(I don't own Prince of Tennis!)

Chapter 8 – Meeting More than What Meets the Eye

Slumping down on the bench, Atobe got a towel from Kabaji and took in deep breaths. This was his first time to have a girl push him this far: it was a close match. Despite winning, Atobe couldn't help but feel uneasy but still – the king had to commend the second year girl for giving it her all in taking him down. Though it was ego bruising, Atobe realized how many more people might actually be stronger than him and Shizuru had a small difference with her feet: she was flat footed. Despite the younger captain being flat footed, Shizuru held her end pretty well.

"Ore-sama never realized that she would be this strong. But," Atobe chuckled humourlessly, glancing at the brunette hobbling her way to the other side. "At least ore-sama knows that Kurenai can lead these girls to the Nationals with not much difficulty."

Shizuru also had the same thought while she supported herself on the wall. Despite the aching in the legs, Shizuru managed to stand up and smile at her teammates.

"Wow, you sure did a number! Think you can still play in the Kantou despite that?" Her doubles expert saw how swollen her leg looked.

Mai shook her head. "You shouldn't risk yourself all the time."

"Mai, it's no big deal." Shizuru sat down to rub her legs. "Tell me that when I'm stuck on a wheel chair for the next ten years."

Shaking her head in disapproval, the tangerine haired vice captain took off her ponytail. "You're so crazy, buchou. Next time you do this – remind me to slap you silly."

Laughing, Haruka picked up her tennis bag and headed towards the locker rooms. "Come on guys, I don't think we should stay out here and stink. I think we should have a GNO! Besides, how long has it been since we have hung out as a group of friends and not as a team?"

"What's a GNO?" Shizuru tilted her head to the left while all the others stared at her as if she had grown a second head.

Mai grabbed the captain's wrist and dragged her to the club room. "It's called a girl's night out, dodo brain! Come on, we're going shopping!"

"I," Shizuru looked away ruefully, "I can't, remember?"

"That's a lie, kuwee," Rin jumped up cheerfully. "Stop being such a rock, Shizuru!"

Mai nodded with a smirk. "Come on, not as if you're going to die by simply going out for one day."

Annoyed and trying to maintain her cool at the same time, Shizuru massaged her temples while inhaling sharply. "Mai…Shimohi-senpai…"

The acrobat pretended to not hear her. "Yay, we ought to go to the movies! No, we should go shopping!"

"Shimohi, Nagisaki," Shizuru glared at the two of them with her voice getting louder. "Enough…!"

Everyone froze; Shizuru had never raised her voice unless someone was far away let alone at Mai and Rin. Though the both did party too hard sometimes, the captain would sometimes be the one to encourage it and half of the time Haruka had to make sure the three didn't get in trouble. The silence engulfed the whole team while Kiyone could only hide behind Ayane, quivering her lips in fear.

"I," Shizuru hung her head, restraining her falling tears. "I'm sorry… I must go…"

Releasing her grip, Mai watched Shizuru head away from the courts and leaving the Hyotei Gakuen grounds. "Someone has to do something about her step mothers. I hate them; they're really turning her into a mistrusting person. Normally, she wouldn't even yell at me like that."

Haruka counted her fingers. "She has step mothers? How many does she have? Last time I checked, it was stepmother not stepmothers."

Hitomi opened her notes. "After the last six years, her father had remarried around four women, thinking it would make Shizuru more surrounded with the love that he couldn't provide her. But, that's only an assumption…"

Rin sniffed a little bit, playing with her hair. "Kuwee, I wish we could help her… kuwee…

While walking out, Shizuru was followed by Shishido and Ohtori, the two people who always accompanied her home. "You can't keep running away from your teammates, Shizuru," Shishido took off his cap and twirled it on his finger.

"What can I do? Tell them that my father has multiple wives?" The younger captain raised an eyebrow at the dash specialist.

Ohtori shrugged. "But Shizuru-chan, I still don't understand why you kept your mother's name. I mean – isn't it hard to adjust?"

Looking away, Shizuru had a faint smile on her face. "No, but if you were part of my family – you'd understand what it's like, Ohtori-kun."

Shishido knew that Shizuru was hiding something but she had never told anyone and except he and Ohtori. "I know you have wacko stepmothers, can't you move out?"

"I tried but I can't," Shizuru abruptly stopped walking. "I have something to owe to my father. That's all."

Throwing his hands up in the air, Shishido scowled at the thought. "Che, your siblings are useless. Believe me, I've seen them a couple of times in the sports clubs around. They're just a bunch of compulsive spending idiots. They make Atobe look humble with the way your siblings are. Get out of that house before you go insane, Shizuru."

Ohtori nodded in agreement. "Although I have to admit, that was a cool thing in saving Renhou Natsume-san," he tried to change the subject.

Shizuru's faint smile appeared once again on her face. "Ah, thank you. It's very kind of you to say so."

"Yeesh, there you go again being ultra polite," Shishido snorted while shoving the cap unto Shizuru's head. "Don't you ever take the advice: "Be a total ass to others."? Look at Atobe – he does it all the time and no one really cares except Kobayagi. Well, she makes a big deal out of everything really."

Laughing softly, Shizuru looked at the book store that was in front of her. "You guys go ahead – I need to pick up something for my book report."

Ohtori looked at his watch and then at the sky. "You sure you're okay with that, Shizuru-chan?"

"Mm-hm," the younger captain didn't want her classmate to worry.

Shishido looked around suspiciously. "If someone tries to approach you and try to do something funny, let me know. I'll give them a butt kicking they'll never forget."

Walking in and bidding them goodbye, Shizuru quietly entered the bookstore.

The owner cheerfully greeted as the bell rang. "Hello, Kurenai-san! Are you looking for any book?"

The brunette looked at the shelves and then at the counter. "Yes, do you have "To Kill a Mocking Bird"? It's my book report for this week, Ms. Samegawa."

"It's right over there on that shelf," the elderly woman pointed at the shelf far back, "be careful dear, some of the books are on the floor."

Bowing lightly, Shizuru headed towards the shelves and found a copy there of "To Kill a Mocking Bird". Picking it out, she didn't look where she was going until she bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm sorry! Are you okay? I hope I didn't hurt you or anything…!"

The fallen brunette looked up with his signature smile."Saa~, so you must be Hyotei's famous Kurenai Shizuru, ne?"

The younger Hyotei captain was left speechless. "Excuse me but I don't think we have ever met. Who are you?"

"Fuji Syuusuke," the smiling boy extended his hand to her, "nice to meet you, Kurenai-san."

Taking his hand, Shizuru could already tell who he is. "So, this is Seigaku's resident genius and Oshitari-senpai's counterpart. Fuji Syuusuke-san is known often for his top spin techniques and his aggressive baseliner style if I remember reading Yamaguchi-senpai's data properly." Though she had quite the time trying to remember, she managed to compose her thoughts in her head.

"Seems like you know about me too," Fuji's blue eyes revealed themselves to the latter, "you're pretty observant, Kurenai-san."

A tingling feeling began to creep up Shizuru's spine when his cerulean eyes gazed at her. "Ah, yeah…"

He looks dangerous, Shizuru. Can't you feel it?

The brunette shoved the thought back into her head. True – he did have a very sadistic aura that screamed "do something bad and I will punish you a hundred times more" but, what caught her attention was how he knew her name when she had never met the boy before. "Inui tends to stalk people whenever he wants," Fuji remarked offhandedly to the girl.

Who's Inui? Wait, as in Seigaku's Inui Sadaharu? Shizuru had so many thoughts running through her head when names started to appear here and there. "Shizuru-chan, what are you doing here?"

Turning around, she saw her senpai-tachi, Uchiha Isane and Sanada Momo standing behind her. "I was just getting my book for book report, that's all."

Momo bristled when she saw Fuji Syuusuke. "You're Seishun Gakuen's resident tensai and sadist, Fuji Syuusuke. Normally, I thought tensai preferred picking on those from their own team."

Isane nudged Momo on the shoulder. "Relax; Shizuru-chan knows what's right and what's wrong. So, what book are you getting?"

"To Kill a Mocking Bird," Shizuru took the book from the shelf, "I'm sorry for troubling you, Fuji-san."

Fuji waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it, Kurenai-san. You're friends are just being very overprotective, that's all. Same way we're protective over our Echizen back in Seigaku."

Shizuru bowed down and before she bid goodbye, she heard a loud yell. "Shizuru-buchou, Kiyone-chan and Mai-chan just got into a fight!"

Her head snapped towards the source of the voice immediately. "Shimohi-senpai, where are they?"

"They're at some alleyway, buchou. I only noticed it when I went past that area back there!" The black haired acrobat continued to panic. "Man oh man, what if Haru finds out? She'll blow her top faster than anyone else and start going mother hen mode when we find them!"

Shizuru put the money on the counter while dashing out towards the alley Rin had pointed out followed by the acrobat, Isane and Momo. When she had gotten there, Kiyone and Mai were surrounded by two thugs in black while both were brandishing a knife at the two students. "Give us your money, brats!"

The tensai stood in front of the smaller first year. "You guys are cowards to pick on students like us! You can't even fight properly!"

Angered, the latter charged towards Mai who grabbed Kiyone out of the way. "Waaah, Cherry-senpai don't pull my arm off!"

"Sorry," the former dancer continued dragging the poor first year, "I have no other choice."

After slamming in to a bunch of garbage bags, the man lunged towards the two again until he felt a hard jab at his lower stomach. "Y-you…"

Watching the man collapse, the two found their buchou with a stoic look that could even rival Sanada's. She used her arm like a blade with her auburn eyes staring heatedly at the man. "I don't remember giving you permission to hurt my teammates when I'm not around."

Rin, Isane and Momo happened to arrive at the same time and the man had a wide yellowish toothy grin. "Hehe, you're all girls. What does it matter? You're not going to stand up to me anyway!"

Picking up a steel rod, Momo glared at the man that stood in front of the girls. "I beg to differ, you spineless coward."

Isane pulled Shizuru back. "You might want to sit this out, Shizuru-chan. I think Momo-chan's going to run a little wild."

Without any warning, the man lunged at Momo who sidestepped to clobber him on the end with the butt end of the rod. He stumbled down while the third year stood there calmly gripping the rod despite having another one come up behind her. "Your fang will never reach me - no matter how hard you try. There's a difference between us normal people and those who are stray dogs on the street."

The rod slammed on the guy's shoulder blade and he too keeled over in pain. Mai stared aghast at what her senpai had done to the attackers. "Wow, you really made them pay."

"Of course," tossing the rod aside, Momo let out a small sigh. "He was asking for it and I hate cowards who pick on girls."

Later on, they heard running and a loud shriek. "Buchou, senpai-tachi, Kiyone what's going on here!"

The six of them turned around to see a freaking out Ayane with Haruka. "Rin, what happened here? How did you get stuck in an alley?"

"I didn't get stuck," the acrobat pointed to the unconscious men lying on the floor, "these guys were harassing our favorite kohai and they nearly got killed!"

Hitomi nodded while she appeared behind the two recently arrived regulars. "True, there was a ninety percent chance that the two would have been killed if not for San – I mean," –feeling the Sanada cousin's glare, "Momo-chan's and Shizuru-buchou's interference in the matter."

Letting out a sigh of relief, Ayane helped her doubles partner out of the alley. "Buchou, you know – I just saw Shishido-senpai back there with Ohtori-senpai, I think you should have stuck with them. That way, you wouldn't have been ambushed! I mean – what if I found your dead body here the next day? What if Kiyone-chan was traumatized? What if Nagisaki-senpai's…"

Shizuru shook her head with a soft smile. "It's alright, you don't need to worry."

Ayane took it as a sign of reassurance while Mai shook her head. "She could at least express more emotion rather than just smiling like that all the time."

Looking around, Shizuru motioned to the others. "I think it's about time that we all head home. I mean – it's getting dark, you guys better be careful okay?"

Watching her leave, Rin's mouth curved into a pout. "She's hiding so many things from us. I mean, it almost hurts her, doesn't it?"

Haruka's hand curled into a fist with her knuckles turning visibly white. "Shizuru, we're here to help you. Stop trying to push us away!"

Ayane saw the anger blazing in the prodigy's face. "Nagisaki-senpai, do you think… we should follow her?"

"No," Mai ceased her anger from blowing out. "I'm gonna go around for awhile okay?"

Watching the tensai walk away, Hitomi checked her watch. "I have to go to my part time job today. My uncle needs a little help in his joint."

Haruka raised an eyebrow. "What exactly does he do?"

Hitomi gave her a business smile. "It's a bar."

Isane gulped while twiddling with her thumbs. "Are you sure that's okay?"

"I've taken more than an alcoholic can," Hitomi smirked before leaving the others behind.

Reaching the bar after twenty minutes, Hitomi threw her tennis jacket into the bag while pulling out another shirt to hide her jersey. When she entered, many guys were leaning against the backrest of the chair to the point they could fall down as she got behind the bar.

"How many so far," Hitomi turned to her companion.

The older man shrugged while looking how many people were left. "Well, three brawls and a bucket a vomit. That's less than usual. Are you sure you want to help uncle and I here, Hitomi?"

"No big deal," she shifted her glasses up a bit. "I get cash here anyway. Besides, I get to drink before required age, Suoh-niisan."

Suoh face palmed, sweat dropping a bit. "God, you really are my cousin. Are you sure this won't damage your tennis and liver?"

Hitomi tossed a shaker above her head, catching it behind her back. "I'll be fine."

"Hey lady," one bearded man slurred his speech as he threw his glass in the air. "Give me a Bloody Mary, stat!"

"Forget him; give me a Sex in the Beach!" (A/N: First time I heard this, I was like "What? There is such thing?")

Suoh sighed as he mixed a Piña Colada. "Wow, they get nosier when you're around."

Hitomi tossed back her blonde curls while pouring into two glasses. "Well, I guess your fights and bucket counting should start around now?"

Checking a clipboard that sat in front of him, Suoh chuckled while sending off three Screwdrivers and a slice of Key Lime Pie. "Yep, I was starting to wonder when the entertainment was going to begin."

Hitomi pulled out some coins. "Double or nothing says that the man in a black coat goes crazy after the Sex in the Beach."

"My, my, my," Suoh snickered while he placed a bill. "Triple that and we have a deal."

Hitomi glanced at the man in a black coat. "There's always a ninety five percent chance that he'll pick a fight with the man in red."

Suoh scratched his chin before noticing her grab a bottle. "Then again, what makes you think- hey!"

Hitomi wiped her mouth after downing a bottle of vodka. "What? I want some in my system too. It makes the entertainment more amusing."

"You idiot, your mom and dad will kill me," Suoh stared at her aghast. "Hitomi, you're fourteen!"

The bespectacled blonde haired girl waved her hand dismissively while taking another shot of Tequilla. "That's your problem."

Suoh snatched away the bottle of Tequilla. "Does your captain know you drink?"

"As long as I take my concoctions," Hitomi smirked while being able to grab back the Tequilla. "Nothing's gonna happen to me."

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In the mall, Mai began searching through the beach stores and threw some choices on poor Isane.

"Mai how many are you gonna buy," Isane shook one of the tops off her head. "Isn't this a little overkill?"

The red haired girl smirked while pulling out shiny card. "No it's not."

Rin flashed a pink bikini in front of Isane. "Kuwee, you'll look cute in this, Isane!"

The silver haired Sniper gulped while timidly hiding her blush. "I don't think they have a bikini that's right for my size."

Mai flashed a one piece bathing suit in front of the tall girl. "Think again, Isane-senpai!"

Ayane pulled out a green one. "Well, this might fit Kiyone, don't you think so?"

"I can't believe that we're actually blowing off this much cash," Haruka tried to control the team. "Mai, you shouldn't be spending that much!"

Mai gave her credit card. "It's okay – this is my credit card and I've got my own fashion line making money for me~."

Rin jumped up and down, pulling out some colorful towels. "Hmm, I wonder which colour would look nice."

Momo twitched a bit at the bathing suit that Rin handed to her. "Rin, I am not wearing this monstrosity to a pool party even if threatened with a knife."

Haruka sighed while making sure Rin didn't go off to break something like most times. "Well, you have to admit – pink does match your hair."

"I thought purple was more red than pink, Haruka," Momo deadpanned.

Mai pulled out her credit card. "Guys, place all your stuff here. It's my treat today."

After throwing everything into the bags, the girls walked out with bags hanging from their shoulders.

"Anyone in for a drink," Haruka pulled out her cellphone. "I think I know someone who can get us some."

They all glanced at Haruka while she dialed a number. "Ponton, please tell father that I'll be going to work today."

"Yes Haruka-sama, anything else," the butler spoke clearly through the phone.

Haruka sighed as she shook her head. "No, just tell him I won't be home early."

After this, the line went dead as Haruka pointed over to a small café. "Head to the Raindrop Avenue everyone."

The place barely screamed the word 'high prices' but the ambience did show some elegance. Coffee came out in huge mugs which Kiyone had her eyes glued on while chocolate moose pies were slathered in streams of white and dark chocolate. The waiters proved to be different kinds of people – middle school students and sometimes even high school students.

"Well, this is interesting," Mai scanned the place. "This isn't entirely yours is it?"

Haruka shook her head ruefully. "Sadly, it's not mine yet. My dad still has eighty percent of the shares."

"Interesting, I didn't know you owned this place, Hikifumi-san," a kansai drawl came from behind.

Turning around, Mai saw Oshitari Yuushi with two other people. "Who are the people behind you, Oshitari-senpai? I haven't seen them around here."

"This," Nudging one of the brunettes to step forward, Oshitari had his usual smirk on his face, "is my cousin, Oshitari Kenya. Just so you know: he doesn't have a girlfriend."

The brunette stared at his blue haired cousin aghast. "Are you an idiot, Yuushi? Will you not say that?"

Snickering beside himself and noticing that one of the regulars was smirking at him, Oshitari then revealed the other guy. "Now, the other guy beside my cousin is his captain – Shiraishi Kuranosuke."

Kiyone's eyes widened. "Is he what they call Shitenhouji's bible?"

"Yes," Shiraishi had a smile that could make girls drop but apparently, it didn't work on the youngest player, "and who might you be?"

Standing up despite being a foot shorter, Kiyone extended her hand. "Hyotei's Queen of Clovers, Getsugan Kiyone, hajimemashite!"

Despite being shocked by Kiyone's somewhat cheerful expression while her teammates stared at her agape, Shiraishi shook her hand with that same smile. "It's nice to meet you too, Getsugan-san."

Ayane turned back to the kansai prodigy. "So, what are you doing here? Searching for girls with nice legs or something?"

The kansai prodigy knew that he would never get respect from the tangerine haired vice captain. "Of course not, I was just here to find something. I was supposed get Shizuru a birthday gift. I owe her for last week."

Stifling her laughter, Rin had to grip her sides to make sure she doesn't fall. "Kuwee, wasn't her birthday like two months ago?"

"You guys don't know?" Oshitari raised an eyebrow. "Well, come to think of it, she never tells anyone anything except to the people she trusts."

Isane tapped her chin. "Come to think of it, Shizuru-buchou has never revealed to anyone what she liked in a guy. Mai, did she tell you?"

"Nope," Mai shook her head with another frustrated sigh, "she's such a hard book to read. I can't even tell if she's happy or sad anymore."

Shrugging, Oshitari had a twinkle in his eye. "Sometimes, the only way to get a person to talk is to target them indirectly."

Haruka knew exactly what the kansai prodigy had in mind. "Good luck, it won't be easy."

Oshitari, shrugging off the ribbon tied pink haired girl's remark, began looking amongst them. "Where's Shizuru?"

The whole team fell into a terrible silence. They didn't want to say anything about it. "She had captain duties to attend to."

Oshitari noticed the loneliness on Mai's face. "Looks like the queen is still hiding something then," the kansai prodigy began coming up with things that Shizuru might be hiding.

()()()()()0000()()()()()()()

Stacking up some papers for her investigative project, Haruka sighed while slumping on her desk. Words like "feasibility" and "chili peppers" were scrawled onto the papers and even some of the articles she had summarized for the Review of Related Literature lay scattered on her table.

God, whoever invented this must've had too much coffee, Haruka filed them up again as she placed them in the envelope.

"Kuwee~, it's our defense today right," Rin shuddered while looking at the note cards. "Honestly, I hope we don't get a crazy interrogator."

Haruka stared at her paper. "Yeah, who knows what kind of questions will be fired. You ready Isane?"

Isane gulped while looking through the papers. "Please let it not be our Science Coordinator. I think I'd rather get beaten up again…"

"Good morning," the teacher sat on the table, smirking. "I hope you all have your investigative projects ready."

Isane, Haruka and Rin gulped all in unison. Oh no, it's her…!

"As for today," she gave them a slow smile. "I will be in charge of your investigative project defenses."

Isane placed her hand by her lips. "I think the Science Coordinator would have been better…"

"Nooo, why did we get Ms. Kashiwara," Rin banged her head again and again on the table. "We're gonna die!"

Haruka inhaled sharply. Yep, we're gonna die.

Much to their horror, the devil's voice sounded off. "Hikifumi, Uchiha, Shimohi, you three start."

Rin whimpered as she hid behind Haruka. "Haru, she's gonna chew us alive…"

"You think that's bad wait 'til you meet the governess," Haruka tugged her collar as she brought out the files.

Shishido on the other hand leaned back against his chair. Uchiha's probably going to faint after all this…

"Ryou," a paper ball hit the capped regular's head, causing him to snap his head towards Gakuto. "Ryou, which reminds me – did we do ours?"

Shishido face palmed. "We did ours last week you moron."

Ms. Kashiwara listened intently to the girls' report. "Alright, time for my questions."

I hope Hitomi prepared us enough for this, Haruka bit her lip.

Ms. Kashiwara leaned back with a slow smile. "Tell me, why did you choose chili peppers in the first place?"

"The heat generated by the chili peppers may prove to be a strong enough power source," Isane gulped as the words tore themselves from her throat. "Also, if they cannot conduct the power – that's why the electrolytes are there to conduct the electricity."

Ms. Kashiwara nodded, scribbling it down. "Thank you, Ms. Uchiha. Now, Ms. Hikifumi – you said here that it had to be a smaller size of chili pepper… does it really matter what size the pepper has to be?"

Haruka nodded while pulling out one of her note cards. "According to researchers, the smaller the pepper is the higher the heat intensity. This also explains why bell peppers do not have as much spice as Thai chili peppers. The size is also crucial to how much power will be produced."

Ms. Kashiwara nodded while looking through the proposal. "Alright – where are you going to get these chili peppers?"

Rin shot up immediately, sweat pouring down her face. "My family has an import-export company of vegetables. I have easy access."

Ms. Kashiwara smirked as she continued writing on her paper. "Alright, another thing is – do you know how high the intensity of the Thai chili pepper is? Also, how many peppers would it take to create enough power to light a light bulb?"

()()()()000000000()()()

"Freedom," Rin jumped in the air, kicking her feet together. "We'll never have to do it again!"

Isane held her books, sheepishly smiling. "At least we're done and over with. Now we can concentrate on tennis."

Haruka nodded until she found Mai glaring at her locker. "Mai, are you alright?"

"Yeah," Mai bitterly chuckled as she swung the locker door open. "It's just – there's this one question that's been pestering me."

Rin gulped, waving her arms in the air frantically. "But Mai, you're the genius! You're supposed to know…!"

"Geniuses are only talented in certain areas not in everything," Mai pulled out her Geometry book. "One thing I don't think I'm probably good at is understanding how complicated people's lives can be."

Haruka smiled sadly. "I guess you're referring to yesterday."

Mai recalled the dark look in her friend's eyes. "I feel as if her personality's being eaten away. I don't know; it's as if she's losing her willpower."

"And one day, the abyss will stare back at her," Momo suddenly walked by, earning the stares of the four regulars. "Sorry, it was written here."

Haruka sighed at Momo. "Well, there is some truth to it. That was impeccable timing."

"To her, we are her main concern," Momo leaned against the lockers. "Captains often portray themselves as antagonistic or aloof to keep the team on their toes. After all, we cannot get caught flat footed…"

Rin stared at Momo. "How do you know this stuff?"

"It's part of basic leadership 101," Momo looked up from her book. "Sanada mentions it all the time."

Mai, letting out a small sigh, soon found a couple of guys crowding at someone's locker.

"Heh, let's trash this kid," one voice sneered.

One of the older guys raised his fist at the smaller boy. "Yeah, you've got some nerve for going with…"

"Excuse me," a soft voice came from behind them. "I believe you're in front of my locker."

They turned behind to find Shizuru with her tennis bag. "Oh sorry, we didn't mean to…!"

"Also, what did I tell you about harassing little kids," Shizuru smiled pleasantly at the older boys.

The boys drew back. "Damn, she's even scarier than that cat girl!"

Mai's ears twitched a bit. What the hell - cat girl? Is that all I am?

Soon, one of the boys gained his confidence back. "Ha, but that doesn't mean she's anything like that crazy Shinigami!"

Haruka turned around. "Momo, did you…? Hey," –spinning around and finding no trace of the Shinigami. "Has anyone seen Momo?"

The boys continued to chuckle until a dark voice called to them.

"Excuse me, were you looking for me," the boys froze when they found Momo with her hands on her hips.

One of them shivered. "Uh… y-yeah, don't worry – we were being nice senpai, right guys?"

They all nodded until Momo gave them a grave smile. "Oh, is that so? Well then, excuse me – I would like to borrow something from Shizuru's locker."

Quizzical, Shizuru watched Momo come forward and slam the locker door into one of their faces. "Oh, sorry – I didn't see you there."

Haruka face palmed. How can Momo be so calm?

"Hey, you did that on purpose," he jumped at her but Momo swung the door shut as to clip his arm. "Yeowch, why you…!"

"I hate it when cowards pick on people smaller than them," Momo pulled out Shizuru's Biology book which was five inches thick. "It proves that none of you have been taught proper ethics now have you?"

Rin gulped while hiding behind Haruka. "She's still part of the Military Club isn't she, kuwee~?"

"Actually," Isane sheepishly scratched her head. "Momo's always been like that, Rin. Even before remember?"

Mai sighed while looking at the scenes unfold with an amused smirk. "Well, this is what happens when you piss off Momo-senpai."

Soon, another came at her when Momo held up Shizuru's biology book to block his face. "Can I borrow this? I need it for my Investigative Project."

Shizuru giggled lightly. "Um, sure… don't lose my book."

Momo nodded while looking at the little boy. "Shouldn't you be in the elementary division?"

The boy bowed down. "T-Thank you…"

"Next time I see you here," Momo turned around. "I will take that as a blatant disobedience of the school rules."

The boy scampered off leaving Shizuru to stare at the Shinigami. "You didn't have to be so mean."

"He's not supposed to be here," Momo sighed while brushing her hair back. "You should know that."

Shizuru nodded weakly as the Shinigami walked away. "Don't forget," –Momo cast a glance at the captain. "You're not alone."

The captain looked up as the purple haired Shinigami got farther. "Huh, what are you talking about?"

As Momo walked towards them, Isane smiled at Momo. "You really didn't need her book did you?"

"I did need it," Momo tucked it into her bag. "I just don't like guys picking on her."

Rin tapped her chin. "You're probably closer to her than Kotetsu Naomi ever was."

"Yeah," Momo smirked while glancing at the Biology book.

0000000000000000000000000000

Ayane was now heading to her classroom with Kiyone and Mai since it was all in the same direction. "I can't believe it, his accent's thick! I didn't know that there were people with thicker accents than kansai megane-senpai! He makes kansai megane-senpai look Tokyo-oriented! What was his name again?"

Mai ruffled Kiyone's sandy beach hair with a giggle. "I can't believe it! Your memory's that bad now? I thought I was the one with short term memory, his name's Shiraishi Kuranosuke."

The tangerine haired girl however remained quiet throughout the entire conversation until a certain voice cut through her thoughts. "Arn~, ore-sama never knew Kobayagi to be quiet."

Normally, this would have riled up the girl immediately but she just brushed past him. "Obviously I had better things to do with my time."

Surprised that she didn't bother screaming at him, Atobe watched her walk past while Mai and Kiyone saw the sadness evident in the vice captain's eyes. "We have to do something, if our leaders crumble, so will the team. I think it's about time we help them instead of the other way around, ne, Kiyone?"

"I can go talk to Yane-chan, you go talk to buchou. I think we should even throw a party at my place! Not just any party - let's make it a pool party! We shouldn't go to practice first!" Kiyone suggested cheerfully.

Atobe overheard the younger one's idea. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea, brat," –while earning a glare from Kiyone, "ore-sama thinks it's time Kurenai learned how to open her heart to other people. She's almost as annoying as Oshitari when she does that."

"Question is – where do we hold it and secondly, who do we invite?" Kiyone began scratching her head until the tensai snapped her fingers. "I have a good idea on whom to invite!"

Atobe stared at her aghast. "Ore-sama knows you're very good friends with them but please don't have them over. Ore-sama thinks that's the worst idea to have them nearby."

Kiyone passed a glance to the smiling tensai. "Who are you planning to invite, Nagisaki-senpai?"

"Some people," Mai smiled while digging for her cellphone. "I think you'd be glad to see them too!"

The sandy haired Queen of Clovers tilted her head while watching the tensai pull out her cellphone. "Who are we inviting?"

Mai saw that Ayane was still at a close distance. "I'm inviting Rikkai Daigaku over!"

The vice captain halted in her foot steps. "No! No way! Why are we getting Yukimura over? Are you crazy or do you just want to ogle at him like some fan girl?"

Fuming, Mai growled at the vice captain. "Che, at least he has a brain there unlike your hubby!"

"He is not my hubby! Atobe will be anything but my hubby let alone my friend!" Ayane screamed until the classroom doors slid open.

This somehow stung Atobe but of course, his arrogance didn't let him show it. "Arn~, ore-sama doesn't have any bad qualities. He's perfect and besides – I wouldn't date a gorilla like her."

Despite once being in a foul mood, Ayane tip toed until she met Atobe's icy blue eyes. "Shut up, you lousy mole diva! You better learn how to speak properly! From what I heard – the only word in your vocabulary is "ore-sama" and the only thing you know how to say is "ore-sama no bigi ni yoina"! That's a load of junk!"

The two broke into a loud argument again and the control master shrugged. "Yay, Yane-Yane's not moping anymore!"

"But, she just got a whole lot noisier. I really think that we should push through with that pool party! I already got the place. After the ceremony, we'll go there and don't worry; I'll take care of everything. This is all for Shizuru to have fun and learn how to smile naturally without twitching." Mai grinned sadistically.

Kiyone shook her head at the tensai. "Shizu-nee's gonna want to hide after this…"

"Oh yes," Mai had a camera in hand, "and I happen to know how to take a very good video. By the way, bring those morons with you," –referring to the Hyotei boys, "I'm sure Jirou-senpai would love to see Marui-san and I think you and Sanada would have a staring contest of doom for I don't know how long while mushroom head and seaweed head can go bash each other."

Staring at her senpai as if she had grown a second head, Kiyone shook her head in disapproval. "I don't think that's a good idea, Nagisaki-senpai."

"Oh believe me, when it comes to meeting other tennis teams, I think," Mai had a devious smile, "buchou won't mind."

After classes, the teams now stood in a line while watching the ceremony. "For Block D, the winner is St. Rudolph!"

The girls' team of St. Rudolph was relatively better than their male team which was heard to have lost to Seigaku. Their captain, wearing the colours brown and white with her light blue hair in low pigtails received the trophy. "They will be allowed to join in the Kantou Regionals this coming August and also with the runner up of Block D, Ginka Middle School and Hanagane Middle School."

Hitomi began scanning her notes. "Mikurahara Otohime, captain of the St. Rudolph team and is a counter puncher style player. Her style is very similar to that of Jackal Kuwahara of Rikkai Dai and Kaidoh Kaoru of Seigaku and her specialty is heavy baseliner shots like Ayane. Despite her strength, she is not considered a Nationals Calibre player unlike Souma Fuuka and Kurenai-buchou. She won't be much threat to Sanada Momo-chan if we ever play against her."

"Winner of Block C, Taishaku Fuzoku Chuu! Runner-ups are Yamakuga Middle School and Ramusen Gakuen!" The captain of Taishaku Fuzoku Chuu, tall and buff with her strawberry blonde hair tied up into a bun and twinkling blue eyes received the trophy while smiling to her teammates.

"Who's the Blondie?" Rin whispered to her doubles partner while she watched the girl receive the trophy.

Snorting, Haruka looked away with disdain. "My…"

Hitomi cut her off while flipping to another page of her notebook. "Younger sister of Haruka-chan, Hikifumi Ino, she is much more powerful than her older sister but has a very big problem of superiority complex. Her style of play is more that of an aggressive baseliner like Ayane-chan and Isane-chan. Though I would like to commend her – she's quite the player when it comes to playing with the pressure. She usually does that in all her games."

"Yeah, I noticed." Haruka watched her sister with disdain as the younger received the trophy.

"Winner of Block B, Seishun Gakuen with runner ups: Mizuiro Chuu and Kakinoki Middle School!" Souma Fuuka made her way to the podium receiving the trophy while throwing her red hair behind her.

Shizuru and Fuuka had eye contact with each other and the two didn't seem to stop. "Kurenai-san, it's great to see you in good condition."

The Hyotei captain nodded with her usual courtesy smile. "Ah, same goes for you, Souma-san."

Ayane then nudged her captain. "Buchou, don't take so long in staring at Souma-san. You're up next!"

"Block A, winner is Hyotei Gakuen with runner up: Fudomine and Yugetsu Chuu!" Shizuru walked up to the podium with her usual courtesy smile and bowed as she received it.

Many murmurs erupted from the crowd because of Shizuru's undoubted prowess as a tennis player as soon as the ceremony ended. "So, shall we get going?"

The captain was clueless upon Mai's statement. "Where are we going? I thought -."

"I think it's time," Haruka grabbed the younger captain with a grin. "You learned how to have fun with your friends."

"I…" Shizuru didn't have much time to talk after being dragged off by her teammates.

"Mai, why are we at your house," Shizuru stared at the tall cream coloured mansion.

Mai pouted at her best friend. "Shizuru, it's time to flaunt your assets."

Kiyone jumped up and down. "We're going swimming!"

"We're going to be s-swimming?" Shizuru stared aghast at the genius.

Hitomi had noticed a change of colour in the captain's face. "Theory Five Hundred Sixty Seven of Kurenai Shizuru: she turns pale at the sound of the word 'swimming'."

Ayane dragged her captain in with Kiyone. "Come on, Mai even invited a few guys over! You should at least enjoy the victory we won against Yugetsu Chuu!"

The sandy haired freshman grinned at her captain while handing her a towel. "You even humiliated mole diva! I think it's time you had fun! You're becoming a spinster and a hermit at home, Shizu-nee!"

"I-it's not that," Shizuru turned away in total embarrassment. "I'm not trying to become a hermit."

Momo put a hand on Shizuru's shoulder with a reassuring smile. "Besides, you look like you need a break. You're a second year student and you have to know how to party once in awhile in your life."

Isane slid the door open with a smile. "Last one in's a rotten egg!"

"Speaking of which – someone tell me WHY Gakuto's here in your house!" Rin stomped into the room in order to throw out the magenta haired acrobat.

Gakuto leapt away from Rin who looked like she was going to tear out his innards. "Hey, Nagisaki-chan is the one who invited us over! Don't bother even trying to eat me!"

"I wasn't going to eat you, you annoying prat!" Rin's eyes glistened angrily at Gakuto. "Why the hell is your imagination so overreacting and annoying!"

The kansai prodigy stood in between the two acrobats. "Slow down you two, just because one or the other is here doesn't mean you have to go at each other's throats. I think we're supposed to have fun - not kill each other," his voice was getting dangerously low; that meant he was serious, "sit down now."

"Um," Shizuru hid behind Mai. "Mai, I don't have a bathing suit…"

The red haired tensai lifted up a plastic bag in front of her. "I'm way ahead of you, sister."

Shizuru paled even more. "Mai, what did you buy?"

Haruka smiled at the younger captain. "Don't worry – it'll look good on you!"

Shizuru shook her head as Mai shoved the bag towards her with a devious smile. "Now put it on and show it to us after."

Seeing the "obey me or else smile", Shizuru weakly stumbled into the bathroom and began to change.

Shishido rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you're actually going to get her into a bathing suit."

"It wasn't easy," Mai's amber eyes glinted evilly. "In three… two… one…!"

An abashed voice came from the bathroom. "Mai, can I please wear a towel?"

"Nope," Mai folded her arms. "You're coming out in whatever I made you wear."

Gakuto threw on his swim gear. "What are you girls doing taking so long? Let's go!"

Kiyone came out with a black jacket covering her top to bottom. "Come on, Shizu-nee! Lemme drag you out here!"

Ayane kicked the door. "Buchou, quit being a baby and get out here!"

"No," Shizuru's tone became very firm. "I am putting a towel on."

Haruka scratched her head. "It's gonna be awhile before she gets out."

"Um guys," Isane came out of the bathroom in her one piece. "I'm gonna go…"

Both teams became silent as Isane's bathing suit revealed the small curves and slight openings at middle and back.

"For the love of God," Shishido flushed badly, throwing a towel at Isane. "Uchiha, put on a towel!"

"I planned to jump straight into the pool you see," Isane twiddled with her thumbs. "But then, I forgot – where is the pool?"

Kiyone pointed at the door. "Straight out there but Isane-senpai, how do we get buchou out?"

Atobe raked his hair back, knocking on the door. "Kurenai, stop making everyone wait and get out. Ore-sama's getting bored."

"That doesn't exactly help." The brunette closed her eyes while trying to calm herself down; she never had worn a bathing suit in front of so many people let alone jump in the pool. Before she could decide to open the door, Shizuru heard the door slid open hearing very familiar voices.

"Ah," –a feminine voice chuckled, "I didn't know it was in one of your junior's houses."

The tensai jumped up at the sound of his voice. "Waah, Yukimura-san, I didn't know you'd be this early! But yeah, I told you didn't I?"

"I thought Getsugan-chan was a senior," The blue haired captain of Rikkai Dai smiled at the red haired female. "Well, I'd do anything to help out a friend. So – what's this for?"

"Trying to help our captain to socialize with people," Mai admitted gravely, "she's such a rock compared to everyone else."

Yukimura knew about what she was talking about. "Oh, perhaps she and Genichirou will get along, hm?"

Then, the red haired tensai of Rikkai Dai tugged on Yukimura's sleeve. "Uh, who's the girl glaring at our fuku buchou?"

"Oh, that's Momo-senpai, she's his cousin. Who are you anyway? I'm Kobayagi Ayane." Ayane watched Momo and Sanada get into a heavy glaring match.

"No kidding," extending his hand, the red haired boy blew his bubble gum with a smirk. "I'm Marui Bunta, Rikkai Dai's tensai! Glad to meet you!"

"Puri, looks like many guys would kill to be in our position right now," the silver-blue haired trickster began looking around while Renji took a seat next to Hitomi.

"Fifty percent chance that you were going to ask me if the seat was taken," the blonde mumbled while scribbling on her notebook.

Renji didn't seem the least bit surprised. "There was a ninety percent chance that you are the data girl and the manager of Hyotei Gakuen's female team."

The data girl had a business smile on her face. "Yamaguchi Hitomi, third year student and manager of the Hyotei Girls' Team."

Renji had a small smile form on his lips. "Renji Yanagi, Rikkai Dai's professor and data man of the team."

Atobe had a wide smirk on his face when he saw Sanada. "Ore-sama didn't expect you to come. Why did you anyway?"

Sanada didn't bother mentioning and Ohtori urged Shizuru. "Shizuru-chan, no one's gonna laugh!"

There was a small silence. "You promise?"

"Shizuru, there's nothing for you to be," Shishido gaped when Shizuru finally opened the door.

Oshitari nodded in agreement. "Yes Niou, I think many men would kill to be in our position right now."

Niou chuckled while holding a shampoo bottle he got from Yagyuu's bag. "Here we are folks, the Hyotei Girls in their swimsuits – we first have the red eyed beauty over here…"

Shizuru blushed even more until Shishido snatched the shampoo bottle from Niou. "Knock it off; it took us a lot to get her out of there!"

Niou literally knocked bottle away from Shishido. "There, now what?"

"You idiot, I didn't mean that," Shishido fumed at the silver haired trickster.

Niou rolled his eyes as he managed to get the bottle back. "Anyway, next in line we have the girl with a body of a model – Kobayagi Ayane with a very flattering bikini don't you think so?"

Ayane shook her head as she ran out for the pool. "Forget him, come on – the water's gonna be great!"

Fair enough, Gakuto got in first followed by Rin who started wrestling his board away from him. Ayane gave a cannonball while Kiyone jumped in with her float on. Haruka and Isane slipped in while Hitomi and Momo jumped in together. Atobe and the others soon followed after but Shizuru stayed at the sidelines.

"Come on over," Shishido swam towards her. "Hey, what gives?"

Shizuru smiled sheepishly. "It's nothing…"

A seaweed haired boy poked from below the water. "What's the matter? Afraid?"

Shizuru hugged her knees closer. "Kind of…"

"They can't drown you," Shishido raised an eyebrow. "By the way Getsugan, how deep is the water?"

Kiyone floated towards the end. "It's around eight feet why?"

Shizuru inched away from the pool, shuddering. "No thanks, I'll wait here."

Haruka splashed water on Shizuru. "Are you sure? It's great out here!"

The captain adamantly refused. "I'm fine, please go on."

Atobe snapped his fingers. "Kabaji, get her into the water."

"Usu," the big junior easily hauled Shizuru on his shoulders and dropped her into the water.

Shizuru yelped as she fell in. "No, wait…!"

Yukimura chuckled from the sidelines. "Well, I'm surprised Kabaji would go that far."

"He always obeys Atobe's orders," Ayane scoffed at the purple haired King while folding her arms. "That's why the annoying brat of a king can't even go to the grocery by himself!"

"Is she always like that," Sanada turned to a twitching Atobe. "Wait, that's probably rhetoric…"

Isane found Shizuru gasping for air and holding onto the side for dear life. "What's wrong?"

Shizuru clung on a little tighter. "I… I can't…"

"I can't what," Atobe smirked while folding his arms.

Kirihara popped up from below the water. "She can't swim!"

"I can," Shizuru flushed while holding to the rail. "I just… know a bit is all…"

Hiyoshi raised an eyebrow. "Alright, I dare you… get in."

Shizuru gulped slightly while staring at the water.

When was the last time I could stare at a pool like this without shrieking?

Kirihara splashed his hands on the water. "Come on, is this all what the great Hyotei captain is capable of?"

"Akaya, enough," Yukimura chided the younger. "If she doesn't want, perhaps we shouldn't force her."

Shizuru gulped when she saw Yukimura smile. So, that's where Mai got the obey-me-or-die smile.

Slightly dropping into the water, Shizuru accidentally slipped and splashed in. Everyone stared for and Shizuru managed to rise up, coughing and gasping for air.

Mai stepped on the floor below her. "Shizuru, relax – no one's going to drown you."

"That's what I didn't want to hear," Shizuru gulped while staring at the water.

Jackal shook his head. "We shouldn't force her. Maybe she really can't swim."

Ayane splashed more water on Kiyone. "Guys, get ready for water dodgeball!"

Marui grabbed a ball and slammed it into the closest person which happened to be Kirihara. "Come and get me!"

Hitomi dove underwater and dragged Renji down. "One point for Hyotei," she deviously smiled.

"Bring it on," Rin caught a ball and managed to hit Sanada squarely on the head. "Kuwee, I oh no… Momo save me!"

Kiyone giggled as she threw ball at Hiyoshi. "Yay, mushroom's down for the count!"

"Oh no you don't," Gakuto tried to tackle Niou who managed to sink underwater to dodge. "Hey, where did he-?"

"Puri~," Niou grabbed Gakuto and sank him down below. "That's one for Rikkai Dai."

Atobe smirked as he threw one straight at Sanada. "Think you can handle the rush, Sanada?"

"I wouldn't lose, not even in a simple game," Sanada caught the ball and sent a fast one. "Think again, Atobe!"

Momo dove underwater and shoved Sanada face first, smirking. "What's the matter Genichii? Can't catch me?"

For the first time, everyone found Sanada fuming at a girl. "Momo, you're going down…!"

Momo calmly dodged his attempts, sinking under at the last moment. "Isane, do it now."

Sanada found a strong shot coming at him but sidestepped only to have Yagyuu take the hit. "You're next, Momo!"

It was first a simple game turned out to be a war of the egos. Atobe started using Insight to break down Marui and Kirihara but got hit by Yukimura who "innocently" slapped the ball into his face. Shishido got past the shot but crashed into Gakuto when Niou fooled him using Ohtori's form. The silver haired kohai on the other hand managed to place his Scud Serve to smack Yanagi.

Kirihara dodged another shot. "Hey, you guys practically outnumber us! How are we supposed to beat you?"

"Who said we were fighting the same side as the boys," Ayane threw a ball straight at Atobe's face, earning a glare from the King. "I've been wanting to do that to him."

Kiyone jumped on Shishido's shoulders, sending the dash specialist into the water. "Yay, I have a horsie~!"

Rin waved her arms in the air. "Shizuru, come on – we need one more player, kuwee!"

"You're missing all the fun," Isane smiled at the younger girl.

Oshitari decided to tempt her, sending a ball her way. "Think fast."

Shizuru caught the ball, feeling the ground at least at the four feet section of the pool. At least, I have enough ground here.

However before she could send the ball, Niou pulled her down by the ankle causing the said captain to freak out.

"There we go," Niou shook his hair like a wet dog. "That's one girl down, eight more to go."

Mai paled, diving after her best friend. "Niou, you idiot! Shizuru's afraid of water!"

Niou shrugged. "She said she could swim."

"How can you be so damn calm," Ayane glared at him.

Mai managed to get Shizuru from below. "It's alright – it's not going to happen again."

Shizuru gasped for air while sliding over to the side. "Give me three minutes, I'll be fine."

Ayane grabbed a ball. "You're going down, Niou Masaharu!"

"Bye bye rat-tail," Kiyone jumped on his shoulders.

Kirihara chuckled while watching Niou get attacked. "Haha, senpai's going down!"

Shishido grabbed one of the beach balls. "I wonder why Getsugan has a lot of beach balls but never mind – you guys are going down!"

Marui snickered while catching one of the stray shots. "Alright, bring it on!"

Atobe rolled his eyes. Such a brat, it's just water…

Sanada managed to swim through the chaos as he sat next to Shizuru. "You're hydrophobic?"

Shizuru weakly nodded while paddling a bit. "You should go join them – I'll try to get in… later."

"When would later be," Sanada let an amused smirk escape as he dove back in.

Mai splashed water on Yukimura. "Well, I hope your team's having a blast."

"Normally they would be at home doing nothing anyway," Yukimura chuckled at the red haired tensai. "Why did you come up with a swim party anyway? Most girls wouldn't dare invite boys."

Mai shrugged while leaning against the pool wall. "I thought it would be more exciting."

Yukimura chuckled while looking out at the pool. "It most certainly is."

Kirihara jumped in from the board. "Here it comes – Cannonball!"

"Hey," Kiyone came out from another room. "Guys, my cousins left me their karaoke machine! You guys wanna use it?"

Haruka nodded to the girls. "That sounds great – what do you guys think?"

Jackal shrugged. "I guess it would be fine."

Atobe hauled himself out of the pool, pointing at all of them. "Arn~, all of you – be prepared to be awed by ore-sama's singing voice."

Ayane rolled her eyes. "Oh please, the only ones who would care are the neighbors because they're going to be wondering how many tin cans they should throw at you."

Atobe smirked as he leaned in close to Ayane's face. "Arn~, is that so? Or are you more interested whether or not ore-sama would like to dedicate a song to you?"

"You wanna bet on that," the vice captain nearly lunged out of the pool with fangs. "Why would I want a song dedicated to me, you egotistical brat?"

Marui put a hand on her shoulder. "Relax; Atobe's always been an ass. Why don't you rub it in his face by getting a really good song? I'm sure you can do it anyway, Kobayagi-san."

As soon as everyone dried up, they all headed towards the music room where there was a karaoke set, soda dispenser and a couple of shelves full of popcorn and junk food. Stereos lined the wall with a big flat screen TV and a red carpet lining the floor.

"Wow," Gakuto gaped.

Oshitari looked at the soda choices. "This explains why you're so short."

Shishido stared at the whole array of choices. "Any couch potato would stay here forever."

Ohtori opened the book for song choices. "Almost every song is here – well, except some of the recent ones…"

Yukimura had his usual placid smile on his face. "I'm sure that everyone already has a song in mind right?"

No one ever dared to defy the Rikkai child of god because everyone knows what happens to them if they do. "Uh, I don't see why I should back out." Niou knew better than to piss off Yukimura.

Yagyuu tilted his glasses a bit. "It seems like you're going to be singing tonight, Niou."

"Puri, I didn't want to but everyone knows better than to anger buchou," Niou sulked on to a chair.

Shuddering a bit at his buchou's scary smile, Kirihara found Shizuru sitting alone on the side and took a seat near her. "I heard you're Hyotei's captain – well, for the girls, I mean."

Giggling softly, Shizuru smiled faintly at the green eyed ace of Rikkai Dai. "And who might you be if you don't mind me being so blunt."

"Kirihara Akaya, demon of Rikkai Dai," the boy had a smirk across his face until he noticed Shizuru laughing softly. "What? What's so funny?"

Shaking her head, Shizuru apologized. "I'm sorry, it's just it's hard to believe that someone like you would be called a 'demon'. Isn't at bad thing to be labelled as a demon?"

"Y'know," the black haired boy scratched his head sheepishly, "I never really thought of it. Hey – isn't that," –he pointed to the stage, "your fuku buchou?"

Shizuru nodded. "Ayane's always been musically inclined. Atobe challenged her in her own field."

Taking a deep breath, Ayane had a huge smile on her face. "You're gonna go down, Atobe. I'll show you my singing skills and really wow the crowd." (Free and Dream by Suara from Tears to Tiara)

Sekai no hate o motome tadoritsuku

fukai zetsubou ga tokashite yuku

tae kirenai hodo no nikushimi ga

afurete nagare komu

kegarete yuku koto wa osorenai

tamerawazu ni Try to dive in now

Atobe brushed his hair back. "Arn~, she's plausible."

"I think she's pretty good," the tensai continued blowing his bubblegum.

Taking a sandwich, Jackal sighed at Marui. "You do know that Atobe does have high standards no matter what an ass he is?"

Jirou skipped towards Marui. "Yay, Marui-kun's here!"

The tensai however didn't pay attention to the narcoleptic volleyist because his lavender colored eyes were focused more on the singing vice captain. Her hair was held by a lavender ribbon which was tied tightly to hold her hair into a large braid while her brilliant green eyes shown with enthusiasm to either one: kick Atobe in the face or two: she was just having fun. "Wow, I didn't know that there was…"

Kirihara peered over to his senpai. "Marui-senpai, are you in love or something or is there magic markings on the wall?"

Shaking himself out of the daze, the tensai ruffled Kirihara's hair. "Geniuses don't space out! They're just deep in thought because geniuses have a lot to think about!"

Pouting like a small child, Kirihara then moved away to go bother someone else. "Fine, I'll stay with Shizuru-san. At least she talks to me!"

Get all the free and dream kimi to tomo ni

akenai yoru wa nai darou

Get all the free and dream toki o koete

futari de hitotsu no youna bokura tsubasa hiroge habataku

ichido mitsukereba miekakure suru

kotaewa sugu ni hikiyose rareru

muzukashii kotoba de kataru yori

shin buru na hou ga ii

kegarete yuku koto wa osorenai

kimi to boku wa Try to dive in now

Get all the free and dream mune ni kizame

tsuki wa michikake kuri kaesu

Get all the free and dream toki o koete

umareru mae kara kitto bokura shinjiaeru nakama sa

Get all the free and dream kimi to tomo ni

akenai yoru wa nai darou

Get all the free and dream toki o koete

futari de hitotsu no youna bokura tsubasa hiroge habataku

With a large smile, Ayane bowed to the others and there was an applause coming from them. "That was really cool!" Marui jumped up like a hyperactive child.

"Thanks! I really appreciate it!" Ayane had a childlike grin also.

Now Atobe was starting to get worried; Ayane was friendly in fact – too friendly for his liking. Unlike most people who would be shy, she was like an open book and the girl spoke to them with utmost enthusiasm unlike the other three. Mai was okay with people, Shizuru did her usual courtesies and Kiyone would cling to any of the two second years before speaking to someone.

Kobayagi, how dense can you actually be?

Ayane started accepting high fives and even ruffles from a particular red haired tensai. She leaned back on one of the chairs, chuckling as Isane turned to the smaller girl. "Why don't you sing, Kiyone-chan? I mean – I'm sure you have a voice."

"No, I don't," the first year puffed up her cheeks. "I sound like a squeaky duck toy~!"

Looking around, Rin found a keyboard lying next to the karaoke machine. "Wanna do the keyboard? It's almost like a piano."

Shakily moving towards the piano, Kiyone took a deep breath and began playing a few notes here and there. "Yay~, it's actually making some noise!"

After a few keys, she started making a full song and without even realizing it, she began singing. (Aozora no Namida by Takahashi Hitomi from Blood Plus)

hitorikiri kurayami no naka

kimi no namida no imi wo shitta

negau basho fumidashita kedo

dare mo kizutsuketaku nakute

umi wo wataru kaze wa kyou mo

mayowazu ni ashita ni mukau no ni

kokoro wa doushite ugokidasenai

"Nice choice of song," Hiyoshi mumbled quietly while watching Kiyone emote the song even further.

Jirou's eyes were peeled open. "She said she didn't have a voice but she's not bad at all!"

donna unmei ga matte iru n darou

kuyamitakunai yo umareta koto

kanashimi no naka ni yuuki ga aru

kagayaki tsukamu to shinjite iru

furishikiru aozora no NAMIDA

itsu no hi ka egao ni kaeru yo

isogiashi oikaketa kaze

yubi no aida wo suri nuketeku

shinjiru koto mada kowai kedo

todomaru koto wa mou shinai

tsuki ga sotto kata wo tataki

minamo utsushite kureta kiro michi

mayou koto sae wasurete yuku yo

nanimo nai asuga matte ite mo

nanika wo umidasu te ga aru kara

kimerareta michi mo kaete yukeru

tsuyoi omoi ima komi ageteru

koboreteta aozora no NAMIDA

ashita ni wa kitto hareru kara

miageta saki e to

arukidaseru hazu

doko made mo yukeru

jibun naku sa nai nara

donna unmei ga matte iru n darou

kuyami takunai yo umareta koto

kanashimi no naka ni yuuki ga aru

kagayaki tsukamu to shinjite iru

furishikiru aozora no namida

itsu no hi ka egao ni kaeru yo

Mai began clapping. "You ought to stop lying and start checking whether or not you can do things! You can sing, you actually sounded amazing and here you are telling Shimohi-senpai that you can't sing!"

Due to the pressure, the smaller girl went to her captain. "Ehhh, I'm better off stealing candy! At the same time – I don't sound nearly as good as you or Yane-Yane!"

Oshitari smirked at the smaller girl but his eyes didn't tear away from the captain who had a rueful smile. "Hey, you should be laughing and having fun, not moping around."

Shizuru shook away the rueful look and resumed smiling faintly. "Ah, I'm sorry. I was just worried about some things."

Yukimura motioned to Sanada. "Why don't you and your cousin do a duet?"

Momo shook her head immediately and then scoffed with a snigger. "You're asking him? As in, you're asking the Sanada Genichirou of Rikkai Dai to sing? Yukimura-san, no offence but, he doesn't. May I tell you that he sounds like a broken record when he sings?"

The male Sanada glared at his cousin. "Momo, unless you want to have a severe tongue lashing, I suggest you keep quiet."

Laughing, Yukimura was glad that he had made the team go. "Honestly, this is one of the very few times that I get out of the hospital. I'm glad you called us out here, Mai-san."

"It was no big deal," Mai waved her hands dismissively, "I did it more for the fact that my team's stressed out and they'll be getting gray hairs by the time they're twenty!"

Stuffing his face with a cupcake, Marui pointed at Niou. "This rat-tailed guy better sing next!"

Niou jumped towards Marui. "Oh no, you don't! You're singing next, fatty!"

Gakuto pointed at Shishido. "What about this grumbling guy over here? He needs a little bit of cheering up."

Furious, the capped regular lunged at the magenta haired acrobat. "Why I oughta pull your teeth out and shave you bald…!"

Letting out a sigh, Shizuru stood up and bowed. "I'm sorry, I have to go now. I have some things to attend to at home."

They all stared at Shizuru as if she had grown a second head and Sanada stood up. "I have to go as well."

"But isn't the train," Kirihara really had no sense of direction, "heading towards Seigaku or something?"

Niou smacked him at the back of the head. "You stupid brat, the train is not heading towards Seigaku! Where did you get that stupid idea?"

"Ow, that hurt, Niou-senpai! Mura-buchou, Niou-senpai's harassing me!" Kirihara quickly went to the blue haired captain of Rikkai Dai.

Smiling at Niou, Yukimura knew exactly how to scare him. "Niou, would you like to run many laps tomorrow?"

Niou backed down immediately. "Uh, no thanks, Yukimura-buchou."

Satisfied, Yukimura turned to Mai. "Why don't you do a song?"

Hiyoshi smirked. "Yeah, I thought tensai can do anything."

Glaring at the brunette ace, Mai stood up. "I accept your little challenge, Hiyoshi. But, I don't think you'll be able to insult me after this."

Taking the microphone, Mai started playing a song. "I think it's time we rocked the house down!" (Again by YUI from Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood)

Yume no tsuzuki

Oikakete ita hazu na no ni

Magarikunetta hosoi michi

Hito ni tsumazuku

Ano koro mitai ni tte

Modoritai wake ja nai no

Nakushite kita sora o

Sagashiteru

Dancing a little bit, Yukimura was definitely impressed by the red haired tensai of Hyotei. He knew why she had held this party and it was all for Shizuru rather than just the whole team. Mai sure knew how to show concern in the funniest of ways but this one seemed to be a good thing. It was a win-win situation; first of all, the Rikkai Dai team got to bond with each other, secondly, he didn't know what Hyotei was there for but he was surprised that Atobe even agreed to it. "Nagisaki Mai, you're not such a bad singer."

"Well, considering that she was part of the Hyotei dance troupe," Hiyoshi watched Mai grab even the other room's attention, "this type of thing is so easy for her."

Oshitari, watching Mai for a moment, couldn't help but feel uneasy when Shizuru left the room early. Sure, Sanada went with her but he doesn't know anything. Though he had some slight ideas and there, it didn't stop him from touching his glasses here and there. "You seem a little distracted, Oshitari." A voice nudged in from one side.

The kansai prodigy looked at Atobe with his usual poker face. "I'm just concerned for Shizuru, that's all."

"Arn~, now may I ask why you haven't put the suffix in her name? Is she that close to you?" Atobe raised an eyebrow at Oshitari.

Wakatte kuremasu you ni

Gisei ni natta you na

Kanashii kao wa yamete yo

Tsumi no saigo wa namida ja nai yo

Zutto kurushiku seottekun da

Deguchi mienai kanjou meiro ni

Dare o matteru no

Shiroi nooto ni tsuzutta you ni

Motto sunao ni hakidashitai yo

Nani kara

Nogaretain da

"It's because I," Oshitari stopped in mid-thought while he listened to the song. Shizuru had pushed away almost everyone who had gotten close to her and only few succeeded but what she thought of them was a pure mystery. The kohai was so bubbly and cheerful when he first met her and then, the next day, when he looked much closer, the girl wasn't smiling.

She had a fake smile on her face all this time.

How she managed to perfect that remained a total mystery but the captain's fake smile struck fear into her opponents. The kansai prodigy didn't like going over trivial things but this one was bothering him real bad. "Hey, Yuushi, you're worried about her?"

The kansai prodigy looked at Gakuto who was wrestling with Shishido like most of the time. "Yeah, it's just…nothing."

"What do you mean 'nothing'? Are you sick in the head, Oshitari?" Atobe began to pry.

These were one of the very few times that the kansai prodigy wanted to kill Atobe. "No, I think I should be the one to ask yourself that."

Genjitsu tte yatsu

Kanaeru tame ni

Ikiterun da tte

Wasurechaisou na

Yoru no mannaka

Munan ni nante

Yatterarenai kara

Kaeru basho mo nai no

Kono omoi o keshite shimau ni wa

Mada jinsei nagai desho

Natsukashiku naru

Konna itami mo kangeijan

Ayamaranakucha ikenai yo ne

ah gomen ne

During the song, Mai remembered the times she had often pressured her former doubles partner. The girl was now beginning to regret it; Shizuru was always their pillar of support, their queen and their leader and only a human can take so much. How much was she hiding from them? "Come to think of it," Mai thought while she was singing, "I've never seen her cry even once for herself but for others – she was always there."

"This song really fits Mai-chan in a way," Haruka watched Mai dance around gracefully on stage.

"What do you mean? I don't get you." Rin looked at her doubles partner intently.

The dragon dancer noted. "Think of it this way, Mai-chan and Shizuru-buchou have been friends ever since they were in the elementary grade and were doubles partners. Unknown to Mai, Shizuru-chan had been concealing so much and it was only later that the tensai discovered how Shizuru-chan lived. I actually saw the place myself – it's dilapidated like anything."

"I thought she lived in a mansion." Rin remembered going into a big mansion when she first visited the kohai.

Haruka snorted with annoyance. "That's only when her step monsters were in a good mood."

"No one can ever replace the love of the real mother, ne, Haru-chan?" Taking another French fry, Rin remembered how annoying the step mothers were.

Overhearing their conversation, Isane stood up with a smile. "That has always been true, Rin-chan. Now – we may not be the best family but, we can surely replace her step mothers."

Umaku ienakute

Shinpai kaketa mama datta ne

Ano hi kakaeta zenbu

Ashita kakaeru zenbu

Junban tsuketari wa

Shinai kara

Wakatte kuremasu you ni

Sotto me o tojitan da

Mitakunai mono made

Mien da mon

Iranai uwasa ni chotto

Hajimete kiku hatsugen docchi

Ni-kai attara tomodachi datte

Uso wa yamete ne

Akai haato ga iradatsu you ni

Karada n naka moete irun da

Honto wa

Kitaishiten no

Hitomi continued scribbling on her notebook while Renji and she soon began exchanging data. "There's a ninety percent chance that your buchou's going to make you sing after Mai-chan."

"Probability of me being able to escape that: zero percent," Renji looked down with a defeated sigh.

Maintaining her business smile, Hitomi grabbed another cup cake. "Yukimura-san is not an easy man to escape from."

"Indeed he is not," Renji remembered all those times when Yukimura had made him do many things unless he wanted to die.

Atobe cracked his knuckles. "Ore-sama will sing after this and you will be awed by ore-sama's prowess."

Slapping her forehead, Ayane let out an annoyed sigh. "I hate to hear what he sounds like. If Momo-senpai says that Sanada-san sounds like a broken record, Atobe gives a whole new meaning to off-key."

Kiyone laughed at her doubles partner. "Yay, blue angel-chan and company going to sing after!"

The vice captain stared aghast at the little girl. "Wait, how did you manage to convince them to…?"

"It was no sweat, Yane-Yane," Kiyone gave her a cheerful grin.

Sighing, Ayane knew that no one could resist the sandy haired girl's puppy faces. "I'm sure you nagged them to death too."

Genjitsu tte yatsu

Kanaeru tame ni

Ikiterun da tte

Sakebitaku naru yo

Kikoete imasu ka

Munan ni nante

Yatterarenai kara

Kaeru basho mo nai no

Yasashisa ni wa itsumo kanshashiteru

Dakara tsuyoku naritai

Susumu tame ni

Teki mo mikata mo kangeijan

Dou yatte tsugi no doa

Hirakerun dakke Kangaeteru

Mou hikikaesenai

Monogatari hajimatterun da

Me o samase me o samase

"By the way," Rin recalled, "isn't the boys' Kantou Tournament right after ours?"

Momo slouched on to the chair. "And to think that we didn't want to think about that right now – actually, yeah, it is after the guys'."

Gakuto laughed at the Sanada female. "I bet you just wanna slack after that!"

"Shut up, coconut raspberry sherbet, go shave yourself bald!" Rin retorted for Momo.

Jirou poked Gakuto. "Gakuto-kun, maybe we should watch Mai sing instead I mean – she's so cool when she dances!"

"I dance better!" Gakuto stared at the narcoleptic aghast.

Oshitari sighed at his doubles partner. "Gakuto, he's just saying watch Mai-san. After all – it was the girls' idea that we have a little relaxation."

Kono omoi o keshite shimau ni wa

Mada jinsei nagai desho

Yarinokoshiteru koto

Yarinaoshite mitai kara

Mou ichido yukou

Kanaeru tame ni

Ikiterun da tte

Sakebitaku naru yo

Kikoete imasu ka

Munan ni nante

Yatterarenai kara

Kaeru basho mo nai no

Yasashisa ni wa itsumo kanshashiteru

Dakara tsuyoku naritai

Natsukashiku naru

Konna itami mo kangeijan

()()()()00000()()()()

"They're quite a bunch, huh, Sanada-san?" Shizuru smiled faintly while they walked towards the train station.

The vice captain was at a loss on what to say. "Ah, yeah, they could be a handful."

For her to even make a conversation with him, some people dubbed it as dense when it came to socializing or in other words: both of them were social retards. However, Sanada couldn't help but recall the song she had sung in the karaoke place back there. "Kurenai-san," –he started slowly, "how is it that you managed to get your team to play at National's Calibre when some of them are even not experienced?" This question had recently popped into his head ever since Yukimura Ai had been floored by the latter.

"Well, some say that its natural born talent and others say it's just pure determination. But in my opinion – I guess it's because of both." Shizuru watched fireflies fly near her.

Sanada never got to know girls because he was either too busy or just dense. "Ah, how is my cousin treating you?"

"Oh, you're wondering about Momo-senpai? She's a very nice person and she sometimes tends to keep quiet."

Talking to Shizuru made Sanada realize what a total retard he was in socializing. If this were a subject and Yukimura were his teacher, he shuddered at the thought of the grade. He'd maybe get an F minus without even trying or even if he did try. However, unlike most girls, Shizuru didn't look like the type to keel over him and swoon. "Kurenai-san, if I may ask, how long have you been playing tennis?"

The brunette turned to Sanada with a small smile. "I've been playing ever since I was three years old."

Smirking, Sanada tried to find other things to say. He couldn't believe he was exerting effort to even try talking to Shizuru but, she just seemed to be so intriguing. "Why do you play tennis? Is it for fandom or do you really…?"

"To be honest, I played tennis because it made me feel…alive." Shizuru looked away with a small smile.

Sensing the uneasiness, Sanada kept quiet after. However, the vice captain was sure that he had heard her name somewhere and every time he tried to recall, it came up blank. However, her answer also puzzled him. "That's a rare answer."

"I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable in anyway." Shizuru noticed the shift of expression on Sanada's face.

The capped vice captain let out a small snort. "It's nothing, I'm fine."

The walk home was pretty much silent but Shizuru had first walked with Sanada towards the train station. "I hope to hear from you again, Sanada-san."

"Ah," the vice captain boarded the train. "And I hope to hear from you as well, Queen of Diamonds." His answer was barely audible.

Watching the train move away, Shizuru then left, heading towards her house. While heading there, she heard a few sounds coming from the tennis courts. From her point of view, the captain found a smaller boy playing someone whom she recognized. "I wonder what Tezuka-san is doing?"

"Become the pillar of Seigaku, Echizen," his voice resonated deep into her thoughts.

The Hyotei captain watched the smaller boy stand up and place his racquet in front of him again. "Mada…mada dane, buchou."

"So this is the boy Fuji-san was talking about," Shizuru couldn't help but recall the smiling genius' words. "Echizen Ryoma, from what I hear, he's a spectacular player."

What she didn't realize however is that Echizen had noticed her from afar. "Buchou, who's the girl at the bridge?"

Snapping his head up, the Seigaku captain noticed Shizuru who was deep in thought. "Kurenai-san… what is she doing here?"

Realizing that she had been noticed, Shizuru walked down towards them with an apologetic bow. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."

"You're not intruding anything," Echizen gave her his usual nonchalant shrug.

Tezuka remained silent while trying to recall where he had seen the girl.

Was she the one who was at the fence that day?

-That's chapter 8! Sorry for no epic tennis but please review!

Translations for the Songs:

(Free and Dream by Suara) - Ayane's song in the Karaoke

I made my way to the ends of the world that I yearn for

Where the depths of despair have dissolved away

I can't answer you as an unbearable hatred will

Overflow the stream

I'm not afraid of being tainted

Hesitatingly, Try to dive in now

Get all the free and dream, together with you

There aren't any nights that won't dawn, isn't that so?

Get all the free and dream, as we are surpassing time

Together we are like one, spreading our wings, as we took off

Once I find a hidden glimmer

I'll be immediately drawn to the answer

Difficult words are hard to speak

Simple ones are better

I'm not afraid of being tainted

You and me will, Try to dive in now

Get all the free and dream, my chest is being cut

And the moon repeats its phases

Get all the free and dream, as we overcome time

Before I was born, I trusted that we would surely be companions

Get all the free and dream, together with you

There aren't any nights that won't dawn, isn't that so?

Get all the free and dream, as we are surpassing time

Together we are like one, spreading our wings, as we took off

(Aozora no Namida of Hitomi Takashi) - Kiyone's song

All alone in the darkness,

I learned the meaning of your tears.

I've stepped forward to the place I wish for,

Yet I didn't want to hurt anyone.

Even today, the wind crosses over the sea

And faces tomorrow without hesitation.

Why can't my heart begin to move?

What fate awaits me?

I don't want to mourn over the things that have come forth.

Within feelings of sorrow, courage still exists,

And I grasp its radiance while believing.

Tears flow down from a clear blue sky.

Someday they'll change into a smile.

The wind that quickly chased after me

Slips between my fingers now.

I'm still too scared to trust,

But I won't stop no matter what!

As the moon softly grazes my shoulders,

And its silver path reflects on the water,

I've come to forget how to hesitate.

Even if a tomorrow of nothingness awaits,

There's a way to create something from it.

Even my destiny can keep changing,

And strong feelings are now filling my heart.

The blue sky's tears are overflowing,

But it will surely be sunny tomorrow.

So I can start walking towards

The future I looked up to,

I can go as far as I want...

As long as I don't lose sight of myself

What fate awaits me?

I don't want to mourn over the things that have come forth.

Within feelings of sorrow, courage still exists,

And I grasp its radiance while believing.

The blue sky's tears rain down incessantly...

Someday they'll change into a smile.

(Again by YUI) - Mai's Song

Even though I must have been pursuing

The continuation of my dream

On a narrow, winding road

I trip over other people

It's not that I want to return to

How it was like back then

I'm searching

For the sky that I've lost

I wish that you'll understand me

Stop making that sad face

Like you've been sacrificed

There aren't tears at the end of sins

I've painfully bore them all this time

In the labyrinth of emotions where I can't see the exit

Who am I waiting for?

As if having written it in a white notebook

I want to divulge myself more honestly

What

Do I want to flee from?

…Something known as reality?

So that I can fulfill myself

I'm alive

When it seems like I've forgotten about it

In the middle of the night

Because it can't be done

Safe and sound

…There's no place for me to return to, either

Isn't life still too long

For erasing these thoughts?

I even welcome such a pain

That turns nostalgic

I've got to apologize

ah, I'm sorry

Unable to express it well

You were worried, weren't you?

Everything that I held back then

Everything that I'll hold tomorrow

Because I won't

Put them in order

I wish that you'll understand me

I quietly closed my eyes

I can even see

The things that I don't want to see

I get a little annoyed at unnecessary rumors

What was the initial remark like?

If we meet twice, aren't we friends?

So stop lying

As if my red heart is irritated

It's burning inside of my body

The truth is

I'm anticipating

…Something known as reality?

So that I can fulfill myself

I'm alive

I feel like shouting so

Can you hear me?

Because it can't be done

Safe and sound

…There's no place for me to return to, either

I'm always grateful for kindness

So I want to become strong

In order to move on

I welcome friend and foe alike

How can you open

The next door? Are you thinking about it?

I can't pull back anymore

The story is starting

Wake up, wake up

Isn't life still too long

For erasing these thoughts?

I have things left to do

Because I want to try redoing them

Let's go again

So that I can fulfill myself

I'm alive

I feel like shouting so

Can you hear me?

Because it can't be done

Safe and sound

…There's no place for me to return to, either

I'm always grateful for kindness

So I want to become strong

I even welcome such a pain

That turns nostalgic