One Year In Four
oOo
Disclaimer: me no richie therefore PoT me no ownie. Mou, I wish I could be adopted by Konomi-sensei or by the animators…
Warnings: yaoi, lemon… OOCness, presence of OCs…
Pairings: TeFu (I'm loyal and biased… they're the epitome of love)
Summary: Fuji and Tezuka had a rift. They both think they moved on. Then comes Fuji's twenty-fourth birthday (sixth, actually) and he invites the old team over. The past resurfaces, should they seize it or leave it? nya, this is a leap year gift to our favorite tensai from our favorite buchou. Enjoy:3 (third settlement based on Fallen Angel and A Fine Week.)
a/n: funny, I read this off a mag and I feel like sharing… How to be like the Prince of Tennis: be pretty! (and have pretty friends) –just realizes that Sunako (wallflower) can't study in Seigaku, too many creatures of light-; have a simple, catchy phrase (i.e. mada mada dane, run 20 laps now!); ignore the girls (well they used Ryoma on Sakuno as an example, gomen, RyoSaku shippers); ignore everybody else (well, that's Ryoma on everybody except possibly on Momo); have weird names for your skills (i.e. tsubame gaeshi, hakugei); have eye-catching scenes while playing (this one I am yet to notice: everything seems to stop when Eiji is playing); stop drinking sassy drinks, try something weird and drop dead – except when you're Fuji (Inui Juice!); -oh, and here's the really funny one- HAVE AT LEAST TWO YEARS OF TENNIS EXPERIENCE!!! (c/o, of course, Horio) –rotfl- :3
lammieee – well, of course, I do enjoy a lot of reviews… and if I have enough, I'm happy to update. But, actually, I'm updating now because I want to watch Ms. Universe later… haha. Yeps, fun to see Tezuka pining/panting/lusting after Fuji after all his faults… :3
PyroSiren – that show is manhwa based… hate Honda Tohru. Hate Honda Megumi. Ready! Aim! Fire! –laughs when the Hondas drop dead- a rain of tennis balls, ne? that'd be good… but Fuji will have his bit of temptation as well, so he won't come in clean in his relationship with Yanada, which is good. –winks- well, I am not innocent, I've been on the dark side for a long time (not a lot of people know that, though)… I've read a lot of lemons already (tonssss of Anne Rice in that set, btw)… But reading lemon is a piece of cake compared to writing… -.-" especially when it's yaoi.
Ai-Kusabana – woot. I'm so sorry, I just read your review/PM for the 2rd chappie (I don't really check the messages in the fanfiction folder of my mail…-sweatdrop-). I must ask you to hold your breath and calm down, haha. Tezuka is at fault, that's why he is going crazy (I'm just being fair because I think I made syuu-chan so crazy in fallen angel). No, I don't think Yanada and Honda should end up with each other, that'd make two evil people happy together. That's just not right, ne? I think we'll all explode when Honda appears in this fic. I do know that Fuji so will, in a very Fuji way… -winks- Fuji does have a right to find out if the pervert was the guy that Tezuka saw… but I'm not sure if hurt is going to be what Fuji would feel. And, of course, Ayana dislikes that woman. We all do. –evil cackle- And the team is angling for a matchmaking here… :3
xoHakugei – Ready! Aim! Fire! –laughs at dead Honda- and thanks for the assurance about the lemon… I am trying my best. Hmm, I'm still not sure how long since I'm still working out the calendar of events (I'm currently writing the lemon, which is the 9th chappie, btw)… but I think it'd be between 15 to 20 chapters long because the road to love isn't always smooth-sailing and I'll have to wrap up everything. –winks-
sheyryoma – mou, I do want to make it elegant (in wording, because the setting isn't so) and I'm trying my best. nya, you can be my elder sister because I'm the eldest in the family. –grins- I don't know if I'm a genius, especially if you consider geniuses as Promil Kids (I did drink Promil when I was a kid)… I mean, I refuse to be in the same league as Cy Tamura – That guy is just a plain weird person (We went to the same high school… -.-")… oh, well… but thanks sooooooo much for the encouragement. –hugs you-
okinneko – woot, I'm an angel? That sounds nice… -smiles- you have a Fuji plushie? I WANT a Fuji plushie and a Tezuka plushie as well… crap… and I want a Seigaku jacket!!! –sniff- Tezuka-sama and Fuji-sama will be together soon, I think… :3
Miji-Chuu – I am amusing? Hehe, thank you. –grins- well, yes, typing and writing are both strains to the fingers… and here's the update.
Onariah – is Yanada having an affair… dunno… fwahaha! I am an author(ess) and I can't reveal plot twists! And I'm glad that you realized that Tezuka and Evil Honda aren't together anymore. No, can't make the world an even more evil place by causing Yanada and Honda to join forces. As for Tezuka, he should, would show that he cares… but knowing him, he'll show it very, very subtly – except in the chappie after this!
Chrono Breaker – yeah, they should get married, then we could bug their house, ne? tezufujishigureakitoloveyukiryotaro. :3 yeps, I like the kawamuras… painful to read is good, right? I did mean for it to be sad, for Tezuka, especially. How can Ayana not like Fuji more than Honda? How can anyone not like Fuji more? Leading us to How can Tezuka NOT like Fuji more? Hmm, Inui juice would be good for Yanada… let's give poison to Honda, yeah, perhaps, some arsenic. :3
alchemistgrl09 – I guess hyperness is a nature I can't avoid after all the (school) torture I've been going through… I adore babies, that's why I just had to have Hitomi! And I'm 17 (old), how about you? TeFu goodness delivery on the way:3
Ketchup for Blood – I am good at angst? Well, I don't really know if I am an angsty person… actually, I'm a very cheerful person. I prefer the term 'overanalyzing' when I'm reflecting, haha…ooops, sorry for rambling. Let's not make you feel sorry for Honda and Yanada in the future… that IS unacceptable. –twitchtwitch-
luvcloud307 – will leave you in that cliffy for a while, I wanted to put you in another one… and I can't tell you yet who make up the couple…
maldita08 – yeah, PoT has an acceptable dubbing, only I don't like the way they dubbed Tezuka (his voice belongs to someone who talks too much) and Ibu (his whole point, grumbling darkly, is lost… I mean, that's IBU!!!)… and they didn't use mada mada dane… oh well… too small a part of Tezuka's thoughts? Well, Fuji will come next this chappie, the next chappie will start with Tezuka… so let's just see. Hmm, and Ayana doesn't prefer Honda over syu-chan. noooooooo!!! She just wants Tezuka and Fuji to talk... and kiss… and make up. :3 Oh, you hate Yanada… that's good. Haha.
Oh, this starts painfully for Fuji, haha. How can he NOT love Tezuka, ne?
oOo
Some people believe that without history, our lives amount to nothing. At some point, we'll have to choose: do we fall back to what we know, or do we step forward to something new? It's hard not to be haunted by our past. Our history is what shapes us, what guides us. Our history resurfaces time after time. So we have to remember, sometimes the most important history is the history we're making today.
oOo
Chapter Four
Honda was a topic that Fuji didn't dare open after the silent taxi ride. He hadn't failed to notice that Tezuka had been aloof at that time, almost uncaring. Still, Fuji didn't have the faintest inkling of what troubles may have occurred between Tezuka and Honda… but he did hope that… he brushed off the thought completely, scolding himself for even considering; such thought should have been lost a long time ago.
Sipping coffee, Fuji laid out the recently developed photos on his desk and he raised his head slightly upon hearing a door click. Cursorily, he turned his head away, as he saw Tezuka come out of the bathroom. Fuji sipped some more of the coffee and fixed his eyes on the pictures, trying to ignore the formidable presence that just entered. However much he tried, he couldn't well stop his insides from churning as he inhaled the characteristic citrus scent. His head teemed with snapshots of the other man in the room, Tezuka's rich hair dripping with droplets of water, his fingers raking through Tezuka's luxuriant hair…
Fuji's grip tightened around the handle of his coffee cup as he puffed out air. Perhaps, he should get out and provide the two of them some privacy. Yes, some privacy, a little breathing room… and a lot of peace. Holding his cup, Fuji started to move but he stopped dead as the formidable presence approached and swallowed the space between Fuji and the door.
"May I see these pictures?" asked Tezuka curiously, eyeing the several photos on the desk.
Attempting to pull his lips into a smile, Fuji nodded.
"These are good shots," said Tezuka thoughtfully as he inspected the pictures at hand.
Not knowing how to react, Fuji gave his former buchou a quirky smile. Yanada was right, he thought, Tezuka Kunimitsu was Tezuka Kunimitsu and even Fuji couldn't deny that Tezuka had that familiar flighty effect on his senses. With just a scent and a small glance, Tezuka could send chaos in his thoughts. He pressed his lips, trying to hold the smile. He was just attracted with the man, physically attracted – that would have to be all, nothing more. Tezuka was definitely more dashing now, what with the firmer muscles, the ever confident stance, a stronger aura… Yes, he was just attracted. More would be too much danger. He had Yanada now and Tezuka had Honda.
Fuji remained smiling, not doing anything. He knew he couldn't show weakness at that time, because Tezuka would see right through him and read the inner workings of his mind. He used to like the fact that he and Tezuka understood each other so well – well beyond imagination. He used to think that their connection was convenient; he didn't have to ask or force Tezuka to say anything, he just knew. That way, he could pride himself with the fact that only he knew Tezuka more than anyone else, and that only Tezuka would know him as much. But now that connection was just too painful to tolerate, he couldn't even put his guard down lest Tezuka would see his waning restraint.
Tasting a sour lump at his throat, Fuji chugged down the rest of his coffee but trying not to seem too eager to finish it. When he replaced his cup on the desk, he stared. Then a warm smile crept unconsciously to his lips. Tezuka's eyes were glued to his pictures. Fuji always felt a tug at his heart whenever Tezuka looked at his photos because Tezuka would always praise him, always say that Fuji had the talent, the heart and the passion for photography. Tezuka used to be in awe of Fuji's photos as much as he was in awe of Fuji.
"Nya, nya, Fujiko!" called an excitedly leaping Eiji. "Momo and Kaidoh said that we can play tennis in their club for free. Hayaku! Hayaku! You, too, buchou!"
Grateful for the intrusion, Fuji smiled. He released a strained breath and turned to Tezuka. "Do you think we can play against each other?"
Tezuka raised a brow, then, his brown eyes gained a glitter. "Ahh."
The tennis club, surprisingly, was as peaceful as its owners were always at war. Fuji couldn't help but chuckle as Momoshiro and Kaidoh bickered as to which court they would be using. Then, he remembered the times when these two were very good partners in doubles. Perhaps, their innate competitiveness against each other made their business a success.
"Oishi, come quickly!" called Eiji impatiently to the other half of the Golden Pair. He was twirling his racket around his fingers as he walked toward the net, grinning childishly at the Inui-Kaidoh pair. Eiji turned to Oishi, who had just gotten to place, and he smiled. "Let's do our best!"
"Hai," said Oishi cheerfully, apparently glad that he was back at court, playing his favorite sport with his favorite partner.
Fuji watched with amusement in his eyes. The golden pair threw off everything with perfect-timing and unit-coordination. The Inui-Kaidoh pair wasn't exactly being trampled; their cooperation with each other was great, in fact. However, Eiji and Oishi weren't entitled as the Golden Pair for no reason. Furthermore, by then, Eiji and Oishi knew each other too well that they almost acted upon instinct to catch up on one another's skill.
"Ne, Tezuka," said Fuji as he cast a mildly inquiring gaze at their former buchou. "It seems like some things didn't change."
However, Tezuka did not make a reply. Fuji could just smile. Most things changed, though, he knew… like he and Tezuka… he shook himself mentally. He pointedly turned to the court and looked at Eiji and Oishi. Those two seemed even more in tuned to each other than ever. And Fuji didn't have to dig in too deep to see; the two were in the stage where they were realizing that being in love was a notch different from being merely comfortable.
Truly, Fuji was glad; Eiji and Oishi have both been enjoying each other's company for more than ten years. It was about time that they became aware that they were far more than just friends. Perhaps, Fuji began to think, the Golden Pair could keep what Fuji and Tezuka failed to retain. Then, tightly, Fuji shut his eyes, reprimanding himself. There he was again, pondering on Tezuka and himself. Maybe, he reasoned to himself, because of tennis. After all, that was where he and Tezuka had begun…
"Mada mada dane, Momo," said Echizen, smirking as he and the purple-eyed Momoshiro took their places after the doubles game.
Fuji couldn't help but grin to himself. Echizen was still as – no, cocky wouldn't be the appropriate word – confident as ever. And the young man had every right to be, for being the youngest US Open Champion. As Echizen held the racket in his right hand and hit the twist serve, some people have stopped to watch, probably recognizing the young tennis samurai.
Taking a glance at his side, Fuji saw their former captain intently watching the game. He smiled pensively, knowing that tennis was the one thing that Tezuka most cared about in the world. Fuji tore his eyes back to the game, smiling placidly. Momoshiro was doing well himself, receiving Echizen's shots with only little difficulty. Well, Tezuka did say that Momoshiro would grow to be quite a formidable opponent…
"Eh, Echizen," said Momoshiro, chuckling as they ended up with a score of 6-3. "You're really very good now…"
"Nya, ochibi!" called Eiji vivaciously, jumping to Echizen.
"Mn," went a frowning Echizen, "Kikumaru should stop calling me that…"
"Demo…" started Eiji, pouting his lips, "Ochibi is Ochibi."
Beaming at the childish sight, Fuji picked up his racket. "Ne, Tezuka," he said jovially. "Let's have a good match."
Gaping, both Eiji and Echizen looked up.
"Ahh," said Tezuka, picking up his racket as well and heading to the court.
Eyes followed as Fuji went to the other side of the net, right across Tezuka. By that time, a substantial number of spectators have gathered and Fuji could only flash a smile as he followed their thoughts. What was a nobody thinking of by playing a match against Tezuka Kunimitsu – the Tezuka Kunimitsu?
"Ten minutes… I give that guy ten minutes to last in a game."
"Iie. He looks delicate… five minutes."
"Would you bet on it, ne?"
Smiling patiently, Fuji took out a lime-green ball from his pocket and asked, "Ready?"
Tezuka nodded.
Gripping his racket, Fuji revealed his azure eyes as he hit the Disappearing Serve. He could feel blood rush through his body as he played; his hands trembled with excitement. Even after a long time, Fuji's body acted on its own accord to return Tezuka's shots."
"He might last fifteen…"
"Fifteen-love, Fuji."
Fuji looked at his hand that was starting to sweat. The game was just beginning and his hands were already cold and shaking. He smiled inwardly. Tezuka never seemed to cease to have that effect on him. The former buchou returned the serve, sending the ball hissing past Fuji's ears.
"Fifteen all."
Unsurprised, Fuji cast heavy eyes upon the man across him. Tezuka was being serious and Fuji couldn't be happier…
"Seven games to five," called the umpire. "Game and match to Tezuka."
As soon as the match ended, Fuji backed away from the court and watched as fans, men and women alike, swarmed Tezuka. He grinned as terrified-looking Echizen silently crept to one corner. The younger man murmured something about getting a drink and set off, trying to evade the people's gazes.
"Nya, buchou is really popular, ne?" said Eiji gleefully as they stayed near the wires.
"Aside from being very good in tennis," started Inui in an informative tone, "He appears with Honda Megumi, his girlfriend and that adds to his fame."
Seeming unaffected, Fuji continued smiling. "A true wonder, indeed," he remarked, amusement was clear in his tone.
After fifteen long minutes, the crowd slowly began to dissipate, allowing Tezuka some air. Looking as emotionless as ever, Tezuka walked over to join his former teammates.
Grinning, Fuji rubbed a forefinger against his chin. "A lot of good players have a certain charisma that attracts people," he said to no one in particular.
As though unable to hear the comment, Tezuka reached for a clean towel and rubbed off the beads of sweat on his face. "You're still good," he said pointedly.
Arching a brow, Fuji cast Tezuka a calculating gaze. "Saa… no," he said, smiling as he normally did. "I'm way below you in skills." That was true, both of them knew. "After all, you have six years of professional experience behind you whereas I only play once a week…"
"If you played more often, you would be just as good as you used to be," said Tezuka matter-of-factly.
Smiling slightly, Fuji shrugged. He wasn't like Tezuka whose life revolved around tennis. He now had his photography. But he couldn't ignore the slight tug at his heart as the words registered in his head. Could Tezuka possibly want him to be back in tiptop shape? Then again, Tezuka was always hoping to pull everyone's true strength. Fuji heaved a sigh. He used to be Tezuka ultimate and strongest rival, he even used to be Tezuka's love. Now, he had been among the many opponents who couldn't even be good enough to challenge Tezuka.
oOo
Was there ever a time when you fell in love with a person, but had to let go? When you thought you moved on, Lady Fate toys with you and makes you meet with that one person again. Other people, other loves may have come and gone through your life and yet you never forget the way that your heart used to leap or how your body used to tremble at the presence of that one person. Then, you realize that your love for him had always been there. That person is your constant. Simply put: he is your soul-mate, your one true love.
oOo
a/n: could you use brandy for 'I never'? Could you use sake? I never played 'I never' because I am underage and I don't like rootbeer, well, I don't really like sodas in general…
that scene with the pics… that's kinda familiar, isn't it? That's in fallen angel, too… and I think this chappie is the closest to stirring your interest in the other Seigaku pairs because after this, it will be solid TeFu. Btw, I think you'd like the next chappie… actually, I'm thinking that you'd enjoy the TeFu goodness from chapter 5 onwards… so please be patient; you don't have long to wait before we get to the actual TeFu goodness!!! -holds up a hand- And I think the lemon's going on fine now, I think I ranted because my brain felt really empty after finishing the 3rd draft… -.-"
Hayaku – quick, fast… (which I should be telling myself)
Demo - but