Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis or any characters. If you try to sue me, Tezuka will threaten to kill you. And Inui won't be there to save your hide. XD

Warning: This fic contains shounen-ai, non-explicit yaoi, and non-explicit heterosexual relations.

Author's Note: I feel so bad… It's taken me two weeks to upload this chapter, and it's short. Sumimasen……

Enjoy.


Keigo woke up slowly. As it was with every morning, it took him a minute to realize where he was. But after a moment, he recognized the feeling of being in his own bed. Then he recognized the feeling of someone's warm arms around him, which made him remember everything. And he smiled again, as he had every morning for the past ten days. He was home, he was in Sanada's arms, and they were together. Everything was alright.

He sat up carefully, not wanting to wake his bodyguard. As he looked at Sanada, he soon remembered that he had something else to be grateful for; his dreams had been peaceful, and he hadn't woken up sweating like he had a few times lately.

Keigo bent down and lightly kissed Sanada's lips. But, as usual, it wasn't enough, so he bent down and kissed him again.

Sanada woke up with the second kiss, but didn't open his eyes. Of course he knew who was kissing him. He wrapped his arms around his young master, pulling him down just as he was starting to pull away. Keigo let out a soft, happy little moan.

"Master Keigo."

Sanada let go. Keigo sat up quickly to find Oshitari standing at the doorway, looking less than pleased.

"What?" Keigo asked, annoyed.

Oshitari's expression was serious. "We need to talk."

"What about?" Keigo nervously ran his fingers through his hair.

Oshitari's eyes narrowed. "Come with me."

Keigo looked back at Sanada. They could both sense each other's embarrassment. Keigo reluctantly got out of bed and followed Oshitari to the study.

Oshitari shut the door behind him. "Master Keigo, your behavior lately has been completely inappropriate."

Keigo crossed his arms. "Do you really think I care what you think, or what anyone else thinks?"

Oshitari stepped closer, looking him straight in the eye. "The point is that you should care. Do you know what it looks like when the young master of this house is sharing his bed with a security guard? People talk. And when—"

"I love him," Keigo interrupted.

Oshitari glared in silence for a moment. His voice became frighteningly low. "Your father has been preoccupied for the past two weeks with a huge business deal, and he has no idea what you've been doing. But sooner or later, he's going hear what's been going on, and it's not going to be pretty for you, young Master Keigo."

Keigo was dumbfounded for a moment at the complete disdain with which Oshitari uttered the last three words. He regained his composure and replied, "I don't honestly care what he thinks, either."

"Oh, really?" Oshitari leaned towards him. "You're not worried that, as soon as he hears, he's going to kick Sanada out of the house immediately, whether he's healed or not? Perhaps I should go tell him now, and see what he does."

Keigo was startled. "If you do that, I'll tell Father about that nice little affair you've been having with one of his maids." He smirked. "You'll be fired immediately."

Oshitari almost laughed at that. "Yes, but then I'll be out of here. You will still have to live with him." He pushed up his glasses. "And I'm certain that will be most pleasant."

Keigo shut his mouth, unable to argue.

Oshitari straightened. "I'm having Sanada moved back to his own room."

"What? Why?"

"I just told you why."

Keigo was shocked. The thought of Sanada stuck in that tiny, dark room by himself really bothered him. Sanada still wasn't allowed out of bed, and no one would be there if he needed anything. Keigo started getting desperate.

"What if I slept in one of the guest rooms?" he suggested.

"No."

Keigo put his foot down. "You can't do this."

Oshitari paused for a moment. He obviously didn't appreciate the questioning of his authority. "Your father gave me absolute control over all the servants and you when he's busy, and he expects me to exercise this power. I've decided, and I'm not going to let you change my mind."

Keigo's eyes narrowed. He wasn't a child anymore, and he hated that Oshitari always treated him like one.

Oshitari continued. "I think you've made it clear that I can't trust you. So I'm going to make sure you don't let things get out of hand." He pushed up his glasses again. "You're not allowed to see Sanada unless Yanagi is in the room with you."

Keigo's jaw dropped.

"What?"

"You heard me." Oshitari turned on one heel and went to the door. "I guess that means I'll have to go tell Yanagi that he'll be playing babysitter."

That was the last straw. Atobe grabbed a book off his desk and threw it towards Oshitari. It hit the door just as it clicked shut.

"Damn you, Oshitari," he hissed, under his breath.

He sat down at his desk and held his face in his hands. He couldn't believe he'd lost his composure. But Oshitari was one of those people who could get on his last nerve, especially when he was being so patronizing.

And Keigo had been so frustrated lately…

He groaned. Things on that front were only going to get harder, now that someone else would always be in the room with them. He didn't trust Yanagi… He didn't like how the new bodyguard seemed to see everything, and how he never told anyone what he saw or what he was thinking. It was creepy.

He sighed.

Why did this have to be so difficult?

Yanagi heard a knock on his door. He got up and opened it. It was Oshitari.

"Yes, sir?"

Oshitari had a strange smirk on his face. "I have a job for you."

"What's that, sir?"

"Master Keigo has been… misbehaving lately. And I need you to supervise him."

Yanagi had his suspicions, but he thought it wise to ask. "How's that, sir?"

Oshitari crossed his arms. "I want you to be in the room whenever he's with Sanada. Just to make sure things don't progress too far."

Yanagi clutched the door a little more tightly.

Oshitari stared at him over the rims of his glasses. "If anything happens, your job is on the line. Got it?"

"Yes, sir," Yanagi replied, hiding his reluctance.

The director of the guard turned to leave. "I'm sorry to fill up your schedule like this; I know you'll constantly have work now. I suggest you go to Master Keigo's room as soon as possible. No doubt he went straight to see Sanada after I left him."

Yanagi closed the door. He gathered his things, all the while sensing what a tight spot he was in. He could see everything that was going on with Keigo and Sanada, and the last thing he wanted was to interfere. After all, he knew what it was like…

On the other hand, if he didn't do as he was told, he'd be fired. And for him, that wasn't an option. This job was the key to getting the last pieces of information he needed. He was so close now…

He headed out the door.

Sure enough, when he got to Keigo's room, Keigo was there at Sanada's side, explaining the situation.

"I hate the thought of you having to go back to that tiny little room… Especially if you're going to be all alone…"

"I'll be alright…"

"Maybe I can have Ootori stay with you during the day. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

"Whatever you want." Sanada looked up. "Oh, Renji."

Keigo turned around, looking a little disappointed.

Yanagi put his hands behind his back. "If you don't mind, sir, I need to use your restroom."

"Oh, of course." Keigo pointed. "In there."

"Thank you, sir." He disappeared down the connecting hallway. When he shut the door, he placed his ear against it so he could listen.

"I don't trust that man," Keigo was saying in a hushed voice.

"Why not?"

"He's a little creepy, don't you think? I can never tell what's going on in that head of his, but I have a hunch that it's way too much…"

"I guess I see your point. But I trust him."

"You do?"

"Yes."

There was a pause.

"Have you been alright lately, sir?" The tone of Sanada's voice had changed.

"I told you, Sanada… Call me Keigo."

"Sorry. I'm still not used to it."

"That's alright."

"But really… you seem so restless lately…"

There was a short silence. "You don't know why, Sanada?"

A light sigh. "Keigo… I'm sorry about all of this."

"It's not your fault you got shot. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine."

"Keigo…"

"Well, I'm sorry, but I really can't help sometimes feeling like, if I'd just taken you home…"

"You didn't know."

Another sigh. "I know…"

After a moment, Sanada said, "Maybe you should go out. You know, get out of the house."

"I don't know, Sanada… with him?"

"I told you, I trust him."

"Why?"

"He'll take care of you. I made him promise."

"Sanada…"

Another pause.

"Sanada, I really don't know… After everything that's happened…"

"I understand."

"But, then again, I really don't care if Yanagi gets shot."

"Keigo!"

A chuckle. "Come on, Sanada. You know I didn't mean it." Then he added, "Completely."

"Keigo…"

There was a long silence.

"Alright, Sanada. I'll go out tomorrow, if you insist."

"Good. I think you'll feel better."

"Yes, well… We'll see."

Yanagi reached over to flush the toilet, then opened the door and went back out to them.

"What took you so long?" was Keigo's greeting.

"Was I so long?" Yanagi asked calmly.

"Don't worry, Renji," Sanada interjected. "You'll get used to hearing that from him."

"In any case…" Keigo stood up. "I've decided I want to go out shopping. Is that alright?"

Yanagi nodded. "I'm ready to go whenever you are, sir."

"Good." Keigo walked towards the door. "Ootori!"

The butler instantly appeared. "Yes, Master Keigo?"

"When they move Sanada back to his room, could you stay with him?"

Ootori nodded, smiling. "Certainly, sir."

"Get him whatever he needs. Treat him like you would me." Keigo then turned to Yanagi. "Well, shall we go?"

"Yes, sir."

They walked out the door. Then, at a second's thought, Keigo slipped back inside. Yanagi peered in to see his young master giving Sanada a kiss goodbye.

"You're even quieter than Sanada."

Yanagi turned suddenly to face Keigo. The seventeen-year-old had caught him staring into space, lost in his train of thought.

"I apologize, sir. Was there something you wanted to discuss?"

"No," Keigo sighed. "But for heaven's sake, can't you say something? You're so quiet that it's making me nervous."

"I make you nervous?"

"Well, not exactly…"

"Then what?"

Keigo took a deep breath. He didn't know why he was so irked. "Alright. So maybe you do make me nervous." After a pause, he said, "I'm tired of shopping. Let's just go walk."

When they got outside the store and started walking again, Keigo quickly realized that nothing had changed. Yanagi still remained silent.

"Will you just say something, Yanagi?" Keigo blurted, frustrated.

"What would you like me to say, sir?"

"Anything."

Yanagi took a moment to think before responding, "May I ask you some questions?"

Keigo rolled his eyes. He wasn't sure he was in the mood for that, but he said, "Fine." He didn't realize that the questions were going to last through the entire rest of the day.

Yanagi started, "Oshitari said that your household has been experiencing security breaches for a while now. How long exactly has this been going on?"

Keigo hesitated. He wasn't actually sure how long it had been; so much had happened in that time…

"I'm not sure. Somewhere around two months."

"Would you say that sixty-seven days might be a possibility?"

"Um… certainly."

"How many times has the alarm been tripped?"

"I would guess… at least fifteen times."

"Has anyone seen the perpetrators?"

"No. Except… one night, I did see someone I didn't recognize at my window…"

"How recently?"

"Just a few nights after Sanada was hired."

"When was he hired?"

Keigo thought. "Sixteen days ago."

Yanagi raised an eyebrow. "I see. What did this person at the window look like?"

"Scary. Black, piercing eyes, dark skin… Black hair, I think, but he was wearing a beanie…"

Yanagi nodded. "How long ago was your last bodyguard shot?"

Keigo took a deep breath. "Twenty-one days ago."

"You were with him?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"At a park…" Keigo looked around. "Near here, actually."

"Where was he hit?"

"On his left side, almost exactly the same place Sanada was, if I remember correctly."

"Did you see anyone around?"

"No, I didn't."

"Did you see anyone when Sanada was shot?"

"No… Sanada thought he saw someone, but I didn't. He said he saw the same person he'd seen a few days before…"

"A few days before?"

"He said someone was following us. He thinks it was the same person, both times."

"That makes sense. So… when he told you that you were being followed, did you believe him?"

"Of course."

"Had you noticed anything strange?"

"No… Things like that have always seemed to happen when I'm not paying attention."

"Interesting…" Yanagi was silent for a short time before he continued. "I'm going to have to assume that they're trying to kidnap you. Would you assume the same?"

Keigo blinked, surprised that Yanagi had figured that out, when no one else had except for himself. "Yes… I would. I've been saying that since Tachibana was shot."

"Why?" Yanagi asked, looking at Keigo very seriously.

"Why… what?"

"What makes you assume that?"

Keigo winced. "I thought you were assuming the same thing."

"I am. But I want to know why you are."

"Well…" Keigo trailed off, thinking. "Mostly because the bullets never hit me. And, both times, I only heard one shot. Any gunman who thought he might miss by that much would fire more than once. In fact, it seems odd to me that anyone would shoot just one time…"

Yanagi nodded again, very slowly.

"What sum do you think they'll ask for a ransom?"

The question caught Keigo a little by surprise. It made the possibility of being kidnapped seem too… possible. Especially the way Yanagi had phrased it: "they will" instead of "they would."

He ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't know anything about that… I assume that it would be a lot."

"How much?"

"Billions."

"Do you think your father will pay that much?"

Keigo literally stopped in his tracks.

"Master Keigo?"

"I…" The words caught in Keigo's throat. Then again, he didn't know what words they were.

He tried to imagine his father paying a billion dollars for a son he didn't act particularly fond of.

"I… don't know…" Keigo stuttered, his eyes far away.

Would he?

Yanagi could tell that the question was bothering Keigo, so he put one hand on the seventeen-year-old's shoulder and suggested, "Let's get something to eat, sir."

Keigo still didn't exactly look at him. "Alright."

On their way, they passed the park Keigo had mentioned. As they did, Yanagi walked slower, looking carefully at a patch of bushes.

"What is it?" Keigo asked.

Yanagi stared for a few more moments, then answered. "Nothing. Let's go."

"I swear he was looking right at the camera."

Eiji took the picture from Oishi's hands, looking at it. "You're right; that's creepy."

"Do you think he saw us?" Oishi was growing increasingly nervous.

"Don't be ridiculous," Eiji replied, handing the picture back. "He'd have to have x-ray vision to have seen where we were hiding."

Oishi studied the picture again. "I don't know, Eiji…"

Eiji rolled her eyes. "Come on, stop worrying. Let's just give the picture to Tezuka."

When they got to the office, Inui was already there, discussing things with their boss. The two men turned when Oishi and Eiji entered.

"Here's the picture you wanted, Tezuka." Oishi handed it to him.

Tezuka glanced at it, then handed it to Inui. "We don't have a name for you this time, Inui. Can you identify this man from his picture?"

Inui's pale face suddenly looked even paler.

"Inui?" Eiji leaned towards him. "What is it?"

Inui clutched the picture tightly. "It's… nothing." He pushed up his glasses, which glinted in the dim light. "Tezuka… I'm going to need more time."

Tezuka crossed his arms. "What's the problem, Inui?"

"No problem. This will just take… careful planning." He placed the picture on Tezuka's desk and left the room.


-end of chapter 11-

Hope you liked! Sorry there were no goodies… this was kind of just a necessary chapter…

No notes this time. I'm feeling lazy, nyaaa…

Next chapter… Keigo finally gets what he wants, but will it cost him everything?

Stay tuned!!! I'll try to post the next chapter as quickly as possible.