~~~~It had occurred to him that some of the very most and very least perceptive among the newly senior second-years might try something with either Jackal or Yagyuu, hoping to establish themselves as superior before the tournaments started and their, undoubted, win record made the doubles team untouchable. The mannerly ones were the obvious targets.~~~

And isn't that just *stupid* of those 'newly' senior kids? {grins} some people.... {shakes head}


~~~He had called people bastards in a warmer tone of voice~~~

{giggles} I don't know why, but the image of Niou calling someone a 'bastard' friendly like as opposed to 'senpai'... {grins} I find that strangely appealing!


~~~~he clipped Nishio several times when he hadn't intended to. Though, on reflection, toward the end that might have been because Nishio himself was shaking so hard. Still. He should be able to allow for that kind of thing.~~~

hn. {laughs} I almost--*almost* feel bad for the twerp... well, not really.


~~~"You do realize," Masaharu murmured, "that you can be polite while still smashing them into jelly."~~~

And it's so much fun, too! {perkily!}


~~~He'd heard Yukimura use his there-is-no-possibility-I-will-not-be-obeyed voice on other people; this was the first time it had been used on him. That absolute surety really did have a remarkable effect, he reflected, turning. Something about the harmonics went straight to the spine.~~~

Oh... [shivers] it definitely does something all right... [resists urge to bow down and drool before Yukimura's image]


And let me tell you--the whole conversation there... {shivers} hot! Hot! Hot! {grins} I love this boy.... I really, really do. And I love how you're protraying him, too.

The whole 'defend your partner' line--he *knew*, man, he *knows* something's going on there, or getting ready to, at least... and then.. yeah...

~~~This was, obviously, another who enjoyed playing with fire, if he chose, knowingly, to use Sanada's temper and Masaharu's tricks to his own ends.~~~

simply superb! [sighs wistfully] a wonderful manipulator...

~~~"Come on," he directed, "I'll serve to you for your target practice for a while."~~~

{blinks} but...somehow... I *don't* think Sanada would be very pleased about that... {winces}


Oh, and look! Kirihara makes his appearance!

~~~"One of the first-years challenged Yanagi, Sanada and Yukimura, right in a row," Masaharu told them. "Have to admit, the kid has guts. Not to many brains, maybe, but plenty of guts."

"He's still standing?" Jackal asked, sounding intrigued. To date he was one of the few who could manage that feat; Masaharu swore he had extra lungs tucked away somewhere.~~~

{laughs} I absolutely love the team dynamics and relationships this shows! (psss... not 'too' many brains, me thinks...)

~~~"He will be joining us, soon," Yagyuu predicted, quietly. When the other three turned to him in surprise he nodded toward the court. "Look at Yukimura-san."
... Yukimura had the gleam in his eyes and the faint curve to his mouth that meant he had found something interesting. He stepped over the net, took the newcomer's wrist and pulled him to his feet.
"Try, then," he answered the boy's assertion. "I'll look forward to it."
The first-year seemed a bit taken aback by this approval. Or, Masaharu thought, perhaps by becoming the focus of Yukimura's full attention.~~~

{squeals in fangirlish delight} oh, this is great! Absolutely *great*!

~~~"So, O Master of All Data, who's the kid?"~~

Ha! Great nick-name! {giggles} And Yanagi's 85% quotation! Ha!

And Marui and Niou's interaction at the match! {grinning} Your use of dialogue is amazingly sharp and wonderfully tangy, as always.

~~~"You know, you could just say you don't want me to play with my food," he pointed out.
Yukimura laughed.
"I'll remember that," he promised.~~~

(andrea's laughing too!) And your descriptions of Yagyuu playing should be rated "R" for STEAMY HOT!