Disclaimer : Yadda yadda yadda. You know the drill. Nothing's mine, and everything's Takeshi Konomi's.

+ + + Salvage + + +

Green met soft brown for a brief moment, and the latter quickly turned away.

"I'm sorry…" Kikumaru mumbled, keeping his eyes averted. Leaning against the bed, he hugged his knees.

"Aa." Came the equally quiet reply. "It's not anybody's fault."

"Is this all that's left?" Eiji asked, voice muffled, even though the answer was evident.

"We could still go on with this, you know." Oishi tried to tell the redhead.

"It wouldn't be the same anymore." A sniff. "It's my fault." Kikumaru pressed his eyelids against his kneecaps.

Oishi gazed at the shattered pieces between them, and knew that the pieces had to be picked up, and that he would have to start anew with another. He would be lying, if he said that he wasn't sad – or maybe even angry. But watching his doubles partner in such a state somehow, was more painful than that.

"I don't blame you, really." From the redhead's direction came a tiny sound. "The damage's done. But we – "

"NOT WE! I! ME!"

The Seigaku vice-captain jumped at the sudden outburst.

"IT'S MY FAULT! I RUINED IT!" Yelled the boy, voice uncharacteristically hoarse.

"NOW WE CAN'T GO BACK TO WHAT IT WAS, BECAUSE I WAS SO – SO STUPID!"

"Eiji – "

"And it's all my fault."

Oishi Syuichiroh crossed the distance between them and put his arms around his friend. As if exhausted by his previous tirade, the boy gave a loud sniff and relaxed into the embrace.

"Nothing lasts forever, Eiji, what's past is past." He started stroking the other's hair. "Besides, we still have something to salvage. Look – there's still Oishi and Eiji."

"Mffph." Was the reply.

"Mm?"

"I CAN'T BELIEVE I KILLED THE OTHER REGULARS!!!" Eiji wailed.

"Aa.." Oishi settled for patting his friend on the head.

Finally calm enough to really talk, Eiji Kikumaru raised his head. "Shouldn't have thrown the tennis ball around indoors…"

"We can buy a new tank."

"But the others died! They were all flopping around on the carpet, all helpless and –"

"Stuff like that happen."

"- AND, I stepped on Tezuka while trying to rescue Oishi-fish – "

"Erm. I stepped on Inui. Eiji-fish needed help." The dark-haired boy gave a sheepish grin.

"What horrible deaths…"

Glancing at the two lone fishes in their makeshift red-bucket home and the broken remains of his tank, Oishi wrinkled his nose, as he caught a whiff of the spilled salt water. Hm. His room would smell like that for days.

"Gaaah! I'm going to Hell for this!"

Yup. Back to his old self.

"Hey – "

"-and then Kaidoh-eel was… Aaah! The horror!" He shuddered, clutching at his face.

Oishi gave his friend a poke. "Let's buy a tank before the other two die too."

Sunny grin back on his face, Eiji shook his head.

"Nya! The Golden Pair will surviveeeee!"

"Hai, hai." Oishi Syuichiroh smiled, as he closed the door behind him.

"SURVIVOR FISHIES!!!"

-Owari-


Finished on : 1254301003

A/N : Ah… The fish tank in my living room gave me inspiration. Did the first part trick you guys? ^^; Read, review! Thanks, Suke-san, Rindou, Amona and Moeruze for reviewing 'Snow'! *Gives out strawberry pocky*

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Thanks, Aishuu for the suggestion! Pocky for you too! Lol.

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