Alright, second one up this year! I'm proud of myself. I'm sure all of you will like it. It's a song that I think several people will like. The reason why I have Akaya singing it is because if you think about who he is and what team he comes from and what his family life may very well have been like, it means much more than if someone like Choutarou or Fuji had sung it. This is one that you have to listen to the song as you read.
Story disclaimer:
I do not own Prince of Tennis/Band of Princes. That is purely the work of one Konomi Takeshi.
Chapter disclaimer:
I do not own the song "Thankful" as performed by Josh Groban. All rights and properties belong to him, the song writers, and the record company.
Band of Princes: Holiday CD Special
Chapter 7: Thankful
Kirihara Akaya took a breath. He awaited word from the artist that stood in front of him. Luckily he had been working with Yanagi Renji on his English so he was able to speak to the man about the song. He really wanted to perform this song – he had heard it and realized how much it really meant to him.
There was so much more than just words in that song for him. There was more than just music. There was a truth that was undeniable to him and his former teammates, his former opponents. Not only that but he had been secretly a fan of this man for a while. He was what allowed the former tennis devil child to have peace of mind at home.
Please, he prayed, please let him agree to this. This is my chance to prove myself.
"Mr. Kirihara, I do agree to you singing this song. Will you provide the necessary documentation?" the man spoke in English.
"I have it right here. You still own the song. You'll get full credit for it in the CD booklet," Akaya explained, "You don't know what this means to me, sir."
"With how eager you were to get in contact with me about it? I can imagine," the man smiled. "Do me proud, Mr. Kirihara. I expect good things from you. I can't wait to hear it."
All Kirihara had to do was smile. He wouldn't fail him. Not this time, not at all.
All the former teams-come-singers stood in the decently sized room. They watched as the stringed orchestra finished warming up. Close to the strings there were some french horns and lower brass instruments as well as a set of kettle drums. Choutarou had taken a spot at the piano. Akaya had asked him personally to play as how having someone else – such as Atobe – would give much less emotion to the song.
"You know why we're here?" Marui asked, popping a bubble.
"Beats me," Momoshiro shrugged, "All I was told was to come here."
"That's the message everyone received," Fuji nodded toward those behind him.
"Where's Bakaya?" Niou asked.
"Yes, where is that little demon of yours, Sanada?" Atobe questioned the former vice-captain.
"I don't know. I told him to meet us here."
It was at that time that the person in question made his way toward the microphone set up from a door that was across the room from where the others stood. No one noticed other than Choutarou and the conductor.
"Are we ready?" the conductor questioned Akaya.
Kirihara places his music on the stand before him on the microphone set up. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. This was a big step for him. It was his first solo in a while certainly, let alone his first one on this CD collection of Christmas songs. It was now his time to shine. And this song meant so much more to him than any of the other songs.
"Yeah, we're ready."
The conductor nodded and started to conduct slowly. He cued in Choutarou, who started playing ever so softly. Soon the violins and violas joined the soft melody. The fourth four count came all to soon and Akaya began to sing.
Some days we forget
To look around us
Some days we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take more than we should give
Everyone was blinking as he sang. A song like this? And from Akaya, no less. But why this song? Why would he sing it?
At least that's what most of the former teams were thinking. The former members of Rikkai, however, knew why. They knew this song's meaning. They knew what this song really meant for not only themselves but what it should mean for the other teams as well.
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for
One by one, realization hit each member of each former tennis team. They all crowded together. Eyes were starting to water, couples holding their loved ones close to them. They were starting to understand what the song was.
Rikkai, on the other hand, gathered together around Yukimura. The former captain could feel the love and emotion from everyone that had been on his team, especially from their youngest member. He could feel the warmth in the words.
Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue
Fuji looked over to where his brother and his former rival stood. They held each other closely, both appearing absolutely peaceful. He was finally understanding that the data man of St. Rudolph had finally changed – and for the better. No longer did he want to hurt the younger Fuji, but to take care of him. The older Fuji nodded as the man in is thoughts looked up at him, giving his approval finally.
Tezuka had seen this and draped an arm over his smaller lover's shoulder. At the same time Momo took Ryoma into his arms, just holding the younger. All was well now between the four, especially after a few things were finally said and got them out in the air.
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for
Everyone was quiet as the teen sang. It was amazing such an emotion filled song was coming from this young man. No one ever thought that something like this would come from a kid who had been a terror on the court.
Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light
As the orchestra and Choutarou played a short interlude, Akaya found that his heart was pounding. His own eyes were near tears as he tried to keep the feeling and not cry. He was going to be cued soon so he took several breaths away from the microphone to help him calm down. The former devil player soon corrected himself and was ready once again for the crescendo.
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
The song softened a great deal. Akaya looked over to his former team, to everyone. Tears spilled from his eyes, but his voice betrayed his emotions.
There's so much to be thankful for
The song finished. Choutarou pulled his hands away from the keys as Shishidou went over to his side, holding him gently. He was proud that his lover to have been able to make it through that song on his own.
Meanwhile, all of Rikkai went over to their former rookie. A gentle hand was placed on the curly-haired teen's cheek from Sanada. Akaya looked up at his former vice-captain to see that rarely seen smile.
"Akaya," he spoke.
"S-Sanada fukubuchou," Kirihara stuttered.
"Akaya," Yukimura's voice came, "We're so proud of you. You had the strength to perform this song when you didn't have to do anything. And thank you... Thank you for this beautiful song. It must have taken a long time for you to acquire it."
Akaya only gave a weak smile. It was all he could muster before he passed out in Renji's arms.
