Prince Of Tennis Fan Fiction ❯ Shine ❯ Chapter 1

"Shine"A _Price of Tennis_ FanfictionBy Andrea Readwolf <andrea_readwolf @hotmail.com>Chapter: 1/1Rating: PG-13Pairings: Tezuka + KiriharaGenre: DramaWarnings: Underage characters in situations of self-discovery. Characters are written in character according to author's interpretation. Spoilers: Post Nationals, mentions happenings from the Hyotei arc, Rikkaidai arc, and the current anime arc. Summary: There are some lessons that can only be learned at the hands of a rival. Disclaimer: Tennis no Ohjisama, characters and settings are the property of Konomi Takeshi.Date Started: July 29, 2004Status: completed August 8, 2004Revised: Word Count: 3745

"Shine" by Andrea Readwolf

It wouldn't be the first time Kirihara Akaya could be accused of being impulsive. Those who knew and cared for him were well aware of the second year's tendency to... well, wander. But today wasn't a careless mistake or bumbling accident. Today was a thought-out expedition, executed with the precision and intelligence Akaya rarely felt the need to demonstrate off the tennis court. Today, Akaya had a very specific goal. Niou and Marui had chosen today to work out a new doubles strategy, effectively tying both Jackal and Yagyuu up in repetitious practice formations. Generally, anything having to do with tennis was sufficient stimulus enough to hold Akaya's attention, which was probably why Renji hadn't said anything about bringing Akaya with him, Sanada, and Yukimura on their own mysterious agenda.

That was fine, though, as it allowed Akaya the distraction he needed to slip away. He didn't have long to wait at the bus station before the next lumbering beast appeared, which was good, because it gave him more of a head start before the others could notice he was missing. Not that his senpai didn't mean well, of course, but he knew they probably wouldn't approve of what he had planned for today. No, especially not Sanada-fukubuchou. Yukimura-buchou would understand, if not exactly approve, and that knowledge made Akaya feel at least a little better for purposefully duping his senpai. Akaya didn't know how long it would take--he had found his way to Seigaku the first time quite by accident--so he forced himself to stay awake and pay attention, although it was quite tempting to just curl up and take a nap. The scenery, however, was not stimulating at all, and in a short time span, the second year found himself mulling over his goal. Akaya was heading towards Seishun Junior High School. He was searching out its captain, Tezuka Kunimitsu. He was going to challenge Tezuka to a...friendly match. He would win. It was, after all, practically his duty, his destiny, was it not, the second year mused. Seigaku's own 'baby' had fought Rikkaidai's Sanada and won, now it was Rikkaidai's 'baby's' turn to return the favor, wasn't it? But it was more than that. So much more. "Che! I should be the one to defeat Tezuka," the disgruntled junior had muttered on the eve of the final tournament. Yukimura has smiled so sweetly, though, cupping Akaya's face in his cool palms. "How you have grown, Akaya," he had said calmly, softly, causing the younger teen to blush. "I'm sorry I couldn't have been there for you more, to help you--""But you were sick," Akaya protested. "And... And you're here now." "Yes, I am here now," Rikkaidai's captain stated firmly. "And that is why I will play against Tezuka, Kirihara, not you." Yukimura had been firm. He had played in the final match. Rikkaidai had lost. And now...

Now...

Akaya stared in numb shock at the empty tennis courts of Seigaku. Somehow the scene before him just didn't make sense. Why wasn't anyone here? Where were all the championship players?

In a decision he didn't really understand, Akaya loosened the lock and entered Seigaku's deserted tennis courts and... Just stood there, looking around him. "You're far from home, Kirihara." Akaya whirled around swiftly to face the familiar voice. "Tezuka." Seigaku's captain inclined his head fractionally, eyes never wavering from Akaya's face, silently demanding his purpose for being there. Akaya grinned. "Play with me."If his demanded request surprised the older teen, Tezuka gave no hint. Instead, he made his own inquiry. "What do you hope to gain by coming here?" "Another piece of the puzzle," the dark-haired teen mused aloud to himself.

He'd watched Atobe's match with Tezuka... watched as Sanada and Atobe fought over Tezuka like the Seigaku captain was a piece of prized meat. And he'd seen the desire burning in his own respected and beloved captain's eyes.... Akaya wanted to know, to understand what it was those others had sought from Tezuka. Why no one else would slave their hunger and thirst.

"How was it that you were able to defeat Yukimura-buchou?" Akaya demanded, narrowed eyes studying the teen before him. Tezuka didn't *look* very impressive. Not at all. In fact, with his lips turned down like that in a little frown, Tezuka looked... like a dead fish.

"You should be asking your captain that question, not me." Kirihara's own frown deepened. He *had* asked Yukimura. "He said I should ask you." Seigaku's tennis captain looked at Akaya for another minute, not saying anything, and then he turned and walked away from the tennis courts, calling back over his shoulder, "Go home, Kirihara."Akaya blinked, stunned at the other tennis player's attitude. And, heck! Wasn't he even going to lock the tennis courts up? He jogged after Tezuka--after all, he should remind the other boy that he'd left the tennis courts unlocked, right?

But when Akaya caught up with the third year he found he couldn't really articulate what he wanted to say to the other teen. So he just followed Seigaku's captain instead. After all, he'd come all this way to play a friendly game of tennis with Tezuka, and the other player hadn't really said 'no.' Why should he, either? Akaya was a damn good player--okay, maybe not as good as Sanada or Yukimura--yet--but he *was* good. He could hold his own in any match--even against mighty-fucking-cold fish Tezuka!

"Why are you following me?" Akaya blinked, suddenly becoming aware of his surroundings again. When had they gotten to the train station, he wondered, and why? Fumbling for his card wallet, Akaya slapped his student train pass against the scanner and trotted after Tezuka like a determined little puppy. "Play with me," he demanded again, unaware and uncaring of the looks he was gardening.

The other teen didn't even waste a moment's breath for thought. "No." Akaya fumed. "Why not?" he growled, pushing in front of Tezuka as they waited on the platform for the next train. "Are you scared that I'll beat ya?" Tezuka looked down at Akaya assessingly... and then a tiny smile tugged at the third year's lips, and Akaya thought he heard the older teen mutter something sounding like, "Mada mada da ne."

He couldn't be sure, however, because of the rumbling roar of the train as it rocketed into the station.

"You think that just because you guys won this year that you can look down on everyone else?" he demanded angrily, pushing past a salary-man to keep up with Tezuka. "Well, think again! Rikkaidai will wipe the floor with Seigaku's jersey's next year." "Then you would better serve going home and seeing to it that you have a strong line up for next year," Tezuka pointed out calmly. "Or, if you want, I can have some of our jerseys delivered to you."Akaya's mouth worked over several choice phrases he wanted to tell Tezuka--most of the physically improbable--but thankfully, before he could manage to voice any of them, he was reminded of where they were and snap his mouth shut with an audible growl. There was standing room only in this particular compartment, and Akaya stuck to Tezuka like a dog, glaring.

It took nearly a half hour before the train cleared out enough for a couple seats to open up, and by then Akaya had given up on staring dangerously at Captain Cold-Fish and had taken to looking out at the passing scenery instead.

"Where are we heading to anyway?"Tezuka spared the second year the first glance since getting on the train. "I'm going home," he answered, turning back to the novel he was reading.

"We gonna play there? You have your own personal tennis courts or something?""No."

Akaya's mouth opened to retort something, but he quickly snapped it shut again and continued to study Tezuka as the train chugged along. The second year had lasted two years under Sanada's tutelage not to know how to handle a stubborn superior into getting his way. Still, it was not even five minutes later when Akaya's foot jiggled nervously with pent-up energy.

"You live pretty far out, huh?" Tezuka obviously felt that question didn't need a verbal answer and for all intents and purposes he continued to ignore the second year. Annoyed, Akaya blurted out one of the subjects that had been bothering him. "Yukimura-buchou is better now," Kirihara stated firmly. "Everyday he gets stronger and stronger---stronger than ever before." "That's as it should be," Tezuka finally commented. "We all work hard to improve ourselves, Kirihara." "So play with me--help me improve."

*

Tezuka lowered his book and looked at the second year---looking, searching the boy's face, his eyes, and then he turned back to his book. "Not yet.""But *why*?" Kirihara cried out, the mulish set of his face breaking into tantrum territory. It was an expression Tezuka was familiar with from his own teammates, and he smiled faintly.

Why me, Kirihara? Why does it have to be me? Why not one of your teammates? Or your captain? Why do you need to play *me*?

"Why?"Kirihara frowned petulantly, thinking over that question and then he grinned.

"Because you're the be--you shine."Tezuka shook his head. 'The best'? "There are others who shine, Kirihara--" he started, but then Tezuka sighed.

And yet you come to me. Do you understand what it is you're asking for? What it would mean? No one is every really prepared for it, but you came to me, you asked me, not your captain. Yukimura sent you to me. Why? Don't I have enough to deal with?

Tezuka looked at the youth glaring stubbornly back at him.

Hadn't Tezuka done the same thing with his team, in a fashion? Sending them out to experience and grow and develop while he was away in Germany, recovering?And this underclassman was so much like Ryoma, instinctively seeking out the bright lights surrounding him, challenging them. And hadn't it been Sanada who had finally succeeded in getting Ryoma to touch that light Tezuka had first shown him? Tezuka's team who had shown Kirihara the light? Perhaps he could help this second year touch it, hold it... Tezuka wasn't worried that Kirihara would defeat him in a match... it was the aftermath of any possible match that worried him. Ryoma had seen the light and raced too fast to touch it, hold it... and the light had almost scarred him; he'd very nearly been scared off by the glow. He hadn't been ready yet. But maybe Kirihara was ready. He stood to get off at the next stop; He was still several stops away from his home stop, but there was a quiet municipal park right outside this station with a well-kept tennis court. It was the same one he had played on when he was an elementary student, and it was deserted. Tennis just wasn't as popular as other sports.

Kirihara continued to follow him.

"What is it you really want?" Tezuka wanted to know. He set his bags off to the side and turned to face the second year. "I want to break you," Kirihara answered without pause. There was a spark in the second year's eyes that Tezuka was more than familiar with seeing shine from a pair of golden first year's. "I was there, that day you played against Atobe--""A lot of people were there, Kirihara," Tezuka interrupted. "That was Kanto." "I saw how Sanada-fukubuchou--how he watched you. He wanted to play you, too."

Tezuka didn't have anything to say about that. He was well aware that there were many who chased him, from his own team as well as other teams--just as there were those who he chased, hungered to play against.

"Kirihara--come," Tezuka demanded, pulling a racket from his bag. "You serve first."

It only took the second year a couple of dropped games to realize Tezuka wasn't playing as seriously as he could be. Even though Akaya was loosing, Tezuka wasn't playing seriously. He gave Akaya credit for realizing he was challenging the second year to play better, but he wasn't pitting his full ability against the junior.

That didn't stop Akaya from becoming angry.

"Why?" he shouted from across the net, panting fiercely.

When Tezuka didn't answer him, Akaya growled and reached across the net to grab Tezuka, yanking him forward, forcing his lips onto Tezuka's, challengingly.

*

Tezuka didn't react to him---he didn't fight Akaya, but he didn't encourage him either. And finally, Akaya pulled away and wiped his mouth off with his arm sleeve. "You're a cold fish, you know that Tezuka?" Akaya hissed. "That's what I really don't get--how someone as... as *dull* as you can play with as much passion as I saw. How you could have possibly defeated Yukimura-buchou, who is the most passionate person I know. How you can hold Sanada-fukubuchou's interests when you're nothing more that a slab of dead meat..."

But, it wasn't true. Tezuka wasn't always a cold fish. Akaya had seen it with his own eyes. The intensity and passion that radiated from Seigaku's captain...

And Akaya wanted to know why--to know how Tezuka did it? He wanted to know how he could outshine Yukimura, how he could win against Akaya's captain like that? And Sanada, who was also so determined to be the best...how he could continue to chase Tezuka when the third year acted like this?

Why wouldn't Tezuka show him what it was that they saw? Hyotei's Atobe-san was intense, passionate. But Atobe seemed to demand everyone's attention and worship. "Here I am. Worship me!" his actions shouted.

Maybe.... maybe Tezuka was more like Yukimura. His actions made the statement, "Here I am," and let you draw your own conclusions. A look or one-word from those two could send the toughest man snapping to attention, jumping to obey quicker than Atobe's flashiness. Their lights were quietly blazing, silently demanding--they were authority.

And Akaya wanted that. "Tennis is a game about respect," Tezuka announced when Akaya's outburst died out. "Respect for yourself and respect for your opponent. It's about skill and subtlety and execution--"

"Then play me fair!" Akaya cried out.

Tezuka's eyes narrowed, and then he nodded again, as if reaching a conclusion. "You learned tennis alone, didn't you? In many ways, you are like Echizen. Your skills of execution are very good, but you lack subtlety."Come, Kirihara, let's finish this match," Tezuka said sadly. "I won't hold back any longer." *

He fell to his knees, exhausted, but grinning.

"Kirihara?"

The younger boy looked up, eyes shining, and then Tezuka had the experience of the second year launching himself at the Seigaku captain, knocking his glasses aside as Kirihara smashed his lips to Tezuka's for the second time that day. This time, Tezuka stumbled back under the surprising onslaught, loosing his balance, and falling back, taking Kirihara with him.

They hissed and cried out as their bodies hit the asphalt, scraping and sliding and peeling. Kirihara's wiggling to get free only succeeded in tangling his legs further in the net, and finally Tezuka had to hold him still while he slid out from under the other teen and then he could help untangle the younger boy.

"These need to be looked at," the captain tsked looking at both his hands and Kirihara's, and noting the second year's raw knees as well. "Let's go."

It was the calm authoritative voice that Kirihara was used to hearing from Yukimura, and the second year reacted without complaint, returning his racquet, grabbing his towel and wiping himself off.

"They'll get infected."

"I've dealt with worse."

"Haven't we all? Come, my home is nearby."

Once again, Kirihara found himself following Tezuka away from another empty tennis court. This time, however, Tezuka didn't walk to the train station but cut through the park instead. Kirihara didn't recognize the area, but that wasn't very surprising. He knew they were out of the capital city proper. To either side of the walk were elegant looking houses with plots of land filled with flowers and bushes.

This was an affluent neighborhood.

Tezuka continued to lead the younger boy past the cast iron gate and up a walkway lined with yellow and blue and purple flowers. It was a rather large home, not following most traditional styles, but still containing a simple elegance. "It's my grandfather's. He built it after the war. Come into the kitchen; we have a first aid kit in there."

Kirihara couldn't help but look at the house around him. The simple design and decoration was so different from the chaos of his own home. He wondered if this was what Yukimura's or Sanada's homes looked like. Simple, yet strong.

Tezuka directed Kirihara to a seat at the table and then began to clean the younger teen's hands and knees with experienced precision of execution. He couldn't help but notice other marks, old scars, but he avoiding touching or looking too long at them.

"Why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Kiss me. Earlier."

"oh, that?" shrugged. "I don't know. I guess 'cause I felt like it."

"Don't do it again."

"Eh? Why not?"

"Because a kiss is something that should be shared between two people who care for each other; not something carelessly wasted and thrown away."

Blinked and then grinned. "I don't think kissing you was a waste of a kiss--"

Kirihara leaned closer, as if to demonstrate.

Tezuka didn't lean away, but continued to watch the younger boy. At the last moment, his eyes dropped to Kirihara's lips and--

The door chime sang out.

Tezuka stood and left to answer the door, leaving Kirihara alone in the kitchen. Frowning, the second year picked at the edge of the bandage covering his palm. That is, until a familiar voice caught his ear and he traced his way back to the front entrance to investigate.

Tezuka is slightly surprised to see three Rikkaidai seniors on his doorstep.

"Hello, Tezuka-kun, I believe you have something of ours."

Tezuka nodded, slightly bemused as held his door open in offering.

"Yukimura-buchou," Kirihara said, clearly surprised to see his captain, vice-captain, and Renji standing there.

"Akaya."

"We'll wait outside," Renji offered, smiling ever politely and moving to intervene as Sanada reached out to grab the sophomore by his collar. "No rush."

Yukimura smiled after the three before turning back to Tezuka. "I hope he wasn't too much trouble for you."

"I've dealt with worse," Tezuka replied, motioning the other captain further into his home. "Can I get you something to drink? Some tea?"

"No, that's quite all right, thank you, but I won't take up much of your time." Yukimura stopped before they could enter the kitchen. "I wanted you to know that we had a little run in with your freshman this afternoon."

Tezuka stiffened, and then relaxed.

"Some are born leaders," Yukimura continued when Tezuka remained silent. "Others--must be trained, guided. Shown the way or path before them." He smiled, reaching out to gently place a hand on Tezuka's arm.

"Kirihara will make a good captain next year," Tezuka said after a moment.

"So, too, will your Echizen, when his time comes."

The two captains shared an understanding look of young men who were fated to deal with rambunctious juniors and teammates. And then Yukimura turned away.

"I shouldn't keep them waiting too long."

"Yukimura?" Tezuka called him back before the other could leave. "How did you know he was here?" he couldn't help but ask as they turned to the front door.

"Oh, that?" Yukimura offered a familiar smile. "Coincidentally, I was meeting my cousin for dessert and he'd happened to have seen you two, so he offered to guide us to you." Yukimura slipped his shoes on and then smiled over his shoulder. "I believe he's waiting for you in the back yard."

Kirihara turned to the door the second Yukimura reappeared, and then he turned away again, eyes downcast as he waited for his captain to join Sanada, Renji, and him at the sidewalk. He couldn't hear what the two captains were saying despite straining his ears to do so.

It wasn't long before fingers brushed against his shoulder and the three teens took their leave at the gentle command of their captain, "Shall we go, then?"

Sanada hadn't said a word to Kirihara as they waited outside for Yukimura. Renji had just told him to be quiet and patient and wait for their captain. Quiet and patient were not two of Kirihara's most favorite things. Especially when he knew he was going to be punished for running away like he had done.

"Did you get your questions answered?" Yukimura asked after they'd turned the corner at the end of the street.

Kirihara frowned. "Old ones, yes, I think I did, but..."

"But?" the captain prompted.

"But now I have new ones."

Yukimura smiled.

"Never stop asking why or how you can improve yourself, Kirihara," Renji told him. "That's how we all grow."

A large hand clamped down on Kirihara's shoulder, and he almost jumped with surprise, his head whipping around to stare up at Sanada. There was a fraction of a moment when the pressure squeezed just fractionally into the muscle, and then released--a reassuring gesture.

"Let's go home," was all the vice-captain said.

"Yes, I know a few people who are worried about you," Yukimura teased lightly, easily threading his fingers in and around Kirihara's.

Kirihara basked in their glow.

*

Tezuka watched as Kirihara and the three Rikkaidai seniors turned at the walk before closing the door and making his way out back. And then he just leaned a shoulder against the stone column and relaxed as he watched the teen squatting by the fishpond toss some breadcrumbs into the water.

"Cousin?" he finally asked.

"Mmm." Fuji Syusuke smiled up at him. "I guess I never mentioned that my mother's family is rather fond of tennis, ne, Kunimitsu?" he continued, standing up and brushing his palms clean on his pants.

Tezuka shook his head, turning away to head back inside, knowing the other boy would follow.

'Yes, there were others who shined more brightly, Kirihara,' he thought, feeling hands slide along side his waist, and he turned into them.

~Owarimasu~

Author's Notes:

This fic was actually hard to write. I had a lot of trouble with the point of view perspective as the story started out with Akaya, but then Tezuka wanted to have some say in the narrative, too. I'm not sure how well the pov breaks worked, or even if combining the narrative in the end so the story was basically being told from my point of view worked. Point of View has always been one of my weak points as a writer, so it sometimes makes me very nervous.

Also, this is the first time I'm writing the Rikkaidai boys in a serious fic that someone other than Bunny is getting to see. I actually feel much more comfortable writing the doubles team than I do the singles boys; I wonder why.... Still, Akaya seems to be majorly out of character to me (I mean, what's with the sudden plantage of kisses here?). Yukimura and Sanada I feel a bit more comfortable with, and I'm beginning to work with Renji some more, so, that wasn't so bad, I guess.

I wanted to keep the story as close to the specifications as possible: Emily asked for a Tezuka and Kirihara fic, set at Tezuka's house, with Kirihara's desire to play Tezuka in a match as the catalyst for more action.

Well, sorry, Emily (and others). I know you were looking for some Tezuka x Kirihara action of the lemony variety, but it just didn't pan out that way. ~__~ Quite honestly, Fuji wouldn't let me and Yukimura seemed to agree that Akaya is just way too young to handle that type of relationship outside the team yet. >.< And, I mean... what was I supposed to do? Say 'no' to *both* Fuji *and* Yukimura? I'm just not that strong...

Also, the bit about Fuji and Yukimura being cousins (although probably some times removed) is something I've thought about before. What are your opinions on the matter?

Leading Quotes:

~Akaya's protectiveness of his own, every bit as fierce as his will to win, would serve him well next year when he became captain~ from Ravenwood's "Earth over Thunder".

~"Here I am. Worship me!" & ""Here I am," and let you draw your own conclusions" are quotes from a story that I'm currently drawing a blank on, but I'm going to hazard a guess and say one of Aoe's or Shoori's or Miko no da's Weiss Kreuz fics. I'm fairly sure the lines were originally written in reference to Yohji and Aya from Ken's point of view, but I could be wrong. ^.^;; I know, that's horrible of me, but they're lines that struck a cord with me, and I haven't been able to forget them since.

C&C is appreciated.