Deep Snow

                        By: yukuro

            The temperature had dropped slightly once morning practice was over for Seigaku's tennis club, due to, of course, the winter season. But for a few people, the air still seemed to be just as warm as it was in the summer…

            "Um… I don't want to seem rude, but…" Kikumaru began slowly, blushing faintly as Saeki followed him down the  hall with a pleasant smile. "Is there a reason you're still following me around? I mean, I'm not mad or anything, just curious…"

            "Like I said," Saeki responded cheerfully, "I think you're an amazing tennis player, and amazingly cute too. I'd like to get to know you. Besides, you're in the same class as Fuji, aren't you?"

            "A-Aah…right…" the redhead said, squeezing his hands together with an embarrassed expression on his face. He did his best to convince himself for the thousandth time that Saeki did not like him. It was just too weird.

            "Are you doing anything after afternoon practice today?" the Rokkaku player asked him, still smiling casually. He was kind of like Fuji in a sense. No one could ever tell what he was thinking.

            "A-Am I, w-what?" Kikumaru sputtered in surprise, eyes widening. His head was suddenly spinning. Was he just asked out on a date?! "I…! But, no, then, ah, actually…no…no, wait…I was…eh…"

            Saeki chuckled at the adorable way the redhead was acting. Kikumaru was flushed and confused, wringing his hands together at one moment then swinging them around the next. He wasn't lying when he said Kikumaru was cute. Of course the reason he wanted to "get to know" him better was of course due to Fuji's persuasion. Fuji could really be a persistent person when he was plotting something. "Is that a 'no' then?"

            Dropping his hands, defeated, Kikumaru stared at the ground, unable to think of any way to protest. "Eto…I guess…so…"

            "Great," Saeki said with a strange smile. "There's this park I'd like you to see…"

            The morning passed by quickly, and soon it was lunchtime. There had developed a pleasant winter chill, but nothing too bad. Fuji was sitting pleasantly in Class 3-6 with his lunch, across a desk from Kikumaru who was sulkingly telling him about what had happened with Saeki. What the redhead didn't know was that Fuji had planned it all.

            "…and then I couldn't think up an excuse and ended up saying I was free," Kikumaru whined, glancing at his best friend with much distress. "It's not that I don't like him, Fuji, I mean. I think he's a nice guy, but…! I don't want to date him… Can't you say something to him, Fuji?"

            "Sorry, Eiji," Fuji said, smiling sympathetically. Reaching out, he patted the top of his friend's head. Fuji felt maybe the very, very slightest tinge of guilt, seeing the way Kikumaru looked as if he was on the verge of tears. Oh well. It's for his own good. "You already agreed, right? Even if I said anything, it would still be rude, you know?"

            "Uwaaah! Fuuuuuuuji!" the redhead whined childishly. A few of his classmates blushed and giggled. "I thought he was your admirer!"

            "Just a friend," Fuji said simply, laughing slightly at his best friend. Kikumaru really was adorable in a teddy bear kind of way. He was so much fun to tease…maybe not quite as much as Tezuka though. "Sorry, Eiji, but it looks like being cute won't get you out of this situation."

            "I know," Kikumaru said, blushing slightly. "Looking like this is what got me into this situation! Maybe I should shave my head and get plastic surgery on my face until it looks as bad as that big scary guy's from Hyotei! Like this!"

            Fuji smiled in amusement as he watched Kikumaru stretch his cheeks and pull at the corners of his mouth, sticking his tongue out. "Ah, but if you do that, I don't think Oishi would appreciate it much. There's a reason kittens are cute, you know."

            "Not you too, Fuji!" Kikumaru complained, removing his hands from his face to frown slightly at his smiling friend. "You're like Inui and Ochibi too! Nya, why do you all like to tease me?"

            "Because it's fun to see you squirm," Fuji answered truthfully, making the redhead's frown deepen. The shorter boy smiled sweetly. "It's too easy to frustrate you, Eiji. Too easy."

            Sighing, Kikumaru stopped frowning and picked up his abandoned chopsticks again. Using the other hand, he rubbed his jaw. Frowning hurt his face. He wondered how Tezuka could do it so often.

            Silently, Kikumaru looked out the window, his breath fogging up the cold glass slightly.  There was so much on his mind. It wasn't really that he didn't want to date, even if it could cause trouble with school and tennis, it was just that for some reason he kept stopping to think about what Oishi would think. Why should it matter to Oishi? Kikumaru blushed at the thought. Maybe because he's my partner…I'd feel weird if I didn't know what he thought. But…I don't really feel anything for Saeki, so why am I so worried about what Oishi would think?

            "Ne, Fuji," Kikumaru said suddenly. Partly to break the ice, partly to get his mind off his problems, and partly just because he was curious. "I'm glad you've decided to stay in class and have lunch with me today, but why aren't you with Tezuka today? Haven't you two been together the entire week?"

            "Aa, yes, but you don't have to worry about that," Fuji said mysteriously. Even though he smiled easily, he thought for a moment about Tezuka.

           Tezuka fascinated him. Fuji always thought of Tezuka as a cold, but an ever so interesting enigma. Fuji had always respected him as being someone stronger than him, as the captain and leader of the tennis club, and he had always thought of Tezuka as a friend.

Though sometimes he couldn't exactly explain the feeling of breathlessness he felt whenever Tezuka looked at him. Nor could he ever explain the way his heart fluttered whenever their hands brushed together as they walked, or even the way smiling always seemed so natural with Tezuka around… There were a lot of other things Fuji couldn't explain though. But whatever these feelings were, the blue eyed tensai was not accustomed to them.

            "Anyway," Fuji said lightly, breaking off the topic, "what do you want for Christmas, Eiji?"

            "Fuji! Quit changing the subject!" Kikumaru complained, poking at his lunch. It was already weird enough seeing Fuji suddenly become so quiet after a while, now he was changing the subject? Something was definitely suspicious…

            "I don't know what you mean," Fuji replied pleasantly, smiling at his flustered friend. "Now tell me what it is you'd like for Christmas. Or are you waiting for Santa to make your dreams come true?"

           "Do you like him?" the redhead finally blurt out. He blinked at his smiling friend. He was curious, yes, but he had to admit it probably wasn't best to say it so suddenly Sometimes it was annoying the way his mouth worked, he thought miserably.

            "Who, Santa?"

            "No!" the other boy exclaimed in frustration, snapping his chopsticks back down on the table. Suddenly, it seemed like he was worried for nothing. "Tezuka! Do you like Tezuka, Fuji?!"

            "Of course I like him," Fuji replied easily. "Don't you like him?"

            "That's not what I mean and you know it!" Kikumaru said a bit loudly, pointing a finger at Fuji's face. "I mean do you like him? You know… as in special feelings! Even Ochibi says he thinks you and Tezuka have something together! He thought you two were dating!"

            "Echizen's still young," Fuji reasoned, apparently not very amused by the situation anymore. "Really now, Eiji. If you don't understand me, do you really think Echizen does?"

            A few classrooms down the hall, Echizen sneezed.

            "Haha! Looks like someone's talking about you behind your back, Echizen!" Horio exclaimed loudly, laughing just as loudly.

            Horio was hit by a box of juice in the face shortly after, effectively shutting him up.

            Back in Class 3-6, Kikumaru stared pointedly at Fuji. Even though everyone called him a genius, sometimes Fuji wasn't as smart as Kikumaru had always thought he was. Of course, Fuji was still a genius in everything he did, but Kikumaru noticed that the blue eyed tensai could be quite ignorant when it came down to his own feelings. "You really don't like him specially at all, Fuji?"

            "Eiji, if you're so concerned with feelings right now, shouldn't you worry about your own first?" Fuji said gently, patting the redhead's cheek with a smile. "Don't spend so much time worrying about me, ok? It's more important to me that you're taken care of first."

            Even though those soft words were gentle and sincere, they didn't seem to be as reassuring as Fuji had hoped they would be. Kikumaru said nothing though. He simply nodded slowly and picked up his chopsticks again. If Fuji was going to be stubborn like that, then the redhead decided he would take matters into his own hands.

            Afternoon practice seemed to drag by for Oishi that day. The vice captain had been thinking nonstop about a certain redhead teammate of his. Emotions like his were hard to ignore. Even when he tried hard to forget, they seemed to linger in his mind, too much like the lingering touch of warmth. Unfortunately though, his spacing out ended up getting him hit in the head by a tennis ball.

            "Ah! Oishi-senpai! I'm so sorry!" Momoshiro called out apologetically, holding up a hand and squeezing one eye shut. The younger student quickly ran to his senpai's side, peering at him nervously. "Are you ok?"

            "Huh?" Oishi blinked at the other boy and stared at him, confused. He picked up his hand and slowly rubbed his head with a dazed expression. "What are you doing over here, Momo? Weren't you having a match with Taka-san?"

            Momoshiro blinked and twitched. He hadn't hit it that hard. Maybe it wasn't his fault. Oishi-senpai seemed to be a little spaced out anyway. "Um…yes. I was having a match with Kawamura-senpai but I accidentally hit the ball over here and it kind of…hit you in the head…"

            "I was wondering why my head hurt," Oishi muttered. Smiling at his kouhai, he picked up the tennis ball by his foot and handed it to the younger boy. "It's a little unlike you to hit a ball so far away from your target, Momo. Are you distracted by something?"

            "I…well, sort of…" Momoshiro said shakily, nervously fingering the green ball. A light blush tinted his cheeks. He quickly glanced to the side where Echizen was standing, drenched water.

            Oishi followed the other boy's gaze, frowning when he saw the youngest member of their Regular team completely soaked. "What happened to Echizen? He should get out of those wet clothes before he catches a cold!"

            Blush intensifying, Momoshiro rubbed the back of his neck and laughed nervously. Oishi was definitely spaced out. It was hard to ignore Kaidoh as he ran through the courts with Inui on his tail.

Apparently Inui was planning some kind of "night training" menu for the younger boy, which made Kaidoh squirm uneasily. He started running away when Inui approached him with a wicked grin. Unfortunately, as he was running, Kaidoh ran into some fellow second years carrying a water tank of drinking water for the tired tennis club members, drenching poor Echizen who happened to be standing nearby. Thank God Tezuka hadn't arrived yet. The stoic captain surely would have had all the members running fifty laps by now.

            The spiky haired second year stared silently as Oishi quickly bustled to where Echizen was removing his hat, demanding that the first year get out of the wet clothes immediately. It was winter after all! Momoshiro felt his mouth hang open slightly when Echizen grudgingly removed his shirt, gingerly wiping his upper body with a towel Inui handed him. Momoshiro got the feeling that a whole lot more of the balls he was going to hit weren't going to be in either.

            "Echizen," Inui said smoothly, pushing his glasses up his nose. He smirked as sunlight reflected off the smooth glass of his glasses and into the younger boy's eyes. The first year squinted up at his senpai. Going on, Inui asked with interest, "Is there any special reason Momo is staring at you like that?"

            Flushing warmly, the smaller boy shifted his eyes to the side. Quickly he pulled on his only partially wet Regular jacket and zipped it up to cover his bare chest. Suddenly, he was glad that Oishi-senpai was fussy enough about him to grab the towel to dry his hair. Knowing Inui though, Echizen was sure the data player was sure to have seen his rosy face anyway. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Inui-senpai."

            "Of course not," Inui said, nodding understandingly. He sighed mentally. When would they ever learn that lying to him just didn't change the situation? Tsk, tsk. Oh well. This was how he got data anyway. "Momo, come here for a minute."

            Tugging at the collar of his shirt, Momoshiro slowly trudged towards his smirking senpai. He glanced once at Kawamura who stood blinking at him, his racquet a few feet away on the ground. He looked everywhere, except straight ahead. He knew that if he looked ahead and saw Echizen dripping wet in close proximity, he had a feeling the younger boy wouldn't have any clothes on for very much longer.

            Smiling with a satisfied expression, Inui laid a hand on the younger boy's shoulder. "Be a good senpai and take Echizen to the clubroom to find some dry clothes, will you? There is a 100% chance he will catch a cold at this rate."

            "Why me?!" Momoshiro exclaimed, his cheeks turning rosy. He could feel Echizen's icy glare on the back of his neck, but he didn't dare turn to look at the other boy. "I mean…why specifically me?!"

            "Well," Inui began, flipping a few pages through his notebook. "If you want the logical reason… It's because excluding Echizen and Fuji, you are the smallest Regular. Seeing that Fuji isn't here at the moment, you are the obvious choice. Also, I figured you and Echizen were rather good friends, so I assumed you both wouldn't mind."

            "How do you know I don't have clothes of my own?" Echizen asked hotly, face heating up.

            Inui smiled secretively. "It's an 86% chance you don't have any clothes other than your school uniform, and I doubt you'll be able to play in that. On the other hand, Momo always has extra clothes in case of emergency." Inui chuckled lightly. "Who ever would have thought that Momoshiro Takeshi was so paranoid?"

            "Very funny, Inui-senpai," Momoshiro muttered, sighing in defeat. Looking directly over Echizen's head, the spiky haired second year said quickly, "Come on then, Ryoma. Looks like we've got no choice."

            Oishi blinked, towel and wet shirt still in hand. Puzzled, he asked, "Since when did Momo call Echizen by his first name?"

            "Indeed," Inui said with an amused expression. Quietly, he closed his notebook and grinned. Momoshiro was too easy to figure out. The loud second year never did have a problem hiding his feelings. How very interesting indeed.

            "Way to be subtle about things, Momo-senpai," Echizen said dryly once they were out of earshot. He trudged quietly after the taller boy. He was beginning to get irritated. Why wasn't Momo-senpai looking at him? "Momo-senpai, I'm talking to you here."

            "I know," Momoshiro said seriously, still not turning around. "I'm listening."

            "Then why won't you look at me?" Echizen demanded, his skin beginning to feel cold. Goosebumps rose on his arms and legs with every squishy step of water-filled shoes he took.

            Momoshiro stopped suddenly, making the smaller boy crash into his back. "That's because," he said firmly, his face completely serious, "I'm trying very hard to ignore the condition you're in right now, Ryoma. I'm afraid that…if I turn around now, I'll ravish you. Once I see you, I won't be able to stop."

            Gravity of the other boy's words finally hitting him, Echizen felt his cheeks grow warmer, his mind spinning. He didn't bother moving away from his senpai's warm, dry back, and he knew the older boy wouldn't mind getting wet. "Haven't I said already," Echizen said quietly, leaning on the taller boy's back with bright red cheeks, "that you don't need an excuse for those kinds of things? I don't mind, Momo-senpai…"

            I can't take it anymore.

            "Ryoma…"

            In a flash, Momoshiro sent his lips crashing onto the smaller boy's, his arms encircling the small waist to pull him closer. After a few moments in their fiery kiss, Echizen pulled away to breath. His eyes widened slightly when he felt warm kisses down his neck and a hand sliding up his Regular jacket… "M-Momo-senpai…! Not here…!"

            "I…love you, Ryoma…"

            "Oh my. You boys are all wet! You'll both catch a cold you know."

            Instantly, the two underclassmen leapt away from each other. Their eyes were both wide in shock, their faces red partially from embarrassment and partially from their warm embrace. In front of them stood a smiling Fuji and Saeki who smiled equally as calm with an arm slung sloppily around his friend's shoulders.

            "Why, Momo," Fuji said with a hint of mischief in his voice, eyes opening with a pleasant smile on his face, "I never knew you were so passionate."

            "Fuji-senpai!" Momoshiro exclaimed in shock, his face turning an impossible shade of crimson. "You two…kind of, um…startled me…"

            "As I can see," the older boy responded, his smile widening slightly. He watched the two younger boys with amusement. "Saeki's right though. You two should get inside and change your clothes. Although I'm rather interested in finding out how you both managed to get drenched, I think it's more important we protect your health, ne?"

            "H-hai…" the younger pair called out in unison, sprinting to the clubroom with visible embarrassment on their faces.

            "Ne, Momo-senpai. Is that a flashlight in your pocket?"

            "Um…n-no, Ryoma, that's…uh…never mind…"

            "Those two are quite an interesting pair," Saeki commented with a grin as Fuji chuckled quietly. Smirking, the Rokkaku player placed his other arm on Fuji's shoulders, leaning forward slightly. "Echizen and Momoshiro, was it?"

            "Yes," Fuji said with a devious smirk. He looked to his left shoulder where his friend's head rested neatly on his shoulder. Eyes glinting with humor, Fuji lifted his arm to playfully tangle his long fingers in the light hair. Smirking rather seductively, he whispered in the other boy's ear, "Don't you just wish everyone was like that?"

            "Sorry, Syusuke," Saeki said with a gentle laugh. Smirk still on his face, he winked and nipped once at the blue eyed boy's ear. "You can't play matchmaker for everyone."

            "You'll take care of that for me, won't you?" Fuji asked in return with a quiet laugh.

            "Anything for you, Syusuke."

            "Ahem."

            Fuji and Saeki turned their heads at the same time to see Tezuka standing behind them with an annoyed expression on his face. Fuji's smile brightened. "Good afternoon, Tezuka. You're a little late to practice today, aren't you?"

            "Apparently you're enjoying yourself being late as well," Tezuka responded sharply, glaring for a split second at Saeki. It seemed his bad mood would be getting worse. Much worse. "Get to practice, Fuji. Go before I decide to make you run laps."

            "He's very lenient on you," Saeki commented with a carefree smile as the two walked towards the courts together.

            "Yes," Fuji said, knowing very well that Tezuka could still hear them. The smile he wore on his mask slowly melted into a warm smile from his heart. Truthfully, he said cheerfully, "Tezuka is kind of sweet that way, I think."

            Even though he had heard the short exchange of words between the two, Tezuka remained rooted to the ground with no reaction. His hands slowly balled into a fist. He couldn't really explain it, but his heart hurt…

            Kikumaru dragged his feet as he headed towards the clubroom, forgetting the cold. Another practice was canceled because of the light snow. The other Regulars were all mostly a little relieved for the break, but a little disappointed as well. Disappointment because they wouldn't be able to play tennis, but relief because they could leave early to do whatever they wanted. Kikumaru on the other hand, had a "date" do deal with.

            Momoshiro and Echizen had rushed off to get hamburgers, Echizen wearing Momoshiro's jacket, Inui and Kaidoh stayed behind to practice something, Tezuka and Fuji went up to see Ryuzaki-sensei, and Oishi was asked by Tezuka to do something. It seemed as if there was no route of escape for Kikumaru. Taking his racquet bag, he slowly tip toed towards the door of the clubroom, hoping he would be able to get away.

            "Where are you going, Kikumaru-kun? Aren't you finished with practice?"

            Wincing slightly, the redhead froze at the door. Sighing inwardly, he forced a twitching smile on his face as he looked up to see Saeki smiling at him. "Ahaha… I was just…eh…"

            "That's alright," the other boy replied cheerfully, walking towards the sulking redhead. "You didn't think you'd get away from me, did you?"

            "…No…" Kikumaru sighed slightly, shuffling his feet. He tried his best to avoid the other boy's gaze. He could feel his face beginning to flush. Wasn't a date supposed to be comfortable? Twisting his fingers together, Kikumaru stared at the ground. Of all things, he was not comfortable. He felt awkward and embarrassed.

            "You don't have to be shy," Saeki said with a comforting smile. He reached out to touch the redhead's shoulder lightly. "Nothing feels right if you don't have a smile on your face. After all, it's a smile that makes hearts warm."

            "I'm sorry," Kikumaru mumbled a reply. He felt bad. Saeki was such a nice person, but he really couldn't like him. What would Oishi think? "I think that I—"

            "Oh ho! Why, Eiji, are you really so careless as to stop to have a conversation underneath mistletoe?" Inui asked, coming around the corner with Kaidoh close behind, interrupting the redhead. The tall third year smiled to himself and pulled out his green notebook. "Well, what are you waiting for? You didn't think I would let you go, did you?"

            "Inui!" Kikumaru wailed at the taller boy, squeezing his hands into fists. "Give me a break! Come on…please!"

            "Sorry, Kikumaru," Inui apologized with a wicked grin. "That would be going against my word. Oh come now. It can't be that bad. If you'd like, we can even keep this our little secret. Of course, if Kaidoh is willing to keep quiet about this."

            Blushing, Kaidoh shifted his eyes away. "Whatever, Inui-senpai. Kikumaru-senpai, I really don't care."

            "But! But!" Kikumaru jumped up and down in distress. "Inui! It was bad enough with Momo!"

            Ignoring his protests, Inui turned to Saeki. "Would you mind…?"

            Saeki smiled slightly and shook his head with a faint laugh. "Sorry, Inui. I won't kiss anyone who's unwilling."

            "You didn't seem to mind with Fuji," Inui pointed out, tapping his notebook with his pen. He smirked mysteriously.

            "Ah, but it's different with Syusuke," Saeki replied cheerfully. "I know he doesn't mind. We've been like that since we were kids. He never takes any of it seriously."

            Inui stared at the smiling boy for a moment before nodding with understanding. Something told him that there were no lies in his words, maybe only a little wistfulness. Inui figured that Fuji and Saeki had a more complicated relationship then they let on. Smiling slightly, Inui pushed his glasses back into place. "Go on then with whatever you were doing."

            Relief on his face, Kikumaru said a quick word of thanks and pulled Saeki away before Inui changed his mind. The redhead didn't know what had managed to change the boy's mind, but he didn't want to stick around to find out.

            "Why'd you let them go?" Kaidoh asked out of curiosity, walking until he could see his senpai's face. "Especially after how you said you'd be going back on our word?"

            "Saeki is an interesting character," Inui said, closing his notebook. "His voice and his smile both say he'd do anything for Fuji. But there's something in his eyes that say that he's not exactly ready to give away what's most important to him yet. Not one of the feelings he supposedly has for Kikumaru is even close to the feelings he has for Fuji."

            Glancing at the taller boy's smile, Kaidoh shrugged to himself. He didn't understand much of what Inui-senpai was saying, nor did he understand the connection between Inui's analysis but it was just nice to stand next to the other boy and hear him speak normally. Who knew what kind of hidden intentions the third year had though…

            "Besides," Inui added suddenly, smirking at the younger boy, "now we've got the mistletoe to ourselves, Kaidoh."

            "Inui-senpai…!"

            "So do you have any idea what to get Fuji for Christmas?"

            Saeki smiled thoughtfully. It was nice to have Kikumaru talking to him now. Earlier, the redhead just walked in awkward silence. Now that he was talking, it meant at least some of the awkwardness was gone. "Sorry, can't say I've even got a clue."

            Frowning, Kikumaru looked up at the sky. He was doing his best to feel more at ease. Talking was the only way to relieve himself. "Fuji is so hard to figure out, nya. I thought you would know something though. Since you've been his friend for so long and all…"

            "Being with someone for a long period of time doesn't mean much," Saeki said as he watched the redhead as they walked slowly ahead. "It doesn't mean you know that person, or understand what they feel. Time doesn't matter when it comes to friendship. It just depends on how you share your heart. You see…I don't know as much about Fuji as I want to know. You're actually the one who knows most about him."

            "You…really care about Fuji, don't you?" Kikumaru asked him quietly, glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. He wasn't sure when his awkward feelings melted away. All he could feel now was a kind of sadness, seeing Saeki's painfully smiling face. "Do you…like Fuji?"

            "Of course I like him," Saeki replied, his smile brightening to lighten the mood. "Don't you like him?"

            Kikumaru suddenly frowned. Why was it that whenever he began to feel serious, someone would always play the "dumb" act. First Fuji, now Saeki. It was just the slightest bit annoying. "You're just like Fuji," he mumbled, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "But you know…I think Fuji already has someone he likes. As much as I want to help him, he won't tell me."

            "Ah, Syusuke is that way," Saeki replied with a knowing smile. "I don't think Syusuke is quite ready to accept his feelings for Tezuka-san yet. He's really a stubborn person. Anyway, don't you think you should worry about your own feelings before you worry about his? I can tell he's worried about you."

            "I know he is," Kikumaru sighed, shifting his eyes. Staring at his hands, he admitted, "Fuji has always been worried about me. I'll start worrying about myself when he does the same. I'm like him though. I'm not quite sure what to feel yet… Wait a minute. How did you know I was thinking that Fuji liked Tezuka?!"

            "Oh look, we're here," Saeki said, interrupting the boy. Smiling he lifted his hand and pointed straight ahead. "Don't worry about anything, Kikumaru-kun. In just a little while, all your problems will be solved. For now…just look straight ahead."

            Slowly pacing back and forth to keep warm, Oishi rubbed his hands together. What could possibly be taking Tezuka so long? Oishi looked around grimly. Oishi had thought something was a little odd when Fuji told him Tezuka wanted to meet him at this park. Why would Tezuka want to meet in a park? Oh well, Oishi sighed to himself. He would just have to be patient and wait.

            "W…Wow! It's so…beautiful…!" Kikumaru exclaimed, jogging forward with bright eyes. In front of him were several leafless trees with sparkling icicles on each bare branch. The snow falling gently from the sky made everything seem more magical though. The icicles glittered in the late afternoon sun, making it seem like diamonds slowly dripping from the sky.

            "I thought you'd like it," Saeki said with a laugh. Quickly, he scanned the area for someone. Fuji and Tezuka were supposed to send that person here, after all. "It's pretty, isn't it? It seems we did a good job then."

            "What do you mean?" Kikumaru asked, looking at the boy with curiosity. "Did you really do this?"

            "Kind of," Saeki responded with a smile. "We heard it was going to snow today, so last night we came here and sprayed the trees with water. They froze after a while and became like this. I suppose it's more like a gift from the God and the goddess of winter."

            "Who's 'we'?" the redhead asked, turning around completely now. "This looks like a lot of work. It would have to take at least three people to do this! Wait…"

            Finally spotting "that person" standing conveniently in the middle of the small area of icicle covered trees, Saeki smirked. Fuji always had things so well planned out. "Ah, sorry, Kikumaru-kun. Looks like there's a prince waiting for you in the forest of ice."

            "Hey!" Kikumaru shouted in surprise as the smiling Saeki quickly, but still gently, pushed him into the center of the icicle trees area. Stumbling forward, the redhead felt his foot slip on some ice…

            "Eiji!"

            …and suddenly, warm arms were around him, catching him from falling.

            Kikumaru squeezed his eyes closed for a moment before slowly opening them again. Arms were around his waist, and he was pressed up against a warm chest. Slowly he looked up, ready to apologize. "I-I'm so sor—… Oishi?"

            "A-Ah! Sorry, Eiji!" Oishi quickly stuttered, face turning crimson as he removed his arms from around his partner. "I was just…you…"

            There was an awkward silence between them for a moment. Both eyed each other shyly, faces warm with a blush. Finally, Oishi spoke up. "I-It's…kind of cold out here today…"

            "I…think it's the trees, Oishi," Kikumaru responded, glancing at his partner.

            "A-ah…that's right, huh…" Oishi stammered a response, staring down at his hands nervously. Kikumaru suddenly burst out laughing. Snapping his head back up, Oishi blinked at the redhead, a slow smile spreading across his face. "What's so funny, Eiji?"

            "You!" Kikumaru panted between laughs. Lifting an arm up to the other boy's shoulder, the redhead leaned against him lightly. "Oishi, your face is all red!"

            "Well, so is yours," Oishi retorted, smiling a little wider. Trust Kikumaru to be the first to laugh when the situation became awkward. "I don't think I can tell the difference between your hair and your face anymore."

            "Hey!" Kikumaru exclaimed, poking Oishi's cheek. Realizing what he was doing, he quickly drew his hand away and looked to the side. "Sorry…"

            Oishi sighed softly, looking at his friend. "Eiji," he began slowly, "I feel like…things have been a little awkward between us lately. I'm not quite sure why though… I mean, I really can't stand not being able to see you smile everyday. I guess it's kind of lonely when you aren't beside me, laughing like you do. This is the first time in the past few days that I've been able to hear you laugh and see your smile. After all that time I've been without it…I think I would prefer it if you were always close to me, smiling."

            "Because," Kikumaru began slowly, beginning to recall Saeki's words as he lifted his face to look into his partner's eyes, "'it's a smile that makes hearts warm,' right?"

            "Yes," Oishi responded with a gentle smile, kissing the top of the other boy's head, "That's right. That's why whenever you're here, my heart is warmer. Do you mind, Eiji? Would you mind…if I told you that my heart…belongs to you?"

            "Not really," Kikumaru responded quietly, leaning heavier on his partner. "I think it's only fair I have yours…since you already stole mine away. Oishi, I understand it now. At first I wasn't sure, and I didn't understand it, but now I realize it. I don't want to be with anyone but you. Hold my heart for me, Oishi. Not only your smile, but your embrace warms it as well."

            "We're the Golden Pair, Eiji," Oishi said with a warm smile. Now he understood what Tezuka had been trying to tell him. "Teammate, friend, partner, the one you care about most… I guess it depends on your choice of words. It's all the same after all." "We'll share everything. Victories and defeats, happiness and sadness… I will keep all of your feelings inside of me until I understand each one. From now on, we'll share our hearts too."

            "I…love you…Oishi…"

            Oishi smiled. Closing his eyes with a gentle smile, he reached out and embraced his partner. It didn't matter what the world thought of love, even if it is wrong. Love has no shape or form. No one can see love in the person that's right, nor can they choose where it lies. Love is unexplainable, but always has a hidden purpose that only God can explain. Lifting the redhead's face towards his, Oishi closed his eyes and leaned forward to taste those sweet lips. "I love you too, Eiji. Always."

            "Ne, Oishi," Kikumaru whispered after they broke their kiss, smiling into Oishi's chest. "I just thought of something. What were you doing here?"

            Blinking, Oishi responded carefully, "Fuji told me Tezuka wanted to meet me here. What were you doing here?"

            Pulling away, Kikumaru blinked up at his partner with an equally confused expression. "Saeki brought me here. He's also the one that pushed me over here! Ne, Oishi! Do you think Fuji planned this all?!"

            Sighing, Oishi stared helplessly up at the sky. "Seems like a scheme Fuji would come up with. I have a feeling Tezuka was in on it… Maybe even Saeki too."

            "What should we do, Oishi?" Kikumaru asked, arms still around his partner.

            "I suppose…" Oishi began, beginning to smile down at the redhead. "We have to show our thanks for their lovely Christmas gift, don't you think, Eiji? Besides, I think I just figured out what Tezuka and Fuji would like for Christmas."

            A slow smile spread across Kikumaru's face. "Looks like you have the same idea I have. We really are the Golden Pair."

            "Heh, looks like you two are up to something."

            "S-Saeki!" Kikumaru yelped, jumping slightly as the light haired boy approached them with a pleasant smile. "I forgot that you… I mean… Sorry, I didn't mean to…eh…"

            "Not to worry about a thing," Saeki said quickly, waving his hand. "Anyway, if you don't mind, I'd like to have a hand in your 'gift' to those two."

            "Are you…sure…?" Kikumaru asked slowly, remembering the way the boy had looked before. "I thought you…"

            "I'm like you, Kikumaru-kun," Saeki said, grinning mischievously, "I want to get Syusuke a good present for Christmas. But then, like him, I also like to meddle."

            "I guess it's ok then," Oishi said, a smile crossing his face. "I have a plan too. Here, I'll explain it all and we can start in the morning…"

---

A/N: Ah! Sorry for the long wait, everyone! .o! *bow bow bow bow bow bow*
xD although I'd love to run around and blame it on someone, it's probably just my fault for procrastinating. *sweatdrop* very sorry… the chapters just keep getting longer! X_x;;;

I guess there's really just too much I want to write. ^^;

Well! First I'd like to thank all of you who reviewed and have been patient with me. T_T; you guys are so great! Thank you very much! And another thank you to Rose-san who helped beta read this chapter. Hopefully it's a little better than the others! ^^;;;

Oh, and I just wanted to make a note on Fuji's Santa comment. xD I was trying to work in something like, "Did you know that 'Santa' is actually a rescramble of 'Satan?'"
*haha* I went around school spreading that, and I just thought it seemed like something Fuji would say, but I didn't manage to squeeze it in. ^_^;;


Height issue: yes, Momoshiro is actually the next shortest after Fuji and Echizen with the height of 170 cm. ^^; Kaidoh is 171 cm, but I guess Momo's hair makes him look taller than he already is xD (I know their heights for a fact from that one Kiss of Prince CD thing… o.o) ok. Now I'm done ranting. *skips off with her 221 PoT songs* ßobsession xD

Next Chapter: What is the Golden Pair's plan, and how is Saeki taking part? Will cocky Fuji ever get a taste of his own medicine? (*cough* _) What will poor babysitter Tezuka have to deal with next?

Ok. Enough of the television broadcast xD Please review if you can! Thanks for sticking to the story for so long! ^_^;; *tosses candy around in the air*