It's been a while, updating this story. Thanks to all who read and review this story...

My gratitude to my ever-patient beta-reader, Rea...

Btw, to answer your question, 'malling' in our country is going to a mall for shopping or window shopping or making use of the air conditioning of the place. XD

So without further ado, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis series. Konomi does.

Warning: A few OCs and characters might go out of their usual character.

'This' means thoughts.

This means the song.

In an expensive apartelle somewhere in Tokyo...

Lying on a wide bed was a young man with a long, platinum hair, listening to Franz Liszt's Totentanz (1) from his CD player. He was so lost with the music that he didn't notice his twin sister suddenly barged into his room.

"You're still listening to that music, Enrique?" She removed the plug from the outlet and sat on the bed beside her brother. "I simply don't understand why you love that kind of music--"

Enrique sat up and leaned against her back. "I'm scared, Estella. If this wasn't ordered by Mizaki-sama..."

Estella ruffled his hair. "Me, too. After all, I've heard of his feats during the war," she smiled wryly, "and him being a cold-hearted bastard."

"But why would she want us to kidnap Marionettenspieler's doll?" he asked his sister.

"Mizaki-sama thinks that he will return to Avonlea if we have her." She sighed wearily. 'To think we have to kidnap that girl with those fathomless cold blue eyes.' She glanced outside from the window. 'Haine Lucille von Rozenberg (2). How did he manage to control her?'

"Are you all right, Estella?" She was startled by her brother's voice. "Estella?"

"I'm...fine." She smiled to herself. 'Why should I be scared? As long as I'm with Enrique, we can face anything.' She grabbed Enrique's hand. 'Nothing can separate us.'

"Ne, Enrique. What is the title of that music you were listening to earlier?"

"Totentanz." He murmured, his eyes slowly closing. "It means the Dance of Death in German."

"Really?" She yawned. "It's rather fitting. Don't you think, Enri--" She saw her brother, blissfully asleep beside her.

"Good night, Enrique." She lightly kissed on her brother's cheek before quietly leaving the room.

CHAPTER FOUR

--The Afternoon Piano--(3)

Two weeks later at the Echizen residence...

"Eh?! You promised me that we would go shopping, Father."

Haine pouted her lips, glaring at her father, who was busy typing his lecture on his laptop. "You promised! You promised! You promised!"

"I'm so sorry, Haine," Ryoma sighed in relief, turning off his laptop. "Mitsuki called me last night and told me that I have to substitute two afternoon classes."

"But, Father--"

"I have no choice. My classes will end at five in the afternoon. Maybe I could let Suzuki go with you today."

"No." Haine shook her head, Ryoma stared disbelievingly at her. "I don't want anyone to come with me. I want you to come with me."

"Haine," he combed his hair in frustration. "Please be considerate. I don't want you to wait for me."

"I don't care if I have to wait for you." She looked pleadingly. "Please, Father. I want to see what a mall looks like with you."

Ryoma couldn't help but give in to her request. "All right." He sighed in resignation. "I'll tell Mitsuki about you coming when I see him."

Haine threw herself at him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much."

"Anything for my beloved daughter. By the way," he released himself from her hug. "Who told you about malls?"

She beamed at him. "It's Mitsuki-sama."

"I—see." He sighed inwardly. 'Mitsuki, you are so dead for this.'

"Ahem." Both of them glanced at the doorway and saw Suzuki standing outside, trying to hide her amusement. "Ryoma-dono, your car is ready."

Ryoma rose. "Thank you, Suzuki." Suzuki bowed and quietly withdrew. "Shall we go, Haine? I have to post these test results on the board."

Haine nodded and followed her father out of the room.

At Tokyo University...

Outside the office of the Languages Department, students were crowding at the bulletin board as the results of Ryoma's so-called out-of-this-world English exam were finally posted, gaining mixed reactions from the students.

"Sugoi! Those five topped the exams again. People can be so lucky."

"Cheer up, man! They only got 90 percent. The exam must be difficult for them also."

"Yatta! I passed. Thank goodness"

"Really? I barely passed. How about you?"

"Not good." Sigh. "I guess I have to brush up my former notes again."

"Oi! Someone's fainted."

"I want to die." Sob. "Okaa-san...I'm so sorry."

Suddenly, the crowd fell silent as they gave way to the aforementioned topnotchers.

"Look. The results are out." Fuji skimmed through the results. "Hmm...Only a few of us passed the exams. Interesting." He glanced at Yukimura, who was whispering to Sanada. "Yukimura, the five of us only got 90 percent."

"Really? Oh, well." Yukimura shrugged as he stood beside Fuji. "I do admit the exam was rather challenging so I did expect my score to be lower than that. What about you, Sanada?"

"I'm glad that I passed, but I didn't expect Echizen to give out that kind of exam. I guess it was a fitting punishment and a warning to all of us." Sanada glanced at Atobe, who was talking to a couple of enthralled girls. "Especially this guy."

"Huh?" Atobe glanced back at Sanada. "Were you saying something, Sanada?"

Sanada grimaced. "Never mind." Atobe shrugged, continuing his conversation with the girls.

Yukimura chuckled. "By the way, Fuji, how's Tezuka?" He whispered, glancing furtively to Tezuka. "He seems to be listless these days."

"He's still surprised about Echizen having a daughter. You should have seen his expression when he barged inside the infirmary. He was really worried about his daughter."

"Have you tried asking Kaitou-sensei about it?"

"I tried, but you know Kaitou-sensei. He always smiles mysteriously when he has a secret."

"How about Echizen?"

Fuji shrugged. "I only see him in our class. The faculty room is off-limits for us except if we are being called. Besides—Echizen never talked to us since he came back."

"I see." Yukimura glanced at Tezuka. "He really tried to hide it, didn't he?"

"What are you two talking about?" Both of them glanced at Atobe. "You keep on glancing at Tezuka. Is there something wrong with him?"

Yukimura gave him a serene smile; Atobe flinched a bit. "It's none of your business, Atobe. It's a se-cr-et. Right, Fuji?"

"Right. Oh, I almost forgot." Fuji looked at Tezuka. "Tezuka, don't you have plans this afternoon?"

"I'm planning to buy a book at the mall today."

"Good. Yukimura and I are planning to go there as well. I was wondering if we could come with you."

Tezuka eyed him suspiciously for a while before he relented. "I don't mind. Besides, I might need your help in finding a gift for my mother."

"Good then." Fuji smiled at him. "We'll meet you at the Third Music Room (4). Four-thirty sharp. Okay?"

Then, the school bell rang.

"I better go." Fuji looked at his watch. "I'm having an exam today. See you in the afternoon."

They went their separate ways as the crowd slowly dispersed.

Tezuka was on his way to his class when he accidentally bumped into Haibara Akito.

"I'm sorry, Haibara-sensei," he said in an apologetic tone. "I wasn't looking."

"I—I'm all right, Tezuka-kun." Haibara smiled reassuringly at him. "Nothing damaged and all. Now off you go."

Tezuka bowed slightly before he went on his way.

'So he was the reason why the Crown Prince came back here,' Haibara mused as he watched Tezuka turning right. 'I could use him.'

He smiled to himself. 'It's going to be fun toying with Marionettenspieler's feelings.'

It was already three-thirty in the afternoon when Haine arrived at the office.

"My apologies for coming late, Aiko-san," she shut the door behind her. "We were having a meeting for our school festival."

"Good afternoon, Haine-hime." Aiko greeted her noncommittally. "Mitsuki-sama isn't here right now but he told me to bring you to the Third Music Room."

The girl's eyes glowed brightly. "Really? Is there a piano there?"

"Of course. The chairman reserved that room especially for you." The secretary rose from her seat. "Shall we go then?"

Both of them left the office and went upstairs until they reached the said music room.

Haine could only stare with awe when she saw the grand piano standing in the middle of the room. "Wow, Aiko-san..." She was speechless. "I don't know what to say."

"A word of gratitude would be nice." Aiko was amused by the girl's happy expression. 'Why would a girl like her get so worked up over a dull instrument?' "I have to go, Haine-hime. I'll tell your father that you're here." She bowed before closing the door.

"Well then," Haine placed her bag on the floor and strode towards the piano, lightly touching the keys. "It's so pretty." She pressed a key. "Wah! It even sounds so pretty."

She looked around the room before sitting down before the piano. "No one's here so I guess there's no harm if I change into my true form."

With a snap from her fingers, she was surrounded by a bright light as she turned back to her true form.

One hour later...

Tezuka had just arrived at the doorstep of the Third Music Room when he heard the soft strains of the piano inside.

'Someone's playing inside.' He opened the door. 'I wonder who...' He fell silent as he found himself staring into a pair of deep, sapphire blue eyes.

"Oh, my," An alluring, midnight-black haired lady, wearing a long, summer cotton dress, was smiling amusingly at him. "It seems that my music managed to attract a handsome young man like you."

"I—I'm sorry for disturbing you," Tezuka began to apologize but the lady merely chuckled. "Please don't apologize. You didn't disturb anything. I was about to end anyway." She noticed the discomfited expression on the brunet's face. "Oh, please do take a seat." Her eyes gazed at the chaise lounge near the oriel window. "It would be very rude for me to not let you sit."

Tezuka quietly closed the door and sat on the chaise lounge. "You were playing Schubert's Serenade (5), right?"

"Really?" He stared confusingly at her. "I didn't know that was the title of the piece I played."

He blinked. "You didn't know? How come you can play that piece?"

"I can play by ear, you know." The lady smiled wistfully. "My father played that one once. He had this...lonely expression while playing. It kind of struck in my mind so I decided to play that today."

"I see." They were silent for a while before the lady spoke again.

"What is your name, young man?"

Tezuka was hesitant to give his name for he barely knew her but he decided against it. "I'm Tezuka Kunimitsu."

"Oh, really?" She peered at him, her fingers grazing over the keys. "Can you sing, Tezuka-kun?"

"Huh?" He stared in askance at her. 'What's with this lady?'

"You seem to be surprised by my question." She smiled teasingly. "We are in a music room, after all."

He eyed her suspiciously. "I can sing. Why?"

"I have this urge to play this song in my mind. Would you mind singing it for me?"

She pressed a key; Tezuka's body stiffened at the sound. "What song do you want me to sing?"

She gazed straight to him. "Then, Tezuka-san, will you let me play your song?" She pressed another one.

"I--" He started to feel dizzy as the lady kept on pressing the keys randomly. "I--don't know any song."

"Don't worry about it." She smiled mysteriously. "A song is a mirror that reflects your entire being, Tezuka-kun. Only you can sing your own song."

As her dainty fingers touched the keys, it produced a haunting melody that even Tezuka couldn't help but be spellbound by it.

"Let go of your hesitations, Tezuka Kunimitsu, and follow what your heart is dictating."

The brunet finally gave in and started singing with his heart out.

--

hitokage no mabara na HOME ni futari

tada damatte suwatta mama

komiageru omoi ni togireta kotoba

kimi no koe ga fureteita

...

senro zoi yureteiru

namonaki hana no you ni kokoro wo

kono kaze ni yudaneteitai

...

wasurenai ima kono toki wo

bokutachi no jidai wo

nani mo nai basho kara hajimatte

tabidachi no toki wo mukaeta

kawaranai keshite kienai

ano hi no yakusoku ga

michibiku mirai wo tada mezasou

sore ga kimi to deaeta akashi

...

houkago no koutei wo tada gamushara ni

hashiru kimi wo zutto miteta

...

"toki ga tomareba ii"

kimi no kotoba ga mune ni setsunai

mata hitotsu kisetsu ga owaru

...

wasurenai itsudemo koko ni

bokutachi ga ita koto

ano kagayaki ga ano iradachi ga

iroasenu toki wo kizanda

nagai michinori ni kizutsuite

taoresou na toki mo

mae dake mitsumete aruite iku

sore ga kimi to deaeta akashi

...

sayonara no kawari ni kimi wo

dakishimete shimaeba

kokoro ga fureta ano shunkan ni

bokutachi wa modotte shimau

tooku naru RAIL no oto wo

senaka de kiki nagara

sorezore no michi wo erabu koto ga

sore ga futari deaeta akashi (6)

--

Few minutes later, Tezuka succumbed to sleep.

The lady went over the chaise lounge and knelt beside him. "Thank you for sharing your song with me." She gingerly touched his hair. "I understand why my master has fallen hard for you."

She rose and gazed outside the window. "We will see each other again, Tezuka Kunimitsu. I hope you won't forget my name." She glanced at him. "My name is Haine Lucille von Rozenberg." She smiled serenely. "And my master's name is the one you know as Echizen Ryoma."

She lightly kissed his forehead before she went back to the piano.

"Tezuka...Tezuka!"

Tezuka's eyes slowly fluttered open and found himself staring at Fuji, who was beside him. "Fuji?" He sat up. "What time is it?"

Fuji looked at his watch. "It's already 4:50, Tezuka. I never thought you would fall asleep while waiting for us. Maybe you shouldn't go."

"No," Tezuka said quietly, gathering his belongings. "I'm all right." He then noticed a midnight-black haired girl in her school uniform, staring curiously at him. 'This girl—she looks familiar.' He furrowed his brows. 'Why?'

"Onii-san--" He was startled to see her standing in front of him. "You should smile more often. Like this."

She smiled alluringly at him, suddenly reminding Tezuka about the mysterious lady he met earlier.

"The lady…" He murmured, looking around the room. "Where is she?"

"If you're looking for that beautiful lady, she told me that she had important things to do," the girl said. "She wants me to tell you to take care of yourself."

"Aa." Tezuka regarded her suspiciously. "Fuji, who is she?"

"Her name is Haine, Tezuka," Fuji glanced at her. "As you see, she's studying at Seigaku."

'Haine? Even her name is familiar.' He stared at her. "Are you waiting for someone here, young miss?"

"Yes. I'm waiting for my father to fetch me." Haine beamed at them. "We are going to the mall today."

"Really?" Fuji cajoled her a bit. "Maybe you and your father can join us."

"Hmm..." She frowned a bit. "I don't know. I'll try asking him." The door then slightly opened. "Oh, here he comes now."

To their surprise, it was Ryoma who entered the room with the worried look on his face. "Thank goodness that you're here. Are you all set? It's already five."

"Father, I was wondering..." She glanced hesitantly. "...if we can join them in going to the mall." She glanced at Fuji.

"Them?" Ryoma then noticed Tezuka and Fuji, who were both watching them. "Oh, I didn't notice that both of you are also here."

"Echizen, don't tell me. She's that…"

He glanced at his daughter. "Haine, these two are my former teammate and captain while I was studying in Seigaku. The guy with the permanent smile on his face is Fuji Syusuke, and the guy with the glasses is Tezuka Kunimitsu." He glanced at Tezuka. "He's the one whom you crashed into a week ago."

"Oh." She bowed before Tezuka. "I'm so sorry about that accident a week ago." She grinned sheepishly. "I was rather in a hurry at that time…"

"It's all right." He gave her a faint smile. "Your name?"

"Oh, yeah. My name is Echizen Haine, by the way," Haine murmured shyly. "Yoroshiku ne…"

'Echizen Haine, huh?' Fuji mused while watching the interaction between the two. 'This is intriguing.' He peered at Ryoma, who was absentmindedly petting his daughter's hair. 'There's something strange about this whole thing.'

He smiled shrewdly. 'I can't wait to unravel this 'secret'.'

He glanced to Tezuka, who was trying to hide his emotions. "What can you say about her, Tezuka?" He whispered. "She's cute and quite endearing, isn't she?"

Tezuka pondered momentarily before he responded. "Aa. She's—quite endearing, as you say."

"What do you think, Father?" Haine looked beseechingly at Ryoma. "Can we join them?"

Ryoma stared at them for a while and then sighed in resignation. "Of course—if they don't mind."

"We won't mind, Echizen," Fuji smiled serenely. "Right, Tezuka?" Tezuka sighed inwardly.

"Yippee!" Haine cheered and grabbed Fuji's hand. "Let's go, Fuji-niichan." She dragged him out of the room, leaving the other two behind.

They were exchanging hesitant glances before Ryoma sighed again. "Shall we follow them?"

Tezuka merely gave a small nod before they finally left the room.

(1) Totentanz is the German word for the Dance of Death. The whole name is Totentanz: Paraphrase on Dies Irae. It's one of the Franz Lizst's pieces (and one of my faves, too.)

(2) Haine Lucille von Rozenberg is the real name of Haine. Why? Well...It's a secret for now.

(3) You might be wondering why I named this chapter "The Afternoon Piano'. I got it from (to my amazement...) Tsubasa Chronicle. One of the episodes, actually, where Sakura sang to a lady from the bar (Oruha, I think...). As you see, I kinda stole a scene from it. -runs away-

(4) A reference from Ouran High School Host Club ? -sweatdrops-

(5) Another fave piece. It's actually a part of Schubert's Schwanengesang (Swan Song). It's also called Standchen (which is Serenade in German).

(6) This song is entitled Akashi which is sung by Okiayu Ryoutarou (the seiyuu of Tezuka) from the album "with". Why the song? Saa...On the other hand, I should have made him sing Japanese version of 'You Are My Love', instead. xD

Here you go! My new chapter...-sighs-

Misaki's men has finally arrived in Japan in the form of the twins, Enrique and Estella. What do you think are their powers? Why is Estella scared at the other half of Haine?

These questions will be answered in the next chapter. Haine will experience her first trip at the mall and let's just say...there will be fighting in this chapter.

For now, reviews and constructive opinions will be much appreciated. -grins-