Motivations [Prince of Tennis: Yanagi, Yukimura]

Yanagi, Yukimura, first year, team try-outs. Yukimura knows best. 245 words.

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Motivations

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"You're good," Yukimura accedes. "You're a good player, a strong technical player, and you can predict your opponents moves in ways that surpass almost anyone else I've ever known..."

The second year who has just played and lost the match takes something from Yukimura's words, as though the fact that his opponent is superlative in something makes all the difference in the world to why he lost the match, makes it somewhat more acceptable. Of course, if he'd known Yukimura any longer than this, he would've realised no defeat is acceptable, and no words of comfort that have to be spoken can do anything other than console a defeated spirit.

"But," Yukimura continues, looking Yanagi dead in the eyes, "I don't want you on my team."

Yanagi meets his eyes and nods, the slightest, smallest twitch of his chin. He does not glance around or attempt to have explained to him the reason why team members with two years on Yukimura are standing idly by like helpless children and letting him make all the decisions. He does not ask why they have not taken Yukimura under their wings, as a freshman who needs guidance, but have instead all rushed to camp out under his own shade. Does his rarely seen talent possess the power to overshadow them so completely?

"Feel free to come back," Yukimura says, turning away and waving his hand casually over his shoulder in dismissal, "when you know how to win."

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Double Entendre [Prince of Tennis: Yanagi, Inui]

Yanagi, Inui, allusions to Yanagi/Yukimura (and very lightly, possibly unrequited!Inui/Fuji). Talk after Yanagi & Inui's match. 222 words.

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Double Entendre

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"You play a different game these days," Inui says, breathless, and Yanagi squeezes his eyes shut tighter and refuses to wonder whether it was the match that caused the exertion, or the senselessness of chasing after him once it was over.

"I play to win," Yanagi replies, letting his voice carry on the wind and take strength from it.

"Did you?" Inui enquires. Yanagi turns to meet him this time.

"Win, that is," Inui says, his smile widening too far. And it isn't mockery, not with him. Yanagi senses Sanada's impatience from afar, like an invisible thread tugging at him.

"I have to go," he says to Inui. And, "I did." He takes a step away, and it's much like wading through wet mud. Yanagi wants, now, to leave Inui with something more than nothing, not like the first time. "I hear that you know," he says idly, turning back what he promises himself will be the last time, "what it is like, to have someone on your team who constantly evades definition. Someone who surpasses all others, and challenges people to change, be more than they are."

"I do," Inui says, still smiling, but not the huge grin of winning elation. More of a serious, comfortable and knowing smile. "Unfortunately, unlike you I'm not sleeping with that teammate of mine."

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