A/N: Guess what? There's lots of Fuji in this chapter! I just can't seem to be able to resist slipping him in…But yeah, I was really glad to hear that Oishi's reasoning made sense in the last chapter…I think I worry about writing Oishi, because I just identify with him much less than with Eiji, so he's always difficult. Incidentally, this chapter is Oishi's POV again (with Fuji mixed in)… So, I hope you enjoy it…and thank you again for reading and reviewing!

Chapter Four

Winter break came and went.

Oishi cancelled his trip home. He decided, against his better judgment, to lie to his parents, telling them that he had a lot of work to do and that he didn't want them to waste their money flying him home when he would just have to shut himself away in his room anyway. They figured he had made friends and was enjoying the time away from home, and agreed, as Oishi had predicted, without much argument. It was uncharacteristic of Oishi to so obviously avoid a problem, but he really saw no reason not to be selfish right now.

He thought about Eiji constantly. And time ticked away.

Eiji had long since stopped picking up the phone when Oishi called. After a month or so, he changed his phone number, and Oishi forced himself to seriously think that maybe he should stop trying to explain everything away, and just let Eiji go. Eiji had certainly already given him the go ahead a long time ago. But Oishi knew that he still loved Eiji, and that right now, this would be impossible.

Despite everything, Oishi was worried about Eiji. He thought about calling Eiji's parents to try to get in touch with him, but didn't, mostly just because he was embarrassed. Oishi was sure they had to know how things had had ended up by now. And if they didn't know, Oishi didn't really want to have to admit it to them.

He wasn't sure how logical it was, this desire to hold onto something that was only hurting him, but this was just how it was. Oishi loved Eiji, because he wanted to, because he chose to, even now.

The more time that passed though, the harder all of this was for Oishi to justify, even to himself. Because Oishi knew that based on the circumstances, and by the laws of probability, Eiji had most likely found someone else. Long distance relationships ended like this all the time after all, usually in the first few months apart. There was no reason for Oishi to deny the fact that such a simple explanation could be the answer to everything. Everyone told him this in one way or another, just in the way they listened to Oishi talk about Eiji, if they were lucky enough to coax the story out of him. Oishi really couldn't imagine it though, Eiji being with someone else, or them being over. But, he reminded himself, he also couldn't imagine that Eiji would refuse to see him if he showed up to visit, and that had happened.

Time passed, and it was strange, but Oishi found that he still felt connected to Eiji, like he always had. The connection they had shared almost from the moment they had met was still there; Oishi could feel it, buried somewhere inside of him. Oishi couldn't help but wonder if he was just imagining that it was there now though. Because he really couldn't figure out how this connection was possible anymore, when Eiji was so clearly slipping further and further away from him.

Time was passing, and Oishi knew that the distance between them was only becoming greater. When Oishi really allowed himself to think about it, he had no choice but to admit that he had absolutely no idea what was going on, or what he was doing. Everything seemed to be in a complete state of absurdity sometimes. He hadn't been able to let Eiji go after all, and Oishi really wasn't sure if this was a good or a bad thing anymore.

Despite his confusion though, Oishi knew what he would inevitably do.

He knew that there was no way he would be able to figure any of this out unless he went back, though he wondered if someday he would regret this decision. He tried to tell himself that he was doing this for himself, for the very purpose of having no regrets, and that regardless of what happened with Eiji, taking the next year off would be a decision he could live with.

He would never have to tell anyone the real reason. He would apply for an internship, or something, anything; it really didn't matter. People expected responsible things from him, so there was no reason he shouldn't be able to pull this off. Because Oishi knew that if he ever wanted to move forward, with or without Eiji, he had to figure this out. And it was clear that going back was the only way he would even come close to accomplishing this. Oishi knew also that if Eiji would let him back into his life, even for a minute, he would probably sacrifice everything if he had to.

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The end of the second semester was nearing completion, when Oishi received an email from Fuji Syuusuke. Fuji was Eiji's friend, first and foremost, and while Oishi had gotten to know Fuji during junior high and high school, through tennis, and just by being around Eiji so much, he had never really considered him a close friend. They hadn't kept in touch at all this past year, and certainly the last thing Oishi expected was to hear from him now.

The message was slightly cryptic, as Oishi could have predicted, and asked for Oishi's phone number. Fuji was brief, saying that he needed to talk to Oishi, but that he understood it was expensive, and for Oishi to tell him the best time to call. It was strange, Oishi was thinking, Fuji being so formal. It was almost as if Fuji thought Oishi would refuse, or not want to talk to him. Oishi was absolutely sure this would be about Eiji, and though he was a little apprehensive, he was mostly just happy.

Oishi had never thought to contact Fuji about Eiji before now, but he guessed it was probably for the best that it had worked out this way. Fuji didn't exactly seem to be the kind of person who would allow himself to be solicited for information about his friends. But since he had come to Oishi, there must be something Fuji wanted to tell him. Oishi was anxious, but tried to put it out of his mind.

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Fuji, of course, called exactly at the beginning of the time frame Oishi had given him. He was polite, calm, and as to be expected, he got right to the point.

"Oishi, what's going on with you and Eiji?" Fuji asked, with a distinct air of urgency, after exchanging the necessary greetings.

At first, Oishi figured this was a trick question, because he really thought Fuji should know the answer to this question much better than he did, at this point. But Oishi answered honestly… "I don't know."

The other end of the phone was silent, and Oishi realized Fuji was waiting for him to continue, and wondered where he should start. "I…Well, I'm sure you know what happened on Eiji's birthday, and I really haven't talked to him since then. I've tried, but… I don't even have his new phone number. I think he changed it on purpose."

Fuji was quiet for a second, before he asked, "Oishi, what exactly happened on Eiji's birthday?"

Oishi didn't believe for a second that Fuji honestly didn't know what had happened. But he really wanted Fuji to tell him something about Eiji, anything, and he figured that if he had to play along with one of Fuji's games to get what he wanted, he would.

"Well," Oishi started, "I flew in to surprise Eiji on his birthday, and when he saw me he had a complete fit, and wouldn't even look at me. He told me he never wanted to see me again. So I came back. And…well…I don't know."

"Mn….", Fuji murmured, trying to fit the pieces together. "Oishi, did he say anything else? When you saw him?"

"No. Not really. Why?"

Fuji ignored the question. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but Eiji has not been himself since you left."

Oishi waited, not really knowing how to respond.

"Oishi, you know that Eiji never lies." Fuji paused, considering how much he should say. "I had heard a rumor about you showing up on his birthday, but when I asked him about it he denied it. When I pushed him on it he told me that you were supposed to come, but cancelled the trip. That you were too busy. I thought it was really strange, that he didn't say anything until I asked, and that he would so obviously lie."

"I don't understand."

"I knew he was lying, and he knew that I knew, but he still wouldn't talk to me. Then he made me promise not to ask him about you, ever again."

Oishi didn't know what to say, and so he waited again, willing himself not to just hang up the phone right now, because he was starting to get a bad feeling.

"Oishi, he needs you. I can't help him right now, but I think that you can."

It had been a long time since Oishi had thought about anyone needing him, much less Eiji, who, if anything seemed to be absolutely over needing anything from him. He really wondered what Fuji was getting at, other than trying to confuse him. And he was starting to feel a little defensive.

"How can I help him, Fuji? He won't even talk to me. Tell me what to do, and I'll do it. If you know something that I don't, please tell me."

"I really don't know that much either, Oishi. But I'm worried about him. He's failing out of some of his classes. If that happens he'll be dropped from the tennis team."

"Fuji, did you call me to ask me to help Eiji with his homework? Because-" Oishi stopped himself, apologizing somewhat lamely for his rudeness.

Fuji brushed off Oishi's comment, trying to think of how best to broach the next topic. He liked Oishi, and had no intention of trying to hurt him. But he did think that Oishi should know what was going on. Fuji was getting a little annoyed too, thinking that maybe this was all Oishi's fault anyway, and that the last thing he should be worrying about was Oishi's reaction. Fuji knew that he sometimes became dangerously protective of people, especially people he really cared about and he could feel this side of him wanting to lash out at Oishi all of the sudden. He tried to put this aside though, because he really just wanted to do what he could to help Eiji, after all.

"There's a rumor also, about his relationship with the team's captain," Fuji finally said.

Oishi drew in a sharp breath. How could Fuji tell him that he had to help Eiji, and then in the next breath, tell him this? And how did Fuji manage to hear these rumors anyway? But Oishi said nothing, waiting for Fuji's next punch line, resigning himself to whatever happened. At least he was finding out something.

"Oishi, I'm not telling you this to hurt you. I'm telling you this because I'm honestly worried about him, and I believe that he needs you." Fuji paused.

"Fuji, what's the rumor," Oishi asked flatly.

"This guy has a reputation for being rough, dangerous even. He has a boyfriend, and the rumor is that he's using Eiji…for something else. It's all over the team; apparently he does this every year."

Oishi really wasn't sure that he wanted to hear any more, and he told Fuji this. Fuji ignored him.

"I honestly don't know what's going on either, Oishi. When I asked Eiji if he was still with you, he told me yes, insistently, and denied that anything is going on with this other person, but… The last time I saw him, I could just tell. He's called me a few times too, sounding crazy, scared even. I really think this person is hurting him. I don't know for sure, but it's just not good. Not for Eiji."

Oishi was shocked that Eiji would tell Fuji they were still together, but he couldn't even think about that right now. Everything, including any jealousy he might have felt was completely overshadowed now by his concern for Eiji. "What do you mean? Hurting him how? Fuji, if-"

"He was covered in bruises. And there were other marks too."

Fuji's tone of voice suddenly had Oishi feeling really naive. "What other marks, Fuji? What are you talking about?"

The more Fuji thought about Eiji in this situation, the angrier he became. Then he realized Oishi was probably waiting, thinking horrible thoughts, when really the picture in Fuji's mind was rather mundane, as far as those things go. Fuji chucked, but when he spoke his voice was serious, icy even.

"Binding marks. From being tied up, Oishi."

Fuji allowed Oishi to process that for a second, smiling a little at the fact that he was probably correctly thinking that this was the first time Oishi had ever imagined Eiji like that. Fuji realized he was being a little cruel though, and felt a slight pang of regret. He honestly didn't want to hurt Oishi. But he couldn't help but think that Oishi knew Eiji even better than he did, and really loved him, and that he had still let this happen. For the life of him Fuji couldn't understand why Oishi had let this go on for so long or why Oishi hadn't tried harder to figure Eiji out. But Fuji also realized that it was always easier to see things from the outside. He knew that he really couldn't blame Oishi.

Fuji realized Oishi was waiting for him to say something else. He thought for a long moment.

"To do that sort of thing without trust though…is dangerous. Especially for someone who doesn't know what they're doing. And I assure you, Eiji is lost right now. Oishi, he needs you."

Oishi was silent for a long time. He thought of something Eiji had said in his letter a long time ago, about how he felt paralyzed and scared because he couldn't feel anything anymore. That he needed to feel something. Eiji was bad at keeping secrets too and Oishi wondered if this was part of the reason he had had such a hard time talking to him. He wondered if Eiji thought he would be angry if he knew, or…

Then Oishi suddenly remembered that he was on the phone. He could hear Fuji breathing, waiting patiently. Oishi honestly wasn't sure if he was grateful for this phone call, or if he hated Fuji for telling him this right now. Still, he found himself honestly seeking advice.

"What do you think I should do?"

Fuji was a little surprised at Oishi's reaction. But then again, he knew that this was why Eiji loved him so much, and why they were good for each other. "Honestly? I think you should come back."

"Fuji, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you think this is my fault?"

"Aa. Well…" Fuji thought for a second, trying to think of a diplomatic way to frame his thoughts. "No. I don't know if it was the right decision for you to leave. But obviously Eiji is the only one responsible for his actions. Either way, blame is not the issue anymore." Fuji paused, his voice softening, now that he had the hard part of the conversation over. He hoped they could both relax a little.

"So, you've thought about coming back?"

Oishi paused, trying to figure out Fuji's train of thought, and then giving up, and resigning to the truth. "Of course. All the time."

Fuji thought out loud for a second, "I wonder if he's doing this because he wants you to come back and stop him." Then he stopped, realizing his mistake. "Not consciously, of course. Consciously I don't think Eiji feels anything past missing you."

"Do you really think that? Has he told you that?"

"Yes, I really think so, and no, he doesn't talk to me about you. You are the forbidden subject right now, Oishi." Fuji smiled to himself. "But I know."

There was a long pause. Fuji could tell that Oishi was thinking about telling him something, but wasn't sure if he wanted to. Fuji had always been able to read people well, and he had recently been forced to extend this intuition across the phone lines. He had to admit, he felt he was getting pretty good at it. He heard Oishi take a deep breath.

"I'm taking a year off from school after this semester."

"Aa… So you have been thinking about it, ne?" Fuji laughed.

"I decided a long time ago, but I don't really know what I'm going to do yet. I haven't told my parents. Actually, you're the first person I've told."

"Well, you know I can keep a secret, Oishi. So when do you finish there?"

"The end of April."

"You know, the regional finals are at the beginning of May. Eiji's playing singles now. He's been a regular since the second ranking match, and he's playing really well." Fuji said softly, with a barely detected hint of sadness, "Well, it's no Golden Pair, but I'm sure you'd enjoy watching him play."

Fuji realized now that even if he did somewhat blame Oishi for leaving his friend in such a state, he really wanted them to be together. Fuji had always looked at Eiji's relationship with Oishi as a model of sorts, something that he hoped to possibly achieve someday. It had taken some readjustment in thinking on his part to realize that even the Golden Pair wasn't indestructible. It made him sad, and Fuji never got emotionally involved in other people's love lives. He really wanted Eiji to be happy though, and Oishi too. It was important to him. For some reason, this fascinated Fuji in that instant. And suddenly he felt a little guilty.

"Oishi, I'm sorry if I was harsh before. I think I was blaming you, because I don't like to see Eiji hurt. But it's not your fault. Please forgive me, if I offended you."

Oishi was shocked at Fuji's formality, and also at his honesty. But then again, Fuji, like Eiji was someone who always managed to surprise Oishi. "You weren't harsh. Not at all. I'm glad you were honest. And I understand why you blame me. It is my fault. I should have realized, I should have-"

"Saa, Oishi. It's not your fault. Some things are hidden for a reason. Maybe this will bring you closer, maybe not, but you can't expect to have all the answers all the time. Sometimes people need time apart to realize what they have, you know?"

Fuji's voice trailed off, and Oishi had the strange impression that Fuji wasn't talking about him anymore. "That's right, Fuji, how is Tezuka? He'll be away for two years, right? "

Fuji almost chuckled at Oishi's perceptiveness. Then again, he knew he had a tendency to be a little transparent when it came to his own feelings for a certain former tennis captain.

"Tezuka is fine, Oishi. He's in America, you know, in Boston. I'm going on a trip there later this month." Fuji paused, thinking. "We manage, you know? I guess I don't need as much maintenance as Eiji, after all." And Fuji laughed, a little nervously, realizing that he had probably said too much.

Some things never change, Oishi was thinking, noticing how the tensai's voice still took on the same slightly dreamy quality when he talked about Tezuka. Oishi was glad to hear that Tezuka and Fuji were doing well though. He had always thought they were a good match, though a somewhat odd one, at least on the surface.

"You'll have to tell him hello for me. It's been a while since we've had a chance to catch up."

"Sure, I'm sure he'll be happy to hear that we talked."

Fuji smiled again, realizing that his trademark smile was all but lost on the phone. Maybe it showed in his voice though. He was sure that Tezuka had said that it did once… Fuji skillfully shifted his focus back to the matter at hand though, realizing how far away he was drifting.

"Oishi, things like this have a way of working out. I really think that everything will be ok. Eiji will be ok. As long as he has you to take care of him, he'll be fine."

"I don't think I'm very good at that anymore," Oishi said quietly.

"Oishi…he loves you. And you're going back for him. Eiji may be a little crazy…" Fuji laughed lightly, "But he's not that crazy. Once he realizes that you're not going to disappear again, he will be fine."

"I hope you're right."

"Saa, Oishi…" Fuji laughed again, "You know I'm always right."

Oishi laughed this time too, and tried to believe him.

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A/N: Ok, so Eiji and the captain - I know it's a bit, well… (I didn't want to be too explicit, which is why things are kind of left up to imagination...Hopefully that didn't make it confusing?) But I just sort of wanted to show how mixed up Eiji is without Oishi around, that he'd allow something so very opposite from what he has with Oishi? Did that come across? Hmm… I hope so. Thoughts, anyone? Anyway, the next chapter is coming soon…Reviews are much appreciated. :)