Me no Mae ni - Before your very eyes

Another angle of Hitomi wo Tojite - A PoT fanfiction

by Thyphy

ACT V

"Nyah! Kikumaru Beam!"

Because Fuji was a prodigy, he could do a lot of things and a lot of things altogether, like playing doubles with Ooishi, answering the redhead's random questions during the match and watching Tezuka's own match.

Sometimes, just like he tensai, Tezuka did a lot of things at the same time, such as playing and thinking about things that weren't really related to tennis. Fuji could see by the look in his eyes the same determinated look he saw on the day before. His will to do something. His will to find out who was playing games with him.

Fuji knew that to the captain, everything worked as a Tezuka Zone. And he was trying to use it to find the tensai. But if he was by Tezuka's side, just like a doubles player, it wouldn't work if one didn't want it, since they weren't in sync.

"Since Tezuka closes his eyes and feels his surroundings..."

"What did you say, Fuji?"

"Betsuni, Ooishi"

ACT VI

'I received your answer. Even when you daydream, you keep your eyes opened.

But if you want to find me, you'll have to close 'em and let my sound be your guide.'

Fuji wanted Tezuka to play his game

'If you dare opening them to spy, I'll vanish.'

So, he had to give him a reason to. If he didn't, the captain wouldn't feel like chasing after him. And the tensai wouldn't see that look in his brown eyes, that made him breathless.

'That will to find me, that I could see in your opened eyes, what does it mean? What will you do when you finally reach me?'

The blonde let the message in Tezuka's locker, because he was afraid anyone but the captain saw it if he put in Tezuka's clothes.

He wanted to wait and see Tezuka's face, but it would make him suspect, since all the players were leaving the school. Sighing, he took his long way home.

ACT VII

First thing in the morning, Fuji noticed Tezuka was a bit different. He was more observant but his eyes were the same. That look that carried an even stronger will to find the prodigy.

Giggling, the tensai realized he would have to play a hide-and-seek game today. That sounded fun.

At the lunch time, he saw Tezuka stalking some of the regulars and loved the sight of frustration.

"Hoi hoi, Fuji, are you ok?"

"Yes"

"Are you looking for something, Fuji?"

"Iie, Ooishi"

"Shuusuke, you're daydreaming nyah."

"No I'm not. I'm just... "

Looking at a tree behind Kikumaru's and Ooishi's back, he could see Tezuka looking at them. Chasing after him. Smiling at the captain, he closed his eyes and looked at the sky.

"I'm just checking the weather. I think it's gonna rain."

"Nyah. It can't!"

Fuji tilted his head and opened his eyes. Tezuka wasn't there anymore. He didn't find him.

ACT VIII

"Fuji and Kikumaru! Ten laps for chatting in the middle of practice!"

All the regulars were fearing Tezuka. Even Ooishi was afraid of talking to him. They thought it would be better if they waited until Tezuka had calmed down to actually ask him to go easy on them.

Fuji had a somewhat mischievous smile that only Inui noticed. He knew the tensai was finding something very amazing back there. His data said it had 25 percent of chance that Tezuka's behavior was due to Fuji's schemes. But he would do nothing about it. He was getting really interesting good data from the captain.

"You're happy today, Fuji"

"Maa... you noticed, Inui."

"I couldn't let it pass"

"Saa. How silly of me."

Nobody could say that, but inside, Fuji was laughing at Tezuka's situation. The captain was playing Ryoma's singles with two people against Ooishi and Taka-chan and the buchou was sweating more than he usually did.

At the end of the match, something very unexpected happened.

"Ryoma, Tezuka. You were our less excited pair. But it's nothing a glass of my vegetables juice won't fix."

Reluctant and with his mood even worse than before, Tezuka drank all the juice in a gulp.

Nobody said a word as Tezuka stomped back to the locker room. But Fuji went and walked him there. It was his fault the captain was so short-tempered today. Knowing Tezuka would kill him if he didn't chose the correct words, he just talked on his sweet tone.

"Maa maa, today we ran more laps than ever. I wonder if you're ok, Tezuka."

"I'm ok."

"Maa ne."

ACT IX

'I saw you looking for me. That beautiful eyes shooting looks on all directions. On everybody.

It's so easy to find me. Just close your eyes and feel me.'

Fuji chuckled as he remembered Tezuka stalking the regulars. It was something he thought he would never see. Fairly, Inui must've been thinking the same thing.

He was almost sure Tezuka knew it was a boy, since his victims were the regulars, but he didn't know exactly what the buchou would get observing his teammates. Could that be Tezuka's been looking foy a boy who acted gay-ish?

Even being the tensai he was, he couldn't go and find out what Tezuka was thinking, unless he wanted the buchou to find him faster.

Sighing, he continued his letter

'I'm prepared to your reaction when you learn who I am.'

He didn't know how he was able to feel like that, after the patience demonstration Tezuka did at the practice. Fuji wanted the captain to wait a bit more, because he could be playing, but he was serious. And when he was serious, he played to achieve the victory.

'But I want you to know I'm not mocking you. I'm just showing the only way to find me, yet, I see your pride doesn't want my help.'

Although Tezuka had his pride, Fuji knew the captain would end up giving up to the curiousness and do everything he could to find the one who said that loved him.

'You don't want anyone to guide you.

But in the end, I know you'll let me.'

ACT X

A new day, a new Tezuka and a new mood, thought the tensai happily. Fuji couldn't help the fact Tezuka's frustration was so delightful to him. Maybe he was insane, but it was because he loved all the aspects of his captain, specially when he let his emotions flow, either good and bad emotions. Fuji just wanted everything that was Tezuka.

He entered the club room and saw his Tezuka. By the time, Fuji was pretty sure the captain had seen the message he left inside his locker yesterday.

"Good morning, buchou"

Fuji smiled at Tezuka's back and let his tennis bag on the bench

"Good morning, Fuji"

For some reason, Fuji decided he didn't want to be alone with Tezuka, so he left to the courts.

ACT XI

The morning air was cold, but Fuji thought it was just perfect. Sitting on the bench, he focused on the locker room's door and, as if his wish was fulfilled before he could even think about it, Tezuka exited the room and ran towards him. Determination in his eyes. Fuji smiled pleased.

"Mou, is there something wrong, Tezuka?"

His face was flushed because of the cold air. The tensai continued smiling at the sight.

"Fuji, answer me"

"What?"

The prodigy thought it was cute seeing Tezuka take a deep breath before saying something. The captain was fast. Always fast, specially when he ordered laps.

"Are... are you the one.. who's writing" The initial flush turned up into a blush "um... messages for me?"

"Messages? What kind of messages?"

What was Tezuka thinking? Was his plan for today asking each regular or it was just Fuji? If the buchou was to ask everybody, the tensai would like to be around, just in case Tezuka blushed with the same frequence.

"Um... just... messages and... placing them inside my bag and locker."

Fuji wanted to say 'yes', but it would be too easy.

"I think you would know it was me if you recognized the handwriting, right?"

Brilliant. Tezuka didn't know Fuji's handwriting

"... I think so."

The tensai was surprised by Tezuka's answer. Maybe he was feeling funny and didn't know how to keep the conversation, thought Fuji.

"May I see them?"

Tezuka hesitated, but Fuji smiled innocently

"I can help you."

Fuji knew Tezuka was aware of his dangerousness. But he also knew Tezuka was aware of his flawlessly works.

As if deciding for the last statement, Tezuka handed the tensai the four messages, which Fuji read one after another.

"Can you swear you're not the author?"

"Tezuka, I never swear or make promises. I think it's only fair, because it may happen that I break one promise."

He thought that maybe he wouldfind out why Tezuka asked him if he was the authorbyreading all the messages again. Then, he saw the word 'vanish' in the third message and found connection with this morning events. An amused, but small smile graced his lips.

Tezuka frowned. He was kind of desperate

"Tezuka... you thought it was me... because I 'vanished ' from the locker room?"

"... yes."

"Well... it means you're finally letting this person guide you. Tezuka, do you have any suspects?"

"All the regulars."

"Oh. It may be difficult. But I'll lead you to that boy if you want."

"I want to."

Fuji smiled. He would be close to Tezuka today, until his buchou figured outeverything was a Fuji thing.

to be continued...

FujiSyusuke - Your first? What an honor! I hope you like it ;3
DnKS-giRLs - hehe, not an oneshot, it's got the same number of chapters Hitomi o Tojite has :)
KagomeGirl21 - Thank you!
ruji - I'm glad you liked ;p
Tora Macaw - XDD Well, I think Tezuka resembles a cactus ... try squeezing him ;)