Chapter: 1

Rating: PG

Author: C

Summary: When Yuuta gets dragged up North to Hokkaido with most of St. Rudolph, Fuji only finds it right that he rescues his poor, innocent brother from the "big, bad, team-mates". Kikumaru somehow gets dragged in.

Disclaimer: None of us own the rights to Prince of Tennis, or any randomly mentioned series. We never have and never will

Author's Notes: Why, hallo. O here. C may have written this chapter, but as the only one who posts, well, yeah. For a note, reviews are appreciated, but be warned, we may not read them for a while, and will take no suggestions for plot and pairings. The only way the pairngs may change are the muses themselves, for we are decided. However, commentary on how we can improve in writting is greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading this fanfiction.

The title to this fic was actually thought over, and I, O, wouldn't give in on "Sakura Sake", or Sakura Bloom. C eventually decided that, since it sounded too much like an alcoholic drink, we'd use the translation. Sakura Sake actually happens to be a song by the Japanese Idol Group, or, simply, boyband, Arashi. It is a good song, and I found that one of the relationships that will happen does follow the song's translation, save "singing outside a train station", "standing around reading magazines" and no, the person in pursuit will not get the other back. Otherwise, it does fit. :)

For many high school students, winter vacation was a time to relax and spend time with loved ones (in most cases). Alas such a student didn't receive such luck. His brother left him in such a rush that it left his mind reeling.

He reasoned his younger brother must have been taken hostage by force and being the protective older brother, it was his duty to rescue Yuuta from their evil clutches. Unfortunately, their older sister had taken their shared car to visit her friends for the night. True, Syuusuke could have left the next morning, but who knew what horrible torture they were inflicting on his poor, innocent brother?

Instead of taking a taxi or trying to figure out the bus schedule, this former Seigaku player called upon a fellow former team mate for a ride. Thankfully, they both obtained their licenses by now though the other had people doubting his driving skills. Syuusuke actually trusted him not to do anything reckless; therefore, he showed up at his team mate's doorstep with a small bag.

"Road trip!" Eiji exclaimed over and over as he packed his stuff for an overnight stay at God knows where. He didn't know why Syuusuke suddenly appeared on his doorstep or the logic behind it, but he really wanted to go on a road trip. Besides, he learned to accept Syuusuke's less than normal behavior. Of course, he left a note on the fridge.

Half an hour and one small suitcase later, the two were on the road. Syuusuke acted as the navigator while Eiji drove. He brought a small flashlight and enough batteries to last at least a week. Before arriving at Eiji's, he had mapped out the entire route and several detours should there be any unforeseen road closures or hazards.

Along the way, they had to stop to use the toilet. Syuusuke made certain they brought enough snacks and drinks to prevent any unnecessary pit stops, but they certainly needed to take a break for that. In fact, he almost ran into the stall when he thought Eiji was taking too long.

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At the cabin, an unsuspecting Yuuta started to doze off on the couch. He and the former St. Rudolph's team originally planned to hold an all night movie marathon. So far, half the team appeared attentive, a quarter seemed bore but alert, and the rest were dozing off or close to it.

Hearing an abrupt knock, Yuuta fell of with a loud curse. Who could be visiting them at this late hour? He peeled himself off the floor in time to see his companions argue over who was going to answer the door. They were all comfortable except for him.

Reluctantly, he made his way to the door and opened it. As soon as he saw his older brother, he slammed the door shut or would have if it weren't for Eiji's quick reflexes. "What are you doing here?"

As usual, his older brother was all smiles. "I'm here to rescue you."

Yuuta blinked a few times as the information sunk into his sleep hazed mind. "What do I need to be rescued from?"

"From your kidnappers," Syuusuke answered, not even opening his eyes.

The younger Fuiji snorted. "Does it look like I've been kidnapped? No, don't even answer that. I can take care of myself. I don't need to be rescued."

Ignoring the other players, who were trying to see what was going on (at least the alert ones), Syuusuke concentrated on his younger brother. "Your unexplained absence was sudden, and you never mentioned any plans."

He swore his older brother was trying to drive him insane. Now, he wished he had been fast asleep so he didn't have to deal with him. "If I told you, you wouldn't let me go."

"He's got you there," Ejiji chimed in, making his presence known.

Syuusuke gave his team mate a disapproving look. "You could have been injured or worse."

In response, Yuuta twitched several times. "I'm not a baby! Quit treating me like one!"

"I never said you were one," Syuusuke said patiently.

Just when Yuuta was about to explode, a loud yawn could be heard. The brother's turned to the source, Eiji.

It had been a long night, and the doubles player needed his beauty sleep. He grinned sheepishly. "Don't mind me. Pretend I'm not here."

As much as he didn't want them to be here in the first place, Yuuta didn't have it in his heart to leave them out theere in the middle of the night. He turned to his team mates. "Mind of these two stay for the night?"

"They have to sleep on the couches," their buchou replied. He didn't like the two players arriving uninvited, but it was too late to drive, and the acrobatic player looked like he could fall asleep standing.

The triple counter player looked over his friend and agreed. He already inconvenienced Eiji by having him come up there. "That's fine. We don't mind."

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After spending some time with the former St. Rudolph's team, Syuusuke reluctantly agreed to let Yuuta spend the rest of his winter vacation there so long as he received a phone call every night until school started. Yuuta wanted to protest, but at least his brother would be there physically, and he would definitely make it a short phone call.

Since they stayed up late, they woke up later than usual. Eiji insisted they have lunch before they hit the road. Yuuta agreed to this only to get them out of there as soon as possible.

"Someone answer the door!" Eiji called from the kitchen. Both he and Syuusuke insisted on prepareing lunch as a way of thanking their hosts for their hospitality. When no one answered, the knocks became louder and more frantic.

Why was he always answering the door? Yuuuta wondered if one of his team mates called for pizza while he wasn't looking. They probably didn't trust the two former Seigaku regulars to cook something edible. After opening the door, he groaned. Not another former Seigaku player. "Oishi-san, what brings you here?"

"Have you seen Eiji or your brother? They went missing last night---" He would have finished his sentence if it weren't for his partner glomping him.

"Oishi! What are you doing here?"

"Gah!" was what Oishi managed to get out before pry ing Eiji off his windpipe. "I was wondering the same thing about you. Your older siblings are worried. They thought something might have happened to you."

Eiji frowned. He didn't mean to cause his siblings to worry. "I left them a note on the fridge."

A note? What note? "Hey never mentioned a note." But with Eiji's penmanship, it wouldn't be a surprise. Sure, he could read it, but that came with experience.

This time Eiji pouted. "I left a note, and Syuusuke saw me write it too." He really did leave a note.

"Okay, okay," Oishi said, holding up his hands as if surrendering.

Meanwhile, Yuuta decided to leave the Golden pair to sort through their troubles. He already had enough on his hands.

"So why are you really here?" Eji asked.

"I'm here, because your family is worried. They asked me to help find you and bring you home."

This cause Eiji to pout even more. "I'm almost a legal adult. I don't need to be baby-satted!" He wanted to shut the door, leaving Oishi standing outside. Sadly, his partner knew him better than that and slipped inside.

'I don't blame them for worrying. Eiji's more of a child than an adult, but I wouldn't want it any other way. He's worth waiting for,' Oishi thought.

Squinting, the acrobatic player leaned forward. "What's with that goofy grin?" Why didn't they tell him anything? He wasn't a child.

"Nothing, nothing at all," Oishi said hastily. He knew that look, and his parter wouldn't let it drop unless he was distracted. Fortunately for him, Mizuki proviced such distraction.

"Oi, is your entire team going to come here? I don't have enough beds or food."

Oishi shook his head. "Sorry to intrude on you. I'll be leaving shortly." He gave Eiji a firm look when he started to protest.

"Good luck prying Fuji away from Yuuta," the manager laughed before padding into the kitchen.

The Golden Pair groaned. Getting Momo and Kaidoh to be friends was much easier than this. And that was saying a lot.

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While Eiji drove his car, Oishi drove Syuusuke back home. The two had to physically pry the tensai away from his younger brother, who packed Syuusuke's belongings. That was after Oishi made a call to Seigaku's former buchou. Kunimitsu bascially told them to, "Deal with it." and hung up.

Oishi glanced over at the unusually quiet Syuusuke. He shuddered at the thought of the sadist plotting something against him. Returning his attention to the road, he tried to think of ways to calm his guest down before any casualities happened, namely him and his partner. Well, Eiji would probably be spared, considering he drove, and oddly enough, he was comforted by this thought.

"He's grown up."

"What?"

"Yuuta. He's becoming an adult," Syuusuke said wistfully as he stared out the window. "He doesn't need me anymore."

So this was about that? Oishi smiled a little. "You know everyone grows up, including your brother. That doesn't mean he doesn't need you either. He'll need someone to support him and cover his back. Kind of like playing doubles."

Syuusuke blinked a few times and chuckled. "When did you become so wise?"

"Hey! I didn't become the fukubuchou based on my good looks." He mock protested.

This time, Syuusuke laught softly. "Or your tennis skills."

After a good laugh, the two lapsed back into silence. 'I know letting go isn't going to be easy for you, but you have the support of your team mates and friends. I know you can do it.

You're not alone.'