a/n: Hm… new chapter's here! :D Only two more chapters left! 

Thanks to all of you for reading and reviewing! I'm really glad you still support the story! -nods happily-

Please read and review this chapter too! :D

I do not own Prince of Tennis! Yes, I'm a loser! XD

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Chapter 7. Part 2.

Kawamura's sushi, present time…

The meeting became a pure chaos as soon as Eiji appeared on the scene. First of all, he told to everyone all the details of his unlucky day that was still continuing at the moment. Then he offered his help to Taka-san and almost broke all the cups, while arranging the big table. Thanks to his acrobatic abilities, everything was saved.

When he saw Kawamura's wife, he cried in pure joy that she was the most beautiful woman in the world. The younger girl blushed deep red together with her husband. They got married only two months ago, but still had no chance to celebrate the event.

But when Kikumaru saw Hikaru he squealed like a fangirl and said she was the cutest girl ever. And then he complained that Fuji never showed her to him. Well, he had no chance since Eiji lived in Kyoto for some time and they were too busy to contact. Fuji was busy.

Oishi tried to calm him down, but he was not able still.

Momoshiro came with Ann. No, Momoshiro came on Ann, directly speaking, since he broke his right leg and couldn't walk properly.

"Oi, Momo, you should have stayed at home!" Oishi stated concerned, while looking at the purple-eyed guy.

"Yeah, you should thank kami-sama and sit at home!" Eiji supported him, pouting.

"He should thank kami-sama for not breaking two legs at once, falling from the ladder!" Tachibana's younger sister said teasingly.

"Oishi-senpai, Eiji-senpai, I'm fine, I really wanted to come this year!" Momo exclaimed cheerfully.

"He wanted to see Echizen-kun and Tezuka-sama!" Ann laughed, looking at the priceless face of her friend.

"Tezuka-sama?" Fuji asked with a curious glint in his blue eyes.

"Everybody calls him so. I remember Tezuka-sama saved a little boy from fire, since then I started using this name as well!" the girl nodded to herself.

"Sou ka," Fuji smiled, searching for Tezuka in the crowd. The latter was talking to Atobe quietly. They seemed so interested in conversation, that it disturbed him, just a little. "Momo, I told you last time we're not in school anymore, there's no need to call us 'senpai'!"

"Well, I like it that way, Fuji-senpai, it makes me younger!" Momo grinned happily and everybody laughed thinking about oh-so-old 24 years old racing driver.

While discussing Momoshiro's leg, ex-regulars didn't notice how three new persons entered the restaurant. One of them was wearing a big coat, though it was quite hot outside and a black hat that covered almost all his face. The man was quite tall, almost as tall as the person with impenetrable glasses on his face, hiding his eyes. The last man was standing behind those two, holding something in his hands. Possibly, flowers, because Mizuki sneezed suddenly. He was allergic to any kind of flowers.

"Baka, Momoshiro, always making troubles!" unexpected, but well-known voice stated.

"What?! Who is talking there? Hey, Mamushi, are you picking a fight?!" Momo shouted, as if he had never left Middle school. He tried to move closer to the unknown source of sound that was hidden behind the backs of his respective senpais, but Ann nudged him, reminding of his injury.

"If I haven't known you for ages, I'd think you're best friends," stated Inui, coming closer to the regulars.

"INUI!!" Eiji cried happily and jumped on him as if he was a tree. Eiji's habits haven't changed at all.

All the attention was directed at the three newcomers. Kawamura smiled sincerely and came to the ex-data player to shake his hands.

"Inui you finally came! Oh, Is it Echizen?" he winked at the man in hat.

"Che… Kawamura-senpai, I expected such a question form Fuji-senpai!" the tennis star muttered, lifting his head up.

"O-CHIBI!!" Eiji left Inui for the younger friend and hung on him. Then he pushed his black hat, so it fell on the floor, and everybody was able to see a pair of shining golden eyes and a playful smirk.

"Itai, Kikumaru-sanpai!"

"That brat!" Atobe said aloud, making everybody look at him.

"Hm, Echizen, you're such pretty man, no wonder girls are crazy about you," Fuji remarked, titling his chin with his fingers.

"You haven't changed too, Fuji-senpai!" Ryoma smiled cockily. "And I've read some of your articles."

"Oh, thank you, I'm honored," Syusuke bowed lightly, grinning. Echizen was always entertaining. "Tezuka, why don't you greet our star?" he gazed at the man, who was standing right next to him.

"Tezuka – buchou," Echizen said somehow revering. They both nodded calmly, as acknowledging each others persistence. All the regulars smiled looking at the scene and Fuji felt a little nostalgic and a little… jealous, maybe. "Have you thought about an unofficial match?" no hint of teasing, it was serious.

There was a pause, Tezuka was looking at him with dark hollow eyes and a strange mask of helplessness froze on his never smiling face. The room went silent as if waiting for something. Oishi sighed heavily, but it was left unnoticed. Inui started scratching his hand nervously. The dean of Chemistry faculty told him not to write notes, so he was trying to overcome his habit.

Suddenly Atobe coughed, making everyone wince.

"Ore-sama doesn't mind playing with you!" he stated smugly. "Ore-sama's not an official player, but Ore-sama is still able to win against you for sure!"

"Che, Monkey king's also here," Royma said emotionlessly, taking off his coat. It was too hot.

"You little brat!" Atobe smirked, preparing to continue, but Oshitari's hand fell on his shoulder, forcing him to stop there.

"I can't play, Echizen," Tezuka interrupted their little dialogue. "Only if you prefer right-handed players."

Golden eyes filled with disappointment and concern. The whole world knew that Tezuka Kunimitsu left professional Tennis after winning Wimbledon, but nobody knew the reason. Was it his injury or something else?

"I thought so," Inui muttered.

"If I ask, I won't be answered?" Echizen looked at him intently, so as everybody else.

"It's complicated, but I injured my hand more than before and it's not connected to sports." Tezuka told him directly and firmly. His face was expressionless as usual. "I'm sorry."

"Don't mind, don't mind!" said Eiji joyfully. "We're all here to chat and have some fun! Let's leave tennis behind for today! And eat some sushi, ne?"

"YEAH!" Momoshiro supported him, trying to hug Echizen, while Ann was trying to keep him standing. But, unfortunately, they started to fall. Ann grabbed Kikumaru's hand and they both fell on Momoshiro's back.

"NYA!" Eiji still connected to Echizen made him fall as well. And the chaos started, because Fuji liked the view. So in few seconds all the regulars, including Atobe and Oshitari were on the floor. Only Tezuka and Fuji himself were left standing.

"Flowers!" Mizuki sneezed again, before speaking. The bouquet was right in front of his nose.

"Oh, Taka-san, we brought it for your pretty wife," Inui adjusted his glasses, trying to get up. It was useless, because Eiji held him back, laughing.

"Thank you!" cried Kawamura, while helping Ann to lift Momo up. Echizen was busy doing it as well.

"Idiots!" Atobe sniffed.

"Ne, senpai, why are you here anyways? Hyotei is not friendly anymore?" Echizen smirked at the older guy.

"What?! We're friendly!" protested Atobe. "We gather every month in my house!"

"He's not lying, I wonder when we all stop this nonsense."

"Oshitari!" Atobe shouted. He was out of character for once. Let's say they all were.

--

"So, what did you want to tell me?" Fuji asked as soon as he stayed alone with Oishi. Or he thought so. It was dark in the streets. They spent four hours at the restaurant already. Mizuki complained that Hikaru is tired and that Yuuta called him to pick him up from the University. The younger Fuji was specializing on contemporary literature and taking educating path. . How it happened nobody knew, but that how it was.

Oishi was pouring himself some tea, looking around. All his friends were busy listening to each other's stories. He sighed.

"Um… I don't know how to start," Fuji smiled, the same old Oishi. "I just think you need to know…"

"Know what?"

"About Tezuka's wife," that was interesting. So Oishi was going to tell him a secret about secret wife. Finally his goal was so close. "Well, I'm not sure, but…" Oishi looked at brown-haired man and sighed again. It was a bad sign. But Fuji stayed silent, waiting. "She is dead."

Something strange hit Syusuke at the moment. So, that's why she was not here, and wouldn't mind Tezuka living with his family. But it didn't explain why they kept it in secret.

"Actually, she was killed, she was connected to some clans of yakuza… I don't know correctly. Atobe is not aware himself." Oishi continued worryingly staring at Fuji. The man in front of him froze with his eyes opened, his usual smile was gone. Was he frightened? Disappointed? Lost? The green-eyed doctor had no idea. Fuji was unreadable.

"I see.." Syusuke breathed out, feeling Oishi's uncertainty. "He was always very closed, that Tezuka."

"No, it's not that!" Oishi whispered heartily. "It was a tragedy. Just after he won, some murderers were sent to their house, and Sae-san was killed, while Tezuka was injured. His left shoulder was shot."

Fuji's eyes widened. Not because of sports. He understood it.

"And…" Oishi hesitated, as if looking for right words. "She was pregnant."

Syusuke didn't hear his heart beating anymore, just staring into the emptiness. Nothing left on his mind. It was pure as child's. Thinking was too hurtful.

His Tezuka was suffering that much. He wasn't there. They were so far from each other, but still… Both Atobe and Tezuka was informed that Futaba, his wife, died of cancer, they knew everything as if they were watching him all these years. And he was … unaware. Surely, the whole world had no idea Tezuka was married, but it didn't matter to him! He must know!

"We're leaving!" Mizuki's voice rang through the restaurant. Hikaru was waving to everybody, while Eiji was bouncing around her. His childish behavior made her laugh a lot.

"Take care," Tezuka said from the corner, where he was talking to Inui.

Some kind of realization ran through Fuji's body and he started shiver uncontrollably. It was wrong! All wrong!

He rapidly stood up and came to hug Hikaru, he placed a small kiss on her forehead. He looked at her as if the world was going to collapse.

The girl smiled happily at her father and after some moments she was gone. It was frightening. To lose her.

"How sweet! You look so nice together with your daughter, Fuji-san," commented Kawamura's wife. Everybody supported her. Both Fuji looked extremely beautiful and happy together.

"Aah," Fuji nodded, returning to his place, while casting a fast look at Tezuka. The other man didn't notice. "I got it," he whispered as soon as he was back by Oishi's side.

"What do you mean?" the latter whispered back.

"Everything." Fuji sighed tiredly, wearing his smiling mask. "He's not living anymore. He doesn't care if he's sacrificing himself for my whims."

Oishi blinked. He was somehow lost. He thought that Fuji had the right to know, since he was always concerned about their ex-captain, but…

"You're dump genius!" cried quietly Eiji from behind Fuji's back, making both men wince in surprise. "Just because you are my friend I was on your side all these years! But that's enough! You're looking terrible! If you really love him, tell him! That's all! Stop this torture!"

"Eiji?" Oishi questioned with widened eyes.

"He never told you, and you never asked! How stupid!" the red-head took a cup with tea from Oishi's hand and turned around to leave. He was angry, he was furious. And he had all the right.

Fuji's blue eyes narrowed into usual slits as if he just learnt something important. Well, he found out that Eiji could be able to surprise him once in a while.

To be continued…

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a/n: I hope it was alright, though it might be sad! Please review and tell me what you think! –wink-

Thank you for reading!