Painless

Summary: Fuji is 'Pain' and Atobe is 'Agony'. Their target is Tezuka Kunimitsu. But will their love for him get in the way? Or is it love for each other?

Warnings: Shounen-ai

Pairings: Atobe/Fuji, Tezuka/Fuji, slight Yuki/Fuji, super slight Fuji/Ryoma

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis is not mine.

Yay, I'm FINALLY done with this chapter. I don't think it turned out as good as some of my other chapters, but I hope you guys like it! It's kind of short, but not TOO short, thankfully. Please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter 6: Fearless

After a grueling training camp, it was finally time for the Rikkaidai tournament. Fuji was still agonizing about his fateful encounter with Illness, or Yukimura. He still hadn't decided whether or not to lose to Kirihara. This was for the championship of the Kantou Tournament. If they won or not, they would still be in the Nationals, but many people would be cheering for Seigaku because they were the underdogs.

He watched the first match go by. It was all a blur of movement and color, pink, brown, blue, white, yellow, green, and black. Fuji felt dazed, and he didn't even feel like trying to hold up his mind barrier. He would give it a rest for today, because he didn't feel anyone entering his mind. Whoever the person was, they weren't here right now.

"Fujiko, are you okay?" Eiji asked. Fuji looked up and saw his friend's worried face. Fuji smiled. Eiji was so caring, but in a different way than Tezuka. Tezuka's silent protection left Fuji feeling safe, and Eiji's bouncy nature always made Fuji laugh, smile, or be happy. He was a lot like Jiroh, but not sleeping all the time.

"I'm fine, there's nothing to worry about," he said. But this time, he wished that Tezuka were here to support him. Fuji wouldn't be able to tell him about the encounter with Yukimura, because Tezuka wouldn't understand how losing would help him, but just his presence made Fuji feel better.

Eiji gave him one last look, shrugged, and walked onto the court for his doubles match. Fuji wished him luck. He had to watch this match because his best friend was in it.

Unfortunately, Seigaku ended up losing both of their Doubles matches to the ruthless defending champions, Rikkaidai. Oishi was frantic about their next match, because if they lost, they would lose completely, and not only be knocked out of the tournament, but they would've been swept. Luckily, Inui pulled through in the end and they were back on track with one win.

It was Fuji's turn to step onto the court. Kirihara was indeed his opponent, not one to be taken lightly. Fuji knew that he resorted to injuring his opponents during the match. He had seen the video from Fudomine's match against Rikkaidai. Tachibana was not showing his real strength, obviously, when was why Kirihara could hurt his ankle so easily. It was a shameful way to play, but Fuji assumed that Kirihara's philosophy was just to win.

At first, Fuji didn't know whether to let him win or not. There were too many things to weigh. Not only would Seigaku lose the Championships, but Fuji's friend, Tachibana, would not be avenged for his ankle. Also, Fuji would be looked down upon by his teammates and friends. Many, if not all of them, would probably be able to tell that Fuji lost on purpose.

Fuji just then realized how deep he had followed this life and project. Most of the time, with his assignments and travels to Earth, he would live the life like a normal person, not trying to feel any emotions or feeling, only inflicting pain, whether it was physical or psychological. But this time, many things had happened in the course of fifteen years. Fuji had fallen in love with two men, even though he wasn't supposed to. He had nearly forgotten what his mission was several times, and he had collapsed the most times ever on record for an agent like him. Most importantly, he had taken up several hobbies, one of them even being a sport, just to be near the target. Yet this target was the most difficult one he had ever been assigned. Because this time, Fuji didn't want to hurt him.

Suddenly, on one of Kirihara's Knuckle Serves, he faulted. Kirihara was not one to fault. He must've done it—Fuji spun around. "Tachibana, watch out!" he screamed. Tachibana looked up just as the ball hit the fence, sending him toppling back. Fuji was furious. He wouldn't let anyone hurt his friends so ruthlessly. Fuji decided he would win this; he didn't care what Yukimura would say.

Fuji gripped his racquet tighter. He didn't feel his injuries anymore, and kept most of his weight on his left foot. He developed a split step with just his left foot to help him endure the match with the injury on his right knee. Fuji real strength was showing through this time, not only in tennis, but also with his determination. Tezuka would've been proud, Fuji thought grimly.

Inevitably, Fuji pulled through in the end, winning 6 to 4, with the Hakugei. Everyone around him was cheering, yet inside, he was broken. He had not inflicted pain on Tezuka, but instead, gave him a victory.

Fuji looked around and the crowds of people. St. Rudolph was there, along with his brother and that…one other guy. Fudomine had also attended, and Hyotei was also there. He locked gazes with Atobe for a split second before shifting his gaze to his sister after she was the first one to clap.

Seigaku ended up winning the championship, with three wins and two losses. The match between Ryoma and Sanada was intense. Oishi wanted to take Fuji to the hospital, and Fuji said it would be fine, but he had to watch this match, first. He probably wouldn't have missed it for the world. Ryoma came out on top, with the State of Self-Actualization, in which he used many of the moves that he had struggled through in his previous matches, including the Spot and Deep Impulse.

In the end, everyone was handed a medal. Oishi went to call Tezuka, and Fuji gathered his things and walked to Atobe. This time, he was actually going to do it.

Thankfully, Atobe was alone when Fuji reached him. "Congratulations on your win, Syusuke," Atobe said.

"Thank you," Fuji replied. They stood again in silence facing each other, staring into each other's eyes. Atobe's, Fuji noticed, weren't quite as captivating as Yukimura's, but they were still a deep blue color.

"So, what were you going to tell me that other day?" Atobe said finally. He was gazing at Fuji intensely, like if Fuji wasn't going to give him the answer this time, he'd force it out of him.

Fuji took a deep breath. He would give Atobe his answer, if he could say it himself without being forced. This was the moment of truth. Would he be able to do it? "Atobe, I—I know we're not supposed to do this, but I…I love you," Fuji gasped out.

Atobe looked a little shocked, then slightly amused at the sight of the sadistic agent having trouble confessing in front of the other agent. He decided to tease a little bit. "But what if Tezuka...no, even better, what if Yukimura finds out?"

Fuji's first thought was 'Shit, he found out'. "I'm not afraid of them," Fuji said.

Atobe smirked. "Oh, the little fearless devil? That's what I like," he said, and leaned in to capture Fuji's lips within his own.


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