(I don't own Prince of Tennis!)

Chapter 17 – Kantou Regionals: Pure Service

Despite the times Shishido had violent streaks, Shizuru couldn't believe he could get away with things like that. Ohtori, being the exact opposite, usually calmed him down before a wild gang fight came about but there were times when the taller regular lost his cool. Munching on a strawberry cheesecake, Shizuru watched the gray clouds part to reveal the sun. It had been raining lately and Shizuru thanked God inwardly that she didn't catch anything. Their position in the Kantou Regionals was crucial and right now – there were three hard contenders: Rikkai Dai, Seigaku and Jyosei Shounan.

"After reading about their winning streak," Shizuru put down a magazine she had been reading. "It's hard to imagine now a six games to love match between them. The captains are at my level and even though Kotetsu-buchou trained me well, I don't think I'm going to be able to go for a protracted game."

"Saa~, I didn't know you were out here," a voice came from behind.

Turning around quickly, Shizuru found Fuji with a camera in his hands. Ignoring her shock, the smiling tensai strode forward while taking a seat next to her. "Mind if I sit here?"

"No," Shizuru noted quickly. "I'm alone anyway."

The two sat in silence while Fuji showed her a few shots in his camera. "I took this awhile ago. You look good in these shots."

Shizuru looked through the gallery of pictures wherein her hair was blowing in the wind, a small smile and one even had her looking at the flowers. Sliding through the photos, Shizuru saw a few with Ayane and Kiyone with their doubles play, Mai practicing her Jazz Tennis, Hitomi plotting with Inui and a lot more of the Hyotei and Seigaku regulars. Shizuru eyed at him warily while shaking her head.

"Are you a stalker?" Shizuru bluntly stated while staring at him.

"Of course not," Fuji smiled innocently at the second year captain. "Why do you assume that?"

"You have pictures of people you don't even have a personal connection to," Shizuru noted while looking at the other photos. "Secondly, why would you get photos of us when you're supposed to be busy training for the Kantou Regionals?"

"Saa~, you're so serious," Fuji pouted innocently. "You're really like him or maybe you're just dense."

Shizuru raised an eyebrow at the tensai. "Who are you talking about exactly?"

Continuously smiling, Fuji was pretty intrigued by Shizuru's distrustful character. "I'm surprised that you're a captain despite you making assumptions like that."

"I don't always do this," Shizuru's gaze remained on Fuji's smile. "I only do this when I know that there's something wrong with the situation."

Fuji didn't know how Shizuru became so perceptive but he was surprised that despite having his eyes closed, she could tell. The captain quietly bowed to the tensai. "I'm sorry for being so blunt. I just didn't know a better way to phrase it…"

"It's alright," Fuji smiled bemusedly. "Though I'm impressed, you don't even need to look through my eyes to tell who I am."

Shizuru shook her head. "You shouldn't be. It's a curse more than a gift really."

"You have Insight?" Fuji tilted his head to the left.

"No," Shizuru shook her head. "I just have the ability to sense emotions from other people. From this, I derive conclusions about them."

"Interesting," Fuji couldn't help smile even wider. "Though, would you like to come with me? There's something I want to check out."

Shizuru stood up and followed after the tensai while Fuji took out his tennis racquet. "Would you like to play one more game before we call it in?"

Shizuru didn't say anything but pulled her racquet out as a sign of consent. Walking to the court, Shizuru recalled the brutal way Fuji had attacked Mai. Tennis is not a weapon; she thought while glancing at him, Fuji-san had no reason to vent out his anger on Mai. Lowering her stance, Shizuru waited for Fuji's service until she saw it was an underhand serve. Watching the ball vanish, Shizuru closed her eyes trying to pick it up. She swung he racquet and managed to hit the ball but only at the frame as it went out.

However, not wanting to stop the match, Fuji positioned himself for a Tsubame Gaeshi and chased after the ball. "Saa~, good try."

"Well, it was worth a shot," Shizuru volleyed it over to Fuji, left wondering why Fuji even bothered to chase the ball. "Why didn't you just let it go out?"

Fuji, smiling inwardly, sent the ball towards the left corner which Shizuru suddenly just flashed towards it. "Saa~, you sure live up to your name…"

"I have a name?" Shizuru returned the ball with a top spin drop shot.

Fuji forehanded the shot to the other end of the court, forcing Shizuru back to the baseline. "You didn't know?"

"As far as I'm concerned," Shizuru noted while backhanding the ball. "My only title is 'captain' of Hyotei Gakuen."

"Saa~, that's not true," Fuji had a wider smile. "Don't you know the girls who own the title 'Angel'?"

Shizuru smashed it down to the left. "Souma Fuuka-san is one and Kotetsu-buchou is one as well…"

"And you," Fuji did the Higuma Otoshi which landed on the baseline. "Didn't you know that you are one as well?"

Shizuru flashed at the baseline right away. "Well, titles never really mattered to me. They just make people more curious for their own good."

"True," Fuji forehanded towards Shizuru again.

Flashing at the net, Shizuru delayed her shot and returned it with a powerful top spin, not giving Fuji enough time to prepare a Tsubame Gaeshi. Shizuru knew that one mistake could end up making her lose but somehow, the way he played now was much different from the one against Mai. Unless he's giving me a handicap, she thought while returning the shot, but Fuji-san has no reason to. The ball flashed past Fuji, cracking at the intersection of the singles side line and baseline, "Love – fifteen!"

Fuji's eyes opened and saw the mark it had created. Shizuru-chan's so much like Tezuka, he chuckled inwardly to himself, and maybe that's why Tezuka likes her too. Fuji watched Shizuru return his shots with much ease and sometimes flashing here and there. "They have so much in common," Fuji smiled inwardly again to himself. "She's goal oriented, completely oblivious to everything else and an excellent tennis player and student. She's a female version except less stone faced."

Shizuru volleyed the ball across while Fuji returned it with a backhand top spin. The returns increased in speed when the two began volleying and Fuji followed it up with the Tsubame Gaeshi. Seeing that was coming, Shizuru caught it with a top spin drop shot which rolled and bounced back towards her, "Love – thirty!"

Fuji never realized that a girl would be able to push him to his limits. Then again, he lazily hit the ball only using the counters every now and then. Shizuru watched his playing style and noticed it almost immediately that Fuji was holding back. If there was anything that would piss her off, it was that men or her opponents don't take her seriously.

"Fuji-san," Shizuru's tone sounded polite and glacial at the same time. "Please use all your counters against me. I don't mind and secondly – I hate it when people hold back."

Fuji smiled at the brunette. "You're that observant?"

"It's not obvious to those who haven't played against players who do the same," Shizuru forehanded it towards him again.

Fuji smiled inwardly to himself while thinking of a plan. With the Shunpo alone, Shizuru had already sealed his Higuma Otoshi. The Tsubame Gaeshi was countered by her Subera Kagerou already and in other words, Fuji didn't have any techniques except the other one he had been working on. Fuji wasn't sure whether or not it would work but he tried it anyway. The ball spun straight up into the air causing Shizuru to halt in her steps.

"Triple Counter," Fuji's cerulean eyes gleamed with achievement, "Hakugei."

Shizuru saw it aim high and landed on the baseline bouncing back to him, "Fifteen – thirty!"

Glancing at where it landed and the pathway of the shot, Shizuru knew that this technique was the one Fuji was telling Mai about. It's really similar to the Kurosakuraso, she noted silently, the only thing different is that it lands on the baseline and bounces back to him. Shizuru watched Fuji return back to the baseline to serve, smiling faintly. She knew that Fuji was a tensai like Mai but the Hyotei captain never realized he would give her almost the same amount of thrill both Tezuka and Atobe gave her when they played. Flashing to the left, Shizuru hit towards an open spot flatly while Fuji backhanded it cross court.

"Fuji-san is quite an opponent," Shizuru backhanded towards the corner. "However, his level as a player is nowhere near Souma-san's right now since he's holding back. But, hopefully – someone could bring out his full potential. I don't think I'm going to be enough."

Fuji watched Shizuru give it her all and even noticed swelling on her left leg. "Saa~, she's giving it her all in this game. Flashing left and right like that puts horrible strain on the user but, why isn't Shizuru-chan reacting to the pain her legs are giving her?"

Shizuru smashed towards one end allowing Fuji to use the Higuma Otoshi. However, Fuji was shocked when she twisted her body in mid-air and smashed again, not giving him enough time to prepare another Higuma Otoshi. "Fifteen – forty," Shizuru landed on her feet. "It's instinctive isn't it?"

Fuji raised an eyebrow while Shizuru explained. "Your Higuma Otoshi, your body immediately presumes that the opponent can't return the shot anymore and so, you don't prepare another shot."

Shaking his head out of a daze, Fuji left his mouth slightly ajar when Shizuru became that specific with details. "You're pretty interesting, Shizuru-chan."

"Thank you," Shizuru mechanically returned the shot. "A lot of people tend to tell me that."

If I were to assess her performance right now, Fuji thought while backhanding the shot again. I'd say she's strong enough to deal with Sanada. Shizuru's speed was on a different level; Fuji could feel his legs numbing after three rallies and that wasn't normal. While Mai danced to a rhythm, Shizuru forced him to stress his legs so he wouldn't be able to return anything after. Fair enough – the effects showed themselves when his shot hit the net.

"Game, Kurenai: one game to love!"

Shizuru, inhaling deeply, took the ball while getting ready to serve. "I may be a girl but that doesn't mean my service sucks."

Fuji bent his knees to receive the shot. "I'm not underestimating you, Shizuru-chan."

"Subconsciously," Shizuru noted while tossing the ball into the air. "Most people tend to do that."

The service flashed towards Fuji which he didn't have enough time to back swing causing him to volley. Shizuru forehanded it towards the corners and Fuji managed to return them but not without feeling the numbness in his legs. The Shunpo match they had a few minutes ago whittled down his legs resistance twice as fast as they should have and Shizuru's consistency wasn't showing any flaw yet. Seeing a top spin, Fuji took this chance to double it. However, Shizuru tapped the ball the moment the Tsubame Gaeshi flew over the net instead of using the Subera Kagerou.

"Fifteen – love," Fuji breathed in sharply; Shizuru was giving him a good run and not many players could force Fuji far. "Saa~, that's quite impressive. But – how long will your legs last?"

Noticing that her legs were trembling, Shizuru gripped her left leg to alleviate the pain while biting her lip. How could things go downhill now? Shaking the thoughts away, Shizuru finally managed to stand up properly. "I don't feel any pain, Fuji-san. It's just a bit wobbly every time I use the Shunpo against someone very skilled."

"Thank you for the compliment," Fuji smiled a bit wider. "However – are you sure your teammates want you crippled?"

"They won't notice as long as I walk properly," Shizuru jumped up for a smash. "Besides, I'm very well capable of handling myself, thank you."

The smash echoed throughout the entire court area and despite using the Higuma Otoshi, Fuji saw the ball slide off his racquet. "Saa~, you're really different. Compared to most girls – your footwork is impeccable but not equal to the tensai; your strength is not equal to that of your vice captain and control skill is at par with the smaller girl's. However, what made up for all that was your consistency and strategic thinking…"

Because he was deep in thought, Fuji promptly missed a backhand heading behind him. "Thirty – love," the tensai's eyes glinted seriously.

"You're only using your true form now? I think you're going to have a lot of catching up to do then," Shizuru fired a no return serve.

Fuji swung his racquet but her service flashed past him, "Forty – love!"

Fuji couldn't believe that there was someone like Shizuru in Hyotei. She didn't seem to be like a fan girl either considering that even Atobe doesn't have much command over her. The Hyotei regulars had a great deal of respect towards her and one thing that everyone noticed: Shizuru was the most dense when it came to romance. It took her awhile to understand why everyone was disappointed when she got paired up with him. Shizuru however didn't have that normal girly giggle when she scored. Fuji gazed at her cold, serious and focused auburn eyes; Shizuru was not joking when it came to tennis. Sailing up into the air, Fuji managed to smash down at her left side, "Forty – fifteen!"

Shizuru dashed towards the right to score with a cross court top spin. "Game, Kurenai: two games to love!"

Fuji shook himself out of the daze. Shizuru was still second year and Hyotei had already won the Nationals for the girls so, she still had one more year to allow Hyotei a mark in history. Fuji now understood why Fuuka often had videos of Shizuru's games. No matter what happened – all her strategies were different. The one he saw when Shizuru played Tezuka was something way different than how she was playing now. Shizuru's top spins and under spins were hitting in so many patterns that there was no definite timing for Fuji to use. Sure I have the Tsubame Gaeshi but, Fuji thought grimly. It's going to take more than that against this girl.

"You seem to be thinking a lot to yourself now," Shizuru remarked offhandedly while volleying the shot to his left side. "Are you analysing my style or are you thinking about another game?"

"Love – fifteen," watching the ball slip past him, Fuji used his 'smiling face' again. "Saa~, I was just reminiscing in the past. I'm sorry… I'll be more serious this time."

"Don't fall back," Shizuru received his service again.

The rally intensified again with Fuji using the Tsubame Gaeshi twice in a row. Shizuru on the other hand continued using the Subera Kagerou to counter the Tsubame Gaeshi. However, Fuji fired a lob and Shizuru jumped for a smash. Glancing down, Shizuru noticed that he was ready to send the ball far end to the baseline.

"Fuji-san, your Higuma Otoshi is quite impressive but there is something wrong with that technique," Shizuru smashed towards the grip of the racquet causing him to let go. "There's another technique that can beat it: Hamutsu e no Rondo."

"Love – thirty," Fuji smiled at the younger. "Is that your technique?"

"More the courtesy of Atobe-senpai," Shizuru reminded herself to thank him later. "This technique's pretty useful when it comes to smash nullifying techniques. The Higuma Otoshi requires the smash to hit the sweet spot but the Hamutsu e no Rondo aims for the grip of the racquet."

Fuji fired the Disappearing Serve again causing Shizuru to narrowly miss it, "Fifteen – thirty!"

"Thirty all," Shizuru returned one of his services but he fired the Hakugei straight up causing Shizuru to miss it again. "Is this your real power?"

"Maybe," Fuji smiled evilly. "It's up to you to figure it out."

Shizuru, smiling inwardly and faintly, saw the Hakugei rise up again and used the Shunpo to catch up with it. "Most of your techniques," she jumped while smashing it down. "Send the shots towards the baseline when the opponent is at the net already. Quite a good strategy but what happens when another technique is able to counter the technique?"

Fuji performed the Higuma Otoshi. "Then, you just have to learn how to make good use of the technique, ne?"

"True," Shizuru flashed to the right side, backhanding the shot. "But it's better if you have variety…"

The ball curved awkwardly on Fuji's side and didn't bounce anymore. "So, that was the famed Ayame Gaeshi I've been hearing about?"

Shizuru nodded wordlessly. "However," Fuji's cerulean eyes revealed themselves. "I know how it works now."

"The top spin is so intense that it curves awkwardly," Fuji analysed the technique on the spot. "You flipped your racquet at least twice in order to do this."

Shizuru smirked while returning to the receiving end. "Well," –shrugging nonchalantly, "that's the gist and basic idea. You've seen my Shunpo, Subera Kagerou and Ayame Gaeshi. I plan to win this game – with those three alone."

"You contradict yourself then," Fuji remembered what she said a few moments ago. "You said that it was better to have variety."

"It is," Shizuru shrugged nonchalantly. "At times – it's best to keep the others hidden so no one will be able to tell when you're going to use the technique."

Fuji sent a forehand across with Shizuru flashing towards the right and returning with an under spin. Fuji brought out the Tsubame Gaeshi only to have it countered by the Ayame Gaeshi. Both players had to make sure none of the shots bounced off the floor and Shizuru flashed by with ease while Fuji had to lower his body completely to return the shot. This style's quite ambiguous, Fuji fired another lob into the air, no matter what I do – it's like she can return every shot with ease except the Hakugei. Unless, it suddenly hit Fuji, she's just waiting for the right time to strike.

A faint smile appeared on Shizuru's face after the Hakugei sailed into the air. "Just like the Kurosakuraso," Shizuru jumped up into the air. "You just have to hit it before it touches the ground."

Fuji got ready to bring out the Higuma Otoshi only to never hit it. "Thirty – forty," the ball limply dropped over the net right on his side while Shizuru landed with a faint smile.

"Saa~, you knew," Fuji let his racquet rest on his shoulder. "That's not a bad analysis for a second year student."

"Let's say," Shizuru walked towards the baseline again. "I just watched Mai often enough to know how that technique works."

"You mean – Nagisaki-san?" Fuji's cerulean blue eyes revealed themselves. "She knows how to use it as well?"

"No," Shizuru readied herself for Fuji's serve. "She's just played against two players who now how to use the technique very well. You're the original creator so – obviously there would be times, Mai would not be able to return the shot."

Fuji used a no return serve which Shizuru easily parried with a fast top spin backhand. Seeing the speed, Fuji had no other choice but to send it straight back at her. Shizuru fired a faster one towards Fuji which didn't give him enough time to prepare the Tsubame Gaeshi. The third top spin was even faster than the first two but Fuji managed to put some top spin into it in order to return fast. How is it that the speed gets faster and faster? Fuji wondered while returning an even faster top spin than the first three. I can barely return the first three and now – the speed's getting faster.

At the fifth spin, Fuji missed it after seeing it vanish for a few moments. The tensai looked at where the ball marked and at his racquet a few times. How did those top spins suddenly increase in power like that? Not only that – the speed of the shot is even more different than its predecessor each time.

"Game, Kurenai: three games to love!"

"You still haven't figured out what I just did?" Shizuru's voice cut through Fuji's trail of thought.

Fuji couldn't believe that his match was turning out so one-sided. Three games straight and this was the same girl who had played against Tezuka at par. However, Fuji noticed that her reaction time slowed down a few minutes later when the ball slipped past her. That wasn't a ball she couldn't return, Fuji noted while seeing Shizuru's legs tremble. I guess the longest she'll last is at least an hour more.

Shizuru knew that Fuji was analysing how long she would last. Her legs were giving out on how long the rally can go on and seeing this, Shizuru took in a deep breath. "I was saving this technique for the Nationals," she quietly noted. "However – Fuji-san is forcing the technique out and if I don't use it now, chances are I'll cripple myself even more."

Soon, the rallies turned out like that. An exchange of top spins and under spins caught the attention of many attendants, causing a crowd to gather at the bleachers. Fuji fired the Tsubame Gaeshi back at her while she tried using the Ayame Gaeshi however, she couldn't bend properly anymore. Shizuru gripped her leg to alleviate the pain and prayed that she would last longer than intended.

"Love – Fifteen," the arbiter declared in shock.

Despite that, Shizuru took back the score with a forehand that hit exactly on the baseline. Her body trembled due to her weak legs but that didn't mean she wasn't going to stop running. Shizuru forced more speed out of her legs causing Fuji to strain himself even more against the Hyotei female captain.

"Fifteen All," the crowd couldn't believe that they were even middle school students.

Fuji smashed right in between her legs, causing her to stumble but not fall backwards. She's doing pretty well for someone who's getting crippled, the tensai noted. Saa~, she does play like Tezuka though. Both play with no care in the world for their injury. Fuji watched her strategy change into something more aggressive and defensive at the same time. She guarded her left side well despite it being the source of her injury. Both of their speeds increased subconsciously as the next serve came about.

"Fifteen – thirty," the whole crowd worked up into frenzy.

Shizuru stole the point back with a backhand aerial smash. Jumping was really forcing her legs to do some extra work but Shizuru knew that if she makes one mistake – Fuji could easily overtake her. The Hyotei captain did a quick draw backhand causing Fuji to miss and slip.

"Thirty all," soon, the crowd was wildly cheering for the two middle school players.

"Saa~, it seems like we have a Kantou Regionals simulation," Fuji scanned the crowd while hearing the chant 'Fuji' repeatedly.

Shizuru remained silent for awhile while scanning the crowd who cheered 'Kurenai' over and over again. There she saw Atobe at the very back of the crowd. That's funny; he usually wants the front seats, Shizuru raised an eyebrow at that thought. So, why is it that he decided to take the backseat for now and watch my match with Fuji? He usually didn't care.

"Shall we continue," Fuji called for her to serve, his cerulean eyes glinting, "Shizuru-chan?"

Tossing up high, Shizuru smiled faintly. "Get ready – because this one's going to make sure we don't end in a deuce!"

However, Shizuru couldn't believe how wrong she was. Fuji returned both serves and her legs collapsed under due to their wobbliness. Wincing inwardly, Shizuru dusted her skirt while watching the ball roll towards her. She knew that Fuji was no small fry but then again – Shizuru didn't expect him to almost equal Tezuka.

"Game, Fuji: one game to three!"

Now the counter attack begins, Atobe thought while watching the two from afar. Fuji and Kurenai are working their way through; this is also good training for the junior. She may have beaten ore-sama but that doesn't mean that Fuji will be easier. In Seigaku, there are two matchless stars; Atobe smirked at the counter attack Fuji pulled out. There's him and Tezuka; Kurenai's in for it now.

Shizuru however didn't seem to feel the fear people usually felt when they faced a tensai. In fact, thrill over powered the fear and Shizuru brought out more of her potential every time. Because her legs were about to give, Shizuru decided to stop while letting the ball pass her every time.

"Game, Fuji: two games to three!"

The crowd stared in shock; why wasn't Shizuru moving anymore? The only thing she was doing was service and Shizuru was still in the lead. She wasn't breathing heavily but they saw how swollen her legs were. Fuji couldn't help but see a small smile return to her face. At first, he didn't understand it until the tensai realized her reason in doing so.

She was waiting for the right time to strike.

"Game, Fuji: three games all!"

"I just needed two games to fix up," Shizuru brushed her hair away from her face. "Thanks for giving me time, Fuji-san."

Atobe raked his hair, muttering. "Arn~, Kurenai, you're becoming reckless again."

Fuji didn't show the intimidation's effect however, Shizuru proved to be more powerful when her Shunpo came back. The tensai realized now that he was at the end of the rope and Shizuru was starting to make him look like he was nothing. Fuji then understood why Fuuka was so hell bent in training everyday; if Shizuru played this way and he had hell of a time, what more she? The Hyotei team despite having two first years were winning consecutively with Shizuru, Mai and the Dragon Pair alone. Fuuka was training both Vera and Sakuno so intensely that sometimes, the first year would collapse out of exhaustion. He remembered hearing that Shizuru was once a doubles player but the way she played now proved otherwise.

"Love – fifteen," the crowd saw Shizuru's famous Subera Kagerou as a decoy.

Fuji used the Hakugei to send it straight up but Shizuru jumped high enough to smash it all the way to the back.

"Love – thirty," Atobe smirked at the score; Shizuru was now making it one sided again. However, he wasn't paying attention to that. Atobe was more focused on Shizuru's expression because most players would be desperate to end the game. However in Shizuru's case, it was really different.

A smile that no one has ever seen spread across her lips.

"Oshitari," Atobe tossed his hair back, smirking to himself. "You better know how to give Kurenai a good game because that's what's going to earn you some points."

Shizuru's Ayame Gaeshi and Subera Kagerou gained the last two points from Fuji, causing a wild uproar from the crowd.

"Game, Kurenai: four games to three!"

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"Yuushi," Gakuto pestered Oshitari. "Are you sure you know what you're doing? You could start a whole war between Seigaku and Hyotei! Well, not that I mind but still! Shizuru-chan wouldn't want that!"

Shizuru-chan never liked violence but no one knows that there's someone to do it for her, Oshitari thought slyly. No one just waltzes in and sweeps Shizuru off just like that. It's amazing I hadn't heard any news of murder or torture yet from Atobe. Knowing Shishido, Oshitari breathed out and shook his head while thinking out how to put it through her thick skull that the incident made her a target for fan girls. He'd naturally kick anyone's butt if they either hurt Choutarou or Shizuru, piss him off in a match and other things that added to his stress list...

The kansai prodigy continued walking to the tennis courts since it was most likely where he would find the girl while recalling what Shishido told him that night.

Flashback

"So, were you able to tell her," Oshitari raised an eyebrow. "Or, does she completely understand that you're going to kick someone's ass if he tries something like that on her again?"

Shishido continued doing sit-ups. "Well, she knows. She's my best friend, obviously she'd understand how violent I could get."

"Did she ever tell you if she had affections for anyone," Oshitari began looking through a drawer. "Well, we could be putting her beauty to waste you know."

Shishido rolled his eyes, grumbling. "We're filters, Oshitari. I'm not handing the third of the Silver Trio to some lame jackass who can't get things right."

Oshitari hung a magazine in front of Shishido's face. "Considering that Shizuru's very tennis oriented, do you think she found someone amongst the tennis players that she truly likes?"

"As long as they're not from a second rate school or Seigaku," Shishido brushed the magazine away from his face. "I'm cool with it."

Oshitari flipped through the pages. "Let's try something... anything to associate with the name Shizuru. That could piece things together."

Shishido popped open a can of soda while sitting next to Oshitari. "Well, let's see...challenge, tennis, book, history, English, Geometry..."

"She hates Geometry," Oshitari pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

Shishido shrugged while drinking it down another can, smirking. "Hence the reason, she hates Geometry and therefore sucks at it."

"We all know that and besides, she's on borderline 85," Oshitari rolled his eyes. "So, is there anything else?"

Shishido leaned back, putting his feet on the table. "Well, if she would ever like a guy – it would be someone stronger than her, definitely. Most probably, it would take us a long time before we beat them... kinda like a hundred years?"

Flashback End

That narrows down the suspects, Oshitari looked through a list he and Shishido made. Definitely not Rokkaku or Yamabuki regular, the kansai prodigy slowed his pace down a bit. There are only several people here who can surpass her calibre or play at the same level: Myself, Sanada, Yukimura, Echizen, Atobe at some point and Tezuka though Fuji's quite an option. It's definitely not Echizen; they're not the same year and Echizen's too dense to even notice a girl's affections. Sanada's plausible, Fuji's not a good idea and I'm pretty good looking.

But you're forgetting Tezuka, Oshitari. Don't forget him.

He did say someone who's beyond her calibre. I mean – a hundred years may be a bit exaggerated but Shishido narrowed it down already to at least seven people. Only a few people are Nationals Calibre like the Rikkai Regulars, Atobe, Tezuka and I'm not sure whether or not to consider myself a Nationals Calibre player. So if considering looks and the height, there would be me, Atobe, Tezuka, Fuji and maybe... Goodness, I'm growing white hair by trying to figure out who she likes.

But, it would be worth the white hair if it was you.

"Shizuru's my favourite kohai and at least I know what she likes," Oshitari noted to himself again. "So, I better pray it's someone decent or so help me, I'm going to get moody again."

"Yuushi," Gakuto whined again. "You're spacing out and mumbling again!"

"Sorry about that," Oshitari replied absentmindedly. "I was just trying to discover Shizuru's mystery crush."

Gakuto shrugged. "For all you know – maybe he doesn't show that he's better. Maybe he's from a no namer school!"

Gakuto, you're an idiot sometimes, Oshitari wondered to himself. How did this guy become his doubles partner again?

"We can cross Atobe and Yukimura off the list," a grumbling voice echoed from behind. "Yukimura would turn her sadist and Atobe is a psychotic narcissist. Besides, what makes you think they like vampires and tennis the way she does anyway?"

The Dirty pair exchange glances. "Ryou," Gakuto poked the dash specialist, "are you sure it's Shizuru we're talking about or did we switch to Seigaku's Mouri Enma?"

Shishido shook his head. "She just doesn't dress Goth. If you're trying to get her a gift, get something that NOT is pink, fluffy and cuddly."

Gakuto once again pokes Shishido. "We're supposed to make her happy and perky; not make her more vampire-like!"

Before Shishido could respond, they hear a loud cheer from outside that even the other regulars gather together. Ayane dragged Kiyone with her who was still eating a caramelized apple, Isane was with Momo, Hitomi, Haruka and Rin were exchanging glances with a fork in their mouth. Most of the Seigaku regulars showed up also with Eiji having his toothbrush in his mouth. Hiyoshi was dragging Taki with him while Kabaji and Jirou showed up (obviously Jirou was sleeping throughout the ordeal) and even the female Seigaku regulars showed up.

"Where did that come from," Taki began surveying the area.

"It could be from outside," Fuuka noted while heading towards the door. "Hey, did you see Fuji-kun, Tezuka-kun?"

Tezuka noticed the blue eyed tensai was missing as well. "Fuji could be taking pictures for all we know."

A few moments after, Oshitari picks up his cellphone. "Atobe, where are you?"

"Watching a good match between the tensai and the angel," Oshitari could have sworn he saw Atobe smirk. "It's a good match. Kurenai's been playing more than her normal endurance. Fuji's already going down for the count. Five games to four, deuce with Fuji holding advantage."

"Who's five and who's four?" Gakuto happened to overhear Atobe's voice.

"Kurenai's in the lead," Atobe's drawl came out smoothly. "If Fuji fouls this up, Kurenai takes the game. Better yet – why don't you check your window?"

Oshitari looked out the window he was beside and saw Shizuru soaring in the air going for a smash. Despite the Higuma Otoshi, Shizuru sealed it with the Hamutsu e no Rondo. The kansai prodigy couldn't help but feel proud of his kohai for beating his counterpart. Then again, this was Hyotei's angel they were talking about. The very same freshman who, partnered with both Espada Kotetsu Naomiand Breeze Stepper Nagisaki Mai rescued Hyotei from losing its chance to reclaim the title.

"Deuce," another call was heard from the crowd.

Shizuru was the one who held service. Tossing up, she curved her service causing it to spin and bounce irregularly on the floor. Fuji couldn't return the shot; it was Tsubame Gaeshi in service form.

"Advantage, server: Kurenai!"

Fuji, biting his lip, knew he couldn't return a service like that. Unless he lowered his body to the floor but, that would cause him to have an opening and Shizuru would smash it right there and then.

"This is our last round," Shizuru called from the other side.

Fuji looked up to see a smiling Shizuru. "Let's make it last, okay?"

Feeling a tingling sensation in his spine, Fuji smirked while watching Shizuru serve. This time, it was just a normal serve which was fairly easy to return. The rally intensified instantly after the service with shots zooming back and forth. Some went cross court and even were short volleys. Fuji fired the Hakugei again but Shizuru jumped before it even touched the ground. Seeing the smash, Fuji repelled it with the Higuma Otoshi but Shizuru sealed it off with the Shunpo. Seeing the top spin, Fuji fired the Tsubame Gaeshi once again.

However, the ball rolled towards the net while bouncing back to Shizuru. "I guess – this game belongs to me."

"Game and match, Kurenai: six games to four!"

The whole crowd was in awe and Atobe couldn't believe what had just happened. "Kurenai was never forced above ten games. In fact – the opponent only gets one to three games from her."

Fuji, breathing heavily, saw a hand extended for him. "Are you alright?"

Fuji's cerulean blue eyes met with Shizuru's auburn eyes that gently gazed into his own. Most opponents would snigger and mock but Shizuru bent down to help Fuji up. The tensai now understood what Tezuka saw in her. Shizuru wasn't the fan girl type either; in fact – her denseness made the girl look obviously naïve. However, Shizuru hid more than that and the potential as a tennis player is what caught Fuji off guard.

Shizuru-chan's skill level is very different from Nagisaki-san's. Both their styles are different since Nagisaki-san attacks viciously at the baseline and Shizuru-chan is more the rotate type. That would explain how she can tackle all sorts of techniques since she's also an all-rounder. However, Shizuru-chan's injury is preventing the release of all her techniques. Sad to say – she can only last so long and if someone brings her to play a protracted game which I'm sure Shizuru-chan would accept without hesitation. The results could be disastrous.

"Are you alright," Shizuru's soft voice penetrated through Fuji's thoughts.

The tensai resumed to smiling like he usually did. "Saa~, I was just thinking about something. Shall we head back?"

"You did quite a job, Fuji," a deep voice called from the door. "Not many can push Kurenai like that."

Fuji and Shizuru saw Atobe leaning against the wired gate. "Kurenai's quite the second year don't you think?"

"Saa~, that's true," Fuji couldn't help but feel unnerved. "So, why are you here then?"

Atobe showed them his white gold watch. "I'm here to tell you both that you're about to miss the bus. You're lucky all your things are packed up already."

"That was a great game though," a kansai drawl answered from behind Atobe. "You really pulled out all the stops."

Shizuru smiled while taking a towel from Oshitari. "Thank you, senpai. But, I could only wish I did better. Some of my techniques are not good enough to beat his yet."

Oshitari noticed that she didn't point to Fuji. There was no reference to him either; it narrowed it down much faster. However, looking back on all the mock matches they had – she basically surpassed almost anyone except a few leading to one conclusion:

The only place where they had players with god-like calibre was from Rikkai Dai.

We have a lot of information gathering to do, Oshitari tilted his glasses a bit. Sanada couldn't be it, could it? No, Oshitari shook out that thought. He can't even get a word out of her, I bet then again, it doesn't hurt to keep him as a prospect. It can't be Yagyuu either – he hasn't really spoken to her except during the karaoke performance party of Nagisaki. However, the thought of it being Tezuka unnerved him even more that his poker face was giving away.

"Ore-sama is wondering why you're getting so riled up by something so simple," Atobe smirked at the kansai prodigy.

Oshitari adjusted his glasses. "Well, I was just thinking about something. Nothing related to the statement for that matter."

However, Oshitari thought differently from what he had just said.

There are only very few who can bring out her power. Most of them would be guys but after hearing Shishido talk about the way she thinks , I can easily narrow it down. There's Sanada, Yagyuu most probably in doubles, Tezuka's another, Fuji as I've seen now. But who can really push her to her limits?

But, it would be more Fuji, Sanada, Yagyuu and Tezuka now would it?

No, it can't be, Oshitari shook his head again. He looked at Shizuru converse freely with Fuji but then shook away the thought that she would end up with Fuji or Tezuka. The kansai prodigy dragged along his stuff while Shizuru trailed behind him.

"Senpai, is there something wrong?" Shizuru quietly placed her hand on his shoulder.

You have no idea how much stress you can cause by simply talking to a boy. "I'm fine, don't worry," Oshitari smiled at the kohai who didn't buy the lie.

Shizuru watched Oshitari climb up while looking back at the camp. Shaking her head, Shizuru knew that thoughts about romance were just going to distract her now. However, she couldn't help but recall only one game that made her feel like she was really having the game of her life.

"I don't know what's going to happen now but," Shizuru gazed into the sky. "We're going to win the Kantou Regionals no matter what!"

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

The week was pretty uneventful until the Kantou Tournament came around. Walking towards the grounds, Shizuru led her team into the courts wherein they would have their opponents posted on a bulletin board. Checking the board, Shizuru searched for the name of Hyotei Gakuen until it came down to several teams:

Preliminary Rounds:

Hyotei Gakuen vs. St. Rudolph (court A)

Yamabuki Chuu vs. Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku Chuu (court B)

Jyosei Shounan vs. Kamata (court C)

Seishun Gakuen vs. Fudomine Chuu (Court D)

Kakinoki Chuu vs. Taishaku Fuzoku Chuu (Court A)

Ramusen Gakuen vs. Yamakuga Chuu (Court B)

Mizuiro Chuu vs. Kasumi Daiyon (Court C)

Rokkaku vs. Ginka (Court D)

*many more are listed*

"So, lemme get this straight," Ayane looked at all the teams. "We beat all in Court A in order to kick the butts of those from courts B to D?"

"I guess that's how it works," Haruka noted while seeing Taishaku Fuzoku Chuu in Court A. "I guess we're playing my older sister after all."

Hitomi placed a hand on Haruka's shoulder. "Don't worry; it's not as if she's that strong is she?"

"She's a doubles player – my very first partner," Haruka glowered at the bulletin board. "When she moved school, she was pulled down one grade because of late transfer."

Shizuru nodded while walking towards Court A. "We can't loiter here, let's go do our games."

"Wait."

Turning around, the captain faced the playmaker of the Doubles Two pair. "Please," bowing down, Haruka begged her captain. "Please put me and Rin in Doubles One when we play against Taishaku!"

The black haired acrobat stared at her aghast. "Wha-, you're asking her to do a suicide note on our record?"

Haruka didn't budge until Shizuru asked her. "Are you sure you're willing to risk your career and relationship as a doubles pair?"

The whole team fell into a deadly silence when Haruka looked towards Rin. The black haired acrobat turned away ruefully while Haruka couldn't help but feel selfish. Rin and she had played Doubles One only once and even though they won, the pressure was horrible. Rin wasn't good with pressure and nearly peed during the game if not for Haruka's quick kill strategy. Haruka, sighing stood up, shook her head.

"I guess not," Haruka laughed ruefully. "Sorry to have busted your concentration, Kurenai-buchou."

Shizuru noticed a difference in Haruka's eyes. "Do you want to win because you want to step on your sister or do you want to win for yourself?"

Haruka's head shot up to face the second year captain. "I want you to contemplate on that before the game against Taishaku," Shizuru walked towards Court A with the others. "Your position in the roster will be based on your answer, Hikifumi-senpai. Please think about it carefully. As of now, Shimohi-senpai, will you be able to play doubles today?"

Glancing at Haruka, Rin turned away in disdain. "I don't play with people who want to win to step on people."

Shizuru shook her head, sighing. Her Doubles Two pair just decided to fight right before the tournament and luckily, there was no need to send in a roster so – she could easily make changes. Deep down, she didn't want to do this pairing but apparently – the Dragon Pair had quite a fall out.

"Nagisaki, Uchiha-senpai will be in Doubles Two," Shizuru noted with finality.

The whole team stared at her as if she were crazy. "Buchou, Mai's playing in Singles Two isn't she?"

"Not this time," Mai nodded seeing that Shizuru had a plan. "It looks like Hitomi-senpai will be taking my place today!"

Hitomi nodded with a smirk. "I don't think St. Rudolph should be a problem. Not many of them are Nationals players."

"Alright, the roster is simple: Momo-senpai will be playing Singles Three, Yamaguchi-senpai will be in Singles Two, myself in Singles One, Doubles Two: Nagisaki-Uchiha pair or the Sonic Pair and Doubles One: the Waltz Pair, Kobayagi-Getsugan. Do you have any objections?"

The whole team shook their heads until they heard someone sneer at them. "Well, well, well, look who it is: the new Kotetsu Naomi of Hyotei Gakuen."

Ayane spotted a group of girls in pink and silver uniforms. "Hey, aren't those Ramusen Gakuen Regulars?"

"Tch, they look all so weak," Kiyone tossed her head back, sniggering. "You have no right to criticize Kurenai-senpai since you guys would lose 6-0 to her either way!"

"She wasn't like that til Kotetsu found her," a girl with pink pigtails stood out. "Besides, I don't think we have anything to fear since she's a doubles player anyway, right?"

Ayane nearly lunged at them if not for Momo's strong half nelson, "Lemme at those losers! I'll show them who the sucker is!"

"Yeah," Kiyone glowered at the girls. "They really need to know how to keep quiet!"

Shizuru pulled back her best Doubles Pair. "It's alright; they may insult me but they can't speak with their tennis."

Aggravated, the pink pigtailed girl marched towards Shizuru while pointing her racquet at Shizuru's left knee. "We'll see about that, Kurenai. I would like to see you cry for Kotetsu!"

"I don't understand why underlings would pick on those bigger than them," Shizuru nudged the racquet away. "Then again – I wonder how long you would last against Rikkai Dai. I hear Yukimura-san has been training with the Kami no Ko himself."

The girl paled at Shizuru's comment. "You mean – she's been training with Seiichi-sama?"

"You have no right to call him that," Mai spat at the girl. "Let alone you're not allowed to call him by first name!"

"Why are you so defensive about it?" The girl sniggered at the fuming tensai. "You must be one of his fan girls too then!"

"So, what's that got to do with anything?" Mai glared daggers at the captain.

Shizuru looked at her watch. "Guys, unless you want to forfeit against St. Rudolph then I suggest we go already. We'll talk to them – tennis style."

Mai couldn't help but glare into some random person, Ayane growled while Kiyone was ready to bite the girl's hand. Shizuru could only sigh at the three other queens who got so pissed off with someone who wasn't even of their calibre. Isane ushered Kiyone away before she started gnawing someone's leg and Ayane was yanked away by Hitomi and Momo had Mai in a headlock.

"I'll break her nails with my racquet and make her lick the floor," the smallest regular gripped her racquet tightly until her fingers turned yellow.

"You guys ought to learn better control," Momo noted. "I know I'm a hypocrite for saying so but, I'm telling you so you won't make the same mistake."

Isane pat Kiyone on the head. "I know you're angry but like what buchou said: we'll talk to them using our racquet not our mouth."

"How can you be so calm after they've insulted you," Ayane glared at the Ramusen Gakuen's retreating figures until she found Shizuru stopping in her tracks. "Buchou, you okay?"

Shizuru gripped her racquet bag tightly. "I just have to work harder then."

"Of course she's angry," Hitomi told the vice captain. "But she has to be a role model for all of us after all."

"She doesn't even look it," Rin raised an eyebrow towards the second year captain. "Then again, she never really showed anger."

"Minna, stop discussing about my expressions and let's get down to business," Shizuru pinched the bridge of her nose as she saw Sakaki take a seat in the coach's bench. "Doubles Two prepare, Singles Three warm up."

St. Rudolph marched in, fearful of Hyotei's tennis team. The captain saw Shizuru retreat to the bleachers with several of the other regulars. Seeing Mai and Isane as the first pair, she threw her head mockingly. "You're sending in a makeshift pair? What is this? Are you trying to mock us?"

Mai flipped her racquet over her wrist. "Saa~, maybe you should play against us before mocking us."

"Alright," Isane bowed graciously. "I hope this would become a good match."

Hitomi began glancing at the pages of her notebook. "Most of their team consists of third year students such as their captain, self-proclaimed tensai, best doubles pair and the manager."

"Have any rivalry, Hitomi-chan?" Momo noticed Hitomi's circular glasses glinting differently. "You look like there's someone there who you want to kick butt."

Hitomi hid her face in the notebook. "Never mind, let's proceed with the match."

Walking to the courts, Mai saw the two girls talking with their captain first. She did have some experience in the doubles area but then, it had been a long time. Also, Mai had been more used to Shizuru's speed of play. Isane though may be both a singles and doubles player – she was safer off in doubles while as Momo stays Single player. Mai, beckoning to her senpai, waited at the net to greet the two players.

"So," Mai extended her hand. "May the best player win?"

The ponytailed blonde haired girl extended her hand with a smile. "Yes, same here. You must be Isane-san and Mai-chan?"

"Yeah," Mai looked at her opponents. "Mind telling me who you two are?"

"I'm Fuutenshou Aoi," the blonde girl curtsied and then pointed to the two toned violet and pink streaked haired girl with twin low braids. "This is my partner: Natsunaga Madoka. I'm sorry but even if you're National Calibre – a makeshift pair never wins."

The arbiter took his seat in the referee's chair, raising his hand. "Alright, Doubles Two begin: Hyotei Gakuen's Uchiha-Nagisaki pair versus St. Rudolph's Fuutenshou-Natsunaga pair! Uchiha serves first!"

Isane took her position while Mai waited up front. She nodded at her senpai who in turn fired the Sniper Serve right at the middle of the service court. The two were too frozen to move and didn't even bother trying to return it.

"Fifteen – love," the arbiter trembled after seeing the speed.

"It looks like Doubles Two will end in ten minutes," Mai noted. "If they keep up this pace but either way, we'll win six games to love. Highest amount of games they'll ever get is two or one."

Isane positioned herself for another serve. "Don't get too cocky though. It's like they're planning something."

Seeing one of the other players in the receiving end, Mai made a sign to Isane. Don't hit the Sniper Serve.

Isane, hesitating at first, decided then to hit a normal serve. The other player, smirking, gave the ball a heavy top spin causing it to bounce awkwardly on the floor. Preparing to hit it, Isane couldn't even connect as it zipped past her.

"Fifteen – all," the arbiter was wondering whether or not the players were even middle school players.

The captain twirled her hair. "Nfu, it seems like your players can't even connect with the ball."

Shizuru knew she had seen that mannerism somewhere but focused more on the match. She saw Mai glance at the court and closing her eyes. That was the tensai's way of recalling the ball path and the Hyotei captain knew that by just seeing it once, Mai already found a measure.

"Isane-senpai," Mai nodded towards her senpai. "You have to serve normally again."

The silver haired Sniper Serve master stared at her awkwardly. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Trust me," was all Mai replied.

Serving normally, Isane saw her shot being returned and forehanded it. The other girl, Natsunaga fired the same awkward shot towards her.

"This is what I call – the Habu!" Madoka smirked while Isane rushed to the front. "Hah! You can't even return that shot, what do you plan on doing?"

Instead of hitting it, Isane dodged the shot and caused a great uproar amongst the bystanders.

"What the," Madoka dropped her jaw in shock. "What in tuttin' is she doing, yeah?"

Aoi then realized why Isane did that. "Madoka, Uchiha is just a decoy because the real attacker is…!"

Watching the Habu coming towards her, Mai repelled it with a short swing but sadly it hit the net.

"Fifteen – thirty," the arbiter announced.

She adjusted that fast? Aoi was shocked but disguised it with a smirk. Well, they didn't call her Hyotei's tensai for nothing and she is one of the Kantou Angels after all. I shouldn't have expected less from Nagisaki-san. Although, the one I'm more afraid of is the Dragon Pair. I wanted to play against them and yet – Madoka and I end up with this makeshift pair. I prepared the entire strategy for the Dragon Pair and as far as I'm concerned – Nagisaki has never played doubles.

"You're probably thinking that I only know how to play singles," Mai winked at the blonde. "But – that's not true."

Aoi noticed Mai pointing at the auburn eyed brunette. "You see," Mai proudly smiled. "That girl over there may be my captain but she is my best doubles partner. She could have ended you guys in the next ten minutes."

Madoka raised an eyebrow at the red haired tensai. "Well, I don't buy it. Ya know, just because ya got yourself some haywire shot gun for a partner doesn't mean ya got the skill to keep up."

"She's partially kansai," Isane raised an eyebrow, nodding. "Riiight and for your information – I am not some haywire shot gun. I prefer to be associated with an anti-air missile."

The service cracked fast again and Madoka received it using the Habu. However, that was exactly what Isane needed her to do.

"Mai-chan, she's all yours!" Isane smirked at the tensai who was up front.

Positioning herself and catching the spin, Mai closed her eyes. "I wanted to save this move for later but using the Habu again and again leaves me no other choice but to seal the technique."

Watching the racquet's movements, Hitomi began writing down. "This is the technique that terminates rotation – the Kosouku Yaribana."

The ball zoomed across the court giving Aoi no chance of returning the shot.

"Thirty all," the arbiter noticed Mai smirking at the opponent.

Madoka and Aoi exchanged glances with each other. That wasn't how the game was supposed to come out. The Habu sealed off several techniques but how did she manage to return it? Aoi saw Mai and Isane do a high five after returning the Habu, sighing in regret. The Habu was their trump card and Mai repelled it on the first turn. Madoka froze in place while staring in shock that her trump card was returned.

Aoi pat Madoka on the shoulder. "We haven't showed them our formation yet. Don't worry – this one was made for fast people."

Mai exchanged glances with Isane who was ready to serve again. Wondering whether or not she should see the formation, Mai gave a sign to Isane. Don't sniper them.

Isane too wanted to see what the formation was and smirked. Most third years wouldn't take orders from those below them but Mai and Shizuru were an exception. Serving it normally, Isane saw the speedometer behind the court and smiled at how fast it zoomed across the court.

"She just did a 160 km/hr serve," Hitomi noted while listing it down. "Isane's been working on her serves lately. Normally, she would hit serves at 140 km/hr and people won't be able to return it by then."

Shizuru smiled at the match happening as Mai and Isane took the next two serves.

"Game, Uchiha-Nagisaki pair: one game to love!"

Aoi, shaking her head, got ready to serve. "Alright, this is my game now!"

"Wow, they're really taking a butt kicking, Mikurahara-buchou," the vice captain lazily drawled over.

She smirked. "Well, they can't lose as long as Aoi and Madoka have that."

Tossing it high, Aoi jumped up into the air and fired it straight down. Mai was ready to return until instead of returning, her racquet flew out of her hand.

"Fifteen – love," the referee noted as Aoi readied another serve.

Mai winced at the power of the serve. "She's just like Isane-senpai. Her serves are fast and heavy too."

Seeing what had just happened, Isane inhaled deeply while her form slowly began to change. Mai stared awkwardly until she saw who her partner was.

"KOTETSU-SENPAI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"Mai stared at Isane's changed form.

Isane didn't say anything but Aoi jumped up high again, "Baboon Cannon Serve!"

Seeing it zoom towards her, Isane moved towards the front while Mai gaped at her senpai. "Isane-senpai, the shot is too strong, you'll get blown back!"

That's what everyone thought as Isane caught it a two fisted backhand.

Recalling back all those times, Isane recalled how Ayane compensated with all those heavy shots. Isane knew she didn't have Ayane's powerhouse strength but there was a way how to replicate it. Catching it, Isane tried to swing it back however the shot sent her flying as well but the ball rolled right in front of her.

"Thirty – love," the arbiter couldn't believe the explosive power of the ball.

"The Baboon Cannon Serve allows Aoi to fire it heavily and quickly. That way," the captain smirked at Shizuru. "Both your players will have to be forced to play until tiebreak."

"I doubt they would have to though," Shizuru replied quietly to the captain. "For Isane to return it just like that shows one thing: the power's dripping off bit by bit."

Madoka gave Aoi a high five. "That's not a bad shot. Do it again, the redette's at the receiving end."

"For her to make it roll limply is quite a feat," Aoi brushed her hair back. "Not many people can receive my Baboon Cannon Serve and make it reach at least a few centimetres in front of them."

Mai glanced at Isane. "Senpai, do you think the Habu can be used as a serve?"

"I guess so," Isane watched Madoka's eyes shift left and right. "This game will be based purely on service. So – if you have any fancy serve there, you might as well use it. The Baboon Cannon Serve is something I can take care of. I'm not sure about you though."

Aoi fired another Baboon Cannon Serve causing Mai to fall back. So, they're just banking on that shot, Mai noted as she relieved her wrist of the pain. But, they can't keep using that service again and again because the power will drop and eventually – Isane-senpai and I will return it.

"Forty – love," the arbiter waited for the next serve.

Isane was on the other end as the Baboon Cannon exploded again. Despite copying the former captain's stats, it wasn't enough. No matter how much strength they used but Isane decided to move farther back.

"Oh," the captain twirled her hair. "So, she's going to try getting it at its weakest point? The Baboon Cannon doesn't have such a thing."

"I have a question though," Mai turned to Madoka. "Why do you guys call it the Baboon Cannon Serve?"

"It's based off a TV show Aoi watched," the red haired girl noted while watching Aoi prepare her service. "I don't know what exactly it is though."

Isane saw her going for the service again and got ready to defend. Aoi smirked while bouncing the ball again and again. Ideally, Isane knew that this technique was used to intimidate opponents but she was more focused on how powerful the Baboon Cannon Serve was going to be. Upon returning the Baboon Cannon Serve, Isane knew that she and Mai would have to attack fast right after.

The serve's powerful and heavy; Mai can't return it so I have to be the one. Then again – even for me it's heavy. Hopefully, enough power will drop off in order for Mai to return the shot. I knew this was wishful thinking but somehow, I couldn't help but feel that there was something wrong here. Mai usually returned Ayane's shots with ease but now – why is she faltering?

Unless she's just playing nonsense to throw the two of them off guard then, that's a different story.

The moment the Baboon Cannon exploded again, Mai smiled evilly at the two. This time, Isane was dead sure that Mai had been fooling around with their opponents' heads to make them believe that the serve wasn't losing power.

Madoka's warning came in too late. "Aoi, don't! Nagisaki-san's been fooling around with…!"

Mai, catching the Baboon Cannon Serve, returned it by sending it high into the sky. "I told you: We will finish this game in ten minutes."

"Forty – fifteen, return ace!"

Aoi tried using it again but Isane noticed something. A rally ensued in between them and Mai ended it with the Kurosakuraso.

It looks like Mai's mental game made an effect on them, Isane noted while watching Aoi tremble. So far – that's the only technique that's scored them points. The Habu only scored one point against us and we didn't even put much effort. Hopefully, Mai's estimation is correct. My ribs are still aching from the last match with Yuugetsu Chuu.

Seeing that Isane's movement slowed down a bit, Mai knew she had to end the match now. "Alright, looks like you guys are going to get your butt kicked by me!"

Mai fired a Kurosakuraso straight into the air and right at the corner of the net.

"Forty – thirty," the arbiter watched the match become totally one sided again.

Mai volleyed fast enough to score points leaving Isane with the easier shots.

"Deuce," the crowd started getting anxious and shocked while Mai ended the game with two of her techniques: the Kosouku Yaribana and the Kurosakuraso.

"Game, Nagisaki-Uchiha pair: two games to love," the arbiter declared.

The two pairs were allowed to consult with their captains after the first two games.

"This is madness, you guys said you were prepared," St. Rudolph's captain ran her hand through her hair. "What's going on with you two!?"

"We're sorry," Aoi hung her head. "We didn't expect the tensai to start playing Doubles."

"Let alone – we didn't even know she could return Aoi's monster serve," Madoka recalled Mai's evil smile.

"I'm still nicked about Uchiha's Illusion ability," the captain glanced at Isane and Mai who were nodding after bounding blow by blow with Shizuru. "I wonder how she managed to do that."

Again, the match became terribly one sided. Mai took hold of the service this time. She wanted to make sure that the game ended within her estimated time because she noticed something that her teammates probably didn't notice but Shizuru did: Isane's left side began bleeding again. Her injuries from Shina didn't heal properly and therefore tore open again causing her regular's jersey to be stained with blood. Isane however didn't look the least bit disturbed by the injuries.

"I'm going to end this now," Mai fired an awkward serve that simply spun on the ground and rolled away.

Everyone stared at her as the point was given to her. "Buchou," Ayane tugged Shizuru's sleeve. "What in the world did Mai-chan just do?"

"That is what she dubs as the Sazanka Serve," Hitomi recalled Mai trying to make an 'a non-returnable serve'. "This serve has a very powerful spin and is clipped at the top part in order to do so. Mai-chan rarely uses this technique unless she's in a hurry."

"I know," Shizuru saw Isane's shirt turning red. "She better use it because Isane-senpai won't have much time left."

Isane noticed her regular's shirt turning red. "Wow, my shirt is red – how did that happen?"

Mai wanted to smack her silly. "You're an idiot, senpai. Your wounds haven't healed yet!"

"Well," Isane shrugged and lowered herself at the net. "I can still manage."

Aoi and Madoka couldn't raise a finger against Mai's awkward serves which won the Hyotei pair the next game.

"Game, Nagisaki-Uchiha: three games to love!"

Despite Madoka's Habu serves, Mai countered it with the Kosouku Yaribana causing the two to back down in shock. Isane was able to return it once but allowed the second one to pass her. Other than that – they haven't managed to score even one point against the two.

"Love – fifteen," Mai sent the ball to one corner of the court.

"We have to use that formation, Madoka," Aoi glanced at her partner as the two began moving differently.

Mai and Isane noticed their shots getting faster causing them to snatch the two points from them. The formation allowed Madoka and Aoi to attack repeatedly but lose a bit of their defensive power. However, what made it hard to break the formation was that they were striking faster than ever and not leaving any rooms for an opening.

"Wait a minute – Yane," Isane called from one side. "Do you know what formation this is?"

Ayane stared at it for a moment. "Nope – I haven't seen that before."

"I know what it is," Mai mouthed softly while glancing at Shizuru who recognized it as well. "That was something Shizuru and I called the Roulette Formation. This required the usage of our speed attacks. They want to hit us fast and hard but are unable to do so. This formation requires the complete synchronization of rhythm and skill. I thought only Shizuru and I could do this."

"It's a good thing we learned it through that video, Aoi," Madoka drawled lazily. "Besides, this formation belonged to a pair called the…"

"Phantasm Pair," Mai cut in smoothly. "If I'm not mistaken – the Phantasm Pair was composed of two first year students right?"

Aoi nodded until Mai smirked. "I'm half of that pair and my partner is none other than my captain."

"Thirty – Forty," The two stared horrified as they froze allowing Isane to fire two hard shots on to the court.

Hitomi checked her watch while taking down data. This game will end faster than I thought. Most of the time, Mai would like to toy with her opponents while Isane would attack mentally and physically. Mai did say she was going to end this game in ten minutes but it's only been five and they've won four games straight now.

"Game, Nagisaki-Uchiha: five games to love!"

Scratch that, it's five games now, Hitomi began taking down more data. I can't believe Mai can still synchronize in doubles like this. She's been playing singles ever since the match against Rikkai Dai last year. They've broken all the serves and the Natsunaga-Fuutenshou pair is completely bummed out. Mai still has work to do but thankfully, she's covering for Isane's injury.

Aoi and Madoka reached hopelessly for the last ball.

"Game and match, Nagisaki-Uchiha: six games to love!"

-I know it wasn't that detailed but that was because it was getting too long! Please review! I'm sorry for the late update!