Yay! I'm back! So it's another exciting (mayb depressing?) chapter of A 1000 Days or More! And just a warning, I had NO idea what the building where they train was called, so you would see me calling it 'the building' a lot in the beginning because obviously I don't know what to call it! So excuse me for that, and if any of you know I would appreciate you telling me. Another important fact is: I FORGOT TO SPECIFY THE MEDICATION AND DOSAGE IN THE LAST CHAPTER!! NOOOO! I probably messed up on the dosage :( I think I killed Fujiko with overdose. So okay just so you know, the medication is supposed to be 90mg per day. SORRY! And before I forget, thank you to May-Linn for reviewing!
Don't own Prince of Tennis
Fuji was sleeping.
It was rare to catch the prodigy resting, but today, the Seigaku regulars were lucky enough to have him caught in the act on the bus.
He had propped himself with his hand while his head leaned against the window. His eyes were indefinitely closed this time, with his heavy lashes turned downwards instead of up. However, even that was hard to see as his honey brown hair fell into his eyes. His head involuntarily moved to the rhythm of the bus, making him look almost like a drunken rocker, bobbing his head up and down. His face which was stuck to the glass prevented him from moving more than he already was. His breath barely misted the glass.
"Nya… he looks so peaceful…"
"Not scary at all."
"Fsssh…."
"Heh… so he does sleep."
"Well of course Echizen. Everyone needs sleep."
"Minna. I think it's better if you just let him sleep. You might wake him up."
"A perfect opportunity. There is a 0.01 chance that he will be able to hide his true self when in sleep. Ii… data."
Coach Ryuuzaki sighed and shook her head. No matter how serious or mature they seemed to be on the court, they were just kids off court. She pretended to ignore them as she watched Kikumaru, with the help of Momoshiro, about to poke Fuji in the face to see if he was really asleep. The others all watched, holding their breaths in anticipation. Even Oishi, who was the most responsible of them all, seemed to be caught in the moment. Inui was lost in his data, obviously pleased with this prospect. Ryoma yawned in disinterest. She felt herself further doubt the maturity of her team as she watched the 3rd year and 2nd year back away as far as they could when Fuji stirred.
"Hey! What's going on there?"
In the blink of an eye, they were all back in their seats.
'Nothing Ryuuzaki-sensei' was chorused. She couldn't help but smile a little. To be young again. She mused to herself about the tight black mini skirt she had in her closet somewhere; she could still fit into it… maybe.
She looked out the window to see the bus was coming to a stop. The gates of the large building came into view. They were here.
"I can't believe it… This is a big surprise!"
As expected, Kikumaru was the first to react. He had his face plastered to the glass in a childish manner, leaving smudges as he unglued himself from it.
"Yeah… it sure is amazing."
"This is where we'll be staying for a while."
By this time, Fuji had woken up to look out the window as well. The building was certainly large. Even the parking lot seemed to stretch for almost a mile. He amused himself into wondering who he could trick into finding the actual length out for him. Inui seemed like a good candidate.
The large green bus' door opened, allowing the Seigaku regulars and their coach to step off of the vehicle. All of them had a tennis bag slung over their shoulders, making a row of 'Seigaku' outside. They looked around again, having more freedom to do so off the bus.
"There really is a huge difference between this and that time in Karuizawa, isn't there?" Momo said. He looked up at the building looming over him. As if compelled to, Kaidoh countered with his own statement.
"Of course. This is the Junior Invitational Enrichment Camp. Do you understand that, you idiot?"
"What did you say?!"
"Hey hey, we've just arrived. Would you please give me a break…?" Oishi said exasperatedly. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't control the two arguing second years. Fuji didn't blame him. It wouldn't quite work without threats.
"Hey, it seems Echizen has visitors."
All the regulars turned at Inui's words. It was Hanamura from Jyousei Shounan. She smiled dazzlingly, her mauve hair shining in the sun as she closed the door to her bright red sports car. Fuji found her disturbing, in a vague way.
"It's been a while hasn't it Echizen-kun?"
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After the arrival of Hanamura-sensei, the parking lot became riddled with cars, buses, and vans alike. All the schools that they had met in the Kantou Regional Tournament were present. They were all, some more so than others, familiar. There was: Kajimoto, Wakato, and Shinjou from Jyousei Shounan; Ibu and Kamio from Fudomine; Amane, Saeki, and Kisarazu from Rokkaku; Sengoku from Yamabuki; his little brother, Kisarazu, and some person he just couldn't remember from St. Rudolph; Atobe, Oshitari, Shishido, Ootori, and Kabaji from Hyoutei; and Kirihara, Yanagi, and Sanada from Rikkaidai.
Fuji smiled. Had time passed by that fast? He regarded his own team with a sense of nostalgia. It seemed like only yesterday that they were all 1st years that had just joined the tennis club and only an hour since the talented 1st year had come. Perhaps even just a second since Tezuka went to Germany. Time really does fly…
He blinked when the tennis players around him began to shift. The announcements were over; he had managed to daydream through all of it. Saa… was it something about being separated into three groups? I'm sure it was that… Thinking about what might have been said, he followed his teammates inside.
The interior was just as spacious as the outside. All of the schools walked down a long hallway until they came upon a bulletin board in the middle of a sitting area. Three rather large pieces of paper were stuck onto the board. They were titled: Ryuuzaki, Hanamura, and Sakaki. Hm… so we are to be split into three groups with either of these coaches as our head. I see… Interesting.
Fuji went up to one of the posters titled Sakaki, mainly because he saw his brother there. He scrolled down the list quickly, wondering if he would be in this group. It would be most ideal if he could be with his brother.
Inui Sadaharu, Kaidoh Kaoru, Kawamura Takashi, Saeki Kojirou, Sanada Genichirou, Fuji Syuusuke, Fuji Yuuta, Mizuki Hajime, and Yanagi Renji. Ah… I'm in this group.
Fuji smiled at Yuuta. "We're in the same group, Yuuta. That's fortunate."
Surprisingly for once, he didn't scowl or even seem dejected. Instead he looked happy. "Even though you're my older brother, I'm not going to go easy on you." The younger of the two smiled. Fuji felt nearly elated; his brother was getting better each day. His efforts hadn't been a waste at all.
"Of course."
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Fuji hung the newly acquired jacket on a chair. He heard a mattress creaking as Yuuta landed on one of the two beds.
"Those were some good matches, right aniki?"
Yuuta had propped himself up from the bed to sit facing his older brother. Fuji nodded in response.
"They were. That… hm… Mifume was it? Played better than I thought he would."
"Aniki, that's not his name! It's Mizuki!"
Fuji cocked his head. "Really? I was positive that was his name…"
Yuuta sighed. "Aniki… I really think you should drop it…"
"Hm?"
Fuji straightened up from his bag, holding a small bottle in his hand. He pushed his bag to one side, allowing Yuuta to see the pink contents.
"Aniki, what's that?"
As if it hadn't occurred to him that he was holding something, Fuji looked down at the bottle.
"Oh, this? Nee-san got it for me from the doctor."
Yuuta walked over to get a closer look. The tablets bumped against the plastic walls of the container, making small clicking noises.
"Are you sick aniki? What is it for?"
Fuji grinned, making Yuuta shudder. It was like he was just waiting for him to ask that.
"Saa… who knows…"
His older brother shook the bottle gently. Suddenly, he had a strange feeling that it was something evil… something he might fall victim to.
"Um… I'm… going to take a shower now. You can use it after!" The bathroom door shut immediately after that. Fuji smiled. It was better this way, though he was sorry he had scared his little brother.
Putting the medicine on the nightstand, he changed quickly. Pulling the blue shirt over his head, he once again picked up the bottle. He knocked on the bathroom door sharply.
"Ne, Yuuta. I'm going to get some water. I'll be back soon."
There was no answer, except for running water. Shrugging, he went out the door.
He found the cafeteria easily. As expected, it was empty. He looked around just in case. It was strange being in an empty room by yourself. Being alone gives additional anxiety, though you are in fact on your own. He walked over to the self-serving area for the water, stepping more delicately than usual.
Fuji picked up a green cup from the row of freshly washed cups. Pouring himself some cold water, he dropped two tablets into it and watched it diffuse. It was a completely spontaneous reaction. One moment it was clear, than the next a pink fog was rolling over the cup. He smiled, entertained by the small show the medicine had put on. Swirling it for good measure, he drank it. The bitterness was surprising. Because it was pink, he had almost expected it to be sweet. Well, yet another proof to add truth to the phrase 'don't judge a book by its cover'. Placing the cup in the used bin, he took another look at the medicine. It was written in English; the word was not something he saw everyday. He wasn't bad in English, but he doubted he could pronounce it properly. Putting it in his pocket, he walked out of the cafeteria to the library.
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I. D. E. B. E. N. O. N. E. Idebenone. Usage.
He clicked enter. There were more hits than he imagined. Scrolling down, he chose the first website that attracted him.
A benzoquinone derivative which is structurally related to ubiquinone, a component of the respiratory chain. Although the precise mechanism of action of the drug is unknown, preclinical studies suggest that idebenone may exert cytoprotective properties by acting as a free radical scavenger. In addition, it also appears to improve cerebral metabolism, correct neurotransmitter defects and enhance memory and learning.
Fuji stared. Increase my memory and learning? Is this one of those medicines you take to increase your concentration? But school is out for now… Frowning, he went back to the search engine. Idenone: illness. Again, the page became littered with articles. He randomly clicked another.
A benzoquinone derivative, it is hypothesized to improve brain metabolism and protect cell membranes against lipid peroxidation. Found to be effective in Alzheimer's and Friedreich's ataxia.
Fuji's forehead wrinkled in concern. He was sure he didn't have Alzheimer's; he was too young for that. But what was Friedreich's ataxia? He hadn't heard of it before. Going back the search page, he typed in 'Friedreich's ataxia'. A rather lengthy article came into view. He rubbing his eyes, he peered over his shoulder. No one. Protectively hunching over the monitor, he skimmed through it quickly.
Otherwise known as Spinocerebellar Atrophy. … rare inherited disease… copies of chromosome 9… loss of voluntary muscular coordination…bedridden…
Bedridden.
"Fuji?"
Surprised, Fuji closed the page. He turned around quickly. It was Taka. He instantly brightened up, plastering a smile on his face.
"Taka-san? Are you here to do some research?"
Though he did nothing wrong, Kawamura began to squirm and looked guilty. "Ah… no… It's just that… Sakaki-sensei wants to have a meeting…. So I came to find you." He scratched his head sheepishly. Being gentle all the time… Fuji guessed Taka did need some kind of alternate character to let out all the anger or frustration that might build over time. After all, Taka-san never got mad.
"Arigatou Taka-san." Fuji stood up. "Saa… which room is it?"
"Ah… the second room down the hall to the right. I think it might have started already…"
Fuji walked quickly. "We should hurry then-"
He stumbled. It wasn't as if he tripped over his own feet, but he just… Before Taka could say anything, he had already recovered and was smiling at him. "I'm getting clumsier these days." He ran out into the hallway, still cheerful.
Taka let out a loud breath; he had unknowingly held it in when he saw his friend stumble. He looked at the computer. It showed the mundane grey background with only the recycle bin and internet as its functions. The task bar showed nothing. Slowly, he moved to the computer. He clicked on the internet. The mouse loomed over the history button. At the last moment, he shook his head. Suspicions without proof were bad.
Putting it out of his mind, he ran to catch up to Fuji.
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"Hai Okaa-san. Of course. I know. I… I don't want it to be… but I'm sure."
Wiping her eyes, Yumiko put down the phone. The house was quiet. It was always quiet, even if Syuusuke and Yuuta were there. But this was another kind of quiet. A doomed immortal quiet. Sighing, she put her head in her hands. Mother hadn't reacted very well at all. And Father? She hadn't had a chance to speak to him yet. But she was sure he was concerned as well. Lifting her head, she blew on her hands; they had gone cold when she heard her mother cry. She didn't like listening to other people cry, especially her parents. It felt like a violation, as if she shouldn't be there to hear it. It was something private you did by yourself.
Unable to stop the tears with her sleeves, she reached for the box of tissues. The trip to Europe would be cut short. Even her father would come. Well… she shouldn't say 'even' because he should come. A child sick… the parent should come. They would be arriving in three days.
Yumiko shamelessly blew her nose. No one was home. She tried breathing again. It was easier now, but she still partly breathed through her mouth. It was calming, almost. The sound filled the house, making it less empty. While breathing slowly, she turned on her cell phone. Text messaging would be the fastest. It would also disturb him less should he be in an important event.
Using years of experience, she wrote a message effortlessly.
Gomen Syuusuke, but could you go to the rehabilitation center tomorrow? I'll be there to pick you up at around 1 pm. It'll only be for an hour or so. Please tell your sensei about it. You'll have to go again two days later. It's twice a week. Gomen.
-Yumiko
By the way Syuusuke, don't worry. Everything's fine.
This chapter is finished! OMG! And guess what? THE ALERT SYSTEM IS WORKING AGAIN! HURRAY! So thank you for waiting. This chapter was kind of difficult for me. I wanted it to have around the same contents as the anime but I wasn't going to put in the entire episode (because most of it has nothing to do with fuji and is going to be unrelated to this story). So yes, I spent more time editing on it than I usually do XP the beginning I think is STILL awkward! I tried to cut out so many dialogues but AH! Oh well. So next chapter will be a rehabilitation center! Guess whose favorite non-playing buchou of a tennis school will be featured? I'm sure you all know the answer to this XD
Thank you for reading nya!