Will of the Heart
By: SamLien (SamanthaLienne)
Super Disclaimer: I do not own Tennis no Ohjisama or any of its characters. I only take sole ownership to the plot and OC's that would be making their appearances in the later chapters.
Warnings: Yaoi/Shounen-ai, May contain OOC's, Kissing scene (mild), Angst (slight), roller coaster of emotions
Pairing: YukimuraXEchizenXAtobe implied TezukaXFuji
To expect: Ryoma and Yukimura scenes . , Mysterious 'master' man makes his move
Chapter dedicated to the following reviewers: FlyingShadow666, apocadelic, SAPPHASH, RuByMoOn17, ChibisukeGirl, dichan, eiarim.miraie, cherushiichan, Empress Satori, c00kiesNm1lk, DemonGirl13, Insouciance, Sprig
And most especially to 1xmocha, my favorite OT5 writer. Belated happy birthday
A/N I apologize for the late updates. My school just started about two weeks ago and yet my sensei's are already giving the students such a hard time by giving off too much school works.
The closing chapter would be coming earlier than I had expected. This story may have not been the best of the best but I sincerely think that I still have time to improve. Besides I still have many stories in mind.
Pardon the grammatical errors and the incorrect spellings. Flashbacks and Dream sequence are in Italics while English words would be typed in bold. Thoughts are italicized and has single quotation marks enclosing it. Emphasized words between dialogues and paragraphs are italicized.
Read, enjoy and review. . . . .
Chapter Ten
Happiness, Contentment and a Threat
Yukimura and Atobe silently walked through the long corridors of the hospital.
Only the sounds of their shoes tapping along the tiled floor could be heard as it echoed around the concrete walls.
Upon reaching the end of the long pathway, chaos had greeted the duo. The door of Ryoma's hospital suite was thrown open and shouts could be heard from inside. The two exchanged worried glances before they literally ran inside the room.
"RYOMA!!!" they yelled in unison.
The crowd looked at the two of them in surprise, all motions staying still.
"Wha—What happened to him?" Seiichi asked shakily trying to regain his breath. His heart pounded against his chest, worried sick about his friend's welfare when he heard Rinko's sobs.
"He's fine Seiichi," Nanjiroh appeased the boy giving him a small pat in the shoulders.
He blinked back at the older tennis player. "But—" His eyes drifted off towards the commotion uncertainty mirrored back by his wide soulful orbs.
"Oi Seiichi I'm not dead," grumbled the sarcastic voice he all knew and missed. The cockiness of his tone almost made Yukimura jump out in joy.
"Ryoma—"
Rinko who already had a faint hint of smile on her face while wiping her tears of joy away from her eyes stood up from her spot beside the bed. And true to his beliefs, there lies the familiar looking form of the precious Seigaku freshman, with the ever cocky smirk plastered upon his face. His eyes which were closed for almost two weeks were now wide open. The brilliant golden orbs that can capture even a stone statues heart were now swirling with warmth and life.
"Seiichi you still there," Ryoma frowned at him, brows furrowing together.
"Hai, I'm just overwhelmed with so many emotions right now." He smiled before engulfing the distance between the two of them to hug the young prodigy's prone body.
"Ittai," the young prodigy coughed out as his breath got knocked out of his lungs when the Rikkaidai captain had hugged him with so much enthusiasm that it literally left him breathless.
"I'm glad you're back Ryo chan." He said affectionately pinching the boys cheeks.
As the two embraced, the Hyotei captain silently stood by the doorframe, clearly having a problem of the green eyed monster. Feeling more than left out in the picture. Without giving things any thought anymore, Keigo turned back and walked away. Pain burning and gripping his fragile heart.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The sounds coming from the nearby outdoor tennis courts emanated around the lot.
Golden eyes remained unblinking as it stared skyward, watching as the puffy white clouds moved along the ocean blue sky. The blazing sun glittered up high it's rays seething down the human populace. The moist morning wind blew across the small meadow rustling the luscious green leaves of the nearby trees. Flocks of birds flapped their wings majestically jostling away from the world below.
His eyes twitched involuntarily. Footsteps echoed from behind him as the neatly mowed grass got scrunched up when it was stepped on. The smell of cherries wafted through his sensitive nose sending an involuntary shiver to run down his spine.
"Ryoma—"
The lithe body of the young prodigy didn't make any attempt to respond to the voice. He didn't budge from his position for even a small inch. His lean, seemingly fragile arms were bent down behind his head as he laid down the grass using it as his pillow. He had his other leg bent upright while the other rested and dangled over his bent knee. His pinkish lips remained grim as he tightly pursed it closed.
"Ryo chan what are you doing outside your room?" the soft melodious voice asked as the footsteps halted to a stop.
"Hnnn," came his bored reply closing his eyes in the process.
The body standing beside him shifted and he felt the latter crouching down to occupy the space beside him. He didn't mind his actions at all as he savored the silence within himself and let the darkness surround him completely. He was already close to drifting off when he felt a pair of eyes literally boring down through his skull. He chose to ignore the boldness of the act. But the stare made him itch in annoyance.
He cracked one eye open clashing with the soulful eyes of the one who was looking at him. He seemingly froze on his spot as he fell into a daze after he felt sucked up by those orbs. He shook his head in frustration silently chuckling towards him self.
"Ryoma. . . " the boy whined persistently not relenting away until he gets his desired response.
"My back's already sore from being bed ridden for more than a week so I went out for a walk." He threw him an apathetic look before shifting his eyes back to the sunny sky above them. "I need a breather."
"But you should rest or else you might get sick again," he said worriedly.
"Seiichi will you stop over reacting. . . it's not like I'm going to die already" he snorted at the latter's expense.
Little did he know that the mere mention of the word die brought such great amount of pain and dread toward Yukimura.
"Besides you were there with me when the doctor said that I am fine." Ryoma continued clearly oblivious of the uneasiness his companion was suffering at the moment.
"But still—"
The Rikkaidai captain was again cut off when the young prodigy shot him a look. He was wise enough not to argue with him any longer. Knowing the younger one's temper, he would surely be having the cold shoulder if he continued prying on the subject. He sighed dejectedly, hugging his knees closer to his chest.
"Where's Keigo? I thought he was with you." He mumbled out.
Ryoma just shrugged carelessly. "He was with me a while ago. But he went back to the courts to join in the practice matches."
Silence ensued once again.
Yukimura's eyes didn't stay still as he continuously drifted his gaze back to the seigaku freshman every once in a while. His line of sight trailing around his boyish and petite form adoringly.
"See you later," Kyo hollered out from the family car as Seiichi giddily hopped out of the vehicle grabbing his oversized backpack from the passengers' seat. He slung the anime inspired bag over his shoulder's frantically waving his hands over to his parents who had remained seated and strapped onto their seats.
"Bye mom. Bye dad." He babbled back grinning from ear to ear. He stepped beside the door, where his mother was sitting at and clung onto the open window.
"Be good okay," his mom reminded him as she patted her overly energetic sons head.
Seiichi's widened eyes glittered with childlike happiness as he nodded several times that made Hana a little alarmed thinking that her precious sons head might break off if he continues.
"Oi Nanjiroh take care of Seiichi or else," his dad joked out to the Echizen patriarch who was currently standing by the front porch of their house while lazily scratching his stomach. Rinko who had appeared from inside the house, carrying a spatula in hand swatted her tactless husband. The tennis player whined, before he started muttering under his breath.
"Don't worry he'd be in good hands," Rinko assured the husband and wife.
"Seiichi remember what I told you okay?" Hana admonished her son once more before Kyo started off the car's engine.
The young boy nodded in understanding before stepping back onto the sidewalk.
"Ja Ne." His parents yelled out simultaneously before they drove off. Seiichi's eyes trailed along the car until it finally went off his range of sight just leaving a trail of dust.
"Come now Sei chan. You must have missed Ryo chan a whole lot considering that you hadn't seen him for a week." Rinko mumbled out stirring the boy inside the house.
The Yukimura's had been away from home for a week since they had accompanied Satoru on his conference meeting. They had just arrived earlier and was about to go directly toward their house when Seiichi had suggested to his parents that he'd like to stay at Ryoma's house for a while since he had been missing his 'baby chan' so much. His parents, as little Seiichi could remember quite clearly, exchanged knowing looks that could clearly be translated to 'I told you so'.
"Wahh how's baby chan doing Mama Rinko?" the kid looked at the woman who had been treating him like he was her own child. He insistently tugged her hands with Nanjiroh silently following them from behind, tucking his freshly delivered newspaper underneath his armpits.
"Ryoma's fine Seiichi. But he's a little moody ever since you left." Rinko responded petting the adorable kids silky hair.
Seiichi's lips was etched with a megawatt smile as he turned towards the smiling woman. "Really??" he asked once again, making sure that his ears weren't deceiving him.
Rinko nodded affectionately. "Yes. Ryoma misses you too."
The younger one's eyes glittered underneath his long curly lashes. The trio wounded up the stairs leading toward the bedrooms of the humble adobe. "But he has Kei chan."
"Yes Keigo kept him company while you were away. But you know how attached Ryoma is to you since you're the one who's spoiling him rotten."
Seiichi grinned back at her. What she stated was the truth for it was really him who had been spoiling the young prodigy while it was Keigo who's a little off when it comes to pampering the younger one. But Keigo still makes sure that he gives the proper amount of attention to the both of them. The boy wasn't that open when it comes to showing affection most especially in public. He cares so much about his image and reputation that he tends to act and look aloof especially when other people are around. It seems like the young boy had built a concrete wall around himself to repel away unwanted attention only letting Ryoma and Seiichi to actually be able to communicate with him. Though it wasn't that noticeable especially to the watchful looks of the crowd, Yukimura knew that Atobe held high affections towards the young tennis prodigy.
"Where's Ryoma, Papa Jiroh?" he asked the snickering man who is standing by the railings of the staircase. The said man merely raised his brows before pointing towards the room located at the far end of the hallway.
"Arigato gozaimasu," he thanked bowing after him in respect before sauntering off towards the direction pointed at him. He slowed his steps and reduced it to tiptoes until he finally reached the wooden door. His eyes remained glued on the door eyes straining over the carved wooden name plate hanging down the nail which was hammered down it. In big colorful letters, the name Ryoma came into being.
Seiichi gulped as his heart thumped faster against his chest. Anticipation overwhelmed him as he slowly drew out his hands and reached towards the shiny golden door knob. Clearing his throat once more he turned the knob open.
"Ryo chan. ." he whispered as he poked his head inside the small opening. But he found nothing for it was extremely dark inside. Shrugging he pushed the door wider entering the room in one full stride. Just as when he had turned on the light switch, another mass collided with his body immediately catching him by surprise.
He gave out a muffled scream when that mass latched itself onto Seiichi's torso. Hugging him like a leech. Familiarity assaulted the older boy as he turned to look downwards and saw little Ryoma attached onto him with so much fervor that made Seiichi gasp for breath when he felt like he was being deprived of the oxygen he needs.
"Sei chan you're back I thought you're going to leave me for good," Ryo man cried out, golden eyes getting teary as it focused onto him. Seiichi felt overjoyed by the latter's show of affection towards him. His eyes closed as he gave out his infamous red herring smile that made even the teenage ladies swoon. Though the young one is still a kid his smile never fails to make a woman's heart drop down in jittery excitement. The boy is already a heart throb to say the least.
But compared to little Ryoma's fan club, he still considers himself as mada mada dane. For the young prodigy catches everyone's attention as soon as his presence is made known. That's how much impact he causes onto the crowd.
"Of course I wouldn't leave you. That's what I told you right," he appeased while running his hands through the crying boys silky hair.
Ryma sniffled burying his head deeper onto the other's shirt. "Kei chan's being a big meanie again. He's starting to say the broken ore sama record again." He sobbed.
"Keh. . . Ryo chan stop being such a brat will you," a voice said from behind them.
Yukimura blinked and looked back just in time to see the one and only Atobe Keigo standing by the door, arms arrogantly crossed upon his chest. A smirk ever present on his face.
Ryoma glared at the diva and stuck out his tongue at him. "Monkey King."
"Brat Prince," he retorted back sticking out his tongue just like Ryoma.
A sudden surge of jealousy had caught Yukimura of guard. Their sarcastic banters almost made him cry out, Why?. Why are they acting so close? Though they were arguing with one another, he could see the affection held in those remarks. And that made him extremely agitated to say the least. The fondness he could see being mirrored through the dark gray haired boys' eyes had been proving it to him.
"Oi Brat stop clinging onto Sei chan too much."
"Che, you're just jealous." Ryoma retorted.
"How dare you accuse ore sama," Keigo said while blushing.
Seiichi cleared his throat wrapping his thin arms around the younger boy. "Aa, Kei chan stop teasing Ryo chan anymore will you?" He said not being able to hold back into stepping in the conversation. His eyes snapped open, and focused onto the said boy.
He could clearly see how the diva flinch at the intensity of his voice as he wisely shut his mouth.
Ryoma laughed boisterously. "Scaredy cat."
He looked up at the boy who was holding him and smiled brightly. "Sei chan is my prince. You had saved me from the evil monster."
Seiichi smirked shooting the frozen and seething Keigo a brief look before he ruffled Ryoma's hair. "Ei, I'd do anything for my pretty princess."
"Why aren't you in the tennis courts Seiichi?" the young prodigy asked out of the blue, making Yukimura to instantly break out from his stupor.
"I got worried when I saw your room was empty. I excused myself from practice and went to look for you."
Ryoma glanced back at him boredly. "You excused yourself?"
Seiichi grinned. "Aa, okay so I skipped practice. Big deal."
"You're so lazy Seiichi," the Seigaku freshman shook his head in frustration. "I wonder how you became Rikkaidai's captain if you are acting like that."
"Don't fret Ryo chan. I'd be going to practice once you've completely recovered."
The boy's lips twitched. "Baka, just go to practice before the coach's blow a fuse."
"They'd understand that you'd beneeding someone to accompany you while you're recovering." He chided happily.
"I'm not a kid."
"But you're my hime chan. And my princess needs to have her knight in shining armor beside her all the time."
A deep crimson stain crept up the prodigy's cheeks earning a chuckle from the Rikkaidai captain. "Baka," he choked out poorly trying not to blush anymore. "Isn't Sanada your HIME chan?" he gritted his teeth.
This time it was him who was taken aback. 'How could Ryoma think that way?' he thought blushing profusely.
"See it's true. That dude really is your hime chan," he murmured.
"Aa, is my little Ryo chan jealous of Sanada?" he said wiggling his brows suggestively.
Ryoma blushed uncharacteristically. "Ba-Baka," he stammered.
Yukimura laughed taking the writhing prodigy into his arms. "Oi stop taking advantage," Ryoma protested weakly trying to push the still laughing captain away from him.
"Come now Ryo chan stop saying otherwise, when you like being in my arms," he teased.
"Insane."
"But don't worry Ryo chan. You are and you'll always be my princess slash brat prince no matter what happens," he said seriously.
Ryoma shivered in surprise and his eyes immediately flew past the older boy. His eyes widened when he saw that their faces where only inches apart from each other. He felt like his throat went dry as his eyes focused onto the latter's red rosy lips that seemed to be getting closer to him by the minute.
'Stupid, he is getting closer' he yelled to himself in astonishment.
'But he left you Ryoma. How could you let him get this close to you that fast?' he berated himself as he allowed the older one to make his move, crossing the gap in between them slowly.
'Because. . . .'
Ryoma froze on his spot when he felt a warm moist flesh colliding with his lips. The contact sent electrocuting shivers to run down his flesh as he stayed in his place unmoving. His eyes slowly drifted close as the older boy started to move and further his seductive ministrations.
Unknown to the 'couple' who was currently engaged in a heated show of affection, two pairs of eyes were standing just a few meters away from them, looking on with jealous intent while the other pair clearly hidden within the leafy bushes, chuckled evilly. A malicious glint showing in his dark smoky eyes.
'Enjoy it while it lasts,' he thought before he continued watching the scene unfolding in front of him.
Tokyo, Japan
Japanese team camp
"Neh Ryuzaki sensei do you have any news about ochibi chan," Eiji asked the Seigaku coach excitedly.
"Eiji," Oishi reprimanded his double's partner who was currently suffering in a very hyper active mode.
The coach smiled at each one of the Seigaku team members, while nodding her head positively.
"Is he alright Ryuzaki sensei?" Fuji inquired, eyes wide open.
The coach mentally cringed upon seeing the emotions swirling beneath the ocean blue orbs of the tensai. "Hai, Ryoma's fine. According to Yukimura, he's already on his way to a full recovery." She announced. "Even Nanjiroh who had just arrived a day ago from New York assured me that he's fine."
"So does this mean that Echizen would be playing too?" Kawamura said hopefully.
Ryuzaki sensei nodded. "He's already doing light practices with the guidance of Yukimura and Atobe."
"I wonder what kind of practices those two are doing with Echizen?" Fuji murmured wistfully not knowing the full implications of his choice of words.
The other players with the inclusion of their respected coach blushed.
"Ano Fuji you shouldn't talk that way," Kawamura squeaked out.
"Fsssshhhh. . . Fuji sempai. . . Fssshhhhh."
"That Echizen sure is sneaky," Momoshiro laughed nervously.
"Iie data." The data masters glasses glinted against the cafeteria lights.
"Nya Oishi those two captain's are taking advantage of our Ochibi."
The mother hen agreed with his partner, while scratching his head in obvious worry. "We must save him."
"Fuji watch your language," the stoic captain, who had managed to restrain himself from blushing, admonished his boyfriend.
"Aa." The tensai shrugged before skipping away to go to the food counter.
"Ryuzaki sensei, we must stop them from corrupting our precious ochibis innocence."
The coach couldn't help but shake her head seeing the intense reaction everyone was giving regarding what the tensai had just said. 'What more if you know the real deal between those three.' It's better if they are kept in the dark. Who knows how much they'll react once they realize their ochibi isn't so innocent as they thought he is,' the old woman thought while slipping out from the commotion.
"Oi Kikumaru stop whining will you!," Gakuto yelled from the table being occupied by Hyotei. "You're so irritating."
Ticked off by the annoying players intrusion, the agitated acrobat marched up towards the other acrobatics player slamming his hands down the wooden table. "Tell your captain to stay away from our Ochibi, kangaroo."
Gakuto immediately stood up from his seat not liking how the boy was treating him even for one bit. "Oi what are you talking about?" He demanded.
"Atobe's corrupting our ochibi's innocence." He huffed airily.
Shishido who was quietly sipping his green tea choked on his drink.
Chotarou looked at his partner in worry, while patting the players back. "Shishido san daijobu?"
"I—I'm fine," he coughed out.
"Hmmm. . . so Atobe is corrupting your freshman's innocence you say," Oshitari murmured.
"Sou da ne. . . ." Eiji nodded furiously.
"What's going on here?" the serious voice sounded from behind the rambling group.
All eyes swiveled back and saw team Rikkai dai walking in the cafeteria elegantly.
"Aa, Sanada. . . it's nice to finally have you guys in here," Fuji commented appearing back from the counter, with a tray full of food held in his hands.
"What's the problem Fuji?" the vice captain asked the tensai.
"It seems that a very interesting turn of event is happening within the American teams' camp." The tensai muttered mysteriously.
The information irked the stoic bull cap dudes attention. "Aa, Could you kindly elaborate on that one? You're talking in riddles Fuji."
"Yukimura san is corrupting our ochibi's innocence," Eiji yelled out flailing his arms in the air.
"Pardon."
"Our Ochibi is being taken advantage off."
"Tezuka your team member is stepping on dangerous territory," Sanada looked at the Seigaku captain briefly.
"Eiji stop it already," Tezuka sighed in frustration.
"Mou Tezuka I was only stating the truth." He pouted back.
The boys' eyes sharpened dangerously. "Why are you accusing Yukimura like that?" he retorted back, hands clenching tightly.
"Because he is. . . ." Before the acrobat could make further comments, Oishi wisely stepped in and clamped his hands over the players mouth immediately silencing the noisy boy.
"Tezuka?" Sanada looked at the silent Seigaku captain.
The bespectacled boy just shrugged and gave a firm shake of the head. "Aa. It's nothing. Don't mind what Kikumaru is saying." He answered off handedly. "Fuji we'll talk," he looked at the tensai before disappearing out of the room with the grinning Fuji following behind him.
"I was just kidding guys. Chill," the sadistic tensai chuckled out as he passed by the arguing players.
Though the words already came from the tensai himself, the feeling left by his words still weren't eased out of their minds. For somewhere within them, they knew that somehow there's a big possibility that Fuji's joke can be true.
Tennis practice for that day had just finished. And there would only be one more week before the UJF cup kicks off to a start. The tennis players, exhausted by the intense training regime the coaches had just given them, dragged themselves out of the courts. Shoulders sagging pathetically while their soiled shirts were stained with perspiration and dirt, they dispersed back to their rooms to take their well needed rest.
Kevin crouched down to pick up his tennis bag lying down the grassy lawn. After strapping it onto his shoulders securely he slung his towel over his neck and walked towards the gates.
"Oi Ryoma" Kevin called out to his friend cheerfully when he had spotted the young prodigy standing by the metal gates of the tennis courts. Skipping towards the Seigaku freshman, he halted to a stop and grinned at him enthusiastically. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be taking a rest?"
Boy wonder shrugged before leaning onto the frame of the gate. "Why is everyone asking me why I'm out? Can't I stay out of bed for once," he said exasperatedly earning a chuckle from the blonde.
"We're just worried about your condition Ryoma." He said understanding the boys predicaments.
"I want to play tennis. But the coaches are too stubborn to let me participate." He pouted dryly.
Kevin chuckled before throwing his arms over the prodigy's shoulders. "Don't mind them. You'd be able to join us sooner or later. Besides isn't it that you made an agreement with the coaches that they'd let you play after a week and you had fully recovered."
"Che."
"And there's only two more days left." Kevin took out several coins from his shorts pocket before inserting them onto the vending machine. He picked out two cans of Ponta and handed one to the Seigaku freshman.
"Thanks," he said gratefully before pulling the tab open.
The two continued walking down towards the gardens before they decided to sit down for a while on one of the wooden benches they happen to pass by.
Silence.
"How are you feeling?"
"Im fine." He replied monotonously not elaborating on the matter any further.
"You know I wasn't asking you about that Ryoma" Kevin sighed slouching back on the seat.
The prodigy's eyes got clouded with emotions as he toyed with his half empty can. "Kev—"
"It's easier if you'd talk to someone." He suggested.
"You think that I don't know that yet," he snorted arrogantly.
Kevin shook his head at his friends stubbornness. "You're such a head ache. I wonder how Seigaku are able to handle your bratty nature."
Ryoma smirked.
"But seriously, how are you feeling right now?"
The boy sighed as his smile turned a little restrained before it slowly disappeared from his sight completely. "I can't blame Ryoga for doing that. He's been loathing my very presence ever since we were still a child."
"But still that loath wouldn't justify his actions no matter how you look at it." Kevin reasoned out.
"I know I had hurt him, even though it was unintentional. But still I had hurt him."
"You're talking vague."
"He was accusing me for stealing dads affections. For stealing his chances of having a whole family. For that simple reasons alone, no matter how narrow minded and shallow it might seem, I know that the wound in him is so deep that it broke him. And there's nothing I could do to change that. Because I stole everything away from him."
The blonde blinked at him, feeling a little taken aback by such deep words the young prodigy had just uttered.
"You know Ryoma it wasn't your fault that you were born. And besides it's still up to Uncle Najiroh if he would chose Ryoga's mom or Aunt Rinko. And for his case he did choose your mom and not otherwise. So its either he accept that fact or just wallow himself in self pity. And that option surely wouldn't take him anywhere."
Though Ryoma somehow felt anger towards his older brother, sympathy still remains. And that stopped him from completely loathing the older boy. For the young prodigy, no matter how many bad things the latter did to him, he just considered it as a payment for his debt to his brother. But he knows that no matter what he does, that debt wouldn't be payable no matter how much he tries to.
Ever since he was a kid he had looked up to his brother. He had been admiring him and that hadn't reached the latters attention for he was more concerned about his 'unfortunate' life. All he did was to lash out his frustrations on little Ryoma. But those things didn't stop him from believing that someday he would be able to love the little one like a brother. And until now he's still hoping.
"I still believe in him Kev."
Kevin smiled at him but there's a hint of sadness in it. "He's lucky to have you as a brother."
"No he's not."
"Yes he is. But he's just too blind for him to really care for you."
Ryoma felt overwhelmed as he shot his blonde friend a grateful look.
"It's his loss anyway. So don't worry yourself too much okay?"
"Hai."
Kevin smiled at him before standing up from the bench to throw his empty can onto the trash bin. After he had discarded his trash, he hoisted back his bag onto his shoulders while he had inserted both his hands onto the pockets of his shorts. "Oi Ryoma what are you still sitting there for. Aren't you going back to share my room?" He questioned the young prodigy who remained immovable in his spot.
"I forgot to tell you. I already talked with Yukimura a while ago."
"Oh you talked with the sadist," Kevin sniggered, his attention being heightened up by the piece of information. "What did you two talk about?"
"Well he told me that I should go back to the cottage with him and Atobe," the prodigy tried to act as uncaring as possible but the blush that crept up his cheeks still cannot be contained.
Kevin the ever observant one immediately caught sight of the crimson color staining his friends cheeks. His smirk grew even wider as he threw a teasing look towards the boys direction. "Hmm it seems that something MUCH more interesting had happened. Huh?" He wiggled his brows.
"Oi Kevin stop being so nosy will you. Those things are confidential." He huffed trying to look as intimidating as possible. But sadly the hyperactive tennis player is already immune with the boys trademark glares.
"Mou you're so unfair Ryoma. It's the least you could do in return after I had willingly taken you in when you were distressed," he whined latching himself onto the boys' shoulders.
"No is no Kevin. Stop forcing me," he gritted his teeth, trying to pry away the extreme bundle of energy off of him.
"Ryoma and Seiichi kissing in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G," The blonde taunted innocently while hopping around the pissed off freshman. The reaction he got was more than enough confirmation to the boys' suspicions regarding the things that might have happened between the two. 'One point Kevin, Zero point for Ryoma' he cheered to himself mentally.
"Baka Yarou," he snarled, throwing his arms to grab the still laughing tennis player.
"Don't worry Ryoma I don't KISS and tell," he laughed even harder while still on the run. Moving as far away as possible from the murderous boy tailing behind him.
Ryoma just grumbled under his breath too intent on catching the blonde. "I swear Kevin. I'd rip you into pieces when I get my hands on you."
"Just try if you can. RYO CHAN."
"Teme—"
Yukimura slid out his keys from his pockets and inserted it to the keyhole of the cottage's door. Even before he could successfully put it in the said hole, the door was already pulled open, revealing an extremely haggard looking Hyotei captain.
"Atobe. . ." he gasped in surprise as he stepped inside the cottage eyes straining over the other captain's form who was already slouching on one of the couch's in the living room. Worried about the other boys distressed look, Yukimura sat down on the other chair still fixating his full attention on the latter. "Are you alright?"
No answer. Now Yukimura was really worried. He extended his hands and was about to touch the boys arms to offer comfort when he flinched away. Hurt by the impulsive reaction, Yukimura drew back his hands and folded it against his lap.
"What are you trying to play at Yukimura?" The hyotei captain suddenly voiced out in a cold chilling voice that could be more than enough to even freeze waters.
Shaken by the animosity being emanated by the other, Yukimura could do nothing but to blink back, hands clenching together involuntarily. "Atobe what are you talking about?"
"I saw you and Ryoma earlier." He stated apathetically, eyes as hard as steel.
The sadist almost felt like his insides froze when he was placed at the receiving end of those looks.
"Are you stealing him away from me? Are you?" He pried on.
"NO, I'm not stealing him away." He defended himself confused on why the diva was acting this way.
"But you kissed him you bastard." The hyotei captain grew hysterical.
"So what if I kissed him," he yelled back.
To his surprise Atobe started to yell obscenities at him while throwing aimless punches towards the Rikkaidai captain. Not wanting to hurt the raving boy, all that Yukimura did was to dodge.
"Atobe stop."
A swing narrowly missed his nose.
"Atobe, snap out of it already."
Another punch was released.
"I said STOP IT!!!," the sadistic boys eyes snapped open as he grabbed his friend's arms and started to restrain his moves. Atobe started to fight him off. Snarling and clawing at his body.
This time Yukimura didn't hold back as his palms collided with the diva's cheeks. The collision echoed around the secluded and darkened cottage.
SLAP!!!
The movements ceased almost instantly as the Hyotei captain's hands flew over to hold his abused cheek. His eyes were widening in disbelief.
"Are you calm now?" Yukimura gritted out eyes clashing against the divas orbs.
Atobe nodded back dumbly eyes still wide open and uncertain.
"Good. So I think we could talk rationally now," Yukimura led the perturbed boy to sit back with him on the couch. "What the heck were you thinking Atobe?"
The dark gray haired boy visibly flinched, casting his eyes down wards. "Gomen."
"Tell me why you had acted that way Atobe. I need to know."
He looked away, not wanting to gain any eye contact with the rikkaidai captain. "I felt afraid that you might take him away from me. That he would be choosing you when that time comes."
"So this is what it's all about. Your inferiority complex is kicking in again isn't it?"
He just kept his mouth shut, not wanting to comment on the matter anymore. He knew that he was on the wrong side this time. He was the one who had let emotions get the best of him. He didn't think. He was just doing things on pure impulse.
"We've been through this Atobe. Stop being so pessimistic for once in your life. Where's the egoistic bastard who was doing nothing but to brag about his prowess. Atobe you need to be strong."
Atobe sighed, light finally dawning upon his clouded mind. "I know"
"You have us Atobe. Ryoma and I would both be here for you. He may not show it physically but you know in your heart how important you are to him. He may not remember what we had shared but it's up to us to rebuild the past we had lost."
"Arigato Sei chan. Thanks for understanding me."
"Aa. . . . next time talk to me calmly. You can be such a handful at times mister," he pointed out accompanied by a small shake of the head.
Atobe just smirked and was about to open up his mouth to say something when a knock sounded inside the room. Shrugging, the Hyotei captain stood up to open the door. "Who is the unworthy soul who dares to disturb ore sama?" he asked. His usually airy and flashy self back in action.
His lips immediately creased into a full blown frown when he recognized the person standing by the doorway. He was just about to close the door right in front of the annoying American boys face when Yukimura suddenly appeared from behind him.
"Who is it Atobe?" he hollered out, foosteps getting nearer
"It's the abomination," he snorted and let Yukimura open the door wider.
"Oh this is a surprise Kevin kun," the sadist greeted out innocently, a dangerous aura reeking out from him.
The American shivered under the scrutinizing looks being brought down on him.
"Are you here for Ryoma? Well sorry to tell you he's not here," Atobe groused out dryly glaring daggers at the fidgeting boy.
"Errr actually that's the reason why I'm here." He affirmed.
"Well you heard me, he's not here so scram," he said in a voice like he was just shunning a mere bug that was clinging down his sleeves.
"NO what I mean is, he's with me," he said biting his lips nervously when he stepped aside revealing the unconscious Ryoma who was draped on one of the wooden benches near the cottage.
Atobe and Yukimura felt adrenaline rushing down their feet, as they immediately dashed out almost shoving away Kevin in the process.
"Ryoma are you alright?" The Rikkaidai captain gushed out as he began too check over the boys lithe form.
"Ngh," the young prodigy just groaned before burying himself over the worried captains arms.
With eyes narrowing dangerously into cat like slits Atobe looked at the blonde. "Oi American boy what the hell did you do to Ryoma?"
"I swear I didn't do anything to him. I swear to you. We were just running around earlier when he suddenly collapsed."
"Have you brought him to the clinic already?" Yukimura asked as he lifted the boy down onto his lap, brushing the strands of hair that fell down and covered the boys eyes.
"Hai. . . I brought him there for a check up as soon as he fell unconscious."
"What did the doctors say?"
"He was just overworked and needs to rest for a day or two so he could continue with his usual activities. He also gave me some medications for him to take once a day." He said handing the small bottle of capsules to the Hyotei captain. "I need to go now. I'm going to leave him in your care." He spun around and started to walk away.
"Kevin kun," Yukimura called back at him immediately stopping him from his tracks. He glanced over his shoulders and met the grateful smile plastered upon the sadistic boys face. "Arigato gozaimasu."
Nodding in acknowledgement he continued walking and disappeared from their sight. Yukimura stood up with the aid of Atobe in taking the young prodigy back inside the cottage. They carefully wounded their way towards the bedroom and placed him down in the middle of the spacious bed. The boy shifted slightly as soon as his back had hit the satin bedspread.
Yukimura walked inside the room being illuminated by the antique lampshades and leaned down the bed to pull over the blankets and tucked it underneath the boys chin. It had already been almost three hours since the boy was taken inside the room, and he still wasn't stirring awake from his deep sleep.
"He haven't woken up yet?" he asked while stretching up to see the hyotei captain sitting by the rocking chair near the French doors.
"No he's not. He might wake up tomorrow, its best to let him rest for now." He said while flipping back the pages of the book he was reading.
Yukimura nodded in agreement before throwing one last look at the sleeping boy. He then made his way out towards the balcony adjacent to the bedroom. He stared into the darkness before him. The full moon reflected itself down the still waters of the lake. Crickets sounded from a distance, as the wind calmly blew across him. Fireflies danced around the leaves of the smaller plants planted around the lake. Even the stars which weren't clouded just like these past few days where shining brightly up in the dark night sky.
He was already too immersed in his own little world when a small vibration coming from his pocket had caught his attention. Looking away from the breath taking scene he slipped his hands inside his shorts and fished out his cellular phone.
He took note of the name being flashed on the screen but found nothing else but an unfamiliar number. Forehead creasing up, he pushed the button and answered the oncoming call.
"Hello."
Silence.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Yukimura, its been so long."
The Rikkaidai captain froze on his spot when the familiar voice wafted down through his ears. The hand holding onto the apparatus began to shake and his lips quivered in fright.
"How have you've been my precious Seiichi?"
"Is Keigo kun there with you?"
"I've heard about Ryoma."
"Is he alright now." The cold throaty voice continued, not sounding even a little a sympathetic.
"Wha—What do you want?" he stammered.
Laughter sounded from the other line that sent shivers of fright and utter revulsion to run down the Rikkai dai captain's spine. "Oh I see you're afraid Yukimura. I think you need to get in now and lock your doors closed. You'll never know when danger would come."
"You wouldn't want anything to happen to your precious prodigy will you." The man chuckled apathetically.
"Touch him and you'll regret it you bastard," he threatened but only earned another bout of lifeless laughter.
"Well see that Seiichi. . . We'll see who will win between the three of us. But just a piece of reminder, watch out for your precious Ryoma if you don't want to loose him FOR GOOD." With that final note, the line went dead.
Yukimura just stayed on his spot shaking to the roots of his hair.
"Seiichi is something wrong?"
He almost jumped out it surprise when a voice suddenly spoke up from behind him. He immediately looked back hands clutching his chest tightly. "Atobe," he breathed out.
The diva frowned at him. "What's with you?"
"Atobe he's back. He's out to get Ryoma."
When realization and understanding finally dawned upon the hyotei captain, a gasp had escaped his lips. Dread overtaking his whole being.
"No it can't be. He's gone." He denied.
Yukimura shook his head at him. "No Atobe he IS back."
Their nightmares are already catching up to them.
A/N: Obviously it took me a lot of time to finish this installment, so I hope it turned out fine
Anyway once again I am taking this chance to thank everyone who had been supporting me all throughout. May it be known or not. I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. To those who had been taking their times in writing me such inspiring reviews. And to those who had been adding me up in their favorite stories, author and alerts list. Really thank you.
And I wouldn't grow tired of thanking you people for being my inspirations to strive to be better.
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW
No FLAMES please
arigato minna san. . . . .