A/N: In the story things in italics are either thoughts or emphasis. You should be able to tell which is which.

Disclaimer: Deliriun does not own Tennis no Ohjisama. Deliriun owns an Atobe-plushie, which she has hanging on her mirror because he refused to hang anywhere else.

Got a review I need to address.

Helpful I hope: I'm sorry you feel like I have to change it. Like I said in my a/n before the prologue, this is the way I've written things and I'm sorry if they are wrong. This is a somewhat AU story; the boys are older than in the manga/anime, and I NEED Fuji to be older than Tezuka, or any of the other seniors for that matter. It's important to the plot. I appreciate you trying to help me though. If it wasn't as important as it is, I would change it. I could probably change the school year into starting in April though… It wouldn't change a lot. I need to think about it for a bit because I'm not sure, the plot is still kind of outlining itself.

If anyone knows what month(s?) Japanese kids have their summer hols and what month the school year ends, please tell me in a review. That way I can consider that information before actually writing anything.

WARNING: Before you read this chapter, you should know I'm for abortion if it's used by people with no other choice. However, in this fic, abortions cost lots of money, so…

Chapter 3

If Fuji's smile had been a real physical mask, the force with which it slammed back into place would have given him a whiplash. He knew it probably looked strained however.
"I see," he said slowly. "Senseis, Kyosumi-san, if you don't mind I'd like a word with Takako-san. Alone."
Kyosumi spluttered and looked like he was about to protest, and quite forcefully too, but Ryuzaki stepped in before he could.
"Yes, you two have a lot to talk about. Don't you agree, Kyosumi-san?" She gave the livid man a look that quite clearly said 'enough drama if you please'. Kyosumi glared at her. Then he gave a grunt of agreement and – after giving Fuji one last angry look – turned around and marched out through the door Ryuzaki had just opened. The principal and his secretary followed unhurriedly. Ryuzaki gave Fuji and Takako an encouraging nod before she too walked out and closed the door. Fuji wondered just what she was expecting from him. Probably not what he was about to do anyway. He turned to Takako, who was still sitting on the couch, looking miserable. He had to struggle now to keep his smile on.

"Takako-san," he said, placing emphasis on the honorific. "I'm not sure I understand everything your father told me just now." It wasn't completely true, but it didn't matter. He needed her to talk. Takako swallowed audibly. When she spoke her voice was a whisper.
"I'm sorry. I know… I know what you're thinking-"
"Oh, do you?" His voice was calm but he himself was anything but. Takako shuddered.
"I… You… I'm sorry. But it r-really is y-yours," she stuttered. Fuji bit back an angry scream.
"I see. How is that possible though? We were careful. You yourself supplied the condoms."
"I know," she sobbed. "But… I… I'm sorry, they were old. I'd had them for a really long time, and I had them in my wallet and they must have… I didn't know! If I'd known we'd… I didn't think it mattered just that once." She slapped her hands to her mouth and whimpered, staring at him as if she was afraid he'd hurt her. With Kyosumi for a father, Fuji didn't blame her for reacting that way. He sighed and knelt in front of the couch, taking her hands in his.
"Once is enough," he murmured, rubbing her hands gently. He decided to put aside all the annoyance he felt for the time being. It wouldn't help one bit in this situation, not to mention most of it was directed at himself. He focused his eyes on one of her ringfingers. He knew exactly what Kyosumi expected him to do. Quite probably, it was the same thing Ryuzaki wanted.

No more. Not this. No more.

"So. It's really mine then?" His voice was kind.
"I haven't, you know… Been with anyone else. Before or after. So it can't be anyone else's." She blushed and snivelled a bit. Fuji nodded. Takako was – though she could have a fierce temper – quite shy. She reminded him of Taka-san in a way, except she didn't need a tennis racket to unhinge. In any case, she wasn't one to have boys running after her. What had actually attracted Fuji to her – if you could even call it attraction – was probably her lack of 'popular'.
"Well then, what do we do?" he asked, not really expecting an answer. She gave him a fearful look.
"Father wants you to marry me," she whispered.
"I figured as much. I'm sorry Takako-san-"
"I know. It's alright. You don't love me, and I… I thought I loved you before, for a short while, but I don't even know you that well, so…" she gave a cheerless laugh. Fuji sighed in relief. That didn't really solve anything however. But Takako wasn't done.
"I would have an abortion… I'm only seventeen; I can't raise a baby on my own. But father won't… He says he won't pay for something so sacrilegious." Takako's eyes had gone dead, and her face was pale.
"He keeps saying we have to marry, no matter how much I screamed at him, and I did scream Fuji-kun."
"Takako-san…" Fuji didn't like the way this seemed to be heading.
"I don't want to marry you, and you don't want to marry me. I can't have an abortion, and I can't raise the baby on my own. Father would kick me out of the house, and I have no education, no job, no money to use for all the things the baby would need. So; I'm going to give it up for adoption as soon as it is born. I think I may be able to convince father to let me."
"No."
"What? Fuji-kun-"
"I said no."
Fuji was no longer smiling, his head bent so most of his face was hidden under his bangs.
"I'm sorry Takako-san," he whispered. "But I can't let you do that."
"B-but why not?" Takako stared at him in disbelief, her face having regained some of its color.
"No child of mine will be given away. Ever. I'm sorry." His voice was cold and he knew he didn't sound the least bit apologetic. Takako looked startled.
"There are a lot of children who live happily in adopted families, better than they would with their real parents, so why-"
"You say your father will kick you out if you try to keep the baby, and you're probably right so I'll give you another option." He lifted his head and let his eyes – the eyes that frightened anyone to comply with his wishes – bore into her.
"Give the baby to me. If you can't raise it then I will." Fuji smiled again, a sad smile. "I thought I'd never be able to have children, so in a way this is a blessing, ne?"
Takako stared at him.
"But… Your parents, are they going to be alright with that? Can you just decide-"
"That won't be a problem. Don't worry Takako-san, this way everything will be alright, and you will be able to come visit our child whenever you want."
"No… That's… If we do this, then… It will be your child. Not mine. If I give it to you, that's it. It may sound cold, but…" she choked but then seemed to force herself to continue. "As soon as it is born, I'll give it to you. And that will be that. No more."

No more.

Fuji understood. They would be robbing their child of one parent, but Fuji would rather have that then let his child grow up under someone else's roof.
"I understand. If that's the way you want it, then I'm not going to argue anymore. But when he or she grows up and asks where mommy is, what am I going to say?"
Tears rolled down Takako's face, but she didn't wipe them away.
"Maybe… Maybe in a few years it will be alright for me to visit?" She looked at him questioningly. Fuji wanted to shake his head. She had accepted his demand so easily, and now she was asking his permission to – in a few years – come visit a child that was at present still in her womb. Perhaps she really still was a child herself. His smile came easily, and was completely fake.
"Of course, Takako-san." He gestured towards the door. "Well then, shall we tell the 'grownups' what we have decided?"
Takako nodded and rose from the couch. Fuji watched her walk over to the door in a daze. His face was still smiling, and it would continue to smile, even though he still felt like screaming. Takako thought they had worked everything out, and where it concerned her, they probably had. Kyosumi wouldn't be able to object to their deal, he was terrified his daughter would end up with a 'bastard child' to take care of, rendering her unfit for marriage to any other man. Old values still existed in some places in the adult world, no matter how ridiculous they were. There was one other thing though. Fuji had told Takako his own parents wouldn't be a problem.

No child of mine will be given away. No more. Eighteen years of anguish.

No more.

A/N (again): Aren't I horrible? I was hinting towards something in this chapter. Let me know if you caught it (in other words; review!).

Still setting up the angst. Next chapter will (probably) contain school's reaction, Fuji family's reaction and MORE ANGST! Damnit, if I keep going like this I'll NEVER get to the yaoi! (snurvle)

Next chapter may take a while… Because this one didn't (hehe).

Flames will be… Shoot, too tired. Flames will be IGNORED!

Review please.