Preparations

By: Jyra

Disclaimer: Do not own Prince of Tennis. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this. Instead I'd be laughing about how I've created one of the best mangas in the world…

Yes, I know I said I would write the next one for the US Opens but hey, I have time off so this is for the Canadian Opens (Roger Cup). Anyway, thanks to all the people who have put my story on their alerts list- it means a lot to me!

Pillar pair.

Ryoma scowled as he poked his wrist, feeling a slight pain shoot up through his arm. It wasn't fair, he wanted to yell but even for him that was a little too childish. Instead he settled for tapping his foot impatiently on the tiled floor as he waited outside the players changing rooms. Every so often, a player would exit or enter depending on when their match was for the day, many of them sending him a look of sympathy, surprise or the more petty ones, gloating. Ryoma glared back at them all, although the cap pulled over his eyes meant they probably couldn't tell.

It wasn't his fault, Ryoma told himself. It had been…Momo's fault. Yes, Ryoma told himself, it was all Momo's fault. Although he would have preferred to pin the blame somehow on Atobe, the diva had been in Paris when Ryoma had tripped over the water bottle and therefore even the most elaborate story couldn't justify Atobe's involvement in the incident. Momo, however, had only been a couple of feet away and therefore in the perfect position for Ryoma to blame, despite the fact that it had been his (Ryoma's) water bottle.

So that was the reason why Ryoma, instead of playing in the hard-court Canadian tournament was busy waiting for Tezuka to finally exit the changing rooms (just how long did take one person to change? It never normally took him this long. Ryoma knew he was doing it just to piss him off. Yes, that must be it), his mood getting worse and worse with every passing minute.

It wasn't that the situation was desperately bad. After all, in the last couple of months, Ryoma had won the doubles title at the French, the title at Queens and been the runner up in Wimbledon. So one missed tournament shouldn't matter that much. Still, he was painfully aware of the ranking, and the world number two knew that the number 3 wasn't particularly far behind him and would be even less if he gained the 500 ranking points that came with winning this tournament. of course, Ryoma told himself, the only reason why Tezuka was ranked number one in the world instead of him was because he has been on tour for a couple of years longer and had had more time to amass points. Because of course, there was no way anyone, even his boyfriend, was a better player than him….

The doubles title at the Roland Garros hadn't added to his singles ranking and whilst coming second at Wimbledon was good, it wasn't winning… and now having to sit out of a vital warm up tournament….

Although the world's press hadn't said anything about the Prince of Tennis's not quite on par run, Ryoma knew he would have to do well in the coming tournaments to silence any critics that might be threatening o come up, even if by normal tennis player's standards his year had been anything short of fantastic.

Ryoma was not normally one to worry. But there was a first for everything and his arrogant nature meant that he had to take it out on someone. Unfortunately for Tezuka, he was the person closest to Ryoma, and therefore bore the brunt of the boy's current bad temper.

Which was at the moment threatening to boil over as Ryoma waited for his boyfriend to exit the changing rooms. If it had been anyone else, he would have left already.

'Ryoma.'

Hearing his name, Ryoma glared up from under his cap to find Tezuka standing next to him. Scowling he stalked off in the direction of their hotel, expecting Tezuka to follow him.

If Tezuka had been anyone else, he would have sighed. However, Tezuka was not anyone else and Tezuka did not show expression let alone sigh. So instead, he frowned slightly and walked after Ryoma, making sure to leave a couple of feet in between them. It didn't bothered Tezuka too much that Ryoma hadn't even asked him about his semi final match (he'd won, straight sets). After all, Tezuka knew Ryoma was prone to sulking if he couldn't participate in a tournament and he was lucky that Ryoma had even agreed to come and watch.

It was a silent trip back to the hotel and when they arrived at their room, Ryoma proceeded to throw himself onto the bed, apparently falling straight asleep. Tezuka didn't mind. Above all, he himself had to be rested for the final tomorrow and maybe if they both slept for a while now, they could go out for dinner later, though only if Ryoma was in a better mood. Pulling his shoes off and settling down besides Ryoma, Tezuka carefully wrapped one arm around his boyfriend's waist, hoping the boy wouldn't wake up and snap at him. Just as he got himself settled, he felt Ryoma stir in his arms and mumble into his chest

'I'm not playing doubles with you at the US Opens.'

'Of course'

Tezuka replied as Ryoma' breathing became more even. Tezuka wasn't quite sure what Ryoma felt he still had to prove but as he drifted off to sleep he wondered if maybe Ryoma hadn't changed much from middle school after all…

.X.

I feel a little bad for making Ryoma play worse than Tezuak for the last couple of chapters… But he can't win all the time right? Soon I'm going to go back to writing happier chapters but just to warn you, the next one probably one be that happy. It won't be angst but… Oh well, I guess you'll just have to read it when it comes out!