Hey guys! So here is the next chapter. Please comment and let me know if you guys like the progression of this story. I'm trying really hard to finish this story while I still have some free time now. I hope you guys will review to keep me fired up so that I can finish this story :))

Chapter 20

Tezuka stirred in his sleep as he felt something soft and warm move against his body. He opened his eyes to find Fuji snuggled against him. He smiled contentedly as he recalled the night before. Last night happened so fast that he barely had time to register all that happened. Truthfully, he did not envision their first time to be that soon but now that it had happened Tezuka felt like it could not have been more perfect. The way Fuji opened up and blossomed for him last night was beyond beautiful and Tezuka would forever cherish the memory. He was glad Fuji was able to trust him completely as he knew Fuji had always been a tad bit careful with his personal space from their months together. However, after his confession he had seen Fuji slowly opening himself more and more and last night he saw the side of Fuji that he had kept hidden away and Tezuka could not be more happier. He looked at his lover sleeping contentedly by his side and a small smile graced Tezuka's lips. He planted a soft kiss on Fuji's shoulder before getting off the futon. He looked around the room and decided to pack for the both of them. He would have to go to the office later in the afternoon but as for this morning he wants nothing more than to spend it with his beautiful lover. He would glance at Fuji every now and then while he tidied the room and his heart would feel warm and fuzzy inside. When he was done with packing, he ordered room service and asked for all of Fuji's favourite food.

"Mitsu…" A raspy voice called him. "Are you here ?" Fuji got up and looked around, trying to sense if Tezuka was in the room.

Tezuka looked at Fuji with his bedroom hair and the blanket pulled up to his chest and a familiar warmth ran down his spine. "I'm here my love. Did you have a good sleep? How are you feeling?" Tezuka moved closer to Fuji and took his hand in his, caressing his thumb. He rubbed the sleep from Fuji's eyes and planted a small kiss on his lips.

Fuji smiled in relief. A part of him was afraid that Tezuka would leave him after last night, although a bigger part of him had always known that Tezuka really did love him. "I feel wonderful.." Fuji snuggled close to Tezuka. "Never been happier." He smiled against Tezuka's chest.

They were disturbed by the shrill ring of Tezuka's phone. Tezuka was surprised to find his father's name on the caller's ID. It was rare for the older man to call so early in the morning.

"Let me take this Syusuke." Fuji nodded and Tezuka helped Fuji up from the futon and led him over to the coffee table. "I will just be a minute, love." Tezuka kissed the top of Fuji's head before answering the call.

"Yes father." Tezuka glanced at Fuji before replying. "You want to see me now? I am occupied at the moment. Can I come by later tonight?" Tezuka sighed before giving in to his father's request as he sensed the urgency in the other man's voice. "Okay, I will be there soon."

Tezuka hung up the phone and made a cup of coffee for Fuji before taking it to him at the coffee table. "Here, have some coffee Syusuke. I have ordered breakfast and it will be here soon."

"Is everything okay? Do you have to go somewhere?" Fuji blinked up at Tezuka.

"Sorry love, but something has come up and I have to leave now. You should stay and enjoy the breakfast." Tezuka brushed Fuji's hair away from his forehead. "I will come pick you in a bit okay."

Tezuka saw Fuji's smile waver for a second before he composed it again. "Of course Mitsu, I understand. I will wait for you. You don't have to worry about me."

Tezuka kissed Fuji goodbye before leaving, sparing one last glance at Fuji. Somehow he could feel his heart clench a little as he saw Fuji sitting there alone, his face turned towards Tezuka.

…...

The air felt heavy as soon as Tezuka set foot inside his house. He saw both his father and grandfather sitting on the couch, waiting for him. Kuniharu's face filled with anger as soon as he saw Tezuka.

"What is the meaning of these Kunimitsu? How could you taint our family name like this!" Kuniharu hurled a bunch of photos across the table, his face a dark shade of red as he tried to contain his anger. Next to his father was his grandfather Kunikazu with a disappointed look on his face.

Tezuka eyed his two elders and wondered what could have gotten his father riled up this way. It was rare for the Tezukas to display such emotions openly this way.

Tezuka leaned over to pick up the collection of pictures scattered across the table. He was appalled to find out they were images of him and Fuji on various occasions. A series of emotions went through him, predominantly anger as he could not believe his father had been spying on him. Tezuka sighed, this was not how he wanted to introduce Fuji to his family.

"Who is that man Kunimitsu?" His father raised his voice.

"Father, that man is my lover, Syusuke. I apologize, this is not how I wanted you to find out. However, you spying on me is very low and I did not expect this from you." Tezuka explained, looking directly at his father.

"How dare you speak those words out aloud! Have you no shame! How could you call that man your lover ? No son of mine is queer!" Kuniharu was shaking with anger.

"I'm sorry father. I did not choose to fall in love with a man but it just happened, and I'm not going to fight it. I love Syusuke and I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

"You told me you would give me an heir! I gave you freedom to choose your own partner as long as you could give me an heir. Would it kill you to do this one simple thing for your family? Instead you bring shame to this family." Kuniharu took a deep breath before continuing. "You will marry Sawada, you understand? I don't know how many people know your dirty secret but it will stop now. Sawada is kind enough to agree to marry you despite knowing your disgusting, perverted nature." Tezuka saw malice in his father's eyes as he spat out the last sentence.

"Look father, I know having an heir is important to you, and I deeply regret that I could not grant this wish of yours. But, you spouting these insults is unacceptable. You will not dictate who I marry." Tezuka understood the importance of an heir to a traditional family like his, however he would not tolerate baseless insults directed to him.

"Kunimitsu! Have you no respect for your elders!" Kuniharu yelled.

"Enough, both of you!" A deep voice spoke, exuding authority with every word. Tezuka Kunikazu, the patriarch of the family silenced the two of them as he looked at his only grandson intently.

"Father, Kunimitsu has crossed a line. He is an abomination to our family!" Kuniharu said to the eldest Tezuka.

"Sit, both of you. We will get to the bottom of this one way or another." Kunikazu looked directly into Tezuka's eyes. "Kunimitsu, you will marry the Sawada girl and that's final." Kunikazu said as he reached for the cup of herbal tea in front of him.

"I refuse, grandfather." Tezuka said, his voice firm and unwavering, his eyes unblinking. He could not believe how casually his grandfather was instructing him on who he should spend the rest of his life with. The Tezukas have always followed tradition and Tezuka had tried his best his whole life to adhere to those unwritten set of rules. He excelled in his studies in school, at college he majored in business like his father wanted to although his heart was leaning towards law, he never did anything that would bring shame to his family and maintained his image as the heir of Tezuka industries. He did all those things without a complaint because he loved his family and those were sacrifices he was willing to make for them. However, his family meddling with his love life is where he draws the line.

Kunikazu sighed. He knows that look, it means his grandson has made up his mind and no one can change that. Tezuka has always been an agreeable child, always compromising for the good of his family. However, throughout the course of his life there were certain issues where Tezuka stood firm on his ground and it seems this will be one of those things.

"You leave me no choice then Kunimitsu." Kunikazu folded his hand and looked straight at his grandson. "Decide at this very moment if you will choose this family or that man. If you pick him then it means you have cut ties with our family. You will step down from your position at Tezuka industries. You will not be entitled to your inheritance. You will have to leave everything behind."

"Father!" Kuniharu gasped at the old man sitting across from him."What are you saying?"

Tezuka's eyes widened in shock as he listened to the ultimatum presented by his grandfather. He could not believe what he just heard. His grandfather who had always been kind is willing to remove him from the family as easily as this ? Would he be able to leave the family that has been with him for almost thirty years? How could his grandfather suggest something like this when he knows how much Tezuka cherishes this family.

Tezuka swallowed the lump in his throat and at that moment the image of Fuji sitting at the coffee table before he left came to his mind. He could imagine Fuji waiting there, listening intently for the smallest of sound, anticipating Tezuka's return. Tezuka closed his eyes, fighting back his tears. Never in his life did he expect he would have to make such a tough choice as this. However, at the back of his mind Tezuka knew, as tough as this decision was, the choice is clear.

Tezuka sighed and composed himself before replying with a clear voice. "I'm sorry grandfather, father, but I will not leave Syusuke. And if the consequence is that I will lose everything, then I will just have to live with it."

"I see you have made your decision. Leave now Kunimitsu. You are no longer a part of this family." Kunikazu said, disappointment clear in his eyes. Seeing that look in his grandfather's eyes broke Tezuka's heart but there is no way he is leaving Fuji behind, no matter the circumstance.

Tezuka stood up and walked away, not willing to look into their eyes any longer.

"How dare you choose that nobody over us?! You ungrateful bastard! Is this how you repay your family ? Don't you dare step into this house anymore! When the world is finally against you, don't you dare come here begging." Kunikazu's voice trailed away as Tezuka moved further away.

The only thing that was keeping Tezuka together as he walked away from the only family he has is the thought of Fuji in his mind.

…..

Tezuka stepped into the suite to find Fuji's head move to the sound. "Mitsu, you're back!" Gentle voice greeted him. "I saved you some breakfast. Here, have some." Fuji smiled sweetly at him.

Tezuka fastened his stride to close the distance between them and pulled Fuji into a bone-crushing hug. "Oh, I love you so much Syusuke." Tezuka held Fuji tightly in his arm.

"Hey now, what's going on Mitsu? Is everything okay?" Fuji patted Tezuka's back.

"Nothing, love. I just love you." Tezuka stifled the tears that were about to come. The severity of the situation dawned upon him as he realized he has no one now except Fuji. A small smile made its way to his lips as he decided Fuji is the only one he needs to go on in this life.

"I love you too Kunimitsu… Always."