tHE FORBIDDEN LOVE

cHp3 tHE MATCH

by huixian sama

Some time has passed since that (1) day. Although the loves both parties have for each other is vast, they never express their love openly in public. Well, most of the credit goes to Tezuka, who insisted that their relationship kept unknown to others.

They had done it well.

So when Tezuka played with Atobe, no one was surprise when Fuji was not the first one to run to Tezuka's side when his arm was beyond bearable pain. No one was surprised that they spoke no words. But although he wasn't there physically, he had been there mentally. He was there first. He had always been there, and they both knew that.

Tezuka could see Fuji assessing his injury from behind the fence. He could see, the concern in Fuji's beautiful eyes when he felt the pain. The slight movement of his lips when he whispered his name. He knew that Fuji is praying for him to stop the match. But he couldn't. He needed to win, for the club. As the buchou, he had to.

Maybe he was being selfish, maybe it wasn't for the club. He couldn't say for sure. Why had he insisted on continuing that particular match that would break him.

…

Tezuka… please stop. Tezuka. Please. Fuji prayed mentally. Please forfeit this match. Please.

Fuji's heart wrenched in pain as he watches his love being destroyed in court. Fuji shut his eyes. The scene was too unbearable to watch.

"Arg…" Fuji's eyes snapped open as he heard Tezuka let out a cry, only to see Tezuka kneeling down, holding his arm.

The match had lasted too long. Tezuka's arm is hurt. Just what his opponent, Atobe had aimed for.

Fuji was too shocked to move. Tezuka! My Tezuka! He watched helplessly as Tezuka walked out of the court. Someone must have called for a break.

Fuji wanted so much to run to Tezuka and ask his to stop, to forfeit the match. But he knew better. Tezuka would never run away from a challenge. So all he can do now is give Tezuka his fullest support, as a friend, and as a lover. He walked towards Tezuka. Trying to cover the pain in his eyes, he closed his eyes, and smiled.

"Go Tezuka. Give it your best and let there be no regret afterwards. And… please be careful."

"I will." Although Fuji can't see Tezuka's face, (Since his eyes are closed) he can hear comfort in that curt reply. It seems so ironic that it is Tezuka that is comforting Fuji instead of the other way round.

Fuji's smile faded as he watched Tezuka walk back to the court.

The match continued.

Fuji held on to the fence so tightly that his knuckles went white. He could see that Tezuka is in pain although he did not show it. Every stroke is a struggle to Tezuka. But he could do nothing about it. He could only watch as his love is being further destroyed.

The game lasted very long. For every point Tezuka gained, the opponent took one. For every set Tezuka got, the Atobe gained another. The game was so intense that the audience had to remember to breath. Especially Fuji. He held his breath until his lungs protested in piercing pain.

After a long battle, the match ended with Tezuka's zero shikki (2). Tezuka lost. His shot did not manage to get over the net. That proved how bad the condition of his shoulder was in.

"Tezuka…" Fuji could not stand watching his love suffer any longer. He rushed into the court, and to Tezuka's side.

Tezuka closed his eyes, trying to control the pain. He was gripping very hard on the racket, trying not to show any sign of pain. It would only worry Fuji more.

"Daijobu ka?" asked Fuji, as he helped Tezuka out of the court.

"Daijobu."

"Tezuka…" Fuji started, but decided that what Tezuka needs the most now is the doctor. "I'll bring you to the doctor."

Knowing that Echizen will win his match, Tezuka followed Fuji to the doctor.

Tezuka and Fuji walked home together from the hospital. He doctor did an x-ray, and told Tezuka to collect it 2 weeks later.

"Tezuka…"

"Hn?"

Fuji held Tezuka's hand and laid his head n Tezuka's shoulder. (The unhurt one duh!)

"Don't ever do that again." Fuji said in a pleading voice. "Back then, I was so afraid that I would lose you."

"I know."

"I understand that that match was very important to you. Not only you. But to everyone too. Demo, if you let me choose, you will always come before nationals. And I know that all the other regulars would too." Said Fuji, starting to sound concerned.

"I love you too."

"?!?!?!"

"You said so much. But I know what you really wanted to say."

"Sasuga Tezuka. Count on Tezuka to be strait forward." Said the smiling Fuji, happy that Tezuka had said the three words first (Well… maybe four…) although he made it sound like Fuji had said it first.

Fuji stopped walking, and turned to face Tezuka.

"I love you too too." Fuji smiled. Tezuka smiled.

After what seems like 5 minutes of staring into each other's eyes, Tezuka lowered his head to capture the pretty lips of the other.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/n: phew… finally completed this chapter… sorry for the delay… and thanks for waiting… well…maybe not so patiently… I mean… I don't know…haha… okok… enough of the crap. So… I m really sorry for taking so darn long… demo… I m really busy with other stuff… for example, the multi author fic, and my other fics, and my homework… school started k… I need to finish my undone holiday homework first… and this year IS my critical year. So must study harder… so this fic will take longer then I predicted… and slower too… fine… fine… I will update 2 chapters this time since I took so long k… this fic is rather short I reckon. But then, this is jus a passing chapter for me to get to another. So it took a lot out of me…Hey!!! I am…supposed to be studying for my Chinese now. What am I doing here? Gah!!! Nvm then… shall jus keep rattling on… wait… wat was I about to say? Oh… ya… um… Thks to all who R&R ed to my previous chaps… hope you all will continue R&R ing. Yea. Tried very hard on the grammar this time round… I know I suck… sorry but I can't help it… jus hope you all wasn't too disappointed. Seesh… my A/n is getting longer and longer. I wasn't too happy with it myself… spent more then two weeks on this chapter alone… sigh… ok… got to go study for my Chinese before I fail it tomorrow. Ja ne

(1) Hopefully you, readers know what I m talking bout. Too lazy to think of a nice phrase to use. "" Gomen…

(2) Eh… is that the right spelling? I don't think so… gomen… I can't help being stupid…