(I don't own Prince of Tennis except the OCs!)

Note: OMG, I now have 100 reviews! Thank you so much! I never had this much except from my Beyblade story which I think totally sucked since the format made people dizzy. Thank you and please keep reviewing! As you review, my writing somehow improves! Flames are okay as long as you try to explain and tell me HOW to fix it instead of just firing criticisms. I'm not a genius, sad to say. Although, I want to ask: would you like for me to maintain Shizuru's win over Atobe or Atobe win over Shizuru? Because, other than that... yeah, 1-3 chapters will be undergoing revision as we speak. I need your responses for this, thank you!

ChocyPockyStick: I guess that's one of the main reasons. The weird part is that they didn't even bother finish reading it and then all these things come out so, yeah... I guess it needs tweaking which is why I reedited 7,8,11,15,16,17 because that probably made her Mary Sue. Although, I thought making her flat footed was quite a flaw since I myself knows what it's like to be flat footed. When you play, it gets really irritating because the pain in your arcs climb up to your legs and boy, do you get crippled! XD I even thought the honorific thing was a bad thing seeing that Shishido complained about it and Atobe is fairly irritated by it too and also she has a slight phobia for water. Thank you though for giving me advice! It's probably the best I've gotten so far. Though, if you're a member of , can you please use your pen name instead? I'd like to make the message more private. But as the chapters go on, the 'real' Shizuru will make her appearance.

Sundae Bunny: Well – I'm considering Global Warming hence the rise in temperature so yeah. I don't really live in Japan and I'm not too sure myself since I'm more at the South Eastern part of Asia.

Thank you for your reviews! They are always greatly appreciated! Also, "Zannen Mataraishu" is a catch phrase of Kikumaru wherein he means: "See you next time!"

Chapter 26 – Alteration

Watching Hikari from one end, Haruka bounced the ball up and down. Recalling their last movements, Haruka couldn't help but feel unnerved by Shikako's smile. The girl simply kept on smiling as she started her service. Dashing to one side, Hikari returned the shot with a forehand while Rin volleyed it over to Shikako. With a backhand, Shikako sent it to the corner while Haruka lobbed it lightly towards Hikari. Seeing the chance ball, Hikari jumped high enough for a smash but only to have it repelled by Rin's last jump for a volley.

"Fifteen – love," Rin recovered to return the next shot.

Haruka looked at Hikari who didn't seem rattled by Rin's jump. That's odd, most people would wonder how the world she did that.

"I'm surprised you can keep at it," Rin pointed out at Hikari's ankle. "Despite your ankle giving out, you still got game, kuwee~!"

Hikari winced while Shikako's eyes suddenly popped open which caused Rin to jump behind Haruka. "Waaah, she opened her eyes!"

"Are you alright," Shikako's face etched with concern. "Your ankle, how long can you play?"

Hikari stretched it a bit. "Well, as long as I don't do acrobatics then a tie-break shouldn't be a problem."

Rin and Haruka exchanged glances before returning to their positions.

"We're playing this on an even court," Haruka placed a hand on Rin's shoulder. "We're not going to wear them out like cowards."

With a fairly fast service, Haruka watched Shikako add a higher level of top spin to her serve while she managed to add some more with the Dragon's Tail. Seeing it bounce in a ninety degree angle, Hikari went to one side as she returned the shot.

"No way," Momo dropped her jaw slightly ajar. "She can return the Dragon's Tail!"

Isane turned to Hitomi. "But I thought the Dragon's Tail was impossible to return especially with that ninety degree angle!"

"Some people just have very sharp eyes like Rin and Mai," Hitomi noted down. "If you haven't noticed, Haruka uses that as a finishing move more often but look at it now..."

Haruka came from behind Rin as the acrobat moved towards the shot as well. "I didn't expect them to return the shot, really."

"Neither did I," Rin puffed up her cheeks as she dashed to the other side. "I got the next volley!"

Upon hearing that, Shikako sent a far shot but Rin managed to somersault and send it back with a backhand. Hikari lunged for the shot, wincing in pain as she returned it. Finding an open space, Haruka targeted right in the middle of Shikako and Hikari causing them to stumble back.

"Thirty – love," Haruka wiped the sweat from her brow as Rin sauntered towards her.

"Haru-chan," Rin clung on to Haruka, whimpering like a puppy. "Nakayama's scary!"

Haruka pat the black haired acrobat on the head. "It's okay; I think it's very obvious why..."

"She smiles like that Fuji guy and that Yukimura dude from Rikkai Dai kuwee~," Rin bit her lip, jumping up and down. "Buchou smiles like that too sometimes!"

Haruka shrugged while looking at her captain. "Well, she's kinder about it."

"You can bet your leg she is," Rin shivered behind Haruka. "I mean – hello!"

Momo sighed into her hand. "I don't know why Rin just doesn't understand the smile of people. She deems it scary unless they're jumping around like her!"

Taking the notes from Hitomi, Mai looked at the list. "After them, it's Rikkai Dai or Seigaku..."

"What," Ayane dropped her jaw. "We're going to play Rikkai Dai after this!"

Hitomi looked at her planner. "Well, it depends on who wins or... if there's another no namer that made it into the semi-final and it would become a "Challenge the Winner" type thing."

Mai glanced at Shizuru, noticing that there were fresh slash marks on Shizuru's legs. Damn, they did it again!

"Shizuru," Mai pointed to the bathrooms around the corner. "Can you come with me? I need to address a hair problem..."

Shizuru, raising her eyebrow, tilted her head. "Uh, Mai, your hair looks fine."

"Dummy, I don't go with my hair like this," Mai dragged Shizuru, giving the captain less time to react.

"Ah, wait," Shizuru struggled against Mai's grip. "What about the match?"

Mai snarled inwardly before nudging Ayane. "Yane, take over the coach's bench until we get back!"

Ayane stared quizzically at the tensai until Mai grinned sardonically at her. "Ah, okay... I'll take over, buchou!"

"Don't get lost Mai," Hitomi warned as Mai ran off. "I hope she has a cellphone."

Momo, exchanging glances with the two, continued to watch Rin and Haruka play. "I hope these two know what to do despite buchou missing."

()()()()

"Kabaji," Atobe beckoned the taller kohai to the court.

Obediently moving towards Atobe, Kabaji didn't say anything as Atobe smirked at him. "Finish this game in less than fifteen minutes."

"Usu," Kabaji took the tennis ball from Atobe.

Kawamura moved towards the court to meet up with Kabaji. "BUUURNING, LET'S GET THIS ON, BABY!"

However, much to Seigaku's dismay – Kabaji didn't even bat an eyelash. He stood there, staring at Kawamura as if the Seigaku powerhouse had lost his mind.

"Is Kabaji even human?" They heard a Hyotei student ask. "He doesn't even talk."

Momoshiro and Kikumaru stood back aghast. For him to withstand Taka-san's Burning attack, he's no joke!

Kawamura waited for Kabaji's serve on the other end. I can't lose... This season is my last...

With an explosive serve, Kabaji fired it long towards Kawamura who repelled it with the same power. Explosions echoed throughout the court as Kabaji grunted here and there. Kawamura ran left and right, blasting the shot right back at the junior who didn't seem to break a sweat despite everything thrown at him.

"BUURNING, GREAT-O," Kawamura swung even harder than last time. "COME ON, BABY!"

Kabaji forehanded the ball to Kawamura's left side. "Iii...!"

"He's good but trying to scare us with those noises," Horio folded his arms with a snort.

Inui shook his head. "It's actually very useful. Each sound has its own shot designation. "Ii" is an approach shot, "Fu" is a drop shot and "Ho" is a lob while "Ha" is a passing shot."

Horio stared agape while Inui sadly closed his notebook. "Not only does he play powerful tennis but uses a method that's very reasonable too."

Kabaji continued exploding shots towards Kawamura who decided to grab his racquet with both hands and prepare for a huge swing.

"Taka-san," Momoshiro gripped the fence. "You're really going to do it?"

Oishi stared in horror at what Kawamura was planning. "Wait, that's Ishida from Fudomine Chuu's Hadokyuu!"

I can't lose here, I'm sorry guys, Kawamura swung his arm causing the ball to fly with amazing speed. "This is it: Hadokyuu!"

"Wait a minute, there's something different," Kikumaru pointed out as they saw Kawamura's grip.

Momoshiro pointed out. "What's the difference of holding it one handed and two handed anyway?"

"The strain is lessened drastically," Inui began scribbling down new data from Kawamura. "By using two hands, there would be more power and less strain therefore making it less likely for Kabaji to return it. However, there's something about this boy that makes him fearsome..."

Watching the ball fly, Atobe smirked at Kabaji. That's it Kabaji, return it just like that.

With one swipe, Kabaji sent Kawamura's shot as a drop, forcing Seigaku's powerhouse to move forward.

"Damn," Kawamura was forced to volley it over while Kabaji sent it back as a lob.

"Love – fifteen," Kawamura watched the ball drop on the baseline.

Ryuuzaki-sensei glanced at a laconic Sakaki-kantoku before taking one last look at Kawamura. That boy better not do what I think he's going to do...

Kawamura fired the Burning Serve only to have Kabaji return it easily. Kawamura returned it with a forehand as Kabaji began grunting with his usual expressions. Feeling his arm strain, Kawamura forehanded it again even harder than before. However, something within Kabaji sparked the moment Atobe snapped his fingers in the air.

"Finish him off, Kabaji," Atobe smirked as Kabaji placed both hands on his racquet.

"Baaaau," Kabaji swung his racquet, exploding the ball with the same Hadokyuu Kawamura just fired at him.

The Freshmen Trio stood back aghast. "What the hell was that! That big lug just returned Kawamura-senpai's Hadokyuu!"

"Any data taken from him prior to the match would be completely useless," Inui sighed as he placed his pencil back in his bag. "Kabaji's mind so pure that he can absorb anything – just like a baby."

Kikumaru pouted impishly. "He's more like a sponge nyah."

Fuji watched Kawamura take another stance. "Maybe we should worry more about Taka-san, ne?"

Kawamura fired another two handed Hadokyuu at Kabaji who strengthened it with more power. Before Seigaku's powerhouse could do anything, the racquet flew out and landed right behind him.

"Thirty – love," Kawamura could only stare in shock on how far his racquet flew.

Momoshiro gaped at Kabaji's power. "Damn, he's strong!"

"It's amazing how a second year could outdo Taka-san," Oishi gaped at Kabaji's strong hits.

()()()()

"I can't believe this," Mai rolled up Shizuru's sleeves, revealing more whip marks. "Geez, don't they know any damn gratitude!"

Shizuru yanked back, her smile becoming deadlier. "Mai, stop this stupidity and let's head back."

"Teme," Mai balled her fists. "Why the hell won't you let us help you, damn it!"

Shizuru's smiling façade dropped immediately, her voice dropping dangerously low. "Do you really want to know what they can do to people?"

Damn, her aura's changing and so's her eyes, Mai backed up, terrified of Shizuru's glaring red eyes. "Well, give it your best shot!"

I did not just ask for that did I?

You did, dummy, a voice in her head mocked her.

Mai couldn't believe it but Shizuru kicked her stomach hard, causing the tensai to keel on the floor. "Agh, Shizuru that hurt like hell!"

"That's only one-fourth the damage they can do," Shizuru bitterly smiled, extending her hand. "I'm sorry. Are you alright?"

Mai took it gratefully, scratching her head. "I can see that. Just – do Shishido and Ohtori know about this?"

"Ever since before," Shizuru hung her head until she heard a crisp sound echo in the air.

Feeling the sting on her cheek, Shizuru saw an angry Mai with her hand posed for another backhand and tears slipping out of her eyes. "Damn it Shizuru, why do you trust them but not me!"

It's not that I don't trust you, Shizuru held Mai's arm to lower it. "It's complicated... Shishido-senpai and Ohtori-kun discovered that by themselves..."

"You think I haven't yet," Mai punched one of the cubicle doors. "Damn it, you keep smiling as if nothing happens! Don't you know you're causing more people pain by hiding your own!"

Shizuru turned away, heading towards the door. "Come on, we have to go."

Mai bit her lip and forcefully grabbed her. "Will you answer me straight!"

A genius normally doesn't snap like this, the voice mocked her in her head.

I'm not a mind reader so, cut it out, Mai tightened her grip on Shizuru's arm. "You are not going anywhere until you tell me EVERY last tidbit about what happens to you in that house!"

However, what shocked Mai was that Shizuru's smile suddenly vanished and was replaced with this stolid glare that gave her message straight and clear.

Push this issue any further and I will not hesitate to hurt you.

Mai, sighing in defeat, finally let go of Shizuru who smiled again. "I'm sorry but... I will tell you soon..."

"Which is never," Mai rolled her eyes while walking past her. "I'll meet you in the courts."

Watching Mai leave, Shizuru was left alone in the bathroom while rolling down her sleeves. Her smile slowly faded which tears started falling out of her eyes. Wiping them, the Hyotei captain tried to smile but more tears started falling out. Staring at the mirror, Shizuru finally decided to punch it causing a slight crack on the glass.

Oops, Shizuru saw her sore knuckles. "I'm sorry...minna. But, they are crueller than you think."

()()()()

Mai came back, frustrated and plopping on the bench. "Who's winning?"

"Haruka and Rin are still within a deuce," Momo noticed a shoe print on Mai's shirt. "Geez, who brawled with you?"

Mai stood up looking over the fence. "Shizuru did," her voice only reached Momo's ears or so she thought.

Momo's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"I'm not kidding," Mai shook her head while looking at her hand. "That's the first time I slapped her," – Mai's voice became inaudible after that.

Isane could see Mai's printed shirt and sore hand. "This is the first time I've heard of Shizuru kicking Mai. She never did that before..."

"What made her snap," Momo handed her a pack of ice. "This should help your stomach."

Mai took it gratefully. "I guess I did push it a little too far. She's just crazy..."

Seeing her teammates look at Mai, Haruka noticed that Mai had a foot print on her jersey. That's a first; I've never seen someone able enough to kick Mai.

"Haru-chan," Rin snapped her out of her thoughts. "There's another shot, your corner!"

Haruka ran it down with a backhand. "Sorry, I got stuck thinking about something!"

Hikari snapped her fingers thrice as Shikako sliced the ball thrice, making it vanish. "Shikako, do you think we can pull out our Synchro now?"

"Not yet," Shikako continued volleying against Rin. "Just keep it at what it is now."

Rin lunged for the next ball while Haruka went to another corner and started attacking in between them. Shikako however cut the ball several times to throw Rin back but not good enough to have Haruka miss the shot. Hikari backhanded towards Haruka who sent a forehand along the way. Hikari gave a top spin lob until she found both Rin and Haruka jumping for the shot.

"Here it comes," Shikako got ready in front as Rin twisted in the air and Haruka dropped down.

"What the," Hikari gaped at the two. "They're not going to...!"

Rin backhanded the shot to the far end corner, shocking the Jyosei Shounan pair.

"Game, Hikifumi-Shimohi: one game all!"

Hikari looked at Shikako who simply smiled at the two. "So, you guys decided to return the favour?"

"We always do," Haruka knuckle fived Rin. "Isn't that right, Rin-Rin?"

Rin cheekily puffed up. "You can bet on that!"

Shikako opened her eyes a bit, causing Rin to jump behind Haruka. "Well, that trick won't work again. After all, Shimohi's reaction time is very different from yours, Hikifumi. Shimohi-san requires enough space to make that twist and enough time therefore delaying your attack by at least a few seconds. The Time Difference Attack is supposed to be used as a feint but with a difference that big, the technique won't work again."

Haruka backed up, staring aghast. Wait a minute, how did she figure that out in one use!

"The Time Difference Attack is often used by Hikari and Shikako," Matsuri began scribbling down notes. "Hanamura-sensei made sure that Shikako-chan was her masterpiece."

Florence glanced at the Twin Dragon Pair before she noticed Shizuru taking her place back at the coach's bench. Well, it seems like your seniors are stumped – what do you plan to do now, Kurenai-san?

Shizuru found Mai hanging her head while holding an ice pack. Taking one last glance at the tensai, Shizuru watched Haruka and Rin head back to their positions as Shikako started her service.

Mai, I'm sorry, Shizuru ruefully smiled. It's something that will endanger not only your dreams but your lives as well...

"Well," a voice rebuked her thoughts. "I guess I just have to wait then..."

Taking a look to her left, Shizuru saw Mai handing her a bottle of green apple iced tea. "Don't worry... they'll show their colours."

"You know," Mai scratched her chin while taking a seat next to her. "I never knew that Shikako was that much of a genius."

Shizuru pointed to the smiling girl. "Yeah, she doesn't normally show it but among the regulars – she could be more dangerous than Hoshimura-san herself."

Shikako dropped her serve with a twist while Rin jumped to one side to return it. Watching Rin jump for it, Shikako halted Hikari while opening her emerald eyes.

"That shot will disappear," Shikako smiled wider. "No amount of motion sight will help you..."

As soon as it came in contact with Rin's racquet, it vanished but the black haired acrobat managed to scrape the ball barely.

"Net, fifteen – love," Shikako smirked at Rin. So, she managed to return it...

Haruka rushed to Rin's side. "Hey, how bad is it?"

"Not much," Rin stood up, dusting her skirt. "I'm A-okay!"

Haruka, sighing in relief, looked over to Shikako who prepared another. "So, you're using an underhand serve?"

Shikako's smiling façade became more serious and analytical. "Well, it's not against the rules isn't it?"

"Not really," Haruka lowered her stance. If what I saw was right, Rin twisted her body to perform a backhand to return it which means the ball bounces at a certain angle...

Rin noticed Haruka take a different stance. Osakada-senpai did mention something about that kind of serve... I just hope Haru-chan remembers...

As the serve flew off, Haruka waited at the left side and the ball curved towards her. Hopefully, I have enough power to return it!

Sadly, her shot struck the net, "Net, thirty – love!"

Shikako glanced at Haruka, scratching her chin. "Now where did I see you again?"

"She was with that Osakada-san," Hikari pulled off one of the earphones. "Osakada Yuri was here last year wasn't she with that Midoriyama girl?"

Shikako nodded while looking at Haruka. "Well, we better be careful then."

"Why?" Hikari cocked her head until Shikako resumed smiling.

"It seems that this pair has discovered one of the Infinite Possibilities of Doubles," Shikako looked at the bench. Though, I don't quite understand why they didn't use their famous Diamond Pair for this round. What was their captain thinking? From the rumours, the Diamond Pair accomplished that way before them.

"Well, what do you know," Hikari tapped Shikako's shoulder. "They're changing their rhythm."

Haruka and Rin high fived while Haruka moved in front and Rin stood in the middle. Seeing Rin swing left and right, Shikako fired a normal serve this time as Rin lunged for the shot. Hikari ran down the next shot for a volley. Watching their footwork, Shikako sealed off Haruka at front as she started cornering her each time.

Tch, they know Rin can't handle long matches, Haruka saw Rin breathing heavily. "Sorry sweetie, I got to escape!"

"Don't worry about me," Rin forehanded the next shot. "I got this all covered, kuwee~!"

Haruka noticed Rin's expression become less cheerful than what it should be. Rin, if we need to use Synchro – say so now!

Flipping through the pages of her notebook, Hitomi tilted her glasses a bit. "Any data taken from Shikako's basically useless and fake. Her style alters drastically that the only one who can corner her are either Momo, Mai or buchou. Haruka better use 'that' formation now."

"What formation," Kiyone looked up at her bespectacled manager, cocking her head to the side. "You mean the Synchro one they used against Taishaku Fuzoku Chuu?"

Isane shook her head as she looked at Haruka attack the corners. "No, there was a formation that she and Osakada-senpai made last year. I just hope she and Rin can pull it off."

"Knowing Haruka," Momo flipped open a can of soda. "Haruka's going to exhaust every method first before resorting to that one."

Mai leaned against her elbows. "Geez, exhausting every method is so not going to help here."

Seeing a chance ball, Hikari jumped up while Shikako returned to the back. Haruka backed up while Rin shifted towards the net until Hikari spun in a 360 degree arc and sliced the ball down. With a lucky save, Rin managed to lob it again only to have Shikako smash it straight back at her, causing the said acrobat to roll back.

"Forty – love," Rin clucked her tongue, standing up to recover her bearings.

Haruka looked over to the other side. "I didn't expect them to use it again."

"So, what do we do now," Rin glanced at Haruka who offered her a high five.

Haruka closed her eyes, smirking. "Let's show them... what dragons mean by business..."

Going for a high five, Rin and Haruka felt their consciousness fade and their bodies started moving by themselves. Hikari and Shikako watched the two Hyotei girls stare at them beadily as if expecting an attack. Shikako, patting Hikari on the shoulder, turned around with her.

"I think it's time we did the same," Shikako closed her eyes, smiling at Hikari.

Hitomi saw the aura glowing from both Haruka and Rin. "So, they're now at a level where they can activate Synchro at will. This is very good data..."

"That's so cool," Kiyone jumped up and down. "But, it took us months before we got to do it by will!"

Ayane gaped at the two. "I know one thing: Synchro only happens when you're in a ditch. But how can they activate it by will?"

Mai shook her head. "To them, it doesn't matter. Haruka and Rin are very close to one another. Not only that, the more you trust your partner – obviously the easier it is to Synchronize."

Wait a minute, is that why...?

Mai glanced at Shizuru who was watching Shikako start her service. She then realized that there was some truth to what Naomi-senpai had said prior to her graduation. During the Nationals, a lot of people thought that Naomi had gone suicidal to send Shizuru and her separately and many said she deliberately did that to fool Seigaku. However, underlying those rumours was another reason which many people couldn't understand.

Shizuru and Mai may be best friends but there's a lacking element. Mai has it but Shizuru doesn't.

It was trust, Mai ruefully glanced at her former doubles partner. "Shizuru, can I ask you something?"

"Hm, what is it?" Shizuru raised an eyebrow at the tensai.

Mai breathed in sharply. "Well, what is trust for you?"

Taken aback, Shizuru stared at Mai incredulously. "Trust is between two people in which..."

"Not like that," Mai flicked her forehead, earning a slight whimper from her former doubles partner. "Refer away from the text book."

Shizuru remained quiet and smiled faintly. "Well, trust is something that both sides need. If one will not concede to the desire of one and vice versa, there will be nothing."

Typical Shizuru answer, Mai rolled her eyes as she watched Haruka and Rin take another point. "Wow, so that's the Punishment of the Jade Emperor."

"Forty – thirty," Rin somersaulted for a backhand.

Hikari, breathing heavily, glanced at Shikako who didn't even bat an eyelash at what she was seeing. Shaking her head, Hikari found Shikako smiling shrewdly while watching the two girls walk together.

I wonder what she has up her sleeve; Hikari glanced at Shikako who started breathing slowly until her body was engulfed in a fog. "Shikako, you're going to use it!"

"Вы идете вниз с," Shikako pointed her racquet at the two Synchronized players, her smiling façade dropping completely.

Momo raised an eyebrow. "Please translate what the hell she just said!"

"She said: "You're going down"," Hitomi placed her dictionary back. "After hanging around with Atobe as his classmate, picking up Russian wasn't so hard. Nakayama Shikako was born in Moscow and therefore a dual citizen while Hoshimura Florence is a French-Japanese. Jyosei Shounan and St. Rudolph have their own set of mestizas."

"Mestizas, what's that?" Isane began counting the air. "Is that a number?"

Momo flicked Isane's head. "No, it's a Spanish term for those with mixed blood. Europeans usually called them hybrids, kinda like in the Philippines. We just took that subject."

"We did?" Isane cocked her head to side, making Momo face palm.

"Ugh," Momo threw her hands in the air. "I give up explaining history to you. Go ask Shishido."

Haruka fired the Dragon's Tail but Shikako lunged for it while Hikari had to cover her from behind. Rin returned the volley with her acrobatic play which Shikako returned with the same. Watching the ball fly, Haruka twisted her body causing her to use the momentum to spin the shot. Hikari, wiping away the beads of sweat, forehanded the shot while Rin returned it with another lunge. Every time Rin jumped for a shot, Shikako mimicked her exact same movement and returned the shot with double the force.

"Deuce," the shot exploded past Rin.

Florence took one look at the doubles pair. Shikako may have mastered the Muga no Kyouchi but the two still have their Synchro. I don't get why Hanamura-sensei put Shikako in Doubles when her Singles play is so much better. Then again, it could be good experience for her...

"Advantage, receiver," Florence snapped her head towards Shikako who was breathing heavily.

She used it too early; Florence bit her lip while turning to the Twin Dragons. "They don't look that peachy either."

Sweat poured down Haruka's face while Rin started gasping for air. Hikari felt her legs give in while Shikako started sweating buckets and more. Getting ready for another serve, Shikako fired a normal serve while Rin volleyed it over and Haruka managed to cover up for the Black Dragon.

"Heilongjiang," Haruka turned to Rin. "妳犹自可以双打 吗?" (Ni You Zi Ke Yi Shuang Ta Ma?) - Can you still play?*

Rin wheezed a bit. "I can do fine, Zhujiang!"

Hikari and Shikako exchanged glances. "Hikifumi speaks Chinese?"

"She did go for exchange program before," Hitomi looked through Haruka's scores and grades. "She took two months off in China to learn Chinese and her father brought her there before."

Momo raised an eyebrow. "But Rin's stupid in linguistics!"

"But because they're linked in mind," Mai pointed out to the female Sanada. "Chinese may have been incomprehensible to Rin-senpai but now, it will now become understandable."

Isane shrugged while watching Rin fly. "She really fits the name... Heilongjiang..."

"The Black Dragon always flew better than the rest," Momo recalled the legend. "It's just... I never knew how easily Rin could fill the role."

"Game, Hikifumi-Shimohi: two games to one!"

Watching Rin gracefully land, Shikako inhaled sharply before passing the ball to them. They've progressed pretty well...

"Shikako," Hikari hooked up her iPod. "We better increase our rhythm soon."

Shikako, cracking her knuckles slightly, watched Rin sweat buckets while Haruka slowly tailed behind her. Hearing her heartbeat echo in her ears, Shikako readied herself to receive as Rin began her service. Dashing to one side, she forehanded the ball back to Haruka who cut the ball right in between them.

Shimohi and Hikifumi have the upper hand as long as their Synchro is running, Florence watched Rin and Haruka take another point. "Excuse me; may I have a time out first?"

Sauntering towards the bench, Shikako and Hikari took a breather while Rin had to be dragged off the court by Haruka.

"Their skills definitely improved," Shikako continued smiling. "Their seniors managed to unlock it before they left for graduation."

Florence found Rin downing another bottle of juice. "If you're going to challenge them to a game of rhythm then, I suggest you turn it up a bit."

"Shimohi's stamina is at its limit," Shikako glanced at a heavily gasping Rin. "The Synchro has its own side effects as well. Considering the heavy mental strain, the heat and the force required, Shimohi will be down in the next thirty minutes."

Hikari inched away from her doubles partner. Scary calculations...

"You can't keep betting on Shimohi's lack of stamina," Florence checked her racquet. "I'm going to warm up with Tousaka. We'll have to make up for the loss."

Hikari and Shikako got onto the court while Haruka and Rin managed to pull themselves into the same state again. Feeling her body out, Shikako watched the next serve come in. Returning it with a top spin, Shikako started changing her rhythm while Hikari sped up. Rin and Haruka started changing dancing patterns into something more like a swirl. Rin back flipped into the air, sending it towards the corner while Hikari had to lob it back. Seeing the top spin, Haruka sliced the ball again while Shikako ripped it to the left side.

"Shimohi's breathing heavily already," Hikari watched Rin land albeit clumsily. "Wait a minute, Hikifumi's not even...!"

Shikako's eyes widened as Haruka didn't even break a sweat. Sending a forehand, Shikako noticed Rin slowing down while Haruka steadily kept her pace while her and Hikari were scattered all over the place. Relaxing her breathing, Shikako returned with a flat shot as Haruka cut it again.

How can she maintain her Synchro in this kind of heat, Shikako watched Haruka's eyes become clear again. Unless, they were...!

"Hikari, aim for the middle," Shikako forehanded it hard, forcing Rin to lob the shot.

Jumping for the shot, Hikari smashed it right in between the two.

"Love – fifteen," Rin and Haruka exchanged glances with one another.

Shikako smiled continuously. "You know, you're quite good in bluffing. We were actually fooled for a moment that you guys were in Synchro until Haruka's eyes cleared up. The Synchro shows itself when both the users eyes dull considerably."

Haruka clucked her tongue while watching Shikako go to the net. Realizing that their cover was blown, Haruka turned to Rin before she served.

"We better pull out the real thing," Haruka glanced at Rin. "Nakayama knows we can easily fake it."

Rin pouted impishly. "And I thought we could finish this game fast..."

Looking up, Mai found Kabaji walking with a Seigaku player. That's Kabaji, where's he going?

"I'm gonna go check on Kabaji-kun okay," Mai stood up, leaving Shizuru to watch the game.

()()()()()

On the other side, Shishido and Ohtori were already running to cool off. With sweat trickling down his face, Shishido controlled his breathing while trying to keep up the pace. He couldn't help but think about the girl's game especially when Jyosei Shounan was involved. Most of the girls may not be as strong except for a few like Souma Fuuka, Yukimura Ai and Amakusa Natsuki but they had something that could render players crippled.

"Senpai," Ohtori pointed to the court where the girls were playing. "Are they in Synchro?"

Shishido looked at their movement and the points they were scoring. "Yeah, Hikifumi and Shimohi always had that thing."

"Hey," a deep voice called the two of them causing their heads to snap up.

Shishido grit his teeth, balling his fists tightly. "I didn't know it was within your nature to watch people get better...or should I say – come and watch Shizuru play...?"

"You're a nasty bit," the man smirked. "You should know my name after all."

Shishido lunged at him but Ohtori restrained the sputtering dash specialist. "Screw you! Your name is so easy to memorize that I remember how many cups of mouthwash I had to use to rinse it out, Aikawa Kaitou! God, now I need even more mouth wash. I finished one bottle of Astring-a-sol* because of you!"

"I'm sorry," Ohtori placed Shishido down and stood in front of his senpai. "If you're here to hurt Shizuru then, I'm afraid you'll have no chance to."

He dropped the honorifics; this guy has no idea what happens to Ohtori when he blows a fuse, Shishido stared, shocked while Kaitou stepped back, amused by Ohtori. "You're a cocky little brat."

Do remember that Ohtori is WAY taller than you, Shishido sweat dropped at how tall Ohtori really was. "Shizuru's on her own, why tie her down!"

"She's still living in our house," Kaitou folded his arms, smirking. "Also, don't you dare threaten me, you little boy."

Shishido slipped past Ohtori and punched the guy square in the gut. "Go knock yourself in the mountains!" (Shishido does not mean hit your head on one of the crevasses)

Stumbling back, Kaitou wiped the blood he nearly spat out. "Well, let's say... she has her 'uses'."

"Asshole," Shishido glared daggers that could destroy a building.

"Kaitou," a more velvet voice approached him from behind. "Would you like to be punished again?"

Kaitou froze as he turned around. "Tch...Agito..."

"A man shouldn't pick on children unless he's a coward," Agito calmly strode towards him. "I can still ask Rue to do a few numbers on you. I have the arsenal."

Grr, stupid brat, Kaitou huffed while Agito bowed in front of them. "I'm sorry; my brother clearly has no brains unlike my other brothers."

Shishido raised an eyebrow. "What did you do that for?"

"Both of you are precious to my sister," Agito smiled before turning away. "The last thing she wants is both of you to get killed. After all, the Aikawa side of the family knows no bounds..."

Shishido stopped dead in his tracks. "Wait a minute, you're... Argh, I don't get a bit of your family at all!"

"Not a word," Agito wagged his finger. "I'm trying to track down the rest of the family... Just keep her happy...We're around eighteen boys since our father married five more women with several children. The girls are not very plenty and they're just as cruel as animals."

Ohtori watched Agito walk away. "All this time, he's been..."

"Her family is soon damn complicated," Shishido bit his lip. "Hopefully, this guy breaks her out by the time the Nationals come around. It would be nice for her to see her dad watch her game for once."

"Game, Zanshoryuu-Nakayama: three games all!"

So this is their Synchro, Hitomi began scribbling down. However, I highly doubt that Haruka and Rin will let it end here. Jyosei Shounan may be known for their doubles and although we can make up in Singles, Haruka would never let anyone flatten her in Doubles unless she knows it's an opponent she cannot take.

Haruka saw Hikari started to lose her reaction time. Bending low for a top spin, Haruka forced Shikako to run to the other side and lob it while Rin somersaulted for an exploding forehand.

"Fifteen – love," Haruka and Rin gave each other a high five.

Shikako's smiling façade dropped as Haruka smirked at Jyosei Shounan's Wildcard. "Sou dana, what do you think?"

"Zannen mataraishu~," Rin wagged her finger in front of Hikari. "After all, we're the Twin Dragons, kuwee~!"

Shikako held her breath as she released most of her tension. After taking a beating from them, she couldn't believe how their Synchro could easily extend. "Wait a minute; you were breathing heavily awhile ago. How did you manage to rejuvenate so fast?"

"Simple," Rin cheekily smiled. "I DRANK ICED TEA AND MOCHA FRAPPUCINO!"

Giving her iced tea and the Frappucino was the only idea I had, Haruka face palmed when her Doubles Partner started jumping up and down. "What did you eat this morning?"

"CHOCOLATE," Rin squealed while bouncing away. "YAY, I'M GONNA FLY!"

Twitching, Haruka raised an eyebrow at her teammates. "Okay – 'fess up, which one of you geniuses fed my doubles partner chocolate!"

"I know I didn't," Mai emptied her pockets. "I ate them before I got here."

Kiyone shook her head, twiddling with her thumbs. "I don't eat chocolate."

Hitomi opened her notebook. "I wouldn't give her something that would destroy her diet."

Momo whistled a bit while smiling a bit. "Uhm about that... I'm sorry?"

"MOMO," Haruka gripped her racquet tightly. "YOU MORON, YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO FEED RIN CHOCOLATE IN THE MORNING! HOW MUCH DID SHE EAT!"

Momo pulled out a small Tupperware from her bag. "I think she ate three cubes. Why?"

Haruka began counting her fingers, calming down a bit. "Okay, that should be good enough."

Shikako, raising an eyebrow quizzically, returned to the baseline to receive as Haruka began her service. Running it down, Shikako cross courted to Rin who volleyed against Hikari. Watching Hikari's movements become more flaunted, Shikako listened to Hikari's humming.

A Bossa Nova doesn't seem to be a bad choice, Shikako forehanded it to the corner. "Hikari, give them the flash dance!"

"Alright," Hikari sped up her movements while smiling. "I'm gonna shift the rhythm!"

Haruka lunged forward for the net. "Rin, go for the third dance!"

"YAY," Rin jumped high into the air while Haruka volleyed towards Hikari. "It's acrobatic plaaaaaay time~!"

Momo looked at her Tupperware then glanced albeit horrified at the jumping black acrobat. "I don't understand how dark chocolates can hit Rin like that..."

"It has a delayed reaction on her," Hitomi recalculated through her notes. "The more sugar – the faster her body dissolves it and if there's barely any, it will take her awhile."

Ayane sighed while looking at Rin bounce up and down. "Does this mean if we give her milk chocolate...?"

"She'll crack in the next fifteen seconds," Hitomi closed her notebook. "The dark chocolate has a longer lasting effect on Rin's system."

Isane saw Rin scoring point after another. "Well, it's helping her win anyway."

()()()()

Meanwhile, Fuji went down from the stands to face against Hyotei's resident volleyist – Akutagawa Jirou. Recalling his match with Shizuru, he looked at his racquet and then remembered Mai's match with him. He first glanced at Tezuka and then at the others while Jirou dragged himself across the court, staring drowsily at the tensai.

"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.

Mai noticed that Fuji's head was no longer in the game but, he was hitting pretty well despite that. "Fuji-san, your shots are getting flat and boring…"

Those words echoed in his head as he recalled his match with the two girls. Mai may have or may not have been using everything she had and Shizuru blasted him almost as bad as Tezuka would have. This time, what held him back? Glancing at his racquet, Fuji inhaled sharply as he went for the underhanded serve.

Jirou didn't bother moving until the ball suddenly disappeared behind him.

"WOW," Jirou jumped up excitedly. "IT DISAPPEARED! THAT IS SO COOL! I HAVEN'T SEEN A SERVE LIKE THAT! Did you see that, Atobe?"

Atobe rolled his eyes at the hyper volleyist. "Yes, I did. Just start getting serious, Jirou."

Moving over to the baseline, Jirou bent down a bit, smiling cheekily at Fuji. "Do it again! Do it again!"

Smirking a bit, Fuji spun the ball again and it disappeared on Jirou's side.

"Thirty – love," Jirou watched the ball disappear again and again.

"Game, Fuji: one game to love!"

Echizen smirked before leaning against the coach's bench. "Fuji-senpai, try playing more seriously now."

"Oh," Fuji smiled at the freshman prodigy. "Sure thing then..."

Everyone stared at Echizen. "For Fuji-senpai to use his Disappearing Serve," Momoshiro began ruffling Echizen's hair. "Isn't that good enough?"

Snorting at his Dunk Smashing senpai, Echizen turned back to the court while raising an eyebrow at Fuji. "Mada mada su, Fuji-senpai," –Echizen smirked, lying back with his arms folded.

At first, Fuji didn't say anything as Jirou began his attack. Volleyed shots came from all sorts of directions and Fuji was forced to come forward. However, the tensai had decided to seal off Jirou by firing deep shots to keep Jirou's volleying at bay. However, Jirou still managed to flick Fuji's shots away despite the deep ones that the tensai had sent at him.

"How can he possibly do that," one of the Freshmen Trio exclaimed while yanking down his face.

Fuji smiled at Echizen. "You've already seen the Tsubame Gaeshi and the Higuma Otoshi right?"

Nodding slowly, Echizen watched Fuji finally open his eyes. "Well, I will show you the third counter...Hakugei."

()()()()

"Game, Hikifumi-Shimohi: four games to three!"

"How far exactly are we going to drag this game," Hikari turned to Shikako. "They're really doing it, Shikako."

Shikako twirled her racquet. "The Muga no Kyouchi didn't work... I'd say that even we're cornered as long as Hikifumi can make up for Shimohi."

"But she's puffing like a choo-choo train and Hikifumi's sweating buckets," Hikari raised an eyebrow at Rin who slumped over while Haruka managed to catch her.

Shikako's smiling façade dropped. "Hikifumi may be sweating buckets but look at her face..."

"She's not even panting," Hikari gulped while watching Haruka kept track of their movement carefully.

She may have a long line of stamina, Shikako prepared for her service. "There's no way she can keep up for the next two games."

Tossing the ball, Shikako hit it hard down the line while Haruka sliced it over the net. Hikari ran it down for a lob while Rin soared high in the air for a smash.

"I'm surprised that three pieces can do this to Rin," Hitomi began scribbling down new notes. "Maybe it's a good thing to feed her dark chocolate."

Momo saw Rin cheekily jump for another shot. "I'm surprised that she can still do that when sugar normally burns faster in heat."

Rin dashed for another shot, despite the heavy huffing and puffing. Haruka managed to backhand the next shot sent by Shikako as Hikari made a return with a slicing cord ball. Sending a lob, Rin found Hikari going for a smash towards Haruka who was far enough to return it at waist level. Shikako ran for the shot and returned with a dashing backhand which caused Rin to return with a lunged volley.

"Love – fifteen," the volley floated over the net, landing on the corner.

"Fifteen all," Shikako managed to confuse Rin with a top spin.

"They're making sure that Rin doesn't have enough time to recover from her stamina loss," Hitomi tilted her glasses. "As you can see, the dark chocolate is already losing its effect."

Momo started digging through Rin's bag. "She ought to keep a Snickers bar here somewhere."

Isane tapped her chin while she recalled recess. "You know, I think that was her breakfast this morning."

"Thirty – fifteen," Rin backhanded the ball with a smash.

Hikari managed to score with a slice," Thirty – all!"

Feeling the numbness in her legs, Rin rubbed them while glancing at Haruka who controlled her breathing very easily. Wow, these are the times I'm glad Haru-chan has crazy stamina!

Breathing sharply, Rin waited for the next shot as Shikako struck with a Disappearing Serve. Despite her motion sight, Rin nearly got dizzy but forced herself to at least lob the shot. Seeing it fly high, Hikari came down for a smash while Haruka managed to move far back to go for a ground stroke. Shikako returned with an under spin which forced Rin to jump for the ball again. However, Hikari volleyed downwards to throw the black haired acrobat off guard while Shikako stood her ground ready to repel Haruka's shot in case.

"Forty – thirty," Rin stumbled over but managed to recover her stance again.

She's finally slowing down; Shikako had her creepy smile back on her face. "Alright, I guess – this will be our game then."

Haruka stood at the receiving end. "Don't be so sure."

Serving with the Disappearing Serve, Shikako waited for Haruka while she fired the Dragon's Tail. The ball curved in an awkward manner, swishing like a dragon's tail which forced Hikari to lob while Rin ended the rally with a jumping smash.

"Deuce," the two pairs could feel the heat beating down on them worse than before.

Wiping the sweat from her face, Haruka licked her lips as she felt her throat run dry. She couldn't believe that their game started off so neck to neck and Shikako, being more of a Singles player since she had the Muga no Kyouchi, kept up with her even if Hikari wasn't used to her.

Nakayama Shikako played against Momo last year, Haruka shuddered at the image of the score. I don't get why they put her in Doubles when her Singles play is so much better.

"Tousaka needed a little push," Shikako smiled eerily in front of her.

"Yikes," Rin jumped on Haruka, Scooby-Doo style. "She did it again!"

Shikako started her service again while Hikari waited for Rin's attack. Watching the girl shift left and right, Hikari made sure Rin had no way out and Haruka started running all over the place. Haruka jumped for another high shot and dashed towards the other side as Shikako sent a top spin lob. Rin and Hikari stood there, staring at one another and not even making a single move.

"You're just going to stare at me," Rin raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you?"

Hikari bounced a bit. "I'm just giving Shikako enough time to make a good rhythm then, I'll beat you black and blue."

"Kuwee~, Haru-chan and I are one of the best doubles pairs," Rin cheekily smiled. "We don't lose to people who think their rhythm is better than ours because we're the best!"

Hikari shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh well, suit yourselves then."

Despite the heavy beating of the sun, Haruka continued running. Her mind screamed at her body to stop and for Haruka to rest but the latter refused. The pale pink haired regular couldn't understand what kept her running other than her insanity. She could hear Hitomi from the bleachers muttering about her stamina being at its limit while Rin slowly recharged.

Perhaps, that's what I was aiming for.

Haruka watched Rin's sweat dry up and her breathing slow down. She felt Rin's heart rate drop drastically back to normal while hers increased like mad. Sweat trickled down Haruka's face while she returned a top spin lob from Shikako. Watching Hikari continue to corner Rin, Haruka sliced the ball, performing the Dragon's Tail again. This time, Shikako managed to return it with an under spin which allowed her to retaliate with the Dragon's Retaliation. Much to her dismay, the ball shot too far out of her range but to her surprise – Rin stretched backwards for a bridge and sprung up like a corkscrew. The ball zoomed for a driving volley causing Shikako and Hikari to miss the shot.

"Advantage: Hikifumi-Shimohi pair," Haruka nearly gaped; it took them that long!

Rin glanced at a dumbstruck Haruka. "Haru-chan, when's this going to end? My legs are falling off!"

"Giving up already?" Hikari took out one of her earphones. "You Hyotei Regulars were usually the ones making us complain."

Haruka tousled her hair back. "Well, we can't stop here nor can we give up. Everyone's giving their all for the Nationals! If the guys don't make it then, we girls have to make sure Hyotei has the best record of wins from the girls' tennis team!"

Rin punched the air. "Yeah, that's right!"

"The guys have pretty big contenders this year," Haruka began noting the powerful players. "There's Rikkai Dai who have National level players, Seigaku has Tezuka, Echizen and Fuji and Shitenhouji has Shiraishi and that afro-guy that used to be from Shishigaku and a lot more. I don't think the others are going to take them lightly!"

Shikako's emerald orbs stared them down. "Well, it seems that we should have done it long time ago then."

"Huh," Rin cocked her head to the side when Shikako and Hikari started walking in Synchronized manner.

Haruka stumbled back. No way, they were hiding their Synchro all this time?

"One thing I noticed," Shikako smiled sardonically. "Your Dragon Dance has a story to tell. But, what if the person can alter the story?"

Haruka clucked her tongue while Shikako started her shot at the baseline. "Let's show them a real dance, Hikari."

As the ball sailed towards her, Haruka lunged for the shot while Rin went to the back for a hard return. Hikari floated it to Rin who managed to jump in the air for a hard upside down backhand.

So, this is Kurenai's way of saying goodbye, Shikako fired a shot towards Rin's left side. Florence and she seem to think the same way except for one thing: Florence is a senior. To Shizuru, her career is at its peak while Florence's is coming down to an end. Nevertheless, we shouldn't deprive Florence her chance of entering the Nationals!

"Deuce," Hikari outran Rin as the black dragon landed back on her feet.

Rin turned to Haruka. "We're going to need a new dance soon."

"I'm working on it," Haruka bit her lip, feeling her heart race rapidly. I can't believe they figured out the Dragon Dance after three games. It usually takes an opponent five!

Another shot sped past Haruka, making its mark on the baseline.

"Game, Nakayama-Zanshoryuu: four games all!"

Tch, thinking of a new dance isn't easy, Haruka took the ball from Shikako. "Rin, there's something I want to try..."

Rin tilted her head to the side. "Huh, what new dance?"

Beckoning Rin over, Haruka glanced at the other two players. "Well, they figured out our Dragon Dance and we can't keep using the same one. If we're going to the Nationals, one dance can't beat everyone. Remember what happened to Ayane and Kiyone? They were FORCED to create a new dance to go against the Golden Pair."

Rin pouted impishly. "Mou~, I thought this game would be easier than that!"

"Weirdo," Haruka flicked her forehead. "Obviously it ain't!"

With the next serve cracking off, Shikako fired it towards Haruka who dodged and had Rin hit it. She saw Haruka at the net and soon, Hikari found herself completely sealed off. Shikako found herself bending in all sorts of directions while Haruka moved around to keep Hikari by the net. Haruka started doing hand signals while Rin started sending the shots either far back straight or to the corners. Shikako ran in all directions, trying to keep the flying acrobat on the ground only to have her shots returned every time. Sweat poured down both their faces but Rin's breathing seemed less haphazard than the last time. Rin's shots became awkward to the point Shikako had to bend around just to return a few of them towards the corners.

Come on, keep at it, Haruka watched Hikari's feet and her eyes. Rin, this is more your style of play... Start flying!

On the other side, Yukimura Ai pulled one of the strings of the racquet after her match. 6-0, I'm glad I pulled that off.

"Yukimura-buchou," a strawberry blonde haired girl motioned to her captain. "Souma-san's here to see you."

Ai clapped her hands together, smiling cheerfully. "Well, what are you guys waiting for? Let her through!"

Fuuka stepped in, walking past her Singles Three player. "I see you're doing well..."

"Yeah," she hauled her bag on her shoulder. "I mean – it's a great day isn't it?"

Fuuka face palmed at Ai's bright smile. "Never mind that, do you know the order of the matches?"

Ai threw her bag down at the ground and started throwing out random things. Fuuka wasn't even sure whether or not a bottle that had the label of "YUKIMURA SEIICHI'S SPECIAL POISON – DO NOT DRINK" had just popped out of the bag rolling near her. Raising en eyebrow, Fuuka slightly shuddered. This girl's really Yukimura's sister...

"Here it is," Ai held it proudly, shoving it towards Fuuka. "From what I remember, it's going to be a 'Challenge-The-Winner' type thing!"

Fuuka ran through the paper, glancing at every match but glared the moment words like "Hyotei Gakuen", "Jyosei Shounan", "Rikkai Dai" and "Seigaku" showed up at the same branch but at different brackets. Jyosei Shounan was going to decide whether or not Hyotei would move on to the next bracket but Fuuka knew better.

It's too bad your Tezuka cannot see you destroy Kurenai hm, a voice mocked Fuuka in her mind.

"Shut up," Fuuka seethed frigidly to herself. "Whether he's there or not, I'm going to destroy her!"

XiaoLi rolled on the floor laughing. "She reminds me of that guy from Jimmy Neutron!"

Miaka clicked her cuffs back on, snorting. "She's such a freakin' piss off. Why the hell is she even sucking up to you, Yukimura? If she wants to get screwed, she should just go eat Tezuka already."

Ai glared at the second year. "Miaka, I will not have that language in my team."

"What the hell is her damn problem," Miaka tinkled her bell necklace, licking her lips. "I just wanna play against that Sanada girl again."

Ai, face palming, resigned to face Fuuka who glared daggers at both the paper and at Miaka. "Please ignore Inuzuka-san, she clearly," –casting a sideward glare, "doesn't know her manners."

Fuuka shook it off after a five minute glare. "It's no harm done really, Yukimura."

"Well," Ai's face became grimmer while checking the scoreboard. "I wanted to have a good match before Amakusa gets involved. When she's here, everything Rikkai works for usually goes down the drain. Jyosei Shounan won't give you an easy time either, Souma."

Fuuka crushed the paper. "I don't give a darn about Jyosei Shounan – it's Hyotei Gakuen. As long as Kurenai's in their arsenal, our chances drop drastically."

"Shizuru's not as bad as you think she is and you still have Shibuya Ran-chan," Ai raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so hell-bent in...? Oh..."

Noticing Fuuka's heated glare, Ai held her laughter in as best as she could. "You want Tezuka to look at you..."

"He's so concentrated in winning the Nationals," Fuuka slumped on the chair. "I just want to stand next to him... Maybe..."

Ai laughed a bit, watching Fuuka stare off. "You... with Tezuka...? You really look like a fairytale princess."

"What's your problem," Fuuka glared at Ai until she heard Miaka chortling like no tomorrow. "Shut up, Inuzuka!"

Miaka wiped a tear from her eye. "Damn, that was just so rich! Where the hell did ya get that kind of imagination? If I were a dude, laughing in ya face woulda been so damn easy!"

"Inuzuka, your way of speaking disgusts me," Fuuka growled before turning heel.

Ai glared at Inuzuka before cheering Fuuka. "Well, I hope your fairytale comes true! Tezuka's not exactly a Prince Charming!"

I know it will, Fuuka made a slow smile while turning towards her side of the court.

()()()()

"Game, Hikifumi-Shimohi: five games to four!"

Somehow, the temporary dance proved to be efficient especially with Shikako's shots spinning with complex rotations. Rin flew high in the air for a backhand smash, causing Hikari to stumble back a bit while Shikako reached out for the ball.

"You're not going to win if you can't escape me," Haruka smiled while she suddenly broke away from Hikari.

Hikari, clucking her tongue, ran towards the open side while Haruka fired a shot right in between Shikako and her.

"Love – fifteen," Shikako bit her lip as another serve came from Hikari's side.

Rin leapt up in the air for another forehand aiming towards Shikako's right side which Hikari readily returned but Haruka countered with a spin volley right over the net.

"Love – thirty," Shikako felt all the sweat trickle into her mouth; this game pushed them beyond.

Though she may have been Hanamura-sensei's "masterpiece", these two made a new strategy on the spot and brought it out instantly without any adjustment period. Shikako bristled a bit while resuming back into her smiling façade.

"Love – forty," Hikari stumbled over the next volley when Rin started swooning around.

Haruka held Rin up. "I'll handle this. You can sit in the corner and look pretty."

"I don't wanna do it," Rin pouted impishly while folding her arms and puffing up her cheeks.

Haruka tapped her foot on the ground. "I am not hearing an argument from you."

"I wanna play," Rin shrieked loud enough to shatter Isane's eardrums.

Haruka flicked her forehead. "You want to dry up your throat badly?"

"Well," Rin puffed up her cheeks. "You're evil!"

Haruka sighed, ruffling Rin's hair. "Fine, if I don't get the next two shots – it's yours okay?"

Rin clapped her hands, jumping up and down. "YAY, I'M GONNA FINISH THEM OFF!"

Momo stared aghast. "She's still high!"

"Hyper would be more appropriate," Hitomi fixed her glasses. "Though, I wonder how long it will take before the chocolates wear off."

Hikari couldn't keep up the pace anymore, feeling numb in her legs as Haruka slipped in the Dragon's Tail.

"Game and match, Hikifumi-Shimohi: six games to four!"

Watching the two head back to the benches, Hitomi began scribbling on her notebook. "The chocolate will wear off in the next 5,4,3,2...1."

Rin slumped on the bench, completely tired and sleeping. Hearing a slight snore, the whole team decided to shut their mouth before she squeaks in horror of her snoring.

-That's chapter 26! I'm sorry for the late update! Please review! Your reviews are forever appreciated!