Disclaimer: I can't imagine that anyone would think I owned Prince of Tennis.
Title: "So Long" – Oshitari's point of view
Story: Multi Chapter
Chapter 6: "Guilt"
Author: sweetxsorrow27
Rating: PG-13
Summary/FYI: Oshitari feels horrible about what happened, but he can't prevent the situation from turning bad to worse.
Pairing: none this chapter

By the time I had finally woken up, the morning was already beginning to pass and the afternoon was arriving. However, here I was still lying in my bed.

I was finally aware of what happened between Gakuto and me last night, but I couldn't exactly say that I was thinking straight. I think my desire may have clouded my judgment. I mean hell I was with Atobe moments before. Does that mean I can be officially classified as a slut now?

Part of me wanted to stay here with Gakuto all day, yet that was unrealistic. We both were already late for practice and this shouldn't have even happened in the first place. It was wrong of me. I should have had much better control of my emotions – more or less my actions as well.

I finally slipped my eyes open and turned over on my side to glance at the still sleeping red head. I couldn't help but wonder how he felt about last night. Did Gakuto mean for this to happen? Although I can't say he was upset, since when Gakuto is not pleased with something, he definitely makes sure that others know. I know Gakuto well even after all we have been through. Yet…how well did I know Atobe? Sure, he is our buchou and a cocky arrogant person, but I have only witnessed glances of his true colors. Perhaps he wasn't right for me. Perhaps I wanted it to be that easy so that I don't have to feel so guilty.

I was caught off guard when my cell phone ringer filled the heavy silence, which caused me to flinch in response. No matter how grateful I was to be ripped from my thoughts for the briefest moment, I instantly regretted answering.

"Do you know what time it is Oshitari?" Atobe replied calmly to my hello.

"No, gomen, I just woke up." The small lie only made me feel that much worse.

"Aan? You do realize it is Saturday and we have practice?"

I slid out of bed carefully as to not wake the sleeping acrobat while I was on the phone and began dressing. "I know. Suppose I just lost track of time last night and overslept. I'll be there as soon as possible."

"Aah, good. See you then." And with that, the line went dead.

Even with the phone call from Atobe, I was debating on skipping practice. Being around the two of them would be painful. In my mind, I just played the both of them merely stringing them along. Meanwhile, both of them have the same idea: that I will be with them.

Nevertheless, I might as well go. The biggest problem in me going would be that this whole mess explodes. Although what was I really going to do here at home? Gakuto was here and he very well may not leave any time soon. So I might as well wake him and go to prevent suspicion that is if suspicion hasn't already been placed. Hey, maybe in going I could clear my mind…or prevent the two of them from running into each other.

However that was wishful thinking, though I really don't want Atobe to dislike me. It'd be like going through those weeks after the match Gakuto and I lost. I couldn't bare it if Atobe became distant from me like Gakuto once was. I frowned at the mere thought. I shouldn't even be allowing that to rack my mind.

With a sigh, I sat down on the edge of my bed and placed a hand on the red heads bare shoulder. "Gakuto…" I whispered, gently shaking the other. "Gakuto, wake up."

"Ngh…" He groaned and rolled over, making no more of a response than that. Putting no more effort into jostling the other, I merely rose and flicked on the bedroom lights.

Gakuto groaned even louder than before and quickly yanked the blanket over his head. "Come on Gakuto," I responded, knowing full well that he was awake now. I then made my way to the closet, pulling a few spare clothes of their hangers, not particularly wanting anymore of a conversation with the other.

"Mah, Yuushi…" I glanced over at the other peeking out from underneath the sheet. Tossing the clothes on top of the bed, I turned away to finish getting dressed. "Hurry up. We're already late for practice."

Gakuto's eyes were burning into my back, but I couldn't bear to turn around to meet his gaze. To see that affectionate look in his eyes; knowing damn well that I didn't deserve it. "Is something wrong?"

"Just hurry," I muttered softly pulling the bedroom door open. "I'll be waiting downstairs." And with that, I shut the door behind me and rushed myself down the stairs to await Gakuto in the limo.

******************

And I thought the ride to Hyoutei was bad. As soon as the two of us stepped out of the car together, all eyes were on us, including Atobe's. All I could do was rush my way to the locker room, with Gakuto right behind me.

"Yuushi, tell me what's wrong!" Gakuto demanded as soon as we were alone.

"Let's not get into it," I pleaded softly, going about my business. What could I say? Yeah I made out with Atobe right before I had sex with you. Those words would never come from my mouth. Am I going to be reduced to lying even further?

"Why not? Yuushi…just tell me!" Not even looking back at him, I stuffed my clothes into my locker after getting my tennis uniform on and closed the metal door quietly.

"Get dressed, we have practice," I noted, completely brushing off his questions as I walked out the room to the courts, leaving the confused acrobat behind me. I didn't want to face Gakuto, nor did I want to face Atobe. Yet of course, I just couldn't have my way.

"Aah, you finally decided to show up," our buchou said with a smile as I neared the courts; neared him. "And with Mukahi no less," he added suddenly arching an eyebrow. There was that suspicion.

"Oh, yeah, Gakuto had called me before you did. He…needed a ride." And the lies shall continue to spill from my lips.

"Is that so?" Atobe grinned, placing his delicate hand on the arch of my back. "So you are on good terms now?"

"I guess we are," I muttered, glancing away from the silver haired male. I stepped away from the others touch, worrying that Gakuto would come out and see us. "I'm going to go warm up." At the moment, I think staying away from the both of them was best. I put my bag aside and began running laps. I wasn't in the mood for much of anything else. At least as I'm jogging, I can keep my eyes on Atobe and Gakuto, while getting time to myself.

I was just finishing my second lap, when there was still no sight of Gakuto. Did he ever come out of the locker room? "Hiyoshi," Atobe's voice called out in irritation. "Go get Mukahi out here."

"Hai buchou," the blonde second year muttered with a roll of his eyes. He most likely wasn't pleased with playing fetch. Yet, Hiyoshi didn't get far until Gakuto came rushing out of the room. He wasn't even wearing his tennis uniform. Instead he was still in the clothes that I let him borrow.

I stopped in my tracks watching Gakuto push his way pass Hiyoshi, only to stop parallel to me. "Yuushi! I don't get it!" Everyone on the tennis court in hearing range of the acrobats booming voice was wearing a puzzled expression. Everyone, but me. I'm pretty sure that the shock was scribbled all over my face. "Why in the world are you pushing me away!"

I was afraid to move any closer. I was even more afraid to speak. There were no words that I could possibly say to make this any better. The damage was already done. "Gaku--…"

"Mukahi!" I pulled my gaze away from my ex doubles partner to look at Atobe, who had disrupted Gakuto's rant. "Ore-sama would like to speak to you."

No, no, no, no. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. Gakuto unwillingly made his way to Atobe, still in a fit of rage. I had no idea what they were saying since they were whispering, but I had a pretty good guess. Hey, maybe Atobe was just trying to cool Gakuto's temper. Although watching both of their facial expressions, I doubt that was all they were speaking about.

Nope, this wasn't going well at all. Gakuto stormed away and Atobe…well Atobe was unreadable and that can't be good. Atobe is always obvious with anything. Seeing how things turned out, I decided to excuse myself for the rest of the day. I'd rather not stick around too see this escalate any more than it has already.

I made my way straight back to the locker room and quickly peeled off my hot clothes. I snagged a towel on my way to the showers, wasting no time whatsoever. I wanted to get in, get out, and go home. However, I had barely drenched my whole body when the locker room door slammed open.

AN:
FINALLY ANOTHER CHAPTER IS COMPLETE.
I took a long time for several reasons. Mainly because I started this chapter over and over again since I didn't like it…and lost it one time. And I was going through crap, but I'm over it. And I'm ready to finish this story.

I think it will be done – or it should be done – in the next chapter. It depends how long I decide to drag it on. I'm just not 100% sure how I want this story to end. I've had an idea in my head for a long time, but I don't know if everyone will like it as I do.

Nonetheless BOOM. Chapter 6.