Disclaimer: I still own nothing.

Warning: this is an AU fic, and no tennis included in this story. The setting is in a big city, which divided into 2 areas of lower and upper town. Upper town is where the rich is and the lower town.. Well, you get the idea.

As for the age, go imagine Tezuka in his late 20, Inui and Oishi in their early 30. And Echizen is somewhere near 23. Fuji is 25, and so is Eiji.

The characters are a bit OOC.

And for the reviewers.. thank you, thank youuuu. Gosh, your reviews made my day, you know ^_^

To rinapraval, yeah, seriously, it is my first fic. So I give you the honorable place in my fic-writing history as my very first reviewer X)

And thank you BloodRaven ^_^ , your comment flatters me. I still have a lot to learn, though.

For Yoshikochan, ufifox, and Ookami Fuu, here's a Fuji centric-chapter for you!

Okay,, here you go, my beloved readers..

Chapter 2

The Apricot and Orange Tart

His voice mail has always been something entertaining to start his day.

"Young master, what do you think about the contract with the Atobe corp? I know you have some.. um, personal problems with the vice president.. But would you please consider to…." Hayamas voice, the secretary of his dad, rang from the phones speaker. He chuckled softly. 'Always panicking like that… I wonder how Dad put up with him every day'.

Another beeping sound from the phone indicates the beginning of a new voice message. "Nyaaaaa Fujikooo, why didn't you come to the restaurant today?? Taka-san was trying a new recipe today and it was yuuuuuuummy and you should've seen his disappointed face when the restaurant had to be closed and you haven't graced him with your presence and now I'm reeeally sure that he has a crush on you and.. Um, wait. What time is it now??" a small pause, "Oh my, so you were working. It's not even 9 pm and you aren't picking up… and there's no way that you slept already, so you must be working late, again" a soft sigh, "Fujiko, please take care of yourself, okay? You know how worried I am when you're being all workaholic like this… The last time you run a crazy schedule like this, you were…" a worried groan this time, and he smiled softly at his best friends' antics. "Well, just, take care, okay? I'm working on a new recipe tomorrow, so give me a call, and I'm making sure that you'll be the first to taste it, okay? See you later, Fujiko." He made a mental note to call his best friend immediately.

Another beeping sound.

"Mr. Fuji, this is Annette from the Socialites magazine. I just want to make sure you remember about our interview for this Saturday. Saturday, at 3 pm. If you have any problem with the time, please do contact me anytime. See you this Saturday, Mr. Fuji". He frowned at the subtly seductive tone the reporter used. 'I wonder what's so entertaining about my life, anyway. Haven't they figured out that I used most of my time only to take pictures? I'm a photographer, for God's sake. Well, dodging the work from Dads company too.. But they don't have to know that'. About 4 messages later, he finally came to the last message.

That last message shot his amusement away.

"Shuusuke, Ore-sama don't feel sorry about your last boyfriend. He was just momentarily forgetting about the fact that he has; or should I say had?, you as his boyfriend, but hey, only momentarily, he even called your name in his strange orgasmic voice. You know that no one can avoid being convinced by ore-samas prowess. Stop holding grudge against me, Shuusuke. He's dumb anyway. And just sign the contract with our company. You know you need it. There's no better company than ours and…"

He deleted the message before he heard another word from his so called childhood friend.

"I've known him ever since we were little. I even know that he still use his diapers until in the second year of elementary school. That pompous bastard… if he is indeed that great he should've been able to find a boyfriend on his own and not taking mine" he muttered darkly. 'But he's quite right in the dumb part. Javier is indeed an air head. A gorgeous one, though'.

"God. I need coffee, or a gigantic cup of cookies and peanut ice cream, or…" the blue eyed man paused at the sight of his cell phone, "Or a real good amount of sweet cakes".

Twenty minutes and a phone call later, dressed in a fashionable leather coat over his comfortable t-shirt and jeans, Fuji Shuusuke was on his way to 'Black Pepper', a fancy restaurant in the heart of the upper town. A rather upbeat music blasted inside his range rover, and he sang along to lighten up his mood. 'Pathetic. The only thing that accompanies me right now is my camera. Maybe Dad was really sincere when he said that it'll be the last thing I see in my death bed if I don't take over his company'. He snorted. 'Man. Does black magic run in my family, or what? Yumiko nee-san reads tarot, Yuuta owns a collection of voodoo dolls, and now my Dad is able to put a curse on me? Maybe I should learn something equally twisted too'.

Ten minutes later, he entered the cozy restaurant, still humming the same upbeat song that somehow got stuck in his head and ignoring the 'closed' sign in the entrance, with his smile plastered in his face.

"I'm sorry sir, the restaurant is closed.."

The managers' voice trailed off when she saw Fuji. And with a slightly annoyed voice she continued, "but of course you'll never listen to what I say, Fuji Shuusuke". Fujis melodious laugh made the middle aged woman smile. "Good morning to you too, Sumire-chan" he greeted the restaurants manager cheerfully, flashing his most charming grin. "You better be good and don't try to distract any of the workers, especially our patissier and our head-chef. And stop calling me Sumire-chan. It's Ryuuzaki-san for you, young man". The comment was replied by another pleasant laugh from the slender man. "Understood, Ryuuzaki-chan".

With a rather loud 'Hey' from the manager, Fuji entered the kitchen. "Fuji, good morning! You're early today!" Jan, one of the chef, greeted him without stopping his hand from chopping the vegetables. "Hey. I know. I know I'm early. I'm really sorry though. I'm in a need of Eijis sweet cake.. You know I'd die in misery without it". The chef gave him an amused laugh. "Well, you're lucky today. He has been blabbering about this super-tasty-apricot and orange cake since yesterday.. And he forbids any of us to taste it before Fujiko taste it. Now go and tell me how it is. I'm curious myself".

Kikumaru Eiji was humming one of the Disney songs he obsessed with when Fuji came to the baking corner. He practically threw his wooden spatula and gave Fuji his famous Kikumaru bear hug. "Nyaaaa Fujikooo!! I finally get to see you! Where have you been??" Fuji managed to break free of his friends' tight hug after a rather choked 'Hi'. "Come, get your cute ass to my mighty patissier paradise and.." Eiji made a poor imitation of welcoming drum-rolls sound, and took a small sized cake, with sweet, drool worthy smell, and generous amounts of sliced orange and apricot on top from the fridge. Fuji hummed at the mouth watering sight.

"Fujiko, meet my creation of apricot and orange cake".

The other employees of the restaurant watched in amusement as the two best friends raced to their usual table with spoon and cake in their hands.

"And??" Eiji eyed him with a nervous glint in his eyes. Fuji considered to tease him but decided that he would take pity on his red haired friend this time.

"I think a little bit of chocolate crumbs will do this creamy thing good. But it's really good already, Eiji"

Eiji flash him a big happy grin. "See, that's why I looove letting you be the first to taste my cakes and cookies! Choco crumbs is brilliant, Fujiko! I'll have to put a little less sugar, then".

They ended up sharing their fetish of sweet cakes for the next 15 minutes, until Taka-san, the head chef, came out from the kitchen with two plates of croque monsieur. Eiji looked at him with an amused 'see, I told you so' look, and Fuji discreetly rolled his eyes at him. "Thanks Taka-san. It's really nice of you.."

"30 minutes, everyone!!" Manager Ryuuzaki reminded her staffs with her stern voice. It was 9.30 already, and Fuji reminded himself that he only got 30 minutes left to get to his real reason of coming to 'Black Pepper' that morning. He gave another smile to Taka-san as the head chef excused himself to his kitchen with red tint on his cheeks and Fuji quickly ate his food. 10 minutes later, they finally gulped down their last piece of croque monsieur.

'20 minutes left' Fuji told himself.

"Eiji, let's go outside". The red head sensed the sudden seriousness in the photographers' voice, and then followed him to the small garden outside the restaurant without another word.

"Fujiko, what's wrong?" He finally asked after he made sure that they were alone. Fuji took a deep breath, considering whether it's really okay to tell his best friend about it for the last time before he finally said it.

"Eiji, I think someone's after my head"

Eijis eyes widened, and Fuji fidgeted under those surprised stare. "I… I can feel someone watching me, like, almost all the time, and.." Eiji grabbed his hand, and Fuji felt that it was trembled in fear and worry.

"Are.. Are you sure it wasn't another paparazzi or stalker, Fujiko? Umm, you're pretty famous after all.." Fuji shook his head. "No, Eiji. Some might know me, but you know that I'm a photographer, not an idol, so I'm sure it wasn't someone who can be considered as a mere fan or stalker. And unless paparazzis are given stealth training nowadays, no, there's no way that he's a paparazzi"

"It's a man?" Fuji nodded. "Yeah. I managed to trick him once, but I was only able to catch a glimpse of his shadow. I'm pretty sure it was a man". Eijis face gloomed in a rare seriousness. "I don't know Fujiko.. Who would possibly harm you? I mean, as a photographer you only took artsy kind of photos, and not the controversial ones.."

"And I'm also an almost-official heir of my fathers' company."

Eiji cursed in a sudden realization. "Fuck. Holy shit, you're right. Someone is possibly after your head".

There was a minute of an unpleasant silent after that, and Fuji felt guilty for telling his usually happy-go-lucky friend. He hates seeing Eiji like that; a worried face and a frown, and tears threatening to leave his eyes.

He even felt guiltier after that, when Eiji grabbed his hand and pulled him into his shaking embrace, his voice cracked with a restrained sob. "Fujiko.. Please.. Be careful, ok? I.. I don't want to lose you.. You're my only best friend.. And.." Fuji put his arm around Eiji and whispered remorsefully., "God.. Eiji, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have told you.."

Eiji released him and stared at the blue-eyed boy with an almost hurt look. "What the hell, Fujiko!? I will be the one who kills you if ever you keep this to yourself, silly!" Fuji gave him a rueful smile. "Fujiko, we have to do something!"

Fuji answered with a weak nod.

"Okay, first, you shouldn't be alone. Javier's staying with you, right?". The annoyed look in Fujis face surprised him. "Nah. I'm pretty sure that he's busy with warming Keigos bed right now. A foot step near my apartment, and I'll kill him with my bare hands"

Realization finally downed on Eijis confused eyes, and Eiji almost roared in anger. "Arrrgh!! That good-for-nothing bastard! I'm going to strangle him, Fujiko, I swear! I even bothered to gave him my best-friend-speech before.." Fujis brow lifted in question. "You know.. The 'If you ever hurt my best friends, you'll never be able to see tomorrows sunshine' one.." Fuji shook his head in disbelief. "Forget him, Eiji. I already threw my bed for good, anyway. I've got a better, bigger bed now"

Eiji threw his fist to the air in fury. "He even did it on your bed?! Him, and that Atobe-slut-Keigo will go to the worst form of hell!! I swear!!" Fuji smiled in relief. This Eiji is better than the one with worried face and tears.

"But you really shouldn't be left alone, Fujiko. How about you move in with me? At least I can keep an eye on you.." Fuji immediately shook his head.

"Eiji, I'm hiring a bodyguard, and he'll start guarding me tomorrow. It'll be okay". Eiji gave him a tired sigh. "Okay. A bodyguard. I'm pretty convinced. Just.. Be careful, okay? Be really careful, a little bit paranoid, whatever. Just don't face it like you almost willing to be killed, Fujiko". Fujis eyes widened in a split second, but he quickly regained his usual innocent façade.

"What do you mean, Eiji?"

"Don't give me that bull shit, Fujiko. I can see it in your eyes, a crack in that stupid smiling mask of yours, when you thought I wasn't looking. You're my best friend, Fujiko.. I..know how you feel about your life" Fuji turned his back to Eiji and bit his trembled lower lip. "Fujiko, how can I convince you that you are more that worth of living? There are a lot people who look up to you, care about your well being.." Eiji hugged him from behind. "I'm one of them. I care about you, Fujiko. Please.. Value your life, at least for me" Eiji felt Fuji trembled in his arms. "Promise me, Fuji Shuusuke. Don't you dare to leave me. Live for me, for those who love you, then for yourself. Promise me".

Fuji steadied his voice; his knees grew weak in his best friends' affectionate hold. "Okay. I.. promise. I promise, Eiji.."

Fuji Shuusuke lied for the second time to his best friend that day.

That's it for this chapter..

How was it?? Good? Bad? So so? Not enough of Fuji the sexy photographer? Paaaatience is virtueeee, fellas, there'll be more later *wink wink*

Oh, and I really should apologize to Atobes fans, ehehe. Don't worry, as much as I made him as an asshole in this story, I wont let anyone kill him.. yet (noooo, just kidding!)

And now, for the sake of my sinking self esteem as a fresh chunk of writer, would you please do me a favor by leaving some review before you cursed me with black magic-y thing??

Thank youuuuuuu. *off to hunt my muse and plot bunnies to finish the next chapter*