Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Warnings: Time-travel, slight OOC, slight AU, un-betaed.

Pairings: Alpha Pair.

A/N: This is my first PoT fic, so please go easy on me. It took me a lot of time to type out this chapter. Hope you enjoy it! =)


Chapter 1: My Immortal

'There is no way I am losing. If I lost, Yukimura will….' Brimming with determination, Sanada fiercely attempts to return another Cyclone Smash by Echizen. Flashes of his captain's face appeared in his memory as he once again hits the ball back with his Invisible Swing.

As the chair umpire shouted out match point against him, he was stunned. The scoreboard was suddenly not in his favor in a matter of moments. He roared, hitting his best shot of Fū Rin Ka Zan. However, no matter what shot he hit towards the freshman, it was in vain. The shorty kept returning all of his shots that he is running out of options to somehow recover the match. Soon, the match had gone to Seigaku and so did the championship. Sanada went on his knees as he heard the final score being called out. For the time in 15 years, Rikkai had lost the Kantou Championship.

.

"Sanada, I am so sorry for shifting the burden to you." Yukimura said softly as he sat on a bench on the rooftop of the hospital. Sanada was standing next to the blue-haired captain and they were both looking out into the sunset. The stoic vice-captain tugged his cap lower. "Don't be. It's fine. Just focus on recovering your body."

Yukimura smiled gently. "Thank you, Genichirou"

Sanada's eyes widened as he heard Yukimura using his first name. The captain had never called him by his given name before and he felt his heartbeat quicken when he had heard the feminine voice calling him so intimately.

"You are welcome…" he mumbled out. Sanada then stare out into the sunset and made a vow that he shall not disappoint Yukimura and that he would lead the team to the top in the Kantou Tournament.

.

But he had lost. He had failed to maintain Rikkai's ongoing winning fame. He had failed the team. Most importantly, he had failed Yukimura. He quickly got back onto his feet and with heavy footsteps, walked towards his side of the bench, collecting his towel and water container. Sanada was alone. The team had gone ahead to visit Yukimura before his operation.

'How am I going to face them? How am I going to face Yukimura?' He slumped onto his bench as he waited for the closing ceremony of the Kantou Tournament. As minutes passed, he felt his thumping heartbeat slowly regulating and he took in a few deep breaths. The Rikkai audience was still in shock that the Rikkai Kings would lose.

.

Meanwhile, in a hospital a few miles away…

Jackal turned off the portable radio. Yanagi heard the click of the off button and turned to him. "What's wrong, Jackal?"

The half-Brazilian slumped forward and quietly said "Seigaku… won the championship." The whole team gaped, not being able to stomach it as they stood right in front of the entrance of the surgery room. Finally, Kirihara broke the silence. "Rikkai….lost?" he said, stunned and his eyes widened like saucers.

He palms fisted against the wall and he was holding back his tears of anger and frustration. "No… no!" he cursed in frustration.

Yanagi went towards him and said in a quiet but stern voice. "Stop it, Akaya. Yukimura is still trying hard. The surgery is not over yet." This caused Kirihara to come back to his senses immediately and he calmed down and stood back up.

"Yukimura-buchou, please be safe," he prayed.

.

Sanada humbly accepted the silver medals for his team. He had finally accepted the fact that he had lost completely in the match. After the ceremony, he realised that he didn't give a handshake to Echizen. Deciding to maintain his sportsmanship, he walked towards the Seigaku team and saw that they were packing up to leave. He walked forward and whole team turn their gazes to his direction. Sanada then put his hand forward and congratulated the temporary captain, Oishi on their magnificent win. He then couldn't help but add, "However, it won't go this way at the Nationals. We'll have Yukimura then." He said in a stoic voice. Oishi smiled and nodded "And we'll have Tezuka."

Then, the Emperor went to the first year and offered a handshake and Echizen blinked, obviously not expecting it. Echizen then returned the handshake and said with a curve up his lips, "Is it okay you are not going?"

Sanada blinked back and was momentarily dazed, "Hmm?"

"Isn't your captain in surgery now?" the Prince then clarified.

'Oh… Yukimura and the team are waiting. I guess I better make a move.' The Emperor of Rikkai inwardly sighed. He wasn't ready to face his team yet. He looked back straight into the golden eyes, "Echizen Ryoma, we'll meet in the Nationals." He then jogged back to take his jersey and tennis bag.

As he was on the train waiting for his stop, he fisted his tennis bag strap even tighter. 'Yukimura… please be safe.'

.

Sanada ran as fast as he could when the train door slide open. He was the first one to get out and he dashed towards the hospital. He ignored a passing nurse when she yelled out "No running in the hospital!" He just ran to the lift and pressed the up button. He looked at the top of the lift and saw that the lift was stuck on the 8th floor. Sanada gritted his teeth and growled softly. 'I have no time for this tarundoru!' He then ran to the emergency staircase next to the lifts and climbed up five floors to where the surgery room was.

Reaching the 5th floor, he took another deep breath before opening the door to exit the staircase. Walking towards the surgery room, he saw his six other teammates loitering around the entrance of the surgery room. Yanagi was the first to notice the vice captain and he nodded at him. "Genichirou…"

The other five teammates turn their gazes towards their vice captain and there was an awkward silence. Sanada then removed his cap and bow down. "Everyone, I'm sorry…" he said in a guilty tone. Yanagi came towards him and patted his shoulder. "Don't blame yourself Genichirou." The data master said with an equally guilty voice, "I'm equally to be blamed as well. But, we did our best so it's no point crying over spilt milk. We just have to train harder for the Nationals."

'No Renji… I am to be blamed. Yukimura had trusted me to take care of the team and I fail to keep my promise.' Sanada placed his cap back onto his head and he stood next to Yanagi. "How long has it been since the surgery started?" Sanada inquired.

"Hmm….about an hour or so." Yanagi replied. Sanada just nodded and he folded his arms and leaned against the wall, waiting for the surgery to end.

Sanada was not sure how much time had passed until the red light on top of the surgery room went off. He didn't even realise that Yukimura's family had arrived since he was still in a trance. All he knew was that when the light went off, the head surgeon came out and the family crowded around him.

"How is he?" Yukimura's mother asked. The head surgeon shook his head and explained. "There were complications ma'am. His body was not responding about midway of the surgery and before we knew it his heartbeat had dropped significantly. We tried everything we could to save him but I'm afraid…"

No one heard what the surgeon said after that. Sanada felt his insides turn stone cold. 'No….Yukimura is….?' Before he knew it, he had stepped forward on impulse and he yanked the surgeon's shirt and tugged him forward with excessive strength. "What do you mean by that? Yukimura can't be gone! You are lying to us!" he practically shouted into his face. He felt two pairs of arms tugging him backwards, forcing him to let go of his grip. He turned his head across his shoulders and saw that it was Jackal and Yanagi. "Renji, Jackal! let go of me!" he shouted at them and he tried to free himself from their clutches but their grips just tightened around him. "Calm down, Genichirou!" Yanagi said desperately to his close friend.

"Calm down? Renji, you of all people should know that this is untrue! Yukimura can't be…" Sanada felt himself go limp as he nearly said the 'dead' word. He slumped against his teammates and both of them dragged him to sit down on a nearby couch. Sanada covered his face with his palms and he felt Yanagi sitting next to him, patting his back soothingly to calm him down. It seemed unreal that the Child of God/Demigod is no longer here. 'Yukimura… I'm so sorry I couldn't' keep my promise.' Sanada then heard sobs coming from Yukimura's mother and sister and he felt even worse. He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Genichirou… we should go now. We are imposing on his family." Sanada held back unshed tears and he straightened himself and stood up, Yanagi right next to him. He looked at his other teammates and saw that all of them were equally speechless at the loss of their captain. He signaled to them to take their leave. As they picked up their tennis bags, Sanada then went towards Yukimura's family and gave a bow. "We shall take our leave now. We are so sorry for your loss."

The father was the only one who seemed to have heard him. He didn't shed any tears but his face was pale. Yukimura's mother and sister were still sobbing in each other's arms. Yukimura's father turned towards him and gave a slight bow as well. "Sanada-kun. Thank you for everything you have done for my son. You have been so kind to him and he was genuinely happy with you by his side. Thank you."

Sanada couldn't bear to stay there any longer and he just nodded and took his leave. His teammates were waiting for him and soon, they were walking like zombies towards the lift. He looked at his teammates in front of him. 'What is going to happen now? Without Yukimura, I just…'

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a tap on his back. He turned and saw a nurse in her thirties with a thick folder in her arms. "Sanada-kun?" she asked. Sanada vaguely remembered her. She was the nurse who had been taking care of Yukimura until the day of the surgery. He nodded. "Is there anything?" he asked, wondering what business she would want from him. She extracted an envelope from her folder and handed it to him. Sanada took it and wondered what it was. He saw the words 'To Genichirou' and his eyes widened in shock as he recognized the slightly small cursive handwriting. Yukimura's handwriting. His heart thumped wildly against his chest as he held the envelope tightly, causing crinkles to appear.

"Yukimura-kun had asked me to pass this to you if he didn't make it."

"Y-Yukimura did…?"

The nurse gently smiled. "Yeah… he did. He asked me to make sure it goes to you."

Sanada just nodded thanks and he stuffed the envelope into his jersey pocket. He then caught up with the team as they made their way into the lift.

.

Sanada felt his whole body go limp as he slid the door shut. His family was out and his grandfather was probably locking himself away in his room. Sanada went upstairs to his bedroom and dropped his tennis bag. He sat on his study desk and took out the envelope with trembling fingers. He stared at it for a few moments, not daring to open it.

A few minutes later, he was still staring at the envelope and finally he heaved a sigh. 'Tarundoru! Just read it and be done with it!' Sanada tore the envelope open and a piece of paper and a green headband fell out. He gently closed his hand around the soft material of the headband. 'Yukimura… why?' He inhaled and read the letter.

Genichirou,

If you are reading this, then it means that I didn't make it out of the surgery. For that, I would really like to apologize, although… no amount of apology could make up for everything that you have done for me. I shall be leaving the team in your care and I hope that for the Rikkai tennis club's sake, that you would take up my position to be Captain for the rest of the year. As for your Vice-Captain, I'll leave the decision to you.

Sanada, DO NOT mourn for me or I'll swear I'll come back and haunt you! Pass this message to the team as well, alright? I want you guys to keep moving on with your lives and live to enjoy every moment of it. I wish that I could continue to be a part of this amazing journey with the team to the Nationals but unfortunately, fate is not on my side. Whatever the score was today in the Kantou Championships, continue to move forward. That's my last advice that I can give as your Captain.

Tennis aside, I also want to thank you Genichirou, for always being there for me. We have known each other for such a long time and I realized, as I write this, that I've never really thanked you for your companionship. I guess I had always taken you for granted. You were always there for me, even more so ever since I was diagnosed with this illness last winter.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I fell in love with you, Genichirou. I wanted to actually confess to you after the Kantou Tournament, as I didn't want to interrupt the team's training. I'm sorry that I had to express my feelings in words and not face-to-face, but I really wanted you to know my feelings after all. Don't ask me why. In case you are wondering, I finally realized my feelings for you when we were on the hospital rooftop during the sunset that day. Of course, I expect you to move on with your love life. All I want is for your happiness, Genichirou, always remember that.

Have faith in your skills and all the best for Nationals! Although I may no longer be here, know that I shall always be watching over you. I love you.

With all my love,

Yukimura.

.

Confusion and surprise overtook Sanada's mind as he finished reading the letter. 'Yukimura… are you serious?' he re-read the letter and saw that it was indeed Yukimura's unique curvy handwriting. He traced the delicate handwriting and saw that the letter was slightly stained with tears. Yukimura must have been crying when he wrote this. 'Why… why didn't you tell me about your feelings earlier?' Sanada felt his throat constrict and the unshed tears finally fell to his cheeks. He put the letter aside and he covered his face with his hands, unable to stop the tears that are freely flowing down. 'Yukimura…'

Never will he be able to see that gentle smile or hear the soft-spoken voice again. Never will he be able to run his hand through that soft blue hair. Never will he be able to stand next to the Child of God. Yukimura was gone. This was the harsh reality.

.

The funeral for Yukimura took place a few days after his passing. Many tennis players from other nearby rival schools such as Seigaku, Hyotei and Fuudomine also came to pay their respects. Sanada stood with the whole of Rikkai tennis club. He could no longer cry as he had finished shedding his tears from when he had read Yukimura's letter. He had cried that day until he can no longer cry. However, the emptiness in heart that was once filled by the gentle captain still remained there.

Everyone was decked out in black. Sanada himself was donning a full black suit with a black tie. He was not wearing his usual cap. As he was standing with his hands in his trouser pockets, he looked around and saw his other teammates sobbing quietly; Kirihara was one of them. Yanagi patted the second year's back soothingly and he sensed a gaze and turn to Sanada. Sanada nodded back and he continued to look around. Jackal and Yagyuu were calm and steady; Marui and Niou were also having tears in their eyes, though not sobbing like Kirihara.

As the funeral draw to an end, many of the visitors had left by then. Only Sanada and the tennis club regulars remained in front of the gravestone. On it was carved Yukimura Seiichi, beloved son, brother and friend. March 5, 1994 – July 25, 2008. 'It's unfair that his life had to end like this, it's just unfair…' Sanada thought. Yukimura was a great tennis player with such a promising future. His life had only started out and it had suddenly been taken away from him.

Yanagi came forward and said in a quiet voice, "Genichirou, we should head back soon, it's getting dark." Sanada was still staring at the words carved on the gravestone. "You guys go ahead first, I'll stay here for another few minutes." Yanagi just nodded and he with the rest of team took their leave. As they were walking a few paces, the stoic vice-captain said a few words that made them stop their footsteps. "Don't be late for practice tomorrow."

.

As the team had left, Sanada knelt down on one knee and traced Yukimura's name on the gravestone. "Yukimura…" he began. "I am still finding it surreal that you are no longer here. However, I know that you will probably haunt me if I start breaking down now so I shall take on your final advice and just move forward," he said solemnly. Sanada took out the green headband left by Yukimura from his pocket and hold it close to his heart. "I am still not confident that I can be as great a captain as you are but I'll do my absolute best. This I promise you. I will always remember you and think about you, Seiichi."

Sanada scoffed at his own remark. 'Tarundoru. I can't believe I am talking like a softie. I guess... maybe somewhere deep in my heart that I do love him as well.' Images of Yukimura appeared in his vision and he felt more tears threatening to fall from his eyelids. 'Oh god, Yukimura. Why? Why must you leave me?' he said in between tears and he clenched onto the green headband tightly. Suddenly, he felt a gentle yet soothing breeze embrace him, almost as if it was Yukimura hugging him closely. Sanada wiped off his tears with the back of his sleeve and stood back upright. "I'll take my leave now, Yukimura. I'll see you sometime soon."

.

Days turned into weeks and soon, it had been around two months since the funeral. Sanada often visited Yukimura, updating him about the team. One day after practice, Sanada made his usual visit to Yukimura's gravestone after he had showered at home. He passed by a flower shop and saw that they sold potted plants as well. He went in and before he knew it, he had bought a pot of blue orchids that he fell in love at first sight.

When he reached Yukimura's gravestone, he placed the pot next to it. "Something for you to take care of, Yukimura. Hope that you like it," Sanada softly said. He placed his tennis bag onto the ground and then proceeded to make himself comfortable by sitting cross-legged in front of the gravestone. He looked at the gravestone and said "Practice today was the same as always. Some of the regulars are still not playing their best, tarundoru. Kirihara is still distracted at times and I made him run a hundred laps today; Renji had become even stronger ever since he became my vice-captain. His data is near perfection and his shots are getting more powerful; Marui and Jackal are the same as always; Niou and Yagyuu had improved a lot as a doubles pair. Have I told you that they are together as a couple now?" he said disbelievingly. "Tarundoru. I can't believe they had been dating for months before they announced to us recently. I wanted to stop it at first but seeing that their game has improved, Renji convinced me that this was probably for the best, so I reluctantly gave my blessing to them, tarundoru! If you were here, what would your reaction be I wonder…"

'No… Yukimura would also probably give his blessing.' Sanada thought fondly as he pictured Yukimura smiling and congratulating them.

"Nationals are just around the corner. I'll admit that I am a little nervous since this will be my first Nationals without you. We had been on the team since first years and you were always there by my side. Come to think of it… we were practically inseparable." Sanada smiled at the thought of him always attempting to improve himself to defeat two people in tennis, Tezuka and Yukimura.

"Sanada. You are really strong!" the 11-year-old Yukimura said as he shook his hand after the Junior Tournament Finals. The 11-year-old Sanada blinked rapidly and growled, thinking that Yukimura was mocking him. "What do you mean by that? I lost to you, tarundoru!" Yukimura gave his cheery smile. "That may be so but your tennis is amazing! I really am truly impressed." Sanada gave a slight pout, still feeling slightly offended by his childhood friend's compliment.

After the end of the Junior Tournament closing ceremony, Yukimura came up to Sanada, who was packing his belongings into his tennis bag. "Ne… Sanada." Sanada looked up and saw Yukimura beaming down at him. He 'hmph'ed, crossing his hands across his chest and crossly said, "What now, Yukimura?" Yukimura ignored Sanada's obvious annoyance and calmly said. "Which junior high school are you enrolling into for next year? I am going to enroll in Rikkai."

Sanada blinked and replied, "I-I am not sure yet." Yukimura then took his folded hands and held onto it, his eyes were shining brightly. "Come to Rikkai! With you, I am confident that we can win the Nationals!" Yukimura said excitedly.

And that was why he had decided to enter Rikkai. His mind was even more set on Rikkai when he was totally defeated by Tezuka after the Junior Tournaments. He leaned back and found himself lying down onto the soft grass, his hands behind his head. He looked up into the sky and was slightly surprised that it was already dark. Since when had it turned dark? Sanada looked at his wristwatch and saw that it was already 8.30pm. He had missed dinner with his family. They would probably think that he was with friends since he rarely stayed at home ever since Yukimura's funeral. Sanada had dedicated himself to extend practices since Nationals were approaching. In his free time, he would normally go practice tennis in the street courts or with the tennis machines. He would then spend his remaining free time visiting Yukimura. He still occasionally practices kendo in his house, normally during late nights after he finished his homework or during weekends.

As Sanada stare up into the night sky, he admired the view. It was a clear night and there were many stars seen. Sanada traced his eyes around the stars lazily, forming pictures by connecting the stars. Suddenly, his sharp eyes caught the movement of a shooting star. He gazed at it in wonder and his mind suddenly formed the words 'I want to see Yukimura again. I want to tell him that I love him.' It was a miracle as when the words had formed in his mind, a meteor shower followed. He felt his eyes widen further in surprise. He had never seen a shooting star before, let alone a meteor shower. "It's a miracle…" Sanada whispered.

.

As he headed back home, he felt the emptiness in his heart slightly decreasing after witnessing such a rare occurrence. As he entered his house, he went up to his room and immediately dropped onto his bed and fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.


Constructive criticisms are welcomed but I don't appreciate flames. Please review! Thank you.

kimihearts.