Disclaimer: [I'm only writing this disclaimer once.] I really wish I do but I don't own Prince of Tennis. The only things I own are my original characters and the plot. And I'm apologising beforehand, I may have written Shishido slightly out of character. Now enjoy!

Chapter one

Shishido looked to his right, then to his left. "Road clear…" he muttered to himself. Checking a second time, he jay walked across with his destination already visible. The small cosy café that was his favourite.

But as he neared the café, his palms began sweating and the once calm and peaceful butterflies began to flutter about in his stomach. He pulled at his stiff collar and swallowed. "This is it," he said to himself. Gathering up his courage, he pushed the door open and stepped in.

It was quiet, a normal Sunday afternoon with only a few customers. One of them a pretty blonde, seated at a table near one of the windows facing the afternoon sun and garden. Shishido smiled, hand unconsciously brushing the small box that was in his pocket, as if to reassure himself that the item was still there. Then he strolled over and planted a kiss on Ringo's cheek.
"Hey honey," he greeted her.

The blonde looked up from her magazine and smiled warmly at him.
"Hey,"
She checked her watch. "You're early today, what's the occasion?" Shishido mockingly gasped and placed a hand on his chest.
"Can a guy not be early occasionally on dates?" Ringo grinned and said, "Yeah, they can…if the guy in subject is not named Shishido Ryou. You…are never early." Shishido smiled and raised his hands in defeat.

He sat down opposite her and waved at the waitress that was working and ordered a drink. Then turning his attention back to Ringo he smiled and said "Ringo, how long has it been since we've known each other? How long have we been dating each other?" Ringo swept an eyebrow up questioningly. "What is this? A quiz to see how attentive I've been?"
Shishido shook his head. "I met you when we were sophomores and began dating you since senior. That's seven years and I think it's time to move onto the next level," and with that he pulled out the tiny box, dark blue coloured with silver ribbons decorating it.

He stood up, knelt down on one knee in front of her and continued.
"Ringo, I love you. I don't know how many times I've said those words to you but each time I say it, I mean it with all my heart. I have many flaws but know that I will do my best to be the perfect man for you as you are the perfect woman for me. I'll cherish you above everything; even my life and I promise I'll make you the happiest woman in the universe. Please, will you marry me?"

Silence ensued and Shishido began to lose his confidence. He watched Ringo chew on her bottom lip as she always does when she was deep in thought or facing a dilemma. Just as he was about to tell her she didn't need to answer him immediately she spoke out. "I'm sorry Ryou…I…I can't. It's just…I…" she looked away. Then very quietly, so much that he had to strain his ears to hear, "I'm…I was about to tell you something. I'm in love with Atobe sama."

It was as if the sky had suddenly dimmed and the world had shattered around when the significance of Ringo's words sunk in. And by the time he recovered from his shock, Ringo had already disappeared, along with the sun. The waitress that had served him his drink tapped him on the shoulder and said "Sir, we're closing up now. Are you okay? Did you drop something on the floor?" He blinked once, twice and then shook his head.

Without saying a word he walked out of the café with no intention of heading home. Home was where Ringo was and now that Ringo was gone, he had no home to return to. Just a hollow cage filled with tormentingly happy memories that would haunt him, over and over again.

-A week later-

He would've appreciated if God had left him alone with no plans for him so that he could sulk all by his lonesome self but as life goes by the way it does, it was not to be.

A week after their break up, Shishido was still heart broken and wallowing in self pity. Binge drinking and heavy smoking eased the pain in his chest temporarily and occasionally glass throwing and plate smashing helped too.

He would've been content if life continued that was but then again, nothing goes according to plans, right?

And then he showed up.

When Fujiwara Touru retired a new staff came along, naturally. However, it was as if Atobe knew it would annoy the heart broken male, Atobe personally requested that Shishido trained the new comer. And to make matters worse, the new staff was the type that was polite, cheerful and optimistic. The very opposite of Shishido.

Which would explains why Shishido is now in his office with Otori sitting on his couch with a notepad on his lap, taking notes of every-single-action he was making.

The growing headache had grown so much, Shishido could no longer think clearly and was increasingly impatient and short tempered.

"Would you PLEASE stop that shuffling and quit taking notes on stupid things like 'Took out his pen from the first drawer and wrote in his diary'?!"
"But…Atobe sama said…"
"I know what he said. But I'm damned sure he didn't say take note of EVERYTHING. He said, and I quote, 'Take note of everything that is IMPORTANT!" Shishido, in his rage, had stood up and he now slumped back down into his seat, massaging his temples. "Forget it. I've got a massive headache and it's almost time to finish up. I'm going home," and stood up to grab his coat.
"But Shishido san…" Otori objected weakly but was stopped by a glare. Otori lowered his eyes and moments later, he heard the door open and close with a click.

Otori sighed. "Shishido san…" he whispered under his breath.
"Don't whisper peoples names like that. One would think wrongly,"
Shocked, Otori looked up and was greeted by a smiling face. "Fuji senpai…"
"Oh come one. The days over. Let's go grab some dinner," Otori nodded and followed Fuji out of the office.

-During dinner-

"So…Otori san…" Fuji began, "why did you whisper Shishido's name like that? It almost sounded like…" he let the sentence trail off, a knowing smile played on his lips. The younger male turned bright red and refused to look up from his plate. Fuji leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "He's currently single nursing a broken heart. A golden chance like this doesn't come often…" If possible, Otori went even redder and had his head bowed so low Fuji could only see the tips of his spikes.

Leaning back, Fuji smiled, the wheels inside his head already turning. 'Something interesting is going to happen over the next few weeks. Or even days…' he thought to himself.

"Fuji senpai…" for the first time since dinner, Otori spoke. "It's not like what you think…I just really idolise Shishido san…" Fuji raised his eyebrow, "I'm sure, but please do explain why your face is still red from blushing. You do realise the blush is down to your neck now," he stated matter-of-factly.

Otori hurriedly covered his cheeks, but didn't say anything back. "Look, don't worry. I'm on your side. I'll help you if you want. Just tell me when you need help. Here's my number and this…" Fuji continued to scribble something down on a piece of napkin, "is Shishido's address in case you want to visit him," Fuji smiled and stood up. "Tonights my treat okay?" Otori was about to object but was silenced with a finger to the lips.

"Shishido is a mess at the moment. He's a dick sometimes but he's a good guy all in all. He didn't deserve to be treated like that. And I know, you'll do him good. He needs someone caring, someone kind to be beside him to help him get over this mess. Someone like you."

The blush that had disappeared, reappeared again. Fuji smiled at how easily provoked the younger male was.
"So…tonight, at three in the morning make sure you're here…" he handed a card to the younger male. "He's going to be dead drunk again by then. Make sure you get there and drive him home safely. Don't think about doing anything funny okay?" he finished the sentence jokingly. The tips of Otori's ears flamed up and before he could react, Fuji waved cheerfully and walked out of sight.

"Ah meddling with other people's affairs is so amusing," Fuji cheerily muttered under his breath, wheels turning faster inside his head as plans began to form. "The next few days will definitely be interesting," he said to himself as he got into his car.

Just as he was about to start his car his phone rang. "Hello, Fuji speaking," he answered.
"Fuuuuuuuujiiiiiiii, where are you? I've been waiting for you for so long. You're so mean…" Eiji's voice rang out from the speaker and Fuji checked his watch. "Oh right, sorry. I'll be there in five," he promised. "Okay then! See you soon!" Eiji's voice lightened and hung up. "Easily satisfied," Fuji muttered, shaking his head, as he started his car. Previous thoughts on Shishido and Otori was pushed aside, replaced by only one person. The smile on his lips softened and the car picked up speed as he drove on, headed to a place so familiar he could've driven there blindfolded.

A/N: Um this is just a rewritten version of my previous story. The one that I put up and deleted. I think its been two years now. The first chapter is finally out. Le sigh. Please review and tell me what you think. It's been a while since I wrote in third POV. Is rusty I tell you. But please do review so that I know I should continue writing or if I should just give up and never write again. Thanks!