Disclaimer: The Prince of Tennis © Takeshi Konomi

Author's Note: mou, nothing said.

Couples: FujiRyo, slight TezuFuji and MomoRyo. One-sided SaekiFuji, SakuRyo

'Italics' – thoughts

'Bold' – headings, important speeches, radio or television broadcast

'Normal' – normal speeches

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

In those Eyes

Part III, nothing said, nothing done

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

The feeling of warm lips against his, the brief sharing of affection… The feeling remained, surfacing every now and then, since the past month. Their untold secret, shared between them without saying a single word. That fateful night; the incident still haunting his memories. He couldn't help but rethink of what had happened. The confusion of his sempai's action. He yearned for the truth behind such behavior, but he didn't have the voice to speak and ask such a simple question like that. Maybe because he knew that Fuji wouldn't answer him. He would just shake his head as if bemused at the fact that Ryoma wanted to know behind that simple kiss. That was how Fuji was, always pushing people to the line of sanity.

"You seem to be thinking a lot."

Ryoma raised his head to the speaker. The voice of the man that spoke to him, made him twitch. Momoshiro was the last person he wanted to chat with.

"Hey, what's wrong?" The taller, some-what older man asked while taking a seat next to Ryoma, "Something bothering ya?"

Ryoma remained silent, fiddling with his wrist band. It was, awkward to say the most, to speak with Momoshiro. The situation at hand wasn't easy to speak of, especially when Fuji told him not to tell anyone about it. Wait; had Fuji actually told him to not discuss this with anyone else? All he remembered Fuji doing was silencing him, but he didn't say anything else. But still…Ryoma sighed with aggravation. They had made an unspoken truce. Even though he was still confusedat what had happened… he didn't like sharing such matters with anybody else when he wasn't even sure himself of what happened. At the moment, what was really bothering him…? The kiss… or Fuji himself?

"Mou, its Momoshiro and Ochibi!" Kikumaru's holler of acknowledgement rang to their ears. Ryoma lowered his head further as it already was, trying to act as if he didn't know the redhead, but before they knew it; Eiji appeared before them with a wide smile. "Hoh ho! I wouldn't expect you guys to be here! Ne Oishi!"

Oishi, who was far behind, walked up to his hyperactive other half, and tried to force a casual smile, "Yeah, we didn't expect you guys to be here."

Momo laughed, "I guess we're all up for burgers, huh?" He patted Echizen, which seemed more forceful than just a 'pat'. The smaller boy yelped out in pain, and glared at his sempai; moving a seat away irritably.

"Jeeze! Ochibi seems more…moody than usual!"

Gaze caught gaze.

"…Am not," he frowned.

"Yes you are! Smile ochibi, smile! What's wrong! Is Fuji bothering you?"

Fuji… He prevented a groan from coming out of his mouth. It was true though, Fuji was bothering him. In a way he would never expect.

"Eiji, keep down!" Oishi murmured, hushing his lover down so they wouldn't attract any other attention. It was too late though, as other people were already focusing their attention on them. It was hard to not get noticed whenever Kikumaru Eiji was around. Very difficult to say the least…and it was rather embarrassing.

"Maa ne, but Ochibi's bothered! Tell us Ochibi!"

"I don't want to."

"Then that means you are bothered by something! Ku ku! Tell us, tell us!"

"Oi, Kikumaru-sempai, keep down!" Momo rashly stated, bowing his head low, mortified at the scene they were causing.

"Ei-Eiji…keep down…"

"Demo…Oishi! We should help Ochibi!"

"…but…he just left…"

"WHAT! Nyahh, OISHI, WHY DID YOU LET HIM LEAVE?" Eiji was strangling Oishi now. "We could've helped him, you know! He looked really, really bothered! Nyuuu!"

Momo carefully tried to escape, but even though Kikumaru was occupied with Oishi, he grabbed onto Momoshiro's collar with his other hand. "YOU CAN'T LEAVE MOMO!"

"B-But…Kikumaru-sempai…" a hint of whining from the other boy, pleading to be released, "I-I'm…going to find Echizen for you!" The excuse was lame, but Eiji's grasp on him seemed to have loosened.

"Mou, you're not going to run away, are you!"

"N-No! Not at all!"

Eiji eyed his fellow friend suspiciously. "Maa, you better be telling to truth! I have Oishi here, so you can't lie to me!"

Momo looked at Oishi pitifully, the expression on his face telling the mothering boy, 'so sorry Oishi but I just gotta get out of here.'

"Alright, I swear," Momo easily lied.

The red head seemed contented and believed Momo's word, so he let go. Without a second to lose, Momo stepped back and headed to the door, shouting back, "GOMEN KIKUMARU-SENPAI! I won't leave you behind next time, 'kay? Have a good time Oishi-senpai!"

Eyes widened, Eiji pouted and tried to glare, wagging his other hand with fury. "WAIIII OISHI, OISHI! HE LIED, HE LIED!" This time, he shook Oishi drastically, almost choking his best-friend. "Maa I'm so sad and…and…MAD!"

"Ei-Eiji! I-I can't breathe! Let go!"

Oishi didn't need to worry about attracting anymore attention it seemed, because they seemed to have attracted far enough.

-- -- -- -- --

"Yo, Echizen, wait up!"

He continued to walk away.

"Oi," Momo shouted once again, "Oi, Echizen!"

"…shut up Momo-senpai, you're shouting too loud."

"Wait up then!"

"…mada mada dane."

"Oh stop with the 'mada mada dane'! Just stop, will ya?"

Echizen sighed, and stopped. Momo seemed satisfied and caught up, grinning. "So, hey; answer my question. What's bothering ya?"

"You," he answered simply.

"Aww…don't be like that Echizen. You're not…you know…about us…still…"

He almost caught his breath. "N-No…Why should I be?" Echizen resumed his pace, and tried to ignore his friend's bickering. This was just too much, and hearing Momo say those words only triggered some unwelcome memories.

"Then…why are you upset? You know you can tell me!"

"Mada mada."

Momo grabbed his wrist, and forced him to turn around. "I'm serious, you can tell me." The look in his eyes proved that he was serious. "Come on…Echizen," his sempai insisted, "We are still best-friends…right?"

"…" Ryoma shot a glare, trying to pull back from Momo's grasp. "Says who?"

His retort only annoyed his sempai.

"I can tell something is wrong, so tell me!"

The boy finally snapped his wrist out of Momo's clutch. "I don't feel like talking."

"You never do! If you don't tell me then…" he paused, trying to think of an idea, "I'll…I'll blackmail you!"

Boy wonder laughed, "Really… how so Momo-senpai?"

He grinned, and flashed a wink. "Ne, I know just the perfect person."

"You aren't going to—"

"Yup!"

"What! Are you crazy!"

"What if I am?"

"You know if you do that you're going to—"

"I know, but it's a good sacrifice." Momo teased, "And what do I gotta lose, hmm?"

Ryoma stared at him with an alarmed expression. His sempai was crazy, thinking that he could blackmail Ryoma in telling him what was wrong – by going to Fuji; the devil incarnated him self, to get the information out of him. Well, it would take a huge sacrifice to walk up to Fuji and tell him about the plan – Echizen knew – and that was why he was amazed at what Momo-sempai said. What do I gotta lose? Echizen snorted, he could lose more than he would expect (for instance, his sanity, health, and even soul). It wasn't about Momo's condition that worried him though. It was the fact that if this did happen, he had no way to back out of it – especially when his "problem" was related to Fuji Syuusuke himself.

"You're crazy, Momo-sempai."

"What? AM NOT!" How immature of his sempai. He couldn't believe himself that he fell in love with this person, and how Tachibana's-imouto could put up with such a retarded bastard.

Speaking of Tachibana Ann… "Momo-sempai, where's your wife?"

"Huh? Oh, she's taking care of Takato-chan, and asked me to buy him a hamburger but I bumped into you and Eiji-sempai with Oishi-sempai so than I got distra—OH SHIT!" The twenty-year old man cursed loudly in the crowded streets as he realized his mistakes. He smacked his forehead in frustration and ran back the way they came, waving behind along with an apology. "Gomen Echizen, I'll make sure I get what I want later! You wait and see!" The supposed 'threat' didn't scare him one bit. There was no way his Momo-sempai would—

-- -- -- -- --

"Echizen, Momo told me that you were bothered with something."

Oh hell no.

He felt himself cringe, body almost going limp as Fuji approached him the next day with serious open eyes. "Ne, you know you can tell me…we do live together you know. So I…" this time Fuji smiled evilly, "I have the right to know."

Never…did he think -- that Momo would do such a thing.

Fuji loomed over the smaller figure, and bent his head down as if he was going to kiss the smaller boy. Ryoma felt himself blush, squinting his eyes close. He waited… seconds pasted, but the contact of their lips never met. The only thing he felt from the tensai was his forehead against his own, and then a small murmur. "You don't seem to be sick…"

Of course he wasn't sick!

"Saa…Ryoma," Fuji finally said his name, though in a dangerously low tone. "Nothing seems wrong with you… except," he poked his finger at Ryoma's chest, "emotional illness?"

Emotional illness?

"Mada mada dane."

"Aa…really?" The brunette arched an eyebrow. "Hmm…my, is Ryoma-kun dealing with something which he can't tell anyone yet?"

That voice…the way he was talking… Fuji knew. Ryoma cursed himself for being so careless, he hated when the tensai caught on… especially when he didn't. The way Fuji was looking at him, his gestures, his eye contacts, his smile, his looks, just god – what made the tensai think that he knew everything? The thought irritated the younger boy, to an extent that he pushed Fuji back against the wall with a stern glare; both hands pinning the tensai. "Don't act as if you're so smart, Syuusuke."

Fuji smiled innocently. "Aa…that's the first time you addressed me by my first name."

The reply did not help the situation.

"You know what's bothering me? Why did you kiss me, and then just walked away like that? It doesn't make sense, sempai. It's like you're playing with me, and--,"

"I'm sorry that you were thinking that way," the chocolate-haired boy interrupted, "But I didn't know you would deliberate so much of such a matter."

"Wha--," the catlike golden eyes he possessed slanted dangerously, along with his temple creasing in anger. "You expect me to not ponder? When my sempai just kisses me out of no where? Ne, Fuji-sempai, don't fuck with me." His tone was furious, and it was surprising how much strength the smaller boy possessed by pushing the older man adjacent to the wall. "I want to know why you did it." The hiss faltered Fuji's grim expression, into a slightly softer look.

For once, Fuji was caught speechless.

"Echi—Ryoma," he began, "I…"

The doorbell rang.

Bad timing…

He sighed, and Ryoma took this as a time to let go. He loosened his grip, and just turned away angrily; though the traces of the previous incident washing off his face, masking a face as if nothing had happened for the new arriving guest.

In a way, if Ryoma knew who was behind those closed door, maybe he wouldn't feel a tinge of regret as he let his senpai go.

"Te…Tezuka…?"

Ryoma's head shot upward as he heard Fuji whisper that name, as the door creaked open revealing their buchou.

"Fuji," Tezuka acknowledged, "Echizen."

"Tezuka."

"Buchou…"

The taller man nodded, as if approving that his presence in front of them was real. Fuji smiled softly, and opened the door wider for him to enter. "Ne, Tezuka…When did you come to Japan? I'm happy that you chose to come and visit us." The smile never left Fuji's face. For once, Ryoma felt like he couldn't read the tensai's façade. He felt lost, somewhat.

"Ah… we're on a break in Germany, so I chose to come and visit everyone in Japan."

"Sou ka…" Fuji gestured their guest to the living room.

The atmosphere almost made Ryoma feel unwanted. As he turned to look at Fuji, the prodigy only had his eyes laid on Tezuka, who was staring at him back. The tension only made him draw back his gaze, and hesitate to speak up. Finally, as if he felt it was necessary, he drew out a breath. "I'll… be heading back to my room. It's… nice seeing you again, buchou."

"You as well…" he broke into silence before finally adding, "Echizen."

There was a curt nod, and Ryoma retreated to his bedroom; feeling as if he left something important behind.

-- -- -- -- --

"Would you like some tea, Tezuka?" Fuji asked, as he tidied some of the books which were scattered amongst the coffee table. He chuckled, apologizing for the untidiness. It seemed like neither Echizen nor himself liked taking on the responsibility of taking on the household chores. Then again… compared to his room and Ryoma's, he would've guessed that the responsibility was proven to take a toll on him. Fuji looked up to see Tezuka's eyes examining the room, "Ne, Tezuka?"

Their ex-captain shook his head, "No, its fine."

"Saa, I see. Well, when did you come to Japan?"

The taller man finally fixed his gaze back on Fuji. "Yesterday," he answered simply. Fuji noted that his voice was a bit deeper. Really, five years did change them.

"I see…" the tensai smiled, "Well, does anyone else know that you're here?"

Tezuka nodded, "Apparently Inui knows."

"Really? Then Kaidoh must know as well…and if Kaidoh knows, then Momo knows…and if Momo knows, than Ann-san knows, and…" he couldn't help but continue on, but the expression on the other man's face made him falter. "Tezuka…?"

There was a long period of silence. At that moment, he felt himself thinking of Ryoma. He didn't have to leave…

"Fuji…how's Echizen?"

Speak of the devil, Fuji thought. "Maa…he's doing quite well. If you came a few days earlier, you would've gone with us to Momo's birthday."

In his stoic face, there was a hint of guilt.

"Well, no need. His birthday was loud, and there were some problems…but it went fine after that. Ryoma dealed with it exceptionally well; and we both got see Momo and Ann-san's child…his name's Takato." Fuji couldn't help but laugh at the memory of the baby boy drooling over Ryoma. "You should stop by at Momo's sometime and see the baby, he's adorable."

"Aa." Tezuka had his head lowered, as if avoiding eye contact.

Then, as if out of the blue, he spoke again. "It seems like you and Echizen have gotten along very well. I heard that you two started to live together."

Fuji nodded. He didn't find it a surprise that Tezuka would find out anyway, because he knew that Inui would tell Tezuka everything. After all, other than Oishi – Inui was the only person who kept in touch with their captain. After awhile, Fuji had given up in trying to fix the remnants of their relationships. There were too many holes, holes that were too big to recover. Essentially, he had let go of Tezuka the day he said that he was going to Germany. It was over; he knew that even though he had to continue on living, he could live without this man.

That day when Ryoma appeared at his door… he knew that he could live without Tezuka. As if a miracle, he was contented with the fact that Ryoma chose to stay with him. Although they were just mutual friends, it didn't matter. The days when Ryoma needed him the most, he would be there…and the day he needed the younger boy the most, he would expect him to lend the warmth of his arms. That was how it was, their relationship.

"I haven't asked, Fuji…but how are you these days?"

Fuji gently smiled, "Saa…I've been doing fine." He stood up from where he was seated, which was on the floor. "What's your condition, Tezuka?" He asked this while walking to the kitchen, taking a mug from the cabinet in the process. "Are you sure you don't want some tea? It's rather cold, isn't it?"

Tezuka declined. "I'm fine." Either he meant his condition or the cold weather, Fuji just nodded and poured him self a cup of jasmine tea.

Fuji blew the steam from his cup, and remained standing behind the counter of his kitchen. "Ne, Tezuka…"

The other man looked at him, waiting for him to continue his question.

Fuji chuckled, "How long are you going to stay in Japan?"

There was a shrug. "Probably a week."

"Saa…I see," the prodigy nodded.

To any outsider, the conversation would've been boring… but for just the two of them, it was just right. Fuji tried to remember how it was like, speaking with Tezuka years ago. Maybe this time, there was still lack of certain words, and a shortage of emotion, but Fuji didn't mind. This was how Tezuka was, someone who seemed difficult to approach – someone also not easy to speak to, but also someone greatly admired and, just many more pleasant things. He was smart, prideful, confidence… Fuji only thought that he was an older version of Echizen (though the younger boy possessed more sentiment and a carefree aura). Maybe that was why Fuji was so fond of Ryoma.

"Why did you choose to live with Echizen?"

Fuji opened his eyes slightly, a bit of blue hues visible. "What do you mean?"

"It's not like you."

It's not like you…does that mean, you know me? The russet lock of Fuji's hair was pushed back with one swipe of a finger, as he made a move to approach the previous captain of Seigaku. "Do you really think it's not like me?"

There was stillness in the air, and then he nodded.

Fuji smirked. "I see. Well, oddly enough…I seem to have a fondness toward him, so I took him in."

"Do you remember that night I left, Fuji?" They question was unanticipated.

And for the second time that day, he was caught speechless as the memory overflowed him.

-- -- -- -- --

"This is your final decision?" Fuji touched his arm, clutching the cloth sadly.

"Hai…"

There was a broken smile. "Well…good bye."

"Fuji…"

He shook his head, trying to laugh; although he tried to suppress was crackled and hurt tone. "Iie, Iie…just, good luck with your future."

"Will you be waiting for me?"

Fuji knew how to answer this question. "No," he answered simply.

Tezuka forced a gentle smile, "Good."

"Then, it really is a good bye."

A nod.

"Attention, flight 405 at Gate 45B, from Japan to Germany will depart in half an hour. Will all passengers from flight 405 please board at gate 45B now. I repeat..."

Tezuka looked at him once more. "Fuji…don't use anyone as a replacement for me…understand? If you love them--"

"I know, Tezuka. I'll love them for who they are." A gentle smile, and then a shove, "You better go, or else the plane will take off without you." Although it was a joke, he was hoping it would really happen. "Ne, Sayonara Tezuka."

"Sayonara."

-- -- -- -- --

"Do you understand, Fuji?"

"But I don't love him," he mused with a childlike smile.

"…" Tezuka almost glared. "Then what is he to you?"

"He's a room mate."

"If he is, don't fool with him and give him unneeded feelings."

"You expect me to not ponder? When my sempai just kisses me out of no where? Ne, Fuji-sempai, don't fuck with me."

The innocent smile faded.

"I try not to." He said this in a whisper. "But there are times when I just can't help myself. I'm not sure if the feeling I'm feeling right now is love, but I just feel something toward Ryoma. I won't exactly put it as love yet; it's not the same feelings as when I loved you, but still." His blue eyes gleamed under the well lit room. "I don't want to hurt him, and I'm not possibly sure if I can love him – nor if he feels the same way anyhow. Especially when I haven't even assured myself that I'm through with the past."

Tezuka looked at the Fuji, not with pity, but with regret.

"I don't want to hurt myself, I guess."

The tensai rested his cup of tea on the coffee table and tried to laugh; recovering his flawless mask of smiles. "Ne, are you going to stay for dinner?" He changed the subject easily.

"No…that's fine. I just came here to see how you two were. I better start heading back to my hotel. I have something I have to do."

Fuji nodded slowly, "Then…I'll walk you to the door."

"Thank you," the taller man stated. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

"Iie, iie! I'm glad that you're doing fine." They strolled to the door, Fuji walking in front. Somehow, he couldn't help but feel Tezuka's intense gaze focused on his back.

As Fuji opened the door, Tezuka slipped on his shoes and he nodded his gratitude. "Tell Echizen farewell for me, and…" he gently touched Fuji's shoulder, "think of the future." After that, he removed his hand and walked out the door – leaving behind a confused genius, still pondering about those words that his captain left behind. Not once did that man smile when he was here.

Did he find happiness elsewhere?

He felt his body shiver as he closed the door. The conversation they had still fresh in his memories, repeating every sentence over and over. He underestimated how much Tezuka's words influenced him.

"Why did you choose to live with Echizen?"

The answer was simple…

"It's not like you."

After five years, Tezuka had no right to say that.

"Fuji…don't use anyone as a replacement for me…understand? If you love them--"

He never used a replacement for Tezuka. For five years he…

Echizen…

Fuji cursed.

"But I don't love him."

Those words produced a shiver against his skin.

Tezuka…

"Then what is he to you?"

Why did Tezuka come back?

"He's a roommate."

Tezuka…

"If he is, don't fool with him and give him unneeded feelings."

Fuji wrapped his arms around himself, as his limp figure lied against the door.

Not once did Tezuka smile while he was here…

Echizen Ryoma.

That angry face -- that hurtful voice -- those pair of eyes he always loved. Fuji stood up and grabbed his keys from the counter. Looking at the apartment once more, he hesitated to leave, but shook his head and opened the door. There was no need for a good-bye; he was going to come home soon…

…Right?

As he looked at the sky, he realized it was unpredictably cold for an August night.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tsuzuku

Author's Note: waiii Fuji-kun's gone x.x can I say this story was very difficult to right? mou, makes it all confused and negative... poor Ryoma-kun, ne? I don't want to make Fuji the bad guy! and where did tezuka come from! its weird though, because Tezuka comes back in five years as Fuji's ex-lover and he doesn't seem to have any affection to the tensai anymore. it just seems like he just comes and goes, visits and see's how his friends are doing. psh. TT;; now, I wonder where Fuji will go? he'll go home...right? haha, I'm thinking too much x3