I've decided to make this story rated T... just for safety... I hope nobody minds.

I thank all of you who reviewed and encouraged me to update so quickly.

To all of you.... enjoy.... to all those who don't review... REVIEW!

Chapter 6: Real Love of Tennis

Finally it was time for the long awaited Hyoutei match.

Reiko was there wand was extremely happy that she could finally watch a full Seigaku match. But the feeling in the air didn't match her excitement.

Oishi had hurt his wrist and Momo was taking his place. The Golden Pair was divided.

Reiko looked around at the nervous tennis club members, "Syuuske?" She asked as Momo and Eiji walked onto the court.

"Hmm?" Fuji answered, his entire focus on the match in front of him.

"Why is everyone so nervous? Both Momo and Kikumaru-senpai are great tennis players and their styles really should compliment each other…"

Fuji nodded, "While that may be true, the two of them never really practice as a doubles team while the other team is more than likely bred to be in sync," He looked at his girlfriend who was staring at the court, "I forgot you're still a beginner when it comes to tennis."

She scowled, "I wouldn't necessarily say that…"

Fuji looked surprised, "You play tennis?" He asked her.

She frowned, realizing her slip, "No, I just said I wasn't a beginner."

Fuji smiled, "We should hit sometime," He said, excited now.

Reiko turned red, "I said I DON'T play tennis!" She said loudly.

Fuji and all the regulars looked at her surprised.

Her face turned even redder, "What are you doing?" She asked them, "Watch you teammates play!"

The regulars, including Fuji, turned to focus on the match. Reiko was saved… for now.

Oishi was now watching the two players and encouraging them. The two teammates on the courts seemed to be drawing energy from the boy in the stands, and he seemed glad to give it.

"It's like their playing triples!" Reiko said, grinning.

Fuji was smiling, "Yes," he agreed, "yes it is."

"Game and match, Seigaku!" The ref shouted.

The Seigaku tennis club cheered and Reiko cheered right along with them.

She grinned at Fuji, "Tennis really is a team sport when you play it right."

Fuji smiled, "mmm hmmm," he answered.

Reiko's grin broadened, "But it's not as good as soccer!"

Fuji laughed and put his arms around her, "I'll let that slide for now." He whispered in her ear.

Momo looked at the couple as he walked off the court, he grinned, "Oi! Reiko!" He shouted, "It's your turn next!"

She grinned and flashed him the thumbs up sign.

The grin quickly vanished when Seigaku lost the next match and ended singles three with a draw.

Fuji was still smiling but Reiko could feel his arms tighten around her. She looked up at him, "What are you so worried about?" She whispered, "You're next."

Fuji let go of his girlfriend and picked up his racket, "Hai," He said simply and he walked out onto the court.

He stood at the net and stared at the sleepy Jiro, "you're the one who beat Yuuta in fifteen minutes, no?"

Jiro yawned and put his arms behind his head, eyes closed, "Yuuta?" He asked.

Fuji nodded and headed to his position for the service game.

Reiko watched as Jiro grew more and more excited, at first with the disappearing serve and then with the Hakugei.

Reiko stared as Fuji's sold brown hair blew in the wind, "Beautiful," She whispered unintentionally.

"Aww! Reiko-chan's in love! Reiko-chan's in love!" Eiji sang loudly.

Reiko's face turned bright red, "I was talking about the weather!" She said defensively.

"That's not what it sounded like," Eiji laughed, "Reiko-chan's in love! Reiko-chan's in love!" He sang.

"Eiji!" Oishi gasped, "That's rude!"

"But it's true!" Eiji yelled, laughing.

"Game and match, Seigaku!" The ref cried, before Reiko could retort.

Fuji shook hands with Jiro and walked over to his girlfriend and team.

He looked at Reiko smiling, "Were you really talking about the weather?" He asked her.

She blushed, "Well… I don't know about that, but I do know that your match really turned me on."

"Oh really?" Fuji smiled, "Let's test that."

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, initiating a long, deep kiss.

The regulars all blushed and looked away as Tezuka stood up for the match. Ryoma watched him from the bench where he was sitting since Ryuzaki-sensei left with Kawamura and Kabaji.

Fuji carefully ran his tongue over Reiko's bottom lip, seeking access to her warm mouth. But before the kiss could progress, the two lovebirds felt water spray over their heads.

They broke their kiss and broke away to glare at the source.

The entire group of Rikkaidai tennis regulars stood their, watching with raised eyebrows. Except for Kirihara Akaya, who was scowling bitterly, holding a water bottle with, "Marui Bunta" written across the top.

"My water bottle!" Marui shouted, grabbing it from Akaya.

Reiko whacked her brother on the head, "Akaya! You idiot!" She shouted.

By this time the Seigaku regulars had a turned in interest, including Tezuka and Ryoma.

Akaya scowled again, "Sorry, I panicked.

Reiko matched his scowl, causing the two of them to look more identical then ever, "Sorry my ass!" She sneered, "What the hell is there to panic about."

"I saw my little sister making-out with a boy! What else is there to panic about?!" Akaya shouted.

"Sister?!" Momo yelled in shock.

"I'm ten freaking minutes younger than you and my life is not your business." Reiko said angrily.

"Well, those ten minutes made a hell of a difference in maturity didn't it?" Akaya returned.

"Yup," Reiko nodded in agreement, "I'm mature, and you're not." She said, glaring at her brother. She looked at the team, "What the hell are you doing here anyway?" She demanded.

"For you information, Yukimura-buchou asked us to videotape this match considering it's the first great match of this tournament," Akaya said, motioning to the video camera in Sanada's hands.

By this point Tezuka and Atobe were lining up, preparing to serve.

"Oh." She said, leaning on Fuji, tired of balancing on her good leg, "Well, if it's for Seiichi-senpai, the its ok."

Akaya's eyes narrowed as Fuji subconsciously place his arms around her shoulders, eyes intent on the match. He scowled again and turned to watch, indicating and end to the conversation.

Sanada eyed her out of the corner of his camera, "Don't call him Seiichi," He said dangerously.

"But he told me to, Sanada-senpai." She said, smiling innocently.

"Don't around me." He said, then turned to focus on the match.

"Gum?" Came a voice out of nowhere. She jumped and nearly fell over. Fuji snapped out of his intense focus to steady her and stare as Marui held out a piece of gum to his girlfriend.

"Marui-senpai…" She said looking at him, "Your high-sugar gum is gross."

"Oh." He said, looking disappointed, "How 'bout some cake?" He said, hopefully holding out a box of chocolate cake and two forks.

She stared at him, "But you never share your cake Marui-senpai."

Marui turned a bright red that clashed dangerously with his pink hair, "I can make an exception… for you… If you want…" He rambled.

"O… ok." Reiko nodded, confused. She moved to sit next to Marui and grabbed a fork to share the cake.

Fuji glared at the pink-haired volley-specialist, then looked at Reiko. He decided it was innocent, at least on her part, and sate next to her as she enjoyed her cake.

"Oishi-senpai?" Reiko asked, looking over to the vice-captain.

"Yes?" He said, surprised that she was directly addressing him.

"Is Tezuka-senpai trying to protect his left elbow?" She asked, her eyes focused on the captain.

"Yes…" Oishi said, confused, "Didn't you hear the anecdote I just said?"

"I was too busy yelling at my idiot brother," She said with a shrug, "But he better stop doing that."

All the regulars on the bench stared at her, Marui stopping in mid-chew.

Fuji broke the silence, "What do you mean Rei-chan?" He asked her.

She held up a finger as she chew the cake, grabbing Fuji's water bottle to help wash it down, "Because," She said once she had swallowed, "With the saw Atobe is playing, Tezuka-senpai is going to destroy his left shoulder."

"You would know how to do that, wouldn't you?" Her brother mumbled under his breath, eliciting a warning glance from the girl. Luckily, no one heard besides her.

"So that's what he's aiming for." Oishi whispered.

"I see now," Inui said, nodding as he scribbled in his notebook.

Yanagi smirked quietly at Inui's scribbling as he watched the match.

"How dirty!" Momo shouted.

As he said that, Tezuka collapsed, grasping his shoulder in a white-knuckled grip.

"Tezuka!" The regulars shouted. They all leaped up, jumping over the fence and racing over to their captain.

"Get back!" Tezuka shouted, "The match is not over!"

The Seigaku Regulars froze in place, staring at their leader.

"Tezuka…" Oishi mumbled hoarsely.

"No!" Tezuka shouted again.

The regulars turned to the returned Ryuzaki-sensei who nodded reluctantly. The regulars left the court and Echizen left the bench for Ryuzaki-sensei and went to warm up.

The faced of the Rikkaidai regulars were dark as deja vu struck.

Reiko looked at her brother's troubled face and immediately kicked into "sister-mode." All past conflict forgotten, Reiko rocked forward on her good foot, wrapping her arms around him, "Don't worry, Seiichi-kun will get better." She whispered, ignoring Sanada's glare as she addressed the captain by his given name.

Akaya smiled and glanced at her over his shoulder, "Your breath smells like chocolate."

She laughed as he lifted her up, placing her on the seat next to him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, "I know," He whispered back.

Oishi looked at Fuji who shrugged, looked at his girlfriend.

Reiko returned his glance, "Family first," She mouthed.

He nodded, understanding, and turned to focus on the match.

Reiko stared in shock as Tezuka continued to play deep into the tiebreak.

"What is he doing?" She whispered to her brother.

"He feels he can't lost." Akaya answered, "For his team."

"At the sacrifice of his arm," She said, still shocked.

Akaya shrugged, not fully understanding himself.

"Promise me you'll never do that!" Reiko demanded.

Akaya stared into his sister's serious eyes, "I promise." He stated.

"Cross your heart?" She asked.

Akaya chuckled at his sister's childishness and nodded.

"Cross it!" She demanded.

He made a crossing motion over his chest, laughing.

"Good," She nodded.

"Game and match! Hyoutei's Atobe! Seven games to six!" The ref cried to a silent crowd, "We will now move onto the reserves!"

Ryoma stepped onto the courts along with Hyoutei's Hiyoshi. Sanada stood up with the video camera, watching.

"That's Hiyoshi, isn't it?" Akaya asked his senpais, "He's the one who did fairly well against you in the newcomers matches, ne? Yanagi-senpai? Was that really true?"

Sanada snorted, "Stop pretending like you don't know! The one to lead Hyoutei next year will most definitely be him."

Akaya looked at his sister next to him, she was grinning, "What are you so smiley about?" He asked her.

"Just watch and see." She said, her smile growing as Ryoma shocked the crowed wit the first twist serve, "This match isn't near over."

The Rikkaidai regulars stared as Ryoma hit the zero-shiki drop shot. Akaya laughed, "Yet another monster at Seigaku eh?"

"Just watch." Reiko said, her smile secretive and unfading.

Everyone on the court stared in shock at the match as both Ryoma and Hiyoshi kept up a pace the was inhuman.

"Hmm." Yanagi said, looking at his kohai, "I do believe that freshmen is using your single-footed split step Akaya."

"Yes," Akaya said, his eyes feverish with excitement and anger, "I will crush him." And he stood up to follow the senpai taichi.

His sister grabbed the hem of his jacket, "You'll have to go through me before you get that far, Akaya." She said, her voice carrying a dangerous warning, and her eyes containing a reddish tinge.

Akaya looked at her, matching her glance, "You won't have the chance." He said ominously, "Meet you at the gate in a half hour?"

She nodded, "Let's be happier then, no?"

Akaya smiled, "Will do." And he turned to leave.

Reiko picked up her crutches and hobbled over to Fuji, "What was that all about?" He asked her.

She shook her head and shrugged, "Nothing, just some new rivalries taking route."

"Game and Match! Seigaku's Echizen! Six games to four!" The ref shouted.

The Seigaku tennis team burst into cheers, screams so loud that they shook the stadium.

Reiko hugged her boyfriend, "Congratulations Syuuske." She whispered, "No go celebrate."

He leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss, "Thank you."

She smiled and let got and he ran of to cheer as relief cut through the Seigaku tennis team.

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The Seigaku team was about to leave the tennis park, heading over to their traditional celebration at Kawamura Sushi.

"Are you coming Reiko-chan?" Eiji asked, looking at Fuji's arm tight around the girl and assuming that the answer was yes, "Mai's gonna be there." He said smiling.

"Oh is she now?" Reiko grinned.

Eiji blushed, "Y-y-yes," He stumbled.

Fuji smiled and pulled his girlfriend closer, "So, are you coming?" He asked her.

She shook her head, "Can't, its Friday."

"Oh yeah," Fuji sighed, still smiling, "I forgot." He didn't really forget, but he wished that she did, "Maybe you could skip it this once?"

"What does Friday mean?" Momo asked.

"Reiko! Let's go! We'll miss the movie!" A voice called from the entrance gate.

The team turned to see Kirihara Akaya standing there, waving impatiently in his regular uniform.

"Coming!" She called back. She turned and looked at her boyfriend, "Not going to happen Syuuske," She said apologetically, kissing him on the cheek, "I'll see ya later!"

She turned and hobbled over to Akaya who impatiently rolled his eyes. He raced forward, picked up the girl, and threw her over his shoulder.

"What the heck are you doing!" She cried.

"You're too slow." He deadpanned.

"Well you better not fart." She said, her face in his butt.

He laughed and carried her off to the movies.

The Seigaku regulars watched as the two siblings faded into the background.

"I can't get over how familiar she is with the Rikkaidai regulars." Oishi commented.

"I'm not," Fuji said fondly, "She's quite easy to befriend, ne? Momo?"

Momo blushed, "Seems like you have some competition with that Marui Bunta." Momo shot back.

"No," Fuji said confidently, "She's as oblivious as ever… but worse happens I blackmail him… or something else."

Momo paled and laughed nervously.

"It doesn't surprise me how close she is to the regulars," Fuji thought, "But her closeness to he brother is both shocking and refreshing. To get over a fight like that… that quickly," He shook his head, and thought back to the dangerous, red gleam in Akaya's eyes, "Dating he may be more dangerous than I thought."

He sighed, "Why can't Yuuta and I be like that?"

"Fujiko! What's wrong: Eiji asked, reacting to the sigh.

"I think I'm going to pit around with Yuuta tomorrow," He said, smiling.

The Seigaku regulars just stared at the tensai who had obviously lost his mind.

I think this was my longest chapter yet, but I was really fun to write.

I enjoyed establishing the relationship between Reiko and Akaya and even allowed a few slips into her past.

But I'm sorry to say... we will not revisit her past until way later in the story... I already know when.

I hope no one is too OOC... please tell me if you think they are and what you think I should do.

The more reviews I get, the faster I'll right so REVIEW!

Ok... done for now... be back soon!