Of Rikkai

1. They begun with Yukimura.

Everything started with Yukimura. The blue-haired boy entered Rikkai, and was determined to build a team, a team that would surpass everyone.

He first met Sanada, who underestimated him, but soon learned his lesson when Yukimura pounded Sanada into the ground. After the game, Yukimura smiled, and asked Sanada, "You'll be joining the tennis team, of course?" Sanada nodded mutely, and that was that.

Then came Yanagi, who caught Yukimura's interest when Yukimura saw the Data player firmly trounce one of their second-year senpai's. Yukimura's smile was fierce when he asked Yanagi to play against him. Yanagi agreed, and was not at all surprised when he was completely beaten by the effeminate boy. He had predicted all of this, of course. Right after the match, before Yukimura even opened his mouth to ask, Yanagi said yes. Yukimura smiled.

After that came Niou, whose manipulative streak was almost tangible. Everything about the boy screamed Trickster. Yukimura, who always liked playing with fire, didn't hesitate to ask Niou if he would like to join his future team. Niou eyed Yukimura for several seconds, before nodding, and saying with a smirk, "As long as it's not boring."

Marui was next to join their little rag-tag group. He had a casual smile and playful manner, but Yukimura, who had the same glint, immediately saw the spark of competitiveness in his eyes. When Yanagi mentioned that the boy was an athletic genius who seemed to coast through games, Yukimura was convinced. The next day, Yukimura invited the red-head into his team. Marui cocked his head, and said, "Hmm, sure… if you can keep up with my genius." Yukimura smiled, and replied, "I'll do my best."

About one-third through the school-year, a half-Brazilian, half-Japanese boy transferred to Rikkai and joined the tennis team. As per the club rules, new members couldn't play games until a week after joining. But Yukimura saw the way the dark-skinned boy seemed to make ease of the laps that left most of his year mates gasping and clutching their stomachs, and knew the boy would make an excellent addition to his team. He was correct, of course.

Then, Niou dragged in Yagyuu, bluntly declaring that this was their new team member. Yukimura nodded complacently, before idly suggesting to the captain that Yagyuu should play a game against Niou. The captain agreed, but not before wondering why he was listening to the first-year's orders. (Niou answers him in a bluntly cruel manner. "Captain doesn't have any power anymore. You're just a puppet to Yukimura.") Niou and Yagyuu played until evening, with the tie-break at 52-51. Yukimura smiled, and asked if they'd like to play doubles together. Niou smirked, and said that he planned it all along. Yukimura's grin widened as he remarked, "I know."

Yukimura looked at his team, and was contented. This would be his winning team next year, the one that would defeat every opponent they faced, the one that would win. There were seven of them, and they would triumph. It was enough; they did not need a reserve.

But then, came the whirlwind that was Kirihara Akaya, who cockily walked onto the court and rudely pointed at Yukimura, saying, "Hey, you, the captain, I want to play a match against you." Before Sanada could react and berate the boy for his rudeness, Yukimura answered him, with an icy smile, "If you wish."

Yukimura ruthlessly beat the boy, and then Sanada and Yanagi did the same. Yukimura expected the boy to slink off, tail between his legs, but the boy didn't. Instead Yukimura found red-eyes glaring up at him and declaring that he would beat them, even if he died trying. And Yukimura found himself with an eighth member.

And Yukimura was delighted.

This would be their team, the team that would conquer Nationals. The team that was the best.

The team that would win.

2. They all firmly believe in the power of Yukimura's smile.

Yukimura has a million different smiles, and knows exactly how to use them.

He can make your world feel better; he can light up the room.

He can make you do things you said you'd never do; he can make you reconsider what you were going to do.

He can break your heart; he can mend it.

He can drive you on; or he can hold you in your place.

He can comfort you; and he can terrify you.

He can do all of this, and more, with just his smile.

His team knows this; they have fallen prey to that vague, sweet smile of Yukimura's countless times.

And they wouldn't have it any other way.

Better that they are manipulated and chided around by Yukimura's smile, then to see him pale and stricken in a hospital bed.

And even when he is deathly sick, Yukimura still finds the strength to smile at them, and reassure them that he will be fine.

It breaks their heart. Here was their captain, seriously ill, and still trying to comfort them, when it should be the other way around.

Yukimura's smile is beautiful, and his team hopes it never dims.

3. They all work themselves to the bone.

Rikkai is harsh.

If you slacken, just a bit, you are torn down.

If you rest your laurels, satisfied with yourself, you are brutally reminded that there are others working to catch up, and eventually surpassing you.

So it's no surprise that the Rikkai Regulars work hard. But nobody knows exactly how hard they work. They are the top, and to remain at the top, they will fight.

They don't know the way they collapse on the court, too tired and fatigued to do much else, even speak.

They don't know the way they go home, muscles sore to the bone, and still get up, masking their pain with a grin, to endure another hard round of practice.

If they even think about slowing down, Sanada or Yukimura or Yanagi will be waiting to kick them in the ass (or in Sanada's case, slap them in the face), and telling them to hurry up, or it would be another 100 laps.

They are naturally talented, but talent alone doesn't get you far, not in Rikkai, and they know it.

The training is painful and harsh, but they bear it.

Because they are Rikkai, and Rikkai is the best.

4. They will bend, but they will not break.

When Yukimura collapses, they are terrified.

Yukimura is their cornerstone, and without him, the burden feels ten times heavier. Sometimes, it feels like too much.

But they have made a promise to Yukimura, so they will drive on.

If Yukimura recovers, all their tears and sweat will be worth it.

If it doesn't, they will still fight, to honour him.

But when Yukimura comes back, it feels exhilarating, even better than before. They have learnt much with Yukimura gone, and one of the lessons is how much of their burden Yukimura bears. They realize, for the first time, just how much they need Yukimura to keep them grounded. With Yukimura's absence, their bonds grated and bent, but at the same time, grew stronger.

Now, with Yukimura back, the team feels like it can do anything. You can throw any obstacle you want at them, and they will bat it right back, with twice the force.

They are bent, and cracked, and flawed. But they are not broken.

5. They are ruthless.

Each of them have a hope, a dream, and their pride to protect. And when it comes to this, they are ruthless.

Yukimura has a dream of carrying his team to a Third straight Nationals, and leaving his mark in Rikkai's history, and he will not let anything get in his way, not even his own body.

Sanada has his pride that will not accept defeat, and though he has some losses to his name, he will have his revenge. He will crush anybody who opposes him.

Yanagi does not like losing; he wants to prove himself right all the time. He will make sure that this does happen, and he will ruthless cut down anyone who contradicts him.

Niou has a hope that he will one day earn his parent's affection, and to do this, he has to be the best. And though he won't admit it, he will do anything to keep this dream alive.

Yagyuu has a fierce pride, a drive to be number one. He will not accept second place, or anything other than first, and if you are in his way, you will be ruthlessly tossed aside.

Marui has a dream- of being the best again, better than his younger brother, and everyone else. He wants to be considered a genius, and to do that, he will fight and beat down anyone who tries to take that dream away from him.

Jackal hopes to meet his old senpai again, and to do that, he has to be the best. He has to win, and he will mercilessly strike down anyone who challenges him.

Akaya has his dream of being the best in the world, to remind his parent's of his existence. He is similar to Niou in that way, but different because he acknowledges it, and uses it as his driving strength. He would not let anyone beat him, even if he had to deal with blood on his hands.

They are ruthless in their hopes, and they will not let anyone take it away from them.

6. They are misunderstood.

People see Rikkai as a ruthless, cold and impersonal place. A school which was ice in its selection, and burning in its ruthlessness.

They are right, but they also couldn't be more wrong.

Rikkai is ruthless, but it is kind, in its twisted way. The members all have their past demons and childhood fears, and it is Rikkai that helps them overcome it.

Rikkai is cold, but it is fueled by a raging fire. They are fiery hurricane, and will burn anyone who comes near, but it warms their own.

They are right about the first two, but they couldn't be more wrong about the third.

Rikkai isn't impersonal. With Yukimura as their center, they catch people's attention and drag them into their world, like it or not.

Yukimura is considered delicate and fragile, but his team knows this as false. Yukimura is the strongest of them all, and he will never break.

People consider Sanada to be cruel, but they are wrong. Sanada cares about them all, and that is why he pushes them so hard.

Some people think Yanagi is cold, but he isn't. They think he doesn't care about his teammates feelings, but he does, and that is why he is willing to tell them what they did wrong, so bluntly. It hurts, but at least you can improve.

Niou is thought to be heartless, and though Niou encourages this thought, he isn't heartless, not really. He might be flippant, but he cares about his teammates, more than he himself admits.

Yagyuu is envisaged as perfect, but he is not. He is flawed, just like everyone in the world. He will play tricks, and misbehave, just like every teenager in existence. The only difference is that Yagyuu doesn't get caught.

Marui is regarded as a cocky, arrogant brat who thinks he is superior to the whole world. But Marui doesn't; he knows he is inferior, but that is what fuels his fire.

Jackal is believed to be a pushover, but it couldn't be further from the truth. Though he doesn't say much when his team heckles him, they know to stop when Jackal does speak up. Jackal has his limits, and his team knows it, and know better than to push it.

Akaya, most people reckon, is a bloodthirsty demon, but Akaya isn't. He is scared, and guilty, and wishes the blood and fear would stop.

They are misunderstood, except by each other, but each other is all that matters, in the end.

7. They will part, but they will not forget.

In the way of the world, they will part. Nothing stays the same, and one day, they will grow up, and go their own ways.

Yukimura will pursue his ambition of being a psychologist, because though he hasn't said anything, his illness has taken away more of his athletic ability than he would like to admit, so he will settle for the next best thing. He has always been interested in the human mind and its relationships.

Sanada will enter the police force, like his grandfather, because Sanada has always had a thing about protecting people. And Sanada's determination and discipline will help him rise through the ranks.

Yanagi will become an acknowledged scientist, and will go on to invent cures for several illnesses. Though Yanagi loves tennis, science and data has always been his true calling.

Niou will one day become a famous lawyer; his way with words and sly cunning becoming his trademark. And Niou will be surprised, because he always thought he was going to amount to nothing.

Yagyuu is going to be a doctor. Though his father wishes his son to follow in his footsteps, Yagyuu will finally stand up against his father, and pursue his true dream.

Marui will become a world-renowned chef. He will open up many famous restaurants around the world, and a personally-cooked meal by him will be worth a lot. And after a while, Marui will smile, and realize that he has made something of himself, after all.

Jackal will enter the world as an adoption agent. He will look after orphans and do his best to find them new, happy homes. He will also end up adopting quite a number of troubled orphans that everyone else has given up on. Jackal always had the biggest heart.

And out of them all, only Akaya will continue playing tennis as an occupation. He will enter the tennis world, together with some of Japan's most promising tennis players, and still shine among them. He will one day go on to achieve his dream of Grand Slam, and even beating Echizen Ryoma in a long, hard match.

And though they will have their own paths, and new lives, they will still meet, once in a while, to just sit down and relax. They will talk about their new lives, and reminisce about the old days.

Yukimura will still be able to manipulate them all; Sanada will still be stoic; Yanagi will still unnerve them with his predictions; Niou will still play tricks on them, just with even more subtility; Yagyuu will still assist in Niou's pranks; Marui will still devour all the cakes; Akaya will still beg Marui for one of his sweet treats and Jackal will still sit there and wonder how he ended up with this bunch of loonies

Things have changed, but their bonds remain the same.

8. They are more than a team.

They are a team, of course. But they are more than that.

Teams just spend practices together, and part at the end of the day.

But Rikkai spend their days together, chatting inanely and playing tricks on each other. Or at least, Niou, Yagyuu, Marui and Akaya do, while Sanada (and sometimes Jackal) is caught in the crossfire. Yanagi and Yukimura simply observe with a casual smile as yet another bucket of water falls on Sanada.

Teams are friends, but not best friends, cheesy though it may sound.

Rikkai is blunt, and rude with each other, which is perhaps, the sign of true friendship. When you are really best friends, you do not fear to tell them what you think. Which is how Yanagi was one day told to get a hair cut by the whole team, because goddamnit, that haircut sucked.

Teams will only show interests in your problems if it affects their game.

Rikkai cares about each of their teammates, and will always try to make things better. Sure, their methods are sometimes unorthodox, but it's the thought that counts. So when Yukimura is having a bad day, and ready to snap at the next person who speaks to him, Niou gathers up his teammates and plan to traumatize Sanada, just to make Yukimura smile. (Niou likes to declare dramatically, at these instances, about the sacrifices they make for their captain.)

Teams are fleeting, ending when the members graduate.

Rikkai is for life.

Rikkai is family.

9. They are bound by tennis.

People wonder how Rikkai are such a close-knit group, because you would be hard-pressed to find such a hodgepodge group of people with potentially clashing personalities anywhere.

But the answer is simple, if you stop to think about it.

And the answer is tennis.

Tennis is their passion, and it is the reason they came together in the first place.

Tennis is their drive, and it keeps them fighting, when everything feels like too much.

They love tennis for its thrill, and its fun, and the plain joy it brings them.

But most of all, they love tennis because it brought them together.

10. They will win.

They have lost, yes, but it is not the end.

They might not be number one any longer, but it doesn't matter.

Sure, they did not win that third National title, but it won't stop them.

They will accept that defeat, and use it as their driving force.

And next year, or the year after that, or the year after that, they will reclaim their position as Kings.

Because they are Rikkai, and that says it all.

-0-0-0-

And this is the end... I'm happy, because I finally managed to finish a multi-chapter story, but sad, because I love doing these things.

Thank you to all my reviewers, who have all been awesome and inspiring.

Special thanks to those who reviewed every chapter: -, Ecstatic Petenshi and GYS.

I'll do the one about Hyotei eventually, but first, I want to do a couple of one-shots...

I hope this chapter doesn't feel redundant, because I loved doing it.

Much Love,

~FO