iannetine: Thank you for reading and for your continued support all this time! The story's about to come to an end…the next chapter being the last…I hope you enjoy this one!

I'm very sorry…the last chapter was in summer…Tezuka couldn't be 16 yet cause his birthday's in October, can he?...so he can't have a license yet…please let this big mistake pass…I didn't compute it right…thank you for understanding!

I do not own Prince of Tennis

Like a river, a rain will flood

My love will flow eternal

You love me. It's not a lie, is it? You can be yourself when you're with me. Though your eyes do not soften, though your lips do not curve, you put down your defense when you're with me. You render yourself defenseless; exposing to me all the things you don't want the world to see, even though you know that I can see them already. When you are with me, you are released. You are free.

Because you know that I'll protect you; from the world, from yourself…and even from mine. You know that I will never hurt you; that I can never inflict wounds on you. You know that I will give…and give up…everything for you. My life…and my death…to you.

You know that I will always be here. Forever by your side…watching over you, looking after you, taking care of you. I will be with you in the darkness, when even your own shadow has left you. I will be there not for myself…but for you…

In your heart you know that whatever you ask of me I shall do. Whatever you wish, I will make true. Even if you refuse me of my love for you, my heart is yours to command. It is no loss, no sacrifice…but my joy. My whole being…faithful to you…I am yours.

If it is your wish for me to leave you, then I shall go with all my heart. If you wish to never see me again, I shall disappear and never come back. If you wish for me stop loving you…I shall break this heart and die…because only then shall it stop beating for you…For all this time, you knew, and all you had to do was wish for it…but you didn't. That is how I know that you love me.

I know that you love me.

…but do you know that I love you?

"Do you?"

"Ah." Tezuka told him, quickly setting the walking pace. Everyday, Tezuka would stop by this corner to give him a lift to school. Today, he didn't, but not to Fuji's disappointment. "I was consigned to watch today so I didn't bring the car; I'll be coming by the school team's service van. You wouldn't mind taking the bus today?"

Fuji smiled to him. "You were?" he asked, avoiding his question. "Mine's next week." He waited for Tezuka's reaction. Nothing. "I'll come watch with you. I'll go there after my classes. Maybe we could play after as well. Weather report says it's perfect."

Tezuka nodded as they seated themselves to the front of the bus. Tezuka never argued with what Fuji suggests. He doesn't ask questions either. He doesn't mind. He never minds; he knew Fuji wouldn't ask him something…irrational. Fuji does on other people, but not him. Fuji, on the other hand, by all means, takes advantage of this fact.

Fuji looked outside the window- to the clear blue sky. He was happy to be able to spend more time with Tezuka. Even if they did study at the same school, they only saw each other before and after classes. Due to their conflicting schedules, they rarely see each other on the tennis org. They don't eat together anymore, nor did they study together- both of them didn't have any problem with their academics. Although Tezuka didn't go anywhere far, Fuji misses him to a great extent. The only chance he has is to invite Tezuka to a game- the man never minds anyway.

"See you." Tezuka said as he walked to his class.

This love isn't enough still

I will love you more until you notice

--oOo—

Thug. Ryoma retrieved the can of Ponta juice and immediately gulped down its contents.

He thought that being here wasn't necessary. He didn't need to watch this tournament. So what if some pros came here to play tennis?

'I need you there Ryoma, I want you to pick some pointers' were Ryuzaki-sensei's exact words. 'The others will be there. Everyone will be there.'

She was right. Everyone was there. All their rivals' captains were there. Ryoma greeted them with his cocky smile. He wasn't boasting or anything, he only found it amusing that people talk about him every time he passes by. After winning the nationals, Seigaku became VERY popular and HE is Seigaku's captain now.

He went to the bleachers, people instantly gawked at his regulars jersey. It was a bit surprising that all at once the crowd turned their heads to another direction. 'Wasn't he from Seigaku too?'

Ryoma followed suit and not to his surprise, he saw the former buchou. Tezuka was sitting there in a far corner of the bleachers, cross armed and fierce looking.

"Buchou. What's up?" Ryoma seated himself next to him. No one else had dared to.

"Echizen." Tezuka greeted, eyes searching if he had companions.

"I came alone. I left Momo in-charge." he said. Then silence.

Ryoma's not one to panic when Tezuka becomes silent. All he needed was to annoy the stoic man to get him to shut him up. It was no challenge to Ryoma. He figured out that Tezuka only talks normally if the conversation's one-on-one. "What do you think of the new pillar, buchou?" he joshed. After all, Ryoma had become Seigaku's pillar of support. Rather, in his opinion, he had forcibly taken the pillar from Tezuka. "I'm Echizen-buchou now."

This was the first time they had talked about Echizen's captaincy. "I know. I chose you. Don't let the team down. You can't get careless." Tezuka told him.

"Heh? I won't let you down buchou. We'll beat them all." Ryoma said out loud, getting stares from the people around them. He smiled back to Tezuka.

He owed a lot to Tezuka. The buchou understood him and helped him find his own tennis. He showed him his potentials and his dreams. At first, he thought he couldn't live up to Tezuka's standards; the man was exceptional in every way. Hearing that Tezuka has chosen him for this position gave him reassurance. For him, the buchou will always remain as captain and pillar of support for Seigaku. As if those titles were especially made for him: THE Tezuka Kunimitsu.

Speaking of titles, he remembered another one. The Tensai of Tennis. THE Fuji Shusuke.

--oOo—

Swoop. Fuji opened his umbrella to shield his seemingly closed eyes from the blinding sunlight. What perfect weather.

Can you see me now Tezuka?

He cheerfully strolled in the sidewalk.

I am so happy Tezuka. I am so in love with you. I never thought I'd be content like this, even if you're far from me. Just the thought of you makes my heart flutter. What more joy to have to near, to have you close?

Everyone Fuji passed by started to smile back to him, as if they caught the happiness overflowing from him.

Just the thought of…us…makes my soul sing. I wouldn't ask for anything more in this earth. It's comparable to just a step away from heaven…a second away from eternal bliss.

Those who were familiar with that smile stopped and starred. They noticed that Fuji appeared to be particularly bubbly that afternoon. He didn't notice the attention he was getting. All he thought about was how perfect the weather was.

'It's just starting.' he heard someone say. He quickly looked around and spotted Tezuka the moment he stepped in the entrance. The prominent man was hard to miss; not mentioning Fuji can sense Tezuka within a mile's radius. He began to make his way to him but he hadn't taken a step when suddenly someone sat in HIS seat.

"Echizen?" Fuji mouthed. He didn't expect Ryoma to be there. Generally, he would be happy about it, given that its been a while since they saw each other. But he wasn't. Instead his reaction was shock. His knees suddenly got weak, making him sit in the stands. Tezuka was saying something to Echizen. Then Tezuka smiled.

Why is he smiling? Fuji knew Tezuka's smile was rare. He had to go to many lengths to make Tezuka smile. All those times were special to him. All of Tezuka's smiles. He wanted to make Tezuka feel what he felt whenever he smiled. What else would make Fuji truly smile? That is why he's hurt whenever Tezuka gave his smile away…to someone else.

He shook his head. What is wrong with me? Why am I being angry all of a sudden? Why do I feel so…deceived? Am I…jealous? He had meant to stand up and join them, but he couldn't move from where he sat. He looked at the two again. Both had their eyes fixed at the match. While Fuji's however, were fixed at them.

Not long after, both started talking again. Tennis. They're talking about tennis. What was Ryoma doing there anyway? Is it possible that those two planned to watch this game together? What am I thinking? I am such a terrible friend. This isn't right…Echizen's my friend. His heart sank.

Except for him and Oishi, Ryoma was the only one who CAN understand Tezuka. The two of them were alike in so many ways. He remembered how Ryoma closely resembled the young Tezuka. The two get along so well. Fuji just noticed the smile in Tezuka's face hasn't disappeared. Maybe… No!

"Stop it!" Fuji said out loud. Against his will, he stood up and went outside, walking as far as his weak knees allowed. Is he over protective? Is he possessive? Is he selfish? Selfish to the point that he wants Tezuka for himself? Fuji collapsed on a nearby bench in exasperation. It never occurred to him, but maybe he is selfish.

His heart sank lower. The worst part is…Tezuka's not even mine…

Trickles of water hit his face, the rain mixing with his tears.

--oOo--

Ryoma didn't like the rain. Yes, he gets wet when it rains. And it was raining when he lost to Rikkaidai's Sanada. It was also the rain's fault that he couldn't finish his match with Fuji-sempai. The rain made the match more interesting but it made it end early too.

Thug. His hand already grabbed a Ponta before he noticed that the person sitting in the nearby bench is the person he was just thinking about.

"Fuji-sempai. What are you doing?"

"Who?" Fuji asked, his bangs covering his view.

"Fuji-sempai. You'll get sick that way." Ryoma sat beside him.

"Echizen?" Fuji said, his voice trembling. Ryoma isn't exactly the person whom he wanted to see. He was surprised that Ryoma found him. He'd been sitting there for who knows when.

"You're wet." Echizen said with a teasing smile.

"So are you." Fuji looked at him, fixing a teasing smile to match Ryoma's. Ryoma was his friend still. Fuji made it a point to forget what he saw earlier.

"So, what are you doing?" Ryoma said adjusting his cap that in his mind, was supposed to keep him dry.

"I'm sitting here, enjoying the miracle that is rain. Did you know that the weather report said it would be a sunny day? See, it's a miracle." Fuji tilted his head backwards to look at the sky, letting the soft rain fall to his face.

"No, I mean what are you doing here?" Ryoma asked seriously.

"Umm? What do you mean?" Fuji asked suspiciously, almost shouting. The rain had started to get heavier.

"I mean, he's still waiting for you."

"Umm? What did you say? I didn't hear you." Fuji asked opening his black umbrella.

"I said, Tezuka-buchou's still waiting for you!"

"What?!" Fuji asked, quickly jumping to his feet.

"I SAID, TEZU-"

"NO!" Fuji cut him off immediately. "He's still here? But I saw the school's service van pass by already."

Ryoma finished his Ponta at this point.

"Didn't you watch the game?" Ryoma asked.

"No. I intended to, but I left minutes after the game started." Fuji answered, almost shouting. The rain was getting heavier by the minute. But the black umbrella held on. "Did you?"

"Hai. With Tezuka-buchou." Ryoma answered. He couldn't help noticing that Fuji-sempai twitches every time he mentions Tezuka. Why? Did something happen between the two? Could it be that Fuji-sempai—? He had to make sure first.

"Really, how did it went?" Fuji asked curiously.

"Not much. We talked about school." Ryoma eyed Fuji's face, determined not to miss anything. "He kept talking about you."

Ryoma could swear that Fuji's eyes opened at that remark. The tensai almost missed a step too. His lips had failed to smile.

"Uh…no…I meant the match…how did it go?" Fuji replied right away.

"Okay. Can't wait to be a pro." Ryoma answered turning his eyes away.

"Oh."

Ryoma pouted his mouth. If his suspicions were true Fuji sempai should--.

"What did he say about me anyway? Ne, Echizen?" Fuji asked openly.

Ryoma smiled to himself. He knew it. Fuji-sempai does like Tezuka-buchou.

"Nothing much. He said how the new school became bearable because of you--"

Ryoma observed Fuji whose lips began to smile again. "Really?" Fuji let out a sigh.

"—He 's glad you chose to study there. Said you're his only true friend there--"

Fuji breathed heavily. "He said that?"

"Told me how busy he was and how unlucky that you two don't get to spend more time often."

This time Fuji laughed in relief. "Did he?" Fuji's gaze was beginning to wander.

"Yeah. Stuff like that. He kept smiling the whole time he was talking about you." Which Ryoma found scary. Just imagining Tezuka smiling every time like Fuji-sempai gives him the creeps.

Fuji could almost choke at his own breath if he kept suppressing his emotions any longer. His eyes were starting to get teary. He breathed heavily. Tezuka…were you smiling because of me? I'm so happy Tezuka…I'm so happy…

Fuji was starting to sniff. He reached for his handkerchief. Which was wet.

"Here, Fuji-sempai." Ryoma handed him a towel.

"The rain's heavy isn't it? My face's all wet." He wiped away the tears he tried to hide.

"We've got an umbrella Fuji-sempai." Ryoma reminded.

"Echizen, I--" Fuji stopped and turned to him, ready to give his explanation.

"Mada mada dane." Ryoma cut in. "Take care of Tezuka-buchou, Fuji-sempai." He smiled.

"Ryoma…" Fuji managed to say. "Thank you."

Once Tezuka was within their sight, Ryoma adjusted his cap once again.

"See you then, Fuji-sempai."

"You'll get soaked." Fuji pleaded, trying to stop him. The rain hasn't subsided. "And Echizen, don't tell anyone?" Fuji's head tilting to Tezuka's direction.

"Yada." Ryoma said before walking out of the umbrella.

This one word from Ryoma made Fuji panic. "Echizen!" Fuji grabbed his wrist. "Not anyone?"

"Yada." Ryoma said trying to release himself from Fuji's grip, but to no avail.

Fuji's eyes glimmered. Then Ryoma saw it. The sadist. He regretted that he made fun of Fuji-sempai. Of course he wasn't going to tell, but the tensai felt otherwise.

'What did I get myself into?' Ryoma thought as Fuji pulled him back inside the umbrella.

"You know, the three of us can fit here."

--oOo—

Tezuka sat by a shed. He had his head bowed down and his eyes closed. He heard footsteps.

"Waiting for me?"

"Fuji!" Tezuka couldn't hide his surprise; Fuji was standing there with a smile. "I was waiting for the rain to stop. I don't have an umbrella." Tezuka looked at Fuji's drenched clothes. "You don't have one?" he said, sort of disappointedly.

Fuji smiled, showing him the umbrella he hid behind his back. "Ta-da."

"How? You're the one who said the weather would be perfect." Tezuka asked somberly, unbelieving of Fuji's uncanny means.

"We could play a game some other time" Fuji said, "I'll walk both of you home." Fuji directed his umbrella at Ryoma who was sulking behind Fuji. Somehow, Fuji had to convince Ryoma to keep his secret.

"Echizen?" his brows furrowed. He was sure Echizen went home before the rain poured. "You don't have to, Fuji."

"We'd like to have tea in your house, Tezuka." Fuji suggested. No one could say no to that.

With all said, Tezuka finally stood up.

Being the tallest of the three, Tezuka snatched the umbrella in Fuji's hand. "Ah." he agreed. Fuji couldn't believe Tezuka was smiling at him again. It was a perfect weather after all.

"Those glasses of milk did wonders, ne, Tezuka?"

Fuji had been attacking Ryoma ever since they left the courts. Ryoma cringed slightly. Why did he have to pick a fight with Fuji of all people? Well, he started it. He just remained silent until they reached the Tezuka residence.

"My parents aren't here. Make yourselves at home." Tezuka told them before proceeding to the kitchen.

"Fuji-sempai? Wouldn't you catch a cold in those?" Ryoma darted at Fuji's drenched clothes.

The tensai threw Ryoma a threatening look. Revenge couldn't get any sweeter than this.

"Ah, right…Fuji, follow me…" Tezuka went ahead.

"Hai." Fuji followed without objection. He was having second thoughts bringing Ryoma along. The kid is mischievous after all.

Tezuka was rummaging his wardrobes, looking for something that may fit the tensai. Fuji's eyes were full of excitement as he observed Tezuka's room. It was huge but it wasn't spacious. Hundreds of books were stacked on a shelf in the wall. A reading chair stood beside it. 'No wonder Tezuka wore glasses'. There was a mini-office in the corner; Tezuka's laptop was on standby. There were hardly any decorations. No posters or pictures in the walls.

"Fuji."

Fuji turned around to see Tezuka handing him some clothes.

"The bathroom's here." Tezuka said before leaving the room. "I'll be back."

Tezuka's clothes fitted him well. Fuji smiled when he looked at himself in the mirror; wondering if he could keep Tezuka's clothes. He sat at Tezuka's soft bed. "So this is where you sleep…" Fuji regretted not having his camera right now. He closed his eyes, relaxing in the eucalyptus scent that was present in the room.

He didn't notice it before, but when his eyes landed on the bedside table, he saw a few pictures. There was a family picture; it was formal. Fuji smiled as he saw Tezuka. The buchou looked so handsome in formalwear. Fuji's smile widened as he saw two pictures of the Seigaku tennis club. One was taken after winning the nationals. The other one from that mountain they went to before Tezuka went to Germany to get his shoulder healed.

"Oh, Tezuka…" Fuji whispered to himself.

Ryoma was watching a movie when Fuji came back to the living room.

"Echizen? What do you say? Not a word, ne?" Fuji asked him right away. He smiled nicely. Ryoma found it frightening.

Ryoma was about to nod in agreement but Tezuka suddenly appeared from the kitchen.

"It'll just be a minute." Tezuka told them.

"I'll help you." Fuji offered. He looked ominously at Ryoma before following Tezuka.

Tezuka made their tea while Fuji busied himself with the food stuffs. "You're always left here by yourself?" Fuji asked. "Must be lonely."

"Not at all." Tezuka answered, careful not to spill how water on himself. "I like the quiet."

"Fuji," Tezuka tried to get his attention.

"Umm?" he asked, now trying to slice some bread.

"I couldn't help but notice. Did something happen between you and Ryoma?"

"Ouch. Ahh…"

Fuji had this awful cut on his left palm. He had jerked at Tezuka's question, causing a rather bloody mess on the kitchen table. "I'm sorry…Tezuka."

Tezuka, forgetting his previous inquiry, rushed to Fuji- whose hand was bleeding very badly.

"Let me have a look at it." Tezuka pulled him to the sink.

Fuji might even be glad that this accident happened. He dreamily watched Tezuka, as the man fussed about his cut.

"I'm sorry. Does it hurt?" Tezuka was massaging his palm in the water, washing his wound.

"It's a long cut but it isn't deep." Tezuka told him. "Stay here. I'll go get some medicine."

"Umm." he said with a nod.

"You should be careful next time Fuji. Try not to hurt yourself." Tezuka told him as he bandaged Fuji's wound.

"I'm sorry for the mess." Fuji said apologetically.

"I'll bring the tea shortly." Tezuka said as Fuji left the kitchen.

The program Ryoma was watching was already finished when Fuji came out of the living room. It took a minute for Ryoma to notice that something was off.

"Fuji-sempai, what happened to your hand?" he asked with concern.

"You know Echizen…I have wondered which of this criss-crossed lines led Tezuka to me." Fuji told him as he observed his bandaged hand. "I never knew that this cut was it. All thanks to you…" Fuji turned to look at Ryoma.

Ryoma said nothing. He just observed Fuji. It looked like he was about to say more.

"Isn't it wonderful?" Fuji asked Ryoma. "Tezuka can make all the pain go away. He can make all wounds heal. He can make the broken whole again…"

Ryoma for the first time, realized that he was wrong. It was clear. Fuji didn't just like Tezuka. He loved him. That made all the difference. "Fuji-sempai. I--"

"Thank you Ryoma." Fuji smiled sincerely. "I'll keep you to it."

'Not bad, Fuji-sempai.' Ryoma thought as Tezuka drove them home; the heavy rain still pouring. Just like the time he played Fuji-sempai, the rain made everything interesting again. On second thought, he likes the rain after all.

Love is like the rain, no matter how many umbrellas you have, you can't make it stop. All you can do is dance as it falls.

---------------------------------

iannetine: There! That was a long one! Only one left! Please look forward to it! I originally planned to do chapters only on the 'regulars'...but there's still so much to write about TeFu! Please review if you like Tezuka to know the secret! Please! Please! Please! School just started…so I'll need your powers to continue writing!