Hi guys! So here I am again with another late update... Just expect it from now on. Sorry! But here's Day 9! I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Though it was hard to start it. But I made it! So enjoy! BTW, sorry for the small mistakes the last chapter had and perhaps on this chapter too. I'm just too distracted by outside variables lately so if the writing quality has dropped, my apologies :(. Thanks so much for reading and an extra thank you for reviewing! It means so much that you guys take time to tell me you like this story! From now on, you will see more of the pairings you guys voted for (yay!) we only have a few more to go! Thanks so again! Love and all, AIR
The room was dark with no signs of a light switch anywhere. One of the detectives shone her flashlight upward and saw the metal bars restraining the missing boys. The rest quickly hurried to the other cells, shining light in the dark space to reveal the sleeping forms of the regulars.
Some of them woke up to the light flashing in their eyes. Momo squinted, trying to adjust to the bright light in his face.
"What the-"
The detective announced over her shoulder, "It's them. Set them free." She turned her attention back and looked at the pair of purple eyes. "Stay there, don't move." She pointed her handgun at the keyhole and shot it. Unfortunately for the cell door lock, it wasn't as strong as it used to be back when the building was first made; therefore, it shattered easily .
The sound of the impact woke up everyone, even the three men. The lights suddenly switched on and voice could be heard from the other side.
"What the hell is going on here?" The double steel doors opened revealing the regulars' captors. The squad of fifteen detectives pulled out their handguns and pointed it towards the three men.
Before the men had time to get out their weapon, the woman yelled, "Put your hands behind your head and get on your knees! Get on your knees!"
Four detectives approached the defenseless men while another three searched the adjacent room. They stripped the men of any weapons and found the keys to the cells. Another three detectives freed the regulars. A loud bang rippled through the air coming from the other room. Once Tezuka and Sanada were unlocked, they immediately sprinted towards the place Fuji and Yukimura were being kept followed by the rest of the teams.
Fuji and Yukimura were half awake thanks to the bullet clashing with the metal. Tezuka and Sanada hugged their respective teammate simultaneously, not caring if it wasn't like them to do so. The gesture surprised the other regulars for a moment before hugging their tensai and captain.
Somewhere behind them, a detective pushed the boss to sit on his knees besides the other three. Someone called for a couple more detectives and the paramedics. The four men were quickly handcuffed and informed that they were under arrest for aggravated kidnapping.
Their parents received a call half past twelve, an officer telling them that they had found their missing son and that the boys were to stay at Kyoto University Hospital. The adults quickly rushed out of bed ad began their five-hour journey south to greet their beloved children.
Fuji and Yukimura rode in the ambulance along with Tezuka, Oishi, Sanada, and Yanagi. The rest of the regulars rode in a detective's car while the four men, handcuffed, traveled in a police car.
Along the way, Fuji fell asleep, head on Tezuka's shoulder and Yukimura's head on Sanada's shoulder. Some of the paramedics asked about their time being locked up, if they were fed, how they were treated, etc.
They were able to answer most of the questions like how they were given two pieces of stale bread and a small bowl of broth to eat and two water bottles to drink per day and how Fuji, Yukimura, Marui, Momo, and Ryoma were starved. The only thing they couldn't answer was how the men treated Fuji and Yukimura. The two sleeping boys looked the worse; slight bruising on Fuji's face and Yukimura shivering and breathing heavily.
The paramedics took the two players' vitals. Fuji was fine while Yukimura suffered from a 38.3 degree celsius fever. Sanada slowly wrapped his arms around the frail looking Yukimura, resting the captain's head on his chest and pressing the shaking body close to his warm and safe one. He didn't care if others felt uncomfortable or surprised, right then and there, he wanted Yukimura healthy and happy again; he wanted to comfort Yukimura as much as he could.
Right across from them was Tezuka, who somehow managed to fall asleep as well, his head on Fuji's and both arms around the slender waist. Oishi looked rather out of place. His hands were folded on his lap as he glanced anywhere but towards the two cuddling couples. I wish Eiji were here right now, Oishi thought. Yanagi didn't look as uncomfortable, but still… The data master was the only one on the team who knew Sanada's love for Yukimura; so, it didn't bother him when the Emperor suddenly became soft and unguarded.
The rest of the detectives searched the building and found seventeen tennis bags and seventeen cell phones stored in a drawer in another room. The bus they also rode in was found a quarter mile from the building. A detective snapped pictures of the cells, the gallow, the whips, and poles, as well as one cloth drenched in blood. Police tape surrounded the area as it was being investigated and articles were collected for the future trial.
Just by looking at them, some knew that the kids suffered quite a lot. A couple more days in the so called prison and who knows what could've happened.
Once they arrived at the hospital, Fuji and Yukimura were taken away for further treatment, much to Tezuka and Sanada's sadness. The rest of the regulars stayed at the hospital's recovery ward where they were fed generously. No one even hesitated to eat. They all dug in and ate like they haven't eaten in weeks. Marui, Momo, and Ryoma ate the fastest and the hungriest, obviously.
In the middle of their meal, an officer came in and explained the situation. Their parents were on their way and should arrive in three to four hours. The men had been captured and put under arrest, their belongings were found, and they were safe.
"You kids look like you've had a rough time there. When you finish eating, go on ahead and sleep. If you need anything, the nurses are here to help and so are we." They thanked the officer for his and the squad's help and finished eating.
By 1:30 in the morning, the regulars were asleep with the exception of Tezuka and Sanada. Tezuka's mind was too occupied by Fuji to even think about himself and what his body wanted. He turned around to face a wide-awake Sanada.
"Can't sleep?" Rikkai's vice-captain asked softly. Tezuka nodded. "Are you worried about Fuji?" Tezuka nodded again.
"What about you? Why aren't you asleep?" Sanada turned to glance up at the ceiling. Yukimura was written all over his face. "I see."
Silence lingered for a while before Sanada whispered, "You really love Fuji, don't you?"
Tezuka didn't look towards the other stoic player. "How do you know?"
"You look at him differently. Every time he's with you, you just brighten up. Of course, not everyone sees it. Just those close enough to you and those who empathize with you."
A small grin formed on Tezuka's face. "I thought I wasn't that obvious. I guess I'm not good at keeping my emotions to myself." The grin faltered as he remembered what he did to Fuji. "I'm not sure if he feels the same though."
Sanada looked at him questioningly. "What makes you say that?"
"Because of what I did to him." The grim look on the captain's face made the other boy recall the event.
"It wasn't like you had any other choice, though."
Even with Sanada's words, Tezuka still couldn't clear Fuji's painful screams out of his mind. "You may not have done what I did if it you and Yukimura. You love him too much."
Sanada's eyes widened. No one but Yanagi knew of his affection towards their captain. "You know?"
"I know. Everytime you see Yukimura, your mood shifts and you smile more often."
Sanada knew that was a fact. He knew himself that he changes whenever Yukimura was in the same room with him. But he was afraid of what his captain thought of him. Sure they've known eachother since they were kids, but he can't help wonder if Yukimura reciprocated his feelings. He sighed and turned over, his back facing Tezuka. What if the blue-haired boy didn't like him back? For a long time, the only thing keeping Sanada happy was his ability to play tennis. However, since Yukimura stepped into the picture, his priorities became mixed up. He loved tennis just as much as he loved Yukimura. Or did he love the captain more? Sanada was about to stab himself out of annoyance. He didn't want to think such complex thoughts, but his mind wouldn't have it.
Little did he know Tezuka was suffering from the same thing. With so much on their mind, the two boys drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep.
