(I don't own Prince of Tennis!)

Chapter 9 – Extra, extra, extra training

"Wait, are you telling me that: ATOBE HAS DECIDED TO BECOME CRAZY AND BRING US ALONG WITH HIM TO A TENNIS CAMP!" The first year vice captain gaped at her captain the day after the party.

Shizuru, pinching the bridge of her nose, knew that convincing Ayane to not argue with Atobe every minute was going to be a hell hole. "Kobayagi-san, all I ask is a single day of peace – you don't need to be all nice and cutesy with him. You can ignore him if you want just don't go ballistic on me."

"Don't worry, Yane-Yane's more than thrilled to see him because her," –clearing her throat, the sandy haired control master had an evil glint in her eye, "hubby there and he's going to be all like: "ore-sama this", "ore-sama that" or worse," –Kiyone began imitating the older captain, "Ore-sama no bigi ni yoina!"

This agitated Ayane even more than she should. "Shut up, Kiyone before I shove your racquet into your mouth!"

"Yane-Yane's being mean to me," The youngest one hid behind Shizuru while hiding from the vice captain.

Shizuru had to withhold her temper. "Both of you do your laps now. Don't stop until I tell you to."

Seeing that they had angered the captain, the two mouthed a silent apology while speeding off to do their laps.

"You sure know how to punish them, Shizuru." The tensai strode towards the brunette who took a seat to calm down before she snapped or said any profanities on the court.

"Ah," picking up her racquet, Shizuru headed towards the court. "Mai, please play one game against me as in one round; we don't need to reach six. Give it your all okay?"

The tensai had a huge smile on her face. It had been a long time since she and Shizuru played a match against each other. "Sure, just don't bother holding me back or I will slug you silly."

Stopping in her tracks, the queen of Diamonds turned around to face Mai with a faint smile. "Oh, I don't think you'll have enough time to do that."

Atobe on the other hand, began sorting out papers as his job as Student Council President. While sifting, he found some news articles containing info about the Nationals. That memory was a bitter one, while he was captain of the Hyotei team now, never once had Hyotei gotten second place or at least third place. However, in the girls' case, it was a different case scenario. Kotetsu Naomi and Ferero Lulu had led the team to the Nationals twice and taken down the other girls' team as if they were nothing. He even remembered the senpai's words before the captain had moved on to the High School division with Lulu and the other seniors.

Shizuru-chan has much potential; she will become the Queen of Hyotei. If she were a guy, the girl would have overthrown you by now.

Naomi's words bit into his ego and often left a bitter taste in his mouth. However, her words proved to be true; the last year, Shizuru had played Singles One against the defending champion at that time, Shitenhouji and also against the Singles One player of the defending runner up, Seigaku. "Ore-sama never knew that this dense brat would know a thing or two in how to lead a team to complete victory without any losses or whatever. It's either she's brilliantly talented like ore-sama or she's just plain strategic." Atobe tossed down the picture of the girls' team winning the Nationals last year.

"You know – it could be both also," a kansai drawl came from the door way.

Atobe, looking up, found Oshitari smirking at the door way and also holding up a newspaper. "Didn't you bother to read the news this morning?"

"Ore-sama was busy," Atobe tossed another paper into a trash can. "So, tell ore-sama what news seems so interesting to you and should be interesting to him."

Smirking and knowing he would get a kick out of this, Oshitari read it out nice and clear. "Kobayagi family is now joining forces with the Atobe Group. Doesn't the name "Kobayagi" ring a bell?"

Oh damn it.

Did he just say the name "Kobayagi"?

"Repeat that again, Oshitari." Atobe had hoped that he had heard wrong. "Ore-sama didn't hear the name of that tangerine haired freshman, did he?"

The kansai prodigy had a small smile. "I'm afraid you heard it right, Atobe. Ko-ba-ya-gi, it says here on the newspaper."

Snatching it from the bespectacled prodigy, Atobe felt his heart drop down like a rock and his eyes widened every minute. The king, slamming it on the table, marched towards the tennis courts; fuming at a certain first year student.

Gakuto peeked out from behind his doubles partner. "Wow, I've never seen Atobe so pissed before."

"Time for blackmail material," Oshitari turned heel and headed out the door only to bump into Shishido and Ohtori.

Shishido began searching through the Hyotei Gakuen folders. "No, no, no, where is that thing!"

Ohtori didn't exactly know what Shishido was looking for. "Senpai, what is it you're actually looking for? You never told me."

Throwing another folder up into the air, Shishido didn't bother telling his doubles partner what exactly he was looking for. But whatever it was that he was looking for, it seemed to be very important. "Damn it, gekidasa daze! Where did I put that thing?"

Oshitari pulled out a folder while checking through the files. "Are you looking for Shizuru's clinic files?"

"No," Shishido threw the other things out the drawer, "I'm looking for her biography. It's here isn't it?"

Though at first he thought it was none of his business, Oshitari opened a folder which contained things about Shizuru's family. "Yeah, what exactly are you going to do with it?"

"I think," the capped regular had a smirk on his face, "it's time we bailed her out of that house."

Another forehand flew from Shizuru while Mai decided to volley her as fast as she could. "I never understood why," the girl mouthed softly.

"Hm, is there something you wanted to ask me?" Shizuru fired a backhand down the line.

Jumping high into the air, Mai fired it down while Shizuru moved back to send it cross court. "We never had a ranking match between each other. I wonder why we never had one."

"We did," Mai recalled the time she had a fever, "I had a fever but still you played your weakest. Why didn't you ever take me seriously?"

Shizuru knew that her best friend still felt resentful about that part but she didn't have the heart to play her fullest when her friend was badly handicapped. The latter had been coughing large amounts of blood that day because she and Shizuru played a game that exceeded seven. The guilt plagued the captain's mind ever since. "Mai, you were sick that day. I wanted us to play on equal handicap. "

Sighing quietly to herself, Mai knew that Shizuru would never pull out all the stops if her opponent wasn't at her best. But this time – she was going to make Shizuru play her best; if it's one thing she hated, it's when her opponents didn't take her seriously. "Well, you and I share the same frame of mind: we both hate it when our opponents take it easy on us so, play like you mean it, Shizuru!"

The brunette fired a forehand towards the edge of the baseline but Mai managed to fire it back with a backhand and Shizuru did a top spin that simply flew towards the net. "Subera Kagerou, wow, is that really your signature move?"

"Maybe," the captain returned to the baseline to receive Mai's next service. "Maybe it's because I'm saving my other moves for later."

Flustered and somewhat frustrated, Mai sent the ball high up and fired it down the line but Shizuru gave her a top spin backhand. "Better play better than this in the Kantou Tournament, Mai."

"Oh, I intend to." The tensai continued rallying with the captain who started to get faster every time she fired a shot. "She's only warming up and I'm getting tired almost immediately. If it's one thing I know she can't keep up with, it's my Jazz Tennis." With this in mind, the cherry haired tensai placed herself on her tip toes and her reaction time increased by one second.

The captain saw this coming and she knew exactly how to end it. "I guess I have no other choice but to use it then."

The moment the tensai rushed the net, Shizuru countered with her Ayame Gaeshi which curved away from the latter forcing Mai to lose her balance. "Whoa, are we playing an official game?"

"30 – Love," Shizuru, walking over to the tensai, held out her hand to help up the latter. "No, I just reflected on what you told me and I realized that no matter what kind of game you play – always take it seriously."

Fixing her low loosely tied pigtails, Mai dusted her navy tennis skirt with a sigh. "So, about this camp thing – is it only Hyotei or do the other schools have access?"

"As far as I'm concerned," Shizuru fixed her half ponytail before it fell off, "that place is an Atobe exclusive practice area so, unless you're very rich and smooth-talking, I don't think the other schools will make their way in. So, it will be only us Hyotei people there, why?"

Serving again, Mai shuddered at one thought. "Just don't share a room with a guy, Shizuru."

Raising her eyebrow, Shizuru received Mai's service with a top spin backhand. "Who said I wanted to?"

"Well, considering that you're too kind too say 'no' even to a ridiculous request," Firing a simple drop shot, Mai chuckled lightly. "I'll let you share a room with anybody but a boy. Sure, we're going to be co-ed but that gives us more reason to be careful. Guys these days have weird thoughts."

Shizuru smiled kindly at the tensai. "You should too; you're not exactly on the back end."

"Don't worry about me," Mai backhanded another shot towards Shizuru's left side. "Shizuru, you're an epic fail when it comes to talking to a guy properly. Haruka may be a worrywart but if some guy goes after you - I don't think it will be Haruka they'll be scared of. Not only that, Atobe will probably have an earful soon when something bad happens. After all, everyone has eyes of their own too you know. "

"How did Atobe get into the picture?" The captain fired another Subera Kagerou towards Mai which the tensai promptly missed.

Firing another service down the line, Mai clucked her tongue while sighing. "Well, Ayane uses any means necessary to start a fight with Atobe. Also, as long as it's related to guys or someone from Hyotei for that matter – Ayane blames Atobe almost immediately. They do fight like a married couple after all."

"I may be dense, Mai but I do think that Ayane and Atobe will end up together." Shizuru started volleying towards the tensai. "Question is: how many times will they run around in circles of each other?"

Mai promptly missed the ball and the tensai couldn't help but gape at the captain. "Who are you…?"

"Huh?" Shizuru didn't understand now why Mai was gaping at her as if she had grown two heads. "Was it something I said?"

"Who," Mai repeated a little louder while beginning her service, "who are you and what have you done to my best friend! The Shizuru I knew didn't care what happened in romance!""

Faintly smiling, Shizuru finished the game with a top spin and then walked towards the benches to get her bags for the tennis camp. "Well, I did learn a thing or two from you. By the way, it's eight 'o clock already. Atobe-senpai said we have to be at the bus at eight thirty so we can get a good head start."

Looking her watch, Mai went towards the benches and slung her bag on her shoulder. "Yeah, I bet he told us that so that dear "ore-sama" won't be kept waiting."

Swinging the door, Shizuru began to walk out until she heard something slam into the wired fences. "What was that?" Mai ran towards the captain in shock.

Without a word, the captain rushed towards the source of the sound and there was Isane firing her services, forcing herself to make her services much faster and much more accurate. "I don't think that's a good idea, she could rip something open again." A voice came from behind them.

Ayane was heavily breathing after all the laps she had done. "I did a hundred without stopping and now, I feel like my legs fell off."

Mai smirked at the tangerine haired vice captain. "Well, it's your fault for getting into a fight with your doubles partner."

Kiyone was draped on Haruka's back. "This one's completely out like a light and I think she fell asleep after her hundredth lap. So, should we go or wait til Isane's broken a couple of tennis balls?"

Shizuru walked downstairs nearly startling the towering senior. "Isane-senpai, we have to go now."

Jumping up in shock, Isane accidentally fired her service towards the line but it was out. "Ah, I'm sorry! I must have forgotten about the time!"

"It's okay, question is: are all your things set?" Shizuru looked at Isane's messy tennis bag.

Running towards her bag, Isane then began stuffing everything in without any care for organization and slung it over her shoulder. "I'm ready to go, Shizuru-buchou."

Before they could leave the court, they heard someone slam the door open. "Kobayagi, ore-sama would like to have a word with you."

Knowing this would erupt into a world war, Ayane had a smirk on her face. "Alright, spit it out, you narcisstic brat."

"In private," the words seethed through his teeth and his icy blue eyes glittered dangerously.

Shrugging nonchalantly, the first year vice captain walked with Atobe out of the court while the other five stared at them as if the world decided to end today. "There's a ninety percent chance that Atobe and Ayane are going to argue about the news this morning."

Haruka nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Momo, Hitomi and Rin behind her. "Waah, don't do that, Hitomi-chan! What news are you talking about?"

Rin showed her a newspaper. "Kobayagi Industries is now fusing with the Atobe Group so, that means they'll be spending a lot of time with each other and we know what happens when Ayane and Atobe are in the same room."

Kiyone waved her arms in the air. "Everything will go kablooey!"

Rin ruffled the smaller girl's hair. "Yeah, that's right. I don't think pandemonium will measure up to what Ayane and Atobe can do together."

Hitomi saw the Hyotei bus parked outside. "We better go; I don't think we want to keep the driver waiting."

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"Atobe, what is it you want! You keep spouting off ore-sama this and ore-sama that, do you want me to slug you to death!" Ayane was furious with Atobe as always.

The king of Hyotei wasn't sure now on how to pacify the very pissed off first year captain. "All ore-sama wants to know is – did you even bother reading the news this morning?"

Grabbing the newspaper from her archrival and senpai, Ayane then began to glance over it word per word. Her eyes widened every moment and she could've sworn that she would rather cough out her lunch and get eaten by a piranha than read the news. "What are they doing! I thought the Kobayagi Industries and the Atobe Group were rivals! It has always been that way!"

Atobe checked his watch and glowered at the first year. "For once in your life, stop yelling at ore-sama!"

The latter however screamed back at him much louder. "For once in your life, stop calling yourself 'ore-sama'! You sound like some retarded five year old!"

How long they've been fighting was a complete and utter wonder to others. The fact that there was someone who hated Atobe's guts inside out was what truly had shocked Hyotei. Sure, he was an arrogant prat but he lived up to his boasts pretty well. This freshman however, didn't seem to care about his achievements and focused mainly on something that he was bad at: attitude. The senior was zealous no doubt about that but the fact the way he treated people was the one thing that often dissed Ayane off.

"Ore-sama does prefer using this title. He is a magnificent person after all," Atobe flipped his hair back.

"Magnificent? More like the worst! If you're magnificent, I hate to see what worst is like," Ayane flounced away in annoyance. "By the way, we got practice, you dim bulb. We better go."

"Arn~, you could at least call ore-sama something else like – Atobe-senpai." The senior never understood why she had never given him respect.

Laughing mockingly, Ayane turned around with a smug smile. "I'll call you that when you act like one, boy."

How that mock annoyed him! But he remembered the time when Ayane was getting warm towards Marui of Rikkai Dai, that moment also tempted him to ask Yukimura to make him run laps til his legs fall off but something stopped him. Atobe couldn't remember what but there was something that made him stop.

That's because you like her, don't you? You want to show that ore-sama can be different, right?

That question mocked him over and over again to the point he felt like he was going crazy. Atobe remembered the first time he had met the girl; she wasn't anything like this. She looked so innocent in a pink dress with a pink ribboned bonnet and holding a posy of roses. Atobe even remembered that the girl had looked so cute to him on that day to the point the king couldn't approach her.

"Atobe," a voice called out to him. "Atobe, how long will you space out!"

Despite being shocked by Gakuto's insanely piercing voice, Atobe maintained his holier-than-thou attitude. "Arn~, ore-sama has more important things to think about other than you. What do you want?"

"The bus is leaving and," Ohtori timidly checked his watch, "it's nine thirty. The girls are waiting for us there."

Atobe, hauling over his bags, recovered from his earlier shock from Ayane. This time, things were going to be different because getting Ayane really required strategy. "Ore-sama knows that, he was just thinking of something important."

0000000000000000000

The moment they call climbed into the bus, the whole place broke out into a cheerful chatter with once in awhile petty fights. "I'm so much better than you in acrobatics!"

"Nu-uh, go eat your socks, Gakuto!" Rin threw a pillow at his face.

Ducking, the magenta haired acrobat grabbed another pillow and threw it at Rin. "Stupid girl, you don't even know who's better and you're telling me to eat my socks! I think you should be the one!"

Shizuru took a seat next to Mai while watching the scenery pass by. "You know, we never finished that game."

Mai shrugged while plugging herself into her iPod. "Yeah, but I'm sure we'll be able to. The fact that you broke my Jazz Tennis and stopped me midway was something that taught me that I'm not ready for you yet. You'll probably hold back on me so, I'm going to train hard until I can make you play your heart out."

Smiling faintly, Shizuru began listening to her iPod also. Closing her eyes, she remembered the song that her mother used to sing before what had happened. "Heart don't fail me now, courage don't desert me…"

"You're singing again," Mai had a huge grin on her face. "Is that the iPod I gave you for your birthday?"

"Mm," Shizuru nodded nonchalantly before resuming the song.

Ayane on the other hand wanted to stay far away from Atobe as much as possible. "Why am I feeling this way? Whenever I used to yell at him, I used to get angry and just spout off for the simple fact that he's breathing but now, I find myself feeling hurt. No! Kobayagi Ayane, you will not fall for a narcisstic brat like Atobe Keigo! The day you fall in love with someone like that is the day pigs begin to fly and Shizuru-buchou gets a statue for a boyfriend!"

"Wow," her shorter doubles partner opened her sports magazine, "Mole diva-san has a big effect on Yane-Yane. I bet they're gonna end up together! It's so cool - I mean, the place will be totally purple and everyone will be doomed to.. what was the word?"

Hitomi sighed while leaning back. "It's oblivion, Kiyone."

"Yeah, what megane-senpai said," Kiyone grinned as she started munching on a chocolate bar.

Ayane thwacked the younger on the head. "Kiyone, will you stop talking about that? Just keep reading your magazine for once!"

Shrugging, the smaller one buried her nose into the magazine again. "Awww~ but, you guys look cute together, Atobe Yane."

Atobe's ears perked up at the sound of that and Ayane just screamed loud enough to break windows. "WH-WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!"

"I said nothing," Kiyone calmly flipped over another page of the magazine.

Hitomi began scribbling madly on her notebook. "Theory seven hundred sixty of Kobayagi Ayane: she flares up and at the same time blushes when the latter hears her name and Atobe's stuck together."

"Hitomi-senpai," the vice captain couldn't help but whine at her predicament. "Don't do this to me!"

Isane laughed softly while Haruka and Rin were hooting with laughter. Momo couldn't stifle her laughter well enough while the two matchless stars were in front trying to manage their laughter. Fair enough – Mai began chortling with laughter after awhile whereas Shizuru giggled softly at the vice captain's predicament. Soon, the boys followed after and Gakuto's face was streaming with tears. "That's hilarious! Atobe Ayane, get a room you two!"

Oshitari couldn't help but also be amused. "That doesn't sound bad now doesn't it, Atobe?"

The king of Hyotei snorted. "Now, why would ore-sama be so interested in someone like her?"

"Yay, Yane-Yane's going to order so many sweets," Kiyone flipped over a page. "Black-senpai, look! I found something here!"

Rin hooted in laughter. "Kuwee~, it's exactly how Atobe and Ayane would have it!"

Haruka couldn't help but snicker. "Actually, the prices are affordable for their families that is..."

"Don't push the issue, midget!" Ayane lunged for her doubles partner and began trying to grab the magazine.

Now, the captain of the female team began pinching the bridge of her nose. "And here I thought I would get a moment of peace."

Laughing at Shizuru's expression, Mai couldn't help but point out. "With the way you're pinching the bridge of your nose, you're actually starting to be like him..."

The captain's face resumed to the faint smiling one. "What did you say?"

Momo loomed over from behind the two. "Yeah, you're starting to look like him. That's enough because the only thing you're lacking is the 'tarundoru' expression of his."

Shizuru opened her book and began massaging the bridge of her nose. "Just go back to your seats, guys."

Mai now was laughing like anything. "First, it's Rikkai Dai's statue and now it's Seigaku's statue! Has it ever appeared to you that you're even beginning to act like them?"

"A captain is someone who should remain strong," Shizuru noted while using a stoic tone, "also, their emotions are secondary to the welfare of the members."

Ayane nodded in agreement. "Yeah but I think Atobe's case is a total exception don't you think? A total mole diva who thinks the whole world revolves around him only, that's who he is."

Hearing Ayane's words, Atobe now seemed a little more determined to see what made Ayane tick and what made her think so badly of him in the first place. Though he was normally not that conscious about the image he projected to other people, Ayane seemed to pose as a more complicated and even more different situation than before. "Why am I so desperate to please her? Ore-sama was never like that, arn~."

"Maybe it's because you like her." Oshitari was now looming above Atobe with a smirk.

Now, that was just plain stupid in Atobe's opinion. "Ore-sama does not associate with commoners like Kobayagi!"

"Think about it: how long have you two been fighting?" Oshitari tilted his glasses a little.

Atobe didn't want to give Oshitari ideas. "It's none of your concern, Oshitari. Go do something stupid with Gakuto or something."

Oshitari however wasn't the type to give up. "Again, I ask: how long have you two been screaming at each other?"

"Ore-sama doesn't scream!" Atobe stood up, frustrated all over.

The kansai prodigy however knew exactly how to nab and rile Atobe. "You just did, Atobe."

Feeling unnerved by the kansai prodigy, Atobe walked towards the other side of the bus and sulked there alone. While Ayane was busy teasing her buchou that Shizuru was starting to act like the two famous statues, Atobe couldn't help but wonder. "What makes Ayane's mind tick? How does she even know what I'm going to do before I can do it?"

"We're here at the camp!" A loud voice boomed from the other end.

Atobe, thoroughly relieved, stepped out while hearing the girls' team tease their buchou and fuku buchou on how much they're beginning to act like certain people. Even he noticed that Shizuru had grown to answering some people monosyllabically. "Arn~, since when did Shizuru start talking like that rival of mine anyway?"

"Wow! The place is huge!" Rin squealed as she got off the bus.

Haruka's eyes widened at the scenery. "Whoa, they even have a five star hotel here! I mean – this place looks like it can hold a ball here!"

Ayane snorted while making her way in. "Che, as expected of the Atobe family. They don't want their baby to get all cold and hungry."

Atobe heard that comment but surprisingly, he didn't snap back or make any sharp retort. The king was too deep in thought to make much of a fuss until the younger captain made her way next to him. "Thank you for letting the team join in, Atobe-senpai."

Snapping himself out of his thoughts, Atobe saw the honorific captain walking past him and following behind her were the other Hyotei regulars. "Arn~, ore-sama would obviously want the best for Hyotei. After all – the Kantou Regionals are coming up and we have to be prepared."

"Ah," there it was again, Shizuru's monosyllabic reply.

Wanting to slap himself on the head, Atobe could have sworn she went to Seigaku for a short period of time or Sanada must have brainwashed her or something. Both his rivals answered monosyllabically and now, the female captain was talking like that. Heaven forbid that Ayane would start talking like that! "Arn~, give ore-sama a direct answer. He hates one syllable replies."

"Dozo gomenasai," Shizuru bowed her head low and walked ahead of him now.

Oshitari then walked next to the king of Hyotei. "So what are you going to do now, Atobe? You got one of the most powerful female captains in Kantou as your kohai and partner."

Atobe flipped his hair while walking towards the lobby. "Of course, ore-sama will make sure that Hyotei reaches the Nationals without any problems."

Shishido, slinging his bag over his shoulder, walked next to Ohtori. "Well, the girls won't have a problem – most of them are Nationals calibre and among us – I think you're the only Nationals ranked singles player. Ohtori and I are the doubles players while the others, it's kinda hard to predict especially when you have a moron like Gakuto in the team."

"Hey, watch it, cap boy!" The magenta haired acrobat lunged at Shishido.

Ohtori on the other hand tried to pry off Gakuto from his doubles partner while Jirou was hanging on Kabaji's back, sleeping like always. "Wow, this place is so big."

Hiyoshi tapped Atobe's shoulder. "Recognize that bus pulling up at the drive way?"

Atobe, turning around, couldn't believe the characters he saw on the bus and his eyes narrowed with annoyance. "Arn~, ore-sama wants to know how Seigaku got here!"

As expected, the Seigaku regulars got off the bus one by one and the freshman prodigy of Seigaku was the first to notice. "Senpai-tachi, take a look who's here in camp also."

Fuji had his usual smile when he greeted their rivals. "Wow, I forgot to tell everyone: this place is actually owned by the Atobe family. So, this place wouldn't normally be accessed."

"Arn~," Atobe ran his fingers in his hair. "As far as ore-sama is concerned, this place is only limited to celebrities and Hyotei. Seigaku shouldn't be here unless you somehow got some connections…"

Before Atobe could continue, Fuji held up a few coupons in his hand. "Nee-san gave these to me since they were from her client. She said that she had no use for it and maybe the team might have a better use for it than her so, here we are. I didn't know we're going to be spending time here in the camp."

"Wow, I didn't know Seigaku's Kikumaru was here too!" A cheerful voice chirped from behind.

Gakuto spun around to find Rin gleefully clapping her hands together. "I've always wanted to see another acrobatic style! Gakuto's style is lame you see and I wanted someone better to teach me a thing or two about real acrobatic play! I hope you don't mind!"

Kikumaru's face brightened up when he saw the black haired acrobat appear behind his rival. "Rin-chan, you're here too?"

"Yeah," she jogged towards him, "buchou got us a passageway to train even better! So, wanna train with me, Kiku-chan?"

The red haired acrobat pouted. "Mou~, don't call me that in front of everyone, Rin-chan! You're so hidoi,nyah!"

Gakuto however flared up at Rin's friendliness to the acrobat of Seigaku. "Hey, you're supposed to be training with us! Not with some low ranker acrobat like Kikumaru!"

"Actually, I think it's a good idea," Haruka walked over to her doubles partner. "It's nice to know different styles since Kikumaru-san also uses other moves aside from the Kikumaru Beam. I'm sure Rin and Kikumaru-san will get along just fine. Just how do you know him, Rin?"

Rin hugged the red head very tightly. "We were in the same acrobatics class! He is so much better than Gakuto, kuwee~!"

Kikumaru's face brightened even more. "You kept the 'kuwee'!"

"And you've kept your 'nyah'!" Rin jumped up and down like a hyperactive child.

Ayane greeted with a big smile. "Wow, so you're the famous Seigaku we keep hearing about! This is so cool!"

Now this hit Atobe's nerve, how could Ayane be so casual and cheerful towards their rivals and not even show a hint of rivalry or annoyance whereas she screamed at him everyday? "Your face is red, Monkey King."

Of all people to talk to him, the person just had to be Echizen Ryoma. "Hmph, you should go occupy yourself with something else, brat."

"I don't think you should talk to guests that way," Shizuru had her usual courtesy smile on her face. "I didn't know you would be here also, Echizen-san."

Tipping his cap down, Echizen had his usual cocky smirk, "Mada mada dane, Kurenai-san."

Fuji's blue eyes revealed themselves. "I believe we've met also, Kurenai-san."

"Oh, Fuji-san, it's nice to meet you here too." Shizuru kept her smile despite being a slightly bit edged by the tensai's smile.

Oshitari glowered slightly at the Seigaku tensai when he saw her getting very warm towards the latter. Shizuru was known to be polite but heck – the kansai prodigy hated it when she started getting closer to other schools. Tilting his glasses slightly, Oshitari moved closer to Shizuru.

"Fuji, do you mind if I drag her away from you for awhile?"

Though it was a little direct, the kansai prodigy would rather have her metres away from Seigaku's sadist.

"Sure, not at all." Fuji knew that Oshitari was getting a little uneasy.

Rin suddenly popped up with an idea. "Say, why don't we all train together? I mean – I'm sure we could learn a thing or two from the guys!"

Now that annoyed Atobe in an entirely new scale; the mere thought of him training along Seigaku pissed him off and imagining Ayane hanging out with Seigaku and laughing alongside them annoyed him to the highest scale. He wasn't the only one feeling this though. "Oshitari, you look like you're about to blow a fuse with that glower."

The kansai prodigy saw Shizuru talking freely to the Seigaku regulars. "The way I look is none of your business, Atobe."

While Momoshiro and Kaidoh got into their usual bickering, Kiyone soon began peeking out behind Isane. "You sure they won't bite?"

Patting her head, Isane nudged her towards the regulars. "It's okay; buchou's not getting hurt is she?"

Kiyone walked towards the arguing Seigaku regulars and let out a squeak. "Wow, we have a zoo~!"

The two stared at her awkwardly while her gaze produced a very poisonous aura. "Uh, who exactly is this shrimp?"

Kiyone puffed her cheeks up impishly. "I'm not a midget! I'm just a late bloomer in height, meanie!"

Momoshiro twitched at the little girl. "And who are you supposed to be anyway?"

Kiyone was ready to gnaw his leg off. "I'm Getsugan Kiyone, you meanie! My name isn't shrimp, porcupine-san and mamushi-san!"

Momoshiro clutched his sides, hooting in laughter. "Hah, she called you 'Mamushi'!"

Kaidoh glared at the dunk smasher. "Shut up, baka peach! She called you 'porcupine'!"

Momoshiro was about to shake the girl silly until Hiyoshi grabbed her arm. "Gekokujou…"

Stifling his laughter, Gakuto saw a little envy and annoyance glint in the ace's eye. "Ha, you're jealous of Seigaku? Get a grip, Hiyoshi!"

Inui then cut into the conversation. "It seems to be beneficial for Hyotei and Seigaku to work together. There's a ninety eight percent chance that we could increase in terms of playing skill."

Hitomi apparently agreed with Seigaku's data man. "This way, we can increase our chances of taking down stronger teams. There would be a significant change of at least thirty percent if we join each other in training."

Twitching once again, Atobe was in no mood to join Seigaku especially when it meant Ayane talking and conversing freely with Seigaku whereas she would rather scream at him. "Ore-sama isn't…"

"I think that would be a great idea. I mean – if we want to win the Nationals, we have to get stronger right?" Mai remarked off handedly with a somewhat 'innocent smile'.

Now, it wasn't really working out right because next thing he knew, Atobe found Shizuru talking casually to Echizen and Tezuka. "So, how long will you be staying?"

"Around a week or more," Tezuka's reply was short. "How did you manage to get here?"

Shizuru shrugged. "Atobe-senpai gave me an opening and he offered so, I took the offer. Besides, I don't want my team to fail their dreams and expectations."

Giving her a curt nod, Tezuka never knew that he could actually have a conversation with someone he hasn't known much. "Ah," –at first he was at a complete loss on what to say, "You're leading your team well from what I can see. When will you start training?"

"As soon as we can," Shizuru checked her watch, "while everyone else is flaring up, would you like to check out the place?"

Not noticing the flaring up teams, Tezuka saw the golden light of the sun tint Shizuru's brown hair and the moment Seigaku's captain saw that, he could have sworn that his face heated up. "Ah."

Before he followed her, Fuji had a smile on his face that said 'I-saw-that'. "Tezuka, you were blushing…"

"Fuji," The stoic teen turned around to make sure the tensai didn't see anymore.

The tensai knew about Tezuka's sudden interest in Hyotei's captain often trying to recap on a few things and even searching newspapers. Obviously, Tezuka was trying to remember something and Fuji knew something that he didn't back when they were in pre-school: he had met the girl once and even became her friend.

How the two became so dense was a complete mystery because Fuji remembered the times when that girl laughed, smiled and cried like a normal girl.

But now, that smile back was no real smile. He was definitely sure of that because no one could fool him.

That was simply a courtesy smile and when he saw Tezuka taking a look here and there, it made him chuckle. He was going to make those two remember before more complications came into play. There was actually one on his list already. One complication that went by the name Oshitari Yuushi, Fuji knew he had to somehow trigger their memory without them knowing that he was the culprit but the tensai remembered something.

Fooling Tezuka is a trick only done by true masters and sadists.

"So, how long have you been playing tennis?" Though the bespectacled captain felt it was a stupid question, Tezuka was still trying to remember where he had first seen her.

Shizuru looked at the clouds passing in the sky. "For as long as I remember, maybe, nine years? I'm not very sure. I haven't kept count."

"Ah," there it was again; one of his conversation killers.

The walk together again was silent until Shizuru found an open court. "Would you like to play a game with me?"

Tezuka didn't show the fact that he was surprised because not many girls asked him that question. Though as a sign of consent, the Seigaku captain pulled out his racquet and both players headed towards the court. People however went to the court when the two middle schoolers emitted this aura that said 'get-away-before-the-ball-gets-too-explosive'. Tezuka maintained his impassive face while Shizuru's had a very small smile on her face. "You start," she tossed the ball to him.

Tezuka was not known to hold back, even against a girl. Firing a no return serve, Tezuka aimed it at the corner of the service box which Shizuru saw through right away by returning it with a cross court shot. "Hmm, that was pretty accurate," her voice was soft yet stoic at the same time.

Returning her one handed backhand, Tezuka saw her play and unlike most girls, Shizuru didn't play for fandom. She played as if her life really depended on it and made sure every shot count. A small smile crept up his lips and here he thought that all girls were fan girl like. There were only a few girls who had their minds focused on tennis or something else asides from boys. "Ah."

The rally continued and subconsciously, both players began to speed up their attacks. Tezuka's forehand slid over the net by a mere millimetre while Shizuru did a top spin that could make people get irritated upon sight. The two didn't let up and it was only the first point, Shizuru's footwork increased and Tezuka's power began to increase too. Soon, Shizuru couldn't return the power that was coming from her opponent, "15 – love."

Seeing that her hand was shaking from the impact, Shizuru let out a soft sigh. "Well, I guess I should end the rally quickly if I want to keep my racquet from falling out of my hand."

Tezuka couldn't believe that someone who was a year younger than him and a girl to boot was forcing him out like this. A small smile made its way to his face and Tezuka began his service again when Shizuru waited for him at the baseline. Using the Subera Kagerou, Shizuru wanted to make sure he didn't have enough time to return it. "I'm glad that there are still players out there who are better than me. I always look forward to a good opponent when I play."

That was something he too looked forward to but also, Tezuka was concerned about the Nationals and the words of Yamato-buchou echoed in his head.

Become the pillar of Seigaku, Tezuka.

Those words never left his mind and he was doing a pretty good job in keeping Seigaku sane so far despite everything. Kantou tournaments were just around the corner and Tezuka knew that they couldn't afford to let their guards down, not even for an instance. "You're supporting your team very well."

"I have to," Shizuru smiled while she returned his drop shot with a fast volley. "I am their captain after all. They have supported me all my time in Hyotei and I cannot afford to fall short now."

Tezuka responded with another fast volley. "True but I'd also like to ask – how do you manage to get a couple of first years to play as if they've been playing for years?"

The female captain knew that he was referring to Ayane and Kiyone. "Well, some say it's the pure skill that comes from the both of them but I'd say it's trust."

Tezuka nodded stiffly while he returned the shot with a top spin. "Trust as a doubles pair."

"Yes, if you noticed, Kobayagi and Getsugan cannot play singles." Shizuru backhanded the shot towards the corner of the singles line. "They grew afraid of playing singles because of the senpai-tachi in school. The regulars however were kind enough to accept them and make the others acknowledge them."

Returning it with a heavy forehand, Tezuka noticed that now, her shots were getting a lot harder to repel because of the spin. "I may not be able to return the shot with the same amount of power you put," Shizuru returned it with the Subera Kagerou again. "But, I know for sure that I can nab a point by simply putting more spin."

When Tezuka did another top spin, Shizuru brought out the Ayame Gaeshi forcing it to make a forceful curve on the court, "Fifteen all!"

"The Iris Return and the Gliding Dragonfly," Tezuka remembered Souma Fuuka talking about one of Shizuru's signature techniques. "So far, no one has been able to replicate them."

Shizuru, returning to the baseline, had a faint smile on her face. "For now, there is no one but there is someone who can replicate my technique. My successor – rather will be able to."

"You're only second year and you have a successor?" Tezuka raised an eyebrow at the female captain.

Shizuru shrugged while firing back the shot. "Well, in a way, the girl is my successor and also my protégé. She's still in first year and I know with enough training, Getsugan will succeed."

"Ah," the situation reminded him of how him and Echizen discussing about the first year being a successor.

Shizuru returned the shot with her own backhand. "So, what will you do when you win the Nationals?"

Apparently, he hadn't given that much thought but now come to think of it, he just chose to go to high school after that or go to Germany to become a pro circuit player. With his grades, it was easy and Tezuka didn't need to worry much. "I plan to go to Germany after the Nationals."

"You're gonna go for the pro-circuit? That sounds good." Shizuru returned it with a forehand. "Though, paparazzi nowadays aren't as forgiving. They'll do anything to get a good story. Some are even willing to destroy the career of that person just so that they can get the story."

Tezuka fired back her shot with his own forehand. "That is why we shouldn't let our guard down. Don't leave any openings for them to find a story."

"But you know some people," Shizuru shrugged while firing another top spin towards him. "They can distort stories so well now that the public will believe it. We can't control what the public thinks now can we? After all – there's no crime in doing what your job demands you to do right?"

Shizuru did have a point but the captain was more focused on the game he was playing against the junior. "That is true."

"Thirty fifteen," Scoring a smash, Tezuka returned to the baseline to begin another rally. This girl was surpassing Souma Fuuka and sooner or later, she will probably be able to match up to Sanada if the female captain continued playing and training this way. But, there was something he noticed; now, her shots were getting much weaker than before. Her legs were swelling and soon, her footing started to get clumsy. Though to an unexperienced player, there would be nothing wrong but Tezuka spotted her footing right away. Despite the aching in her feet, Shizuru continued to play normally. "I know what you're thinking: this girl's playing and not caring about the fact that she might get crippled."

Tezuka froze for once and because of that, the shot glided past him, "Thirty all!"

Smiling faintly, Shizuru lowered herself for the next shot. "The reason why I don't care is because my team's dreams are what matter the most. Amongst the captains, one should remember that his or her health his secondary to their members' welfare. Well, there is an exception though, kinda like Atobe-senpai."

A chuckled bubbled at his throat; Atobe was known to be very narcisstic and vain and often did many things that portrayed him to be selfish. "But honestly," Shizuru returned his shot with a pile driver, "Atobe-senpai can be very kind to people. He's just more focused in staying in his holier-than-thou attitude."

Atobe could be kind? If someone heard that, he would blow a fuse right away. Returning her shot with a top spin, Tezuka made sure she was forced to return it to him. "I've heard a lot about you from Souma-san. She says you're an opponent worth fearing and losing to. Although, she wants to make sure that she wins again."

"Yes," Shizuru had a faint smile when she remembered one of her losses. "I'm sure that she wants to try but I'm not going to back down without a fight."

"Game, Tezuka: one game to love!" Tezuka never felt so tired in the first set and Shizuru was on the verge of slumping on to the ground.

Tossing the ball into the air, Shizuru had a small smile on her face. "Don't let your guard down just yet, Tezuka-san."

Her service was much faster now but didn't necessarily mean it was stronger. Tezuka returned the shot with much ease and made sure that there was no room for her to return but apparently, Shizuru still managed to return it with a backhand down the line, "Fifteen love!"

This time, the junior scored another point with a smash heading straight down, "Thirty love!"

However, the next point actually caught Tezuka off guard because lo and behold, his technique came back at him, "You used the Zero Shiki…"

"Yeah, but it's only the raw version, I just saw you do it several times so, yeah," Shizuru shrugged while she saw her shot smack into the net. "Oops, that was a bad shot."

"Thirty – fifteen," Tezuka fired a backhand until he felt cramps in his shoulder causing him to make the shot hit the net.

He wasn't the only one who noticed that however. "I think we should stop first. I don't want to destroy you before the Kantou tournament." Shizuru was ready to walk off the court.

"It's alright," Tezuka took a breather for a moment to alleviate the pain. "I can still continue."

Though reluctant, Shizuru simply did top spins and under spins to make sure he won't be able to get it. As an opponent, she knew what it was like to know that her opponent was giving her an easy time. So, she cloaked that thought by sending off a series of Ayame Gaeshi and Subera Kagerou in order to stop him midway. "Game, Kurenai: one game all!"

He now saw that she was getting more serious. A small smile curved up in his lips. "At least you're not the type to pity."

Shizuru was about to say that she was actually giving him an easier time but the captain snapped her mouth shut instead. "Well, won't it be annoying if you realize that your opponent is going easy on you?"

Tezuka picked up the ball to serve. "Ah."

Firing his service, Shizuru darted to the left side to deflect it while Tezuka returned it with a drop shot, "Fifteen love!"

Another rally ensued and Shizuru used her Ayame Gaeshi to save her another point, "Fifteen all!"

Tezuka fired his zero shiki drop shot but not without his arm cramping in pain, "Thirty fifteen!"

Shizuru jumped high into the air to fire another smash, "Thirty all!"

Not one of them wanted to let up and the annoying part for both of them was the fact that they had to play a deuce thrice in the same game. Tezuka backhanded the ball, sending it right towards the edge of the baseline. "Advantage: Tezuka!"

Breathing heavily, Shizuru still maintained her faint smile. "Wow, this is actually… thrilling…"

Tezuka couldn't come up with a better word than that. He too had to admit that the game was very intense and enjoyable. "Ah."

This time, Tezuka did the true form of the zero shiki drop shot, leaving it inches away from Shizuru. "Game, Tezuka: Two Games to One!"

Shizuru picked up the ball with a smile. "Wow, that's a nice way to end your service game. Well, I'm glad I met someone who would take me seriously. Most of the time – I have to dress up as a guy just so the guy opponents will take me seriously and pull out all the stops."

Tezuka was a little shocked by that revelation. "Ah."

Laughing softly, Shizuru tossed the ball into the air. "Alright, here I go!"

The serve was no ordinary flat serve; it was a curving serve which would piss off any unexperienced player but Tezuka managed to return it until she used his own technique against him, "Fifteen – love!"

Soon, no matter where Shizuru fired the shot - it returned back at him. Narrowing her eyes, Shizuru ran straight for a volley but it didn't zip past him either. Feeling her legs pinch together, Shizuru forced herself to run until she nearly fell over causing her to lob.

Tezuka fired a smash right down the line causing her to back track a little, "Fifteen all!"

Shizuru fired a forehand which made its mark at the corner of the singles line, "Thirty – fifteen!"

Everyone who was at the club was now watching these two middle schoolers bring out the best in each other. They stared and gaped in awe; their tennis was no match for these two and if the captains ended up as doubles partners then, the people knew that loss would not be an option for them; it would be a prediction and would rather forfeit. The two captains however played as if there was no one around and the solid sounds cracked off their racquets and echoed in the entire court area.

Shizuru did a backhand smash which forced Tezuka to move back but wasn't able to react in time, "Forty – fifteen!"

The next one was a purposely done bad bounce. Most of the time, the ball wouldn't bounce properly if there was something wrong with the surface but Shizuru made it so by doing a clip on the ball thus forcing it to bounce very low, "Game, Kurenai: Two games all!"

Breathing heavily, Shizuru then looked at the bleachers which were now full of people. "Wow, we attracted quite a crowd."

Tezuka picked up the ball when Shizuru resumed to being serious. "Well, better start your service, Tezuka-san."

"Wow, this place is so big!" Kiyone exclaimed when she saw a huge Chocolate Malakoff cake. "Their desserts look good too!"

The place was not just a club but rather, a hotel. There was an integrated sports club, a restaurant rating five stars, their rooms and services were also five stars and the place was beyond magnificent. Hitomi then began doing the math. "It must have taken five billion yen for the Atobe family to build this."

"There is also a ninety percent chance that Atobe also has hired chefs from all over the world, ii data." Inui too began scribbling on his notebook.

The two data players looked up and with a smirk, they began comparing notes. "There is a one hundred percent chance that Shizuru-buchou is nowhere within the premises of the restaurant and bar."

"Another one hundred percent chance that Tezuka is with her." Inui responded with a smile.

Both teams stared at the data players as if they've grown five heads and their brains grew bigger than they should. "I think we should go check out the other things," Kawamura scratched his head sheepishly while the regulars and the others spread out to explore.

Ayane took a look at one of the figurines and then, someone glomped her from behind. "Hey, Ayane-chan, what are you doing?"

The tangerine haired girl held up an angel figuring made out of confectioner's sugar. "Doesn't this look cute?"

"It sure does," Oishi tried to pry off Kikumaru from Ayane's back. "I'm Oishi Syuuichirou, this is Kikumaru Eiji. I'm sorry for him glomping you."

Ayane laughed it off. "Its okay, Rin-senpai does that to me all the time too! I'm Kobayagi Ayane, vice captain of Hyotei!"

Kikumaru squeaked when he saw another angel carved by confectioner's sugar. "Sugee~, I want one too nyah!"

Oishi had to try and calm down his doubles partner. "Eiji, don't just go off grabbing things!"

Kiyone pointed to the other side of the counter and ran towards there immediately. "They have cupcakes with pistachio frosting!"

Ayane's eyes widened while she watched her doubles partner go for the cupcakes. "W-wait, don't go there! Don't run off, Kiyone!"

The two vice captains exchanged looks with each other and began laughing. They couldn't believe that they were doing the same thing about their doubles partners. "So, how long can Eiji last without causing a ruckus?"

"Barely a day," Oishi laughed while watching the red acrobat, Kiyone and Rin gaze at the sweet treats. "How do you manage to control Kiyone?"

Shrugging with a sigh, Ayane watched Kiyone gaze hungrily at the cupcakes. "I don't know. I just do damage control whenever things get ugly."

Unknown to the vice captain, Atobe was there watching her with a cold icy gaze on Seigaku's vice captain. He didn't like the fact that she was getting too comfortable around Seigaku and also the fact that she was smiling at him. How this unnerved the king of Hyotei but Atobe realized that he wasn't the only one uncomfortable. Shishido and Ohtori were looking for Shizuru while Oshitari somehow had an idea of where the captain had gone. His gaze went to Fuji but as if knowing that, the sadist shrugged his shoulders and continued looking around. However, only then did Oshitari realize that Shizuru was with someone who was beyond his calibre. "You finally realized who's missing?"

Turning around, he saw Gakuto holding a crème brulée in one hand and an ice cream in another. "Yeah, Seigaku's captain is missing too," Oshitari quickly began searching for the brunette.

Gakuto poked him. "She might get converted into a Seigaku, Yuushi."

"I know," Oshitari let out a sigh and began looking at the deserts. "Does she eat anything sweet?"

Gakuto shrugged. "I don't know – Tamago sushi?"

"Haha, very funny, Gakuto." The kansai prodigy rolled his eyes while looking at the deserts. "Does she eat cookies?"

Ohtori glanced at his doubles partner. "Shishido-senpai, do you think that Shizuru went off to find a court?"

"That would most likely be true," Shishido began searching also, "because I don't see her anywhere at all."

Atobe looked at Kabaji. "Go fetch Kurenai and Tezuka, Kabaji."

"Usu," the second year student left with Jirou on his back while Atobe kept his eye on Ayane.

"I can't let her be converted into a Seigaku," Atobe hissed inwardly at himself, "ore-sama won't let it happen. The mere fact that she's talking to that vice captain is actually making ore-sama's blood boil."

Hiyoshi tapped his captain on the shoulder. "You ought to not hiss too loud. People might hear you."

Cussing to himself quietly, Atobe walked over to Ayane. "Arn~, what is that you're holding?"

"Just a confectioner sugar angel, brat," Ayane's reply was always curt and short.

One would have thought that she was born to torture Atobe but somehow, the king didn't notice that her face was flushing red. "Why am I feeling this way? No, you're not going to be like one of those fan girls, Kobayagi Ayane! Calm down and sort your thoughts!"

Atobe looked at what Ayane was holding and was able to conclude one thing. "Kobayagi likes things that relate to angels. Interesting… wait, why is ore-sama now sounding like a stalker?"

"Game, Kurenai: five games all!" Shizuru and Tezuka were now at the end of their ropes. They forced themselves to play hardcore and never realized how long they were taking to finish their game. "He's one of the very few who can push me this far. I like the way Tezuka-san plays – you can actually bring out your all without fear." Shizuru received Tezuka's service again with a backhand.

Tezuka on the other hand was thinking almost the same. "Her style is an all-rounder; not only that, she doesn't hold back. Most girls would just slump down and act like fan girls towards Atobe. I'm surprised that's she only addressed him as Atobe-senpai. Most girls would say his name as if he were a god or a king. She is someone Souma-san needs to be aware of. The thing is – where have I met her? I know I saw her somewhere but where?"

The rally's speed increased indefinitely and soon, Shizuru's feet couldn't take the speed anymore and she fell flat on the floor in attempt to return the shot, "Fifteen – love!"

Feeling the numbness in her feet, Shizuru tried to fight it off but she could also feel her legs breaking upon the fatigue and energy put on it. "I can't stop, not when I'm so close."

Tezuka was about to walk to her until she stood up with a smile. "I'm okay, we can continue!"

For the first time, Tezuka met someone with a passion of tennis like his. Shizuru didn't whine like most girls and was even getting up to take in another pounding. He admired her spirit that's for sure and the captain of Seigaku was starting to think how many times he had begun to stereotype girls into fan girl types until he met this female captain. "Most of them were fan girls. Kurenai-san sticks out like a sore thumb in the middle of all the fan girls if you put her in a room."

This time, the ball whizzed past Shizuru and landed right in the middle of the service area, "Thirty – love!"

Shizuru closed her eyes as the next service flew in and with a well timed clip; she gave the ball a heavy top spin which spun in a curved motion, "Thirty – fifteen!"

Tezuka fired another heavy service which when she tried to return, it smacked into the net, "Forty – fifteen!"

Shizuru however was not going down without a fight and proved it by firing her Subera Kagerou, "Forty – thirty!"

"You're putting a lot of pressure on your right leg," Tezuka noted while Shizuru began taking a breather.

Shizuru didn't pale at the revelation. "I know that."

The fact that she wasn't the least intimidated proved to Tezuka that to her, her leg didn't matter anymore. She just wanted to win and do what a captain is supposed to do. It kind of reflected on how he used to be and the passion they both held for the game. Shizuru was determined to take this game to end, even if it was just a mock game. Her auburn colored eyes reflected a kind of arrogance that was seen only when the Hyotei captain played a game and made most of her opponents look like as if they were nothing to begin with. On her end however, Shizuru looked at the fierce stony glare from his hazel orbs which meant that Tezuka was serious. Apparently, both captains liked it better when their opponents played their very best. "You're not like other girls," Tezuka remarked off handedly though he berated himself for that after grabbing the next game from her with a forehand. "Game, Tezuka: six games to five!"

"Yeah, that's what everyone tells me." Shizuru began her service while Tezuka returned it with a backhand.

From what they remembered, none of them were able to break each other's service games. Tezuka now was able to counter the Subera Kagerou by hitting it before it touched the ground. "Your style is very similar to someone I know."

"Really, there's someone with a similar style? Who's style then?" Shizuru did another Subera Kagerou.

At first, Tezuka thought that her playing style was similar to Fuji's but somehow there was something that irked him a little. Her movements sped up every few minutes, her shots increased in power every few shots here and there and despite the soreness of her leg, she had a lot of consistency. That was the only time Tezuka realized what he was doing: the captain was now playing against someone with his style of play but with a few modifications. Receiving another service, Tezuka fired another backhand towards her but his shoulder started to ache again. "Keep on going; don't let your guard down," the thought replayed itself in his head.

Shizuru's legs no longer could take another heavy shot fired by Tezuka because several times, her racquet was blasted off her hand, "Fifteen – all!"

Tezuka knew that there was an opening but in a way, he didn't want to take advantage of it, "Thirty – fifteen!"

Shizuru forced herself to jump to do another smash, "Thirty – all!"

Doing another Zero Shiki Drop Shot despite the chronic pain in his shoulder, Tezuka managed to gain another point, "Forty – thirty!"

Then again, that didn't stop Shizuru at all especially when she did another Ayame Gaeshi, "Deuce!"

Realizing that their techniques were no longer working, both captains resumed to out powering one another. Shizuru fired forehands and constantly forced herself to move while Tezuka fired another backhand to repel most of her forehands. Finally, Tezuka did a top spin which his shoulder didn't react to at all, "Advantage, Tezuka!"

Shizuru began another rally and this was the final point. She had to end it or they were both going to be crippled but the captain's pride wouldn't let her lose. Finally, after sending off a backhand, her body just sank to the ground unable to move while Tezuka fired a forehand which smacked the top of the net and flew a little higher. The crowd watched in awe until it finally landed on Shizuru's side. Sighing, the female captain maintained her faint smile. "Game and match, Tezuka: seven games to five."

Walking towards her, Tezuka helped her up. "That… was a good game."

"Yeah, I think so too." Shizuru dusted herself while pointing at his swollen shoulder. "We might want to check that with the doctor. I don't think your vice captain's going to like it when he sees your shoulder as red as a tomato."

Tezuka raised an eyebrow at her. "Your vice captain wouldn't want to find out how you managed to make your leg that swollen."

"Well, that is Kobayagi after all. She's a worry wart." Shizuru hobbled a little to keep up.

Tezuka didn't want to hear another Oishi freak out if the vice captain saw his shoulder. "Same goes for mine."

Laughing softly, Shizuru beckoned him. "Maybe we should just cool off at the garden. It's much cooler there anyway."

-That's chapter 9! Please review!