AN: I'm steering away from the word ore-sama (it gets boring after a bit), so you won't see it very often in this story. Sorry! Otherwise, Atobe will NOT be very OOC…

Oh, yeah, and this takes place in the anime, just after Tezuka returns to Seigaku, but before the last episode.

--

The next day was the funeral. As expected, there was a huge turnout, and Atobe truly enjoyed being at the center of it. If he could only remember to look slightly downcast, his performance would have been perfect.

As it was, nearly everyone was fooled anyway. "That's alright, Keigo-bocchama," his father's former secretary told him kindly, patting him softly on the shoulder. "You don't have to put up a brave front. We understand."

"Oh, that's our buchou," a voice rich with sarcasm spoke up from behind Atobe. "He likes to be strong for his team."

"Thanks, Oshitari," Atobe said sweetly. The secretary was totally clueless. "And that's my team- always here for me in my time of need."

Oshitari and the rest of the Hyoutei regulars steered him away to a back corner. All the adults in the room smiled knowingly. Of course, poor Keigo's friends could try to cheer the boy up.

When they were finally fairly alone, Oshitari shook his head. "You could at least pretend to grieve."

"Why bother? It's not like I'm losing MY precious life or anything, ne Kabaji?" Kabaji grunted an agreement. "Besides, nothing changes in my life. It's not like I'm poor or something, like the rest of you."

"Oshitari's father is a millionaire!" Shishido snapped incredulously.

"Exactly."

Shishido looked like he was about to say more, so Otori stepped in quickly. "But your life will change a little, right? I mean, where are you going to live?"

"Yes, that is a good question," Oshitari agreed. Atobe smirked. Oshitari was as close to a best friend as he would ever have, mostly because he easily saw through any façade Atobe ever put on. "I was sure that you were either going to be at home last night or at one of our houses, but the butler said that you were 'staying elsewhere.' So where have you been?"

"Oh, that," Atobe waved his hand dismissively. "Apparently, some old charity case of my father's offered to take me in for now. Ore-sama was intrigued, so I selected them."

"Charity case?" Gakuto rolled his eyes. "Somehow, I can't see you living in poverty."

"Well, the house IS smaller than I'm accustomed to, but they do have a tennis court out back… and a son our age, too."

"Does he play tennis?" Otori wanted to know.

Atobe nodded. "Of course. He may even be a worthy rival."

Jaws dropped. Gakuto even dropped the taffy he had been eating. "Yuushi, did Atobe Keigo just call someone a worthy rival!" he demanded of his doubles partner.

"Seems that way," Oshitari said slowly, automatically catching the taffy and handing it back to Gakuto. "Atobe… who is he?"

"Tezuka Kunimitsu," Atobe said sweetly.

Gakuto choked on the taffy.

--

"Tezuka!" Oishi called down the hallways of Seigaku, seeing his friend. "Where were you at practice this morning? I called your house, but no one picked up."

"I had to go to a funeral," Tezuka told him, trying not to think about the last twenty-four hours.

Atobe was a menace. Apparently, Kabaji really was surgically attached to Atobe, and he had been over in Atobe's room, unpacking for the other boy until long past midnight. Then Atobe's limo driver had driven him home… and Atobe had begun tormenting Tezuka.

First he had knocked on Tezuka's door. "Kuni-chan, where's the bathroom?"

Tezuka had pretended to be asleep. Maybe if he didn't answer, Atobe would go away…

Instead, Atobe had pushed open the door. "Aw… is Kuni-chan asleep?" He squinted at Tezuka's face, which was totally alert. "Do you sleep with your eyes open? How adorable."

"Get out."

"Ooh… and you talk in your sleep! It's almost as though you're awake!" Atobe said gleefully. He turned, scrutinizing Tezuka's room. "What a boring room. Where's all the character? Where can I find YOU in this room?"

Tezuka heaved himself up. "Now."

Atobe smirked. "Oh, no! He sleepwalks, too!" He made his way over to the closet and his eyes seemed to light up. Tezuka sighed.

Three minutes later, Atobe was dressed in a Seigaku tennis outfit. "Yudan sezu ni ikou!" he tried, lifting up Tezuka's racket and simulating a zero-shiki drop shot.

That was the last straw. "Atobe, get OUT!"

"My name is Tezuka," Atobe protested. "Though I do find Atobe Keigo to be fascinating and true perfection… ne, Kabaji?" Then he looked expectantly at Tezuka, as though expecting HIM to say "usu!"

"Atobe…" Tezuka began dangerously, but at that moment, there was a light knock at the door and his mother peeked in.

"Boys, I'm glad that you're having such a good time, and Kunimitsu, I'm proud of you for making our guest feel at home, but can't it wait until the morning? Your father and grandfather are trying to fall asleep, and it is two in the morning…"

"Oh, I am SO sorry, Tezuka-san," Atobe had said, sounding contrite. Tezuka wasn't fooled. "I guess I lost control, what with my parents'…" his voice trailed off, and he sent one last smirk Tezuka's way before turning to Ayane, his lower lip trembling.

Ayane put an arm around Atobe. "Oh, don't worry Keigo, it's all right! And you can call me kaa-san if you'd like. Come, let's go back to your room, and you can try to sleep. If not, I guess it's okay if you want to talk to Kunimitsu…"

"Oh, thank you, kaa-san!" Atobe hugged the woman, winking at Tezuka over Ayane's shoulder.

"Good night, Kuni-chan!"

Ayane smiled. "You two are really close, hm? Nicknames and all?"

Tezuka fumed silently.

--

Atobe still had his jersey.

"Tezuka, where's your jersey?" Ryuzaki asked him at afternoon practice, almost sympathetic. Apparently, Sakaki had already notified her of the situation.

"Atobe," he said simply.

She nodded understandingly. "Good luck with him."

"With who?" Fuji asked, coming up behind them.

"No one," Tezuka said shortly, heading for the clubhouse to pick up his racket.

"Why won't you tell me, Kuni-chan?" Fuji asked innocently.

Tezuka spun around. "You know!"

"News travels fast," Fuji smiled. "Atobe called me last night and told me all about it."

"Since when are you two friends?"

Fuji shrugged. "We're not. I didn't even know that he had my number."

"What did he want?" Tezuka asked warily.

"Details," Fuji said patiently. "About your personal life, what annoyed you most…"

Tezuka froze. "What did you say!"

Fuji laughed. "Relax, I didn't tell him anything. But I'm guessing he doesn't really need my help to annoy you…"

"Fuji… don't. Tell. Anyone. About. This."

"I got it," Fuji grinned.

"Not even Oishi and Eiji."

"Not even Oishi and Ei-"

"Kuni-chan! Kuni-chan!" Tezuka spun around.

A long, black limousine was parked on the street in front of Seigaku, and Atobe and half of Hyoutei seemed to be inside, waving furiously at him.

Tezuka sighed and lifted his racket. "How about a game, Fuji?"

"But Kei-chan is waiting!" Fuji protested, not even bothering to hide his smile.

"Now." At least my buchou voice still works on Seigaku…

Tezuka was about to serve when the youngest regular walked up to them. "Buchou, I have a message from Atobe Keigo," Ryoma said, trying unsuccessfully to smother a grin. "He says that you're late for your date with him."

Tezuka squeezed the tennis ball so hard it popped.