Chapter Ten – Progressions

"Ah, that wrist is going to flick." Tezuka warned.

Miyako grumbled and concentrated on keeping it straight as she returned the oncoming shot. She slammed the racquet into the ball and to her surprise the ball shot straight out to the wall and then rebounded straight back at her. With a yelp she jumped to the side and it hit the fence behind her. "Woops."

Tezuka chuckled. "You're pretty powerful when you want to be, huh?"

Miyako grinned evilly at him. "Absolutely." She said

He'd loosened up easily after a few jokes and comments that she'd intended to calm his spirits. It certainly worked.

"So hey, Tezuka, I noticed that you're wearing the gift I gave you."

Tezuka looked down at his neck where the dog-tags had made their way out from under his shirt and were gleaming in the sunlight. "Of course. Why wouldn't I wear them?"

"Well…" Miyako hesitated. "I assumed that you would only wear them for a tournament or something like that."

Tezuka smiled. "You said they were to help me get through any challenges that I would have – I face new challenges every day."

Miyako turned her head away to hide the blush and proceeded to serve the ball to the wall again.

An impressive rally began, where Tezuka eventually joined in and each took turns in returning as though they were on a doubles team. And with Tezuka behind her, the rally never faltered. But even then the jokes continued and teasing banter occurred, until finally, she couldn't reach the ball and she lay down on her back, panting deeply.

"You can't be worn out already." Tezuka asked disbelievingly, looking down at her as he walked over to tower into the sunlight.

"I admit; I didn't run laps for a week." She grinned, sitting up.

Tezuka sighed as he offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet. "It'll be twenty laps for you tomorrow. Your lesson's over, so feel free to go whenever you like."

"Oh yeah, and I have to see Kikuchi-sensei too." Miyako remembered and turned to make her leave, but then paused, turning back to Tezuka. "Thanks for the lesson, Tezuka. As always."

"As always, you're welcome. We make a good doubles team – we should talk to Kikumaru and Oishi about having a match with us. But chances are they'll destroy us."

"Of course they will. They're Seimaku's 'Golden Pair' right?"

Tezuka nodded.

Miyako turned to leave again, but turned back around. "And hey, don't worry so much about Harris-senpai so much." She said softly. "She's just selfish, that's all."

"Selfish?" Tezuka asked.

"She wants you all for herself – if she really loved you so much then she'd let you go so that you could be happy." Miyako said calmly.

Tezuka smiled warmly and Miyako's heart began to pound away in her chest as he reached out a hand. She placed her hand in his and they curled their fingers together. "Thank you, Miyako."

She blushed gently. "Not a problem." She replied and finally, after one final smile, turned to leave. "Don't forget that your clothes from the other day are in that bag." She said, motioning to a plastic bag by his racquet bag.

Tezuka, after watching her make her leave to the change rooms, looked down and stared at the racquet in his other hand. She had a very good point.

. : . : . : .

Hesitantly she knocked on the office door and waited to be answered. Once the Coach's familiar voice reached her, she slid the door open and walked in.

Kikuchi looked up from the papers on his desk and he smiled welcomingly to her. "Ahh, Miyako-san, Tezuka-kun passed on my message then?"

"Yeah. He said that you wanted to see me. What did you want to talk to me about?" Miyako asked pleasantly.

"I wanted to talk to you about a week-long camp that's reserved for the Regular's in the Tennis Club. Both female and male." Kikuchi replied. He handed her a pair of stapled papers.

"Okay?" Miyako asked, looking at the sheet. "Why are you asking me about it? I'm not even on the team, let alone the Regulars."

"But I've thought of a way to get you there – it would benefit you greatly if you joined in. Each coach is required to ask for two helpers. One male and one female. I've already chosen Inui-kun and I would pick Sakuno-chan, but Coach Oshiro has already chosen her." Miyako nodded, remembering the name of the Girl Squad's coach. "And then I realised that Tezuka-kun wouldn't be able to focus as well if he didn't get his daily dose of your company." He explained, grinning at the girl when he saw her flush bright red and hide behind the note. "So I ask that you consider it. It's in two weeks time, a week before the Summer Vacation starts."

Miyako looked at the note. "Well, I'd love to come – it really does sound like fun. But I'll ask my parents first."

"Fantastic. I hope that they consider it." Kikuchi said genuinely. "There's a permission note and medical information sheet attached to the note and both will need to be returned to me by the Friday before the camp."

"That's fine." Miyako replied. "Am I free to go?" She asked.

Kikuchi motioned towards the door. "Certainly."

"Have a good afternoon, Kikuchi-sensei." Miyako bowed and left.

. : . : . : .

"You knew all along, didn't you?" Miyako accused into the phone.

"He asked me not to tell you about it." Tezuka replied, chuckling lightly at her tone. "He had to ask you, not me."

"I've only asked Mum so far and she's all for a week-long camp – but she wants to check with Dad." Miyako rolled her eyes in tone with her diminishing mood. "And chances are he'll just continue to be a pain about the whole thing."

"It doesn't help that you aren't talking to him right now."

"And he deserves it." Miyako defended. "It'll only be for a week. I'll talk to him on Sunday."

"A little harsh." He informed.

"So what if it is? He asked for it." Miyako replied. She sighed. "Besides, I don't want the same thing happening again in the future."

Tezuka made an amused sound. "Yes, I suppose."

"You know…maybe we should organise something."

"What do you mean?"

"Well…Dad's being a pain. But if I can convince him to allow a time for you to spend time with all of us – either here or somewhere else – then maybe he'll calm down?"

"I agree, but maybe we'll think about that…later."

Miyako sighed sadly. "I understand."

"Believe me; I'd love to take you up on your offer. But I'll be honest, I'm a little afraid of your Father. I'd rather let him have plenty of time to calm down first."

Miyako giggled slightly. "Yeah, that might be a good idea." She agreed. "But….Tezuka."

"Hmm?"

"Are you really holding back because of Harris-senpai?"

"Miyako – "

"Please, just a yes or no. That's all I ask for."

"Would it complicate things if I said yes and no?"

Miyako sighed. "Just a little bit."

"When I've resolved things I will explain it all to you extensively."

"I'll hold you to that."

"Miya!" Tamie called, her voice travelling up the stairs and through the door. "Go to bed!"

"Oh, Tezuka, I have to go. It's my bed time."

His deep chuckle reached her ears and her heart raced. "Then I won't keep you."

"I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Yeah…you too. Goodnight."

Miyako pressed 'End Call' and placed her phone down on her bedside table. Maybe at the camp she would get her chance. But she knew better – she shouldn't get her hopes up.

. : . : . : .

"She's going."

"No, she isn't."

"Yes, she is. They only need one parent's permission on this note – I will give full consent. But I hoped that you would see what great benefit this would bring our daughter." Tamie said. "She'll become stronger in mind. When she was a child she was so fragile and shy – but now…I have new hope for her. She talks about the Regular's team and her friend Kara-san all the time. She has friends, but this doesn't seem to matter to you."

"But that boy – "

"That's a poor excuse. Do you want her to be alone for the rest of her days?"

"No, of course not."

"Well, it was going to start one day, whether you like it or not, it already has. He's a good boy."

"But he's making her wait?" Naoko asked sceptically.

"Yes, and Miya has explained that there are reasons beyond his control and she accepts that. She'll gladly wait until those reasons have been diminished." Tamie explained. "Now, you will say it's okay for her to go, or so help me – "

"Fine, fine." Naoko sighed, giving up.

"You know why she hasn't talked to you, don't you?"

"Yes, yes. Punishment."

"And you certainly deserve it – and I have to say it again: I told you so."

"Yes, I know. But…why couldn't she take something else from me?"

"Then it wouldn't work the way it should – would it?" Tamie asked. "That girl, she was happy where she was. I'll bet that if she had the guts to tell you straight out she'd have said that she didn't want you to come and get her at all. But she didn't want you to worry."

Naoko sighed. "Or become mad at Tezuka."

"Yes, probably that too." Tamie added. "Don't you remember? Back when I bought you home the first time – my Father would have shot you down if he had the chance. I was his only child and he was extra weary of boys. But…if you had really been no good my Father would have said so. He never did. He was patient and allowed himself time to find out about your personality before he made any assumptions of you."

"Well, Miya hasn't asked if she can bring him over."

"They're not even a couple yet." Tamie replied. "But when that day comes he will be coming here often. Whether you like it or not."

"Yes, I'm sure he will be."

"So, she's going to the camp. Nothing to worry about. The extra note attached said that the assistants will have their own rooms to sleep in – boys and girls respectively. Separate from the Regulars." Tamie said, reading the note again. Then something caught her eye. "Hey, the camp is animal friendly…maybe Miya would like to take Kiba with her?"

Naoko shrugged and stood up to go to bed.

. : . : . : .

Miyako ran down the hallways that morning, eager to ask that special question. Her heart was pounding as she had run most of the way since dropping Kaiya off at school. Her long plait flying out behind her and unconsciously slapping people in her haste. She skidded into the already open door of the Coach's office and found herself slamming straight into a familiar mass.

"Oh, hey, Tezuka." Miyako greeted and walked around him to face the coach. "Kikuchi-sensei~. I talked to my Mum and she said that I can come. She filled out the note and here it is." She said, handing the note over. "But there was something on the note that Mum noticed. It said that animals are allowed on the camping grounds."

"Yes. The camp is very popular with animal lovers." Kikuchi replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Well…you see I have a Retriever. She's also very attached to me. What I mean is that she doesn't like to be away from me for long periods of time." Miyako explained. "Mum was wondering if it would be okay for me to bring her along to the camp. She's fine to sleep outside – tied up of course – and I'll bring everything she needs, including food."

Kikuchi looked a little unsure, scratching his chin a little.

"I think a dog around would be a very good idea, Coach Kikuchi." Tezuka added. "Running along a beach with a dog can boost a person's morale and Miyako, you say that you exercise with Kiba a lot, don't you?"

Miyako nodded. "Every weekend."

Kikuchi sighed. "Well, I'm overruled I suppose. Sure, I don't see why not. But she will have to be your responsibility, Miyako-san."

Miyako came to attention and saluted. "Of course, Kikuchi-sensei."

Kikuchi chuckled. "You're going to make the camp a lot of fun, Miyako-san." He commented.

Then the bell rang and the coach dismissed the pair to their classrooms.

"Thanks for helping with that, Tezuka." Miyako said.

"No problem. If you find training with Kiba beneficial than perhaps the Regular's may find some improvement as well." Tezuka explained. "That's if you don't mind."

"Not at all." Miyako insisted. "I wanted to bring her if that would be the case. And besides…she would be pathetic and hard to take care of for my family if I'm not around. She's only completely obedient when I'm nearby. I don't take any messing about."

"I'm aware of that dark side of your personality." He stated.

Miyako giggled lightly.

Then they came by a classroom with a sign reading '3-2' at the top. "I'll see you at practice then?"

Miyako nodded. "Yup. See you then." She turned to leave and promptly ran into another familiar mass and recoiled backwards and into Tezuka, who steadied her. "Ohayo gozaimasu~ Fuji-senpai and Eiji-senpai." She greeted and ran around them hastily to get to class on time.

Eiji waved enthusiastically after her before he turned back to Tezuka. "What was Miyako-chan doing up here?" He asked curiously.

"She handed in a note to Coach Kikuchi." Tezuka asked as he led the way into the classroom.

"You mean she's coming to the camp?" Fuji asked, smiling.

"Yeah – and she's bringing her dog."

Eiji brightened even more. "A dog~? I love dogs~!"

Fuji chuckled as they took their seats. "But more than that, you'll be able to spend plenty of time together, won't you, Te-zu-ka~?" He teased.

Tezuka bonked the side of his fist onto the top of Fuji's head. "Behave."

. : . : . : .

Miyako sent a note with Momo after the final bell, informing Tezuka that she was stuck with cleanup duties again and that she would be late to their lesson. He sighed lightly, but knew there was nothing that he could do about it. He decided to play a few matches with Fuji to pass the time and to keep his mind distracted.

During the fifth match, Tezuka began to feel the long forgotten twinge of pain shooting through the joints in his elbow, but being practiced in hiding his feelings; he also hid the pain and continued to play with his long recovered left arm.

Fuji had noticed the slight shock cross Tezuka's face and the ever so slight glance towards his left arm. He waited patiently through the sixth game and even then the seventh – but stubbornly, Tezuka continued to play with the same arm. He called a time out after he won the match point and was about to cross over to Tezuka's side of the court when he saw that Miyako had appeared by the fence and had quickly caught Tezuka's attention before motioning him to walk to her.

Fuji watched with bemusement as Tezuka did as he was told and walked right up to the fence.

"Our lesson will begin shortly." Tezuka informed her.

"That's not a problem, but what is: is that arm hurting you?" Miyako asked, pointing to his left arm.

Unconsciously, Tezuka's hand latched onto the joint, looking away.

"You should stop the match then. Your next tournament is after Summer vacation. That's three and a half months away. If you injure yourself then you'll only damage the chances of you winning." Miyako scolded.

Tezuka looked a little annoyed as he scoffed a little.

"She's right, Tezuka." Fuji added, finally speaking up. "I was about to stop the match anyway."

Tezuka sighed, looking at Fuji from the corner of his eye for a moment and then back at Miyako. "You're all picking on me."

"Yup." Miyako replied. "I'll meet you on the half courts." She said and skipped off merrily towards the courts in question.

Tezuka sighed again as he retrieved his jersey and racquet bag.

"She's as in tune with others as Fuji is."

Tezuka looked up at Oishi. "What do you mean?" He asked, straightening up.

"Fuji is very good at observing people and noticing their problems from the slightest hints. She's almost the same." Oishi explained. "But then, it could also be that she's very connected and in tune with you."

Tezuka swung the racquet bag over his shoulder and allowed it to push into Oishi's arm. "Shut it." He muttered and made tracks towards the half courts.

Oishi just chuckled lightly and turned to bring the tennis club into order.