A/N: It has been over a month and at last I update this fic!!! Sorry for the long waiting! _ Eventually, I manage to get rid my exam off! *sigh* And now I can write fics anytime I want!! ^0^  Thanks to my lovely beta-reader! Thanks to the kind reviewers! I love you all so much!!  I also apologize if this chapter isn't as good as the last one, still I hope you'll like it!

Replies:

Yami no Tenshi : I don't know what else to say to you except tons of 'thank you'! I still made ridiculous mistakes!! _ Oh, and about who's on top… ^_^* I'll let you decide. If you ask me, I'll prefer Tezuka, but you're right, I'll leave it to your imagination after all. That's the point of not writing it ^^

Ferrum : You want some angst? I'm not sure, but try to read this one. I guess it has some, just like you asked ^^

Flowery : I don't know what had gotten into me lately that I ended in writing more and more angst! If you don't like it, I'm not sure you'll gonna like this one. Anyway, thanks for the review and the e-mail ^^ Can't wait for your reply!

Mica-chan : I'm making this worse and worse ^_^* If you said about problems, we definitely will have had it by the end of this chapter. And, oh yes, it's huge…

CAm2 : *the author hides* Umm, you don't like the end of the previous chapter? Then I don't think you'll like this one. Forgive my twisted mind, I don't know why but it just ended like that. But if you're asking for a happy ending, I can guarantee you, this fic will have a VERY happy ending ^^

STrAwbErRyfAnSz : Actually, both Fuji and Tezuka have complained about I'm torturing them to much in this fic, but well, it can be helped… ^^ Just for the sake of this story, you know.

LadyDeath : If the 'Golden Pair saving Fuji from his terrible wedding' scene really happens, it will be very cute ^^ But I don't think we will reach that part. Fuji won't even step into a church with Saki, let alone marry her *shivers*

Hellen : Most of the readers really hate Saki, but actually that is why I put her in this fic ^^ We need at least one dislikeable character to make things worse *grins*

eve^^lynn : It's okay, I'm happy to know that people is actually reading my story. Of course I'll be glad if they leave reviews and thank you for that. About the split personality, it came to me when the first time I saw Fuji. He always smiles but you know how cruel he can be. Truthfully, that is my real opinion of him. Don't you think so?

nick angelo : Okay, I appreciate your hard work to review my fic ^^ Just wanna remind you, other people can see the reviews so don't just blatantly mention a name! I'm not responsible of the damages you'll receive if she finds out *laughing madly* Are you sure the make out scene is romantic? I can't make an objective judgment, but I'm happy if you like it ^^ Oh, and another warning, don't mention any 'my Tezu' again or you will be hit incessantly by the disappearing serve ^0^ Now, that's not really bad if happens…

super rookie : Glad there are people who actually like angst ^^ I don't think I really worth the praise, but thanks anyway! You make me sooo happy!

penny : Geez, I think I really make you wait for a long time. Thanks for your review! It accelerated my writing ^.^

hoku-chan : I hope you won't be too disappointed if I say there will be no lemon, at least not in this fic. I'm happy you like this story, so please don't stop to read this just because its lack of lemon ^_^* But I'll try to add some scenes…

sakura-sleep : I love Fuji too and I like if sometimes he does seduce Tezuka ^0^  He's just soooo adorable if he does that!! I don't think my writing is that good, but thanks anyway!

sei tominaga : I think I can die blissfully if I know people like my story *sigh* Thanks for the wonderful review! There were some grammatical mistakes actually, but my friend kindly showed it and I had replaced it. So if you come across any mistake, I hope you won't mind to tell me.

nasia : I love that rainy scene! Yeah, definitely the thrill… ^^ And thank you for the review, because it gave me an idea for the next chapters!

Stardustangel : I'm really sorry for this chapter! Yeah, I broke them up… *run and hide* But this is not the end, so don't kill me if you want to know the rest ^^

mi^mi : Don't know if I'm really that good ^.^ Thanks for the review! Well, the idea just popped up in my head when I watched the anime. The only problem is I've never thought it will be this long ^_^*

DISCLAIMER : Okay, I assume you have known who owns these guys, right? Obviously not me.

WARNING : m/m pairings, and for you who don't like angst, beware!

Words in italic are for thoughts, either Fuji's or Tezuka's, I think you can guess it.

Chapter 13 : Left in Ordeal                                                                                                                                                                                                Something is missing…

Tezuka woke up, startled. He blinked several times to focus his sight, besides his head was spinning as a result of the abrupt awakening. Through the uncovered window, he could see a pale shade of blue had colored the sky.

Speaking of blue…

He drifted his gaze to the empty space beside him. In spite of his indefinite disappointment, he wasn't completely surprised to discover that his companion had left him some time in the night. It was just his mode to come and flee whenever he wanted to, the thing that pissed Tezuka off.

Ignoring the hurt feeling somewhere inside his heart, the captain stood up and walked to the bathroom. He washed himself in such a hurry as the time was chasing him and put his uniform on with the same speed. Although the morning training season hadn't started yet, he had to leave earlier as a consequence for not eating the night before. He might buy something to stop the nagging of his stomach. When he stepped into his room once again, Tezuka was surprised by some sounds coming from downstairs. They were hardly audible but the captain was sure he heard it.

He quickly dazed out of the room and eventually found himself standing at the threshold to the dining room, staring at the breakfast which was laid on the table. Then his eyes caught something, or rather someone, standing behind the pantry with his hands full of cooking utensils.

"Fuji?" The addressed one looked up, surprised.

"Tezuka! I didn't hear you coming."

The captain leant against the door's frame, arms were folded in front of his broad chest. "I guess you were too busy cooking to notice me," he smirked.

"Ah, well, it was my responsibility that you skipped dinner last night," Fuji smiled as he skillfully dropped a sunny-side egg right in the middle of a plate.

"Is that so? It will be rude if I decline the apology, won't it?" the smirk grew wider.

Fuji approached the standing man and Tezuka couldn't help but notice one palpable but disturbing fact that his friend, despite the bath that he had taken, still wore only a bathrobe. "This once only, mind you that. Now just shut up and start eating," he put the plate down.

"As you wish," the captain took his seat as his friend sat at the other side. While helping themselves to the food, they chatted about school, days when Fuji was absent, and tasks their teachers had given since then. However, the prodigy seemed to pay the minimum heed to his innumerable matters to catch up with the rest of his class. He was more interested in their club's well-being.

"Obviously you are not an amateur in cooking," Tezuka found himself marveling the delicacies, once they had finished everything up.

"Name a subject that I'm an amateur in," the tensai countered with a defiant smile taunting on his lips.

"Bowling."

Fuji frowned at the mention of his least favorable sport. It was clear that his friend had not completely forgotten the disgraceful incident. "Okay, beside that, please."

"Just admit I've won," the captain said, a slight victorious smile brightened the usually stoic face. Not that he enjoyed such a childish game, but somehow, exchanging words with this person did not seem wrong at all. He liked it even.

"You're no fun," his friend sighed in defeat.

They stared at each other before eventually burst into a stream of laughter. Then Tezuka felt it, the tingling sensation somewhere within him. He couldn't distinguish what it was but he was positively sure the beautifully smiling guy sitting in front of him was the one to blame for its existence.

"So, are you going to school today?" he cast the matter right away, "I can lend you my uniform if you want."

"What's wrong with wearing this bathrobe?" Fuji once again started the game.

Tezuka merely stared at his prodigy; he was still unsure how to deal with this new side of Fuji. But to say those things… well, anyone with some senses would know that wearing bathrobes at outdoors was inappropriate…

The smiling face hadn't changed, as he was waiting for a return volley, eternally if necessary. The captain drew a massive amount of air before resolving that he would play the game. If it was what Fuji wanted. He answered playfully, "I don't want my boyfriend to display his gorgeous body to anyone but me."

The smile vanished, but only in a blink of an eye, because the next second it had reappeared on Fuji's lips. Still, the distinction was visible to his eye, that there was a tinge of sadness in the new smile. "Your boyfriend, am I?"

Suddenly he stood up. "Thanks, but you don't need to. I have my own uniform with me." And he walked to the door.

"What do you mean with 'you have your uniform'?"

The demand stopped Fuji's tracks, right beside his captain. "For a pre-caution, I have left my tennis bag along with my uniform and books up there, at your balcony," he replied lightly.

Tezuka smirked, "Pre-caution huh?"

"Well, we have to be prepared for the worst, right? Who knows that you would react THAT way to my little touch?" Fuji had the evil smile all over his face by now, as his fingers moved alongside the angular jaw of his captain.

"You call that 'the worst'?" Firm fingers caught his smaller ones and the leader slowly pulled Fuji down.

"Indeed," the prodigy managed to answer before his lips were claimed. He couldn't explain how the cool blooded captain of his could attain such tenderness in his caresses. Yet, now he felt it flowing through his kiss and wherever parts of his body which Tezuka made contact with.

Eventually Fuji found himself straddled his leader when they broke the kiss. But the other lips didn't cease there as he felt the softness traced down slowly to his neck. Other pair of gentle arms encircled his waist, drawing him even closer to the warmness radiated by his captain. In the other hand, he could feel the bathrobe was slipping down his shoulders, revealing his bare white skin. Silently, he grinned to himself. Is it that hard to resist me, Tezuka?

All of a sudden Fuji held his captain's cheeks with both of his hands, insisting him to see the bottomless aqua depths. The prodigy was smiling playfully, "You have worn your uniform, buchou. And if you insist on resuming this, I guarantee that I will have it discarded. Plus, the time won't allow us unless you are ready to be punished in case of lateness."

Tezuka gave him an I-know-that look and kissed the painfully close lips softly. "Don't worry," he muttered and to Fuji's surprise, he felt his body was raised and in no time, the prodigy had nestled in the taller guy's arms peacefully.

"What are you doing, Tezuka!?" he demanded uncomfortably upon his current state, a stain of crimson colored the white skin, "I can still walk on my own feet, for God's sakes!"

"You're heavier than I thought," his leader, who completely ignored the immature protest, commented teasingly.

The tensai glared at him despite his palpitating heart, "If you know that then put me down!"

Instead of fulfilling the order, Tezuka tightened his grasped slightly. His eyes became serious all of a sudden as he whispered in a more subdued tone, "Just let me hold you like this. Just this once…"

Fuji felt like there was a cold hand wrenching his frail heart. Unconsciously, his fingers clutched the immaculate clothes of his captain. He knows. God, he knows we will soon end this…

Tezuka lowered his friend as soon as they arrived at his bedroom. The prodigy promptly retrieved his tennis bag while the captain walked out of the room to his balcony. He gazed to the dark cloudy sky. They clearly would not have a sunny bright weather today. The rain could fall any moment.

Baka, he sighed inwardly, evaluating his current state. You know this is the end from the beginning.

His sharp eyes stared at the closed glass door even though he barely could see anything inside his room. How he wanted everything to be this way, with the presence of Fuji beside him and he would ask no more. Was it so hard to grant the simple wish? The answer appeared to be 'yes'.

Suddenly, he heard a mocking laugh from inside him. As soon as it was heard, the captain turned his gaze once again to the darkening sky. Stupid thoughts. It was only a complete set of stupid thoughts, if only he could get rid of his irreverent desire. Irrespective of what he thought was right, his disability was still retarding him from doing the 'good right things'. If only Fuji wasn't so immoderately appealing. If only he didn't fall under his spell. They were merely lots of 'if only' since none of them could be materialized.

He was thinking of taking his umbrella when the sliding door was opened, revealing his friend clad in the school uniform already. His usual smile was plastered on the cheerful countenance. "Let's go now."

The Seigaku's leader didn't know what overwhelmed him when suddenly he faced an unreasonable fear inside him. His paces were quickened and he captured the slighter built of his friend from behind.

"Tezuka?" the other guy was practically petrified by his unexpected actions. He accepted no reply from his captain but the firm hold was as distinct as words to be an answer. Fuji closed his eyes in pain. This time, the embrace brought no comfort, instead he felt as he was standing in front of the gate of the doom.

"You will marry her," it was definitely a statement, not a question. Despite his steady voice, Fuji could feel that the arms encircled him were trembling.

"…yes," the spell had been cast. There was no was to turn back at all. They stayed in silence for a while before Tezuka let his friend go.

"I see," he murmured under his breath.

Fuji stared at him in disbelief. His anger instantly rose inside him and before he knew it, his palm had been raised. Suddenly a loud sound of slap rang in the quiet room, leaving a red mark on the captain's cheek.

"I see?" his voice was barely audible even if there was no other sound engulfing them, "I, your so-called boyfriend, will marry some other girl you don't even know who and the only thing you can say is I see?"

"Tell me," the prodigy was shocked by the dead cold tone of voice, moreover when he gazed into the murderous stare that had been given to him from behind the spectacles. Still, he sensed an unbearable pain weighed Tezuka's voice. "What do you expect me to say?"

Fuji was stunned, the seemed-so-polite words stabbed his core. How selfish he was. Right, what kind of answer did he want to hear? The plea for him not to leave? Obviously not. Wasn't he supposed to be grateful that his captain showed such an understanding reaction? What else could he want?

A small ironic laugh escaped his lips, "You're right, what should I expect?" Another laugh, only, it was perturbing for there was a sense of insanity buried in it. "Come, I'll tell you the whole story."

Tezuka stared at his friend's back, which thoroughly was drawn farther and farther from his standing place. He could still hear the slight laughter of his prodigy that threw him practically uneasy. The sound bothered him so much, left him in wonder if Fuji was somehow mentally unbalanced. The ominous laugh was enough as a proof of the instability. Inhaling deeply, he had no choice other than following him.

They were walking side by side, just like any lovers did. The silence between them was the only evidence of their quarrel. There were times when Tezuka felt he was reaching the brink of their mute, but a pair of hands always pulled him back to the uncertainty he was now.

When the captain was in the state of nearing the edge once more, a familiar figure appeared from the corner of the alley. The newly arrived guy stopped his run immediately and looked at them both in mild surprise. His grim visage didn't change nonetheless.

"Tezuka-buchou, Fuji-senpai," the harsh voice of his greeted.

"Good morning, Kaidou-kun. I can see where your endurance comes from if you always practice this hard," Fuji sweetly answered. The captain, amazed by the sudden tone alteration, stole a glance at his friend. As he suspected, the prodigy was already smiling. Another act…

"Well, we don't want to interrupt your training. Let's go, Tezuka. See you at school, Kaidou-kun."

To his interest, the viper guy watched as the prodigy took the taller guy's hand in his own. The other didn't seem to mind at all and they resumed their stroll. Taking a last look at the blissful pair, he smiled slightly. So that was the reason of our captain's weird behaviour lately. I guess everything is fine by now.

Meanwhile, Tezuka was startled when he felt Fuji's fingers intertwined with his own. As it wasn't sufficient, the prodigy dropped his head slightly, touching his shoulder. His frozen state only last for not even a second and he sighed as a response.

"What are you playing now?"

"Nothing," it was still the sweet voice, which replied to his query, "isn't this what lovers do when they are walking together?"

The captain made no answer as they kept walking. Fuji tilted his face a bit and chuckled, looking at the all-serious expression his friend wore.

"What?" Tezuka asked again, irritated this time.

"Now, now, Tezuka, don't get angry. Your inflammable temper may bring you an ill-fated life someday," the smaller guy answered, amusement filled every bit of his voice, "Even if I must admit you look handsome in that serious mode, smiling isn't so bad either, you know. You will look much cuter."

"What the hell is that," the captain muttered resentfully as his friend laughed some more as the result. Fuji once again placed his head on its usual spot, enjoying the comforting presence of his leader. Slowly the cheerful voice subsided, replaced by the cold hurl of the wind.

"Forgive me," all of a sudden Tezuka heard the soft whisper. He didn't give any response, merely waiting for his friend to speak further.

"I have no choice," Fuji began his explanation, the talk he had never wanted to start especially to this one person, "her parents were old friends of my father and when my mother was carrying me, they made a ridiculous arrangement to engage me and the newly born girl of their family."

"It developed into a bigger matter when my father's business was involved," he continued as they turned to the main road. It was oddly desolate this morning and only a few cars were passing by. "Her parents is a stockholder in my family's company and the most important one, if I may say. They are so into this marriage plan that it will affect the business if it isn't materialized. She said my decline could ruin my father's business. One word from that spoiled bitch is surely enough to make it happen."

Tezuka was taken aback by the last tone his friend was using. This complication was definitely devastating him for he hardly lost his temper. In the other hand, Fuji tightened his hold in anger.

"The other reason is she has an older brother and my sister will be the victim of another engagement if I don't be one, whereas as you know she loves Shiro, Eiji's cousin. Or maybe Yuuta will be sacrificed. I don't want it, I love them both too much, Tezuka, so-" his voice faltered as he could say no more.

The captain saw it was coming and gave his friend a gentle squeeze, to comfort but also encourage him in resuming the attempt to bring their relationship to a close. Fuji smiled sadly, he realized it too. No matter how ironic it seemed, still, it had to be done here, by he himself.

"Actually she is a nice girl, though unavoidably selfish. The only problem is," with that, the prodigy gave his leader a broken look, "…I don't love her."

They stopped right in front of the school gate. Considering it was still early, there was no one could be seen there except the two lovebirds. Tezuka stared at him, feeling it was the last time he could stand face to face to the only person he had ever loved, having the azure eyes gazing at him lovingly.

"If that is your choice, I understand," the captain murmured an answer with so much effort. He felt like somebody else was speaking using his voice. As he looked into the blue orbs, he could see that his answer both hurt and relieved the tensai. Nevertheless, he smiled.

"Thank you, Tezuka," and he stepped forward, touching his lips with his own. The captain closed his eyes, unable to see the shattered feelings for he knew his own eyes revealed the same. Then he felt it was whispered to his mouth.

I love you.

When he opened his eyes once again, the guy who said those three little words had gone, replaced by the Fuji he usually knew. The prodigy was smiling warmly at him.

"Good morning, buchou."

Tezuka was heavily frustrated by the sudden change. For a second he wanted to grab that guy and force him to reveal his true feelings, instead of just standing in silent and returning the friendly stare with his flabbergasted one. Unfortunately none of the part of his body was willing to move, to comply what his heart wanted.

"The rain will fall in any minute, let's go inside," the sweet voice rang through his ear but the only thing he felt was it was stabbing him cruelly.

The captain looked at the retreating figure. He didn't cry, nonetheless there was a sting in his eyes.

'You call that "the worst"?'

Indeed, Fuji thought forlornly as a tear slid down his warm skin despite the still-smiling face, mixing with the falling drops from the sky, if you rejected me from the beginning, then it might not be the worst…

TBC… (No, no, I'm not ending it here ^^)

So what do you think? I know this chapter sucks. I guess there are two more chapters left and it will reach the end. Now that I'm free to write, I will not keep you waiting too long for the next chapter! Thanks for reading and please give me reviews!