Authors Note: Yeah, I always apologize but I am a high school senior dying from the high school senior workload. I bow down and apologize for not updating sooner; hopefully I can get a few chapters in since it is Christmas break. ENJOY more angst and perfect pair. REVIEW PLEASE!

*quoted from Spirited Away, Zeniba.

Ch.3 The Forgotten

Fuji shakes his head, laughing nervously, "That's not true right? No way…can that be true."

Yumiko gives Fuji a worried look, "Shusuke, it is true."

"But he's Tezuka; he was supposed to dominate the world of tennis. We all believed that. He believed that."

Yoshiko tucks a strand of Fuji's hair behind his ear, "But darling, this accident changed a lot of things."

Fuji looks up at his mother a bit franticly, "But he can still play with his right hand, right? Of course it'll take time but I am sure his right could be as good as his left; after all in high school he used them both. He still has hope!"

Yuuta shakes his head, "I already told him that. He won't listen."

"Why? It's his dream; it's the dream we all looked up to. We all, no, I had faith he would do what none of us in Seigaku would be able to do."

Yoshiko caresses her son's cheek in an attempt to calm him down, "Shusuke, listen. Kunimitsu-kun said that if god took away his ability to play tennis than that's how it's supposed to be. He said it was his payment in order to save you from his stupid mistake."

Yumiko smiles gently, "He loves you Shusuke. I've never seen someone love so whole heartedly like he does. He won't return to tennis because he knows how much training he'd have to go through and that training would keep him away from you. He does not want to leave you alone and he wants the stable salary tennis does not really offer."

Fuji shakes his head and covers his ears, "Stop! Just stop. I can't love him like he loves me anymore! I've forgotten."

Yoshiko pets Fuji's head, "Darling, nothing that happens is ever forgotten.*I trust that you'll remember everything. There is no way that what you two had could be erased that easily."

Yuuta nods, "You will definitely get your memories back nii-san!"

Yumiko kisses Fuji on the forehead, "Just take it easy, okay Shusuke? It'll come to you, be patient."

Fuji nods, "I know…"

Yoshiko claps happily, "Well, do you want us to help you? Even though Tezuka doesn't want to tell you anything about you guys' private affairs, we would love to tell you about anything you did with us!"

Yuuta smiles, "Yes, we'd love to help! Well…only if you want to us to."

Fuji looks up at his brother; Yuuta is older than he remembers. But considering he has lost six years of his memory, it makes sense. Yuuta's hair is still styled like it was when he was in middle school but his face is now much more mature and handsome. "I'd love that."

Yumiko clears her throat, "Let's start with me; I got married!"

Fuji's eyes widen, "What? With who? When?"

Yumiko puts a finger on her lips while thinking, "Hmm…maybe three years ago? Around the time you graduated. My husband's name is Seji and he's a doctor. You met him a few times but…"

Fuji runs his hand through his silky hair, "Yeah, I don't remember."

Yoshiko holds Fuji's hand and gives it a slight squeeze, "But you will eventually."

They talk, talk, and talk for so long that Fuji loses track of how much time passes by. He is happy to be told everything he missed, more accurately, everything he has forgotten. But it sounds like they are talking about another person's life, another Fuji, someone else's story. He forces himself to smile in front of them, to pretend that all this knowledge only brings him happiness. But it doesn't, it's a double edged sword. Although he is happy to know, he also despises himself for not already knowing; for not remembering everything on his own. And he wonders which method hurts less, Tezuka's or his families? Would he rather know nothing and be tortured by the unknown until he discovers it himself? Or would he rather know everything without working for it, despising his inability to remember everything through his own efforts?

"Shusuke, are you listening?" his mother questions.

Fuji smiles weakly, "Yeah I am. I just feel a bit tired."

Yoshiko nods, "I'm sorry that we've been yapping away for so long. We should have let you rest."

Fuji shakes his head, "No, thank you. Really."

There is a knock at the door and Yumiko calls out an 'enter'. Tezuka walks in, his hazel eyes softening a bit at the familial sight before him. "It's good that you guys are still here. You are welcome to stay, you know."

Yoshiko stands up, "Oh no, we can't intrude like that. I'm assured that my son is well taken care of here, so I can leave in peace."

Yumiko smiles, "We were just leaving anyhow. Fuji is tired so we would like to let him rest."

Yuuta hugs Fuji, "We'll see you soon, okay? When you get better make sure to visit. And don't be a stranger, call and text me."

Fuji laughs lightly, "I like this affectionate Yuuta; I should get hurt more often."

Yumiko glares at Fuji, "Hey! Don't say that." She hugs him and gives him a kiss on cheek, "Just like Yuuta said, stay in touch. And have faith."

Yoshiko's eyes fill with sadness but she smiles the smile that Fuji had inherited from her, "You'll be fine honey. Just trust your heart, okay?"

Fuji hugs his mother, feeling the sense of safety a little boy usually feels in his mother's arms, "I'll try mom. I love you."

The family leaves the room after a few more goodbyes and Tezuka walks them to the door, "Thank you for coming."

Yoshiko pats Tezuka's face gently, "Endure Kunimitsu-kun; please don't give up on him."

He gives her a small smile, "Of course I won't. I never will."

She nods, "It does me good to hear you say that. Well, take care."

Tezuka closes the door and leans on it, heaving a deep sigh. Truthfully, he is scared of being alone with Fuji. All the months without Fuji by his side has made him famished. But even though Fuji has finally returned to him, Tezuka can't allow himself to even put one finger on him. This Fuji is not the Fuji that loved Tezuka unconditionally; this Fuji isn't ready for Tezuka's love. So he will control himself. He will control this growing desire until he can reclaim Fuji's heart.

Tezuka slowly walks up the stairs and knocks lightly on Fuji's door, "May I come in?"

"…Yeah."

Tezuka walks into the room and closes the door behind him, leaning on it. He was starting to develop a habit of not getting closer than ten feet to Fuji whenever possible. It was for Fuji's safety after all; if Tezuka gets too close his desires might take control of him. "Did you enjoy your family's visit?"

Fuji lies sideways on the bed, his back towards Tezuka, "Yeah. It was nice."

Tezuka looks at the floor, there was obvious tension between them, "That's good. What did you guys talk about?"

"They just filled me in on family related things that I've forgotten."

"I see…well, you should rest. I don't want to bother you any longer. Just call me if you need anything."

"Tezuka…" Fuji sits up on the bed, turning to face him.

"Yes?"

Fuji's face showed an indecipherable mix of emotions, "Why didn't you tell me you can't use your left arm anymore?"

Tezuka's facial expression stiffens, "Did your family tell you?"

"Answer the question."

"Because it was not relevant or necessary to tell you. It doesn't matter."

Fuji scoffs," It doesn't matter? It doesn't matter? How can you tell me that losing your lifelong dream doesn't matter?"

Tezuka sighs and looks away from Fuji's sadden eyes, "…it mattered for a while but it doesn't anymore. I've come to terms with it and I am done being depressed."

"So you'll just give up that easily?"

"It wasn't easy but yes, I have given up the dream. I am perfectly satisfied with the job I have now."

Fuji hits the bed, "But you still have a chance! You have your right arm Tezuka!"

Tezuka raises his voice, his anger on the sore subject obvious in his eyes, "No! I won't leave you alone again. I won't let this career get in between us once more!"

Fuji shakes his head and screams at full volume, "I didn't ask you to love me! Why are you doing this when you know I can't love you the same way I did anymore! Just leave me. Stop giving things up for me Tezuka!"

Tezuka's hazel eyes slightly widen at Fuji's words. He looks away to hide his pain contorted expression and balls his hands into fists to try to control his voice, "…I won't leave you. I'll wait, no matter how long it takes, until you love me again."

"…You stubborn idiot" Fuji throws a pillow at Tezuka, "You stupid stubborn fool!" Burning hot tears run down Fuji's face, "You only make me feel guilty…stop it. Please." He knew he was a mess but he couldn't control his emotions. It seemed that the accident had also taken away the façade he worked so hard to perfect since he was young.

Tezuka approaches Fuji cautiously, gently petting his honey brown hair. He slightly kneels on the bed and embraces the frantic Fuji. Fuji doesn't turn away from the loving gesture; he needs some sort of support and sweetness to hold on to in this bitter time of his life. He buries his face into Tezuka's chest and cries while his fingers cling to the back of Tezuka's light blue sweater. Tezuka just holds him in silence. He was trying to prevent Fuji from falling apart; trying to hold together his broken glass doll.

After a while Fuji rubs his eyes, "I'm fine now."

Tezuka lets go of him, "Sorry for embracing you so suddenly."

"It was comforting…"

"I'm glad. Well, I'll leave you alone now. Go to sleep; you need your rest," Tezuka pets Fuji's head one last time.

Tezuka turns to leave but Fuji holds on to the sleeve of his sweater, "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it, just take your time." Tezuka walks to the door, pausing for a moment, "Good night Shusuke" and closes it behind him.

Fuji watches the door close and sighs, throwing himself back on his bed. He looks up at the plain white ceiling while thinking over everything Tezuka had just said. Something stands out in his memory of the conversation. "I won't let this career get in between us once more!" "That means that his tennis career got in between us before doesn't it?" Fuji mumbles to himself. He wraps himself in his covers and turns to his side, letting sleep take over him.

I won't let this career get in between us once more!

I won't let this career get in between us once more!

"I won't let this career get in between us!"Tezuka says while staring at the dark road in front of them.

Fuji sighs and squeezes Tezuka's shoulder lovingly, "It's not getting between us Kunimitsu. You know I love how passionate you are over your career.

Tezuka's grip on the steering wheel tightens, "It is getting between us. I am always going somewhere so I am never around when you need me. I want to spend more time with you and going with you to Brazil for your photo shoot is a perfect time to do that."

"But you can't come! You have to go to the US Open!"

"That is going to be a yearlong commitment Shusuke! My trainer said that after the open I'd have to stay to train in America and to raise my popularity or something."

Fuji rolls his eyes, "You are being stubborn Kunimitsu! You already won the Australia Open, French Open, and Wimbledon! All you have left is the US Open and you can take the Grand Slam title!"

"I don't care. I can always try to win next year. You are more important to me!"

"I am happy for that sentiment but I'll always be around, this chance won't! What if you can't win it next year? You are so close yet you want to quit now?"

Tezuka groans, "It's not quitting, it's prioritizing. This Brazil project is a huge chance for you Shusuke; you'll be working with world famous models and with very well known photographers. And I want to be there to see you shine. You've seen me play plenty of times yet I haven't once seen you do your job!"

"But you'll have plenty of chances to see me do my job."

"And I'll have plenty of chances to win the Grand Slam."

Fuji slams his hand on the dashboard, "Listen Kunimitsu, I know you are an amazing tennis player, but you never know when an even greater tennis player comes along and blocks your chance from winning that title. You need to grab it as fast as you can."

"It doesn't matter if I can't win it in the future. Just as long as I get close and am still playing tennis, it is fine."

"What about your fans? Are you going to let down the people cheering for you?"

Tezuka sighs deeply, "Why won't you let me put you first on my priorities list for once?"

Fuji fully opens his eyes to reveal pacific blue orbs, "Because I don't want you to regret Kunimitsu!"

"I won't regret, Shusuke! If it has anything to do with you, I know I won't regret!"

And that is the last thing they say that night. As if timed by the witch that is fate, a bright white light engulfs them and before Fuji has the chance to scream 'watch out', everything turns black.