Chapter 9: What if Tomorrow Never Comes?
Disclaimer: PoT I do not own ^_^
DeviousCherub: I guess this whole fic may be described as IMPOSSIBLE…hehe. Doesn't mean it can't stir up imagination and emotion though. = )
Gomen if this update took so long was not in the writing mood and was busy reviewing.
-oOo-
Just one more ball, please let me hit it, just one more. Kunimitsu thought, more like pray as he throws the ball into the air, as he raises his left arm to hit the ball he felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder and elbow causing him to shout in pain and fall to his knees.
The Seigaku regulars watch in shock as their buchou fell slowly in pain. They run aid their buchou but his firm and commanding voice stopped them in their steps, "NO! The game has not ended yet!" he screamed as he slowly got on his feet hands on his left shoulder.
He fought to the tie break until his shoulder would not permit him to take a shot anymore, and the ball hit the net and his winning record was blemished as he fell at the mercy of Atobe Keigo.
-oOo-
At about the same time Amani was in school busy reciting a poem in her English class as part of their homework. She was in the middle of her poem when she suddenly stopped, searching the classroom her eyes met Cathleah's, then, she suddenly became pale as snow, everything around her appeared to be moving and the voices around her became unclear, then everything went black.
The next thing she knew she was in the Nurses office with Cathleah by her side. "Oh, you're awake. Are you alright Ami?"
"Yes." Amani said in a very low tone.
"You suddenly went pale, and then collapsed in the middle of English class…" Cathleah further enumerated and dramatically illustrated how Amani caused a commotion in class but Amani's mind was somewhere else at the moment, somewhere no one else could fathom or describe. Inside her chest she could feel her heart being crushed into a thousand pieces, and only one person could put it back together. But he himself was hurting, somehow she knew, she could feel it inside.
"Leah." Amani's mind drifting back to her world.
"Yes?" Cathleah being stopped at her mumbling.
"I want to go home." Amani said with tears almost flowing down her eyes.
"Oh. The nurse already called your mom, she's on her way as we speak." Cathleah noticing the hurt in her friend's eyes.
"Okay." Amani turned to her side, her back facing Cathleah so she can hide the tears which were now swelling up in her eyes.
"Did something happen between you and Kunimitsu?" Cathleah asked her friend bluntly. "Did you have a fight or something?"
"No." Amani's voice was cold as ice and Cathleah could sense it.
"Okay. We'll talk about it some other time." Cathleah stood up as footsteps were heard entering the room. "You're mom's here."
-oOo-
Kunimitsu sat on the bench as he watched his kohai win the match against Hyotei opening the doors for them to proceed in the tournament. In his mind he thought How do I tell Ami-chan? How do I explain to her what happened? How will she understand that I did what I did for the team? I promised her I was not going to get hurt.
The deep thoughts in Kunimitsu's head did not escape the keen eyes of Ryuuzaki-sensei. "Your mind is drifting Tezuka. It's not like you to dwell on other thought while a match is going on."
"Gomennasai." Kunimitsu bowed a little to his sensei.
"Hmn." Ryuzaki-sensei knew better than to force information out of Tezuka Kunimitsu.
"Wow! Ochibi is bringing it home nya!" Eiji exclaimed to Oishi as the match got better and in favour of Seigaku.
Kunimitsu remained silent and seated. Fuji and Oishi knew, their buchou was not just thinking about the team, or his shoulder, there was someone else in his mind, someone special. Oishi gave Fuji a glance and Fuji nodded, by that they understood each other that this time around Kunimitsu sacrificed for the team more than what he usually does; this time he sacrificed even his heart.
-oOo-
"Ami, are you sure you're alright? Maybe we should go to the hospital and have you checked." Amani's mom insisted as her daughter slowly walked upstairs to her room practically dragging her bag along.
"I'm just tired mom. I'll just rest and tomorrow I'll be fine. Just exhausted." Amani continued to walk up the stairs only tuning her head seeking her mom's approval.
"Okay sweetheart, just rest. I'll go make something to eat so you can have some when you get hungry." Amani's mom made her way to the kitchen.
"Okay mom." Amani knew her mom would leave to return to work after making her something to eat. Sometimes there is an advantage to having both parents working. She had alone time in times like this when she just needed to be alone. Something happened to Kunimitsu, I just know it.
-oOo-
The walk home was quiet as usual. Kunimitsu was walking slower that he usually does and Oishi and Fuji was dragging along with him. No one dared to break silence, until of course that sadist of a tensai finally decided to.
"Tezuka." Fuji called not taking his eyes off the ground.
"Hai." Kunimitsu answered not slowing down or removing his gaze forward.
"Shouldn't we be happy? After all we are moving forward in the tournament." Fuji tried to make the mood lighter, but to no avail.
Kunimitsu remained silent, he knew what Fuji was trying to do. But right now he was not in the very 'encourage me mood'.
"Oi Tezuka." Oishi called slightly irritated at his buchou's silence.
Kunimitsi simply turned his head towards Oishi without saying a word.
"You kept your promise to Yamato-buchou, a promise that you made years ago. But you do not seem all that happy about it." Oishi gave his buchou a sharp look, something rare for the gentle hearted fukubuchou
"Gomen Oishi." Kunimitsu bowed his head, "But today, as much as I kept one, I also broke a promise." Kunimitsu then walks away leaving the two behind.
"Oishi, Tezuka really cares for her." Fuji looked on as Kunimitsu walked a great distance between them.
"Hai. I have never seen him so distressed before." Oishi agreed. "But I wonder, what promise did he make to her?" Oishi gave a questioning look at Fuji who simply smiled before answering.
"That he wouldn't get hurt." Then Fuji turned to his street, "Oi, Oishi, didn't you miss your street?" Fuji chuckled making Oishi totally realize that he missed his street.
"Baka!" Oishi told himself and walked back scratching his head.
-oOo-
Tezuka watched as his mirror's reflection slowly turned into the sky blue room and the girl was lying in bed, her back turned towards the mirror.
"Konbanwa Ami-chan." Kunimitsu greeted his friend who didn't move a budge.
"Konbanwa Kunimitsu-kun."
"Is something a matter Ami-chan? Are you sick?" Kunimitsu inquired full of concern.
"Nothing's wrong with me. But I know something's wrong with you." Ami retorted now getting up from bed.
Kunimitsu fell silent, he didn't know how, but inside him he knew that Amani knows about his injury.
"You broke you promise Kunimitsu." Amani dared not look into the mirror, instead looked out her window.
"G-Gomen, Ami-chan. But I had to do it for the team." Kunimitsu said apologetically but firmly.
"You're the buchou." Amani finally looking towards Kunimitsu, "But it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice limb and life for them."
"But I also made a promise to Oishi and Yamato-buchou, that I will lead Seigaku to the Nationals." Kunimitsu explained.
"And you will." Amani firmly stated.
"Domo." Kunimitsu knew that Amani understood his passion, but her concern also overwhelmed him.
"What now Kunimitsu?" Amani asked as she seats on the floor.
"What do you mean?" Kunimitsu asked as he too kneels on the floor.
"What do you plan to do?...About your injury?" Amani looks at Kunimitsu's left shoulder, it astounds him how she knows.
"Get better, I suppose." Rubbing his left shoulder.
"You better." Amani gave Kunimitsu an encouraging smile before standing up. Jumping three times and inhaling deeply before smiling.
Kunimitsu was amazed at how Amani was a mixture of his team. His seriousness and dedication; Fuji's genius; Oishi's motherly concern; Inui's keen mind; Taka-san's responsibility; Eiji's happy disposition; Momoshiro's determination; Kaidoh's focus; and Ryoma's stubbornness. She was like Seigaku rolled into one, a female version that is. "You are really remarkable Ami-chan."
"Thank you." She smiled sweetly one more time before getting her books out. "Time to study, exams are coming."
"Hai." Kunimitsu walking away to change his clothes. But turning his head to take another glimpse of this amazing woman reflected in his mirror. "Ami-chan."
"Hai?"
"Arigato Gozaimasu…for everything."
-oOo-
"Think about it Tezuka." Ryuzaki-sensei tells Kunimitsu after handing him a pamphlet for a rehabilitation facility in Germany.
"Hai." He answered as he stared at the pamphlet, so many things were running through his mind that he couldn't figure out which one to think of first.
"You can go now Tezuka." Ryuzaki-sensei told Kunimitsu with her eyes staring out the window. She knew Kunimitsu needed this, but she was confused herself. She had faith in the team but she didn't know if they could handle the pressure without their buchou to lead them.
Tezuka had other things in mind. Should I go? Going means that I have to leave everything to Oishi, and I don't want him to be under so much pressure. I know Fuji will help him, but should I leave this big a burden to them? Is it not my responsibility as buchou to carry the team's weight? Would it be right to do this? And what about my parents? Will they approve of this? And more importantly, how will Ami-chan take this? I know that she understands and has been very supportive of me, but leaving her like this…for a time that I know not how long.
Kunimitsu was running a million thoughts through his mind that he didn't notice Ryoma staring at him from the door of his classroom. "Buchou." The little prince called out to his captain.
"What is it Echizen?" Kunimitsu still trying hard to hide the thoughts that were bothering him at the moment.
"I'll see you at practice later."
"Hai." Echizen turned to go back to his room and Kunimitsu walked towards his.
-oOo-
It seemed like forever after Kunimitsu told the regulars his decision to go to Germany to heal and all he understood was that he needed this right now, more than anything, perhaps more than the love of the one girl that has changed him.
"Tezuka." Fuji called out from the rooftop door disturbing Kunimitsu's thoughts.
"Fuji." He turns around to see the tensai walking towards him and finally settling beside him leaning his back of the rooftop fence.
"Germany huh?" he asked his best friend his voice trying to hide his sadness.
"Hai." He said leaning his back on the fence as well.
"That's far." Fuji's head dropped. "How long will you be gone?"
"I don't know."
"Hmn. But you'll be back for the nationals, right?" Fuji searching for an answer that would somehow fill the void in his universe right now.
"I will go to the nationals with you, and the team. I will recover and be in my best condition to play anyone." Kunimitsu confidently answered shooting a chill up Fuji's spine.
"Anyone?" Fuji's eyes opened.
"Anyone." Kunimitsu firmly answered.
"Does Ami-senpai know about this decision that you've made?" Fuji inquired turning away from Kunimitsu.
"Iie…I haven't told her yet." Kunimitsu answered his voice full of regret.
"Why?"
"I don't know how." Kunimitsu began to walk away.
"You love her, don't you, Tezuka?" Fuji's voice stopped Kunimitsu. Fuji turned around to face his best friend, he wanted to see his face when he answered his question. "Look at me Tezuka. Be honest. Stop hiding behind your expressionless face. Be honest and tell me the truth. You love her. That is not a question Tezuka, not anymore."
Kunimitsu slowly turned to face Fuji. And for the first time since they met Fuji could swear he saw tears forming in Kunimitsu's eyes.
"You love her Tezuka, and more than you regreting leaving us behind, more than you desire recovering so you can go professional…more than anything, you do not want to break her heart by leaving her behind." Fuji elaborated.
And if only Kunimitsu was not so stubborn and stoic as he was maybe, just maybe those tears forming in his eyes would have actually fallen. "Hai." He walked away leaving the tensai to think to himself.
Fuji lifted his head to the sky as the wind blew in his face. At least he admitted that he loves her that much, for now, I think that is enough. He is Tezuka Kunimitsu after all.
-oOo-
Amani couldn't get the feeling of impending doom out of her head, she knew something was going to happen, she didn't know what. She got up from her desk and started to walk around, she had nothing to do since their exams had just finished and they were just about to start new lessons. The Artist Club was not too busy since there were no competitions or school program that needed their service. For once in her life, Amani was, idle. "This is frustrating!" she exclaimed pacing her room, she looked into the mirror, the room was there but Kunimitsu was not. She looked at the watch, it was seven at night meaning it was eight at night where Kunimitsu was. Where is he? It's not like him to get home so late.
Her thinking was disturbed when she heard the door of Kunimitsu's room open. "Konbanwa Ami-chan." Kunimitsu greeted as he walked in. Amani noticed he was not wearing his school uniform or his regular's uniform, he was wearing street clothes and he didn't have his bag with him.
"You got home early didn't you?" Amani more of stated than asked.
"Hai." Kunimitsu pulling his computer chair towards the mirror.
"And you left the house again after getting home?" Amani continued to question.
"Hai." Kunimitsu now seating on his computer chair in front of the mirror.
"Where did you go?" Amani was getting irritated, she was idle and Kunimitsu was not really giving out information she hoped she'd gather.
"Just down stairs to the Koi pond we have in the backyard." Kunimitsu explained without much enthusiasm.
"Oh." Amani felt his lack of enthusiasm making her mood change as well, she was irritated as she already was and Kunimitsu was not helping her.
"Ami-chan can you please sit down. There is something I want to tell you." Kunimitsu called as he was getting rather dizzy following the girl pacing on the floor.
"Okay." Amani pulled on her computer chair and sat in front of the mirror.
"There is something important that came up. Remember the injury that I sustained form the match with Atobe?" Kunimitsu now more enthusiastic with his explanation.
"Atobe…that…" Amani making a gesture with her hands as if to strangle Atobe to death.
"Don't do that Ami-chan. It was just a game." Kunimitsu tried to explain.
"A game that almost killed you." Amani being overly protective of Kunimitsu.
"But Atobe and I are good rivals Ami-chan. It's all part of the game." Kunimitsu gently tapping on the mirror to get the girl to look at him.
"Well, I know, it's just…you know…you…"
"Me what?" Kunimitsu almost smiling at Amani's lack of words.
"You got hurt." Stomping her feet
How can I possibly go to Germany and leaving that precious angel alone? Kunimitsu thinking to himself.
"What was it that you wanted to say Kunimitsu-kun?" Amani changing the topic back.
"Ami-chan, what I am about to tell you. Please understand and please do not hate me for this…" Kunimitsu began to ostentatiously explain the details of where he was going, why he was going, the unknown duration of his absence.
Amani just listened, she listened so hard and yet none of Kunimitsu's words was understood by the brilliant mind of hers. She tried so hard, so hard that she could feel the neurons in her head twitching. So hard that she could hear every heartbeat of her broken heart, she could swear she could feel the blood leaking out of her chest with every heartbeat.
"Do you understand me Ami-chan?" Kunimitsu finally asked her.
She was not sure of what to answer, she wanted to say yes, but her mouth just wouldn't open. She wanted to say no, but she didn't want to break Kunimitsu's dream. All she could do was stare at him.
"Ami-chan. Gomen, gomen. I didn't want to make you sad." Kunimitsu literally jumping out of his seat and almost forcing himself into the mirror to get to Amani.
All Amani did was cry…cry and stare.
It broke Kunimitsu's heart to see her that way, suddenly he wasn't so sure he wanted to go to Germany. Forget going pro, forget going to the nationals, forget everything else…he made her cry.
"Go. But promise me you'll return. Promise me you'll come back in time for the nationals. Promise me you'll recover and win. Promise me Kunimitsu. Promise me to go for your dreams." Amani said sobbing in between.
"Ami-chan."
"I will not stop you. It hurts me to know that you will be very distant and we won't be able to communicate. But I will not be the stumbling block on your path to success." Amani wiped the tears in her eyes and forced a smile.
"Arigato Gosaimazu Ami-chan." Kunimitsu bowing so low like he had never done before.
"You're my best friend Kunimitsu, and I will be happy for every time that you are happy. And I will cheer for you in every victory just I cry with you in every defeat." Amani continued.
Kunimitsu nodded and really smiled. He was not afraid anymore, not afraid of showing Amani who he was. Not anymore, and he was not going to hide it anymore, not to the girl…no, woman, which he loved. "Ami-chan."
"Hai?"
"I promise." Kunimitsu starring so deeply into Amani's eyes communicating to her, that yes he was going to keep his promise.
-oOo-
Fuji's cell phone rang in the middle of the night, the tensai still sleepy searched for the device in the dark. He usually placed it on his bedside table, but tonight he forgot to take it out of his bag. When he finally got hold of the device. "Moshi, moshi."
"Fuji."
Fuji could recognize Kunimitsu's voice anywhere and at any time of the day. "Tezuka. Is something wrong?"
"Sorry to disturb you in the middle of the night."
"It's okay. What's a matter Tezuka?" Fuji assured his friend.
"Please take care of her." Kunimitsu firmly asked his friend.
"I really don't know how I am going to do that." Fuji suddenly puzzled by what his friend asked of him.
"You and Oishi. Please." Kunimitsu's voice was practically begging him.
"We shall try." Fuji finally giving in to his friend's request.
"Arigato gozaimasu Fuji."
-oOo-
How will Fuji keep his promise to take care of Amani for Tezuka? And poor Oishi had to be dragged in with the burden.
Might take time before I update again, will be very busy with a lot more review work so please bear with me.