Mitsukai here. Another chapter has been finished, because I was feeling inspired. And it's a little longer than the rest, about 3k worth of words. I just found out that I've written more than twenty stories. Wow. I'm really slow when it comes to these things. *shot*

Disclaimers and Warnings: First chapter.


Spinoff III-E: Reunion

Choutarou didn't quite know how he managed to get back to the bleachers in time for the Doubles-2 Match between his school and Seigaku, but he suspected that his doubles partner had something to do with it, which he was immensely grateful for. His mind was still muddled, still not getting over the shock that had completely taken over him just moments before.

"T-That's impossible! How can Atobe-buchou be–?"

"Believe me, I didn't believe it either at first." The Rikkaidai regular interrupted, shrugging his shoulders. "But it's true. I'm Yukimura-buchou's and Sanada-fukubuchou's son. Don't ask how it happened, but it did. And, apparently, we're not alone in this. There're also others. That's why we all feel the same way when we feel each other close by."

"B-But…" Tried as Choutarou might to accept the revelation, his mind really can't wrap its head around the fact that his parents–his real parents–were just a year older than him. It's completely crazy just to think about it, not to mention impossible! But, at the same time, Choutarou was horrified to know that it actually made sense, at least in a way. At least, it explained the feeling that he got when he entered the Forest of Arenas.

"It's better to accept it right away instead of protesting about it." The curly-haired second year said patiently. "When I first found out, I really thought that it must be some kind of mistake. But it's true, and now I'm happy that I finally got to meet my real parents."

"W-Why are you telling this to me?" Choutarou choked back an answer, still completely shocked. The other looked sheepish, rubbing the back of his head and kicking the ground in slight embarrassment. "… I just didn't want to deprive you of the opportunity to meet Atobe-san as a father, not as your captain. We're going to find out eventually, but it's better to start now, at least to make up for the time that was lost."

"Choutarou? Oi, Choutarou! Snap out of it!"

"H-huh?" He blinked, seeing the hand that was firmly clasped on his shoulder. He looked up, seeing his doubles partner already standing up, racket in hand.

"Come on. We need to warm up. Doubles-2 is over."

"A-Already?" He stood up quickly, missing Shishido's surprised look at his acquired height. "H-How did we do? Did we win?"

"Choutarou, haven't you been watching? We lost." Shishido sent a smirk at the Mukahi-Oshitari pair, which Gakuto returned with a dark glare. He looked back, and seeing Choutarou's horrified look, his face slowly melted into a look of concern.

"Choutarou, are you all right? Did something happen?"

"Y-yeah. I'm okay." He sent a strained smile, hoping that the older teen wouldn't push it. He was definitely not okay. How could he be, when he found out that the past thirteen years he had lived was a complete lie? His brown eyes turned to the bleachers, and seeing the clad of yellow, he became even more distraught. Should he believe what Kirihara-kun said to him? Something in him told him that he must, because it's the simple truth. But knowing it and accepting it was a whole different matter. It might be a ploy to destroy his concentration, but why would Rikkaidai help Seigaku to win against them? He didn't understand anything at this moment. He was so confused right now, and all he wanted to do was to lock himself up in a room and think things through.

But unfortunately, he didn't have the privilege of that, as he jogged lightly beside his partner in preparation for the Doubles-1 match, where they would be scoring off with Seigaku's famed Golden Pair.

Pray that I can concentrate on my match today, Choutarou thought feverishly as the announcer called their names to go into the courts.

-/-

The moment he entered his team's line of sight, Akaya ran at a breakneck speed and jumped to the bleachers where his parents and the rest of his senpai's sat, grinning when Marui shrieked like a girl and jumped into Jackal's arms again.

"Akaya! Where have you been?" Yukimura chastised the second year, not even the least surprised when his son seemingly appeared out of thin air. But his eyes sparkled with happiness and amusement, tweaking the black curls lightly. "I was worried."

"Sorry." Akaya answered sheepishly, squealing loudly when Niou poked a certain part on his side. Akaya glared, shifting closer to Yanagi, who wrapped an arm around his waist comfortingly. The data master sent a look to Niou, who smirked wider and easily dodged when Yagyuu tried to pull him away from their kouhai.

"Hmm~ You're ticklish, Akaya. Piyo."

"Akaya! Ten laps later for worrying your mother." Sanada grumbled, looking away when his son started to pout. Contrary to fact, he does get affected with that look, seeing as his son inherited it from his mother. So he tries his best not to look directly, or he'll go, god forbid, soft for his kouhai cum son. Tarundoru! He has a reputation to uphold!

"Hai…" Akaya reluctantly answered, pouting more. Yanagi chuckled and brushed his lips across Akaya's forehead, enjoying the sudden flush that appeared on his future spouse's cheeks. "Don't worry, Akaya. Genichirou is just cranky, that's all."

"Tarundoru! Renji! 250 laps later!" Sanada suddenly thundered, having seen the little exchange. Yukimura chuckled and patted his husband on the arm, who was scowling darkly. "Now, now Genichirou…"

"Hai, hai." Yanagi smiled good-naturedly, nodding concedingly, almost indulgently, looking at Akaya from the corner of his eye and giving him a conspiratorial look, making the second year giggle.

Doubles-1 between Seishun Gakuen and Hyotei Gakuen will start shortly. Will the players enter the tennis courts. I repeat…

"Doubles-1? Who's playing?" Marui popped his gum, already back to his seat (with some coaxing from Jackal that nothing's going to happen anymore). "I believe it's Kikumaru and Oishi from Seigaku and Shishido and Ootori from Hyotei." Yagyuu observed as the said players started to enter the courts.

"Akaya." Yanagi's voice was quiet enough for only Akaya to hear. "What did you do earlier?"

"Um… I met Ootori on the way here, by chance." Akaya was watching the Hyotei second year carefully from the spot at the bleachers. "And… I kind of… told him the truth."

"Hmm… I thought as much." Yanagi voice sounded satisfied. "With your personality, I doubt if you could hold it in for a long time."

"Then don't ask if you already know, senpai!" Akaya huffed. "And what can I do? It just… happened." He finished lamely.

Yanagi chuckled, a deep, husky sound that instantly turned Akaya's brain to mush. "I wasn't blaming you." He whispered closely in the second year's year. "But… Ootori looks… distracted."

"Uh…" Akaya tried to answer back, but the warm breath beside his ear was proving to be a distraction and he blushed more darkly.

"Looks like Ootori's not the only person that's… distracted." Niou was watching the lovey-dovey scene, cackling when Akaya yelped and jumped at least five meters into the air. Yanagi only smiled and finally put himself at a respectable distance away, since his best friend's face looked as if he was going to commit murder right on the spot. In fact, Yanagi was 99.9% sure that the vice-captain was already thinking of ways to kill him, if not for the fact that Yukimura was physically standing in his way, Sanada might have gone through it too.

I can't have Genichirou dying of a heart attack because of me, He mused silently as the Doubles-1 match started.

Well, then… He took a sideways glance at Akaya, who still look embarrassed and a bit dazed.

Let's see if Akaya did more harm than good…

-/-

"Game to Seishun Gaken! 4 games to 1!"

"Oi Choutarou! Get it together!" Shishido was starting to get frustrated. Never, in all of the games they had played as a doubles pair, had they been losing this badly. He tossed a towel to his kouhai, who looked far more exhausted than ever. "What's wrong? You've been acting sting strange ever since we started playing!"

"S-Sorry, Shishido-san." The silveret sounded close to tears, and Shishido immediately felt guilty for yelling at his kouhai. But the pressure's starting to get to him, and they really were going to lose, at this rate. He sat down on the bench, close to his partner, in a quiet voice. "Choutarou, is there something bothering you? You know you can always talk to me, don't you? We have to trust each other. Don't you trust me?"

"I-It's not that, Shishido-san." Choutarou really hated it when he heard the reproach in the other's voice. He trusted the older teen with everything he had, even his life, but it's not a problem that he could easily tell others. Who would believe him if he would admit that he was upset about the fact that he was worried about the nature of his parentage? He dearly wished, so very much, that he could confess everything to his partner, but this was neither the time nor the place. And, if he confessed now, they might just be on the one-way road to completely losing. "It's… nothing."

"It sure as hell ain't nothing, Choutarou!" Shishido was starting to get seriously pissed off. He didn't want to admit it, but he really felt hurt when the younger teen didn't even open up to him. "It's bothering you enough that you can't even do the Scud Serve properly! I just want to know if I could help!"

"Well you can't." Choutarou exhaled a deep breath. "I'm sorry Shishido-san, but I must handle this alone."

"For god's sake Choutarou, stop being so stubborn!" The moment Shishido said it, something in Choutarou completely snapped. "Leave me alone, Shishido-san!" He stood up and grabbed his racket that was leaning against the bench. "I told you that I'm fine! Please stop asking me pointless questions!"

Shishido stared, nonplussed, as the second ear threw his towel on the bench. "Let's go." Did Choutarou just… snap back at him? The glare… the tone of voice… it almost reminded him of…

He shook his head, making the image of the Hyotei captain disappear from his mind. His shock slowly turned into fury, and he slammed his water bottle down on the seat. "Fine!" He snarled. "Have it your way!" What nerve! Here he was, genuinely concerned, and Choutarou completely blew him off. You know what, if Choutarou's going to be hardheaded as he was about this, then fine, he really doesn't care anymore.

Without another word, he followed, and the tennis match continued.

-/-

"This is bad." Hiyoshi murmured as he continued watching the almost one-sided match. "Shishido-senpai and Ootori are starting to fall apart."

"Their doubles play is completely out of sync." Oshitari commented, frowning. "It's almost as if they stopped cooperating with each other."

"You heard them earlier, Yuushi." Gakuto was biting his lip in worry. "They were seriously arguing about something. I never thought it would happen, but…"

"Has Coach said anything?"

"None. He was watching them argue. He didn't even try to stop it."

"At this rate, we're going to lose!" Gakuto wailed, glaring at his teammate. "Atobe, do something about it!"

"And what could ore-sama do? Ahn?" Ice-blue eyes watched the rally continuously, not even looking at the redhead acrobat. "That's their problem. They should solve it themselves."

"I don't know; maybe offer a little support to Choutarou, then?" Gakuto answered sarcastically, ignoring Oshitari's warning look. "God, couldn't you be a little warmer to him? For god's sake, he's your so–"

"Gakuto!" The tensai shot him a look. Hiyoshi looked a little too interested in the conversation, and Gakuto instantly shut up. He grumbled, muttering, "…Your fault if we lose, Atobe."

Atobe resisted the urge to plant the redhead's face into the ground. He turned to the game, watching with critical eyes as Choutarou missed another point.

"15-40!"

He may look outwardly unfeeling towards this particular game, but in truth Atobe was already thinking up the various reasons why his son might be upset, and what he can do to solve it. He wasn't sure what exactly the problem was, and he will not use his Insight on his own son if he could help it, but he was sure that whoever was the cause of it will be skinned alive and be tortured personally by him and Choutarou's mother.

"Game and Match to Seishun Gakuen! 5 games to 1!"

This was bad. He had been running away from his responsibilities as a father for a long as he can remember, not that he was willingly doing it. He had to step up, especially now, since he can't bear to see the pain that was on his son's face as they lost another game.

… Be damned the rules. He was Atobe Keigo, dammit, and he was the rule.

"Jirou." He spoke up. "It's time."

The strawberry blond teen opened his eyes immediately, sitting up and standing up from the bench he was laying on. Wide awake, he stood beside Atobe, watching as the Doubles-1 pair retreated to the benches again.

"Our son… needs you."

-/-

Shishido cursed loudly as another game ended. If Seigaku took one more game, they would win. "AAAARGH!" He yelled in frustration, scrunching up the blue hat in his fist. Beside him, Choutarou was completely silent, his lips set into a thin line as he struggled to take another breath, the towel completely covering his head.

He was losing it, he knew very well. As much as he tried to take his mind of it, Kirihara's confession still haunted his mind, as he found himself frequently looking at the bleachers, thinking desperately.

Which? Which of them are my true parents?

Before he knew it, the ball was already on their side, and he struggled to keep his mind on the game. But it was turning out to be impossible, and their doubles combination was falling apart.

We're going to lose, he thought desperately. And it's going to be my fault! What am I going to do? Please tell me what to do!

Please help me…

Okaa-san…

"Hey, Shishido!" The capped teen blinked and look up, surprise filling his features as he recognized who that voice belonged to.

"J-Jirou! Why are you awake? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"Well~ the crowds were too noisy!" The volley specialist pouted. "And besides, we're losing! How can I sleep through that?"

"Ask him." Shishido growled, pointing at his doubles partner. "Maybe you could knock some sense into his head, as I couldn't."

"Then you don't mind if I steal away your place for a bit?" Jirou asked brightly, already tugging Shishido out of his seat. "O-Oi, Jirou!"

"I promisethatIwon'tkeepitlongsobye-byefornow!" Jirou successfully dethroned Shishido and plopped down on the bench, waving at Shishido, who scowled darkly but let him stay, going back to the bleachers to hear an earful from Gakuto.

"Hey, Chou-Chou…" The strawberry blond tweaked the towel, causing to slip off and for Choutarou to look at him in slight shock.

"J-Jirou-senpai!"

"Hi~" Jirou waved cheerfully in front of his face, causing, despite himself, Choutarou to smile, just slightly. "Wh-What are you doing awake, Jirou-senpai? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Choutarou asked, causing Jirou to pout more.

"Mou, why is everyone asking that?" The third year complained, exaggerating a hurt look. "Is me sleeping really better than I'm awake? And everybody's been looking at me as if something weird is going on! I'm usually sleeping, but really, is seeing me awake really that weird, Chou-Chou?"

His tirade caused Choutarou to smile more, even managing to laugh at bit as his senpai complained, seeing that the strawberry blond really didn't mean it. "No, it's not strange, Jirou-senpai." Choutarou answered respectfully, causing the senpai to beam warmly at him.

"Choutarou, you can do it." Jirou suddenly said, smiling gently at the second year. "Focus on the game for now, worries can come later!"

"E-Eh?" Choutarou looked bewildered.

"You know, Shido's been covering for you for the last 14 games." Jirou told him patiently. "He knows how upset you are and he's trying to help get through by giving you time to pull yourself together. But if you don't, his hard work would be put to waste, and that would be bad, right?"

"Y-Yes…" Now Choutarou started to feel a little guilty, feeling as if the third year was lightly scolding him, even through his tone was anything but.

"So now you have to help him back, because he's your partner!"

"But… Jirou-senpai…"

"No buts, Chou-Chou." Choutarou immediately fell silent at the words, even though it was said in a teasing tone. "Don't worry! You and 'Shido can win! And if you do, we'll all be proud of you!"

"R-Really, Jirou-senpai?" Choutarou sounded hopeful, despite himself, wanting to hear the words of encouragement and assurance.

"Of course! 'Shido would be proud of you, also Yuushi and Gaku-chan and Piyo-chan too! But most of all, me and Keigo-chan would be the most proud of you!" The blond grinned, flashing a V-sign on front of the silveret's face. "So cheer up and win mmkay?" He ruffled the silver hair almost fondly, standing up and calling Shishido.

Chtaour opened his mouth and closed it again, speechless. Jirou only giggled and waved back at him, going back to the bleachers and falling promptly asleep on it. Choutarou had to smile, his heart now feeling at ease. No more hesitation, no more confusion. He was finally focused. He could now win.

Thank you… Jirou-senpai.

-/-

"Game and match to Hyotei Gakuen, 7 games to 5!"

Cheers exploded from Hyotei's side as the school finally took its first win. Choutarou sank to the ground, thoroughly exhausted but terribly pleased that they managed to push through the end. Beside him, his doubles partner was grinning madly, also tired, but still exuberant. Their doubles combination had improved so quickly and drastically that the Golden Pair was visibly surprised, and the momentum they gained was immediately lost as they tried to recover from the shock of seeing their combination in perfect harmony. Choutarou grinned as a hand was offered to him and he stood up, walking towards his team, where the rest of the regulars waited for him.

Gakuto was the first, patting him on the shoulder before growling at Shishido who started to tease him. The tensai smiled, shifting his glasses, already on his way to break the growing fight, whilst Hiyoshi just looked at him and muttered 'Gekokujyou'. Choutarou only smiled and turned, finding himself face to face with the buchou himself.

"Atobe-buchou." He greeted, instantly flooded with great respect and admiration for the older teen. Blue eyes immediately looked into his own, but, strangely, he found himself staring back, as he usually tried to avert the gaze that Atobe gave to him… more than anyone else out of all the regulars. He used to think that he had make a mistake, or that he wasn't doing as well as the others, and he tried to work more, improving his skills, just to remove the captain's gaze on him. It was an unconscious act for him, as he realized it now, because he slowly realized, with startling clarity, what Kirihara Akaya meant.

"They're closer than you think. And they're always watching out for you, whether you realize it yourself or not. Because they can't tell the truth, they always watch from a distance, trying to care for you in their own way without giving away too much."

And… Choutarou finally found him. Them.

"No…" He paused, his voice growing stronger as his feelings became more confident, because he knew that he was right.

"Or should I say… Otou-sama?"

Atobe's eyes almost smiled at him, though his manner was as arrogant and as condensing as ever.

"It took you long enough to know, Choutarou." As hurtful as the words were, there was no bite in them, and Choutarou merely smiled, bowing a little in apology.

"I'm sorry, Otou-sama."

"It really can't be helped, though." Atobe sighed and beckoned him to come closer. "Those plebeians we left you with didn't educate Ore-sama's son properly. We must rectify those mistakes at once, because an Atobe does not act so… humbly." Atobe made a noise of disgust in his throat and made Choutarou sit beside him, blue eyes staring at the silver haired teen with affection and happiness, a hand ruffling through the silver hair.

"Good job. I'm proud of you."

"T-Thank you!" Choutarou flushed at the compliment, and Atobe gave a real, genuine smile, before calling out to the strawberry blond.

"Jirou, wake up. Meet our son."

At that, Jirou immediately woke up and tackled the second year into a hug.

"Chou-chou!" Jirou squealed happily. "My baby boy!" He all but crushed the younger teen into his chest. "I missed you so much!"

"Jirou, let him go." Atobe rolled his eyes, prying off Jirou's hands from his suffocating son. "We only just had him now, don't kill him."

Jirou pouted and stuck his tongue out at the diva. "Can you blame me? I didn't see my baby boy for a long time and we had to keep us a secret. And Kei-chan, don't act so cold in front of your own son!" He slapped Atobe's arm playfully. "Don't act all stiff! I know that you're just as happy as I am that we have Choutarou again."

At that, Atobe chuckled and pressed a kiss to the soft curls. "Of course I am." He looked at his son fondly.

"You are Atobe Choutarou. My son."

"And I'm your mama, Chou-Chou!" Jirou cuddled the second year in his arms. "Welcome back!"

Choutarou could only smile as felt himself finally complete.

"I'm home, Otou-sama, Okaa-san!"


And so that concludes the reunion of the Hyotei family. Adorable, no?

As a sincere thanks for all those people who waited patiently for my stories and read them, I would like to grant the 50th reviewer a fanfic of his/her choice, the pair of choice and a prompt or a main idea that you would like me to do. I would just like to ask to limit the rating to a T one, since I can't write M-rated stories yet.

Reviews and constructive criticism much appreciated.

Mitsukai20