TITLE: Ignorance is Bliss

PART: Prologue

GENRE: Implied Shounen-ai

PAIRING: Atobe Keigo x Tezuka Kunimitsu

DISCLAIMERS: Tennis no Oujisama does not belong to me… only this weird story does.

IGNORANCE IS BLISS

X o X o X

COMPLEXITIES

"Tezuka-buchou, the Monkey King wants to talk to you."

If it wasn't for Echizen's confused expression, Tezuka might have thought the boy was teasing him. Slowly, his eyes riveted to where he was pointing, and widening for a fraction of a second in complete realisation that it was indeed true.

Atobe Keigo was waiting for him alone outside the tennis courts, eyes trained solely on him, hands tucked deep into the pockets of his chequered school slacks, hair ruffled by the breeze. He seemed desperate. What was it that he wanted to say now... that he wanted to atone for everything he had done? Tezuka wanted to know... and he knew that his questions wouldn't get answered if he continued to stand in the practice area and stare back at the unruffled visitor.

Briskly, he nodded, motioning to Oishi that he would be going out for a while. Catching his eye, his fukubuchou nodded in understanding and lifted his head slightly towards Atobe's direction. "Continue practicing, guys!" He heard Oishi call out pleasantly, yet firmly, watchful eyes turning back to the disturbed tennis club members. "Come on, practice!"

Silently, he thanked Oishi, and then walked ever so slowly to where Atobe stood.

"Atobe." He said with as much authority as he could. He felt a little self-conscious, but he did not want to admit it to anyone, and somehow, he knew that Atobe knew he was... if the miniature smirk visible on his face was any indication.

"Tezuka." Atobe answered back mockingly. Tezuka stiffened. This was not happening. This was his home court – no one insulted him in his turf. He was about to tell him off when Atobe waved a dismissive hand in the air, fingers fluttering as if having lives of their own. He was fascinated with those fingers for a short while, and then he remembered why he went to meet him in the first place.

"What do you want?" The question came out harshly, more than expected, and inwardly, Tezuka winced, as Atobe's brow lifted in question. He cursed himself for his idiocy. He wasn't supposed to be like this. He was Tezuka Kunimitsu, the Ice Queen, capable of levelling another living being with a, well, level stare and feel nothing about it. And yet, here he was, close to fidgeting just because he was standing in front of a narcissistic jerk that not too many people adored.

"I just wanted to ask if it is true that you are going to Germany." Atobe replied without any trace of care in his voice. It was as if he was initiating some deep discussion about the weather.

Tezuka's brows knitted momentarily before flattening out to their usual planes. "Yes... but how did you know about it?"

"Sakaki-sensei told me."

He did not know why, but there was something in him that gauged Atobe's words untrue. There was something wrong with the way he said it... he just couldn't pinpoint what and why it was... "I see." He was fully expecting him to turn around and saunter off, but he didn't. he still stood, facing him, eyes still trained on him – or rather – his left shoulder... down to his arm.. and up again. Tezuka's heart pounded painfully. Why was he looking at his arm like that? As if he wanted to break it... could it be possible that...

No, it couldn't be.

He looked down at his arm... then, back at Atobe's intense eyes.

Could it?

"Atobe." He said after clearing his throat loudly. "Stop staring."

Atobe's eyes snapped coyly up, the smouldering orbs burning his own. On his lips was a small knowledgeable smile. "Ah, I was just thinking about what happened the other day during our game." He answered. "How much did it hurt, Tezuka?"

Tezuka stiffened. "It hurt." He said stiffly. "Does that satisfy you?"

Atobe's smirk widened, and his hand reached out for his injured shoulder. A twinge of pain intruded Tezuka's senses, and as reflex, he twisted away, escaping the strong... and painful grip. His brows furrowed. Something was definitely wrong in this scenario, he knew. Atobe seemed all too knowledgeable. What did he know? Why was he doing this? Was he purposefully making him feel inadequate because of his injury? How did he know the part of his shoulder that hurt the most? There was something really wrong...

Suddenly, Atobe let out a deep throaty chuckle. Then, to Tezuka's consternation, he stepped forward and leant close... closer... and closer still, until he felt his hot breath on his ear...

"No... It doesn't satisfy me Tezuka-chan... it doesn't satisfy me one bit."

TSUZUKU

A/N: Hi guys... I just had a very weird idea... and it bothered be so much that I'm actually writing it now...

What if Atobe plotted Tezuka's downfall from the start? What if he knew about his injury not because of research but because he was the one who ordered it? Weird, right? I just wanted to play up on the fact that Atobe knew a bit too much about Tezuka than a normal opponent should. During their game, he was watching him keenly... maybe his "insight" was not exactly the reason why he knew them... his voice was coy... and playful - as if the world knew nothing of what he knew...

Pretty bizarre, right? But I'm betting everything in this one... just adding a twist in order to make the story between those two more interesting than they are now. XD

Oh well, onto the next chapter... just wait for a few days for it to be posted. XD