A/N: I am so sorry for the late update. My move to Canada kept me very busy and I hope you all would like this new update. Please r&r. I hope this chapter is up to your standards.
Chapter-11
"Gather around!" Yukimura's strong voice called out to the players busy in practice. Yukimura and Sanada waited as the players gathered around them. "We've been taking things light for a while but that will have to change." Yukimura looked around to see if everyone was present and continued, "The regionals are less than two months away and we have no time to sit around. We have to practice long and hard to defeat all teams and go all the way to nationals. Losing is unacceptable, whether it is during an official match or practice! Is that understood?" The entire team cheered as Sanada ended the briefing with a tarundoru and sent them off in separate courts to practice.
Renji and Yukimura observed as the rest of the team practiced. "So…" Yukimura trailed off. "So?" Renji asked. "What are you thinking?" Yukimura didn't have to look to know that Renji wasn't really observing. "Yagyuu and Niou are doing fine as usual. But Niou is slacking off. His reaction time to his opponent's attacks has slowed down by 3 seconds. He needs more of those small exercises that I've seen Inui use to keep the players' concentration up."
Yukimura chuckled, "As keen as your observation is, and though it is correct, you and I both know that's not what I was hinting at. And don't blame Niou. We've all become a bit unfocused since that day." Renji only nodded in reply.
He couldn't stop thinking about their talk to Fuji and Tezuka. Several things kept going through his mind. Did Fuji really love her? Did she love him back? Was he in their way? He didn't want to be a thorn in her way. But he liked Asuna too. This was starting to mess with his head.
"You can solve this later," Yukimura's voice brought Renji out of his trance. "Go practice." Renji didn't need to be told twice. Yukimura was right. He could solve his internal issues later. Practice comes first.
DDDDDDDDDD
Asuna grinned as Kirihara missed another serve. Kirihara was in his devil mode and was getting angrier by the moment. Before Asuna joined Rikkai, Sanada and Yukimura were the only people to be able to stand up to the pressure that was the bloodshot Kirihara.
It was a surprise to all when one day a cheerful and frail looking girl decided to enter the boys' tennis courts and play. Kirihara refused to even acknowledge her and Sanada was on the verge of hauling her out of the courts. But Kirihara suddenly changed his mind and decided he'd beat her real quick and destroy her pride.
The game though, turned into a very long one with Kirihara on the losing side. The girl was small but very agile. Her movements and cool intellect kept her a step ahead of the raging Kirihara. However, right before the game ended, Kirihara suddenly threw his racquet at her, and the girl, not having anticipated that, got a hit to the head and fell to the ground, fainting immediately.
She later woke up as a regular of the Rikkaidai Fuzoku Chuu boys' tennis team. This was the story of Asuna Takahashi joining the tennis club.
Asuna smiled as Sanada came to take over. She jogged over to the fountain for a drink. The sudden shadow looming over her made her stop and turn. Renji stood behind her. Eyes closed. He suddenly reminded her of Fuji.
Shaking her thoughts away, she grinned. "Am I getting any better senpai?" Renji pretended to think for a bit. "I'm not sure. You looked pretty bad out there." Asuna's jaw dropped. "Did you just crack a joke senpai?" but before Renji could say anything else, Asuna took off, laughing in hysterics.
Renji rolled his eyes as he heard Asuna screaming 'Renji senpai cracked a joke! HAHAHA' in the distance. That girl would probably die of her own sassiness. Not that he ever wanted that, but you know. Plus he couldn't even tell her what he wanted to say.
DDDDDDDDDD
Renji headed for the school gates after practice. Asuna stood waiting under a tree, a big goofy smile appearing on her face when he came into sight. In all the commotion of him telling a joke, Renji had only been able to tell Asuna that he wanted to walk home with her.
"I'm sorry," Renji said quietly. They were close to the street where they had to part ways. "What for?" Asuna looked at him with a frown. Renji hung his head low. He should've been more patient with her.
"Nothing," and silence once again dawned upon them. Renji wasn't entirely sure why he had asked Asuna to walk with him.
She looked at him oddly, but didn't dig further. She looked forward and saw an ice cream truck selling ice cream to some kids.
"Ne Yanagi senpai," Renji turned to her and tilted his head in confusion. Asuna bit her bottom lip to keep herself from smiling. She then shyly glanced to the truck. Renji followed her gaze and smiled softly.
She wants ice cream.
They stood quietly eating their ice creams. Renji finished his and looked over to Asuna. They'll be going different ways after this. He cleared his throat to get her attention.
"Sorry" he said again. A small frown adorned Asuna's face.
"Why do you keep saying that?"
"I should have tried to understand your situation better. I acted without knowing. I appologise."
Asuna knew exactly what he was talking about. She turned away from him.
"How could you've known if I didn't tell you? Please don't apologize. I-" her words died at her mouth as she felt herself being pulled from behind.
Renji had pulled her in for a hug. He held her in his strong arms and buried his face in her hair.
"Then tell me everything from now on. Anything and everything, Asuna. Let me be there with you through everything."
Asuna blushed at his sudden bold gesture, but smiled softly. She turned in his arms, hands resting on his chest.
"Maybe I will" came her reply as she shyly looked up at him. Renji's heart raced at the sight in front of him. Asuna was in his arms and blushing furiously. He felt light headed and on impulse he bent down and kissed the top of her head.
Asun's eyes widened and she blushed heavily, covering her face.
"Let me walk you home" he murmured in her ear. Asuna blushed again but nodded.
They began to walk towards her home in silence and Renji wondered, looking at the sky.
Maybe, just maybe there was still hope for him too.
