A/N: Yay, chapter 10 is out!! Thanks goes to all all the people whe read, reviewed, put it on favorites or alerts

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

'Flashbacks'

Disclaimer: I do NOT own PoT

Chapter 10

"Ne ne, did you hear about Niou-kun?" one of the girls secretly whispered.

"Yeah... I wish was the lucky person!" another girl squealed.

"I doubt they're going to be going out for long," she stated.

Rumours were spreading pretty fast around the school. The news about Niou Masaharu dating another girl is not an uncommon rumour, but he had never dated anyone for the past two months.

"I heard that it's Yumi from the class next door."

When Misao had entered the classroom, the first thing she heard was the rumour about Niou. She pretended that she couldn't care less and walked towards her desk, but deep down in her heart she felt a sting.

~-~-~-~-~

Niou stared at the black haired girl that just entered the classroom. He knew that she heard about the rumour and he observed carefully to see how she reacted, but to his disappointment her expression only showed surprise and nothing else.

Class flew by and then they were having lunch on the rooftop again, but two people weren't there; Yukimura and Niou.

All the regulars that were present at the time realised that Misao had been acting weirdly. She kept on sighing and she was more quiet than usual.

"Mi-chan," Kiri tried to get her attention by waving her hand, "If there is something wrong, you should tell us."

"...It's nothing."

"92% it's about Niou, isn't it?" Yanagi half stated and asked.

"...," she said nothing, but nodded lightly.

"Ehhhh!!" beamed Akaya, "Is it true?"

Akaya then received a glare from everyone else excluding Misao. Jackal stared at Misao for a while and then he tried to encourage her, "Don't worry, he just loves to flirt with girls, they'll probably soon."

"I don't want them to," she stated suddenly, "Niou looks happy with her and I... "

"You need to know him more, listen to him and you'll realise how he feels," said Marui.

"Thanks everyone!"

~-~-~-~-~

Things are easier said than done. During tennis practice, Yumi cheered the whole time.

"Gather," commanded Yukimura.

The club members immediately lined up in straight rows and the regulars stood at the front.

"As you all know, the nationals are starting this Saturday!" he looked at all the members, "We don't want to repeat what happened at the Kantou finals, train hard," he announced.

As the rest of the club members continued their usual practice, the regulars stayed in their position to listen to Yukimura and Sanada. Yukimura had also asked the two girls to stay.

"The mixed doubles are coming up soon, we need to form two double pairs before then, but we don't have a girls' tennis team and I would prefer someone who has experience in doubles to participate," he said, "If possible, I would like Kiri-chan and Mi-chan to participate, is that fine?"

"I don't really mind. Besides, I specialise in doubles," stated Misao.

"I... " Kiri trailed off.

Marui looked at the brunet girl, "You don't have to force yourself to participate in a match."

"No, I'll do it!" she said determined.

"Now we'll decide who will be paired with whom," Yukimura looked at Misao, "Mi-chan and Jackal against Marui and Kiri-chan."

The four said people entered the court and immediately started playing. They Kiri served first and Jackal returned it quite easily, Marui then hurriedly run towards the net and shot a stronger shot back and scored the first point. Kiri served again, this time she hit a twist serve which just missed Misao's face by a few millimetres. Kiri served for the third time and she hit another twist serve, but Jackal hit it back only to have Marui standing in position for his 'tightrope walking' which succeeded. Kiri served a normal speed shot and this was returned by Misao. "First song Tenshi no Tsubasa," she mumbled as the ball sped past the net, but it appeared back on her side of the court.

Niou and Yagyuu stood beside Yukimura and Sanada and were watching the game intently. "Buchou, is Misao's move for doubles?" asked Niou.

Yukimura smiled, "That's right, she and Mio invented it together. It was a near impossible to return move when."

"Was?" asked Niou curiously.

"Ah... Tenshi no Tsubasa was originally the second song, there's a move before this one, but only Mio can hit it."

"That explains why it has so many holes in the move... it's not complete."

Yukimura realised and remembered that Niou could see people's habits and weak points and this could help Misao because she has many weak points and bad habits.

"Was Misao and this Mio person strong together?" asked Niou.

"Well... I don't really remember, but I'm sure they could've beaten Marui and Jackal and maybe you and Yagyuu as well."

Niou whistled, "This Mio person must've been good; to be able to back up all of her bad habits."

"Yeah... that's probably why she was suited to play doubles with someone she trusts," stated Yukimura.

The game ended after a while with Kiri and Marui winning 6-2. Yukimura noted that Kiri and Marui are completely different, but they could still understand each other without talking. He decided to pair them together. "Niou, pair up with Mi-chan," ordered Yukimura.

"Hai," agreed Niou unenthusiastically.

"Marui and Jackal, you play against them," said Yukimura.

~-~-~-~-~

"Mi-chan," called Niou, "It seems we're paired together."

"Stop calling me that!" she sounded annoyed.

"Buchou and Kiri both call you that so why can't I?" asked Niou.

"They're close to me and you're not!" yelled Misao.

Even though she didn't notice, the words hit Niou like a bullet, "Do whatever you want!"

The game started and it was a disaster on Misao and Niou's side. They often knocked into each other, Misao served the ball and it hit Niou on the head. Misao was distracted throughout the whole match. The game ended with them not even scoring a point.

"Are you okay?" asked Niou, "You seem kind of distracted."

"It's none of your business!" she said angrily and walked away.

In the end Misao was paired with Yagyuu for the mixed doubles.

~-~-~-~-~

After practice, Niou was about to go home with Yumi, his new girlfriend. They walked past one of the walls for practicing tennis and Niou happened to see Misao still practising. He stopped in his tracks immediately.

"Niou-kun?"

"Sorry... I have someone I like and so I can't go out with you," apologised Niou.

The girl fake smiled even though it hurt,"It's fine, I knew this was going to happen anyways... Thanks for being honest with me. I'm she likes you too."

Niou walked towards the place where Misao was practising, but she never noticed his presence.

She had her eyes closed and she wasn't wearing her glasses. "I have to conquer my weak points," she told herself as she served another 5 balls. The balls hit the wall and bounced back in different directions. She managed to hit two of the five balls, one of the three other balls hit her on her right knee and one grazed her left cheek and the other just flew past.

Niou watched as the balls soared towards the girl, anyone could easily have dodged it, but she had her eyes shut. He saw the ball hit her, but she didn't even flinch.

"Oi," called Niou.

Misao looked at the source of her distraction. "What do you want?" she asked.

"Stop pushing yourself so hard," he said.

"I am not pushing myself!"

"Please..." Niou's voice softened.

Misao lost the will to argue against Niou, "Aren't you dating Yumi-chan... she'll get angry at you for making her wait so long?"

"We broke up," he said.

Misao's heart felt much lighter for some reason. Niou pulled her into his arms, "Idiot... don't forget that I'm here for you, stop trying to do everything by yourself."

"I... you," she mumbled, but Niou never heard her.

'I wonder if buchou will allow me to be Misao's doubles partner'

A/N: I hope everyone liked the end of this chapter... please review. I hope our coach doesn't kill us during tennis tomorrow, if I die, I won't be able to continue this story...lol