Un conte des êtres celestrial

by Fuji S

A tale of celestrial beings. Sometimes things happen and all you can do is go on. [AU] [FujiRyo] :3 Update Chapter 7

6. Chapter 6

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis belongs to Konomi Takeshi. I do not own any of the characters, except for the plot of this story; anything else belongs to the creator Konomi.

Author's Note: Well, this is a bit frustrating; it is hard to write in character on these characters, so please excuse me if they seem out of character. Even though I watch the episodes repeatedly, however I've discover that it is hard to try to keep to the character's personality. So, bear with me if they seem a bit different, thank you. ^_^ Skies-chan is my beta reader, and until she goes over this, I am afraid this thing will have grammar errors. *Sweat drops*

Title: Un conte des êtres celestrial
[A Tale of Celestrial Beings]
Chapter: 6
By Fuji S. Yuki


Destiny is a funny little item in the world. Many would call it a prepaid path to hell. Some would even call it a hoax that has nothing to do with them. Yet, is that really true?

Things were tense not the type of tense furious energy that came when Momoshiro and Kaidoh fought against each other. No, it was something entirely different, and it was causing a slight rift to form between the regular players.

Oishi had noticed of course, since Tezuka pretty much seem not quite himself. Whereas Fuji was pretty much doing things that weren't quite Fuji like right now. This was odd, since ever since he came back from being sick he had been acting stranger then normal.

First, the tensai skipped out of classes, then instead of playing tennis he went missing for the day, and lastly now he was lying down on the grass taking a nap. Normally one would think that this sort of behavior would have been done by someone like Ryoma. After all, it usually happens, when the younger boy had nothing better to do, before his match and so he would lie down and sleep. However, now Fuji was doing the same exact thing sleeping, instead of standing beside Tezuka to watch the matches being played.

It made people nervous, it sent out warning signals that the tensai was up to something, and that they best better steer clear. Tezuka of course, was absentminded through these periods. He didn't necessary yell at Fuji to run laps to those that would goof up. Oishi was worried; he didn't understand what was going on with his friend. His partner came up to him while wrapping an arms around the other choking the emerald eye boy.

"Oishi snap out of it." The hyperactive boy said, while ruffling the silky black hair. "Wah, you've been frowning all day nyah!"

Inui had snapped his head slightly curious as to what was going on. Just as quickly, he had drawn out his notebook and started to scribble down the data ii. Kaidoh of course hisses in annoyance and headed out of the area, hoping that he would not be slammed with the repercussion of specific actions that were cause by his sempai's.

"Eiji…" Oishi choked out, "let…go…urk.."

"Yada! Not until Oishi stop frowning…" Eiji whines, still swinging around.

Snicker were coming behind the golden pair, Momo of course had been paying attention to the whole scene, "Mou Kikumaru-sempai your killing Oishi-sempai. Besides he isn't frowning right now he is dying.."

"EHHHH!!!" Just as quickly, the arms withdrew and Oishi choked in large breaths of air into his starving lungs.

"Eiji…" Oishi panted, "Don't do that…"

"Mou Oishi! Then stop being so cranky nyah!!"

Oishi watches his partner and then a smile bloomed on his face. "Arigato for worrying about me…"

"Nyah…of course Oishi…I worry about my golden partner nyah!" Eiji once again latches himself to Oishi's back. "Why are you worried though?"

Inui was still discretely off to the side scribbling still. If only the two could realize that, they were being watched closely by the data tennis player. Momo after the whole drama had exited, not wanting to be infected with a mushy fluffy golden pair moment. It was bad enough that they were scary when they play against other's, let alone singles, but he didn't want to witness things that would make his stomach queasy.

"Tezuka…" Oishi hesitated slightly, "I am worried because Tezuka hasn't been himself…"

"Aa…" Comprehension immediately dawn in the acrobatic players eyes, "You mean since Fuji isn't playing and is napping and Buchou hasn't yet made him run laps."

" Un…"

Eiji slightly pressed his finger to his lips slightly, "Nyah Fuji has been acting oddly too. Do you think he is still sick?"

"He isn't sick, his temperature is normal." Both tennis players jumped when Inui popped up behind them. It was odd that the data tennis player would know if Fuji was sick or not. "He is behaving oddly then usual. Fuji is displaying characteristics that are similar too…"

"Echizen."

The three regulars froze at the voice of the captain called out sternly and loud. They turned around to see the little boy walk up to the Captain.

"Nande?" Ryoma questioned.

Tezuka turned around and picked up his tennis racket, "You'll be playing against me."

A smirk slid onto the lips, as Echizen tugged on his cap to hid his eyes, "Uso…" He then turned away to walk onto the designated side of the court, after calling out the word. "Smooth."

The three regulars breath a sigh in relief, afraid that the captain had caught them talking about him, and yet half worried as to why he didn't catch them to make them run laps. Odd, strange, inconsistent, there was something going on that didn't seem to make the regulars comfortable.

Almost on cue Tezuka called out, "Rough…"

Tilting his head to the side Eiji blinked quickly to realize that Fuji was now on the other side of the fence normally he would have walked and stood by them, yet now today it seems he was avoiding them all. However, the lure of O'chibi and the captain playing seem to have drawn the tensai closer, even though he had settled himself down on the grass to watch.

"Hmm Fuji is sitting on the other side…" Inui mutters as he wrote it down, "I wonder if he stood there to put pressure on the two playing."

Indeed, by what Oishi could make out the two individual tennis player glanced at the tensai for a full second then turned back to their game. Ryoma with a slight glimmer of anger in those golden orbs, and if possible frustration in his Tezuka's stance, there was something suspicious going on between those three. Could it be they had a fight with each other? No, they can't fight, they were a team, it was wrong, and what if this ruins their training? What if there is a fight that ends up injuring the tennis players? What if…a finger came out and smacks him on the forehead, Aa…?"

"Oishi you're doing it again." Annoyed face of Eiji came into view, while he seem to be holding his tennis racket threatening, an obscure and ridiculously cute image of a pissed off kitten.

Oishi sighs, "Aa gomen. I can't help it…"

"Nyah you're like a mother hen Oishi…" While shaking his head, "Nyah if this keeps up I have to kick you several times to make you stop it…nyah…"

"Hai hai…"

Inui smirks, "Instead of kicking why don't you try my special remixed Inui Juice?" Waving a bottle of multicolored liquid, a foul stench bubbling out of the lid, making Eiji gag and quickly shoving Oishi in front of him for protection, "Get it away! Get it away!"

"Aa…" Oishi flinches, "No thanks Inui…"

Two hours later tennis club had ended and Oishi had managed to corner Tezuka in the tennis coach's office, he wanted to know what was wrong with his best friend his comrade. After all, since they were young Tezuka had always been Oishi's confidant and the same could be said about Tezuka. They both had each other to talk to whether or not it was concern about tennis club issues, to even homework problems.

"Tezuka. What is wrong with you?" Oishi sat in the chair facing his friend, "You haven't been yourself lately are you sick?"

"Iie…" Tezuka managed to get out, his mind was still jumbo up with troubles regarding what he was feeling. He knew that it would be only a matter a time before Oishi would have notice and corner him for a explanation especially if it was disrupting the balance in the tennis club. He knew that if he didn't manage to clear things up in his confusion then it would cause more trouble's and this wasn't a good thing at all. "I am not sick."

Oishi prodded "Then what is wrong?"

"I am facing difficulties with myself." It was hard for the stoic captain to confess things to Oishi, especially since it was something he wasn't sure if Oishi was comfortable with.

"What sort of difficulties?"

"Feelings."

"Feelings?" It was something that seems rather odd for Oishi to hear, since Tezuka seem to be a pillar of calm and strength and for him to be baffled about his feelings was something entirely different. "What sort of feelings?"

Tezuka narrowed his eyes slightly then lean back in the chair. "I can't identify it well enough Oishi. There is a feel that dwells Inside me. It is a certain wanting and needing feeling that won't go away…restlessness."

Oishi started to slowly piece together what was wrong; he always knew that Tezuka was brought up in a family that didn't like to express emotions. After all, he was brought up in the same situation, except his parents at least gave indication of their love for him. Yet, they expected him to achieve knowledge and become at least a doctor. "Does this have to do with Echizen and Fuji?"

"Aa…" Tezuka slowly stood up and padded to the window staring out at it. "Is it wrong to feel something for them?"

Oishi choked on his tea, "Wait…" wheezing slightly he thought he heard that Tezuka had feelings for Fuji and Ryoma Pieces started to come together the reason behind the terseness in Tezuka regarding Fuji and Ryoma. "You want those two?"

"I don't know…" A slight sound of air came out as the Tezuka slid back against the windowsill. "That is why I am confused…maybe it is hormones, but it doesn't feel like it…."

"Tezuka are you in love with Fuji and Echizen?" Silence held and a shake of the other's head, "Or are you telling me that you're homosexual?"

"I…"

Hesitation and frustration crept behind the glasses, telling Oishi everything that indeed Tezuka was attracted to Fuji and Echizen, and yet he was still denying the fact that he was indeed gay. "Tezuka there is nothing bad about being into guys…" Emerald eyes peered at his friend with understanding; "It must be hard for you since you live in a traditional family." Placing a hand on the taller boy's shoulder, "It's fine being that way, even if you find it wrong and you might even be denying it more…"

Tezuka just closed his eyes in resignation, "How would you know Oishi?"

"Simple I am in the same boat like you…" Smiling at the slight stiffening of his friend's body, "I've been hiding it for a while, I was even in denial, yet after admitting it I felt myself at ease, I felt more calmer and happier, even if…"

"Even if…?" Tezuka prompted wanting to know.

Oishi laughs softly, "Even if the other I want doesn't really know let alone might even be straight…" Shrugging a bit, "We are still young Tezuka all of us in this school, yet we all are growing up, and it isn't uncommon that we start to change too."

"When did you become so wise my friend?" Tezuka smiled his small tilted upward at the side smile. Which reassure Oishi that the other was slowly admitting to himself what he denied.

Though the vice president knew that it was one step in the right direction for his friend, but the other steps he was sure would be harsher then usual. "Tezuka…"

"Nnnn?"

"Do you know what is wrong with Echizen and Fuji?"

Tezuka shook his head, "I am not certain Oishi, but Fuji…he…" Hesitation again, meaning something did happen that upset the stoic captain.

"What happened?" It was clear that it was something that wasn't pleasant, while Tezuka tried to figure out how to word what happen to Oishi.

It was then that Tezuka told Oishi all the details of how he found Fuji, how the boy missed class and almost fell off the fence to all of the other trappings that made him certain that something was fully wrong with the younger boy. "He isn't sick anymore Oishi, but there is something different about him…"

"Eiji had mention to me that Fuji has been muttering oddly underneath his breath lately. He also mentioned that Fuji was muttering about you and how there is a similar between spiral galaxy, your Tezuka Zone, and the center of a toilet…" Oishi wasn't exactly sure what the connection was between those three items. "Eiji didn't get it, but it was more scary when Fuji started to laugh softly underneath his breath. Eiji heard him but the rest of the class didn't, it was creepy."

Tezuka knew the joke by now, he knew about it since taking a class in astrology with Fuji once upon a time. It wasn't that far back and the tensai had constantly teased him mercilessly during their tennis matches. The connection wasn't hard and only someone sadistic like Fuji would be able to come up with something so random. However, the comment itself had earned the young tensai several laps around the courts, which was evidently a form of punishment by the captain. This contributed to the constant antagonistic feelings Tezuka had toward the younger boy. Even though he did admit it would probably been funny now, it certainly wasn't back then.

After all, it was an insult to think that just because he was able to direct the way the ball move making it curve and whirl back to him was something related to the flushing of a toilet and how something couldn't escape the hole in the middle. Even though the objective was, consider god-like to Fuji he found it amusing to watch the balls he hit to the side far away float to the center that was where Tezuka stood. The constantly call out of the 'Universal Toilet Zone' instead of it's actual name the 'Tezuka zone,' was unnerving.

Even if sometimes the circular of the area around him spun slowly counter, clock wise and even clock wise like the spiral galaxy and the toilet in both western and southern hemisphere of the Earth.

Things weren't looking good and what with Fuji being the way he was, it was certainly the fact that the red hair acrobat would probably be finding out the truth fairly soon. After all, if Kikumaru didn't understand something that he wants to know he would constantly nag you until you finally give. Moreover, Fuji being the sadist that he is, would probably end up telling him all the details behind the reason for his laughter.

Why did Fuji have to take Astrology with Kikumaru, one would think that after taking it once with Tezuka that he wouldn't ever want to go to a higher-level Astrology class. Yet, this was Fuji, Tezuka was thinking about, it was obvious that he took the class to be with Eiji, and yet he took it because he wanted to be highly amused. Now that Fuji was back on track with his old jokes, it wouldn't be too late before all of it gets around. The world really did hate him, and he certainly didn't want to be around, when the world decides to come knocking on his door.

[A/N: Please read Un conte des êtres celestrial [A Tale of Celestrial Beings] Side Story A It will give a clear explanation toward the reason behind Fuji's behavior.]

~*~*~*~*~

It wasn't as if he chooses to be here, however it was all due to a little phone call from Echizen-san. No not Echizen Nanjirou, but Ryoma's mother that had called him, while requesting if he could come over and take care of her little baby, while they were gone on a trip far away.

At first Fuji wasn't sure if he heard correctly, what Echizen-san wanted him to do. However, when she informed him that Ryoma was sick, he agreed heartily to help take care of the little boy. After all, he was deeply and madly in love with that little wonder boy, it was only fitting that when he was sick that he could go and take care of him. Though it did make him wonder why him of all people.

Then again, he shouldn't have questioned so much about his luck. All he knew by what Echizen-san inform him was to pack up clothes that would last for about one week. In addition, that if he needed to wash them, he was welcome to the facilities that they had in their home. After talking to his sister, she of course agree heartily that it would be good for Fuji to go help as she puts it Mada Mada-kun. Besides that, she also wouldn't be at home, due to a business trip that would take up a week. Therefore, in the end, Fuji was off arriving at the doorsteps of the Echizen household. Ringing the doorbell, he waited patiently for someone to answer. It took a while, but the screen door slid open to reveal a groggily Echizen Ryoma dressed in a pair of pajama's.

Surprise and confusion crossed over Ryoma's face as he stared at the smiling tensai. "Nnn Fuji-sempai?" Racket of coughs and sniffling came over Ryoma as he blinks owlishly at his sempai. "What you doing here?"

"Aa…your parents and cousin had to leave on a trip. Your okaa-san was concerned about you since you were still sick. So she called and ask me to come over and stay a bit with you until you were feeling better." Fuji replied, noticing that indeed the younger boy was sicker then usual. "Come on now Echizen, lets get you back to bed, and I'll find some medicine for you." Herding the younger boy into the house and sliding the screen door behind him, sliding his shoes off his feet, he

"Demo…I can take care of myself."

Fuji smile widens, "I am sure you can. However, I can't take care of myself so I am afraid that you have to watch over me to make sure that I give you the right forms of medicine."

Ryoma just glares at Fuji slightly in annoyance. "That isn't the point."

"Oh it wasn't?" Fuji kept on smiling, "Nice house you have here…"

"Stop trying to change the subject…" The little boy hisses, as he was pushed into the living room room.

"I wasn't really," Fuji laughs softly, "Where is your room? Let's get you settled in."

"Mou! I told you that I can take care of myself." Ryoma yawns stubbornly while swaying. He didn't comprehend why of all people Fuji had to be at his doorway. Let alone why his Okaa-san decided that he needed a babysitter. After all, he is thirteen years old it wasn't like he never did take care of himself when he was sick before. "You can just go home, I've taken care of myself before." Protesting still, not wanting to be babied, it was bad enough that he was babied in the tennis team, since he was the youngest. However, now that he was home, he didn't wanted to be babied here. He was independent individual and he hated to be handled like glass.

"I know you probably can." Pausing slightly the taller boy bended over and pressed his hand against Ryoma's forehead. "However, sometimes we all need someone ne?" Glimmers of sapphire crept through the opening of Fuji's half parted eyes.

Embarrassment while memories of what those open eyes could do for him made Ryoma lower his head, mutters a soft che.

The smile then resumed on Fuji's face as he followed dutifully after Ryoma to make sure the other would be comfortable in his bedding, before settling in himself.

~*~*~*~*~

At St. Rudolph boys dormitories, Fuji Yuuta was facing a horrible dilemma it wasn't the type to scream ones head off. Yet, it was still serious, and immensely horrifying, he wasn't trying to be over dramatic. However, he was slightly unsettled especially when he walked into his bathroom to discover that the room was decorated with purple color wallpaper full of other different concoctions that look like something his sister would use. It didn't take him long to figure out whom would redecorate bathrooms in this order, only one individual had this type of sense of fashion.

"Mizuki-san…" Yuuta grinded a bit in frustration, first things were a bit tense between him and his sempai. Since coming back from his home, then being met by Mizuki at his door, while the other tried to force him to exercise to lose weight that the other had thought he had placed on.

Yuuta knew that Mizuki was different, perhaps even precautious when it came to his views. He was considering the best manager for the tennis club, and his behavior was driving and different then what Yuuta was use too. Fuming he open the door of his closet realizing that half of his closet was rearranged with different style of clothing. Why of all Japan this had to happen to him? It wasn't as if he had done anything bad to anyone, let alone critic other's of their choices of fashion.

Waltzing into the hallway, he looked around the area for the dark onyx haired boy. It didn't take him long he found the other in the library researching something. "Mizuki-san." Yuuta controlled his temper when he spotted his sempai.

"Ah Yuuta-kun." Mizuki lifted his eyes to look at the angry flush that seem to have crept onto his Kouhai's face. "How may I help you?"

"You…you…" Yuuta took a deep breath, "Why did you redesign my bathroom let alone closet?"

"Oh don't you like it?" Mizuki smiles, "I am sure you do, since I am going to be your roommate from now on."

Yuuta felt the ice crackle around him, "What?" He hissed as quietly realizing where he was located at and that it might not seem wise to yell in the library.

"I thought you would be pleased, I can see that your not failing your classes, and that you would be working out perfectly." Mizuki fingered a black strand of his hair in amusement. The stark purple shirt shimmers in the light, making Yuuta flinch knowing that he could not win against Mizuki. The other surely was suspecting something; perhaps it was due to the smell of the strawberry shortcake his sister had made for him.

If this was so, he doubts he would get any decency in peace from his sempai lingering around him. He did like Mizuki Hajime, however to be around the other for so long, would cause a detrimental state to his sanity. The hygienic products, the clothing style, and if he was not careful he would end up banging his head against a room of padded walls. Yuuta wasn't able to deal with his Aniki he doubts he could exist with Mizuki sharing a room with him. "Mizuki-san don't you think your taking this a bit to further?"

"Eh I don't really understand what you mean Yuuta-kun." Mizuki stood up and walked next to the boy. "Aren't you happy that I will help you crush your brother?" Purring in pleasure at being near the other boy, "Of course, you would live quite comfortably, I will make sure you eat right, work out right, and study correctly."

Backing away slowly Yuuta rub his temple, "Can't you readjust the bathroom Mizuki-san? The color gives me a headache…" Whining a bit, not noticing the dangerous glint in the other's eyes.

"Well I could change it, but—"

"But--?"

"What would you be willing to give to me in return of my sacrifice?" Mizuki swaggers closer and wraps his arms around the other's neck.

Yuuta blinked clueless, "Eh?"

"If you want me to give up my precious bathroom decoration then you have to give me something to compensate, Yuuta-kun."

Giving a suspicious look at his sempai, he shrugged his shoulder, "What exactly do you want?" Wondering what sort of point the other was making.

"Give me you." Mizuki watches the interesting reaction over the younger boys face, with a quick jerk; landing Yuuta onto the floor and straddles his hips. "I want you. Give me you and I'll change the bathroom."

Silver eyes widen in shock, "Nani?"

Sliding downward the purple garbled boy lean forward until his lips were just a millimeter from the younger boys lips," I want you to be mine." Then he crushed his lips to the other.

~*~*~*~*~


Fuji slid open the closet door to the guest room, pausing he stared at the tall glass mirror that was held on the inside of the closet door. One of the differences of the Echizen Household was that on the outside, it might portray a traditional Japanese house but on the inside, it was Americanize to a certain extent. Here was a example of one, the mirror hanging on the inside of a closet, surely it was true that other cultures had taken up to having mirrors in their closets. Yet, long large mirrors weren't common in some area's. Especially with fear of damaging such a frail item, yet here was one standing in front of Fuji.

Taking a glance into the mirror his eyes focused and he stiffen when he stared into the same sapphire eyes, and facial structure of his own image, and yet it wasn't him. The mirror image was of him true but the clothing, and the darkness of the mirror told him of something entirely else. Wings seem to flutter inside the mirror flickering with silver here and there, as the eyes view him with faint amusement.

'Surprise to see yourself?" The lips in the mirror moved, 'Or are you surprised to see yourself as me, as Machidiel?' Soft chuckles crept into Fuji's ears.

Syusuke closed his eyes and open it, and the image still stood there in front of him. "Why are you doing this?"

'You mean why are we doing this?'

"I don't care about the we, but your you and I am I…" Fuji clenches his hands, "I am Fuji Syusuke."

A soft chuckle crept into his sense, while the scent of wild fields came to his nostril, 'your also me, Machidiel.'

"What do you want from me?"

'I want many things, but what I want is to be a part…'

Curious as to the word 'part', Fuji glances back up and saw the suffering echoed expression in the other's eyes, "Part?"

'Un…I want to be a part of you, I want you to accept me for what I am.' The image of Machidiel waver slightly, 'I want you to stop running away from the fear that you would lose yourself, for you and I are the same person.'

"If that was so why are you trying so hard for me to accept you into me?" Suspicion lined Fuji's voice, as he pressed his hand to the mirror, it bubbled lightly against his touch, the smooth glass felt like water tickling his flesh. "Could it be that you can't meld with me or are you just afraid?"

'Iie. It is more then that, I don't want to force things onto you, I want you to understand that the past cannot change the future, the person I am is that the person, I am a part of you, the denied part.' Machidiel lips quirks, "I am the one that is deeper, I am the one that is the thinker, the desire, the cause, and yet since we are the same person you want Ryoma, who once was Chamuel.'

Fuji laughs softly his bangs covered his eyes as he backs away from the mirror. "Ryoma is Ryoma, he is nothing like the Chamuel of your memory."

'He may be Ryoma due to living on Earth as I intended in order to give us a chance, but he also is Chamuel. There are similar traits that we all carry; we just developed differently even though we might not seem the same. We essentially are the same in soul, spirits, just our growth is different.' Machidiel tilted his head, "I wanted us to live Syusuke. I wanted us to be happy together, and yet I am here for a reason due to the wakening.'

"Why did you have to awake at all?" Syusuke spitted out bitterly, "I never wanted this…" His hands pressed against his eyes wanting to claw them out from this feeling of oppression, of being told what to do, what he must do. It was unnerving to learn that the life you lived is dictated to an extent.

'No not dictated, you're still your own person, you were born and I was stored. The only reason why I awaken was because of Chamuel, and because it was part of the pact I made to ensure a second chance.' Machidiel shook his head, 'It was all I could think of Syusuke-kun. I was desperate Chamuel was slowly dying before my eyes.'

"I know." Fuji howled slightly, while backing himself into the wall, his hand clutching his heart with his right hand. "Damn it I know, these memories they keep on coming, they keep on taking over me. I can barely remember the memories that make me Fuji Syusuke. I feel like I am losing myself because of all these memories that was of me of us of our past times as Morning star's son." He whispered tormented by all that he had done in those memories.

'We or at least I Machidiel had done many horrible things, and I am rather shameful to admit that back then I didn't feel remorse. But now while sleeping, in you, dreaming of all that you live through, I learn to regret to grieve. When Chamuel was taken away I shed tears of red blood, for I am not allowed the crystal tears that mortals have.' Sapphire eyes gleam from the mirror while his wings crept forward then outward with a flicker. 'I am the one part of you, just like you are the one part of me, without each other we are incomplete just like how we are incomplete without Chamuel or Ryoma.'

"If. Just-if I take you on, would I disappear? Would Fuji Syusuke disappear? Would this personification that I am?" Syusuke clench his fist together, "I don't want to lose what I am…"

'I am not sure, perhaps once we join. You will end up getting all of the memories sorted and you'll retain yourself except with more wisdom of Machidiel.' Machidiel closes his eyes, 'or you might end up merging with me we both become a new Fuji Syusuke, with traits from each other, and memories of both.'

"What happens if I don't do this?"

'It is inevitable that it will happen, it is just a matter of time, but you will suffer more, and then it just might be too late…'

This grabbed Fuji's attention snapping his head up he stared at the mirror. "What you do mean exactly about too late?"

'Machidiel has been awaken you have grown wings, the pact we, I, had made is in effect, and soon the war will rise again.' The grim look on the recognizable face the mirror image sighed slightly, 'When I fell with Chamuel the reason why we went to the runes was to see if there was a way, that we could disappear from the other world. We wanted to live a common place a common life. The ruins mentioned vaguely the ability to become mortal, through the process of rebirth.'

Feeling uncertain Fuji mentioned quietly, "I don't remember this part in the block of memory I was given."

'You only gotten the tip of the iceberg of Machidiels' memories it is only a matter of time like I said, yet when you do finally receive the last it might be too late. Once Chamuel awakens we will be detected, and the only reason by my theory that the war hasn't been raging is because of the search for us.' Machidiel whispered quietly, 'However, I am uncertain what the status is…'

"So your telling me in order to protect Ryoma, I must…"

A slight tsk came from the mirror. 'Not just you. Both of us. If we want to make sure, your love as well as mine will be safe. We must join.'

Fuji slowly slid from the wall to his feet, "I guess I have no choice. I don't want to do this, but I am not allowed a choice."

'Sometimes it isn't the ability to have a choice; it is the results that have to be taken into consideration. If you love Ryoma, which I know you do, then to ensure his safety is to quickly prepare yourself.' The other spoke smoothly, 'I am uncertain how long the sides can hold, and once we are discovered, we aren't sure if the side of Good would decide to kill both Ryoma and us. The same thing goes with our father, and his minion.'

"There is no escaping from this is there?" Hands sliding he pressed his head against the cool surface of the mirror, leaning his body fully with one hand on the top right of the mirror. His left hand on the left side balancing his weight with the bended elbow.

The mirror image slid his hands against where Fuji's were almost wishing to help comfort him from what he must face as they merged, his face too was pressed against the cool surface next to where Fuji's cheek was located at, his body mimic the other. 'I know this might seem like nothing, but I'm sorry.'

"Sa sa, it can't be helped," as he felt himself being pulled into the mirror the other side followed.

'Gomen ne…honto…gomen, Syusuke-kun.'

"It's alright, Machidiel-kun…" And with that the last of them were merged in the mirror, spirals of energy circled around the mirror, until with a quick shuffled and shake

Fuji opened his eyes; he was back in place where he was before almost as if nothing had happened at all, yet his position was the same when he was merging. He felt no different, except perhaps more older, the memories he shifted through were all his, and yet there in the corner already filed away were thousands of information and memories of Machidiel. He knew who he was now, he was Machidiel and yet he was Fuji Syusuke, he didn't change, they didn't change. A content smile fell on his lips, as he pushed back his body his hand still in position to stare at his reflection.

The same smile was on the lips, and yet he could still see Machidiel's image looking at him with a different emotion in his eyes. Almost like gratitude for what he had done. A knock reverted around in the guestroom and the door slid open, Fuji spun his head around to look at the figure that came paddling into his room half tousle and asleep.

"Nnn Fuji-sempai?" Ryoma mumbles adorable, while rubbing one of his eyes sleepily.

Syusuke looked at the young man fondly, his eyes were conveying a sense of peace at finding himself, whereas if he had glance back would have notice that the Fuji in the mirror was looking at Ryoma as well with longing and lust.

Yet neither boy noticed, Fuji had slid off the mirror to approach the boy, "What is it Echizen?"

"Nnn...hungry."

"Aa…" Instant realization that indeed the young boy might be starving by now since he was still sick.

"Can you cook?"

Fuji just kept on smiling, "Not really. However, we can order out and get food delivered, now go back to bed…" He usher boy wonder through the door, toward the room where Karupin sat on the chair half asleep.

After making sure Ryoma took the medicine that was prescribed, Fuji tucked Ryoma into the bed, slightly surprised that the younger boy had not complained at being babied. Indeed boy wonder may be incredibly sick since he had voice no protest at the treatment. Karupin had by now hop onto the bed on top of Ryoma like usual, it glanced at Fuji curious while meowing a hello.

This earned a petting session with Fuji that lasted for twenty minutes while the other half dialed for take out to be delivered to them. Ironically, Yumiko had given him several phone numbers for restaurants that would deliver food that would be healthy and good to those that were ill. After speaking with the owner of a selected restaurant and informing them of the address while receiving the price for the food he hanged up. It was a good thing that the Echizen family had left a envelop on the desk that informed Fuji that there was money in order to get food for both him and Ryoma. Indeed Ryoma's mother was an efficient and reliable woman, that knew what she was doing, it was only a pity that she married such a perverted as Nanjirou.

Turning a bit, he glances over at Ryoma whom was knocked out already by the medication. Fuji slowly slid his eyes open then glanced down at Karupin, whom stared into his eyes too. Conveying a message of trust, and security in the other boy's arms, this made him snort in amusement, since the cat had already given his blessing to Fuji. It knew that the other could be trusted, it also knew that the other was something that cared about it's master.

Fuji whispered softly into the fuzzy ears after lifting Karupin in his arms. "Your too damn trusting, but thank you." Paws patted him on the left cheek signally that Karupin understood, and he slowly let the other slid into the covers to keep warm with Ryoma.

Standing up he lean over and pressed his, lips against the other's forehead, whispering quietly, "Sleep well Echizen." Turning away, he walked out of the door to wait for the deliveryman.

~*~*~*~*~

Kaidoh was jogging like usual, rain pour down the sky and trickled down his neck. It was routine for him to run, whether by rain or shine, it was the way to keep his stamina. Many individuals didn't understand the Mamushi, none of them could comprehend why the other liked to run so much.

If they were to ask the bandana boy why, he would hiss at them telling them to get lost. If only they knew why the other was so prickly around other's, why he constantly kept people an arm length away. He had been hurt, he had been made fun of, and he wasn't accepted. In his family, he could behave as his real self, a loving boy that wanted attention. Yet, no one saw this side of Kaidoh Karou. No one knew that he existed except for a few individual.

Inui was one of these individuals, he wouldn't admit it to anyone what he saw in private, however he did know of this gentle side of Kaidoh. He knew that the boy had a harsh life in school, making him into a loner. He remembers many things, his memory was wonderful and comprehending, he always had this ability. Even though data tennis was created to defeat tennis, he had always had a good memory. He never told anyone, but he came from the same elementary school that Kaidoh went too.

The data tennis player remembers how the young mamushi had been picked on. How the other had suffered stares and put-downs by other kids and perhaps even been beaten up by those that didn't like how he looked.

Inui had known all of this, and yet he wasn't able to go closer to the other to intervene. The other by what he observed wouldn't let him, so day by day, he watched the other get harder and colder in his stance. He watch the day the other snapped and beaten the four boys that picked on him up. Moreover, he was proud of the other, which he could or let alone would stand up against those that harassed him for so long.

He had never breath a word of this to anyone, the privacy he supposes was something he wouldn't betray, and even though Kaidoh probably didn't know that he went to the same, school watched him. Perhaps even admire him for so far. Then when he had graduated he went to Seigaku and met Tezuka, he then slowly forgotten the other, until he join them as a freshman. Then the obsession started up, his data collecting had been mostly on Tezuka, but he had kept an eye for god knows why on the younger boy.

The hard-shell was there the one that was created to defend himself. One day Inui had followed the young Mamushi without the other noticing. Perhaps it was like stalking, but he wanted to understand the other, and he knew that one day the other would be his opponent. There he had witness Kaidoh walking to the old elementary school, his fingers curled against the data book he held. A younger boy came running out of the door, it was shocking to see a smaller version of Kaidoh, yet by what he could denote it was his Kouhai's brother.

The hard-shell that Inui witness softens slightly while the older brother took his little brothers hand. The younger boy kept on laughing and hugging onto his brother, with adoration, it was a fitting picture, and it was something that no one would notice.

Then just as quickly the expression hardens, when a group of boys walked toward the two brothers and surrounded them. By what he could tell, they were classmates of the younger boy, and they were taunting him, Kaidoh had whispered for his brother to go ahead and sent him off while remaining behind. The just as quickly hands sprang out and slammed one boy against the wall holding him up. Inui couldn't tell what was being sad, but by the display of violence, all of the boys scattered leaving the lone boy with Kaidoh. Then just as quickly the other was thrown carelessly to the side, and the Mamushi waltz off with his hands in his pocket toward his brother that seem to have been at a distance.

Inui admire the other boy immensely, after that display, he had a commanding presence, that was created, he also was very caring, and didn't like when other's picked on the weaker. Yet, he had seen Kaidoh's anger at full throttle, when Momoshiro had appeared in the other's life. It was almost like lighting a fire against the other's rear to watch him move as quickly into anger.

They both were driving forces for the two, rivals in the same team, and the development was perfect. Inui pushed his glasses back on and walked toward the now stopped bandana boy bring the umbrella to shield the other he smirks slightly. "Don't over do it."

Kaidoh blinks and took the towel that the older boy held out, and quickly dried his face and neck, "Inui-sempai what you doing here?"

Ignoring the question Inui tapped the data book against his temple, "It would be a good idea for you to take a hot bath and get dried." Inui push back his glasses, "Over doing it especially in rain isn't good, I know you want to get stronger, but getting sick won't help."

Panting still Kaidoh glare at the data tennis player and snorts and turns away, "Your getting stronger."

"I might get strong, but I don't get wet to achieve it as much." Inui stated, and gesture with his book in a direction. "My home is that way, it is closer then your own home."

"How do you know?"

Inui smirks, making Kaidoh flinch, "I know a lot." Placing an arm on the other, he tugged the boy with him. "Your getting sick now as we speak comes along."

"Wait...let go Inui-sempai." However, when the data tennis player was determined it was most likely that the mamushi could escape the other.

Poor bandana boy.

~*~*~*~*~

The night wasn't so bad let alone cold; it had rain recently however, Fuji was out on the roof even though the wood was slick from the rain. Breathing in the air Fuji sighs, while doubting with the over burden of information in his mind.

A slight creaking drew his attention, jerking his head up he notice a tired looking Echizen looking at him fuzzily. "Ne…Fuji-sempai what you doing here?"

"You shouldn't be up, you should be in bed, and it is quite dangerous up here." Fuji chided as he stood up and made his way to the swaying boy.

"Nnnn…you weren't in the house, and I am hungry." Ryoma yawns and took a step the patch of wood he stepped on was loosened he slid down the tile. Eyes slightly widen in shock at the loss of his balance.

Fuji yelled out in panic, "Ryoma!" He dived and let lose his wings while grabbing onto the boy, he glided losing his balance while keeping his arms wrapped around the other as he tumbled in the low altitude glide into the ground.

The stinging and pain in his shoulder and back let him know that he had slid in mud, and that he was now dirty, wet, and holding onto a trembling boy. Eyes closed, he felt the other shift in his arms and a hand pressed against his cheek, "Fuji-sempai? Fuji-sempai?"

Opening his eyes slowly, he stared into scared golden eyes, groaning tiredly, he leaned upward and tugged the other until his lips were against his. The fear of nearly losing the other was so great and now relieved that the other was all right, made him feel better. Breaking off the kiss he laugh faintly, "This wasn't how I wanted to let you know the truth…" When he noticed the other eyeing his wings in puzzlement, "lets get inside before you get more sick."

Ryoma nod his head, "Isuyo, while fumbling slightly on his feet." The ground suddenly tilted and he felt himself lifted in arms. "EH???"

"Don't complain, this would save us from the trouble, even though you might feel the embarrassment, no one is watching us." Fuji fluttered his wings around them to shelter them from the rain and they entered the house to take a shower and to recover from the cold waters of the sky.

~*~*~*~*~

A man stood inside staring outside into the world in a certain direction, a teacup was in his hand, while a smirk was on his face. "Finally, after so long you appear. Don't worry my dear Machidiel, I should be among you soon enough." Hands caressed a worn book that had an odd symbol on it of an upside down cross. "You can't hide anymore Machidiel. I've gotten your scent, you can't escape me."

A ruby ring glinted on his middle finger, while stroking the book, with his right hand. "Wait for me…"