A/N: This was originally going to be a birthday fic for Tezuka...but i've already completely missed it, so i'm just going to post it as it is.

Happy Belated Birthday Tezuka!

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis is not, and shall never be, mines. I am only borrowing a character or two to make them do my bidding.

~0x0x0~

Tezuka stepped out into the cool September night. He reached into his pocket and pulled out several bills to pay his cab fare. After a few moments, the cab slowly pulled away and Tezuka watched the twin taillights disappear around a corner. Tezuka pulled his suitcase along behind him as he made his way up a somewhat uphill footpath towards a familiar apartment building. At this ungodly hour of the night/early morning in this small residential area, the only lights around were those of the slightly flickering street lamps.

Perhaps he should have stayed a night at the airport hotel, or better yet, gone back to his own apartment first, but Tezuka didn't feel up to it. Doing either would feel like a chore at the moment. No, he wanted to go somewhere where he could relax, at least a little. He was already weary, mostly from the long flight back from America, but also from the fact that he had hopped a plane almost immediately after the tournament ended.

In the distance, Tezuka could make out a single lit window in the sea of near blackness. Like the North Star guided lost and bone-tired travelers on their journey home, so this little pinprick of light guided Tezuka.

~0x0x0~

"Tezuka!" The surprise in the man's voice reflected the surprise on his face. But it was soon replaced by his usual calm voice and light smile. Fuji looked down at the luggage still in Tezuka's hand. "You didn't go home?"

"Aa…" Tezuka responded. Fuji stepped aside to let the taller man in.

Tezuka looked around the apartment. Nothing much had changed in the place in the month or so since he last saw, except perhaps the mess. There was more of it. And it felt…right. Like home. A knot that Tezuka never knew was there loosened and Tezuka breathed in the scent that was so uniquely Fuji's.

"Tadaima…" he said without hesitation.

"Okaeri," Fuji said.

Fuji reached over and took hold of Tezuka's suitcase in one hand and Tezuka in his other and pulled both towards the bedroom.

~O.W.A.R.I~

A/N: So Tezuka can sleep, mind you!