new bought of silence within the courts. The return was so quick that it left Arai gaping.

"That got to be a fluke" Arai murmured

"Saa, interesting" Fuji muttered

"Ii data, by turning his whole body Echizen-san was able to create enough force to return the ball normally, regardless the state of his racket" Inui wrote into his note book quickly "impressive"

"You mean Ochibi intentionally threw in those two games!?" Eiji asked

"uso!" Momo exclaimed after Eiji

"Saa, it seems that way" Fuji lifted a hand to press against his shin in thought "Those two games, he used them to master that old racket"

"Fsshhuu, look at him" Kaido growled out "Looking like that because of a freshman, it's a shame"

Meanwhile Ryoma was leading the game with a 40-0 score; all of them were return aces. He had bared the commentaries from his sempais for a while (they were the bunch that he had even an inkling of respect for as of yet. It was obvious from practice that they at least had skill) but the last comment had a frown tugging at his lips. He didn't like what it was implying. Hearing rather than seeing the approach of the ball, he twisted his body with ease before hitting the ball back with a specific angle. He was hardly sweating.

Arai on the other hand was frazzled. He chased after the ball with near panic (well he definitely didn't do well in mind games) but was to slow to catch the ball as it slammed against the ground with shocking force before rebounding towards the nearby court where the regulars stood.

Fuji's eyes widened at that before he quickly turned toward Kaido with a sharp call "Kaido! Step back"

Acting as told the snake stepped back in time to miss the ball that slammed against the fence that left it rattling. Seven pairs of eyes stared in disbelief as the ball came to a grinding stop, stuck between the small diamonds that made the fence, before falling to the ground and slowly turned their eyes towards the freshman whose wide golden eyes glared into Kaido's direction.

"Gomen, I lost a bit of control there" He spoke sharply "hope that wasn't much of a shame for you" Tugging at his cap he took a ball from his pocket before bouncing it on the ground a few times. It was his service game.

"He- did he do that intentionally?"Taka asked as his eyes remained rooted unto the spot where the ball had impacted the fence.

"With a racket like that? No way" Momo shook his head in disbelief

"nya, suge" Eiji gulped

"Th-the" Oishi eyes were wide as he watched Ryoma prepare to serve

"fu fu fu, this is definitely interesting" Syuusuke grinned

"ii data"

"fssshhuuuu~" Kaido growled angrily as he glared

On the court Ryoma's smirk seemed to become a permanent feature to his face as he bent his knees with practiced ease, hitting the ball back with a satisfying smack of his racket. The green sphere soared across the court landing at Arai's feet before shooting up nearly hitting his face making fall back on his butt.

"The twist serve!" the trio exclaimed as other members stared in awe.

Arai on the other hand sat very still. His previous confidence had all but disappeared. It was like facing a monster.

"O-oi maybe we should stop now" Arai said shakily "there's no need for this is there?"

"eh? But sempai didn't you say 'we have to finish this came to the end'" he answered back cockily "iku yo"

The game progressed the same as the last. A complete service ace game. Lifting a hand to his cup Ryoma tugged it down with a small huff the boy didn't do well against pressure obviously and it was the amusement it brought was quickly losing its novelty.

"mada mada dane"

The phrase made the junior twitch and with renewed vigor he served the ball with all he had. Seeing the quickly approaching ball Ryoma moved to hit it back but che'd as the old strings finally gave out.

"Oh no! the strings!" Eiji shouted pointing at the face of the racket

Flipping the racket to its side Ryoma's eyes narrowed as he swung successfully returning the shot, much to the amazement of many and murmurs began to escalate.

"The rim! He used the rim!"

"no way!"

"Who is that?!"
"How could he do it?"

And murmurs went on and on when suddenly the loud slam of metal gates had everyone jumping to attention. Turning towards the source of the noise everyone cringed as they saw who it was exactly.

A boy, who looked much older than he probably was stood with his hazel eyes narrowed behind thin framed glasses, his hair was a rich chocolate like color that was, strangely enough, could only be described as neatly disarray. The blue colors of the regular jersey suited him a racket was firmly held in his hands.

"what is going on here?" He asked in a firm voice.

"Buchou! Cheers!" Everyone on court bowed excluding Ryoma, who had never seen the captain before.

"Te-Tezuka- buchou, I eto, we were just having a ma-"Arai stuttered to answer

"I do not remember authorizing any practice matches to non regulars"

"Th-that is"

"10 laps "Tezuka's gaze landed on the first year and they for a while gold stared into hazel "both of you"

Immediately Ryoma took off to follow the order. It was obvious that this boy was the captain, and he had the feeling that he wasn't one to be messed with.

"b-but!"

"20" Tezuka reaffirmed. Gritting his teeth Arai glared at the first year one more time before following after. Letting his eyes stray along the frozen players a frown tugged at his lips "Back to work! Yudan Sezou ni Ikou"

Like clockwork the club came to life, practicing as if nothing had interrupted them in the first place. Nodding his head in approval he headed towards where the regulars where and glared at them, spurring them into action. Stopping beside Fuji he listened to the other chuckle before turning his head to face the honey haired boy with a raised eyebrow.

"Saa, we've got a very interesting freshman this year Tezuka" Syuusuke's eyelids fluttered open to stare at the placid boy "you were watching weren't you? From the window"

Tezuka did not answer but kept his gaze firmly unto the others sharp blue ones

"very interesting indeed" With another soft giggle Fuji's eyes closed. The year promised to be amusing and he had the feeling that it was about to get more and more fun for him soon.

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Practice ended rather anticlimactically. Packing up his sweaty shirt Ryoma shouldered his tennis bag with ease as he fished his pocket for his phone. So far he was still bored. He seriously needed to get around calling Sanada-san for a game, he was getting bored of drills.

Flipping his phone open he opened his inbox to read the messages he had received.

=Ryoma-kun, how are you? Was club better? Did you meet the regulars?= it was from Yukimura-san

=Yukimura-san, so far? It's a bore, I haven't played the regulars yet but I'm hoping for something interesting= sending the message Ryoma moved on to his next message.

=Ryoma-san, this is Sanada from the tournament. I would like to ask if you are available on Sunday. I'll be heading to Tokyo to visit Yukimura and wouldn't mind a game=

Blinking at the offer, Ryoma stuffed his cap into his bag (his hair was still wet) as he contemplated his answer.

=I wouldn't mind a game myself Sanada-san, hn, if possible may I accompany you to visit Yukimura-san as well?=

Flipping his phone shut after he sent the message, Ryoma ran a hand through his damp hair with a small smirk. At the very least his weekend was looking up. Twisting his head side to side he walked out of the club room to head home.

Maybe his oyaji would be willing to get off his lazy ass and play a game.

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A/N: I know it's been long! Forgiveness *whimpers* I've been very busy with graduation approaching and the heat is seriously killing me here. I'm still trying to find time to finally type up melody and synchrony so wait a bit more… this chapters longer?

Anyhow as you can see, I've begun to make subtle changes into the story and they will stay subtle (hopefully) until I fully deviate from the original story line. The changes I've made were the affects of his match with Sanada. He had played him earlier hence he is more skilled now when he entered Seigaku than when he did when he entered in canon. I hope you don't mind the bit of OOC-ness…. And the fact that my match scenes are beyond sucky ^^;; oh and I still need a beta, seriously…

Oh! And I made fan art! Huzzah! This one's pillar pair though, I have a royal done as well but I still have to find the time to scan it into my laptop… I'll probably have it up by my next update.

Link: http:// .

Remove the spaces and you have it. It should be the last sketch that you see in there. Hope you like it, it was a pain to do but I enjoyed it. Anybody want fanart on this fic? review if you do

An another not that very much important: POLL:

Do you want Ryoma to meet the Rikkai team before the regional's or not? Or do you have a specific character you want him to meet? (Kirihara is a given so no need to vote for him) the voting will help so please do so if you have the time.

And so after the long wait I hope you guys enjoy this! Review onegai… they help me write, they inspire (well honestly I get guilty and so I at least attempt to sit myself down and write) I need reviews… You'll get cookies?