Title: Touch
Genre: Drama/Romance
Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis does not belong to me.
Main pairing: Atobe x Fuji (Tofu pair)
Side pairings: Yuushi x Gakuto (Dirty pair), Tezuka x Echizen (Pillar pair)

A.N. and general replies:

This chapter will include more flashback involving Yukimura and Fuji. This chapter should explain why Fuji was acting sort of awkward toward Yukimura. Yes, in short it is a brief history of Fuji and Yukimura.

To Emo at heart: Thank you for the idea but I don't think I will use the idea of Yukimura forcing himself on Fuji. It is not a bad idea but I just think Yukimura is smarter than that. Even thought Yukimura is playing the role of the villain in this fiction I still held a high opinion of him and therefore I wouldn't have him do something as evil as "raping" our precious Fuji. Plus I doubt Yukimura would be content with just having Fuji physically.

To Animestar83, Teardrop8, Sparrow9, Yoshikochan: I love Yukimura too and I hope sometimes in the later future I will write a fiction using Yukimura as the main character rather than a side character and thank you guys for always reviewing.

To Blissified: Thank you for letting me know how much you likes the story and don't worry I am equally guilty of not leaving reviews when I get lazy.

To Flames of desires, pot fan girl, just a gal: Sorry for the late updates but to make up for it chapter 7 is done extra early.

Like always reviews will be much appreciated.

Words in italic represent thoughts and flashback.

Chapter 7:
Searching for that familiar scent

Seeing Yukimura aniki brought back memories of my life in Chiba with Toru. The life that I never thought I would escape and somehow thinking about the past just seem to make the last few weeks with Atobe-san felt more surreal.

Almost like a dream...

Ever since I was a little kid I had this one special wish that I kept deep within me. As a child, I desperately wanted to find one dream that I could hold on to for all eternity. Secretly I believe that each day would become easier if I have something to aim for. Funny how before I realize it years would pass me by and I still haven't found my one dream. I have long given up on that foolish whim of mine and would have forgotten all about it if I haven't ran into him, him being Yukimura Seiichi. I never thought I would run into Yukimura aniki again and at Hyotei of all places.

Flashback

I will never forget the sky on that day when Yukimura aniki came back to find me. I never thought he would come back even thought he promise me because after all no one has but he did. Yukimura aniki came to the park that had become a second home to me for years and brought excitement into my life. One day, he came and smile at me with his usual smiling face and promising eyes.

"Come here Shusuke, I brought you a gift." Greeted Yukimura gently.

I remember feeling a rush of anticipation as I start unwrapping Yukimura aniki's gift, "It is a tennis racket and a tennis ball."

"I know Shusuke would be perfect for this sport." Commented Yukimura with a smile.

After that we would often play tennis together and not once did I manage to win against Yukimura aniki. Nevertheless I was still happy because I never really cared much about winning or losing. For me it was the fact that Yukimura aniki had spend so much times teaching me about tennis that ultimately made me start to enjoy and maybe even love the sport.

The time that I spend with Yukimura aniki was the best memory of my childhood. Yukimura aniki didn't ask a lot of questions and in return I didn't either. I have no idea where he came from or why he was paying so much attention to me. But everything changed the day before Yukimura aniki stop coming to the park. I remember it was right after we finished our tennis match when I finally give in to my curiosity and asked Yukimura aniki what is it that he wants from life and why does he continue to play tennis if he doesn't like it.

"Shusuke, there is nothing in particular that I wanted. Truth is I have no idea why I continue to play tennis except that in this world full of boredom I seem to find winning to be rather interesting and maybe even amusing." Replied Yukimura calmly.

At that time I was only nine years old and I could never understand Yukimura aniki's infatuation with me but I learn not to question it. Why? Because knowing that someone cares makes me feel a little bit less lonely. I don't know when but I started anticipating seeing Yukimura aniki right after school that is till I realized that he had stop coming.

Yes, there was no warning sign. Yukimura aniki simply just stop coming to our park. It is so funny, I am actually shedding tears. It is so funny that I had just started thinking the bad experiences that I was experiencing will flew out of the window because there was a rescuing angel for me…I thought that Yukimura aniki was my angel.

I used to think that Yukimura aniki would take me away from my house and that someone would hold me close to their heart.

At least that is what I thought till Yukimura aniki vanished from our regular spot on the park bench. After that every time I picture Yukimura aniki I started to ache. After that his smile and promising eyes start to hurt and became just another painful childhood memory.

"Just smile and face the world …"

After all that is what you always told me, Yukimura aniki.

End flashback

A plastic smile became my most useful gift from Yukimura aniki. After that I didn't want to play tennis again because unlike Yukimura aniki, winning to me was not interesting at all. I never thought that I would want to play tennis again but for Atobe-san I would try again even if I hate it. I would excel at tennis because it seems to make Atobe-san happy.

The one dream that I never thought of again seem to invade my nights more vivaciously than ever. I wonder if it is because Yukimura aniki is back in my life. I wonder if he is going to tell me why he left.

I have never stated my one dream out loud because I am afraid that if did it would become just another painful memory. But now I will say it. This is my dream. I will finally say it.

I want to become stronger and throw away my plastic smile once for all. My dream is to find the brightness of reality and bring it back in my life.

Right now for some reason I feel like I could disappear right this second and still be happy.

TBC

A.N. I know chapter 7 is bit short but it seems to be the right spot to end it. Fear not because chapter 8 will be much longer and we will finally see what Yukimura has in plan for Atobe and Fuji ... umm once I get a chance to type it all down because right now they are all still little plot bunnies in my head.

Preview of chapter 8

That is why I shouldn't have said it out loud. After all human who have dream is only asking for trouble.