Fallen Angel
oOo
Disclaimer: me no richie; therefore, PoT me no ownie. (Konomi-sensei, please adopt me!!!)
Excuse me if the happenings aren't consistent with the ones in the anime, well, this IS a fanfic…
Pairing: Tezuka – Fuji. Gyaaaaaaah, beautiful people. I'll keep this as mild as possible. And chaste, if I can.
Warning: OOCness… and spoilers. Cliché.
a/n: wah? It's the 10th chappie already!!! Kyaaah!!! Here it comes!!! before that… here are the answers to your reviews…
Chrono Breaker – haha. I don't like deathfics. Don't worry… they both live in Japan, people don't die easily because of leukemia there, I think. There was the whole family (except the dad) in the 9th chapter… and there'll be Yuuta on the next (which is supposedly the last) and in the epilogue. –pat,pat- Yuuta does love his aniki, I know.
Alaena Flame Dragonstar – go you for the leukemia thing! And there's just a bit left, I'm afraid… I so lurve Fuji when he's teasing. I'm addicted to this pair too much as well and it's not really a bad thing, right?
alchemistgrl09 – woot, thanks to that:3 Tezu-kun is sooo kawaii is a good thing, right? here, it is… I know, I can't stop myself from uploading.
Yoshikochan – I don't like deathfics either, I'm spoiling, but it makes my mood go sour when I've read something and people die so I like being warned that no one's going to die. Right?
The Crafty-Sadistic-Sleepy – Echizen fics? How come? To say that he won't be able to play tennis anymore? I haven't read any other pair yet other than TeFu (well, I bit of Golden Pair) because I'm too lazy probably have to ask my friend to share since she's the Echizen addict… Thanks about the compliment:3 I actually cried while typing something… I think the next chapter. And I'm so glad I made you go aw. I haven't tried green tea Pocky yet. I'll go with my mum to the grocery next time!!!
maldita08 - hmm, fluff? Read on? Hehe. Yep, I'm in college – UPD/BS-MBB, which would probably explain the random bio stuff. How about you?
Shia Nosake – there'll be just two (?) more chapters after this because I'm writing the sequel(the new version)… so please read on and sankyuuu!!!
Sheyryoma- I'm a loyal TeFu fan, too. Yeah, that's why I said it's so familiar, when Jamie said 'maybe you're my angel… god sent you to me because I was sick…" I'm addicted to that book/movie as well. And I had to change the stereotype that Fuji is the angel.
Ai-Kusabana – sad, but it's ok –patpat- of course, they're all worried. Most of the notable players will be arriving in… well, just read on. It's near the end anyways. Oh, and, yeah, I haven't really worked on Saeki's reaction, gotta note that, hmm.
oOo
Chapter Ten
"Nya, Fujiko-chan is asleep…"
"Eiji, lower your voice, you're going to wake – "
"Saa, it's all right, Oishi," said Fuji waving his hand while hoisting himself up from bed.
Lowering his cap, Echizen went, "How are you, Fuji-senpai?"
"He's fine of course," said Eiji excitedly, jumping on the tensai and unable to notice that the latter winced at the slight impact. "Right, Fujiko?"
Momoshiro grinned. "When Fuji-senpai gets better, he should treat us for burgers since he missed the party."
"Fushuu… baka," hissed Kaidoh, who was glaring at Momoshiro.
"What did you say?" The purple-eyed boy retaliated.
"I hope you liked the sushi I made," said Kawamura bashfully.
Fuji's eyes crinkled and his lips curved into a smile. "Of course I did, Taka-san."
"Baka… all you think of is food," growled Kaidoh.
"That's my way of showing concern, Mamushi… you don't look like you're worried about Fuji-senpai at all!"
"When will you be out, nya, Fuji?" asked Eiji curiously.
"Mada mada dane, Kikumaru-senpai…" said Echizen.
"Baka!"
Looking extremely pissed, Tezuka glared at the two juniors, who were yelling at each other. "Momoshiro, Kaidoh, stop it or I'll have you thrown out."
The juniors shut their mouths at once, avoiding each other's eyes in case their buchou would get mad and make them run a hundred laps.
"Tezuka is right," said Oishi patiently. "You shouldn't fight in front of Fuji…"
"Saa," started Fuji with gleaming eyes. "I'm quite used to it. In fact, it's enjoyable."
"Fuji didn't your chemo start today?" asked Inui promptly. "According to my data, the chances of your recovery is 93.7"
"I'm glad to hear that," said Fuji truthfully.
"If you want, I can make an Inui juice that would increase the chance –"
"I'm very sorry, Inui," said Fuji, smiling cheerfully. "But I might throw it up and – "
"Nya? You throw up?" asked Eiji, wrinkling his forehead in concern.
"Ahh… reverse peristalsis is an effect of the medication given to most cancer patients," said Inui monotonously.
Checking his wristwatch, Oishi turned to his teammates. "We need to go… we promised Tezuka that we won't stay long. We'll be going, Fuji."
Rather wistfully, Fuji nodded his head and watched as the other regulars apart from Tezuka left the room.
"Have you taken your medicine?" asked Tezuka, sitting down on the chair beside Fuji's bed.
"Yes," said Fuji, smiling up at the buchou. "You know, you didn't have to snap at Momo and Kaidoh."
Tezuka eyed the tensai warily. "They were disturbing the peace," he said frankly. "How did your chemo go?"
"It was terrible," said Fuji, wearing a bright smile.
Sighing, Tezuka wondered how Fuji could say 'terrible' and smile at the same time. He watched as the tensai grimace upon shifting in position. "Fuji – "
"Saa, I'm fine," was Fuji's assurance, with a very vague smile.
Cautiously, Tezuka stood up and assisted Fuji. He paused as he saw a black and blue mark on the other boy's forearm. "You're bruising," said Tezuka pointedly.
Fuji closed his eyes and leaned back. "I feel dizzy," he murmured.
"Sleep it on," suggested Tezuka, leaning forward to lie Fuji on the bed. He felt a hot, raspy gasps of air in his neck and reached a free hand to touch the tensai's forehead. "You have a fever, too… should I call a doctor?"
"Mn… it's normal," said Fuji in a slurry voice. "Good night, Tezuka."
Rather disarmed, Tezuka said, "good night," uncertainly. He sat on his chair and watched the tensai's sleeping figure. He noted that in just a few days, Fuji had gotten thinner. He furrowed his brows and hoped that Fuji was having an undisturbed torpor.
Tezuka propped open his science textbook and began his homework. As the night deepened, he read on, occasionally throwing anxious glances toward the sleeping tensai.
Hearing ruffles of blanket and soft stirrings, Tezuka looked up and saw Fuji getting to his feet. The tensai was running toward the bathroom. Uncaringly, Tezuka dropped his text and followed. Standing by the doorway, Tezuka felt like he couldn't move anymore.
The slender figure, the delicate frame of the boy was knelt on the tiled floor. Fuji was regurgitating what must have been a day's worth of food into the toilet. The tensai's face had gone so white it was nearly translucent. "Fuji?" asked Tezuka. A mixture of fear and concern was in his shaking voice; for once he felt fear for a suffering friend.
The tensai did not turn around and threw up again.
Unable to withstand the feeling of terror and helplessness, Tezuka walked over to Fuji and knelt beside the blue-eyed boy. As gently as possible, he stroke the tensai's back. And the buchou pressed his lips as Fuji continued to empty his guts.
The tensai reached out for some tissue paper and wiped his lips. He heaved a sigh and turned to his buchou. The latter couldn't help but note the ghastly and gaunt face that looked up.
"Gomen, Tezuka," said Fuji in a hardly audible voice. "You didn't have to see that…" he parted his lips slowly, forcing air out of his lungs for even breathing felt difficult.
"Shh," hushed Tezuka. His eyes softened as the tensai tried to smile.
"I feel so… exhausted…" said the tensai sleepily. He leaned forward and rested his head on the buchou's shoulder.
Taken off guard, Tezuka eyed Fuji. For once, the buchou didn't know what to do, how to act around a seemingly fragile tensai. Tezuka shifted in position and realized that Fuji's breathing was slow and shallow. The tensai had fallen asleep.
Tezuka wondered to take the tensai back to bed, but decided not to. Movements hurt Fuji and the last thing that the buchou wanted at the moment was to inflict pain upon the tensai.
Involuntarily, Tezuka's hand fluttered to Fuji's back so that he was holding the sick boy closer. Feeling uncomfortable, Tezuka inhaled deeply and relaxed his shoulders. At least, he thought, if he were gentler, the tensai wouldn't wake up nor get hurt.
Resting his chin on Fuji's crown, Tezuka kept the tensai nearer to his body where he was sure that the azure-eyed boy would have been safer and warmer.
oOo
Looking up from the book that he was reading, Fuji smiled brightly. "You're early," he told his team captain who was just approaching. The buchou normally came at around seven, but the sky was just about to set and red-orange rays streamed inside the hospital room.
"We were dismissed early," said Tezuka briefly. "I brought you something."
Fuji arched an eyebrow. Tezuka might have looked as calm as ever, but Fuji was able to note a nervous air around the buchou. He eyed the small package in Tezuka's hands.
"It's a rattail cactus," said Tezuka, setting a pink-flowered succulent with tiny bristles on top of the bedside table. "The shopkeeper said that I'm lucky to have gotten this."
"I quite agree," said Fuji whose eyes were dancing merrily. "I've always wanted to get one of these." He reached out his hand… "Oh – "
Hastily, Tezuka turned to the tensai. "You pricked yourself, didn't you?" Almost instinctively, he took Fuji's hand and inspected the index finger. Attentively, he took out the splinters. "It's bleeding," said Tezuka fussily. "You're not supposed to get a wound."
Mild amusement was evident in Fuji's face. "Tezuka," he said, smiling luminously. "It's just a drop of blood."
"But – "
"It's clotted," said Fuji pointedly, taking his hand to inspect it. "I won't die from a prick."
"Infection – "
"Tezuka," started Fuji, squeezing his friend's shoulder. He flashed a reassuring smile, "Could you name the cactus?"
Finally, Tezuka seemed to have sunk back into his calm and dignified self. "Name it?"
"Ahh," said Fuji, nodding encouragingly. "Naming makes the cactus special…"
With a steady gaze, Tezuka discerned the cactus.
"It's like a pet," Fuji trailed on. "You name it and take care of it."
"Ray," said Tezuka shortly.
Fuji blinked at Tezuka. "Why?" he inquired.
"Because it has radial symmetry," said Tezuka as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Fuji laughed; his voice was soft and tingling with amusement. "Souka," he said jovially. "It's nice to hang on walls…"
Tezuka merely nodded and eyed Fuji. "Did you eat?"
Eyes averted to his lap, Fuji shook his head and he heard the buchou sigh. The tensai was silently grateful for this show of concern especially after that revolting night…
"Well, at least drink," said Tezuka, holding out a glass of yellow fluid. "Okaasan prepared fresh pineapple juice. It's good for antibodies…"
"But I already have more lymphocytes than I can handle," said Fuji with a chuckle. "And you shouldn't have troubled your okaasan."
Ignoring the tensai's remarks, Tezuka brandished the glass under Fuji's nose.
Silently, Fuji nodded and took the cup, taking small sips.
"Do you think you'll recover soon?" asked Tezuka offhandedly, setting his books and bag on the bedside table.
Fuji forced a chortled. "Why, do you resent taking care of me?" he asked.
"It's not that," said Tezuka in a flat tone. "But – " he stopped in thought. "Just get well as fast as you can."
Tearing his eyes to the setting sun, Fuji worried about that too – when he'd be well. He knew that he was getting worse even with the chemo. Most of his pains weren't mere side effects of the medicine. And it stung right through his bones.
In one gulp, he finished the rest of his pineapple juice. Somehow, he liked the idea of Tezuka bustling around for just a little longer. But he didn't want to take anymore of the buchou's precious time. He placed the empty glass on top of the bedside table without looking at Tezuka. He turned his head to the window. "I'll get some rest," Fuji said. With a very heavy heart, the tensai shut his eyes and slept.
Feeling a soft, chilly breeze against his cheeks, Fuji opened his blue orbs and looked around. One o'clock, the wall clock indicated. Fuji sniffed as a short breeze entered through a small gap in the window. At once, he felt relaxed and refreshed.
He heard a soft rustle on his bedside and saw Tezuka in slumber. The buchou's head rested at the back of his hand, and his elbow was supported by the armrest of the chair. A history text lay open on his lap.
Fuji's eyes smiled at the sight before him. Tezuka's face was peaceful and was etched with fine lines along the strong jaws. Fuji wanted to reach out a hand to touch against the buchou's face but thought better of it and watched silently. He couldn't betray Tezuka like that, he scolded himself. His attraction should be kept at bay. Fuji knew that he should at least be respectful of the friendship that Tezuka offered and should just accept the consequences wholeheartedly.
Leaning his back against the headrest, Fuji watched as Tezuka's firm chest rose and fell slowly, rhythmically. So magnificent…
A swift breeze blew in again. Fuji rose from bed, enduring the small spurts of pain in his joints and muscles. He walked slowly and softly so as not to wake up the buchou. He took out a jacket from the closet and walked back and hunched on the edge of the bed. Daintily, he draped the jacket across Tezuka's chest.
"There, you wouldn't be cold," murmured Fuji in a gentle whisper. Inwardly, he wished Tezuka would see the plethora of emotions in his cerulean eyes. But, perhaps, that was too much to ask.
Gently, he took the book off Tezuka's lap and placed in neatly on top of the table. He roved his eyes to Tezuka's face once again.
Stooping over, he planted a kiss on Tezuka's clear forehead.
"Tezuka," murmured Fuji. "Arigatou." Carefully, the tensai snuck back to bed. He was sure that a single chaste kiss to the angel wouldn't hurt.
oOo
a/n: nya… it's nearing it's end! Again, Fuji's leukemia (acute lymphocytic) is none too life threatening, although, of course, you'd have to worry about him, just like Mitsu does, ne? I could only name the cactus 'Ray' because Tezuka isn't much of a creative person, is he?
Hmm… I really think that Fuji and Tezuka would be good parents to Ryoma. In the OVA, they were like parents discussing their child's future and there was Ryoma interrupting through a TeFu moment and Tezuka smirked and Fuji said, "Let's go, Echizen," it was like a father leading, a mother towing the child. No wonder I don't like TezuRyo/FujiRyo/TezuRyoFuji fanfics.
Sorry about the random bio/immunology/genetics facts, I can't take it out of me.
Just one more chapter( and an epilogue)!!! I heart you all for reading and reviewing:3