Chapter: 3/?

A/N: OC warning! It's the year 2000 in the beginning of the fic just so you know. Its 2008 now

"Italics" – T.V.
Italics –thought

Warning: this chpt is Eiji-centric. This was unintentional but I think it turned out good and will help develop the story *grins*

It didn't take long for Fuji to find Eiji, he was outside with Oishi talking about the team uniforms, and after telling him of Tezuka-san's instructions the two headed to the indoor pools with Oishi closely trailing behind.

He really wanted to complete the warm-ups before the hour Tezuka-san designated was up, but 45 minutes in, exactly the hour assigned, found him just finishing lap 14. There were a lot more pools than he anticipated, 3 in total to be exact, with quite some room between them. He was now positive Tezuka-san had a mild sadistic streak when he remembered the 1500m freestyle he should complete as a cool-down to his warm-up.

The prospect of hitting the water only seemed to give the already energetic Eiji a boost in adrenalin as he raced past him with a 'Hoi hoi'. His right eye began to spasm in annoyance. Any minute now Tezuka-san will walk through the doors to see that they have not only, not completed their warm-up but also that he's in last place, regardless of the fact that there are only two of them and it's not even a competition. Last is last, and if Tezuka-san sees him falling behind, it's guaranteed he'll think lowly of him and his lack of endurance. And to Fuji's over attentive mind, that is exactly what happened. The horror!

Tezuka arrived at the pools the only way he knew how; silent and deadly. He contemplated giving them more of a work-out when he saw that the red-head was barely tired, but upon closer inspection he noticed his ragged breathing and the smeared sweat across his forehead. This one has terrible stamina, after-all. Why is he pushing so hard? He needs to learn to pace himself like his partner. Fuji-kun was it?

Fuji would not allow himself to be looked down upon. Especially not by me future life-partner. With the new out-look Fuji found that although the pace Eiji set wasn't exhausting, it would drain his energy too much if he attempted to match and surpass it. Like Eiji, his stamina was below- average, though he never publicly suffered from it.

"Eiji slow down! You'll wear yourself out!" he could hear his friends' erratic breathing as he drew closer.

"Nya, Fujiko we're almost there. No sense stopping now!"

Turning the final corner and coming to a stop, Eiji bent over with his hands on his knees trying to contain his wayward breath. Fuji always did have better control than he did. Conserving his energy until it was absolutely needed, something Eiji was not to keen on doing. His gymnastics always had that extra flourish, bounce and pizzazz (1) that left him tired and sweaty in the end. But it cannot be helped. It's the way it has always been.

Eiji resigned himself years ago to never compare his style to anyone. He's not graceful like Fuji, or patient like Oishi wants him to be. He's tried, so very hard, to not let his weakness show, but sometimes when a competition lasts too long, and routines need to be performed too frequently, he can't help the need to stop: Like now, as he not so gracefully collapsed on the conveniently place bench, and allowed Oishi to fuss over him.

"Get in the pool and cool down."

"Ano, Tezuka-san, could Eiji have a few more moments to catch his breath? The laps wore him out a little." Looking up, Oishi had to hide the shiver that made its way down his spine. Tezuka did not look too happy, but he wasn't going to let Eiji pass out.

"Fuji-kun is not tired. They are partners, and entering a sport where they must be precise and always stay together. Kikumaru-kun needs to learn to pace himself. And if he must learn to do so the hard way, he will learn to do so."

"Actually I'm feeling quite tired myself. May we do some breathing exercises before we enter the water?" Fuji flashed him a smile, knowing that his false deep intakes weren't fooling anyone, but if he must persist so Eiji doesn't drown, like Tezuka just said, he will have to do so.

Tezuka was going to argue the need to keep moving, but eyeing the younger man warily, Tezuka conceded. Somehow he wouldn't put it pass Fuji to distract him long enough for this Eiji to be ready again. At least this way he was assured that they would keep moving and not allow their muscle to become lax.

"Thanks for that back there Fuji. Tezuka-san seems really strict; I thought he would be mad at me."

"No need Eiji. Besides, I think we just need to learn how to make him believe he's still in charge after giving subtle suggestion here and there."

Eiji pouts and replies, "Only you can do that. Don't know how but it doesn't really matt- Hey who's that, and what on earth is he carrying?"

When Fuji turned to see what Eiji was looking at, he came face-to-jug with a vile looking purple liquid with green lines swirling around in a distorted pattern. When he raised his eyes to see where this came from he was met with a face he hasn't seen in nearly 8 years. Granted the face was slightly hazy due to the, what he assumed to be, heated fumes coming from the eerie concoction.

"I am Inui. I assist Tezuka in this training regimen. You, Kikumaru-kun need to work on stamina and you Fuji-kun, well I'm not sure yet but I will find out. You have 20 minutes to complete the cool down. If this time stipulation isn't met, you will drink this," shoving the jug further into a wide -eyed Fuji's face, "'Enhanced vegetable deluxe with midnight surprise' Inui juice mix. It's the latest and most efficient in energy restoration to date. I think you both will enjoy it." With what appeared to be an evil-scientist glint, straight out of those 80's horror movies, on his glasses Inui raised the mug in a mild toast and took out a stop watch.

"Um, Inui-san, Eiji and I aren't exactly world champion swimmers, and would very likely need more time to finish the laps. Also we are tired from the laps we did around the pool. Surely you don't expect us to have regained our stam- Hey are you listening to me?"

"…At the moment no." with that he pressed his finger down on the watch and began timing them, watching as Eiji all but threw Fuji into the pool and began to frantically swim to the other end. Inui chuckled. Amusing.

Finally coming up for air in what seemed like hours, the boys were met with two 20oz glasses full of the 'special something juice at midnight'. Resigning to their ill fate they downed the juice in a few gulps.

"Hmmm this is quite good, ne Eiji." Fuji turned to his friend to find him trying to claw his throat out, before gagging on the juice left in his mouth and comically passing out on the deck. "E-Eiji?"

"Mada mada dane senpai-tachi"

"Echizen?"

"Oi! Ochibi! Why are you indoors?" the previously disposed red-head exclaimed. Fuji gracefully crawled out of the pool and headed for his towel to dry off, wondering about Eiji's recovery abilities.

"Momo-senpai wanted to ask Inui-senpai about his and Kaidoh-senpai's training before helping Kawamura-senpai in the gym, senpai."

"Uh... Don't you get tired of saying 'senpai'?"

"…"

"…"

"Eiji, stay focused. You can talk to Echizen later when he talks you into treating him to hamburgers. This is my time now so get on the platform, Tezuka-kun wants to see you both do a Back one-and-a-half somersaults tuck and see if it need improving before moving on to the other dives." stated a frustrated Oishi. He never did like it that Eiji had the attention span of a goldfish (2) but it's one of the quirks that seem to draw people to him in his juvenile antics.

Through-out the years Oishi has come to a quiet understanding concerning his trainees. He would never admit this to Eiji's face but at first he never liked the boy. He was loud, literally with his high-pitched voice and natural hair color, and figuratively with his sense of style and acts in gaining attention. It grated on his last nerve, and when he challenged him to a high bar (3) competition, he was jealous of his natural ability to adapt to the heights, spins and twists, and make such an event seem so easy, when he had to work hard to accomplish simple twists. The grudge faded though as he came to realize that even with his natural talent, Eiji still lost because of his lack of concentration and training. It was his duty as Eiji's senior to personally see to it that he has a chance to improve, regardless of the amount of time and energy he may have had to sacrifice. Yes, that's the story and he's sticking with it.

Fuji was another case all together. The boy had no motivation, even with training under Saeki at Rokkaku and winning numerous competitions, he just never seemed to be serious about the sport. He clicked with Eiji the first day he made it to Seishun Gakuen school of Arts and Athletics (SGAA) Maybe it was Eiji's unseen competitive nature that drew Fuji out. Maybe not. But whatever it was he was grateful. The turn-around was simple, swift and steady, but the beautiful blue-eyed brunet always came through. And now after so many years together he can't wait to see what they would do now. Diving is up a whole new alley for them.

"Fuji, begin the countdown!"

(1) I couldn't resist putting that word in there. It just exudes everything Eiji.

(2) A goldfish's attention span is three -3- seconds. Don't ask me how I know/ confirmed it lol

(3) High bars- if you don't know what this is I'll smack you.

I had the match where Fuji and Eiji partnered up against Saeki and company in mind when I wrote most of this chpt I'm sure you'll realize. Eiji was getting better at controlling his stamina then I think, than the first time with Oishi.