Authors Notes: Ok. I'm thinking that the next chapter is my final chapter. Atobe's plan and one more little thing will all come together in the next chappy so all be patient. My brain decided to go dead and my muses decided to take a vacation in the Bahamas so I'm anxiously awaiting their return. –grumbles- Danged muses. And I'd also like to thank all my reviewers, you all know who you are -gives huge hug- I wouldn't have done anything more with this fic if it weren't for all of you pushing me on. It's been quite a few times that I've been stumped and a review sent me a couple of muses to make me write. So thanks… thanks, thanks, thanks…. Kk I'm happy.

Atobe's Little Plan

Chapter 11

Ryoma knew something was going on. The other members of the team, save Takeshi, had conveniently disappeared. The other teams had been scarce as well. Whenever he approached them, they would give him a startled look and disappear, making it hard for Ryoma to catch someone to figure out what was going on. Normally Ryoma wouldn't have noticed all of this, since it didn't have anything to do with tennis. But he had changed in the past few years. Even in the past few days, he had changed a great deal, thanks to Takeshi.

Eiji had given Ryoma a good piece of advice when he had last talked to him. He had told Ryoma that if he wanted privacy with Takeshi, then the forest was the best place to go. Quiet, peaceful and perfect for picnics and other things. So, Takeshi and he often went to the forest, carefully avoiding the chasm that Oishi fell off of. They found a beautiful meadow with a field of yellow wildflowers. There, Ryoma found himself changing with every breath he took. Takeshi drew him out of his antisocial shell every day. He found himself smiling more and hiding less, at least from Takeshi. He still had problems socializing with other people, but Takeshi could only do so much.

Other then the forest, they would take sedate walks in the garden holding hands or just staying in their bedroom. Ryoma officially moved into Takeshi's place after the first night. Everything seemed to be going heavenly… except for the missing members of the team.

Ryoma let out a soft growl of frustration. This was annoying. He sat down on the garden bench to think. Something was happening; that much he knew. Ryoma mentally checked that off of his list. The other members of all the teams were missing. Check. This something had nothing to do with tennis. Check. Ryoma would have instantly known if it had anything to do with tennis. He always knew what was going on, where tennis was concerned. So no tennis.

He sighed, pulling his customary cap over his eyes. He knew now that he didn't like to be frustrated or annoyed. He would find some way to get even with his teammates. He mentally added that to his to do list. That list was very short now that he was a star, so it wouldn't have to wait long to be dealt with. He gripped his fist on an imaginary tennis racket, which wouldn't have been imaginary if only he hadn't left his in their room. Oh yes, soon, very soon.

"I take it you haven't found them either."

Ryoma glanced up at Takeshi's voice, only to see a smirk on his face. Takeshi didn't like not knowing where their teammates were any more then Ryoma did, but he was enjoying seeing Ryoma frustrated. It didn't happen often. Ryoma, on the other hand, didn't like that smirk one little bit. Something about it suggested that Takeshi was laughing at HIM. He was about to say something biting when Takeshi moved, and so the chance to say anything passed.

Takeshi slumped down on the bench, his thigh touching Ryoma's. He relaxed, throwing his arms behind his head. He didn't mind being left alone. He liked feeling as if Ryoma was all his. Takeshi knew that since Ryoma was a star, he had to share him with the rest of the world. The past few days had been like a dream. Takeshi didn't really want to wake up from that dream. He pinched himself for the hundredth time, exhilaration surging through him when he felt it. No dream. Ryoma was his.

Without warning, Takeshi glomped Ryoma, rubbing his face along Ryoma's. Ryoma let out a yelp, struggling to get free.

"You're… smothering… me," Ryoma gasped.

Takeshi laughed heartily, giving Ryoma more room to breath. He finally stopped, but he kept Ryoma's head on his chest. He rubbed the back of his head, reveling in the fact that Ryoma's hair was so silky. He couldn't waste a single second he had with Ryoma. Who knew when the next time he'd get to do that would be, once they got back to the real world?

Ryoma made no motion to move. He secretly loved being able to lie on Takeshi's chest; to hear the steady pound of his heart. It lulled him to sleep at night and comforted him when he was disturbed. He mentally smirked. Who would have thought he would have changed so much so fast? In the past, he would never have allowed someone to get so close to him. He didn't think he would ever be able to go back to his old self. He didn't even think he wanted to. Knowing Takeshi, he would never be able to go back to his old self, even if he did want to.

He glanced up at Takeshi, only to see a deeply satisfied look on his face. He had his eyes closed and looked so peaceful that Ryoma couldn't resist moving up and kissing him on the lips. The kiss was so soft and full of love that it scared Ryoma. Was that really how much he changed? Takeshi deepened the kiss, snaking an arm around Ryoma's waist. When they parted, they were both breathing heavily. Takeshi looked deep into Ryoma's eyes, smiling and brushing a finger across his cheek.

"We'd better keep looking for our team."

He moved to get up, holding out a hand to help Ryoma. Ryoma made a decision right there… No, he wouldn't let Takeshi go, or his new self either. They had become too important to him. He graced Takeshi with a smile that lit the whole world and took ahold of Takeshi's outstretched hand.

"Yes, Momo-sempai." He pulled himself up and brought his mouth to Takeshi's ear, careful to not let go of his hand. "And Momo-sempai, don't let go of me, whatever you do." He whispered softly so only Takeshi could hear him, putting a slight pressure on their intertwined hands.

Takeshi laughed. "Whatever made you think I would? I wouldn't let you go, even if you killed me." He applied his own pressure. "I love you too much."

Eiji looked all over the house for the two missing persons he had been sent to retrieve. Keeping those two from finding out about the party had been difficult at best, but he had done it. It was worth it, watching Oishi get a kick out of deceiving those two. Eiji and Oishi would laugh hard when Ryoma would walk out of the room in frustration. Their little Ochibi was getting mad.

As fun as it was finding humor at the expense of Ryoma, Eiji knew that they needed this time alone as well. Eiji wasn't as clueless as he let on. He knew very well what the world thought about gay couples. They wouldn't like the fact that Ryoma was taken, but they would have an even bigger fit when they found out he was gay. Some people were cruel and unusual. They wouldn't be nice, especially since Ryoma was a star. The tabloids would have a fit with this information.

Eiji sighed, rubbing his temple to get rid of the headache he was giving himself. Don't go trouble trouble until trouble troubles you I guess, Eiji thought to himself. Whoever said that must have been very wise.

He glanced out of the hall window and let out a yelp of surprise. Ochibi was sitting on a garden bench. He grinned; it was time to go. He raced through the hall and out of the house. He greeted Yuuta and Mizuki quickly. They were on their way to the banquet hall for the party. (I think that's the more conventional spelling, but I could be wrong!) Eiji must have interrupted something important, judging from the blushes staining their faces. Normally, Eiji would have loved to stay and badger them, since Yuuta was Fuji's brother. But today was their lucky day, since he was too busy. A limo had just arrived, but Eiji didn't take the chance to see who it was. He raced to the back of the house and was intending to burst out of the bushes and scare Ochibi, when he spotted another person with him.

He ducked down to hide himself behind the bushes. Momo-chan was with Ochibi. They looked so happy sitting there that Eiji didn't really want to interrupt anything. Eiji smiled. This was the first time he'd ever seen Ochibi unguarded. He looked so innocent and young. Too young to be a champion and a star. Too young to for all the things that's been happening. The look of adoration on his face was so priceless that Eiji wished he had a camera to take a picture of that look. He stored the look in his memory. Fuji would be interested to know that Ochibi would be an awesome model subject for any paintings or pictures he had in mind. Eiji himself would pay handsomely to have a picture of Ochibi looking like that. If he would want it, then Eiji was sure that many others would as well. Fuji could make a fortune on Ochibi if he really wanted to.

He was too far away to hear anything they were talking about, but Eiji didn't mind. For now he was happy just waiting. Their time for being alone was dwindling down fast.

Takeshi got up and extended a hand to Ochibi, who took it. When he smiled, Eiji thought his heart had stopped. This, this was worth waiting. If he would pay handsomely for the look Ochibi gave just a while ago, then he would give his life for that smile on a painting. Eiji had trouble swallowing and was dismayed to find his throat was dry. He was a bit irked now, not being able to hear. He wanted to know how Takeshi could make Ochibi smile like that.

Ochibi was truly gorgeous. Takeshi should be thankful that Eiji had Oishi. Eiji giggled. Yes, without Oishi, Eiji would have gone after Ochibi. But he had Oishi and was happy. Time to interrupt. He placed a wide smile on his face, surprised when he already found one there, and moved into a sprinting position.

Ready, set… GO! He launched himself, spreading his arms wide.

"OCHIBI!" He glomped the both of them, his speed twirling them around, nearly making all three of them fall.

"Ei-- Eiji-sempai!" Momo-chan sputtered.

Ochibi just glared. The earlier smile was gone as if it had never existed. But Eiji knew better and couldn't get that smile out of his head.

"MOI!" he whined. "Here I thought you two would have liked to have dinner." He lied. "We've been calling you two for hours." He exaggerated a bit to put them off guard.

Ochibi blinked, but Momo-chan answered first. "You've been calling us? We haven't heard you."

"Well, with how you two looked like you were in your own world, that's not surprising." Eiji nearly laughed at the embarrassed blushes that swept over their features. He loved doing this! He let them go and ran to the end of the walk. "Come on!"

He allowed them a few minutes to get their composure back, but started whining when it took too long. He couldn't allow them time to figure anything out. Not after all of his hard work.

He had so much energy in him that he ran around them and ahead of them to get rid of it. Really, they were taking too long. Finally, he started pushing at them from behind, earning a glare and a growl. These two were so much FUN to needle!

They reached the banquet hall fast with Eiji pushing them, but he had to dodge quite a few punches and catch a couple of runaways. They were trying to get free of someone like Eiji. Really, these two should have known him better by now. He smirked evilly. No one could get away from him when he was this excited.

"The banquet hall?" Ochibi remarked dryly, suspiciously.

"Yup!" Eiji replied.

He threw open the doors and shoved them both into the room.

Eiji was acting suspiciously, or so Ryoma thought. His quick mind perceived that this could be related to the missing team mystery so he allowed Eiji to push and prod him. He tried getting away from Eiji a couple of times, but it only proved that Eiji was forceful.

The banquet hall… He never tried going into the banquet hall before, so he was surprised. He thought he had checked all over the house. How could he have missed this place? Eiji threw open the doors, and Ryoma felt a shove from behind and was pushed into the room.

"SURPRISE!"

Ryoma winced and covered his ears. Confetti was thrown all over the room, and Ryoma heard several bangs as confetti guns were let loose. Several streamers got tangled in his hair. All he did was stand there. This was the missing team mystery. Everyone had gathered inside this hall, and they were all wearing gowns and tuxes. In the middle of the room, there was a huge Christmas tree decorated in splendid green and blue lights. Both of those colors were Ryoma's favorites.

Everyone around him was smiling and raising glasses of champagne in the air. They were all looking at him strangely. Takeshi moved to Ryoma's side and placed a finger under Ryoma's chin.

"If you don't want people looking at you, close your gaping mouth." There was humor in his voice. He shut Ryoma's mouth.

Ryoma sputtered, "I'm not gaping."

"Like a fish out of water," was the reply.

Ryoma glared at Takeshi, but Takeshi's eyes danced with humor. Mentally, Ryoma bristled. Takeshi was having just too much fun.

The seven missing members of their team stepped out of the crowd, all of them smiling. Finally, someone to take his anger out on.

"What is this?" Ryoma gestured to the room.

"What does it look like?" Oishi responded.

"Taka-san? Would you be nice enough to explain it to our Ryoma-chan?" Fuji asked Taka, handing him a racket.

"OF COURSE! BURNING! IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY!" Taka separated from the group and went to challenge some of the other members of the teams to a game. Fuji never lost that annoying amused smirk of his.

"Birthday…?" Then it hit Ryoma. He'd totally forgotten about his birthday, which was today.

Seeing the six other members smirk made Ryoma bristle even more. He mentally added 'being surprised' as a dislike on his list.

He was too paralyzed to argue when they started shuffling him around the room to be delivered congratulations and happy birthdays. He was too stunned to reply. There was Ibu Shinji, who mumbled to himself about needing to give congratulations to Ryoma and needing to defeat him one of these days and several other things that Ryoma tuned out. Then there was Atobe, who gave him an evil smile while saying his birthday present was this trip. Ryoma huffed, pulling his cap over his eyes. Shishido was right beside Atobe and just gave him a nod. Ryoma nodded back, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

This entire party was overwhelming to him. He could literally feel the warmth and happiness coming from everyone. They truly were happy for him. He tugged his cap even lower.

"Any lower and your cap will come off," Takeshi murmured in his ear. "Isn't it great to have such great friends?"

That was it. Friends. Ryoma never had friends before. At least before the team. He was always mocked and made fun of. But now he had friends. He took this friendship for granted before, because he was so into tennis that he couldn't see what was around him. Just like Takeshi's love for him, he had blocked everything out, putting his all into tennis. He knew now the grave mistake he had made.

Just like that, he turned around and began socializing with everyone around him. He still wore his standoffish face, but he was more inviting. He owed his friends a lot.

When he was thirsty, he noticed that no one touched the punch. When Ryoma asked why, he was told that Inui made it. After that, he made it a point to stay away from the punch table, much to Inui's dismay.

"What? I made it especially for you, Echizen. My super-deluxe-Inui-special beverage-tea for birthdays. It's very healthy and will allow you to drink more." Inui wore a hurt expression on his face.

Ryoma held his hands up in defense and said, "Thanks, but I'll pass."

Everyone laughed, even Inui. They crowded around him to ask him about his tennis career. It was the best time in Ryoma's life.

Someone pulled him out of the crowd and quieted everyone in the room down. Ryoma glanced up and wasn't surprised to find Tezuka-buchou standing behind him. It was just like Tezuka to be able to quiet a room without having to yell.

"Now it's time for the presents." His commanding voice rang through the silenced room.

He glanced toward the double doors of the hall, and two people opened the door. Three people stood behind those doors. Ryoma quickly identified them as his parents, dressed for the occasion, and his manager.

"Oka-san, Oyaji." Even though Ryoma's voice wasn't loud, it was heard by everyone in the room.

"Mrow."

Startled, Ryoma glanced at his feet to find Karupin rubbing against his leg. He bent down and picked up his beloved cat.

"We thought you might want all of your family here on your birthday," Oishi explained, wheeling himself up to sit next to Tezuka. "We all chipped in to bring them here."

"Yup, we thought you might want to spend your birthday with your friends." Eiji grinned, hopping up next to Oishi.

"And you have Eiji and Oishi to thank for coming up with such a wonderful plan." Fuji stated, thoughtfully rubbing his chin with his finger. "I should have thought of this." That smile never left his face while he walked to stand next to Tezuka.

"Echizen is the most important friend to us," Taka-san said softly, standing behind the other four.

"Because, without Echizen, we'd never be as close as we are or got as far as we did." Takeshi gazed deep into Ryoma's eyes with a smile meant only for him. He stood next to Ryoma. Ryoma tried to hide the blush that crept up his face.

"Fshhhhhh," was Kaidoh's only comment even though it sounded as if he agreed. He'd never freely admit it, though. He stood with Taka-san, his back to Ryoma.

"Happy Birthday, Echizen," Inui stated simply but with such warmth that it took Ryoma a moment to realize it was Inui.

The crowd erupted with cheers. The whole thing was rather deafening, but it was quite moving. Ryoma was embarrassed when he felt wetness run down his face. He hurriedly scrubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, but to no avail. The tears kept coming.

"Thank you, minna," he croaked, ashamed at his own voice.

Everyone sympathized and smiled. They brought out the birthday cake and celebrated by having Ryoma blow out the candles. Then it was time for him to open everyone's individual present, and Ryoma was blown away again with how much thought everyone put into it all. He got some of his favorite racket tape from Shinji, and Ryoma nearly laughed. He remembered when he had fought over with him this similar tape and won. Shinji had obviously not forgotten.

Ryoma had to rethink his earlier comment. Right now was the best time of his life. His parents understood that they would see him tomorrow, so they went to talk to Ryuzaki-sensei. There was dancing after the presents and lots of drinking. Ryoma didn't usually condone drinking, but tonight was special so he allowed it.

Time flew out the window and before Ryoma knew it, it was midnight. The crowd had dwindled down to the very few left in the room. His parents had retired, laughing, a long time ago. He helped Takeshi to their room, or was it Takeshi who helped him? Either way, they made it back to their room in one piece.

They flopped onto the bed, too tired to move.

"That was some party," Takeshi stated.

Ryoma nodded. "My friends."

Takeshi laughed, a pleasant rumble. "You'd have to be a baka to not know we were all your friends." He ruffled Ryoma's hair, slightly off because of his drunken state, but effective nevertheless.

"Che. I didn't notice it because you all wormed your way in. You're all sneaky," Ryoma accused, pointing a finger at Takeshi. The freedom of being drunk had loosened his tongue.

Takeshi chuckled. "Ah, but it was worth it. You were worth it." He turned Ryoma so that he was laying on his chest.

The soft snores Takeshi was emitting told Ryoma that he had fallen asleep after doing that. Ryoma smirked. "Yes, you were quite worth it."

He fell asleep listening to the steady drumming of Takeshi's heart.

Authors Note: Minna- everyone / baka- fool /