DISCLAIMER: Prince of Tennis is not mine

Yukimura was set on taking the number one spot.

He knew what he's capable of and is admittedly obsessed in tennis. So strong is this obsession that he wouldn't mind destroying anyone - and he meant everyone regardless of gender and status- who attempts to hinder his way.

And he did grab the number 1 position at the number 1 tennis school. Easy and fast.

"..and I remembered clearly how they looked after you..."

"...after I destroyed them all.." Yukimura finished, saving his vice-captain from using the word (destroy), which he never really liked when addressing co-tennis players especially coming from their own school.

They walked out of the campus in silence, a picture of strength and beauty.

Yes, Yukimura Seiichi is a real beauty to behold. Everyone at Rikkaidai can attest to that. Standing beside him is no less than a work of art himself, the mighty emperor - Sanada Genichiro - who looked exactly like a Greek god in flesh.

Individually, they draw attention. Together, they command awe. And Yukimura knew it well.

He loved the attention.

-Hospital rooftop-

"I...love it," Yukimura said with a sweet smile, eyeing that customized, handmade bracelet Sanada gave him, "Thanks, Sanada."

Ever since he was admitted at the hospital, undergoing series of medication, which are no less than painful, he never really had the chance to spend time talking with any of his teammates. It's not like his teammates don't care. They did. So much. But in as much as he appreciates the gestures of concern, he doesn't particularly like them seeing him on this weak state - not especially when they are up to very important games ahead.

"I'm glad you like it," the normally stoic vice-captain gave out one of his rarest smiles, and Yukimura would be lying if he didn't feel his heart skip a beat at that. Yes it affected him. But he was Seiichi Yukimura.

And Yukimura never, ever admits something that would only make him feel embarrassed. Instead, "So what's the occasion?"

Sanada moved closer, as if their current proximity - which was a mere feet away, isn't enough.

The blue-haired boy felt a soft hand caressing his hair, and Yukimura summoned the strength of what remained from his frail body to prevent himself from leaning in to that gentle touch.

Gentle. Yes, that side of his vice-captain that is reserved only for him, and him alone. Same thing that he is always been denying to the other.

"I'll bring the team to the top," Sanada said, slowly bringing his hand to Yukimura's cheek. He felt the other gasp. "So you do your best and get well,"

The vice-captain brought down his hand, took a step back and took in the sight of his slightly flushed captain. He could tell by just the looks of it that Yukimura's feeling cold. "Let's get back inside. It's getting cold," and then he turned away.

"I'll join you on the nationals," Yukimura said, stopping Sanada on his tracks. "So promise me-"

"We will crush Seigaku. That's a promise."

Yukimura followed Sanada's retreating figure as he released the breath he was holding. Bring the team on top? Crush Seigaku?

He gave a weak smile. 'Fine. Just promise me to be here during my operation...' he thought.

"I'm sorry. We lost," was Sanada's opening spiel exactly after 12 minutes of silence inside Yukimura's ward room. He was thankful that his captain's operation was a success, and God knew how he wanted to bring the good news of their win on that same day. He knew he would.

Only thing is, he didn't. They lost against Seigaku. Fair and square.

"Where are the others?," came Yukimura's hoarse voice. He wasn't supposed to be awake, much more talking at this time of the day. He's lying down on his bed and his throat burned after hours of not being able to drink water. He cringed at the pain, though he suspected it has nothing to do with his dry throat.

"Outside,"

"Aren't they planning to come in?"

When Sanada didn't respond, he glanced at his vice-captain and took in his defeated form - clinched fist, heads down, cap covering whatever emotion present on his face, shoulder slumped...the sight was depressing.

He hated it.

"Sanada..." he swallowed hard, fighting the slight wave of nausea that's starting to hit him. The medicine's after-effect he suspects. "...aren't they..coming in?" He wanted his words to sound firm and in command, but it went out tired and breathless.

When there's still no response that came, he sighed. "Leave, Sanada," he said, shifting his position on bed so that his back faced the other man. He's definitely not wasting his energy talking to a stone.

Yukimura waited for that familiar footsteps to step out of his room before he slowly raised himself up on bed, groaning as pain shot through his body. God, seriously? If he knew it would be this painful after the anesthesia wears off, he would have asked for an elephant tranquilizer.

When he was fully seated, he looked around, looking for his phone - his goddamn phone which is nowhere to be found.

He stepped down on his bed, staggering, but managing to somehow keep himself upright. He felt dizzy, he wanted to vomit and he felt like smashing his head against a real hard surface to get rid of his throbbing headache.

Where the hell is my phone?

Not on the bedside table. Not on the drawers. Not under the bed, the pillows-

"Damn it," Yukimura cursed under his breath. He breathed deep. He was angry.

Angry at himself for not being there when his team needs him. Angry at his phone for being missing - it better not show up coz he'll break it to pieces. Angry at his vice-captain for being such a jerk, acting all too guilty when all he wanted was HIM at his side.

His chest hurt and he started to cough. He held on his bedside table for support as his eyes drifted on a transparent glass vase housing some black orchids.

Yukimura snickered as he felt that familiar pang of anger swelling on his head. He gritted his teeth, grabbed the vase with all his might, and threw it on the floor, where it broke with a loud clatter.

Black orchids? Seriously? Who the hell brings black orchids at hospitals? He made a quick mental note to conduct a crash course to Sanada on floral species. His vice-captain better learn the language of flowers ASAP, or else he'll request for himself a jar of amnesia-inducing Inui juice to forget his stupid crush on his stupid Genichiro.

Outside he heard a commotion, followed by two female nurses barging to his room.

"Yukimura-san! Are you all right?!" said one, who immediately rushed to his side, urging him to lie back on his bed. The other one settled on clearing the floor from the broken shards of glass.

"I need to make a call," he said, refusing to lie back.

"Of course. But for now you'll need-"

"I need to make a call," he repeated. "Now." He saw the nurse took a step back as he met her eyes with a glare and Yukimura took pride knowing that he can still sport such commanding presence.

Later that evening, when he finally was able to grab hold of a phone, he dialed a number he knew all along.

"There's a 95% percent chance that you're calling to get a detailed report on today's game, and judging from the urgency on your voice, it's a 75% probability that you're pissed." Renji greeted.

Yukimura smiled. "I'm still recovering and you're now welcoming me with a barrage of figures. So did you get everything?"

"Done."

"Video feeds?"

"HD quality."

Yukimura nodded. "Renji..."

"If it's Sanada, I'm 100% sure he's in their dojo practicing kendo..."

The hesitation on Renji's voice did not pass unnoticed to Yukimura's sharp hearing. Even on his recovery phase, his senses are heightened. He, himself wondered how.

"..practicing kendo and?.."

"...his formal apology speech when you come back.."

Yukimura pinched the bridge of his nose. Sometimes, he just feels like slapping Sanada with a tennis racket before kissing him senseless and- okay, that last part can wait, but..

"Renji, will you do me a favor?"

"Of course Seiichi," Yanagi replied, his brain working fast on probabilities.

"I need a list of suggestions on how to make our vice-captain fall for me," Yukimura said as he sighed for the nth time that day, "I'm starting to get real impatient."

"I see."

"Well then, see you in a week."

"Of course,"

And the call ended. Renji Yanagi lives by collecting data -not necessarily tennis-related depending on what piques his interest. He worked hard to get them and is not really fond of divulging stuff to people he deemed as undeserving.

But it was Seiichi Yukimura who asked. And if it's Seiichi, possibilities of gathering more data is limitless. He smiled at the thought, grabbed his notebook and scanned few pages.

If it's about dating Sanada, then they better start with...a makeover.

OWARI DA!

SY: I was intending to make this a one-shot fic, but I guess it just won't fit. Thanks for the read!