Melting a prodigy's heart

A/N: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

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Last time:

"WHAT!!!!!! WHERE!!!!"

There was a few seconds silence as the person on the phone told him something, and then Tezuka slammed his phone shut and took off like the devil himself was chasing him.

"Tezuka!!" called Oishi after his captain. Throwing worried looks at all the people present, a few seconds later the three teams were running after him out of worry and curiosity about what could possibly be so serious that it had Tezuka so flustered.

As he ran down the streets intent on reaching his destination as fast as possible, one thought was in his mind.

"Yumi……. Why didn't you tell me????"

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Chapter 4:

Behind Tezuka, as they ran the regulars from all three teams tried to come up with a theory as to what had the normally stoic and composed Tezuka into such a panic.

"The only idea I have is that there's a family emergency." Stated Inui as they ran.

"Maybe, but I'm not sure I mean he went really pale and sounded furious on the phone. I think it might be something else." Answered Sanada, a slight frown showing on his forehead.

Inui was cut off when before he could answer as Tezuka turned into a driveway. As they turned they all passed the sign: 'Nariko Emergency Hospital'

They caught up with Tezuka at the information desk where he was talking to the receptionist. As the reached his side the woman answered whatever Tezuka had asked her.

"She's in ICU 12, floor 4 corridor A…"

Tezuka didn't even let the woman finish. He took off towards the stairs and promptly ran up them in search of the room he was looking for.

"Tezuka! Wait up!" Fuji called from behind but Tezuka ignored him as he sprinted past corners and up a flight of stairs before disappearing from view.

They were about to follow him when they heard Atobe ask the receptionist:

"Sorry we are here with him; could you tell us who he is visiting and that person's condition please?"

The receptionist ran he gaze over the lot of them before answering.

"Your friend asked for the room number of a patient named Toyoma Yumi…"

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Tezuka wrenched opened the door to ICU 12 and his gaze automatically landed on the young woman lying asleep on the bed attached to numerous machines and an oxygen mask.

Tezuka shakily made his way to the side of the bed, not wanting to believe what he was saying but after what Hannah told him, he knew it was true, he just strongly wished it wasn't. He knelt down on the floor letting his arms and upper torso lean on the hospital bed.

"Oh, Yumi..." he whispered, as tears started to form in his eyes. He reached out and touched her face. "I know you hate looking weak but why didn't you tell me?" He spoke softly. He let his hand move down to hold her own. I love you, Yumi. Please don't give up. He thought. She gripped his hand slightly and he looked up at her. Her eyes were clenched tightly for a moment before she opened them. She reached up and pulled the mask off her face and looked at him.

"Kunimitsu?"

Yumi closed her eyes, a tear sliding down her face at the shock of seeing him there by her side. Tezuka wiped the tear from her cheek gently.

"Yumi," Tezuka said softly. "You should have told me. You should have told me you have a lung tumour. You should have told me you had cancer. I would have been by your side every step of the way." Tezuka reprimanded softly. Yumi nodded slightly, but winced. Tezuka kissed her softly. "I was so afraid... I've never been so scared in my life, Yumi. I don't know what I'll do if..." Yumi looked up at him; a tear was sliding down his face. His head was bowed so she couldn't see his eyes from under his hair and the reflection off his glasses. She reached up and touched his face.

"I love you, Kunimitsu, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't want to worry you." she said softly. He looked down at her, the left corner of his mouth upturned a little.

" Idiot. I don't care if you make me worry. I love you." Answered Tezuka, allowing himself to smile at her. "How long are you in hospital for? When is your operation?"

Yumi smiled back at him before saying:

"You have perfect timing Kunimitsu. My operation is today. Will you stay?"

"Of course I will Yumi. I'll be there as you go in and I'll be here when you come out, and every day after that." Stated Tezuka while squeezing her hand tightly against his chest.

"Thank you. By the way we have an audience Kunimitsu." Said Yumi as she giggled slightly, her gaze on the entrance to her room.

"A what?" asked Tezuka.

With a puzzled frown on his face, he turned his head to the door only to withhold a groan.

There in the doorway were the members of Rikkaidai, Seigaku and Hyoutei tennis teams trying to spy discreetly on him.

"What..." started Tezuka but he was distracted by Yumi tugging gently on his hand.

Turning to her, he bent down to listen as she whispered to him:

"I would like to meet your friends Kunimitsu."

Tezuka sighed before raising his voice so it would carry out to the corridor.

"Stop acting like idiots and get in here. Yumi wants to meet you all."

With that the boys outside all came in each with a sheepish or embarrassed expression on their faces.

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Tezuka was having trouble not smiling as his girlfriend quickly made friends with every member of all three tennis teams. How she put up with Atobe's boasting and posturing however was beyond him.

They had been chatting for all most two hours now, and Tezuka was glad seeing as his teammates and the others were distracting Yumi from dwelling on the operation that she was going to undergo later.

Everybody's attention was grasped when the door opened and in came the Doctor in charge of Yumi' surgery. "Yumi...are you ready?"

Yumi gazed at the doctor, and then looked at Tezuka who smiled at her, earning him gaping looks from everyone else in the room, before she turned back to the doctor and said:

"Yes...I think I am."

It was like a procession in the hospital halls as everyone followed the doctor and Yumi out of the room and to the operating room

Tezuka held on firmly to Yumi's hand as he walked along side her bed.

"Kunimitsu..." Yumi started knowing that he would know exactly what she was thinking.

Tezuka smiled softly at her. "Everything's going to be fine, Yumi. I'll be here when you wake up."

Yumi felt a wave of relief at her boyfriends' words and smiled back at him lovingly.

They all came to a stop. As the doctor stopped in front of the doors leading to the operating room "Here we are Yumi."

Yumi nodded.

The bed started to move into the operating room but it paused once more when Tezuka grabbed her hand.

"Kunimitsu..."

"Yumi..." Tezuka's eyes brimmed with tears hidden behind his glasses."I love you."

With that Yumi disappeared into the operating room and the occupied light switched on.

Tezuka stared at the door for a few seconds, only somewhat aware of the eyes of all three tennis teams on him, before he turned and went to the small couch situated opposite the door and gracelessly collapsed on it and closed his eyes.

He was jostled with his thought when he felt someone sit next to him. Opening his eyes he saw Fuji sitting next to him with his eyes open and everyone else watching him, each with a varying amount of concern in their eyes.

"Tezuka?" ask Atobe, his voice tinged with worry and missing its usual arrogance.

"I'm fine. Sorry to have ruined our matches. You can all go. You don't need to be here." Answered Tezuka in a stoic voice.

After that was said, Tezuka closed his eyes and let his head fall back, signifying that he didn't want to talk.

He heard some mumbling and whispering around him before the sound of many retreating footsteps reached his ears. Tezuka wasn't really paying attention; his thoughts were centred on the young woman who was in the operation room.

However his eyes flew opened when a cup of coffee was shoved into his hands. Blinking as he started at the coffee in his hands, he turned his gaze upwards, and was shocked and puzzled at the sight before him.

Fuji was still sitting next to him with Kawamura next to him on the sofa. Across the hall sitting on the floor their backs against the wall were Momoshiro and Echizen. Inui was sitting on the arm of the sofa next Kawamura, Kaidoh was leaning against the sofa while sitting crossed legged on the floor in front of Kawamura. In front of Tezuka was Oishi, who had put the coffee into his hands, and hovering around him was Eiji.

"What…" started to ask Tezuka but Oishi interrupted him.

"Tezuka, we are a team; and teammates look out for one another. We're staying with you."

Tezuka looking at him and Oishi smiled back at him. Tezuka turned his gaze to Eiji; Eiji smiled as well and said "Hoi Hoi!" Turning to Fuji who smiled at him this time with his eyes closed, Kawamura gave his a thumbs up, Inui pushed his glasses up his nose and said " Ie Data." While a smile tugged at his lips. Kaidoh nodded and gave a hiss. Momoshiro gave a punch in the air and said "Yeah!" and lastly Echizen tipped his cap and said his famous catchphrase "Mada Mada Dane"

Tezuka nodded, and then turned his thoughts back to Yumi. Barely ten minutes later, a voice drew him away from his thoughts and back to the hospital hallway.

"Saa, Tezuka how did you meet Yumi-chan?" asked a curious Tensai.

Tezuka looked at Fuji before answered the question and telling his teammates about his girlfriend.

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A/N: sorry it took a while. Been on holiday with no internet. Also got hit with an amazing idea for a novel so I've been holed up writing that. Hope you like this chapter. One more chapter till this fic is complete. Please review.