Sheepish grin dodges weapons heh heh ( nervous laughter) Yea I know it's really late, but there's just soooooo much going on….ok well….i guess I could have spent less time watching cartoons….but but…..oh alright I admit it. I'm a procrastinator! BUT I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRRRRY!

PLEEEEEASE FORGIVE ME!

Ahem anyhoot. On to Chapter 6! Where Sanada blushes and Atobe kills things.

He awoke to the sound of the bedroom door closing and groaned when he caught sight of the clock on the dresser. What the hell was Atobe doing up at 5 o'clock in the frickin' morning? Surely he should have been in bed getting his beauty sleep or something!

Not that he really needs it, of course…NO! Bad thoughts! Sanada shook his head to remove what he had last been thinking. It was too early to be stating up this mess again. Unwillingly, he began to recall their conversation from the night before, and as he did his cheeks, already red from his own mind, flushed even brighter.

It had been weird seeing the diva just sitting there with this huge smile on his face. There was no smirk there, no amusement, or mocking, or anything like that. No, pure happiness is what he saw there, shining out through a perfect smile which stretched across those perfect features. He had to admit, he'd never seen anything so beautiful.

After staring for who knows how long, his brain finally started to function a bit and he began to wonder what could possibly be making the Hyoutei captain so cheerful.

"Why do you look so happy?" He realized it sounded quite rude, but there was no way he could let the other know where his thoughts had really been.

He almost stumbled back at the sight of that brilliant smile being turned toward him. He found himself wishing that he had been the one to put it there. Although he knew it was a ridiculous notion.

"I'm sorry, Sanada. I had no idea that you were so against my happiness. I promise I'll try to look a little more serious for you."

"It's just odd to see you in a way that's neither narcissistic nor annoying," he said, while pulling is hat down over his eyes.

He had blushed then. It couldn't be helped. He was fully aware that Atobe was taunting him for his rudeness, but even more so of the fact that he'd pretty much just stated that he liked Atobe when he was smiling…..He just hoped Atobe hadn't caught that.

Fortunately, Atobe had left it at that. He'd expected him to make some kind of remark, but the other was too lost in whatever world he was in at that moment. So, Sanada had just rolled over and went to sleep.

Realizing he'd been reminiscing for a good half hour, Sanada decided to get dressed and get an early start on the courts. On the way out of the room he happened to glance out of the window and saw two familiar figures walking below. There was Tezuka walking slightly ahead of Echizen Ryoma, who seemed to be listening carefully to something very important that his captain was saying. Deciding it best not to contemplate Seigaku's antics, he started again to make his way outside.

He had just stepped outside of the building when he found himself being slammed into by some moving figure. In his dazed state he vaguely heard a mumbled "sorry" before the figure skirted around him and tried to run inside. As soon as he heard that voice he realized that it had been Atobe who'd run into him, and without thinking spun on his heel and quickly grabbed the other boy's arm.

"Atobe? What's wrong?"

It seemed that the distressed teen hadn't noticed yet who he'd run into, and looked quite surprised to see Sanada holding him back.

"Sanada!" He was averting his gaze and slightly tugging with his arm to get free.

Sanada had never seen Atobe look like this. The other boy always so guarded, he always had his perfect aristocratic mask put into place. But now his expression stated for the whole world that everything was falling apart.

"Atobe! Tell me what it is. What the hell is it that has you so worked up?"

They were quiet for a while. Just standing there, and then Atobe let out a laugh that was so bitter it hurt.

"Looks like you were right Sanada. Tezuka doesn't feel the same way."

Sanada was confused at first as to what Atobe meant by that, but then he remembered their first conversation at the camp, when they had set up their match against each other. That's right. Atobe had been going on and on about his obsession for Seigaku's captain and Sanada had decided to speak his mind.

"…How do you know he feels the same way?"

Of course, at the time he hadn't meant for it to hurt the other. He was just tired of hearing about Tezuka. He figured Atobe wouldn't even had paid it any mind, but now it appeared that he had. And Sanada felt guilty.

This guilt only lasted for a second however because he found himself wondering what exactly had made Atobe think about what he said. And then the only possible answer came to him. Tezuka had hurt his Atobe!

Sanada felt a tug on his arm, harder this time that before, and was saved from wondering what "his Atobe" was supposed to mean, when the object of his thoughts spoke up, slightly annoyed.

"Sanada, would you please let go of my arm?"

He immediately dropped the other's arm, though somewhat reluctantly. He'd been detaining him for quite a while, but it was only because he was concerned. Well, that, and the fact that he rather enjoyed the sensations Atobe's soft skin sent through him. That soft skin along with that slender body of his tended to make people think that he was delicate, and Sanada had to fight down the sudden outrageous impulse to embrace him right there, to lend him a bit of his strength if it could bring back the smile he'd had on last night or even just his normal smirk. But, Sanada had been proven again and again that Atobe was anything but delicate. In fact, he already seemed to be over his trauma enough to send Sanada an annoyed and deadly glare.

"What are you staring at?"

Definitely not wanting Atobe to know the answer to that, he decided the best thing to do would be to quickly change the subject.

"What happened between you and Tezuka?" He was very proud of how casual he'd managed to make that sound, as if he didn't really care what the reason was. When in reality, he was dying to know what that bastard had done to his Atobe…..He'd one it again hadn't he?…

Mentally shaking his head, he looked over at Atobe, who still hadn't answered him. Atobe's head was bowed now and his fists clenched. Apparently he wasn't in the mood to talk about that yet, and Sanada wasn't about to hurt him more by pushing the issue.

"Never mind, you don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to. Everyone will be out soon. I'm going warm-up."

He started taking a few steps away from Atobe, but then thought better of it and turned back around.

" Coming with me?"

They spent the next 15 minutes sharing the practice wall, Atobe's mood switching quickly from melancholy to anger if the pieces of brick chipping off the wall were any indication. With each thunderous hit from Atobe, Sanada's anger was rising as well. He knew he wasn't going to able to concentrate today until he knew just what Tezuka had done to upset Atobe so much. But then again, knowing would probably make it worse. So, he resigned himself to suffering his curiosity until the day's practice was over.

When everyone else stated coming outside, the two split up to their separate groups without a single word or glance as neither could think over anything worthwhile to say to the other.

Sanada found Sakaki and the rest of his group and began practicing the same as he had been for the past few days. He was trying his best to concentrate but his mind was far from completely on his game. Of course, Sakaki hadn't been a coach for almost 20 years for nothing, and it only took him a short while to see that something was troubling the best player in his group.

"Sanada!"

Sanada looked up from where he'd been watching the ball bounce on the ground behind him. It had been the fourth easy ball he'd missed in the last ten minutes. No wonder the coached seemed so frustrated.

He walked off the court toward Sakaki, shaking his head. He needed to clear his mind and stop thinking about Atobe if only for a little bit.

"Yes, Sensei?"

"Sanada, go take a walk, wash your face, get some water, whatever it takes to snap you out of it. I don't care what's going through your head right now or what could possibly be troubling you off the court. On the court, all that matters is tennis. Do you understand me?"

Surprised, but understanding quite clearly, he nodded his head. "Yes."

"Good. Go now." "Yes, Sensei."

He started walking without really knowing where he was headed, but knowing he had to come back refreshed and clear-headed. He figures he'd take the man's third option and go get some water.

The nearest water fountain was quite far from their court, so he had time to think over his coach's advice as he walked.

He was right of course. No thoughts belonged on the court except for those of tennis. Sanada had been surprised, however, that though man's words were blunt, he still seemed to completely grasp the situation. He wondered if maybe Sakaki had been the one who taught Atobe his esteemed "Insight".

He shook his head. He was supposed to be trying not to think of him until practice was over.

As he drew nearer to the water fountain, Sanada noticed to his chagrin that by some cruel act of fate (or sheer coincidence….whichever) it happened to be located right next to the courts Hanamura-sensei watching. The same court Atobe was currently playing on.

The water fountain was completely forgotten as he stood enthralled by what he was witnessing. Atobe's eyes flashed with an unquenchable fire as he slammed ball after ball passed his unsuspecting opponent. When he had finished positively crushing poor Wakato he looked about the group and cried in a voice full of passion and anger, "Who's Next!"

Everyone was understandably reluctant, but after a while the next victim was pushed forward and Atobe broke him just as cruelly.

It was as beautiful as it was terrifying to watch all of this rage and hurt manifest itself into pure power. But it was uncontrolled, this power. Wild. Unstoppable.

He looked at Hanamura to see that she was definitely enjoying this display a little too much. Her body was almost shaking at the deep passion emanating from him. Sanada felt a spark of jealously as he saw her eyes travel hungrily up and down Atobe's form. Fortunately, she seemed to come to her senses before Sanada made any impulsive decisions.

"Atobe!"

He knew she was restraining herself from shivering under that intense gaze because he himself was having the same problem.

"Take break and get some water. Whatever it is that's bothering you so much, there's absolutely no reason to take it out on everyone else. You need to calm down!"

He gave her a short nod, his mood now having completely changed. The fire in his eyes had been extinguished by the chastisement, and he was once again the distraught boy who's arm Sanada had had to hold to stop him from running away.

He caught Sanada's eyes, then, and his head quickly dropped as if in shame. Surrounded by silence from curious and slightly disturbed teammates, he made his way out of the fence to join Sanada at the fountain. At that moment, Hanamura finally noticed Sanada's presence. She gave him a look that clearly said, "Talk to him. Bring him back to his senses any way you can."

Sanada nodded at her. He fully intended to do just that.

Flashing him a smile, she turned around and yelled at her group to get back to practice.

Atobe was beside him now, splashing water on his face and drying it with his towel. Sanada put a hand to Atobe's shoulder half afraid of having it thrown off. When he was allowed the contact, he guided the boy to a place where they couldn't be seen from any of the courts and sat them down at the closest bench.

Atobe's face was veiled by his hair and instead of sadness of anger; shame was now rolling off him in waves. Sanada was about to ask him why, when Atobe started speaking.

"So, you saw all of that, did you?"

"Yes, I did." He desperately wanted to say more. He wanted to explain to Atobe that he was in no way disappointed at this lack of control he'd witnessed, but rather amazed at the beauty and strength that he'd seen. But how could he ever say something like that out loud? They sat in silence for a while, Sanada trying to find the right words to say to make him understand without making it sound too much like a confession…Then, Atobe spoke again.

"You know me. Normally I am nothing but composed. It takes a lot to make me lose it. But…there are times, like today, when I get so angry I can't hold it in. I can't hide it behind the mask, and the first thing I do is take it out on the people around me. I don't like it. I can't stand not being in control, but…it hurt too much. I didn't want to think anymore, so I just….let it go."

He was shivering slightly, and Sanada still couldn't see his expression. He was honored and touched that Atobe was telling him all of this. It's like he had bared a piece of his soul to Sanada and was trusting him to keep it safe. He felt for the second time that day the urge to reach out and hold him, to claim that beauty and passion as his own. But he knew he couldn't. Not yet. There was still some invisible line there, too thick to cross. And Sanada wanted nothing more that to ware that line down, before erasing it all together.

"Atobe, everyone has their faults. It's what helps define who we are. And truthfully, you fault is one I think many would rather like to have."

Confusion at this. He'd been so ashamed. So angry at his lack of control. How could Sanada actually envy something as uncivilized as that?

Sanada saw all this in Atobe's eyes as the other had finally looked up at him, silently demanding an explanation. Sanada took a deep breath and readied himself for what he'd never imagined having to say out loud.

"It was…stunning to watch. The fire in your eyes, the rage, and the pure power radiating from you; it was mesmerizing…and frightening at the same time. Some would even say it was…beautiful.

He paused. He hadn't really meant to let that last part out, but while he was spilling his soul he might as well go all out. Risking a glance at Atobe, he saw that the other's jaw was dropped and he was blinking in confusion. It was almost funny to think that the great Atobe Keigo was so flustered at being complimented. It was the complete opposite of what he let everyone else see. And Sanada was once again filled with pleasure that he was being allowed to see this sided of him. Taking another deep breath, he plunged on.

"Don't you see Atobe? You were able to take all of your pain and passion and convert it to power and strength, but then that means that such power is always in you. Imagine how amazing you'd be if you could harness that power, control it. You'd be unstoppable. Atobe, you have in you what it takes to climb higher than anyone else. And, as soon as you realize this potential, no one will ever be able to bring you down. You would just keep going higher and higher until the whole world belonged to you. I said before that your flaw is to be envied. That's because your flaw, Atobe, is that you have no flaw. You're perfect."

Sanada turned his head. He'd been staring right into Atobe's eyes, but now he felt the inevitable blush rising to his cheeks. When he finally had the courage to look back at the other, he saw that Atobe's head was lowered and his shoulders were shaking slightly. At first he thought Atobe was crying, and he was startled. That definitely hadn't been the reaction he'd expected. But then, to his relief as well as his bewilderment, he realized the boy was laughing.

He felt a bit of indignation at this. He had spoken straight from the heart and Atobe was laughing at him!

"What's so funny?" he said, trying not to sound too offended.

Atobe stopped laughing and looked up at him with a slight smirk. "I never thought of it like that. But really Sanada, do you think you should have told me all this? It'll just make my ego even bigger."

Sanada winced. He hadn't thought of that, but he found himself smiling anyway. It was rather funny, and it's not like he cared if Atobe's ego rose. It was just one of those things that made him Atobe, and Sanada wouldn't change that for anything.

Atobe stood up suddenly, and stretched, a movement that had Sanada's eyes traveling up and down his body. He quickly averted his eyes, however, when Atobe looked toward him.

"It's about time we get back to our teams, don't you think?"

Fighting yet another blush and knowing he'd been doing that way too much today he nodded. Atobe nodded back, said good-bye and turned to leave. But, as Sanada watched him go an idea ran through his head, and for the second time that day he reached out and grabbed the other' s arm to stop him.

Atobe looked back surprisingly calm, as if he'd been expecting it. "Yes?"

"Atobe, after practice today, meet me at the center courts. We can finish our match there, but, if you lose I want you to tell me exactly what happened between you and Tezuka."

Another smirk "And if I win?"

Sanada smiled. Of course Atobe would say that. "If you win, you get the privilege of letting everyone know how easily you were able to trounce Sanada Genichirou. Deal?"

Atobe smiled. It was a real smile. That one he had had on his face all of yesterday, the one that Sanada had wanted to see this morning when the other was so distressed. It was a smile that Sanada had desperately wished he could possess and have forever. It was a beautiful smile of complete happiness that at this moment was being directed at him and him alone.

"It's a deal."

...I know it's mushy, but I rather like how cute this chapter turned out. There was going to be more, but then it would be really really long and I didn't want to squish everything into one chapter. Not to mention, it's been a while since I updated and I figured yall wanted more.

Once again sorry for the lateness. I try, but I'm really bad about getting things done. I won't stop writing this, though. You don't have to worry about that. Btw, there's two more chapter's left.

Next on Notice Me: Sanada and Atobe battle. Sanada seethes, Atobe is confused, and poor Tezuka is still completely oblivious...

READ AND REVIEW! thank you.