The fall of the Prince
Desclaimer: Prince of Tennis belongs to Takeshi Konomi.
A/N: Late in update again. I'm sooooooorrrrrryyyyyyyyy...
For you, all the REVIEWERS!
Rie - thank you! Thank you!
weird1
Magicians of the Yami - Wishing all the best for you...
thuyhy-thuyhy
Atealia
NDebN
shikai - just continue reading to find out
MissSilver
Merffles - sorry for the late update. I'll definitely finish this story. I promise!
merissala
Inuyashas' Plaything - they have name? what is it? Sorry, I didn't
search that detail. Can you help me revise my story if there are some
other mistakes? Thank you so much for your support. Wish all the best
for you too.
hazel-3017
And to all people who had read this too, ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! TERIMA KASIIIIIIIIIIIIH!
Chapter 9
Ryoma never liked the hospital room. Since the first day he was placed in that room, he had started hating it. The white color which always felt pure before turned to be something identical with cruelty, remembering that white is the dominant color of hospital, a place where most people struggle to fight their ill fate. The white color witnessed all the pain, the tears and the fight all the patients went through, and still remained innocent till the end.
The room Ryoma was occupying was also he considered as cold and unfriendly. The air felt like having menace floating around, torturing Ryoma during most of his time there.
Ryoma hated being in the hospital. And he never felt secure every time he woke up and found himself lying on the hospital bed, instead of being in his comfortable bed room.
However, today was different.
Ryoma was awake, though he hadn't opened his eyes yet, but his awareness has taken control all over his mind. At first, Ryoma didn't believe that he was actually awake, because strangely, for the first time since the first day he woke up in that room, that place felt actually warm.
Not wanting to open his eyes yet, Ryoma focused on his hearing. He heard the soft roaming voice from the air conditioner and faint chirpings from birds outside his window. It was after awhile before Ryoma caught another steady breath beside his own.
Ryoma yawned before finally opening his heavy eyelids. The brightness of his white room felt sharp for his sleepy eyes at first. He adjusted his eyes by blinking several times before turning to the couch where any of his visitors usually sat.
A pair of hazel eyes was looking at him, deep.
"Tezuka-san," Ryoma heard himself in low voice.
Tezuka smiled at him thinly then stood up from the couch. He stepped closer and sat on the edge of Ryoma's bed. "You miscalled me last night."
Ryoma frowned. "Really?" He didn't actually remember what he did last night. "You aren't going to school?"
Tezuka's reply was a gentle nod. "Decided to stay here with you." He said slowly.
Ryoma felt a smile on his lips. "That's so sweet," he said, amused. His beloved captain was just saying romantic things to him, something he didn't actually expect.
"Anything wrong?" Tezuka asked, referring about the miscall he received the prior night.
Ryoma once again tried to recall what actually happened which triggered him to call his boyfriend in such a late of night. And that was when he got the flashback about what he overheard about his illness.
A sudden hollow took place down his stomach.
He remembered not being able to sleep and desperately wanting someone, Tezuka, to accompany him. He remembered finally calling Tezuka through his cell phone and felt more desperate to know that it was midnight already and Tezuka was probably asleep already.
"Ryoma?" Tezuka called, looking concerned.
"No. I just couldn't sleep and felt bored." Ryoma answered, lying. Tezuka seemed to sense dishonesty but decided not to force the younger boy.
Ryoma sat up with a help from Tezuka. When he came face to face with his boyfriend, he felt calmer. He stared at Tezuka, memorizing every inches of his handsome face. Tezuka's presence definitely brought contentment within the emptiness in his heart.
Ryoma reached out his hand and touched Tezuka's cheek, softly running it down along Tezuka's jaw line. The skin felt soft yet firm under his finger tips. Everything around him started to become blur as Ryoma's eyes focused on Tezuka's face, feeling so absorbed by the only image before him.
Tezuka stared at Ryoma while immersing himself into the touch. A feeling of protectiveness started to fill his chest, remembering how much pain and suffer Ryoma had come through and still have to conquer during his treatment. His eyes met Ryoma's, sending a silent encouragement.
"I'm glad you're here." Ryoma confessed.
Tezuka put his arms around Ryoma's neck and pulled the smaller boy gently to his embrace. In automatic response, Ryoma's arm circled Tezuka's body and rested his cheek on Tezuka's chest, feeling the solid figure supported him. The warmth from the older boy's body engulfed him in such comfort he never thought was existed.
Ryoma closed his eyes and smelled Tezuka's scent of morning air. Slowly, feeling more relaxed, his worry was easing away.
Tezuka kissed the top of Ryoma's head, inhaling the sweet scent only Ryoma had as his hand stroke Ryoma's back soothingly.
A gentle creaking sound, indicating that the door of the room was opened startled both boys. They broke apart and stared at the door, expecting the one who intrude their scene. Doctor Endo appeared not long after and Tezuka felt Ryoma's body somehow stiffened from the Doctor's presence.
"Oh, you're here Tezuka-kun." He greeted as he walked closer to Ryoma's bed. Tezuka's reply was a formal nod. He didn't move out from Ryoma's bed though. "How are you doing today, Ryoma?"
"I'm good." Ryoma answered rather carefully.
"I'm just coming to check. And from what I see, I believe everything is fine, right?"
Ryoma nodded. The uneasiness hadn't left them though.
"Make sure you eat properly, okay?"
Ryoma only nodded again. He knew that's not exactly what he wanted to hear from the doctor. But he also didn't know if he actually really wanted to hear what he had overheard last night, if he actually be able to handle it. Ryoma stared at the older guy, half expecting, half scared.
"Well," Dr. Endo said, "when will you father come by the way?"
"I don't know." Ryoma shrugged. "Afternoon, maybe."
"There's something I'd like to discuss with him, Nanako, and you." He then stared at Tezuka who was still sitting right beside Ryoma. "And with you too, Tezuka-kun." He added.
Ryoma nodded and Tezuka stared at him. The older boy felt that this talk had something to do with Ryoma's mellowness today.
"I'll be back in the evening then. Be sure to tell me or the nurses if you feel something wrong, okay?"
"Uis." Ryoma answered slowly.
Dr. Endo bid his farewell with his friendly smile to both of the boys and then left the room, leaving them in private silence again.
"What's wrong, Ryoma?" Tezuka turned to Ryoma and asked, concerned.
Ryoma stared to the older boy for a while, thinking whether he should tell him about it or not. But then, he gently shook his head. "I don't know." He said then hugged Tezuka again.
Tezuka replied the hug in anxiousness.
The voice of opening door startled Tezuka while he was so mesmerized with Ryoma's sleeping face. He turned to the door, expecting someone, when Nanjiroh entered the room. The older Echizen simply greeted him with a smile. It seemed, from his gesture, that he had expected Tezuka to be there.
"Tezuka-kun, you didn't go to school?" Nanjiroh asked, walking closer to the end of Ryoma's bed.
"No." Tezuka shook his head slowly.
"You've been here since morning?" Nanjiroh asked. He had actually predicted that when he saw Tezuka there, though he still wanted to confirm it.
Tezuka nodded.
"So, you haven't eaten lunch then." He assumed. Tezuka, not expecting that kind of statement, confirmed with a nod. "It's good then. I think I'll just kidnap you for a moment while Ryoma's sleeping."
Tezuka's eyes grew in disbelieve. "You mean?"
"Let's go for lunch. I also haven't eaten yet." He headed back to the door, gesturing Tezuka to come along. Seeing Tezuka hesitated, he said, "don't worry. It's my treat."
Tezuka blinked several more times before finally followed the older guy with a final glance at Ryoma.
In the middle of the hospital cafeteria, where most of the seats were occupied with people who came to visit the sick, both Tezuka and Najiroh sat. Each was facing their own chosen meal. Tezuka was having a plate of omelets and a glass of ice coffee, while Nanjiroh had rice with tempura and a cup of tea.
Obviously, Tezuka was the kind of person who hardly feels nervous. Despite being almost always well-prepared in any occasions, he also never really feels intimidated towards anyone. But, in such occasion like this, he couldn't help to have some uneasiness.
"You're staying here till dinner, right?" Nanjiroh made an assumption to open a conversation. "Nanako is now cooking some traditional dishes Ryoma always like. You should try some, her cooking is really delicious."
"Ah, hai. I indeed had planned to stay over the night."
"That's great then." Nanjiroh put some rice on his mouth, munched it silently while staring at Tezuka, examining his look.
Tezuka couldn't help to feel nervous.
"So... how close you are with my son?"
A skip of heartbeat was an immediate response from Tezuka. Vaguely, he had been expecting for some conversation like this to take place. But still he couldn't help to feel nervous as Nanjiroh performed those words.
Tezuka took awhile before answering. "I'm sure you can see that I'm quite close with him. And I, we, tend to build a relationship based on this closeness."
"You know building a relationship is not something as easy as saying things. Nor it is something to be taken so lightly."
"I understand. And I tend not to be playing around with this." Tezuka's word was firm. "I know I can't predict whatever may happen at the future, whether this relationship can be smooth or ended up in the middle of its way. But I can say that I want to give my best and I'm not just playing around with your son."
"Well..." Nanjiroh started over rather carefully after a long thought, "I want to thank you so much for everything you have done to my son. I know you've been giving him support and care. I know you're the one who lighted Ryoma's hope and his spirit to stay in this struggle. Though I don't know the details, I know you're special to him." Nanjiroh gave a warm smile. "And I'm impressed with you." Nanjiroh let a breath of relief out, as if he was actually being disturbed with something before and finally having a resolution. "Please take care of Ryoma."
And Tezuka bowed down as deep as a sitting position could bring him. "I will. Arigatou gozaimasu."
Nanjiroh gave a warm smile as Tezuka looked up again. "Well, tell me more about you. You're in the third grade, right? Where are you planning to continue your study?"
The next conversation was lighter. Nanjiroh was trying his best to get to know Tezuka better, and Tezuka himself open up himself to understand the old man more. Each one felt a lot better after confirming this.
Dr. Endoh was greeted with a sight of a warm family gathering when he stepped inside Ryoma's room. The older Echizen was sitting on the couch, Ryoma was sitting on his bed while Tezuka on the edge of the bed, and Nanako was standing before a table where a large bento box was placed. All four of them were chatting warmly.
When he stepped inside, the occupiers of the room suddenly stopped doing what they were doing and greeted him with astonished look.
"Good evening," he greeted as casually as he could.
Somehow, the air in the room changed.
"Good evening," answered back a few voices.
Dr. Endoh decided to cut the unimportant intros and settled himself at the bottom of Ryoma's bed. Facing the entire member of Echizen family and Tezuka, he started his short speech.
"Well, I'm here to tell you some important news about Ryoma's health." He started. His eyes were meeting mostly with Ryoma's and sometimes with the others' as well. "I've received the result of your earlier test, Ryoma. And though I was rather surprised by it at first, that doesn't mean I'm giving up."
Ryoma, who was listening intently, vaguely realized that Tezuka's hand was touching his, giving a silent support.
"Your condition though, is not something we can take easily. That's why I'm offering this opportunity to you to get a much better and intensive treatment of your illness in a special hospital, specialized in taking leukemia cases." He stopped awhile, reading the change of air around him.
"You mean, you're suggesting him to be transferred?" Nanjiroh asked, not believing his ears that his wife's former doctor was suggesting him to bring Ryoma away.
"Yes. And that's not because I'm giving up your case, Ryoma-kun. But because I know this place is really good and I believe you will be treated in a much better way than here. They have better technology and better equipments, and since they are specialized for patients with leukemia, I believe they have the best mental support for you. And of course, I'll keep controlling you from here. And once you're over with the treatment, you will still need to do check ups with me."
"Where is this hospital? Tokyo?" Nanjiroh asked again.
"No. It's at Memphis. The hospital is called St. Jude. I've recommended Ryoma and they're welcome to take his case."
"Memphis?" Ryoma asked, hoarsely.
"Yes. And I think I should explain your illness to you to give you a better view about what kind of treatment you'll receive there."
"It's ALL, isn't it?" Both Nanjiroh and Dr. Endoh couldn't hide their surprise as Ryoma said his words. "Sorry, I overheard you yesterday evening. And I knew acute type spread a lot faster than the chronic type."
It took awhile before Dr. Endoh could respond. "Yes, you're right. And if we can't find a donor soon, we have to do the chemotherapy, which is why I recommend you to take this offer since St. Jude has better technology and complete equipments to do that.
And now, I leave the choice to you."
Nanjiroh, Nanako and Tezuka looked at Ryoma who seemed to be battling with himself. Ryoma looked up to the people in his room one by one, and then said hoarsely.
"It depends on your choice, son." Nanjiroh said slowly.
"Like I have other choice." Ryoma gave a defeated smile and then looked at Tezuka. He realized the hand that was holding his since he didn't know when and squeezed it gently.
Dr. Endoh smiled to hear Ryoma's decision. "It's good to hear it from you, Ryoma-kun."
"But..." Ryoma cut, "can I go home before we go there?"
"Of course you can." Dr. Endoh gave his consent and then looked at Nanjiroh. "We should book a flight and apply for visa immediately."
"Okay. Endoh, thank you. Really, thank you." Nanjiroh didn't seem to be able to say much.
"It's okay. It's my job. It's my concern." And Dr. Endoh left the room without any other words.
Ryoma opened his eyes as he heard a click from his door. It was then opened and Tezuka walked in right after that.
"They went home already." Tezuka informed as he closed the door then walked to Ryoma's bed.
Ryoma gestured that he was listening with a slight nod. "You're not going home?"
Tezuka took a seat on the edge of Ryoma's bed. "No. I decide to stay."
A smile crept on Ryoma's lips. "To accompany me?"
"Yeah," a nod, "to accompany you."
A wider smile fancied Ryoma's lips. He then straightened from his bed to a sitting position, placing him so close with Tezuka. "Have I told you how much I like you, buchou?"
Tezuka didn't answer. He only stared at Ryoma's eyes intently. And that's before both of them almost together moved forward and close their gap in a kiss.
To be continued
A/N: Some notes...
First, it's about the late of update. What can I say? University life. Busy... busy... And also, put on a silly face laziness consumed most of my time. Ahahaha... get hit with a pan
Second, about the St. Jude at Memphis. I got the article about this hospital from Reader Digest (it's around last year) and I only got about three chances to read it before it vanished into the thin air (explanation: I think I forgot where I put it...). So, I'm so sorry if it's not really complete.
Third. I'm doing my best to write more constantly. And to study and practice constantly too...
Fourth. This one is not important... but, I recommend this game of Sudoku. It's great. Teaches me not to easily give up, because if you face a death end, you just need to take some time to refresh your mind and then go back and discover some new ways to complete your task.
Fifth... review:P