Welcome back
By: Kana
The silence is heavy and no one dares to break it. It has been so long ago… So long and yet the collapse sometimes seems like yesterday. So long, yet his strength has always been present. His power. His determination. His love. Even though he is person was not there, his presence never abandoned them…
That is why now, when he finally makes his way over to the courts again, everybody stopped whatever they were doing. Every eye intently fixed on the familiar approaching figure…
Amazement on most of the faces. Happy smiles with the Regulars. And if it wasn't for the glare their fukubuchou sent them, they would have run over and hug the air out of the person that just sets his foot on the court for the first time since … long.
But, even Sanada and Yanagi smile. Nearly unnoticeable, though some see the difference.
"Well…? What are you all standing there like that? Stop staring and get back tot practice…"
His voice is soft, yet it is the voice they all know and fear.
Immediately everybody resumes their exercises. Except, of course, seven stubborn ones. Their refusal to immediately start again is rewarded with a gentle smile.
"Buchou…"
Niou's voice holds respect and happiness. And the word and tone represent what they're all feeling.
"Welcome back…"
Their smiles broaden when their buchou points his racket to the one who spoke last.
"There's a free court… Play against me…"
It wasn't a question. Yet neither was it an order. You could best consider it a friendly request. Yet one that couldn't be refused…
Of course everybody halted once more whatever they were doing in favour of watching the match between the two strongest players of their tennis team.
The game was a fierce one and at the end of it everybody was truly convinced. Their captain was back.
-
"You played well Genichirou. You brought me in some trouble a couple of times."
His voice is soft and his friends detect some pain, but most of all they can hear fatigue.
They know why Yukimura wanted to play a match. After all, they are the same. Though they know, all three of them, that it wasn't a good idea.
Sanada and Yanagi look at each other before averting their gazes towards Yukimura.
They are just in time to catch him when his knees buckle beneath him.
"Seiichi…"
Leaning on his team mates, he pushes himself back up. A weary smile on his lips.
"You pushed yourself to much… You should take it easy."
Their buchou rolls his eyes. Though Yanagi knows he will listen to his advice. After all… He is the Data Master.
"Let's just go home…"
Yukimura places his fingers on Yanagi's mouth when the lad wants to protest.
"I'm not going to take a small rest on that bench Renji… I just want to go home…"
The boy nods when he sees the look in his captain's eyes. There is no arguing with him at the moment. Beside, he knows why Yukimura refuses to rest. He wants to prove himself. Not to his friends. It is for his own good. Plus, he wants to go home as well…
Smiling a bit broader, Yukimura tip toes and places a gentle kiss on the Data Player's lips, before turning and kissing his fukubuchou.
"Let's go…"
He will not tell them, but he longs for their arms around him. For their warm, comforting presence beside him. He longs for their kisses. For their love…
They walk homewards in a perfect silence.
The hospital seems like a far away nightmare. His dreams will come back to him tonight. Yukimura is sure of it…
The End.
AN: well, that was my first Troika try… :s Please, tell me what you think of it.