Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis and any of the characters. All of the characters belong to Takeshi Konomi Sensei.

Pairings: Yuki x Ryo, OT4

A/N: Here is another chapter just before New Year! Hopefully all of you will enjoy this chapter.

Review reply:

FallenAngel Sayu…Ehe…Sorry can't resist. I will try to reduce the gravity of the cliffy but no promise. :p

Khelc-sul Renai…Did you enjoy the sneak peak but be warned that it might change.

…Hmm…I need to think how to give them a big hit. Will try but no guarantee.

Eijikikumaru61…lol! Ohh~ the explanation is real good. Yes madam so here is another chapter.

To whomever that reviewed, thanks a lot. Here's another chapter for you all.

Chapter 10

It has been already a year since Ryoma retired from the pro. As for Daichi, he has already worked for Atobe's company for a year now since the retirement of Ryoma. Things have been smooth for the group.

The company was flourishing and just in one month, Atobe earned millions thanks to the big contract Daichi got it for him. Atobe promoted Daichi to vice-president and life have been real great for Daichi.

He has his wife by his side always supporting him and his son who was so proud of his father. However, thanks to his busy schedule after being promoted, he started to neglect his son and wife. He would come home late in the night or sometimes, he doesn't goes back at all.

A few months later after the promotion, Atobe called Daichi to his office.

"Why do you want to see me Atobe", said Daichi. Since they were friends from the high school, Atobe had forbid Daichi from calling him 'Atobe shachou'.

'What do you think of Ren?" asked Atobe.

"Hmm…I think he is very capable", said Daichi.

"Other than that…"

"If you gave him works, he will complete it immediately unlike others where they will wait until one week before the due date".

"It seems like you like the boy a lot", said Atobe with a smile.

"Aa. He's really good in this field. There's once I work with him and I feel that the way he does his work are very organised", said Daichi with a smile of his own. "There's one more thing too, his ideas are real fresh and unique that it will definitely help the company to flourish even more".

"That is quite a compliment you gave the boy Dai", said Atobe.

"Of course. Don't forget, he is my apprentice", said Daichi with a smug smirk like Ryoma.

"How could I forget", Atobe said before started to laugh which not long later, was joined by Daichi.

"He still has room for more improvement if he was given a chance", said Daichi after they stopped laughing.

"If that's the case, then I was to promote the boy as vice-president to replace you", said Atobe with a smile. The smile on Daichi's face faltered when he just sold his place without realising it.

"What?! Why?!" said Daichi as he slammed his hands on the table.

"Calm down Daichi", said Atobe. "I'm not laying you off".

"Then?" asked Daichi as he toned down his voice.

"I'm just planning to transfer you to the branch in the State. Currently, they are in need of capable person like you there".

"Why me?"

"Because you are the person I trusted the most", said Atobe.

"But…but shouldn't you send someone with better qualifications such as Ami? She obtained Master in business".

"She refused saying that she doesn't want to leave her mother alone", said Atobe.

"Then why not Ren?" asked Daichi.

"Too young", said Atobe.

'That make sense', thought Daichi. "Kazuya?"

"No way in hell!" said Atobe. "You knew how much I want to lay him off but cannot find the reason too".

"But he is really capable", said Daichi.

"Yea right! You think I don't know that he keep on giving his job to his secretary to do", said Atobe angrily.

"Can't you find someone else Atobe? I really don't want to leave Tokyo".

Atobe ran his finger through his hair before standing up. Right at the moment, the door of the office slammed opened and walked in a very angry Ryoma with Fuji right behind him wearing a very sly smile.

"Oi brat! What are you doing barging into my office unannounced?" said Atobe indignantly but Daichi could sense a slight fondness in his voice.

"To kick your ass!" said Ryoma as he walked to Atobe and really kicked his ass.

"OW! What is that for?!" asked Atobe as he rubbed his buttock.

"You…you…how dare you buy it!" as Ryoma uttered each word he blushed one shade redder.

"Buy what?" asked Atobe and then realisation hit him. A sly smirk was carved on his face. "Oh that…How do you like your birthday present Ryo-chan?"

"No way in hell I am going to accept that present you pervert!" said Ryoma before he turned around and was about to walked off when he saw Daichi. "Hello Dai. I didn't realise that you were here".

"What am I Ryoma? A decoration?" asked Daichi with a hurt voice.

"Sorry…" said Ryoma.

"Don't worry, I'm just joking", said Daichi as he ruffled Ryoma's hair.

"Stop ruffling my hair Dai!" said Ryoma as he smacked Daichi's hand away before stomping away but he stopped and looked at Daichi. "You should go back more Dai. Mei-chan has been sick for the past few days and Satoshi miss you". Ryoma then walked away.

"Okay…" said Daichi.

"Daichi, you're dismiss", said Atobe. "I'll let you know about it tomorrow".

"Okay", said Daichi as he bowed before turning around and he was about to step out of the room when he heard Atobe.

"Daichi, you are to take leave for one week and you cannot say 'no' as this is an order from your president", said Atobe.

Daichi turned around and a shocked expression on his face. "Why?"

"You have been neglecting your wife and son too much Dai. Take this whole week to accompany them", said Atobe with a soft expression.

"Thanks Atobe", said Daichi as he made a move to close the door.

"It takes effect today! Go home! You are not welcome here anymore", said Atobe. Daichi knew Atobe was joking as a smile cross his face.

"Your order is obeyed Atobe shachou", said Daichi before he closed the door and walked back to his office to pack.

--

Daichi was walking back to his house when he the sky around where his house was located was bright orange-red. Inwardly, Daichi hoped that it was not his house which was on fire as he ran to that direction.

However, god was not on his side as it was indeed his house that was on fire. Daichi ran to one of the police. He grabbed a hold of the police officer's front and started yelling at him. "Is my son and wife alright?!"

"Calm down mister. Are you the owner of this house?"

"I am! Is my son and wife safe!" said

"We have no idea yet sir. The firemen are still working on it". Daichi made a move to rush past but was stopped by a strong grip on his elbow by the police officer.

"You can't go in there sir".

"My wife and son are inside! I called them and said I will be home tonight. They said they will wait for me!"

"JUN!" called the police officer. "Possibility of a child and a woman trapped inside".

"Okay!" said the man called Jun.

"Mister please calms down. They might survive the fire. As for now, could you please answer the questions I'm going to give you?"

"How can I calm down when I know my wife and son are inside there! Let me go in!" screamed Daichi as he struggled against the police officer.

"Sir, pleas-oopmh". Daichi had accidentally punched the police officer causing the man to reduce the gripped on his elbow. Taking the chance, Daichi ran towards the house. "Mister stops! Someone stop him!"

One of the police officers guarding the crowd managed to restrain Daichi but since Daichi was struggling so hard that cause the man to take a desperate measure. He knocked out Daichi.

--

Daichi woke and found himself in the van of an ambulance. He sat up groggily and he could feel his head throbbing. 'Where am I?' thought Daichi as he strained himself to remember what happened. He stopped when he heard the conversation outside.

"Is she alive?"

"No…The woman inhaled too much smoke causing it to burn her lung".

"The child?"

"We can't find any boy inside the house. The only person we found is the woman. Are you sure there's a boy inside there?"

"Aa. The neighbours confirmed that".

"Oh yea, what did the neighbours says some more?"

"They said the man was always working and not at home. Sometimes, he comes back real late or didn't come back at all. Then as time goes on, they saw a man coming in and out of the house".

"Did they describe his face?"

"Emerald green hair. Golden eyes. He always come at night and leaves in the morning".

"To me, it sounded like the woman was having an affair".

"Aa. Then yesterday, the neighbour heard an argument. Something she wanted 'out' or something".

"She backed out?"

"Don't know. It could be".

"Then does that mean this case could be categorised as murder?"

"I don't think so. The neighbours didn't see anything suspicious people outside the house and you already said that the fire was caused by short-circuit".

"But he might have tampered with the wiring".

"That could be a possibility".

"Oh yea, did they tell you what is the man's name?"

"Yea. Ryoma or something…"

When Daichi heard that name, his facial expression turned livid. He pushed open the door and fled from the scene.

"OI! What's with this guy Saito", called out one of the voices.

"Jun, that's the woman's husband".

"Oh shit!"

--

"Coming, coming", said Haruto as he went to open the door. "Good evening Daichi-sama. Wha-" Haruto stopped when Daichi rushed into the mansion causing the butler to close the door and chased after him. "Daichi-sama, what happened?"

"Where's Ryoma?!" asked Daichi raising his voice. Right at the moment, Atobe came down from the stairs with Sanada and Tezuka.

"Daichi", said Tezuka and Sanada.

"What happened to you Dai?" asked Atobe.

"Where's Ryoma?!" asked Daichi again but at those three.

"I'm here", said Ryoma as he came out from the side which happened to be the living room with Fuji wrapping his arms around Ryoma's waist.

"Echizen Ryoma! How dare you!" said Daichi as he advanced towards Ryoma with his hand balled up.

"Daichi what's wrong?" asked Ryoma when he saw how Daichi's coat was wrinkled and there's a bruise on his forehead. Daichi saw the puzzle and concern in Ryoma's face. Daichi willed himself to calm down as he took a step forward to where Ryoma was standing.

"Ryoma, did you visit my house everyday?" asked Daichi.

"Aa. Sy-" said Ryoma but was cut off by Daichi asking question him again.

"Ryoma, did you visit my house during the day or night?"

"Night sin-"

"Ryoma, did you visit my house today?"

"No. I wa-", said Ryoma but he never get the chance to finish his sentence as Daichi's fist connected with Ryoma's cheek causing the man to lost his balance. Luckily Fuji managed to catch him.

Tezuka, Sanada and Atobe quickly rushed to Ryoma. Seeing that their lover was all right, Sanada and Tezuka walked to Daichi.

"What the hell are you doing Daiichi?!" asked Tezuka.

"Why don't you ask your lover why I did that?!" said Daichi as he stomped out of the house leaving an confused Sanada and Tezuka, an enraged Atobe and a concerned Fuji when he saw Ryoma's lower lip was bleeding.

Daichi looked up and Ryoma saw a tear slide down his cheek. "Daichi…" said Ryoma as he tried to wipe away the tear on his cheek but the man turned away from Ryoma's touch.

"As you can see, I lost everything on that day! Who caused it? You! I'm going to kill you!" said Daichi as he struggle against the handcuff binding him to the chair.

"Daichi, I think you misunderstood", said Fuji as he looked at the man.

"What is there to misunderstand?!"

"You misunderstand the whole lot of it! Ryoma never even think of having an affair with Meiko", said Sanada.

"Then why is he visiting her every night? If that's not having an affair then what?!"

"Meiko was sick Dai. Really sick", said Ryoma softly.

Daichi was about to open his mouth to say something but was stopped by Atobe. "It's not normal sickness Daichi. She…she…was diagnosed with…"

"Cancer", said Yukimura. Daichi stared at Yukimura. "I was the first person to know as it was my father who diagnosed her".

"Wh-what type of cancer?" choked out Daichi.

"Blood cancer", said Yukimura. "It was already the last stage".

"She was afraid that Satoshi might have inherited it", said Tezuka. "When Ryoma found out about it, he visited Meiko everyday to make sure she was okay".

"The day before the…incident, Meiko asked Ryoma to bring Satoshi to check up and Ryoma agreed", said Fuji.

"Satoshi-kun was required to stay in the hospital for two days", said Sanada.

"I talked to Meiko through the phone and asked her to tell you about her condition. She wanted to hide it but I managed to talk her out…," said Ryoma.

"Is that why you ordered me to get one whole week of leaves?" asked Daichi at Atobe.

Atobe nodded. "The transfer to the State was suggested by Ryoma".

"Why? You knew Meiko was sick, then why do yo-".

"It's because Japan doesn't have much equipment that could cure last stage of leukimia", stated Yukimura. "The only place is in the State".

"Do you know how much Ryoma did for you?!" said Fuji as he slapped the man across the face. "He spent sleepless nights to get your transfer done. Arrange for the hospital. Arrange for a house. All of this for YOU!"

"But you did what? You almost kill him!" shouted Atobe as he punched the man right across his cheek.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" said Daichi as he started to cry.

Ryoma shook his head. Right at the moment, Haruto walked in after knocking the door. "Ryoma-sama, I've brought him here".

"Thanks Haruto", said Ryoma as he flashed the man a smile. "Could you bring him in?"

"Hai", said Haruto as he walked out before walking into the room with someone beside him.

To be continued…

A/N: So, do you guys love me? I gave you all an extra long chapter. 9 pages. So remember to review 'kay? I think you people knew who is the 'him' Daichi and Ryoma was referring too right? If not, read again. Ja!

Happy New Year! May the year bring luck and happiness to you all!

-Yuu-