DISCLAIMER: Prince of Tennis will never be mine, even if I go past my limit just to own them.

A/N: This is my second fic!!! This is uploaded earlier than planned because my first fic, Koko De Bokura wa Deatte Shimatta, would temporarily be on hiatus. Though I would update the chapter four soon. The last three chapters would be revised and partly because I have so many thesis to accomplish. I hope you'll accept this compensation. But I do hope you will all like this new story of mine, it would be a bit dramatic and a little tear-jerky at the later chapters, but I hope you'll enjoy! Feel free to review!


The Lapse of Oblivion

PROLOGUE



I never knew how time flies by so quickly because I never did once paid attention. Slowly, I felt like I was slipping away, as if I'm already missing things that I should and I must know. It's funny, but I get on with living unconscious to the fact that I am living. I am merely a walking nutcase, living the day for the sake of it, not for the purpose of it.

The reason why I've been this withdrawn is because I was cursed by the gift of seeing more than what I have to see. I'm too observant to the point that I've seen way too far. At first I saw you, and then I saw someone I failed to recognize.

Yet, I'm still in pursuit of my own defeat.

And today, I want to spend some time with you; tomorrow's a special day, I want to be the first one you share it with. But as I noticed, you were still focusing on one thing: tennis, your passion and your very life.

I traipsed to where you are; I've heard the conversation you had with our rookie. It rendered me curious; of course I would want to watch that match you two were secretly planning. The idea didn't pique my excitement, maybe I just want to add more pain to the one I'm helplessly been building inside of me. I have the worst case of masochistic tendencies, much to my reputation as the feared sadist.

Silently, I watched as two of the people that I would never reach acknowledge each other and the short one nodding his head in agreement. It hurts, but I hid t well. I knew my so called title meant nothing to what you two were aiming; both of you are aiming to the sky, already in flight while I aim to reach both of you without wings. Especially you that intrigued me beyond my imagination, aiming for you pained me like no other. That's why, my arcane resolve kicked in the moment I realized how I felt for you.

But I knew I was merely living in my own fantasies, a fantasy that you don't belong in. You belong to the sky of perfection, just like that kid, who, I know for sure, had captured your mind, your soul, your heart. You two were bind together with what you two desires, and I am merely a shadow that looms behind the glaring brightness.

I knew I was entirely mistaken when I've recklessly decided to follow the two of you to that match that I never knew would change my entire being. I'm unconsciously numb of the fact that the symptoms of my resolve is already at their worst. Still, I watched behind the shadows, amazed on the display of extravagance in front of me, the perfection that I could never attain. The ball being rallied lash out back to the other, I was in awe with what I am witnessing. The darkening sky above me threatened to release the bliss of rain, but we three ignored its fair warning.

As I watch I knew I was letting my self fall farther in the pits of stygian, but I was mesmerized. I'm starting to think that I don't know who you two are anymore. I'm starting to forget where I am standing anymore. No doubt I'm way behind you now that I've succeeded in succumbing to my resolve. Yes, I see you as the object of my dreams at night, the faceless paragon that I don't recognize.

In awe, the two of you approached the net, groping each other's hands tenaciously. The game was finished, as the same time I felt I was the one who was done and over with. The sky agreed with me, I looked up the moment the maudlin torrents of rain framed the scene in a grand finale. I looked down, and saw the two of you hurrying to grab your bags and escape the rain. With my eyes opened, I felt it sting, I don't know if it was because of the rain or if it was my tears, but I'm sure my eyesight blurred and then I knew nothing anymore.

I knew I was running hard. I knew I was running hard to a place my feet guided me to. Something inside me was shattering; I can hear it breaking into a myriad of tiny pieces mingling well with the hypnotizing sound of the rain.

I wasn't aware on how I made it home, on how I've faced my family that night at dinner, on how I've done my assignments or even on how I've drifted off to a nightmarish sleep. I knew I was blank the entire time, but I could hear the gentle voices and much to my chagrin I could still respond. I don't know, I really don't know. I've been numbed by the unbearable pain I've induced to myself.

I closed my blank, apathetic eyes that night.

And in the next morning that I stirred form my troubled sleep,

I opened my eyes,

I never remembered who you are anymore.


A/N: As you all might have noticed, this is Fuji's POV. I didn't use italics to distinguish the thoughts, the story won't always be concentrating on Fuji's POV (applicable from chapter 1 til the end). Italics makes it hard for me to read stories, so I won't make it hard for you guys too. Reviews! Reviews keeps me initiated to carry on with my stories. Oh yeah, I hope I still kept Fuji in character in his thoughts! Tell me what you think ne? So I could alter my mistakes. I have no beta reader so please bear with me. The first chapter would be up soon!